Snow Ball last ditch effort to save King Beats
Local king of the concert Brendan Mulcahy is making a last ditch effort to save what’s been a popular community music festival and claw his way back after being left thousands of dollars out of pocket.
Brendan’s popular King Beats Festival, held in a field at Kingston, ran at a loss during summer when he was forced to reschedule after another big name headlining event booked on the same date.
He says he thought that was it, after that caused him to lose his headline band and a substantial amount of money. Brendan put up thousands of dollars of his own money to run a much smaller version of the event a week earlier than planned in February.
However, Brendan’s decided to give it one more crack to save King Beats with a Snow Ball event that he’s holding at AJ Hackett Bungy Centre on July 1, providing he can find staff and bus drivers to transport people safely.
The night is planned to kick off with some of Queenstown’s best DJs, followed by the main man, headliner P.Diggsss from Shapeshifter, with some vocals. Expect an explosive drum and bass finale to close out the night too. Lenni Vibne, DISHFIRE, Grzly, Stevie Tom and Lukie_M will all be part of the line-up and there will be bungy jump spot prizes on offer.
“It’s a cool, giant venue and we’ll have sound and lighting so it’s got a real nightclub feel,” says Brendan. “I thought if I could get 600 people to a field in Kingston at the busiest time of the year then I should be able to get a good crowd to Snow Ball.” He’s hoping to get a crowd to Kawarau Bridge where warm cosy fires will be set up, with bungy jumping from 5pm and music indoors. He’d love everyone to dress for the occasion whether that be in a crazy ball gown or fun fancy dress.
The $75 tickets are on sale now with the ball kicking off at 5pm until 2am and drinks at a fair price.
For this to succeed tickets need to sell ahead so Brendan won’t be left out of pocket and King Beats can live on, he says. “If I can get ahead again I can get back to doing King Beats in Kingston during summer and make enough that I can donate to charity again.” While much smaller than planned, this year’s King Beats Festival had been well received by everyone with heaps of fun games organised for kids, and spot prizes. “I’m super keen to see it keep running as it’s one of kind, a local family-themed festival.”
Brendan started running the festival events after getting together with friends seven years ago with the aim of raising money for charity. “I love to get a party going and I used to do charity work in Cambodia years ago. I’d send money back to a school there that I helped with.” Working in construction, and having lived in South Auckland, he says he’s seen the great divide between those with much and those without and he wants to make a difference. He’s donated $45,000 to charities in three years and is hoping to get back to that level again.
In the past Brendan has donated money to Garston Primary School and says he hopes to donate in some way towards men’s mental health.
“I’ve lost a fortune, but I’d really like to keep going. Hopefully I can find some local companies or sponsors again to support this.”
For Snow Ball tickets see: https://www.kingbeatsfestival.com/
