Coastella festival at Kāpiti is always a summer hit

Festival-goers enjoying Coastella 2019. Photo / Sadie Beckman

One of the lower North Island's most popular festivals went off without a hitch on Saturday in Kāpiti.

Coastella brought an eclectic bumper line-up of music and entertainment to the rolling green grounds of Southward Car Museum in Paraparaumu, with over 3000 people turning up to enjoy the day under perfect sunny skies.

Scene from Coastella 2019. Photo / Sadie Beckman

While the morning had looked drizzly, and the following day had a wintery chill hit the country, Saturday afternoon turned on idyllic summer conditions for the boutique festival, founded by local musical promoters Gerry Paul and Paul Brown.

Festival goers brought picnic blankets and umbrellas, and dressed in colourful finery for the event, now in its fourth successful year at the Kāpiti Coast venue.

Several stages were in action during the day - a main amphitheatre venue, the Dell Stage and the ever-popular Tiny Town, housed in a shipping container.

The festival hosted local, New Zealand and international acts including The Miltones, The Beths, C.W. Stoneking, Mama Kin Spender, Ha The Unclear, Soaked Oats, Bullhorn and headliners Trinity Roots.

Trinity Roots at Coastella 2019. Photo / Sadie Beckman

Circus performances, juggling workshops, bouncy castles and facepainting kept kids entertained in the Havana Funzone, and the festival also hosted some of the region's top food and beverage offerings, handpicked by the organisers of Visa Wellington On A Plate.

Roving bands and entertainers piqued the interest of punters as they strolled between stages, reusable globlets of craft beer and New Zealand wine in hand.

An adults-only after party held inside the museum's auditorium hosted the lively sounds of Wellington band The Richter City Rebels, with a strong brass section and New Orleans-style party repertoire.

Scene from Coastella 2019. Photo / Sadie Beckman

"Once again Coastella brought premiere music and culture to the stunning Kāpiti Coast, allowing Wellingtonians to escape the city for the day and treating locals to the cream of local and international music," organisers said.