Rooftop parties are so New York, but thanks to a trio of Kiwi music promoters, they’re coming to Auckland. “Anno Domini” is the brainchild of Tom McGuinness, Mark Kneebone and David Benge. It promises four relaxed Sunday afternoons of good music, food and drink on the sunny roof of the Auckland Art Gallery, overlooking Albert Park.
David had just returned to New Zealand after 15 years, part of which he spent living in an abandoned flour mill in Queens, New York. Next door was the Museum of Modern Art’s PS1 Gallery, which often held cool gatherings open to the elements.
“We were catching up over a cocktail and talking about how it sucks that there isn’t anything like it in Auckland,” says David.
So they conceived an event series that wouldn’t be “just another party in a club environment” but a sophisticated space to enjoy electronic music in the late arvo, early evening, while enjoying a casual bite to eat. Eateries Coco’s Cantina, the Bearded Clam and Mea Culpa are all on board, the latter also providing cocktails.
Electric Future Soul DJ Seven Davis Jr. will kick off the series alongside Francis Inferno Orchestra on January 10 with Dam Funk headlining January 24. A Seekae DJ Set with fellow Aussie Roland Tings and Kiwi Race Banyon will perform on Valentine’s Day, with a fourth date to be announced soon.
As for that Latin name, it translates to “in the year of our Lord”, which could be interpreted as an ode to our biggest pop export. But it also means “advancing age”, so perhaps it’s the ticket for, er, more mature revellers to enjoy a good time out.
"A lot of people talk about seeing Auckland developing as a city that exists on the world stage, but when it comes to events like this, they exist everywhere else: Melbourne, Europe, New York," says David. "It's a party we wanted to attend."
• Anno Domini tickets, $38, on sale now from Ticketmaster
