Stan Walker and his cousin Ria Hall perform a duet. Photo: Reef Reid of RADAR Photography NZ
Stan Walker and his cousin Ria Hall perform a duet. Photo: Reef Reid of RADAR Photography NZ
Summer sun, music, food and love were the perfect mix at the weekend's One Love Festival, with the famed two-day reggae extravaganza opening its gates to 20,000 music lovers from across the globe.
Huge crowds at One Love Festival. Photo / Shaun Ross
In its fourth year, the festival boasted an impressive lineup. Although one of the headline acts Shaggy had to bow out a few days before the festival due to unforeseen circumstances, Katchafire stepped in to make sure hearts didn't skip a beat, closing out the event on Sunday night with a rousing rendition of Bob Marley's One Love.
Three Houses Down featuring 12-year-old General Fiyah was a crowd-pleaser with his energetic moves to Candy Girl as well as his hit Love and Affection.
Twelve-year-old General Fiyah sings with Three Houses Down. Photo / Pato Entertainment
Bay legend Stan Walker was also a festival favourite, mixing up his tunes with playful dance sequences at one stage joined by social media star Willie Waiirua.
Walker invited his cousin, singer Ria Hall, on stage for a rousing duet.
Stan Walker and his cousin Ria Hall perform a duet. Photo: Reef Reid of RADAR Photography NZ
The Australian Idol winner's set included Little Black Box, telling the crowd, "this is where it all started", and finished with Take It Easy.
Stan Walker at One Love Festival. Photo / Reef Reid of RADAR Photography NZ
Dressed stylishly in a chambray denim shirt and shorts, Walker seemed unfazed by recent public speculation about his weight.
He chatted to fans, was relaxed and happy, and spent time dancing to fellow artists as well as dining with his friends and whanau including his mother April.
With temperatures soaring to 28C on day two, festival organiser Pato Alvarez said his team and the artists had encouraged people to stay hydrated.
Acts were 'on fire' at One Love Music Fesival. Photo / Shaun Ross
"Extra supplies of sunblock and water were brought in, and the crowd cooled off with regular jets of water."
Alvarez said the crowd had a great vibe. "There was an amazing energy everywhere, bouncing off the stage and back again... a great vibe and a real feeling of love and community."
Sammy Johnson wowed the crowd at One Love Festival. Photo / Shaun Ross
The crowd was diverse in age and culturally said Alvarez, with 1500 of the tickets sold overseas, mainly in Australia but also in Hawaii, America, France, Germany and the Pacific Islands.
Fifteen per cent of the crowd were from Tauranga and the rest from around New Zealand, he said.
"Not only is it great entertainment, our local economy really benefits."
The sun, music and moving made festival-goers hungry.
Luana Noble of Delish Hangis sold so many hangis that she had to close business while she restocked.
Shopaholics could indulge in a market area with stallholders selling everything from bikinis, to colourful dream weavers, and jewellery.
Mikaela Stanton-Hough from Glitter Gypsy had lines waiting to be glittered, with many revellers asking for her One Love-themed red, black and green designs on all parts of the body,
"Mostly face, or shoulders, and yes we did a few glitter boobs, men and women."
Glitter stall Glitter Gypsy was popular at One Love Festival. Photo / supplied
Festival-goers could have their photos against a wall of flowers in the Chapel of Love or by the Flava radio crew who were also offering stick-on tattoos, and in between acts One Love merchandise was shot into the crowd using a canon.
Flava Radio drive time hosts Daz and Ast (Daz Suasua and Ast Nathan), and daytime presenter Athena Angelou mingled with fans.
Flava Radio drive time hosts Daz and Ast (Daz Suasua and Ast Nathan), and daytime presenter Athena Angelou (centre) at One Love Festival.
"It was a great crowd and great atmosphere," said Daz.
