Music brings people together like nothing else, part of the reason we launched the Gig Buddies Auckland project. Music can bring people in many ways including creating a community and a sense of belonging, connecting people regardless of race, gender, and age. It creates lasting memories and strengthens bonds between family and friends. Music crosses language barriers and releases dopamine and endorphins to enhance your overall sense of wellbeing.
Some of our Gig Buddies were lucky enough to get free tickets for Listen In Festival Auckland held in Go Media (Mt Smart) Stadium in Onehunga.
Listen In Auckland is an offshoot festival from Fuzzy, an Australian music production company formed more than 25 years ago. Listen Out is one of Australia’s premier national dance music festivals which includes a dynamic line-up of hip-hop and electronic artists. A concentrated version of the tour was created in 2018 to bring more high-quality dance music to Auckland, thus Listen In Auckland was born.
The festival had two stages playing simultaneously, 909 and Atari.
909 stage was a dedicated rave stage featuring dance music with high energy beats to keep the energy pumping. Some of the featured artists were Sub Focus, a DJ and producer who has become known for pushing the envelope boundaries within electronic Music; John Summit, a Chicago based House and Techno producer who has emerged as a major figure in the dance music world; and Folamour, a French DJ and producer who takes the bright aesthetic of disco and adds some chunky house grooves.
Atari stage was my personal favourite, which featured local and international hip-hop artists. Some of the featured artists were 21 Savage, a British born, Atlanta based rapper and songwriter who has attained platinum status; Jesse Reyez, a Columbian-Canadian singer-songwriter whose unique take on pop music with accents from R&B and hip-hop, reinforced by her raw vocal style has been a rising global superstar; and rounding out the lineup, legendary British rapper and song writer Skepta, with a career deeply rooted in grime music scene and has become a notable figure in the music industry.
The festival a great success and the buddies had a great time-for some it was even their first major festival/concert. The energy of the crowd was amazing, and the overall vibe was great, plenty of positive interaction with the buddies who had braved the mosh pit. It was awesome to see the crowd dancing and vibing along with the buddies.
The festival accommodated everyone. We were happy to see some features that made it easy for disabled concertgoers to attend the event. There was an express lane at the entrance for disabled people, so we didn’t have to wait too long in line to get in the venue. The express lane was really helpful for people who get anxious or get tired.
There were also viewing decks accessible at both Atari and the 909 stages for people in wheelchairs or with mobility issues, along with their support. We were happy to take advantage of the viewing decks once we’d had our fill of dancing and raving.
The festival had a great selection of food stalls and trucks providing a variety of options for everyone. Gluten free, vegan, and halal food stall options were a happy sight for some of the buddies. There were even rides available for thrill-seeking concertgoers.
Listen In Auckland also provided a safe space for concert goers who needed a break from the hustle and bustle of the festival. It had bean bags for anyone who needed to rest and charging stations for anyone who needed to top up their mobile batteries. It was also very well-lit which made it a good meeting place for friends to find each other, considering there were 2 stages, and you could easily get lost in the crowd.
We hope to see more events and festivals here in Auckland providing accommodations for disabled people’s needs. This is a big win for the disability community and music lovers alike. A huge thanks and shout-out to the Fuzzy team for providing an unforgettable experience for us all.
Blog post written by Hans