Bonner said the event had become a cornerstone of Karangahape Rd\u2019s independent music and creative scene, helping give small artists a vital platform and audience.<\/p>\n
Organisers of Auckland’s The Others Way festival have called it quits on the event, with director Reuben Bonner saying rising costs and debts have made it unviable. Photo \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cWatching it grow, seeing artists connect with audiences in such a meaningful way, and feeling the energy that filled those spaces each year has been one of the great joys of all time.\u201d <\/p>\n
Banished Music began promoting and presenting The Others Way<\/a> in 2023, taking the reins from the event\u2019s original visionaries, Flying Out and Flying Nun Records.<\/p>\n Bonner said economic conditions had changed drastically since then, impacting ticket sales, and that continuing The Others Way would only prove more difficult with rising costs, ongoing uncertainty and an absence of funding.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve explored every avenue available to us seeking new and established funding partners, pursuing sponsorship opportunities, and rethinking how the festival could operate sustainably.<\/p>\n \u201cDespite these efforts, we haven\u2019t been able to secure the secret formula to deliver the festival in a way that meets both our standards and our financial obligations. <\/p>\n \u201cAs well as that, over time, the debt that we have accumulated on this project can no longer responsibly be carried forward.\u201d<\/p>\n The Others Way joins a growing list of festivals cancelled in the past year because of cost-of-living pressures, including Tauranga\u2019s One Love<\/a>, three-day Auckland festival Splore<\/a> and Gisborne\u2019s Longline Classic<\/a>.<\/p>\n The cancellations have diluted prospects for New Zealand\u2019s grassroots music events, with the organiser of Twisted Frequency warning this year\u2019s instalment may be its last unless conditions improve<\/a>.<\/p>\n Founder and director David Tait, together with the organisers of Shipwrecked and Aum, criticised the Government\u2019s approach to events funding following the introduction of a multimillion-dollar Event Boost Fund<\/a> last year.<\/p>\n Organisers said the fund initially gave them hope but they were unable to secure support, arguing it favours large, commercial events over grassroots festivals.<\/p>\n \u201cThroughout its life, Twisted has yet to receive a single dime or any kind of funding, and that is not for lack of trying,\u201d Tait said.<\/p>\n