Pure Series NZ Music Festival

Aside from good comedy (Brett, Jemaine and beached as whales) ‘New Zillund' also produces damned good music (Shihad, Split Enz, Shapeshifter and Fat Freddy's Drop to name a few). The Pure Series is a new festival aimed at gathering that musical talent and showcasing it on a genre-by-genre basis. Fourteen artists play over three days in the categories of house, funk and drum n bass (next year we are promised dub, soul, roots and hip hop too) with a designated space at each gig for contemporary Kiwi art.

Pure Drum n Bass
As the largest drum n bass nation outside of the UK, there's no shortage of quality production coming from our island neighbours. Pure Drum n Bass features the breaks-peppered beats of Agent Alvin, the funked out flavours of Bulletproof, and the soulful liquid sounds of Jess and Emma, along with four internationals that have yet to be announced. Bulletproof will also be dropping a dubstep set in a second room on the night.
     
Pure House
New Zealand may not be particularly well known for its house music but don't underestimate the talent that's percolating. Pure House covers everything from Chicago House to Detroit Funk. Joined by another four internationals will be Mancunian Dick Johnson, who now calls Auckland home; futuristic and tech leaning Tim Richards; deep house loving DJ Philippa; and radio presenter Bevan Keys.

Pure Funk
Funk and soul are the kind of music many already associate with NZ, so it's fitting that the festival ends with a night of Pure Funk. It brings together hip-hop MC and soul vocalist Ladi6 with DJ Parks, Gene Rivers' blend of vintage and nu soul, the hip-hop influenced rapper/producer Mikey Rockwell, and the scratching talents of DJ Definite, plus another five international artists.