Firstly - the weather made the day. Nice and hot, just like the tunes.
Band of brothers (no, really, they are brothers...) Kora merged their own particular flavour of metal and reggae/dub - yes, it can be done, and done well - the boys from Fat Freddys Drop introduced their new saxophonist, as well as their trombonist in training, but it was Shapeshifter's performance that made my day.
Even after a hectic schedule, vocallist P-Diggs still managed to turn it on for the faithful. I photographed these guys last year when they performed LIVE drum and bass (for which they are internationally recognised for) with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. Thick and chunky, home grown D'n'B, blended with orchestral arrangements. Kinda like dark chocolate and stout - not your typical combination, but go on and try it - it strangely works. Anyway - after photographing these guys last year, well, they've just gotten better. But it's not just P-Diggs out front that spins the wheels. Watching Sam, Devin, Nick and Redford (Departure Lounge's Oakley Grenell's brother) punish themselves, wheeling out bass line after grimy bass line, drop after pulse-racing drop in front of thousands of fans, basking in the rare Christchurch sun - these guys deserved every decibel of the audience's appreciative screams, stamps and whistles.
