A rocking summer in the farmers' pub

By AINSLEY THOMSON

For 11 months of the year, the Coroglen Tavern between Whitianga and Tairua is a typical country pub.

Then the summer break arrives, and the place is transformed.

The pub - with its beer-stained carpet, boar heads on the wall and pokies in the corner - becomes possibly the coolest pub in the country, with a lineup of top New Zealand rock acts such as Fur Patrol, Elemeno P, the feelers, King Kapisi, Goldenhorse, Brooke Fraser and Jordan Luck.

The pub's owner, Dugal MacFarlane, who bought it in July, says the pub has gained such a reputation over the past few years that he has to turn bands away.

Attracting the bands, most of which are on their summer tours, is the open-air stage out the back and - because the pub is surrounded by paddocks - the fact that it has no noise control problems.

During the year the patrons are local farmers, the ones Mr MacFarlane describes as "good country people".

During the summer holiday the pub's location, around 15 minutes from Whitianga, makes it a favourite for holidaymakers on the Coromandel Peninsula.

More than 1400 people crowded into the pub for the feelers and Elemeno P concert on December 27, and Mr MacFarlane said just about all were out-of-towners.

The regulars tend to stay away on the big nights over summer.

One of those regulars, Murray Thomson, said that was because they didn't like "the loopies" that flock to hear the bands.

Another said having to give up your favourite table was irksome.

But New Year's Eve was reserved for the regulars and Mr MacFarlane kept the big-name bands away for the night.

Last night was set to be another big night, with King Kapisi and Jordan Luck playing.

Among the expected 1000-plus crowd were Kim Hay and Josh Northcott from Titirangi in Auckland.

The pair, who were staying in Whitianga, were catching one of the buses put on by the pub to transport patrons from Whitianga, Cooks Beach, Hot Water Beach and Hahei.

The last big main concert for the summer, featuring Goldenhorse and Brooke Fraser, is tomorrow.

Then the farmers will get their pub back.

Hot spot


Entertainers who have played at the Coroglen Tavern since December 27.

the feelers

Elemeno P

Steriogram

Blindspott

Fur Patrol

The Bleeders

King Kapisi

Jordan Luck

Goldenhorse

Brooke Fraser

Revolver

Dead End Beat

Stylus

Augustino

Dave McArtney (Hello Sailor)