Are you ready for Tora Bombora 2023?

Words by Hannah Powell. Images by Java Katzur.

Welcome to Tora Bombora for 2023. Located in the Wairarapa, the festival returns for its fifth year on the rugged coast. Featuring a line up with artists such as Trinity Roots, Mildlife and Hurricane Emily , Yo Vocal had a chat with KITA and Len Blake, as well as founder Louis Murphy-Harris, about what festival goers can expect. Prepare your tent poles and ear holes for a long weekend treat.

Louis, his voice flying on the winds of the patch of whenua he has begun to prepare, says this year is the year the stars will align.

“The festival is going to be a perfect concoction of fantastic music, strong vibes, and a strong identity of what the event is and what people come to see.”

Many know Tora Bombora as the three-day festival on the edge of the world. Some know it as the event that sells out in four minutes. Past Tora Bombor-ees probably know it as the one weekend they weren’t looking at their phone, fully immersed in the music instead. And first timers? They don’t know what to expect. With mountains, moana, and music right on the waterfront, it’s just going to be amazing live music and bloody good vibes, Louis says.

Curated to be considerate, friendly, and safe, the atmosphere Tora tries to emulate is one where a groover can show up alone and have the best time ever. It’s welcoming, easy-going, a place to run free.

Featured on this year’s line-up is a mix of soul, roots, reggae, and surf-rock. The Craypot Stage promise some of Aotearoa’s finest DJs, boasting house, techno, and twominds sound. Louis says as the festival enters its fifth year, he intends to make the sound more dynamic. And with the borders open, you’ll notice the addition of seven Australian acts.

“I’m super excited to see Glass Beams and Mildlife from Australia,” he says. “With the kiwi acts, I went pretty hard on the soul buzz this year. Trinity Roots is going to be incredible, as well as MARA TK and Casual Healing who I’m really excited to see from the kiwi contingent.”

Two other acts to watch are band KITA and artist Len Blake. Louis informed me the theme for this year’s line-up is an incredible live experience. KITA and Len Blake fit the brief.

If you’re not familiar with KITA, think of a “three-headed entity”, fronted by the multi-talented Nikita Tu-Bryant. To describe their sound is to share their backgrounds, Nikita says, and with Ed Zuccollo and Rick Cranson in the band, words like lush, lyrical, and psychedelic soul come to mind. Keen surfers and masters of the stage, the band is excited to play at such a wild location. “I can’t even begin to tell you how much I want to play,” she says.

Once Te Whanganui-a-Tara, now London based, soul artist Len Blake couldn’t agree more. Her Tora debut as both artist and guest, Len is just stoked she found a way in.

“I’m really excited, I’ve heard such great things. It’s just nestled away, really wholesome, a proper celebration of music. After having a couple of chats with Louis you immediately get the idea, it’s going to be really special.”

Fresh off a Rhythm and Vines NYE slot, Len is modest when says she’s still new to live music. But she’s no stranger to the craft, spending time making music with Casual Healing’s Nikau Te Huki. Do not be surprised if you hear a duet. Joining her on stage will be her live band, talent hand-picked from Wellington’s best.

Hand-picked and off the grid is a curation Louis does well, with the festival celebrating established, emerging, local, and international music. Between sets, musicians greet each other like old friends. Attendees clink cans and dance like part of a community. And with a kaupapa that makes Tora Bombora stand out, the festival shines ahead of mainstream events.

“I really drive the message of make mates with people you don’t know, be friends with everyone, be relaxed, be easy-going. It’s a place where you can form a connection with the coast,” Louis says.

Putting environmental awareness to the forefront, festival-goers are required to look after the land they dance on. And in a place where mountains are mere metres from the sea, Louis asks for people to have fun and tread lightly. It’s not a festival where you come and get drunk for two days then bugger off again, he says. It’s a festival to feed the soul.

A weekend where you fill your cup, and drink the dregs for the rest of the year.