The main stage at Bay Dreams festival. Photo / Joel McDowell
Festivalgoers from all over New Zealand travelled to Mount Maunganui today for “the vibe and the music” at the Bay Dreams festival.
About 15,000 attended the music event at Trustpower Baypark, headlined by 10-time Grammy-nominated American DJ Diplo.
The first acts took to the four stages just after midday, with entertainment scheduled through to 10.30pm.
Attendees Imogen Knightley and Ryley Oflaherty bought tickets to the event last-minute and drove down from Auckland this morning.
“We kind of just caught up for the first time in a while and then we were like, it would be cool to go to a festival, because for New Year’s [...] I didn’t go to anything,” Knightley said.
“So Bay Dreams is kind of very spontaneous, and we were like, let’s just go down.”
Knightley, who has been living and studying in Amsterdam for the past two years, was back in New Zealand for a holiday.
“I’m like, I need to experience my New Zealand vibes again.”
Knightley said Diplo and Sticky Fingers were the main drawcards for the festival.
Oflaherty said the set-up of the festival was “really good”, and it was her third time to Bay Dreams. It was “definitely” the best Bay Dreams lineup she had seen.
Attendees Max Walker, Harmony Lucas and Jarrel Johnson came from Taupō for the event.
They were most excited to see US rapper Denzel Curry and Diplo play, and were looking forward to “the vibe and the music”, Walker said.
“It should be a good night.”
Isabella and Erik, who only wanted to be known by their first names, came with friends Sam and Jacynta from Auckland.
The group were spending about a week in Mount Maunganui, and were most excited to see Denzel Curry.
Jono Spence and Casie Glentworth, both 18, came from Whanganui with a group of friends for the event, and were excited to be at one of their first big festivals.
”A couple of us only just turned 18, so we’re fresh,” Spence said.
They were looking forward to seeing Sticky Fingers and Diplo.
On the lineup, Spence said: “I only really noticed three or four of them, but it’s still exciting to be able to come and see who I can see, and maybe I’ll find someone I like and [play] it on the way home on Thursday,” he said with a laugh.
Maura Cody and Tide Pickering came from Cambridge to Bay Dreams for the first time.
For Pickering, Denzel Curry was the “biggest draw”, while Cody was keen to see Sticky Fingers.
Claire Grogan, from Tauranga, and Shaun Andrews, from Auckland, were most looking forward to seeing Hybrid Minds and Diplo.
“It’s pretty awesome - obviously after Covid, it’s pretty nice to see everyone out again.”
FTP Vegan Eats owner Kaya Sparke, from Rotorua, said this year was the third time its food truck had been at Bay Dreams.
“It’s always pretty good - it’s definitely a nice, busy event, but it doesn’t get too out of control, which we like because it means that we’re making money, but we’re not too stressed and greasy by the end of it.
“We’ve just come back from Rhythm and Vines, so we’re still feeling a little bit tired from that, but we really love Bay Dreams.”
Sparke said its food truck would be back in Tauranga again tomorrow for UB40 at at Trustpower Baypark and for Juicy Fest at Baypark on Friday.
Just before 2pm, event medic Pammi Richdale said its team of 15 had been mainly giving out plasters to those who were wearing new shoes and getting blisters, as well as paracetamol and water.
Event manager Toby Burrows said the wind was “a bit challenging” at the start, with some tents having to be rearranged just before the gates opened.
“But the team nailed it.”
Burrows said the festival was “on par” with previous years.
“Everyone’s in good spirits… everyone’s having fun.
“There have been some amazing sets [...] so it’s started with a roar.”
The lineup featured Sticky Fingers, Hybrid Minds, Freddie Gibbs, OneFour, SG Lewis, Elderbrook, BOU, A.M.C, 1991, S.P.Y, A Little Sound and V O E. Headliner Diplo has collaborated with some of the world’s biggest artists, including Dua Lipa, Justin Bieber and Sia, and has headlined many of the biggest festivals in the world.
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