Electric Avenue festival draws tens of thousands to Christchurch over two days
The Electric Avenue two-day festival in Christchurch has attracted thousands of attendees, with over 70,000 people expected to be in attendance in Hagley Park. The festival, in its tenth edition, is set to feature nearly 60 artists performing across five different stages. Some of the big names to headline the event include The Prodigy, Chase & Status, Empire of the Sun, L.A.B., Tash Sultana, Shapeshifter, and Wilkinson.
Last year’s festival saw a substantial influx of visitor spending, amounting to around $6.5 million in the local economy. Festival organizers are optimistic that this year’s event’s success will pave the way for further growth and expansion of the festival in the future. The decision to extend the festival to two days, for the first time since its inception, was met with unprecedented demand, with tickets selling out quickly and a significant waitlist created for interested patrons.
The festival director, Callam Mitchell, expressed enthusiasm about the turnout of this year’s event, surpassing expectations and setting the stage for potentially attracting more international artists in the future. Plans are already in motion to evaluate the feedback from this year’s festival and potentially make the two-day format a permanent fixture of the event. Additionally, considerations are being made to relocate the festival to Hagley Park South, expanding its capacity to accommodate up to 50,000 attendees.
The lineup for Electric Avenue 2025 features a mix of international and local acts, with artists like L.A.B., Shapeshifter, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Th’ Dudes, Chase & Status, and The Prodigy headlining the event. The inclusion of notable bands like The Prodigy is expected to cater to a wide demographic and ensure an electrifying festival experience. The festival is set against a backdrop of economic uncertainty in the live music industry, with several events being canceled recently due to various global issues.
The festival promises an array of attractions, with a detailed breakdown of the event’s logistics including the cost, artist expenses, security measures, bar facilities, staffing, waste management, and other essential elements. The event will feature various amenities such as eateries, ample restroom facilities, and sustainable practices like the use of reusable cups. With preparations underway and the festival set to kick off with gates opening in the afternoon, Electric Avenue 2025 is poised to deliver an unforgettable experience for music enthusiasts in Christchurch and beyond.