Capture by A photoblog

Wonderful work, Jackson.

I imagine there were a lot of nerves leading into the inaugural Auckland City Limits Festival, but let’s get this out of the way early. Bloody excellent job everyone. The day was as chilled as any festival I’ve been to, and even the pre-loaded cash bands, made of a silky, satiny material, seemed to fit with the flow.

Both the cash bands and the Globelet cups will be familiar to anyone who’s been to Splore in recent years – they're the same products – but there was one Splore-like feature that did more than any other to set the tone for the day: the presence of children.

Having kids around is a useful moderating influence on adult behaviour, and we saw kids – including a six year-old who was a fabulously funky dancer – who were clearly having a fine time. Pass-outs meant that parents could come early and do the Kiddie Limits thing with their small ones, then pop home and drop them off to the babysitter – I saw Damian Christie doing just that.

There would have been 20,000+ on the site – probably not enough for CRS to make a profit in year one, but certainly enough for them to feel like they’re on the right track with this thing.

The only caveat is that while it was a breeze getting around the site yesterday, it might be a bit more onerous if there were 10,000 more punters. And god knows what they do about bar service, because that was a bit of a nightmare.

But mostly, welcome to the calendar Auckland City Limits!

Top photos, looks like a fab time!

The grassy knoll, with those ubiquitous mirror pillars, the fun rides, and photographers at large. (Believe it or not, this was un-posed)

Having kids around is a useful moderating influence on adult behaviour, and we saw kids – including a six year-old who was a fabulously funky dancer – who were clearly having a fine time.

I think you’re probably right. Although many were asleep under blankets by the time Kendrick came on. Some of those the teens who probably only went to see him.

The grassy knoll, with those ubiquitous mirror pillars

First seen at .... Splore :-)

First seen at …. Splore

was that before or after Waiheke?

was that before or after Waiheke?

Depends what year that is. The installation was at Splore in 2014

February 2015. You can even see a detailed photo essay right here on this very blog! Who knew?

Ping Soon Lee. ;-)

You rang?

Sculptures this year out west in Te Atatu Peninsula. The Harbourview Sculpture Trail is on every day until the 28th (less than a week left).

I love that I get a shout-out in this post as some sort of Person Who Understands These Kids Today, and I am FORTY-ONE YEARS OLD. I am not the droid you’re looking for! :D

My favourites of the day were indeed Action Bronson (the world’s best Ghostface Killah tribute act!) and the sublimely dumb and enjoyable Girl Talk. I’ve discovered as I get older that earnest guys with guitars (ie The National) really have to work hard to win me over and in a stadium setting I like things to be big and stupid and fun and beat-heavy.

Can we talk about the food? The food was great!! I had squid from Beirut for lunch and a taco from Mexico for dinner and they were both excellent. A far cry from soggy chips in festival days of yore. Look at my squid! Look at it! It has STRIPY BEETROOT!

I ran into Jackson and took a photo of him in his official capacity as festival photographer, and was delighted to discover later that the angle made him look like he was sitting down with very tiny legs. I am easily amused.

Nice pic! ;-)

official capacity

Can I say, I'm not the biggest fan of high viz after Saturday. "Excuse, me, where are the toilets?" "Excuse me, where can I top up my wrist band?" "Excuse me..."

I"M A F"ING PHOTOGRAPHER!

You know, what with this camera thingy around my neck and "PHOTO 23" on my back.

I picked up some rubbish though. Seemed the least I could do.

Can I say, I’m not the biggest fan of high viz after Saturday.

For those who didn't see Jackson in action on Saturday, I would like to point out that the photo does not do justice to the sheer, vibrant orangeness of his vest.

PHOTO 23

you mean there were 22 others?

You know, what with this camera thingy around my neck and “PHOTO 23” on my back.

Catch 23

Can I say, I’m not the biggest fan of high viz

PC gone mad I tell you.....
;-)

Earlier this week Cactus Lab launched a new feature on Public Address which allows us to show photos in thumbnail view as a grid format, which links to a slide show. This post has been updated to feature the new format, and I think it’s pretty damn good.

So if you notice this comment, Go check it out.

So if you notice this comment, Go check it out.

Noticed, checked it out, it looks good. Well done, Cactus Lab!