Opinion: Looking forward to a local Lakeside

Technical staff set up for the Lakeside concert 2017. PHOTO/FILE

I must admit to feeling a little disappointed when I first heard next year's Lakeside concert would not have any international acts.

But that disappointment quickly disappeared when I saw the list of local performers already announced.

The annual event held at the Village Green - apart from last year when rain forced it indoors - is always a highlight of the Rotorua event calendar and never fails to impress.

We all know Rotorua produces great talent and using the iconic Lakeside to showcase that talent, well, it just feels right.

In 2015 the Modern Maori Quartet were one of my standout acts at Lakeside, charming the crowd despite the pouring rain. I remember hearing Alayna Powley sing a few years ago, not having a clue then who she was, and she was amazing. And Strangely Arousing have gone from a Rotorua schoolboy band to a polished, high energy act making a big name for themselves on the New Zealand music scene. And they are just a handful of the acts set to take the stage.

While "big name acts" may catch the eye, I don't think Lakeside has ever been about any one performer. Lakeside is about the experience, the feeling, the vibe.

It's a chance to get a group of whanau or friends together, pack a picnic basket full of goodies and spread out on a rug for a laidback night of entertainment. It's the community spirit that comes with it - singing and dancing along with people of all ages, genders, ethnicities and backgrounds.

We sure don't need international acts for that. Instead, we have local acts who are of an international calibre.

Lakeside 2018 director Richard Anaru reckons Lakeside 2018 WHENUA #it'sabouthome will make you proud to be from Rotorua.

Of that, I have no doubt he's right.