George FM

Every year our mates at George FM hit the road, bringing the biggest, sunniest tunes to the North Island’s best beaches! For the last three years have helped sponsor these events by providing Spaceships for their crew and DJ’s.

This year’s Corona George FM Summer Road trip is kicking off on the 24th of December. For more info check out www.georgefm.co.nz/events.html

UPDATE

We set off from Ponsonby with only the best intentions that friendly faced music lovers could provide - to spread the tunes and vibe to residents and holiday makers in the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel that George FM has become known for.

After what turned out to be the most dodgily executed convoy (it's always a great road trip idea, but does it ever really work?!) the crew set off in our Spaceships, consisting of George FM poster girls Rire and Shannon, along with Aussie Dan Auxiliary, Tim Richards and Mat Randomplay (both fresh from family Christmas plane rides), roadies Justin and Ash, and Panavision cameraman Ross, documenting the entire experience for Alt TV.

First stop, Mount Maunganui. Community spirit was high in the beach town, despite a heightened police presence due to renowned play boy Tim Richards being in town. Sound System setup was done in record time, and we kicked proceedings off with Dj Randomplay, host of Friday night's 'The Super Happy Lucky Club' — the longest and stupidest name on the George FM show roster.

As the locals knocked back the Corona™, Tim Richards picked up the tempo as the local constabulary looked on critically. However, once they found out we were a friendly bunch, many punters reportedly saw a shimmy from at least one of the boys in blue, followed up with a sheepish look from left to right to see if anyone had noticed his shuffle.

A bit of sun and rest on Mount Maunganui beach was much needed the next day, which was a slight concern given that it was only day two. However, the only travel required was a skip across the bridge to Tauranga's Buddha Lounge. We arrived early and were greeted with open arms by the bar staff, who were keen to push the infamous George crew to their limits. (Let's just say… they succeeded). We slid nicely into proceedings with a mid-tempo funk set from the one like RIA. In fact it was so much like her it actually was her.

Dan Auxiliary took over as the crowd started to build. As the floor and much-needed outdoor balcony began to fill, Randomplay jumped up, delivering some funky breaks and dirty 4x4, finishing with '07 fave 'I Give Up' by Majik Johnson. Tim Richards saw the night out with some inspired 'sneaky bangers' (a termed coined on tour meaning rocking the crowd without resorting to anthems).

Roll on the Coromandel was the call as we embarked on the two hour journey north to Flaxmill Bay, and the quaint Eggsentric Café. If you see a gig advertised and are in the area, we strongly recommend you check it out, a great laid back atmosphere and outdoor stage is a really unique experience.

This gig was a little different, as we started in the late afternoon to the funk-drizzled beats of RIA, then the mid-tempo madness Dj Randomplay bought to the table. It was very much a picnic family affair, perfect summer vibes.

As night fell Dan Auxiliary revved things up and had the peeps off their plaid rugs and onto their feet. Near the end of his set Dan couldn't resist hoe-ing into a half cray between mixes, quite a sight for the judgmental, who initially thought men couldn't multi task.

It was a slightly smaller crew that made the journey south back to Whangamata, with our roadies being kidnapped by locals who promised to only give them back if we returned the following night. We agreed, without telling them this was our plan anyway. We also lost Tim Richards along the way, who was captured by a band of roving electro banger kids.

The Palm Pacific Tavern kicked off with a liquid D n B set from Randomplay, who said that he loved that the place reminded him of summer bay as the folk on the dance floor kicked around a beach ball. Logistical nightmare? Perhaps… but it was summer, and we ain't going to stand in the way of a bit of hijinks.

Dan Auxilary then stepped up to give the kids exactly what they wanted, stomping tunes with a sly well-known number sneaking in here and there. We found Daniel Farley hitching a ride back to Auckland on the side of the road with a sign 'will trade travel for bangers', and persuaded him to come and play for us, and he agreed whole-heartedly that it was a good idea for all. The management then complained as the floor had to be cleaned twice over due to the filthy tunes.

In the morning we said a teary goodbye to Mat Random Play who was honored with a crown of corona bottle caps for his bravery against the Cougar and sent on his merry way with a salute and many 'Babylon's!' by the crew. (Term commonly used on the road trip to say hello or good bye to fellow rd trip companions). We drove back up the coast sweltering in the heat. Despite a deadline we decided to stop off in Lonely Bay to reunite with roadies 1 & 2 and swim with the natives.

Being the last party of the trip we were feeling slightly dusty, but nothing a good seafood feed and a few cold ones from the Tua Tua wouldn't fix! When we arrived, the Tua Tua was sneakily disguised as a café, but it wasn't long before the George crew transformed it back into the bouncing beach party venue it is!

The night started with R.I.A laying down some funked up fruitiness. Next up was our road trip ring-in, B'Rad who had been following us for days. Although he's short, we thought we'd keep him because he had a cute girlfriend. We said we'd give him free corona if he'd play tunes, gladly he obliged and dropped some ultra smooth tech- house -electro niceness. It was about this time when a local lad nominated himself to be covered head to toe in George stickers. He was officially our very own walking talking, moving, Corona drinking billboard.

Dan Aux had disappeared to get his beauty sleep and arrived right on time (dressed appropriately in Corona merchandise). There was no half eaten crays this time just bangers all the way. Dan smashed the punters with his trade-mark dance floor assault dropping big nasties that had the whole crowd stomping and drooling all over the decks. All of a sudden it was time to stop and Dan Aux handed the wheels to R.I.A who gladly played her favorite grunty bangers for a sneaker encore.

All in all it was a 'massif' trip on all proportions. Much respect and robust hi 5's to all the DJs. Enormous thanks to the roadies and crew. And an extra special, HUGE thank you to Corona, Spaceships, all the venues and especially YOU for coming out to see us while you were on holiday.

Don't forget to check out all our pics on the George photo page from both tours North and South and look out for the video footage soon to be done something with.. Stay tuned!!!

- Mat Randomplay