All roads are leading to Kapiti with the announcement of the Coastella International Music Festival happening this Easter, celebrating the sunny coastline as a vibrant cultural hotspot and hosting a line-up of international musical performances, local food, produce, craft beer and wine.
The day-long, family-friendly festival will host more than thirteen bands on two stages on Easter Saturday (March 26th ) within the spectacular grounds and natural amphitheatre of the Southward Car Museum, just north of Paraparaumu and only one hour north of Wellington.
With Easter historically providing great weather on the Kapiti Coast, the one-day outdoor event is set to attract 1500 people in its inaugural year. The independent festival is organised by local Kapiti entrepreneur, Paul Brown, and internationally renowned Kiwi musician, Gerry Paul.
Paul Brown says Coastella is dedicated to celebrating the vibrancy of the coast’s culture and hospitality and the people who make it happen. “With so much development in the area, and more and more young families moving up the coast, we want to showcase all that Kapiti has to offer - weather, food, music - with cutting edge events such as this,” says Paul. “We have all these new roads opening up, so let’s get Wellingtonians up the coast to hear great music and enjoy our hospitality. The festival’s slogan ‘All roads lead to Kapiti!’ really reinforces that.
For Kapiti locals, this incredible event will be on their doorstep rather than them always having to travel to Wellington City, New Plymouth or further afield.”
Gerry Paul has created a star-studded lineup, presenting genres from soul to singer-songwriter, folk to world music and funk to Americana. The bill includes undeniably charming Australian band Sex On Toast who specialise in raw early 80’s funk and “heartfelt blue-eyed soul”, NZ veteran songwriting legend Don McGlashan; Tait Music Prize Winner, Lawrence Arabia; Silver Scroll winning producer and country artist, Delaney Davidson; 22-piece Balkan band, The Balkanistas; Electric Wire Hustle frontman, Mara TK ; Estere, who describes her music as “Electric Blue Witch Hop”, along with Irish Chart Topping Artist, Noelie McDonnell.
Gerry, an internationally renowned guitarist who has performed at over 500 festivals in 30 countries, says, “We want a festival with a focus on outstanding songwriters and musicians, both from NZ and internationally. You couldn’t design festival grounds as great as the natural amphitheatre out the back of the Southward Car Museum - it's crazy that it hasn’t been utilised for a music festival before now!”
Food & Beverage stalls will include the Kapiti Food Truck Collective, Gooseshack & Kapiti Ice-cream, plus local craft breweries Tuatara (Paraparaumu) and North End (Waikanae). With entertainment and attractions including cricket for all ages, an official Easter Egg Hunt, balloon art and face Painting for the kids, there’s guaranteed to be something for everyone at Coastella.
The grounds provide ample parking, and there will be buses running from Wellington on the day - with all roads leading to Kapiti, it’s virtually on your doorstep!
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