Event Blog 1: Shift.. Event

'Shift' - is a night gig (event) put on by some close friends of mine.

..We have always felt that Auckland night life was missing something, that there was still an untapped market in Aucklands clubbing scene. Thus began the origins of a concept to create a new style, arts, digital, multi genre, festival, mash up.... Two of my friends, Gilard and Craig, after months of weighting pros and cons, gaining contacts and growing the idea they decided to get serious and have a go at putting on event which they catchily name - 'Shift' (Shift your experience).

The intent was to create an event which comprises of the elements that make a clubbing environment enjoyable, mix it with the emotion of a large festival, add a dash of laxy house party and tie it all together with diverse artistic performances. The first few events they put on were illegal underground gigs at factories and public parks outside but close to Auckland city.
They are the kind of people that have a large group of friends so the parties became successful with an average of 400 to 500 people attending each time.

Fast forward two years to the present day and they have become quite successful. However they have built this concept off the back of there friends, which help them set up the event each time at no charge. Wonderful people they are!!!

Now, Last nights event was the most successful to date with over 1400 people (Venues Max) attending at 'Studio' on K Rd in Auckland city centre. I have personally helped out at 10 events so far (this one being the tenth) setting up before the event as well as packing down in the wee tired hours of the morning..

The event is separated into multiple areas which have different settings, the main room which is large enough to fit 500 People. Decorated in odd pieces of art gathered by my girlfriend and I over the last few years from working in art department for film and television.... then there are many side rooms with Quality-cutting edge-Djs playing different genres of music, artistic areas where you can paint on the walls. Many different artists perform, digital artists doing live renderings in Photoshop on projectors, gaming rooms with every type of gaming console and game you might want to play, areas set up to look like a typical flatting environment to create the feel of a house party and much much more..

..oh Not to mention the VJs or 'Visual Jockey's' of which I am one myself, I have preformed at most of the events they have put on so far. I basically just do a live edit of footage that I believe is important for people to see.. Such as the state of planet, future technology, architectural designs etc. I pretty much completely ignore global copyright laws, but I do purchase all the DVDs that I use (don't download any of them). Mainly documentary footage as that is my largest collection.

As far a reviewing the event.. I think my explanation and the street long door lines they are becoming infamous for speaks for it self. Its progressive and it evolves over time to get better..!! Well impressive!