The year seems to be hotting up – the weather is sweltering and the music scene is bubbling away, because this is Festival Time.
From almost the beginning of January through to March, or even Easter, the country takes advantage of summer and music rings out across the fields. I like it.

There are few better experiences than sitting outside in the sun listening to music, and now is the time to do it.
I've also been reassured by the relatively relaxed attitude at a couple of recent events; both the Hollies concerts at Mills Reef and the Marchwood Blues Picnic allowed people to bring their own drinks and there was no noticeable trouble of any sort at either show.
That kinda restores my faith in people. After loutish behaviour involving alcohol at sporting events and the general nationwide crackdown surrounding booze (even the Mission Estate concert in Hawke's Bay no longer allowed BYO drinks this year) it's refreshing to know that it is possible for people to sit down on a sunny afternoon with a bottle of wine and a picnic without starting a riot and smashing everything in sight.
Marchwood, last weekend, was another great day, with a fantastic line-up of musicians. Jan Preston came over from Sydney and boogied her socks off, the Flaming Mudcats blazed, Brilleaux were classy as ever and Grant Haua played an enthralling set backed by, amongst other people, Michael Barker, until a year or so ago the drummer for Australia's John Butler Trio. He really is a stunning player (and even has his own Wiki page!).
But because I went to Marchwood I missed out on the opening day of the new Mauao Performing Arts Centre. I'll get over there any day now and write a full report. This is an amazing new resource for the Bay and anyone interested in dance, theatre, art or music tuition should check them out – everything is on offer, from children's dance and art classes through to adult ballet and speed metal guitaring.
Meanwhile, festivals continue to come thick and fast. Every week brings a new announcement of more bands at WOMAD. The festival kicks off on March 18 and the daily stage schedule is now out for those who want to go for just a single day. You can get more info at www.womad.co.nz.
And the Tauranga Acoustic Music Club – once upon a distant time the Tauranga Folk Club – is holding its first full festival in a couple of weeks. They're planning 12 hours of continuous music on two stages with more guitars, whistles, violins, mandolins, banjos, and double basses than you can poke a stick at.
There are indeed a whole bunch of people playing, not only a pile of locals but also the likes of Raglan's Hand Me Downs and Auckland singer-songwriter David Shanhun. Most exciting though, I think, will be the two acts at the top of the bill.
Hard Candy are a bunch of seriously good players hailing largely from the Wellington area. They play blues and country with great attitude and feature southern American finger-picking blues exponent Bob Cooper-Grundy, a bit of legend in these circles (and well worth seeing).
And then there's Brendon Power, harmonica virtuoso and about as high-flying a musician as has headed out from these shores in search of success. He's now played with Sting, Van Morrison, Kate Bush, Mary Black and a host of other famous names and is equally at home with Irish jigs as he is with earthy blues. He's been on the Jools Holland Show and performed in such exotic locations as China's Great Hall of the People and The Kremlin. Having him headlining here is something of a coup.
This all happens on February 26 out in the country at 156 Work Road Aongatete. What with various workshops and music running from 10am till 10pm, it will be a busy day, and tickets are a steal at a mere $20. There are various places to get them, all of which you can find at www.taurangaacousticmusic.com.
The Acoustic Music Club also gets together for regular concerts and jams at Driver's Bar in the 11 Ave Plaza. Details of those are also on the website.