Inspired by and aligned with the world-class Austin City Limits Music Festival in Austin, Texas, Auckland City Limits fuses the best elements of Austin’s premier festival with a New Zealand flavour and spirit, creating an event that celebrates the spirit and heritage of Auckland.
City Limits Festival
The festival is back to Western Springs Stadium and Park on 3 March 2018 and headliners also include French acts with an incredible festival pedigree in the form of house duo Justice and synth-pop stars Phoenix.
1. Grace Jones
Grace Jones needs little introduction. The Jamaican born star is one of the most unforgettable artists to emerge from the 1970s New York disco scene, going on to become one of the biggest acts of the 80s as, aided by Sly & Robbie, she created a string of reggaefied rock hits. Her stage shows are legendary – expect to see costume changes (or just plain old body painting!) and – yes – hula hooping along with all her classic songs. As the UK Telegraph noted of her recent headline performance at the Wilderness festival, the 69-year-old superstar has “become one of the most consistently entertaining festival headliners in recent years”.
2. Beck
Fresh off the back of the release of his brand new and critically lauded album Colors, this is the artist’s first appearance in New Zealand for the first time in more than two decades. Beck’s transformative influence on the musical landscape extends back to his hip-hop folk debut ‘Loser’ and classic albums of the 1990s like Odelay and Mellow Gold while his latest albums continue Beck’s brilliantly eccentric path between troubadour pop persona and wild funk fun. As US publication Journal Sentinel noted of a recent show, “from hip-hop prankster to futuristic funk master to sensitive folkie, Beck’s chameleonic career, well represented across 90 minutes, has a consistent throughline. His strongest songs are imaginatively created, impeccably executed, incredibly catchy and as alive as music can be.”
3. The lineup
Highlights of the local lineup include the thrilling return of sweat-soaked rock’n’rollers The D4 after a decade away from the stage, r’n’b soul diva Aaradhna, thundering veterans Head Like A Hole, globe-trotting reggae act Katchafire, Onehunga’s finest representatives SWIDT and Drax Project, the Wellington youngsters many pick as the most exciting new live act in the country.
BECK – JUSTICE – GRACE JONES – PHOENIX – PEKING DUK – TASH SULTANA— GEORGE EZRA — THE LIBERTINES – THUNDERCAT – THE HEAD AND THE HEART – THE AVALANCHES – OH WONDER – THE D4 – CAR SEAT HEADREST – THE STAVES – SIGRID – AARADHNA – HEAD LIKE A HOLE – KATCHAFIRE – SWIDT – DRAX PROJECT AND THE RETURN OF THE GOLDEN DAWN @ ACL WITH FABULOUS/ARABIA, DISASTERADIO, SCOTT MANION (TOKEY TONES), MAGIC FACTORY, THE BETHS, JON LEMMON, HEAVY, TOURETTES AKA DOMINIC HOEY, DJ TINA TURNTABLES, DJ LINDA T AND MC PAUL AMOS & THE TALK SHOW AND TELL COMEDY GANG
4. The art
With a vision greater than just music and food, Auckland Arts offers a series of artworks from leading contemporary artists installed throughout the lush natural atmosphere of Western Springs.
5. The flavours
Offering the cutting edge of Auckland’s vibrant restaurant scene, Auckland Eats offers a selection of sumptuous dishes handpicked by the city’s leading chefs and restaurateurs.
Plus there is the return of a packed line-up of indie fun and comedy frolics in The Golden Dawn @ ACL, bringing Ponsonby Rd’s most legendary venue since the Gluepot back to pop up at the festival with musical highlights like Mike Fabulous of The Black Seeds and Lawrence Arabia’s joint offering and more.
