One Love Festival moves to Auckland with tribute to late reggae artist Fiji
“A new city. A new chapter. One massive celebration. For the first time ever, One Love Festival is coming to Auckland, and we’re bringing the music, energy and One Love spirit that has united our family for years!” festival organisers announced in an announcement on social media.
Festival Moves to Auckland
The day-long reggae festival is setting up in its new home with a dedicated Under-18 GA area alongside standard R18 and VIP zones, opening up attendance to younger audiences. The lineup features Spawnbreezie, K’Nova, Drew Deezy, Three Houses Down, and General Fiyah. Performers will also stage a special tribute to the late island reggae legend George “Fiji” Veikoso, who died last year following undisclosed health complications. The Brown Hill Band and an international all-star lineup including Lapi Mariner, Junior Soqeta, and Jsqze will join the tribute performance for the artist, who had performed in a wheelchair in recent years and died peacefully surrounded by his family. “Fiji was part of our One Love family from the very beginning, performing at every One Love Festival,” organisers posted on social media. “His music brought us together, and his legacy will live on forever.”
Early Bird Tickets Go on Sale November 4
Early Bird tickets go on sale on November 4, with pre-registration currently open at the festival’s official website. The relocation follows previous operational changes for the event. Organisers noted that former owner Pato Alvarez sold the music festival in 2022. Alvarez was subsequently sentenced to 12 months of home detention on November 10, 2023, after being found guilty of the indecent assault and attempted unlawful sexual connection of a woman hired as a babysitter in 2023. He has since finished serving his sentence. Organisers stated that Alvarez completed all contracted handover obligations as part of the 2022 sale, adding, “We want to reassure you all he is not involved with One Love festival in any capacity.”
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