NZ’S biggest tattoo festival is back
After a three-year Covid-induced absence, Australasia’s biggest tattoo event is returning to New Plymouth this weekend.
New Zealand Tattoo & Art Festival organiser Brent Taylor said he was hoping to have 7000 people through the TSB Stadium doors for a line-up that includes tattoo artists, drum and bass, Nitro Circus BMX riders and a Netflix star.
Taylor said presales and setting up of the event had gone well.
‘‘Artist-wise there’s been a lot of interest in Rose Hardy from the Netflix series Tattoo Redos, she’s very popular.
‘‘I think people are just looking forward to being back at the event and getting tattooed by artists from around the world.’’
Hardy started tattooing in Auckland, and now works from New York City.
A majority of tattoo artists attending are from Australia and New Zealand, with others from France, Italy and Canada.
More than half of this year’s artists are women.
Taylor said the Upbeats will be headlining a drum and bassthemed weekend with other artists such as EMWA also performing.
‘‘There’s a bit of hype around the Upbeats on Saturday night as well in the music marque, and also we’ve got a three Nitro Circus BMX riders riding on a massive ramp, along with the freestyle motocross shows as well.
‘‘Kids under 14 are free so essentially they get to see Nitro Circus performers for free.’’ said.
The festival was last held in 2019 but cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of Covid restrictions. Taylor said it was great to be able to hold it again.
‘‘It was a really tough time when you think you could do it again and three months out you had to postpone again, year after year.
‘‘It did seem like it might never happen again, but we managed to push through it, we’re real stoked to do it and it’s real cool – some of the artists have been to every one,’’ Taylor said.
The festival takes place tomorrow and Sunday, with tickets on sale now as well as door sales on the day.