New Zealand to stage two new music festivals

New Zealand is getting two new music festivals – a local version of Australia’s Meatstock and the Top Paddock country music event.

Meatstock, which combines barbeques and blues and country bands, will make its debut at Auckland’s ASB Showgrounds on 25th and 26th February next year.

Meatstock made its debut in Sydney earlier this year and sold 10,000 tickets. It will return to Sydney in May 2017, after an inaugural event in Melbourne in April.

Meatstock co-founder Jay Beaumont explains "e will stick to the same sizzling event recipe and provide an awesome line-up of blues and country bands at each location

"Punters can enjoy their favourite cuts of meat along with a side serving of great music.

“There'll be plenty to digest.”

Top Paddock is a new country music festival on New Year’s Eve at the Lake Hawea Hotel, promising a bill of major country and rock acts.

It will be the core event of the Lake Hawea Festival, which also includes a Rhythm & Alps warm-up night and the Wanaka Rodeo After Party.

Top Paddock replaces The Branding, with co-owner Ants Alderson applying for approval for 500 more attendees than the earlier festival’s capacity of 2,000.

The Branding was cancelled in July with Director Sarah Perriam citing challenges with the New Year’s Eve date and a personal business restructuring.

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14th September 2012 - EVENTS AND FESTIVALS AT RISK UNDER NEW ZEALAND LOCAL GOVERNMENT BILL