CHART For The Future

24th May 2008 - c/o The Press

CHARTFEST, Christchurch Town Hall, Friday, May 23.
Reviewed by Miriama McDonald (photo - Cairo Knife Fight)

Last night the Christchurch Town Hall was transformed from its usual air of high brow proceedings into a melee of popular culture and youth.

As we head toward the end of NZ Music Month, Christchurch music organisation CHART celebrated the future of music with a day and night of workshops, mentoring and live performance.

Following a busy afternoon, the evening bought with it a fresh crowd of curious punters and a three-zone local musical feast, which came after an hour-long expo which gave those interested an opportunity to check out the various musical stalls representing everything from education to radio and production.

The three zones consisted of alternative country stalwarts The Eastern, who kept the mezzanine bar area humming throughout the night, while the James Hay Theatre hosted the Kiwi FM roots/hip hop/funk stage and the auditorium lent itself to the Rock FM stage of heavier rock and dance acts.

Highlights for the evening included young dance/punk act The Tiger Tones, progressive rock/funk three piece Cairo Knife Fight, historic indie popsters The Bats and home-town hip hop girl made good, Ladi6 along with DJ Parkes.

The crowd, although not huge, was big enough to sustain both rooms, including an acceptable mosh pit gathering for rock act The Valves and to hear the middle of the road strains of the popular Atlas.

With the calibre of acts which normally perform at the Town Hall it was a refreshing sight to behold the multi-genred local talent given the opportunity to play and educate old and new fans alike.

Judging by the enthusiasim throughout the day and night, from all ages, and all the acts' generosity and good-natured performances there is hope for the future of fresh local produce.

c/o www.stuff.co.nz/thepress

www.christchurchmusic.org.nz/events/chartfest08
www.christchurchmusic.org.nz/artists