Splore 2012 Brings Soul To The Beach

Iconic UK dance act Soul II Soul will do an exclusive New Zealand performance at Splore 2012 this coming February 17-19.

The group includes original members Jazzie B and Caron Wheeler, as well as MC Chickaboo. Coming out of London’s soundsystem culture of the late 80s, Soul II Soul was the first group to incorporate dancehall, hip hop, soul, jazz and pop into a commercially accessible music form, providing the first really mature musical exploration of the post rave scene. The Grammy-award winning act’s huge hits including “Back to Life” and “Keep on Moving” still have resonance today with both older and younger listeners alike - and are still regularly sampled.

Also joining Soul II Soul at Splore will be Africa Hitech – the acclaimed project featuring veteran electronica supremo Mark Pritchard and celebrated soul singer Steve Spacek. Signed by progressive label Warp Records, Africa Hitech has been described as a new direction for bass music. Their sound is a fresh and edgy amalgam of styles including UK dubstep, Chicago juke and African kudoro.

Amsterdam audio visual artist The SmokeEaters comes to Splore after making a big impact at this year’s Glastonbury and Oxegen festivals, and new hip hop/funk group IM ENO will also debut at the Festival. Local hip hop group @Peace will be bringing their progressive sound to Splore.

Also recently confirmed is the UK’s J Star plus locals Disasteradio, Scatch 22, Maya and Vanya, Alphabethead, King Kapisi and Jason Eli. Splore’s music director John Minty says more acts are still to be announced later in October.

The Splore programme will include a curated visual arts programme, an eclectic line up of performing arts, a children’s zone and plenty of engaging projects that will delight and surprise the audience. Set right on the beach, the location is sublime and is designed for the audience to camp in many forms on site for a fully immersive three days. Everything is catered for – from delicious food, market stalls, fully licensed bars and a full programme of music, art and performance. Camping is included in the ticket price, unless you choose to upgrade to a reserved camping spot or a taste of glamorous camping (known as Glamping) for an additional price.

Tickets are available www.1-night.co.nz with a time payment option also available.

Splore is a world class festival experience that is now firmly planted on the international circuit. Experience it for yourself - Splore 2012,17-19 February, Tapapakanga Park, one hour south east of Auckland city.

For more details on the artists performing at Splore 2012, go to www.splore.net