Great weather for the Coro Classic

Big crowd of 4500 enjoys music festival

Minus the storms and dramas of this time last year, the Coro Classic was a great success at Matarangi on Saturday with a crowd of 4500 happy festivalgoers and local businesses getting to extend their peak season.

Co-organiser Kurt Baker said a few changes were made to improve the event, including moving the second DJ stage for better acoustics and adding another bar.

Last summer’s event was memorable for the fact that the nerves of steel promoters, Baker and friend James Bristow, did not cancel despite constant rain prior and road closures right up to the kickoff.

This year, even the last-minute curveball of a headline act — Sublime — having to cancel was not enough to dampen anyone’s enthusiasm.

The weather was faultless compared with 2023.

“After what happened last year with the weather and the adversity we faced during Covid, the little hiccups don’t seem as big,” said Kurt.

“When Sublime cancelled their whole New Zealand tour we managed to wangle Kora, and we also had international acts Babe Rainbow from Australia, The Alcemist who is a UK drum and bass DJ, and UK house duo Set Mo.

“The vibe and morale of the crew and event was so good after what happened weather-wise last year.”

Local businesses benefited from bookings on accommodation and other more unusual creative sole traders like face painter Ria Donk of Whitianga got to work her magic through the event.

Ria moved to Whitianga from Auckland and brought her body and face painting skills to the Coromandel, where she adds colour and fun to the summer Coromandel festival vibe.

Coro Classic featured Kora, Babe Rainbow, Coterie, No Cigar, Eden Burns and Alcemist along with a second DJ stage all afternoon and into the evening.

Photos / Alison Smith Ria Donk, who has started her face painting business throughout the Coromandel’s east coast and was working at the Coro Classic.

The farm was perfect as a backdrop to the music.

Revellers Hayley Whittaker and Andrew Collett.