Massey graduate’s festival wipes away tears after 121 cancellation

121 Festival was cancelled for early next year, but Coastal Promotions’ High Tide is locked in for November 4. Photo / Supplied 

Wellington’s favourite three-day festival will not be going forward this Summer, but eager students will be sending it twice as hard at High Tide in November.   

On September 12th, @121.festival on Instagram announced “with heavy hearts” the cancellation of its 2024 three-day odyssey in South Wairarapa. 

The post didn’t outline the exact reason for the cancellation but quoted the “uphill battles” 121 had faced over the years and said it would return in 2025. 

However, 121’s influence is still present in the event scene with Coastal Promotion’s High Tide festival running for its second year on November 4th. 

CEO of Coastal Promotions and Massey graduate, Charles Clatworthy, said 121 Festival “was a true motivation for me to get High Tide off the ground”. 

Described as a “seaside festival paradise”, High Tide sold 70% of tickets in 24 hours with a line-up featuring international DJs Sammy Virji, Kah-Lo, Document One, and rapper Jay1. 

Clatworthy said his five-year-old company got its start when the 121 team secured him a monthly DJ residency at the since-closed Club 121.  

Jordana Wale, a Massey journalism student, was “devastated” to hear the cancellation of the 121 Festival.  

“121 was a standout festival for me and a lot of people because it really focused on the music and the art and the community element of the festival. 

“I feel like other festivals are good but a lot of it is just about going to get drunk or do drugs”. 

While Wale said she would definitely go to the next 121 Festival, she wasn’t planning to go to High Tide as she wasn’t a big fan of the music and felt the community feel was different. 

However, university student Juliana Orozco had already secured her second High Tide ticket to go in November.  

“It’s the best day festival I’ve been to. I don’t remember a lot, but I know it was a good time.” 

She liked how the High Tide festival was so close to Wellington and said it’s a great way to start the Summer. 

Orozco also had an amazing time at 121 Festival, but said you can’t compare the two as High Tide was only one day whereas 121 was three, and a lot further away. 

Massive approached 121 for comment, however it wasn’t speaking to media. 

Tickets for High Tide can be found at www.audiologytix.com.