WellingtonNZ.com, New Zealand

07 March 2008

Wellington is pulling out all the stops for a massive weekend of music events over Easter. The line-up could not be more stellar, with music from rock icons to local acts filling the airwaves of the capital. This Easter, Wellington is literally going to rock.

“Wellington’s line-up over Easter weekend is almost too good to be true,” says Positively Wellington Tourism CEO Tim Cossar. “The music events cover a number of music genres, and will appeal to a range of different markets. We’re expecting a horde of music lovers to arrive over Easter, and that accommodation will be full and the downtown area buzzing.”

The Easter period kicks off with a performance by reformed 90s alternative rock group Smashing Pumpkins and chart-topping Queens of the Stone Age at the TSB Bank Arena on Thursday 20 March.

Then on Saturday 22 March comes Sandwiches SummerSet 08, a premier day/night festival showcasing 12 hours of supreme live music and world-class hospitality at the capital’s infamous and iconic Basin Reserve. Headliners are UK-based Tom Middleton, Norman Jay (the superstar of Nottingham Hill Carnival) and LTJ Bukem, supported by New Zealand luminaries including The Black Seeds, Shapeshifter, Minuit and Rhombus.

On the same day, Wellington welcomes a rock concert spectacular – ROCK2WGTN. Taking place 22 – 23 March at the Westpac Stadium, there has never been an event in Wellington like this before. Rock icons KISS, Ozzy Osbourne, Poison, Alice Cooper and White Snake are the headline acts, and that’s just the start. Weta Workshop is in charge of special effects, and the centre piece is Drusilla, a 6 metre tall dragon-like creation that comes complete with smoke and laser lights.

Easter Monday continues with a performance by alt-country group Wilco at The Opera House. Then those continuing their stay in Wellington will be treated to one of the country’s best loved groups, Split Enz, on Tuesday 25 March at the TSB Bank Arena.

“Events play a major role in terms of driving visitation to Wellington,” says Tim. “This summer has had an exceptional programme, including the NZI Sevens and the current New Zealand International Arts Festival. But the season will be extended even further with the Easter events and then the new Vodafone Homegrown music festival on 26 April. It’s fantastic for visitors, the local economy and Wellington’s growth as a visitor destination.”

For more information, visit our Rock this Easter section.