Event promoter and nightclub supremo Mitch Ryder has the gig of a lifetime this January – he’s getting married! And he hasn’t even worked out what he is wearing – “Haha I’m not sure, I haven’t even sorted my suit yet.”

There’s no dilemma for the committed festival-goer though – he’s pre-loaded this season. “I’ve been all over the show this year. I went to Pitch Festival in Melbourne, ADE in Amsterdam...”
Pitch Music & Arts Festival transforms a quiet patch of Victorian countryside into a haven of house, techno, disco and more. ADE (Amsterdam Dance Event) features over 1000 events and 2500 artists over five days in 200 clubs and venues in the Netherlands capital.

Now it’s all work and wedding prep for Mitch. With Sam Smith, his partner in promoter Cream Events, he’s in full swing organising the Hidden Lakes festival in Hagley Park as well as its sister event, Hidden Valley in Matakana.

“Last year we managed to have Hidden Lakes land on the one day in December that it rained all day. We’re hoping for sun this time.”

Ticket sales already have him sleeping better, with numbers ahead on the same time last year for the festival of house, techno, drum ‘n’ bass and jungle. “Last year we got 6000 people along and we are expecting to well exceed that this year.”

There’s a third stage this time around, one more than last. It’s hidden, says Mitch, so you’ll need to go looking for it. Find it and you’ll be tipped into a demi-monde of electronic dance music.
Meanwhile he’s still got his nightclubs to take up any spare time. There’s Hide (ex Empire) in Christchurch and now Seek (geddit!) in Queenstown. Both host a huge array of local and international EDM acts.

Mitch is fussy when it comes to the festivals he gets along to.

“I’m a bit of a purist. The lineup needs to tick some boxes, otherwise it’s just another event. And the fundamentals need to be there too – a good sound system, a good level of production, a decent selection at the bar...”

His No. 1 festival hack is to do your research and plan your day.

“You are going for a day to experience so you have to have a schedule and pace yourself.”

Hidden Lakes // Wednesday 28 December, 2022 // Hagley Park
hiddenlakesfestival.com