PRETENDERS FOR SWEETWATERS NORTH & SOUTH

Rip It Up, Issue 76, 1 November 1983, Page 2

PRETENDERS FOR SWEETWATERS NORTH & SOUTH

This year's Sweetwaters festival will be quite different from previous ones, the organisers have

promised. For one thing, it won't be held on Auckland's anniversary weekend. This year the festival will run over February 3-5, a week later. And South Islanders will for once benefit from the festival also. Four international acts have been promised but as yet only one

the Pretenders has been confirmed. Other popular rumours have included Simple Minds, Echo and the Bunnymen (both of whom are reported in overseas papers as planning tours here at the time), Talking Fleads and Robert Plant. In an unheard-of stroke of luck for South Islanders, the whole international roster will travel to Christchurch for one big one-day concert, February 6.

There will be the usual dubious array of Australian bands playing but organisers will not only give good slots to top NZ acts but have undertaken to provide mainstage opportunities for five relatively "unknown" but promising local acts.

"What we're aiming at is a complete facelift," said director Geoff King's assistant, Nicole Hoey. "Well be upgrading the sanitation, which has always been a big minus. We've contracted for 200 portaloos to be provided and serviced three times daily. And they will be serviced backup service trucks have been arranged in case of a breakdown."

Other changes this year will include much stronger security, permitting festival-goers to set up camp by their cars so valuables can be more safely stored, upgrading of showers (with water from a bore rather than the river), provision of firewood and the full-time presence of a health inspector.

The only blot on things so far is the shadow over the traditional Aerial Railway small stage. It may not make an appearance this year it was considered too costly and difficult to organise last time. And it remains to be seen whether the much-bemoaned lack of variety in festival food will be improved or worsened all the food vending rights have been signed out under one contract. RB