The Festival One concert wrapped up on Monday – but like its two predecessors was a victim of circumstances.
The first four-day Christian music festival was staged at Karāpiro’s Hartford Farm – and the impact of heavy downpours of rain on both Saturday and Sunday was evident on Monday when the festival played to a medium sized audience.
In Hamilton, thousands of out-door concert goers were evacuated from Claudelands before the end of a concert by Simple Minds on Sunday.
The Festival One concert was first held at Mystery Creek in 2015 and prior to that was the Parachute Festival.
Covid 19 forced the event’s cancellation just days before the gates were due to open in 2022 – and last year heavy rain resulted in its cancellation after the first day.
Cambridge artist Jake Nelson performing on the River Stage during the Sunday afternoon of Festival One. Photo: Joseph Vink
Several Cambridge contingents featured in this year’s musical lineup, including solo artist Jake Nelson, who – with just an acoustic guitar in hand – played a mix of his own songs and covers.
Cambridge High School’s 2024 head boy, Levi Lamb, also performed with his band Sure Brake.
After his rather wet Sunday afternoon set on the River Stage, Nelson – a former Cambridge High School student – spoke of the event’s “incredible” location.
It was his first time playing at the festival.
Thousands from around New Zealand attended Festival One 2024, held at Karāpiro’s Hartford Farm at the weekend. Photo: Petra Riddell.
His 15-minute festival set included two original songs – White Stain and Passion and Play – and two covers, The Scientist by Coldplay and Jack Johnson’s Banana Pancakes.
Nelson, who regularly provides the musical entertainment at the Saturday Cambridge Farmers’ Market in Victoria Square, won his chance to play on stage at Festival One after being one of 20 artists nationwide chosen by Christian radio station Life Fm’s Discovery Sessions initiative.
His day job also involves music – Nelson tutors at Ignite Arts Academy.
Since 2015, international artists including Lauren Daigle, For King & Country and Switchfoot have performed at Festival One.
Setting up on Friday night.
The crowd before the rain came at the weekend.
