Hamilton gears up as Jim Beam Homegrown prepares to burst into song

“Climb over your mates if you have to but don’t miss out on tickets for Jim Beam Homegrown in Hamilton this weekend.”

That’s the message from local businessman, entrepreneur, hotelier and ultimate Jim Beam Homegrown fan Pienaar Piso as the Festival enters its final hours before gates open on Saturday.

In just over 24 hours’ time, one of Aotearoa’s most iconic music festivals will return to Hamilton for the first time after 18 years on Wellington’s waterfront, transforming Claudelands Oval in Kirikiriroa into a full-scale Kiwi music playground.

And Hamiltonians are ready!

“We have been counting down to this since the day it was announced,” says Vanessa Williams, General Manager of the Hamilton Central Business Association. “Events like this bring incredible energy into the city. It is not just about the festival itself, it is about people exploring Hamilton, discovering new places and supporting local businesses along the way. We want every visitor to feel like a local while they are here.”

Jim Beam Homegrown CEO and managing director Andrew Tuck says the festival site has shifted into full festival mode.

“This is the moment where everything comes together,” says Tuck. “The stages are built, the sound systems are firing up and crews are moving at full pace to get every last detail locked in. You can feel the buzz building already. The artists are arriving, the city is humming and the stage is set for an epic celebration of Kiwi music.”

Over the past three weeks, hundreds of crew members, technicians and suppliers have been working around the clock transforming Claudelands Oval into a multi-stage festival destination.

Wherever possible, local Waikato suppliers have been part of the build – from scaffolding and staging to fencing, electricians, lighting, security and food vendors.

“It’s been incredible to see the scale of work going into bringing this event to life,” says Tuck. “We’ve had a huge response from the Waikato community and a lot of local businesses have played a role in getting us to this point.”

While the festival marks a return to its regional roots, the Hamilton event is arriving bigger than ever.

Two additional stages have been added this year, expanding the range of music and experiences for festivalgoers. The inaugural Precision Live Dance Stage will also add a new dimension, with some of Aotearoa’s best street and break dancers battling it out throughout the day.

With the schedule confirmed, the site nearly show-ready, and the final sound checks underway, the countdown is almost complete.

“Right now it’s all about the final touches,” says Tuck. “Tomorrow the gates open and Hamilton becomes the home of Kiwi music.”

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Jim Beam Homegrown was formally welcomed to its new home in Kirikiriroa, Hamilton, this afternoon with a mihi whakatau at Claudelands Oval. Bringing together Ngaati Wairere, Tainui, local kura students, and the Jim Beam Homegrown team, this was the first time in Jim Beam Homegrown’s 18-year history that a formal cultural welcome has taken place.

Andrew Tuck, Jim Beam Homegrown CEO, says being welcomed in this way means a lot to the festival and to the many people working behind the scenes.

“We were proud to be in Wellington for 18 years. What many don’t know however is that our roots are right here in the Waikato. Homegrown began here as X-Air by the Waikato River, and like many of our team, I’m a local Hamiltonian.

“In many ways, this feels like a homecoming, and we’re humbled to have the support of Ngaati Wairere and Tainui in making Claudelands Oval our home for what we hope will be the next decade.”

Tuck says the logistics of multiple entrances made it difficult at their Wellington location to facilitate a blessing like this.

“We’ve always wanted to show our respect for the place the festival is fortunate enough to call home, so we’re stoked that we’re starting our new beginnings here in exactly the right way.”

Immediately before gates open tomorrow, a karakia will ring out across the festival site, followed by the sound of the conch shell or pūtātara (traditional Māori trumpet).

Tuck adds that they plan to make this gate opening a fixture of the festival moving forward in Hamilton.

Gates open tomorrow at 12pm.