Close to 15,000 music loving locals and out of towners descended upon the Unison Amphitheatre to experience the most ambitious party TAUPO has ever put on and boy, our very own Funky Town sure delivered the goods!

In what I believe should be afforded the moniker of ‘Wow!...What a Wicked Waitangi Weekend Wondergig We’ve Witnessed!’ (sure to catch on I reckon......) Taupo has yet again successfully proved itself a more than competent player on the Events stage in a major way by making the hosting of World Class Acts such as THE DOOBIE BROTHERS alongside support acts THE LITTLE RIVER BAND and NZs very own Southland Songstress ANNAH MAC look effortless.

15,000 people?....Yeah, we can do that, no worries mate. Our fizzy, vibrant, firecracker town has, once again, emphatically reiterated it’s right to call itself The Events Capital of New Zealand.

After arriving fashionably late (well, getting self, hubby, both offspring, picnic of epic magnitude and other ‘essential’ paraphernalia...including the kitchen sink is no mean feat!)

It was nothing short of completely awesometastic to look out at a sea of folks filling a huge section of Riverside Park to the max with arms aloft, just drinking in the occasion. There was barely an area of ground that  wasn’t occupied by chairs, blankets and chilly bins. 

Me and my very own World Class A Team ended up staking our claim to a patch of grass on the periphery and were pleased to find we’d bagged ourselves a very decent view of both the stage itself and the big screen. The acoustics were excellent and right from the point of arriving to the very last note of ‘Doobie Magic’, the atmosphere inside the venue was one of laid back cool vibes and good times.

I had a chat with two groovy movers who had travelled in from Taranaki and they were impressed not only by the venue, but also by how well the event was organised. So......whatever you’re into, when it comes to being the Hostess with the Mostess.....it looks like Taupo has it covered.

When it was eventually time to wander home, dispersal of the enormous crowd was quick and orderly. The organisers must be applauded for clear signage, friendly security, plenty of ‘facilities’ and even smiley sunscreen girls.

All in all, it was one of those events that people will talk about for a long time to come. Here’s hoping it’s the first of many.....