Larry Williams Drive

One of New Zealand's biggest summer music festivals - Bay Dreams - will not go ahead in 2025 as promoters struggle to draw big artists into the country. The organisers had hoped to book Kendrick Lamar as a headliner, but a successful 2024 for the rapper meant the costs to bring him here doubled. Rhythm and Alps founder and director Alex Turnbull says many brands are putting themselves in a 'dangerous' position by relying too heavily on big names. "There are so many more lines that contribute to a festival brand - such as the experience, that's a really key thing. Whether it's the biggest festival that's been cancelled, I'm really not sure."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.