CHARTFEST09 at the Christchurch Town Hall (Festival Review + Pics)

solaa chartfest 2009 30th May 2009 - Reviewed by Miriama McDonald
As New Zealand Music Month comes to a close, Christchurch music organisation CHART, last night, put together, a 6 hour music expo/concert featuring some of Otautahi’s finest music heads, from musicians, to industry experts, from stalls promoting everything from live sound courses to hip hop dance classes. Not to mention the various workshops giving information on live touring, promotion, media, song writing and recording.

(Photo: Solaa at soundcheck c/o Chris Andrews)

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Taking up all three floors of the Christchurch town hall with a variety of areas featuring different genres and styles, the MASSIVE/RDU98.5FM Electro Stage, completely transforming one of the rooms, into a wonderful vision of an outdoor dance party, complete with tent, trees, plants and deckchairs.

Obstensibly an opportunity for young people to have access to the music industry, and judging by the amount of them present, our local scene is very healthy, CHARTFEST is also an excellent time to see some of our best hometown acts at such a grand venue. Although playing short sets, present and sounding as great as ever, were, Funk/Soul/Hip Hoppers Solaa, Electronic rockers The Shocking Pinks, Alternative Country outfit The Eastern, Independent folk act The Ragamuffin Children, Dubstep trio Truth, and local hip hop expat Maitreya, who were but a few of the many and varied acts that took part in this huge event. Also having the chance to play in the massive auditorium were high school act Awakened Inferno who have members from both Aranui and Burnside high schools and picked up a kick start prize pack.

The logistics of putting on an event such as CHARTFEST are mind boggling however the rewards can certainly be worth it and in the case of last nights proceedings and the heartening sight of so many passionate and dedicated people supporting local music, whatever the genre may be, leaves no doubt how worthwhile all the hard work was.

by Miriama McDonald