For two decades from 1989, the Catlins Woodstock music festival outbid surrounding tuis for sonic glory in its remote Tawanui location.
Catlins Woodstock and a short-lived successor lapsed following a 2013 farewell.
Now self-professed ‘‘party animal’’ and mother-of-three Abby Parker plans to restore a festival to the Catlins summer scene, under new name Epoch.
The all-new Epoch will give a nod to time-honoured Woodstock elements during its two-day, Anzac weekend programme.
‘‘[Venue] River Ridge Retreat has a natural amphitheatre, which attracted the Woodstock organisers originally, together with the beautiful Catlins surroundings. They also used to have an epic water slide, which we’ll be bringing back to Epoch for everyone to enjoy.’’
Although Ms Parker had worked as festival crew for several years, Epoch would be her first outing at the helm — and a resolutely family affair.
‘‘I told my partner, ‘If I spend some savings on a party, you can buy a truck.’ To do him credit, he said yes straight away, but it’s become a bit insane since then.’’
Three stages and 47 acts later, her initial budget had been blown several times over.
She said early ticket sales and an ‘‘awesome’’ line-up of international performers suggested she would not go bankrupt just yet.
Promotion was the realm of her three young children.
‘‘They’ve been great. I send them into shops with posters. They’re hard to refuse.’’
The ‘‘diverse’’ music and entertainment on offer would range from ‘‘psychedelic blues’’ to hip-hop, electronic dance music and stand-up comedy, all with a ‘‘family-friendly’’ emphasis, Ms Parker said.
She hoped the community would vote with its feet.
‘‘This is a labour of love.
‘‘It would be amazing to re-establish the Catlins on the summer festival circuit.
‘‘We hope Epoch can become people’s new Woodstock.’’
