Coachella 2014. Round 1.

After an upgrade on Air NZ I had a decent sleep and arrived at LAX midday-ish.  A one way ticket. An O1 visa giving me three years entry to the US. The ability to set up an entertainment business.  A Coachella ticket to Weekend One in my pocket.  A guitar in hand and pocket full of dreams. Lets do this!

I stayed Thursday night at the Four Seasons where my friend Dom Bowden was being put up for his work, interviewing stars for a media junket.  It was a taste of classic Hollywood, the lavish vintage hotel having hosted decades of debauchery. We went out to Sunset Boulevard hot-spot Everleigh and another english pub to meet up with his TV producer friend Rob who heads up Dancing with the Stars. It was great to hear some industry war stories from the two of them as I prepare for my next adventure in this thriving megalopolis.

After having breakfast around the pool we made our way out way to Palm Springs checking into the Garden Vista Hotel which was a perfect oasis to plot our accent (decent?) into the festival. We were dangerously close to some other kiwi friends, staying the next block over at the Riviera Resort. 6 guys who were on a smash-and-grab weekend mission. Having been to the festival before we were happy to try and sidestep the partying and focus on seeing some music.

After some first day admin with tickets from the Indian Wells Tennis Center we made our way to the main gate. The sound of Ellie Goulding echoed around the finely manicured Empire Polo Club as we were greeted by the majestic ferris wheel - an iconic feature of the Coachella skyline. 

We nestled in to a spot at the main bar, running into our kiwi friends we could see through the fence in the VIP enclosure. 'Auchwitz' was the nick name for the location and became our meeting spot for the weekend. It was here some serious missions were launched, first up balls-deep into Martin Garrix at the Saraha Tent. He dropped a Bruno Mars remix at the end to an euphoric applause. We caught the end of Outkast but the screeching southern hip hop was not something I was fond of. Day 1 ended with a night cap back at Toby's with some characters such as the 'White Pharrell', Jared Leto and some hipsters with long hair wearing a skirt. 

Day 2 Began with a margarita over at a the Dolce Vita party close to the venue where we caught up with Alley Long and her Little Local caravan. It is not uncommon for hipster and even mainstream brands to book out mega-mansions and invite their clients and fans to celebrate in the desert. Something Rhythm Group could look at doing at our festivals in NZ.

Once we were in the venue we caught the end of Kid Cudi’s set and his famous Pursuit of Happiness remix by Steve Aoki.  It seemed the perfect song for the weekend. On to the main bar to try and meet up with kiwi’s but as the crowd surged it just wasn’t going to happen. I enjoyed the Capital Cities track 'Safe and Sound' before catching some of MGMT. We got right up the front for Lorde who came out to a thunderous applause. To see a kiwi up on the big stage bought a tear to the eye. We found a flag from some kiwi's and waved it passionately, trying to catch the starlets attention with little success.

Back to see some of Foster the People had come along way since I saw them in the Mojave tent in 2011, and to the craft beer hall, a new addition to the festival in line with this popular hipster subculture. Then to Muse who opened with Hysteria. The thundering bass is arguably one of the great riffs. Was lucky to catch their version of Nirvana’s ‘Lithium’ which was arguable the highlight of the festival for me. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjf6yIwna8M

While we probably should have could have stuck around to hear the full set of one of my favourite bands it was time to keep moving. We managed to get a taste of Pet Shop Boys, Nas and Skrillex before returning to catch the epic finale Knight of Cyndonia. As the sand storm descended we hustled an Uber and after an hour in the saddle getting home it was straight to sleep.

Third and final day began over a lunch at classic Palm Springs diner, frequented by the likes of Clark Gable and Bob Hope back in the golden days of Hollywood. Then on to the Adidas Pool Party - the 'Do Over' - to meet the kiwi friends and catch up on their creative endeavours over the past few days. Questlove spun tunes from Pharrell, Nas and Lauren Hill to a more 'urban' crowd while other LA DJ's like Gaslamp Killer looked on. 

Another long dusty drive in to the festival and we arrived as Calvin Harris began.  It was surely the biggest crowd of the day as glow sticks and the like were tossed high into the air. The whole venue had become a club and just showed that EDM was the music of choice for majority of festival goers. All chips were on the table as the last sun set on the weekend.

On to Sahara Club for a bit of a look around - Adventure Club, John Newman performing his hit 'Not Giving In'. Back to meet up with the kiwi crew to watch Disclosure.  Trying to keep 15 people in sync was like herding cats as last night fever set in. Arcade Fire smashed out hit after hit proving they are one of the most exciting live bands around. Then it was back over to Netsky with the kiwi crowd in full stretch. The final act of the festival. An honour for an act we first booked for R&V at 19 years old. Was stoked for Boris to see him up there loving the moment!

We found our way back to the Riveria Resort for a few celebration drinks after what was a successful, memorable festival. Banter revolved around Liam Neeson, Creed and the old kiwi tradition of paying each other out.  Two strangers we had picked up along the way looked on in bewilderment. A long slow drive back to Los Angeles after little sleep. We dropped the rental car and Dom at the airport before I grabbed a Lyft to Santa Monica to begin my new chapter in the City of Angels.

Sabbatical: Recap

Finally some time to reflect on my year off or 'sabbatical' as I like to call it.

I sit here in Auckland this late summers afternoon with a severe bout of Gastritis. Defined in the dictionary as ‘excessive use of alcohol, rich or spicy foods, stress or use of certain medications’.  Yes, there has been fair share of all of the above. But being knocked down has been a chance to put my feet up and reflect on what has been a pretty memorable year off.

In recent weeks it has been great to enjoy the festivities of the kiwi summer, meeting new friends and make plans for my next chapter. House sitting in Parnell I have enjoyed another side of Auckland from my previous experiences in Ponsonby and Herne Bay. Access to the stunning eastern beaches and lifestyle that comes with it has been a refreshing take on the city I have come and gone from for over 6 years.

I did however leave a year ago this week on a plane bound for the USA. First stop the interactive conference that is SXSW in Austin Texas. The next 12 months were to go like a blur. There was no stopping the train I had set in motion. I had planned for my year off two years earlier. Having trusted staff in place and thus managing myself out of my business, I set about checking through a list of festivals, friends, family, cities, events I had always wanted to see. From networking in the US to seeing family in Canada. A European summer friends and connecting with friends in London. Attending leading festival Glastonbury and Tomorrowland. Spending time travelling with my sister Sarah and meeting people along the way. Here was my chance to tick a few boxes and enjoy a year away after thinking about my business for 10 years!

A year on, I now find myself thinking back of some of the places and faces I visited and fell in love with.  Istanbul was a definitely a highlight. Rather than rush around trying to do all the sites and beach we ended up having a 5-day city break with my sister and my friend Brook. Our lazy days consisted of waking up late, a strong Turkish coffee before shopping in the Gran Bazar.  A long lunch of roasted lamb, crisp salad and fresh Turkish bread.  More shopping before dragging our bags back to our apartment at Taskin Square, stopping for an afternoon beer overlooking the Bosphorus. Then a little nap and out to enjoy the nightlife of this buzzing trans-continental city. And it couldn't be a week with out a festival thrown in, attending Coke hosted by Netsky LIVE on the last date of the tour.

Amsterdam as well.  I’d heard the stories and knew I would be charmed by this liberal and original Dutch village-like hub.  It has been a center of business and pleasure for centuries.  Sarah and I arrived mid-July smack bang in the middle of summer. The canals brimming with those celebrating the Gay Pride Parade.  Bikes, boobs and beers all took precedent. Afternoons spent lazing in the hazy park. Laughing about the previous nights festivities. Eating, drinking, being merry having a gay old time. Not literally but you get the drift.

And of course reconnecting and returning to some of my favourites cities.  Two months in living LA was a special time.  The creativity and positivity that drips in the air is infectious.  The people I met and the dedication to their dream was inspiring.  The traffic. The smog. The sparse beaches. The greasy food.  The potential of success in a thriving entertainment hub. Part charming and addictive in its own special way. Not for everyone but definitely for me.

Montreal is another charming city I was able to return to. My cousin Bruce Hills runs the Just For Laughs festival there. Was great to connect up with family and friends I had spent time with in the summer of 2006.

And London in mid-summer is a site to behold. The streets, pubs, parks brimming with locals and tourists alike. Lords, Wimbeldon, Hyde Park. Victoria Park. Hopping between friends flats in Clapham and Angel, experiencing two distinctly different parts of the city. Pints at lunch time. Pints at dinner time. A royal baby was born. A right royal time was had. 

Festival wise there were so many highlights chose from. Finally getting to Glastonbury was a dream come true.  I did catch myself staring teary eyed across Worthy Farm on numerous occasions, overcome with being present in the moment.  The size, the scale and the history. The Stones on Saturday night Pyramid Stage. It doesn’t get much bigger. What a weekend. Closely followed by Coachella in Los Angeles.  Ultra in Miami. The EDM explosion. Swedish House Mafia bowing out at the top of their game. The global event that is Tomorrowland in Belgium.  Exit Festival in Serbia. FOR Festival in Hvar.  Lovebox in London.  Hearing my favourite DJ Diplo play about 8 times. Get Free on repeat. Deep house at Hula Hula in Hvah. Disclosure next to a lake in France. Everyone dropping Get Lucky. The sounds of summer 2013.

Get Free - Major Lazer

Disclosure - White Noise

Avicii - Wake Me Up

Get Lucky - Daft Punk

It wasn’t all play. If you can call our working in an industry you are passionate about work.  I kept in touch with our committed and passionate team via email and skype where I could passing on contacts, thoughts, information and advice.  A memorable Directors meeting took place in a courtyard of a Serbian resteraunt in Novi Sad, while the Exit festival organisers waited patiently for us to join them for drinks.  Being on the road meant I could attending leading conferences such as SXSW in Austin, Winter Music Conference in Miami, IMS Engage. And keep my business side in check with entreprenuerial conferences such as TED Global and Power of Youth in Delhi. Winning a Tourism Award meant I had meeting with top tourism brass in Wellington earlier this month to discuss the state of the industry. The hustle never really stops!

The food will always be memorable.  'Bitter balls' on the beach in The Hauge washed down with a large pint of Dutch lager.  The burger at Dime Bar in Clapham, London. Spicy cuban pork and steamed cabbage in Miami.  Sticky Stubbs BBQ in Austin.  The sweet taste of a freshly poured Chai on the streets of Delhi. A spicy Pinot Noir on Xmas Day in Wanaka. An apple pie at a cafe in Amsterdam. Fresh crab in San Fransisco. Take me back!

Although my own sports really consisted of a few jogs I was fortunate enough to see some great endeavours. Watching the Oakland A's beat the World Series champs the San Fransisco Giants with my Uncle Richard.  Seeing Andy Murry reach the Wimbledon final on a jam-packed Henman Hill.  A slow yet glorious days play at Lords holding out the Aussie attack. And finally two weeks in San Fransisco watching Team NZ capitulate in the America's Cup. The first week was pure bliss. The second week was a slow heart ache, as the trophy slowly removed from what had been a firm grasp. Was fair to say I limped out of town with our tail between our legs.

As I think back a perfect day for me on my sabbatical would have to be in LA in May.  A run down to Huntington Beach in the morning followed by a milky trim vanilla latte, an egg white spinach wrap before attending to some emails.  Prawn tacos for lunch in the salty sea air of Sunset Beach.  A massage at the local strip mall and a nap.  An afternoon spent creative writing, playing guitar and reading in the hammock. Cracking a Blue Moon and getting the BBQ firing.  Laughing profusely with my hosts Kim and Katie like some sort of US sit-com. These are the memories I will cherish forever.

 

My travels and work commitments bought me back to Nz in October as spring had sprung. After an unsettling time returning to some sense of normality it was down to Wanaka to get to work in the Southern Alps on our new festival Rhythm and Alps.  Running around Lake Wanaka before working our event with was like a dream. Building and leading a new team was a challenge.  Delivering a new sellout festival was the reward.

And on to enjoy the beauty of the kiwi summer. Time at our farm in Levin and the 90^th Birthday of my Grandmother. Time relaxing around the pool in Hawkes Bay.  Attending some new events like the Polo and all the shenanigans that went with it. Boating on the Waitemata Harbour. Frequenting the new resteraunts nightlife that has finally made Auckland a global city.  Attending weddings and catching up with old friends. A new look Big Day Out even if you did have to wait for a beer. The new look Nines league tournament at Eden Park. Eminem at Western Springs. What a summer it has been. New Zealand - you have outdone yourself.

Eminem - Rap God 

I now I reflect with a bittersweet reminice, as my lost love of 2013 drifts away beyond reach.  The year off far exceeded my expectations.  It has left me inspired and recharged, if not a little flat at times, far from the highs I reached.  I smile at the moments, the mischief, the memories that I will have forever.  I only scratched the surfaces on a number of new friendships and relationships. Explored new cities I hope to return to, some to one day make my new home. I have been out of my comfort zone on a number of occasions.  Surrounded by familiar friends and close family on others.  It was fun getting blown by the wind at times.  In and out of reality. In and out of soberness. In and out of customs. In and out of motivation. In and out of love. But yet content. And happy.

And so as March descends and autumn calls, it ends.

Or does it?

PATA Young Tourism Entreprenuer Award

In November last year I was awarded a prize in by the NZ Tourism Industry - PATA Young Tourism Entrepreneur Award. It was a culmination of 11 years hard work, risk and sacrifice. I was extremely proud to be recognised by one of the industries I have found myself working in.  I found out about the nomination while in San Francisco for the America's Cup and decided to fly home the next week for the TIA annual dinner. It is not often you get nominated for an award so it would be a shame not to be there. Win or not it would be a great chance to connect with the industry, while also seeing family and friends after being overseas on the road for 8 months.

I had applied for the same award in 2010 and after making the final three I was disappointed not to have won. The award went to Haka Tours founder Ryan Sanders who was a commendable tourism entrepreneur in the true sense, having set up tours into the Southern Alps for overseas visitors. Rhythm and Vines did however win the Best Festival Award which was a great recognition for the hard work put in by the team. After being awarded our prize by Prime Minister John Key a fantastic night ensued!

This year I was a finalist against a guy who had started the Rotorua Canopy Tours business in Rotorua. What tipped the scales in my favour was the fact we had diversified our product since my last nomination to create the new Rhythm and Alps festival.  My team and I have been working on this for the past 4 years and I felt proud that our vision had been accomplished.  It also showed that we were not one-trick ponies, having replicated our success and diversified our brand into a new territory.  After receiving my award I was able to say a few words thanking those who have played a part in our success and also talk a bit more about the vision of our company to become NZ's leading festival and event promotions company.

My prize was an open door with the leaders of the NZ Tourism Industry - to learn, be inspired and connect with current players and decisions makers.  I was invited along to one of the Tourism NZ workshops in November. With over $130 million being spent the department was staffing up to cater for the next round of growth, with new staff appearing in offices such as Mumbai, Shanghai and Sao Paulo. Having PM John Key at the helm NZ Tourism has seen a considerable lift in profile with campaigns generated off the Lord of the Rings and America's Cup success promoting our ideas, talents and natural beauty. And with this exposure comes added scrutiny and accountability for the department so new staff were given a thorough introduction process to help prepare them for the path ahead.

During the two day summit we talked about brand NZ and how it is portrayed to the world. How the marketing spend is targeted towards those who need pushing over the edge to commit, not wasted on those who still need convincing about NZ as a holiday destination.  We learnt about the substantial investment into attracting a famous Chinese pop star to have her wedding in Queenstown.  Tourism NZ funded the whole wedding and the returns amongst chinese visitors and on social media was phenomenal.  I also found it insightful to learn about the transparency required in being a government department. Every email and text message has the potential to be scrutinized, every decision signed off by the powers that be and every dollar needs to be accounted for.  Definitely a different environment from being in a private enterprise.

For the second part of my prize I was flown to Wellington last week for the day for meetings with the real movers and shakers.  First up a morning and lunch with Martin Sneddon - ex Rugby World Cup Boss and now CEO of the Tourism Industry Association, and also a meet and greet with new Associate Tourism Minister Todd McClay.

Given my meeting coincided with Brendan McCullum's famous 300 run chase against the Indians, I mentioned to Martin that we could enjoy the meeting on the terraces at the Basin Reserve. He was the Chairman of NZ Cricket after all. But Martin had a day job to do as head of the Tourism Industry Association so cricket was off the agenda. He is a consumate professional.  So we chewed the fat for a number of hours in the TIA offices as planned.  I enjoyed hearing about his major event experience running the Rugby World Cup - arguably NZ's biggest ever event. We discussed the importance of risk management and also the co-ordination and cohesion involved with planning and delivering large high profile events.

We then discussed the Tourism 2025 document which had been constructed to provide alignment and focus for the industry. What Martin had noticed since taking the role was the size and scope of the industry, and the lack of visibility of all of its working parts. Given the diversity of the operators there was a lack of common threads linking them all. From travel operators, hospitality, adventure sports to festivals it his remit covered a large pool of members.  So the strategy by the Tourism Industry Association was around 'alignment rather than agreement' of shared goals, which obviously differ between operators. This vision would allow flexibility within the industry and accommodate differing wants and needs by the operators they collectively represent.

We discussed NZ as a destination and the opportunities that lie for entrepreneurs like myself.  Although traditionally reliant on key allies like UK, Europe and Australia, the real visitor growth lies in the Pacific Rim - China, Japan, South East Asia. This region even includes the likes of Mexico and Latin America. Air NZ plays a big part of this discussion having recently partnered up with Singapore airlines to provide a hub in South East Asia giving greater access to these millions of potential visitors. There are also discussions with Latin American airlines for Auckland to be a key stopover in this part of the world, opening up markets like Brazil and Argentina.

We had a more social lunch down at Cafe Prava off Lambton Key and Martin told me a few war stories about his career and plans for the future. I loved hearing about the Rugby World Cup and the drama surrounding it.  I look forward to NZ holding another sizeable event in future and hope I can play some part in it.

Next it was on to Bowen House to meet the Associate Tourism Minister. After clearing security was greeted by the charming and well dressed Minister Mclay in his corner office high up over looking Wellington. Two ministerial assistants about my age took notes as we conversed.  I was able to update him on our journey with Rhythm and Vines and the news Alps concetp now in Wanaka.  Coming from Rotorua, Todd was well versed on the Gisborne /East Coast region and some of the key personalities. He asked me how we could get more young entrepreneurs into the Tourism sector.  I suggested having better access and transparency to the stories of NZ success stories like AJ Hackett bungy or Craig Heatly who founded Rainbow's End.  Either through seminars at University or as part of a bigger youth conference. The more knowledge of inspiring start-up stories within our industry the better.

Finally the day ended up a couple of cleansing lagers with the team that put together in tourism operators conference TRENZ. This business-to-business tradeshow generates a large percentage of NZ tourism as the likes of airlines, tourism operators and media all congregate 4 days every autumn at a different location around NZ.  Hamish and his team of 3 do a stirling job pulling together what in itself is a mini-festival, so we were able to compare similar stories on the highs and lows of event management.

Overall I'm honored to have won the PATA Young Tourism Entreprenuer award and excited about my place in this diverse and growing industry. NZ needs fresh ideas as it secures its place as a visitor attraction within the Pacific Rim. It needs to pitch for and develop major sporting and cultural events.  It needs the cohesion and alignment of operators, along with catering to differing cultures needs and wants.  The opportunities to host the potential audience are vast and I look forward to being part of seizing these going forward.