Positive vibes at Homegrown
Saturday, 14 March 2026
Punters came from far and wide to experience Kiwi music at Homegrown on Saturday.
The sun shone down on Claudelands for the festival as it made its return in a far bigger format after 18 years in Wellington.
The crowd were soaking in the atmosphere, enjoying the music and cutting loose around the oval.
Portia Howarth, Peitan and Nastajia Gibbins did a “roadie” from Hawke’s Bay to Hamilton on Saturday morning.
The trio said they were “really excited to see everyone” such as artists Te Wehi and Hori Shaw and planned to head out to town afterwards.
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Howarth said she had previously gone to Homegrown in Wellington.
“That was fun. I was keen to see what it would be like at the new venue, and so far so good,” she said.
For Peitan and Nastajia, Hamilton is their first Homegrown and the sisters say “it’s a lot of fun”.
For Hamilton group Luca Van den Berg, Richard and cousin Agoz Turner and Boyce Hom, Homegrown is their first ever festival, having just turned 18. They were keen to check out Six60.
Kelly Tobin and Jess Johnson, both from Hamilton, were also Homegrown first-timers and enjoyed the atmosphere, seeing all the “different stages and places to go”.
Tobin and Johnson are looking forward to seeing another Hamilton group, Katchafire.
Lila Dornan was watching Hori Shaw with her binoculars while she and her entourage were all decked out in black and white chequer outfits.
The entourage decided to make the most of Homegrown, since it’s a 10 minute walk from where they’re staying.
“So why would we not come? We have to support these events otherwise they won’t happen,” Dornan said.
Dornan went to Homegrown in Wellington previously but said that having triplets meant heading to the capital was limited these days.
“Now it's too far when you've got a family, it's too far to go.”
The 10 person checker group have been friends for over 20 years and enjoy dressing up for various events.
Blair Heaton has been with the group for at least 10 years, through his wife.
He said the city needs more events like Homegrown, and lamented the loss of the Hamilton Sevens.
“The Sevens was a real positive thing for our community. It brought a lot of energy and positivity to the city.”
He said Homegrown has some way to go to recreate the energy of the Sevens.
“You just have to look around. People are having a good time, good vibe and good for Hamilton.”
Courtney Kahura and Georgina Christy made the half hour drive from Te Awamutu to Claudelands to see L.A.B and Corrella, among others.
“There’s so many good acts to see, it’s hard to decide,” Christy said.