New Year on the way
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It's that time of the year again when you have to start weighing up your New Year's Eve options, and there are plenty of choices this year to see in 2002.
DUB STUFF: Christchurch's finest, Salmonella Dub, who have made 2001 a year to remember with the release of their excellent Inside the Dubplates album, will be playing an all-ages gig in the city on New Year's Eve. The party at The Civic will have an all-ages zone plus two licensed zones. Also in the line-up, hip-hoppers DLT and Mighty Asterix, Wellington reggae merchants Blackseeds, Christchurch hip-hop trio Sheelahroc, Dubwize Soundsystem with MC Little Jah, and The Nomad. Tickets $30 from Ticketek, Galaxy, and Echo Records. Limited door sales on the night for $40.
ALPINE GETAWAY: A new offering on the outdoor party scene this year is AlpineUnity, which is being staged over two days at Flock Hill Station in the Craigieburn Valley.
AlpineUnity showcases over 100 DJs, VJs, MCs, and performers in four zones covering all dance genres with the emphasis on New Zealand acts including heaps of Christchurch talent - Shapeshifter, Pylonz (and the rest of the Fabel crew), OB1, Grind, MC Rizla, King Al, Nic T, CJ Fallowfield, Shamrock, Dr Wilhaus, Tony P, Craig Shaw, and plenty of others. Auckland house DJ/ producer Soane and Automatic (Kog Transmissions) will also be appearing.
Gates open 3pm on December 30 and the party begins at 6pm that day with one zone running through to 4am. The party recommences at midday New Year's Eve. No alcohol, although there will be licensed facilities on site. Tickets $80, from Echo, Cosmic Corner, Euphoria. Check the website www. alpineunity.com for details.
DIGWEED FOR G2: The Gathering is on again, with the big news that mega British trance DJ/producer John Digweed has been confirmed to play. Digweed is ranked in the top 5 world DJs along with Sasha, Paul Oakenfold, Tiesto, and Paul Van Dyk, and it's a coup for The Gathering to get him on such a big night and shows the international reputation the event has built up. Undoubtedly New Zealand's largest outdoor dance event, The Gathering has brought New Zealand's dance community together every New Year for the past five years, attracting crowds of up to 10,000. The Gathering 2002, G2, will again be held in Cobb Valley, near Takaka, and will run for three nights, from midday December 31, to midday January 3, with eight zones covering the spectrum of dance music. Tickets $160 from Echo, Bunker, and HoundDog or order online at www. gathering.co.nz
LOCAL ROCK: On the rock front, Christchurch's The Feelers, along with Degrees K and Slim, are playing outside at the Dux de Lux. The Feelers' second album Communicate has rocketed into the charts; Slim have also just released their new album Drive Thru, while Degrees K keep going from strength to strength. As strong a rock line-up as you could find. Tickets, $25, from Ticketek, or $30 on the night.