Fans enjoying the front row at Laneway 2015. Photo: Diego Opatowski/The Wireless
Laneway Festival won’t be held in Auckland Domain next year.
That’s the message that was delivered to organisers today after it was reported that a move to the park may be on the cards.
While the event has been held at Silo Park in Wynyard Quarter for the past four years, work is beginning on a redevelopment of the area.
A council report suggested the Domain as a new home for both Laneway and the Lantern Festival, however Laneway New Zealand partner Manolo Echave told the New Zealand Herald that a senior council event organiser has said it’s a no-go.
“We have been kneecapped basically,” he said.
Organisers are now looking at Albert Park as an option, he says, and offers have also come in to hold the festival in Wellington or Christchurch.
Rules permit only three large-scale events could be held at the Domain with Christmas In The Park and the Auckland Arts Festival locked in already. It was initially reported that a council leader is opposed to the park being fenced off and used for a commercial event.
REVIEW: Laneway Festival 2015
Mark Kneebone, the promotor of the Auckland leg of the festival, told Cheese On Toast that he had been in talks with Auckland Council about moving the event to the Domain for the past year.
He said that Auckland Transport and the Mayor were on board with the venue change and that he was confident that the plan would be signed off.
Laneway, which takes place on Auckland Anniversary Day, first came to the city back in 2010 where it was held in Britomart. It moved to Aotea Square the following year before settling into Silo Park in 2012.
Modest Mouse, Hudson Mohawke and Purity Ring have all been rumoured to be on the lineup for the festival next year.
