Horowhenua StarA lightbulb idea to showcase local music and musicians on stages all over town has become an annual sound extravaganza that celebrates its 10th anniversary tomorrow.
Apart from missing a year due to Covid-19, the Levin Music Festival has been celebrated every year since 2014, bringing a variety of performers and genres together.
Back then, as owners of a Levin music store, organisers Paul and Eboney King had their ears close to the ground. What they heard was a region brimming with an enormous range of talent. But how to express and share what they were seeing – and hearing?
Xan Angel FX from Radio Foxton at the Kings Sound Centre stage with Stephen Hofmann, centre, and Paul and Eboney King ahead of the street musical festival in Levin tomorrow. Hundreds of local musicians will be playing at venues throughout the day. Photo Paul Williams
“The idea of bringing music to our streets began from a visit to a few of our local music clubs,” Paul says. “While there we experienced something that hit the heart and we were amazed by it all . . . the locals who brought talent to each venue.
“That’s where the idea of bringing music to our streets came from.”
The couple, with the help of the late Boy Cornell, funded the inaugural event themselves and leant on volunteers. The result was organic – 200 musicians playing at 14 venues throughout the day. Even Paul and Eboney were amazed at the diverse range of music and musicians that turned out.
“I think we wanted to bring all these musicians and music groups and clubs that we knew of together for a day to celebrate, but even we were shocked at the amount of talent and the range of talent that was out there,” Eboney says. “It really has to be acknowledged and celebrated.”
Since then the event has had support from Horowhenua District Council and the occasional Creative Communities grant, but it still runs largely on a shoestring and lives off community spirit.
“At every event we’ve had a lot of help from friends and locals who jump on board and give us speakers,” Paul says.
Last year’s event involved 400 musicians who took ownership of their own stage venue and organised gear, which helps the event run smoothly – people like Keith Murch at Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō and the Levin Folk Club at the Levin Mall stage.
And the popular “drum circle”, run by Bob near the town clock where the public are encouraged to join in and jam with a range of instruments and create wonderous harmonies.
“That’s the direction we wanted to go . . . an event organised by the community, for the community,” Eboney says.
The Kings want the event to keep growing each year with the intention with which it began – to celebrate and share local music and musicians.
The event goes ahead whatever the weather.
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