After a tough couple of years, King Beats charity music festival’s hoping the third time will be the charm.
First held in 2018, the all-day music event, held at Kingston Station, has raised $40,000 for a variety of community organisations, including the Whakatipu Youth Trust, Happiness House, Athol’s fire brigade and Garston School.
An horrific storm softened ticket sales in 2020 — organiser Brendan Mulcahy says, in hindsight, they should have cancelled — while last year the event was canned three weeks out, when Covid Alert Levels killed the party.
Mulcahy’s hoping for a much smoother run for next year’s event, being held January 28, which will comprise local entertainment on stage from 3pm until 4am the following day.
Talent includes Ribera, Dangerw@nk, Train Surfers, Lenni Vibe and Joey Mac, while there’ll also be a host of games for kids throughout the day.
The goal is to generate a festival ‘‘where we party to help others’’, Mulcahy says.
Along with the donations he’s made to selected charities and organisations over the years — next year’s recipients will be Central Lakes Family Services and Garston School — any money left over in the charity’s account is used to help people in need.
‘‘One day, you could end up having to fly somewhere for surgery, and might not be able to afford it.
‘‘Hopefully there’s money in the King Beats fund to be able to help out.’’
While he’s consented for up to 2500 people, Mulcahy says if 1500 to 2000 turned up next year ‘‘it would be an absolute dream’’.
‘‘Then I’d be able to cover some of the losses, give a really nice donation and actually be able to focus on trying something new and
different next year.’’
Tickets for the BYO, glass-free event, which includes an overnight camp spot on site, cost $70 — children under 12 are free — available via kingbeatsfestival.com
Meantime, Mulcahy’s also on the hunt for any business able to donate prizes for kids on the day – anyone who can help can email [email protected]
