Latest news with #Laneway
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
All Blacks Great Joins Battle To Keep Western Springs Stadium In Public Hands
Tuifa'asisina Sir Bryan Williams is calling on Aucklanders to keep Western Springs stadium in public hands. Auckland Council and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU) have launched a public consultation on the future of Western Springs Stadium. Tuifa'asisina, former All Black and Ponsonby Rugby Club stalwart, is backing a community-led proposal to transform the stadium into a multi-use venue, as he fears a commercial redevelopment would erase a vital community space. 'This is not just about rugby - it's about preserving public access to one of Auckland's most iconic community spaces,' Tuifa'asisina says. 'We're not looking to build walls or gates. We're building access - access to top-class facilities at community rates.' The council consultation document outlines three options for the site's future: redeveloping it into a new Auckland Arena, transforming it into the Western Springs Bowl, or keeping the current setup with flexibility for alternative ideas. Tuifa'asisina supports the Bowl option, which is backed by Ponsonby Rugby Club and music promoters CRS Records and Eccles Entertainment. It proposes: -A 5000-8000 seat stadium for school finals, club sport, and community tournaments -A permanent stage for concerts and cultural events -Shared clubrooms and changing rooms for local sports and fitness groups -Affordable spaces for holiday programmes, fundraisers, and community events 'Let's be honest, private management means restricted access, high hireage fees, and limited availability. "That's not the Auckland we want to live in,' he says. Mike Lee, Waitematā and Gulf Ward councillor, says the public consultation process is already flawed, and claims Auckland Council sidelined community voices early on. 'It's all very well and good that the Council is asking the public, but they should have asked the public before they evicted Speedway from Western Springs Stadium,' he says. Auckland Council voted last year to evict the speedway and relocate the club south to Waikaraka Speedway. Lee says this has removed "the most popular" candidate from the choices. Rich lister Anna Mowbray and her husband, former All Black Ali Williams, are backing a privately funded venue focused on football. [ It would replace the natural amphitheatre with a new 12,500-seat stadium, including new facilities for Auckland FC, community sports, and commercial amenities such as restaurants and gyms. Mowbray, co-founder of ZURU and one of the private investors, told RNZ's Morning Report they want to create a world-class facility that serves both professional sports and the wider community. However, Tuifa'asisina has concerns the commercial option could limit access to large-scale community events 'We've seen festivals like Laneway and Pasifika fill the park with joy. Will they happen in a private, locked facility?' Tuifa'asisina asks. Lee says he is opposed to the privatisation of a public, open space. 'I firmly believe that soccer, rugby, concerts and speedway can all fit into Western Springs Stadium with a bit of intelligent planning and with goodwill.' He says he strongly support the retention of Ponsonby Rugby at Western Springs. "Essentially, it's the only place available that's suitable.' Council officials say the public now has a chance to help shape the venue's long-term use. Max Hardy, Auckland Council's Director of Group Strategy, says Western Springs has a rich and layered history – from the time when eels were fished in the springs, to its use as a water reservoir, and later a stadium for speedway, sport, and iconic concerts. TAU's chief executive Nick Hill says the site has untapped potential. 'Western Springs Stadium is a special place with huge potential to evolve and meet the needs of our vibrant city and region." Renowned architect Pete Bossley, who is supporting the Bowl proposal, says the natural contours of the stadium are irreplaceable. 'The amphitheatre is iconic and historic. To destroy that would be criminal.' Ponsonby Rugby Club chair Greg Edmonds warns that once the stadium is privatised, the public is unlikely to get it back in this lifetime. 'We're offering a balanced, public-private model that meets council goals and gives the public real value. We're not in this to line our pockets – we're doing this because community engagement is the fabric of a strong city. And this is our shot to keep that fabric intact.' 'It's a common-sense solution. And it's one that keeps this beautiful ground open to the people who love it,' Tuifa'asisina says. Public feedback is open until 15 June 2025 on the Auckland Council 'Have Your Say' website. No final decisions will be made until the consultation period ends and all submissions have been reviewed.
1News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- 1News
All Blacks great weighs in on Western Springs stadium battle
Tuifa'asisina Sir Bryan Williams is calling on Aucklanders to keep Western Springs stadium in public hands. Auckland Council and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited have launched a public consultation on the future of Western Springs Stadium. Tuifa'asisina, former All Black and Ponsonby Rugby Club stalwart, is backing a community-led proposal to transform the stadium into a multi-use venue, as he fears a commercial redevelopment would erase a vital community space. "This is not just about rugby — it's about preserving public access to one of Auckland's most iconic community spaces," Tuifa'asisina said. "We're not looking to build walls or gates. We're building access — access to top-class facilities at community rates." The council consultation document outlines three options for the site's future: redeveloping it into a new Auckland Arena, transforming it into the Western Springs Bowl, or keeping the current setup with flexibility for alternative ideas. Tuifa'asisina supports the Bowl option, which is backed by Ponsonby Rugby Club and music promoters CRS Records and Eccles Entertainment. It proposes: A 5000-8000 seat stadium for school finals, club sport, and community tournaments A permanent stage for concerts and cultural events Shared clubrooms and changing rooms for local sports and fitness groups Affordable spaces for holiday programmes, fundraisers, and community events. 'Let's be honest, private management means restricted access, high hireage fees, and limited availability. "That's not the Auckland we want to live in," he said. Mike Lee, Waitematā and Gulf Ward councillor, said the public consultation process was already flawed, and claimed Auckland Council side-lined community voices early on. "It's all very well and good that the council is asking the public, but they should have asked the public before they evicted speedway from Western Springs Stadium," he said. Auckland Council voted last year to evict the speedway and relocate the club south to Waikaraka Speedway. Lee said this has removed "the most popular" candidate from the choices. Rich lister Anna Mowbray and her husband, former All Black Ali Williams, are backing a privately funded venue focused on football. It would replace the natural amphitheatre with a new 12,500-seat stadium, including new facilities for Auckland FC, community sports, and commercial amenities such as restaurants and gyms. Mowbray, co-founder of ZURU and one of the private investors, told RNZ they want to create a world-class facility that served both professional sports and the wider community. However, Tuifa'asisina was concerned the commercial option could limit access to large-scale community events "We've seen festivals like Laneway and Pasifika fill the park with joy. Will they happen in a private, locked facility?" Tuifa'asisina asked. Lee said he was opposed to the privatisation of a public, open space. "I firmly believe that soccer, rugby, concerts and speedway can all fit into Western Springs Stadium with a bit of intelligent planning and with goodwill." He said he strongly support the retention of Ponsonby Rugby at Western Springs. "Essentially, it's the only place available that's suitable." Council officials said the public now had a chance to help shape the venue's long-term use. Max Hardy, Auckland Council's director of group strategy, said Western Springs had a rich and layered history – from the time when eels were fished in the springs, to its use as a water reservoir, and later a stadium for speedway, sport, and iconic concerts. Tātaki Auckland chief executive Nick Hill said the site had untapped potential. 'Western Springs Stadium is a special place with huge potential to evolve and meet the needs of our vibrant city and region." Renowned architect Pete Bossley, who was supporting the Bowl proposal, said the natural contours of the stadium were irreplaceable. "The amphitheatre is iconic and historic. To destroy that would be criminal." Ponsonby Rugby Club chair Greg Edmonds warned that once the stadium was privatised, the public was unlikely to get it back in this lifetime. "We're offering a balanced, public-private model that meets council goals and gives the public real value. We're not in this to line our pockets — we're doing this because community engagement is the fabric of a strong city. And this is our shot to keep that fabric intact." "It's a common-sense solution. And it's one that keeps this beautiful ground open to the people who love it," Tuifa'asisina said. Public feedback was open until June 15, 2025 on the Auckland Council "Have Your Say" website. No final decisions would be made until the consultation period ended and all submissions reviewed. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
NZ Herald
18-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
All Blacks great Sir Bryan Williams calls on public to back community-driven Western Springs stadium
In a statement released today, the club said it was throwing its support behind what it described as a new community-first proposal for Western Springs. The plan would involve the creation of a multi-purpose venue that could be used for sports, music, festivals and the wider community – all while keeping the land in public hands, the club said. 'We're not looking to build walls or gates,' Williams said. 'We're building access. Access to top-class facilities at community rates.' The proposal being backed by the Ponsonby club would result in a 5000-8000-seat stadium that could cater for club sport, school finals competitions and community tournaments. A permanent stage would be installed for cultural events and concerts. New clubrooms and shared changing rooms for groups such as netball, touch, basketball and fitness clubs would also be built. A space for community gatherings – suitable for events such as local fundraisers and holiday programmes – would also be made available and all at affordable prices, the backers say. Williams said: 'We've seen festivals like Laneway and Pasifika fill the park with joy. Will they happen in a private, locked facility?' The other proposed idea, backed by former All Black Ali Williams, his wife and businesswoman Anna Mowbray and American billionaires Bill Foley and Bennett Rosenthal, would result in an arena including a 12,500-seat sports stadium. It would have a 25,000-capacity concert venue and feature eight indoor basketball courts, six padel courts, four outdoor training fields, five hospitality establishments and high-performance facilities. That arena would cost $200 million to $300m but would be privately funded. Ali Williams said of the idea: 'Western Springs is just crying out for it to happen.' However, Sir Bryan Williams said the privately funded idea would change the place into a concrete stadium that would likely have locked-door access. 'Let's be honest, private management means restricted access – high hireage fees and limited availability. 'That's not the Auckland we want to live in,' he said.
Perth Now
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Clairo pulls out of Primavera Sound 2025
Clairo has pulled out of Primavera Sound 2025 due to 'logistical issues'. The 26-year-old singer/songwriter had been due to perform at the festival in Barcelona on June 6 but has now axed her appearance completely. She said in a statement on Instagram: 'Unfortunately, I'm not able to make it to Primavera this year and I'm so sad about it, because Primavera is iconic and returning to the fest is something I've been looking forward to for ages. 'There are some logistical issues with getting my show to/from Primavera that have forced my hand here. I never want to give my fans anything but the absolute best set I can do, and that won't be possible at this time. I'm so sorry again and I hope to be able to make it up to you sooner than later.' A message from Primavera stated: 'We are deeply saddened by this news and share the fans' frustration. We, too, were very much looking forward to welcoming her again at Primavera Sound Barcelona.' Sabrina Carpenter, HAIM, Beach House, TV On The Radio, Wet Leg and others will still perform on June 6, while Charli XCX and Chappell Roan will headline on the other days. Meanwhile, Clairo previously revealed that Charli XCX helped her to learn to appreciate her old songs, after they performed her song 'Sofia' from her debut album 'Immunity' during a joint appearance at the Laneway festival. She told Seventeen magazine: 'It's so funny—I didn't think people would mind that I didn't play it, but it became a problem. I got myself into a pickle. 'We were doing this festival in Australia and New Zealand called Laneway, and Charli was headlining. We played a few shows, and she told me she watched my set the day before. But she was like, 'Where's 'Sofia'?' and I said, 'I don't play it. Don't you have any songs where you're just like, Man, we've done it a lot'?' Then we came up with the idea to play it together. I was like, 'Well, if anyone can make me sing it again, I think it would be you, Miss Charli.' So we planned on it and had no sound check. We sort of winged it and it was awesome.'
The Guardian
09-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Laneway festival review – Charli xcx headlines a euphoric festival for the masses
It's the end of Brat summer as we know it and we all feel fine. Charli xcx's exclusive headline slot is the major drawcard for the 20th year of St Jerome's Laneway festival, as the British hyperpop star runs a victory lap for her Grammy-winning album, Brat. At the first leg of the Australian festival, a sold-out Brisbane Showgrounds is teeming with punters bedecked in the album's signature lime green. It's a victory lap of sorts for Laneway, too, one of the last festivals of its kind in a rapidly shrinking Australian live landscape (last month, Splendour in the Grass and Groovin the Moo were both canned for the second year in a row). What started as a small boutique event in an inner-city Melbourne laneway now boasts crowds of tens of thousands, and tours around the country and even overseas. It feels like what the Big Day Out once was but for a new generation, and the very young crowd reflect that. The downside is that Laneway's personality now feels diluted – it has become a festival for the masses. What was once an opportunity for punters to discover new, smaller artists has shifted towards a smorgasbord of who's hot right now, particularly online. The influence of social media is strongly felt at the festival, epitomised in Djo's set. The Stranger Things actor gets a largely muted response until his final song, End of Beginning – which was a viral TikTok sound in snippet form – sends the crowd wild and has phones up in selfie mode as punters take videos, presumably to also upload to the app. It's emblematic of how the younger generation interacts with music now but feels jarring to witness – how this might play out in years to come remains to be seen. But the past is always present: gen Z's fascination with nostalgia is evident in some of the acts, including the US shoegazers Julie, all in their early 20s but playing a brand of fuzzed-out rock that sounds straight from the 90s. The band has an early slot as the blazing sun beats relentlessly down and their walls of distortion awaken the crowd. Later Clairo's sunset set crackles as though it's spinning on an old record player, though the US singer-songwriter – also a festival exclusive – struggles to be heard above an uneven, bass-heavy sound mix. This isn't the best setting for her introspective, 70s-inspired music but she's a charming performer – fitting as the set is mostly made up of songs from her latest album, Charm, with intricate instrumental arrangements. Live, Clairo's band includes clarinet and a rousing saxophone solo on Sexy to Someone; the older track Bags taps into an indie-rock vibe that's more suited to a large festival. This is carried on in Beabadoobee's later set, which feels both intimate and expansive. Olivia Dean feels like a companion: smooth, soulful tunes delivered with style, providing a more chilled-out experience than the festival's otherwise EDM-heavy lineup. It's particularly moving when the British singer dedicates a track, Carmen, to her grandmother. Joccy's stage is one of the only undercover areas of the festival, providing respite from the sun but heating up quickly with dancing bodies – it's reminiscent of the BDO's Boiler Room. Melbourne's Rona is an early highlight, spinning tracks with seamless transitions against a flashing red Indigenous flag. A remix of Ojax's Act a Fool has the crowd roaring and Rona looks as though she's having a blast too as she throws shapes on stage. The Pennsylvania hip-hop duo Joey Valence and Brae, on the rapid rise, drop an incredibly fun remix of Charli xcx's 365 alongside their own high-energy tracks including The Baddest and Freaks, creating a sweaty sea of hands. Ninajirachi keeps the party going between sets all afternoon with an interstitial soundtrack of remixed pop hits. The last time Charli xcx appeared at Laneway, in 2020, she was still somewhat of an underground favourite – now she's ascended to become the queen of the cultural zeitgeist with a record that's equal parts fun and intelligent. The venue transforms into an open-air club for a joyous 70 minutes as she blazes through tracks from Brat, with a few older songs thrown into the mix (the moving Track 10 is a highlight) and the requisite silly songs about fast cars (Vroom Vroom, Speed Drive). Unlike most other pop stars playing stadium shows, Charli is alone on stage. She doesn't need anyone else – she's larger than life, prowling at the camera closeup and making good use of the tiered stage. The TikTok phenomenon is present in this set too, with the singer encouraging fans to perform the viral Apple dance, created by a fan. It adds to the fun. I Love It, Charli's 2012 collaboration with Icona Pop, now feels passe among her more adventurous catalogue but it's the perfect singalong to end the night. The rapturous crowd proves that there is still a huge appetite in Australia for the festival experience, particularly among the younger generation who are hungry for the community and euphoria that only live music can bring. Let's hope this is a sign of better things to come. Laneway continues in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth until 16 February
