Say goodbye to NYE, say hello to NYD
Something we didn’t know we need, are New Years Day festivals the way forwards?
Is there anything more classic than the new year’s festival stretch New Zealand has to offer in a week window (Hidden Valley, RNV, RNA and Bay Dreams)? Every summer thousands upon thousands flock towards the week bender that sees your average joe turn into the most loosest bloke on the block all because of the new year’s tradition that basically tells you to get as fucked up as you can whilst still managing to somehow stay alive.
These festivals span from a 10+ year tradition that started all from when RNV first opened its vineyard gates. But along the years something critical has disappeared, the passion to go and see the music, it’s no secret that the crowd of these festivals include just turned 18 year olds who finally feel an ounce of freedom, under 18 year olds getting high for the first time on their fake id’s and your classic “shred for RnV” meat heads that still believe wearing tank tops and top knots are fashionable to wear to a festival. All of this leaves us music lovers with one thing.... Disappointment.
New Year’s Eve festivals suck plain and simple, let’s face it the line-up is never what you truly expected it to be, you’ve probably seen more than half of the acts in the last few years and know their sets inside out by now. Don’t even get me started on the expectations you head into these festivals with, no you’re not going to get that special hook up you thought you were going to get on the countdown or get this special night you had planned because newsflash every other festival goer has the same idea and it can’t end with all you guys getting your wish. But there’s a solution to all of this.....New Year Day festivals.
Of my time in Melbourne, they have perfected the New Year’s Day festival vibe, with four different one day festivals, all catering to different groups and line ups. It’s one way to rid yourself of the riff raff you’re so sick off at new year’s eve festivals. No more stupid expectations of having the perfect NYE and instead start the year on a great high instead being hungover and recovering. The pros literally outweigh the cons because we all know one day festivals are that much better than multiple days festivals (see Laneway and NestFest).
So what you say NZ lets forego tradition and start a new one, a better one and let’s embrace to starting the year in a glorious fashion, dancing and grooving on the first day of the year instead of kicking things off hungover, recovering and getting a fat hit of the post festival blues, save that shit for the 2nd.
All Images by Denzel De Ruysscher
Say goodbye to NYE, say hello to NYD by Denzel Du Ruysscher