Splore 2023 - All Sets

Loved DJing at Splore Festival in Wendys Wellness on Saturday at 2am with my Bass Guitar. Merged into Mia's crystal bowl sound journey afterwards. Was epic!

Enjoy x

Kimba Jade - Splore Festival (Auckland) - 26 February 2023

AROHA Live at Splore 2023

Dolphin Therapy @ Splore 2023

I don’t think I’ve ever been as nervous and anxious prior to a performance than on that day. Something about a much bigger crowd than my first time, knowing that there will be dance floor full of DJs, as well as me overthinking and over engineering this set, sent me down an anxiety spiral a few hours out. Top tip: turns out a bit of food and hydration does wonders.  

The intro to this set was meant to include a dance performance stint. Dressed as an over expressive opera singer, I had planned to transform into a muchacho with moustache and all. Turns out the Studebaker stage at Lucky Star was PACKED. There was absolutely no room for dancing in front of the DJ booth, which was likely a combination of the time of the day, it pouring down heavily with rain and this stage being one of the very few covered one’s. Aaaaand a big crew showing up to hold my hand (*thank you*). So the dance performance, undressing and moustache application had to happen in the privacy of the DJ booth which was…surprise, surprise….a Studebaker vehicle. My alter ego Lurky Bertie decided to take everyone on a ride, go a little all over the show, sprinkling in some classics, before taking the dance floor dwellers down the good ol DirdyGerdi path of chunky hip thrust motivating tunes. Trying to keep it sexy at all times. 

Shout out to the massive group therapy crew support right in front of my eyes. It made navigating my second public set so much more of a breeze.
Thank you so so so much to Mels & Jonas for providing their unparalleled lush Lucky Star grounds for the next best mini festival stage at Splore…and having me play for your guests! Thank you so so much to Sarah Bronte (@msbronte), Jake Rattler (@jakerattler) and Joss (@voidvalkernz) for adding me to the lineup at an absolutely stellar time, appreciate you trusting me with this task and being so incredibly supportive. I love this crew very much and still pinch myself about how lucky I am to be part of this community.

Now enough blah blah, enjoy this little piece of rerecorded set - cause yeah we are still no good of remembering to press record and oh no I still messed up some transitions here and there. Cheers to my inner critic and perfectionist who has to bear through this journey with me. X

Track IDs:
@pink-noisy, Luigi Catalano - Donna Carmen (Italian Version)
@mochakkmusic - Sombrero Sam 
Mash - Style Is the Answer 
@mallinmusic, @samdexteruk, Clover Ray - Thick Of It (Extended Mix)@hungarian-hot-wax
@claptone - Cream 
@mathiaskaden, @zoexenia - Soulmakers (Pulshar Remix)
@unus-emre - J’Adore 
@hermanez - Dust Town 
@sante, @reyou, @lazarusman - Delirium 
@moby - Why Does My Hear (Oxia Dub Mix)
@stevedarkomusic, @claudevonstroke - How Many Times
@bassaramusic - Let Go (@urem & @flave-uc Remix)
@pullichomba - Shaman de Ketamina (@danielhokum Remix)
@zuma_dionys, @danielhokum - Serafim 
@frida-darko, @at_ric, @katahaifisch - Canvas
@joe-carl, @katahaifisch - Bad Ben
@deisenmusic - Hereinspaziert (@pullichomba Remix)
@noir, Haze - Around (Solomun Vox)
@kotelettzadak - Tony Trader

Splore 2023 | Studebaker Stage @ Lucky Star | Friday 930pm

Your clothes would look nice on my bedroom floor.

ALEJA | Splore Festival 2023 @ Lucky Star [[ Saturday 2 to 4 am ]]

What an absolute blast was Splore 2023!
Such an incredible mix of talent, beautifully curated stages and an eeeepic team behind the scenes. Was defo one of my favourite editions.

Had the pleasure to join the Fairy Squad and build a fairy Grotto for some secret boogies and naughty business during the festival. I really enjoyed bringing my Sunshine Fairy out!
Feel so grateful to be able to host the After Dark sessions at Wendy's Wellness once again and to meet and collaborate with wonderful people. 
That Friday night was an intense experience for us all with the storm.... actually I loved it haha nothing like some grounding and grinding in the mud.

Here is my set closing the After Dark on the Friday

Enjoy xxx

Cookie @ Splore 2023 - Wendy's Wellness/After Dark

Magic, love, gratitude, belonging and connection - those words capture some of my first Splore Festival experience. These feelings are better to be present with rather than trying to freeze moments in time. 

A massive thanks goes to Lucky Star, who entrusted me with the privilege to open The Studebaker stage(formerly known as The Portal) on Saturday night, as my mobster alter ego Tony "Tassel" Caputo. Vielen lieben Dank, Joss, Jake, Christa, Sarah, Mels and Jonas. ❤️🙏🏼 You're the ones who made this happen for me and are making me feel like the luckiest guy in the world. 🥰

Saturday night was especially memorable and full of presence. I spent the night with a small crew of old and new friends who I felt so much cohesion with that night. We were exploring different stages, vibes, genres, ways of moving our bodies, and all round hilarity. That experience escapes all description, so I'll give up right there. Much love to you, you know who you are 😘 🦥

Thank you Darling!

Tracklist
@densorteskole - Riforme
Sam Harris - Space, Time & Attention
@rapossa - Let’s Get Drunk
@iv-in - All I Ever Get
@vikenarman - Drop of Raki - @nutia remix
Nina Simone - Baltimore - @dj-nirso Edit
@jackpagemusic - Sunrise (Uncle Stepdad Remix)
@ensembleentendu - Well, Why Not
Kita - Through The Trees (@sanoimusik & @zukebeats Remix)
@itai_music - Say My Name (Breaking Bad Tribute)
@moontideaus - Antigua
La Bionda - Sandstorm- @landegaard-1 Rework
@marcotegui - Be Cow
@departmusique & Sergio Battaglia - Rebirth
@dwig - Orange Evening
Lake Powel - Bright Eyes, Dirty Hair - @acidpauli & @N-U Remix
@ulize - Ella Sabia (feat. Manu Ela)
@meutesound - Peace
@survmusic - Je K'abere
@beaconbloom & @sanoimusik - Silver [UNRELEASED]
@norken & @deer - Remember That Feeling

The Studebaker Saturday Opening | David Juno | Splore Festival '23

I am proud to present to you: F.A.M.E In collaboration with Naomi, we took the crowd on a hyped up journey into their inner child. A cabaret style DJ set with Fashion, Art, Music, Entertainment. The moulin rouge is calling, and you are invited. Forget those worries and let yourself feel the music. 

The crowd grew as we performed one of our most outrageous sets to date! Check out Naomi Pitcher on Instagram to see what we get up to on stage.

Thank you to The Lucky Star for having us in the Variety Show this season! We are so grateful. 

Thank you to all those that came to enjoy this set despite the crazy mud and thank you to my secret pop up dancers Tui, Tess, Christa, Jeremy. x

Splore Festival 2023 | Live @ Lucky Star Saturday 6.30-8pm

Not bad considering I was a last minute fill in, it was the wettest Splore of all time, and I had no monitors for first part of my set -the amazing sound crew managed to locate and instal another set without a break in the music.

Thank you to @beaconbloom, @maz_project & @antdotmusic for the advance copy of "Sky Father"- their recent release on @dawnpatrolrecords - it started raining as I played it. 🌧☔️

Live from the Crystal Palace @ Splore Festival 2023

German-born David Juno discovered electronic music in Jena before moving to New Zealand. Melody and organic sounds are at the core of the music he is passionate about, through different tempos and moods within the 4/4 realm of house and downtempo. David Juno concocts harmonious brews that enthrall listeners at large and small gatherings; clandestine woodland rendezvous; thundering, pitch-black basement blowouts, light-speed gigs aboard gleaming spaceships, and even interdimensional celestial soirées. He's a regular at XCHC and core member of Mary Hush. David Juno is a sonic conduit - his sets create atmospheric journeys that connect audiences through sonic storytelling, ranging from dark, spacious soundscapes to bright, energetic peaks that capture the full spectrum of human emotion and experience - with all the nuances in between.

2025
Auerworld Festival - Auerstedt, Germany
Relish Festival - March - Waimate, NZ
NZ Spirit Festival - March - Auckland, NZ

2024
Chi Wow Wah City - Opening for Viken Arman - November - Christchurch, NZ
Abracadabra at Ponderosa Ranch - March - Waihi, NZ
Shipwrecked Festival - February - Te Arai, NZ

2023
Rhythm & Alps Festival Yumm Zone - December - Cardrona, NZ
Summer Technical
Mary Hush VI: The Holographic Hotel - May - Christchurch, NZ
Relish Festival - March - Waimate, NZ
Splore Festival @ Lucky Star - February - Tapapakanga, NZ
Kiwiburn @ Swing Fling, Paradox, Devour & Delight - January - Hunterville, NZ

2022
Splitfest - September - Temple Basin, NZ

2021
Mary Hush presents Simulation '75 - Dec 18 - Christchurch, NZ
Super Sounds w/ Harry Charles and Laminar - Aug 6 - Christchurch, NZ
Abracadabra Festival - July 23-25 - Waihi, NZ
Mary Hush Presents: Night Dive to Neptune - May 1 - Christchurch, NZ
Omnishakti Festival - Feb 28 - Takaka Hill, NZ
Shipwrecked Festival - Feb 14 - Te Arai, NZ
Kiwiburn - Swing Fling and Paradox - Hunterville, NZ
Flux First Birthday (with Beacon Bloom) - Jan 16 - Christchurch, NZ

2020
Slow Motion 01 - Dec 4 - Christchurch, NZ
XCHC: The Underworld - Oct 31 - Christchurch, NZ
Mary Hush Presents: Slow Boat to Centauri - Jul 25 - Christchurch, NZ
XCHC: Where the Wild Things Are - Jul 17 - Christchurch, NZ
Mary Hush Presents: Aftergloom Delight - Jan 17 - Christchurch, NZ

2019
Something Else Festival - Nov 15 - Lake Sumner Park, NZ


Header photo by Lukas Vacha during my set at Shipwrecked 2021