Wozer is a Pōneke based skateboarding and creative collective who promote diversity and manaakitanga within the skateboarding and youth scene. Wozer highlights the Queer and BIPOC youth by providing a safe and accessible platform for those that align with their kaupapa.

WOZER has a wide range of creative outlets. What began as a magazine has grown into involvement with skate and surf events, film projects, workshops, and a strong presence in the music scene - uplifting new DJs through their Open Decks sessions. Check them out on SoundCloud or YouTube. WOZER isn’t just achieving important connections and creations; they’re building communities and spaces where new ideas can take shape.

Having released three magazines, Wozer has shared countless stories, photography/art from Aotearoa and beyond with anyone lucky enough to get their hands on one. Their latest issue is still available for purchase at wozer.net, or for a read at Boardertown skate shops nationwide and Fusion skate shop in Wellington. 

Twisted started their connection back in 2022, when some of the people behind Wozer reached out to ask if they could run a workshop to help teach Queer and BIPOC beginners to skate. 

It was amazing! This was our third issue, and honestly, it just keeps getting bigger and better every year. The quality of the editorial work, writing, and photography is on another level, everyone keeps stepping up their game. It’s really special to be part of so many people’s evolving creative journeys, while continuing our own at the same time. The release itself was epic too, we had drinks, music, magazines, and merch, and it even turned into a full-on skate jam out front of the shop.

How did you start running the Skate Jams at Twisted? 

A few of us went to Twisted in 2021 and we fell in love with it instantly. We would jam the skate ramp all the time and meet so many good characters. A few of us wanted to get our mates to try the ramp but it was slightly intimidating with so many good dude skaters always there. It didn't feel so approachable for them. And so since we loved attending the other workshops, and really aligned with the Kaupapa of Twisted, we decided we would ask if we could run an hour-long workshop the next year. And Twisted said yes! We were so stoked. 

This year it'll be your 4th time doing a workshop, what makes you want to keep coming back every year? 

The people. Every year we have more and more wahine, queer and BIPOC people attending our workshops. We even had one girl come two years in a row and express to us that she learnt how to skate with us the previous year and she had skated all through the year and built a community around her through that. That was really sick to hear. But honestly, everyone's conquering their fears, they're stoked, smiling and laughing and just having the best time. Of course we want to come back every year. 

You guys have been getting into a bit of music yourself, tell us a bit about your open decks!

Yes! We’ve done a few gigs over the last couple of years but have been particularly really passionate about hosting Open Decks. The purpose of our Open Decks is to create an inclusive, accessible, safe space for DJs to share a platform that supports emerging talent, underrepresented voices, and helps foster community rather than hierarchy. We’ve hosted 4 open decks sessions now, and each one has been its own unique setting with completely different DJs. Our open decks sessions have hosted a lot of DJs first time ever DJing in front of people, who then went on to do a number of gigs, how sick is that!

What’re you looking forward to about this year's Twisted?

To all hang out, dance, make new friends, reconnect with old friends and just skate! 

For this year's involvement in Twisted, Wozer is hosting: 

And another Skate Competition :0 ← This years prize is a ticket for Twisted the following year and a coveted custom painted Twisted skate deck!

Wozer will provide all the gears n safety equipment, soooo no excuses!

Wozer - Skateboarding and Creative Collective

Festivals are often told as stand alone stories. The build up, the lights, the music, the madness. But what happens after? What sticks with you?

We all know that “It's not about the destination, it's about the journey”, but anyone that has been to Twisted knows it’s more like: The journey starts with Twisted.

We spoke to a couple of festival-goers to see where their journey continues, where the rhythms of Twisted keep flowing, even once the speakers turn off. 

The Road After Twisted — Cassia’s Story

We count our lucky stars every day knowing that after our festivities we get to emerge out of the valley into Te Tau Ihu. Many Twisted goers see this as an opportunity to keep the experience rolling - whether that’s another week of camping, swimming in clear rivers, impersonating lizards on sun-warmed rocks, or hiking through misty ranges.

Cassia shared her story of how Twisted unfolded. 

“I hadn’t planned to go to Twisted that year. I’d just moved back to Wellington from Auckland and didn’t have the same friend group. Then, serendipitously, I did a shoot for a skate magazine and met a couple of people who were going. They told me to come and camp with them. I thought, fuck it, I don’t really know these people but I’m going to go.”

With no return plan, but an open mind, Cassia booked her ferry ticket.

“Over the course of that Twisted, I met people who would become some of my greatest friends. The beautiful thing about the festival is that people are very open, and the setting - in the middle of a beautiful valley without cell reception - really allows for you to connect with people.”

After the festival, her new friends invited her to Nelson. 

“The friend that had told me to come asked, ‘what are your plans?’ and I told her I was going to go on a solo hike. She said ‘what? by yourself?’ then – ‘who wants to go on a hike with Cassia tomorrow!’. An American voice emerged from the darkness and said ‘hey yeah, I’ll go!’ and then a girls voice said ‘I don’t have walking gear, but I’ll come!’. Without being able to really see who they were, we arranged to meet at where they were staying the following morning and convoy to the hiking spot.

Rose and Jasper. Jasper was a Californian surfer/skater who was travelling in his van around New Zealand. Rose was a Wellington skater who was a part of the crew I had become friends with. They met at the festival and became quick friends. “

“It was foggy, rainy, and you couldn’t see shit. But we did not care. We walked and talked and got to know each other.”

Jaspar invited us to Westport with him, we both said yes. 

“Over the next few days we topped and tailed, sleeping in Jasper’s van, and got to know his friends. We surfed, skated, pub-hopped, went op-shopping, had a bonfire on the beach, did fire-spinning, and got to see little wild penguins. We really had the greatest time together.”

Do you think you could've planned any of this?

“Not at all. To this date, the greatest experiences in my life have always been unplanned. I want to allow myself to be open to people and the opportunities that come with that.”

Cassia’s story reminds us that Twisted doesn’t really end when you leave the valley - it continues through the chance encounters, and the friendships that grow. 

While Cassia’s story unfolded through a spontaneous road trip, Honor’s began on the dance floor.

“It’s safe to say that over the years this festival has played a massive influence, not only in shaping my outlook on life, but the way I integrate into a dance floor. I am a huge advocate for rave and dance culture to be an expression of release, not escape. Our mind and body hold so much tension, but through dance and community, it can be utilised as a tool for self-expression and connection..”

“I remember pausing on the dance floor during Triforce’s set and seeing the crowd throbbing like a heartbeat. Everywhere I looked, glowing bodies morphed into one organism — vibrating and synchronising in harmony. Like a murmuration of birds, one twist or turn and the rest followed suit. I had only seen a crowd move this way once before, at my first Twisted in 2021/22 when Grouch was playing at around 6pm. It was a mind-boggling movement I had never seen before - Unreal.”

Before Twisted, Honor wasn’t into Psytrance at all.

“My DJ mate who raved about the festival, suggested I listen to this genre I had never heard of called “Psytrance”. I absolutely HATED the alien, outer galactic and robotic war sounds. When my partner and I finally pulled up to the festival we got straight into it. Around catching our mates DJing at the stages throughout the festival, we became glued to the main stage losing our marbles to Psytrance, till sunrise, every morning for the next five days - how ironic. That same mate was cracking up when he found us at 6am, pumping away to the PsyCore, wide eyed and bushy tailed.”

“He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. Nothing could have prepared me more for the people I would meet. The connections you create on and off the dance floor, the cats you stumble into, and suddenly four years goes by and you have grown so much aroha for one another or you become a part of a crew with such like-minded people. Music is the universal language and Twisted Frequency fosters just that. 

I can’t thank the creators, and those involved, enough for the world they have created for all to experience and call, in many ways, a home. The valley is sacred and she will always pull the heart strings when I return or dream of her."

Some people plan their journey after Twisted. Others don’t. Both are right.

Because whether you’re tracing rivers through Te Tau Ihu, camping with new friends, or dancing long after the speakers stop - the festival doesn’t really end when you leave.

Maybe the real beauty of Twisted is that it lives on through us — in the people we meet, the songs we share, the way we move together even after the music stops. It’s not something you leave behind in the valley; it’s a kaupapa you carry forward.

The journey doesn’t end with Twisted. It begins there.

The Journey Starts with Twisted 

This week on our culture spotlight we interviewed Casper AKA Young Gho$t, the man behind the capital’s underground promotional powerhouse Ghost Media. Responsible for some of the sickest jungle, garage, and breaks nights in recent memory, Welly bass heads should be familiar with Ghost Media as a staple for a great night out. We quizzed Casper on the beginnings of his “one-man-operation”, the highlights and lowlights of running events, and what’s on the cards for the future…

“Initially Ghost Media was started as an outlet to platform myself, as well as other artists who had talent but weren't necessarily getting booked at parties or gigs. A lot of the Ghost Media ethos is rooted in hip-hop, punk, hardcore and metal, so we are firmly on the side of the underdog, championing the voices of the underground that don't always get a light shone on them. It started off with more of a hip-hop focus, then over time I realised that I wanted to shift things towards rave-style electronic music events, as it felt like there was a more positive and fun culture around them, fostering an enjoyable environment with good knock-on effects to the community.

I never really wanted to run events, there just wasn't anybody else putting on the sort of shows that I wanted to go to. I'm a music fan first and foremost, and that's why the focus of the events is always on platforming the artists and creating an environment where people can enjoy listening to the music. That’s exactly what makes Ghost Media events so special - the music and the people who come with it. We try to deliver a cross section of up to date cutting-edge sounds, alongside the more classic sounds that helped to inform the genres that we love in their formative days. I am a huge believer in the role of history in music, and aim to educate as well as entertain. As a result of what we push, I think we end up with crowds that are a bit more music-oriented, who aren't just there to party. This is where I think our goals align with Twisted in particular - we are spreading love through music and connecting like minded people across their passion.

What I love about Welly is that it is such a cultural melting pot, and you get people who actively engage with niche interests. There's a lot of artists here, so people really appreciate artistry within music, which is what allows us to bring relatively niche acts time and time again. Another thing that is unique about Welly is how small it is for a major capital city, so we get all these big artists that end up playing in a tiny bar like Valhalla or Moon. One of my proudest moments was  the first time we packed out Valhalla for an international. We had Killjoy and Peaky Beats on for a double header and it was just carnage. That was when I realized that there was a place for this type of music, and that what we were doing was truly a community service. Another time I felt that was when we hosted Breaka and Bakey on a sunday night at San Fran and sold over 200 tickets. I couldn't believe we got that many people out on a Sunday night and was so amazed by how far the whole thing had come.

On the other hand, it isn't always an easy place to run events, and you can't just throw a night and expect people to come, especially with this type of music. The last year has been especially challenging as people have been doing it a bit rough financially, and don't always have the money in their budgets to afford $30 or $40 for a concert ticket, so we try and give out free tickets where we can. In an ideal world these events would be free so everyone can indulge, but sadly we do have costs to cover. 

Regardless of the ups and downs, it’s all been worth it. Over the past couple of years we’ve been able to host so many incredible artists including 4am Kru, Cesco, Plastician, Coco Bryce, Sully, Goth-Trad, Doc Scott, Isgwan, Papa Nugs, Need For Mirrors, Sam Binga and Paige Julia. Running events with so many amazing musicians and being able to chat to them and pick their brains is something else. One highlight that stands out in particular is spitting bars over Main Phase & Neffa T's b2b and having Neffa-T chop while I was spitting - that was absolutely surreal. 

We have some big events in the works in the near future.This Friday (15th November) we are teaming up with Third Eye Hi-Fi and Jungle Juice, doing a multi-level rave at The Grand headlined by none other than Breakage, an absolute legend of jungle dnb. We've got an all-star jungle lineup downstairs, and essentially two techno parties upstairs, so I'm excited to see these two worlds collide. It'll probably be the first time we've tried to push an event this large with jungle as the focus, but hopefully people are ready. We shall see! We've also got a couple of shows locked in for 2025 already, but honestly I'm at the point of trying to say no to as many as possible now - I have been struggling with my musical output a bit since being so busy, and next year I'm hoping to shift the focus away from running events and a bit more towards finishing and releasing some of the music that I've been working on.

Before all that though, Twisted is next on the list! I just can't wait for that feeling you get when you get to the valley and you realize you don't have to do anything for the next five days except embark upon silly shenanigans and listen to sick tunes. There is something about being in that remote location, surrounded by like minded weirdos, all ready for the same chaos. I have heaps of friends who I only get to see at Twisted, and it's always fun catching up with them all. I've heard it's the ten year anniversary this year, and the lineups have just been getting bigger and better year by year, so I assume we have some amazing acts to look forward to. I definitely can't wait to DJ at the Beat Bach for the first time - there is something about Twisted that just makes it one of my favourite places to perform. The crowds are so open-minded, and you can really push the boat out and play tunes you might not get away with at other festivals.

My favourite set I've ever seen at Twisted was Digital last year. I've seen some epic sets in the Cobb over the years, but getting to witness one of the originators of the drum’n’bass sound laying it down in the valley sent chills all up and down my spine. Earlier that night I played probably the best set of my life, with Bad Taste, and that was pretty crazy. The giant b2b2b2b last year was absolutely iconic too.

To cap things off I would like to give a shout out to Further Sound. Mikey (who runs Leather Kennel studios) in particular is the backbone of a lot of our operations. Without those guys we wouldn't be able to have achieved half of what we've done. I also want to give a shout out to Third Eye Hi-Fi and Tubs Audio, the other two sound systems we work with - both great teams run by knowledgeable and passionate people. I would also like to big up my partner Gianni, as well as Noyer, whom I run the Garage Sale events alongside, as they are always open books who I'm able to bounce ideas off. Shout out to Piper from Support Your Local Collective, another absolute legend. Last but not least all the talented VJs and lighting operators we work alongside - Cubeman, Lightsmith, Lightcraft, Uncle Graham, Grace, all the others. Not to mention Ben from Valhalla, Jamie from Moon - it takes a lot of people to run a ‘one-man operation’!”

Massive ups to Ghost Media for their mahi in the music scene! If you’re in Welly this weekend get down to Shakedown at The Grand on Friday for an epic three stage rave - you don’t wanna miss this one!

Ghost Media

Ahead of the first intercontinental Decennium session in Sydney this Friday we decided to do a write-up about the history of our collaborators, DUNJ. Known for their epic warehouse parties and holding it down since the early 2010’s, DUNJ is one of the forefront crews making shit happen across the ditch. We spoke to them about what makes their scene special, the differences in the doof scene in Aus, and what they’re most looking forward to about their stage takeover at Twisted’s 10th anniversary…



DUNJ (originally Dungeon Events) was started by three friends as a pop-up party in war bunker locations around Sydney harbor, strictly on Tuesday nights. At the time we were club rats and promoters at Sydney clubs, Chinese Laundry and The Wall, who were looking to run our own gigs. At the time a DIY event seemed like the best option. After a few years of bunker parties we put on our first club and warehouse events just before Sydney’s lockout laws of 2014 were introduced. 

Due to the lockouts, which led to the closure of 176+ entertainment venues across the city, we shifted our focus almost exclusively to warehouse parties with the occasional mid-week bunker parties for international guests. Over the years our crew grew with the addition of some close friends and music enthusiasts who were all brought on board after helping set-up and pack-down events. DUNJ has since evolved into a crew of 9 that runs regular events in a variety of spaces around Sydney and is heavily involved in the NSW doof scene. 


The main type of events we run in Sydney are in warehouses, because they provide us with a blank canvas to build and create unique experiences for every event. We host a fairly wide variety of artists and music so it's great to be able to adapt a space to suit the vibe of the night, the artists that are playing and the style of the music. There’s always a focus on quality sound and production, whether through a unique custom sound system, a hefty lighting rig and expert operator or an amazing concept for stage design. We put a lot of love and care into our events, and with the help of friendships and collaborations with some amazing locals in the scene we’ve hosted some incredible shows. 

The scene that DUNJ is a part of is unique because of the relative freedom that warehouse spaces provide to curate unique experiences, especially regarding production. It's easy for club nights at the same place to blend into one and specific performances to not feel special when your memory is storing it alongside countless others. With warehouses there is always an element of surprise and anticipation for the punters because, even though we all use the same spaces, the production, layout, stage build and decoration will be different every time. This warehouse centered outlook of the scene was motivated by the lockout laws, but times are changing and Sydney is having a revival at the moment, with 4+ clubs and multiple small bars and venues opening up in the last few years. 

We will always look back fondly on the lockout era in Sydney’s creative spaces. There was a feeling of civil defiance in what we were doing, not that we were doing anything wrong but it was clear that the government at the time had it out for dance music, events and disco balls for some reason. There was a beautiful culture around these spaces; promoters worked together and shared advice, experiences and leads on spaces and equipment. There was a very healthy and constructive level of competition and one up-manship where promoters would see what others were doing and think about how they could take the space or the event to the next level. This of course ebbed and flowed, and there were periods of max freedom, expression and creativity, and moments where the police would step in to settle everything down. 

One of the major differences between doofs/festivals in NSW and NZ is to do with policing. We live in a police state in NSW where police will extort festival operators with a "user pays" policing policy, where organisers will have to pay in excess of $100,000 for police to attend their event. Most festivals will have a very heavy police search at the front gate, with sniffer dogs going through cars and the festival grounds during the event. The police in NSW are in such heavy attendance under the guise of safety so it's always reassuring to see festivals in NZ with a much less extreme police presence go off without a hitch while still operating safely and working with local emergency services in a way that doesn't impact the viability or the beautiful friendly environment outdoor events can offer.


Other than that, doofing has a beautiful ability to stay relatively consistent country to country and we couldn't help but feel how similar our first experience at Twisted last year was from our favourite regular NSW doofs. Our doof scene definitely has more of a psy focus with bass music taking the back seat - we love to get amongst both but it was great to see bass music doing lots of the driving at Twisted. It’s also awesome to be part of a festival where the music goes 24/7, a lot of the larger-scale doofs in Aus will stop the music at night which can be good for rest, but it’s fun to see a party that lets adults make their own decisions about bedtime. 

This year we're all counting down the minutes and seconds until Twisted! We're in close comms with the crew and we're helping bring some acts over to NZ - after attending the festival last year there were two acts in particular that we reached out to immediately after getting home to get them locked in for this year's edition. We're definitely keen to swap out the esky for a chilly bin and go chase some of those pointy ducks on the festival site as well. And the river is definitely the best doof site river we’ve experienced too, so we’re all super keen to jump back in there!


These legends are co-hosting one of the first Decennium sessions - launch parties for the tenth anniversary of Twisted - in Eora/Sydney this Friday. If you’re in the area, be sure to get down and catch NZ bass heavyweights Ebb, Headland and Akcept share the stage with breakbeat assassin Jungist and the DUNJ crew themselves. And if you’re not, don’t worry, DUNJ are scheduled for stage takeovers at the Chillery AND the Beat Bach this year. Come get amongst it!

DUNJ

In collaboration with The Third Eye Hi Fi soundsystem, The Dojo is a queer-led space with a passion for gimungous bass and banging parties, providing a platform for underground and experimental artists across a diverse range of disciplines. The music and visuals displayed at The Dojo represent all the different energy levels that aren’t normally found in large festival environments; ranging from ambient noise, star-gazing and documentary nights on the 31st and 1st, to the more dance focused and high pace dance sessions on the 30th and 2nd. During the day The Dojo will also be an interactive community and art space where you can relax, create freely, or involve yourself in the plethora of workshops ranging from live microscope light shows and brain reading techno-cake to contemporary graffiti, leathercraft, and much more! 

Birthed from the dark and damp depths of Hataitai’s most eclectic flat, responsible for a myriad of oddly poetic noise complaint notices and animal control raids, The Dojo is a queer-led crew of friends and stooges with a passion for squelch. Having a conscious focus on safe party practices, we can collectively liberate one another from the pressures of the outside world. All walks of life are not only honored at The Dojo, but unapologetically and loudly celebrated 

This stage showcases under- represented sounds that often don’t get the chance to be played through big festival systems. Having hand-built their own killer rig, Third Eye Hi-fi offers ample opportunity for delectable bass and untethered high-energy kicks.



During the day we also have a plethora of unique workshops and ongoing art projects for everyone to be involved with. 

DOJO

Crafted in the backyard of a swampy Wellington flat by twisted crew skate lords and christened by Tony Hawk's uncle's cousin once removed, this year we've got a half pipe at topstage. It was first thrown down at a festival up north and so we thought we'd truly put it to the test by blessing it with a skating comp at 5pm on the 1st Jan, coinciding with the garage session and leading into the Feeling Blue takeover with Azure, Tansy and Obscured. The half pipe will be open throughout the whole festival, so bring yer boards, freshest dickies and show us yer moves.

Twisted Half Pipe

We’re stoked to introduce you to a couple of the epic crews who bring pumping vibes to the Cobb Valley for Twisted Frequency, year in, year out. 

First up we have Sacral Sound, they’ve been involved with Twisted Frequency since day one. Starting waaaay back when we were just rowdy wee whippersnappers, Clayton from Sacral Sound gave us a shot and brought his rig out all the way down that long gravel road into the Marlborough sounds for the main stage. Later he moved on to the Groove Lounge/Beat Bach and this year will be running the full system in The Chillery! 

The man, the myth, the LEGEND: Clayton is the creator/curator and sonic wizard behind Sacral Sound. With a love for underground music and having spent his youth on many a music festy Dfloor in the 1990’s, Clayton was motivated to contribute to this world that he loved, and back then there wasn't a resident P.A. in the bay… And thus Sacral Sound was born! With the intention to provide Golden Bay with a decent system, it quickly found a place in the underground music scene and became synonymous with quality outdoor sound. This encouraged more events, more people, more dancing, and as the party scene grew so did the system and his skills. 

Now at over 20 kilowatts, together with lighting, a 3 phase generator and all the know-how and gear needed to run live shows and electronic sessions, Sacral Sound has become an essential part of the local music industry - seen in action in this pic with comedian Ben Hurley. 

Let's hear it from Clayton himself:

“Over the years I've witnessed many highs and lows but it is the high points that stay with you. For me the dancefloor is a sacred place where people can forget their troubles and be free together - it's a type of group meditation. Many people have told me that this experience changed their lives for the better forever - it doesn't get any better than that!

My greatest joy is making people happy and to see a gleeful crowd losing themselves in the music uplifts my soul. Also providing a nurturing space for young DJ's, producers and live acts to gain confidence and shine. It’s amazing to watch this unfold with many going on to international careers in music doing what they love, I'm very proud to be a part of that journey.”

Having been the provider of big rigs right through the formative years of our outdoor party journeys, Clayton has always been here for our wider crew/scene with endless amounts of time, energy, wisdom and support. We can truly say that we aren't entirely sure we would be here without him! Having stuck with us through thick and thin, Clayton and Sacral Sound are an absolutely integral part of our history and an essential part of our team. 

It takes a hefty chunk of blood, sweat, tears and effort to build and run sound systems well and Sacral Sound does it with such passion and sincerity, running on diesel fumes, the smiles of punters, witty banter, crispy beats and BHUTTY BASS. We are stoked as always to have Sacral Sound returning to bring the noise for Twisted 2023 and without a doubt for many more years into the future.

We love you Sacral Sound! 

Sacral Sound

We’re showcasing some of the epic crews who are involved in this year's festival. Although Third Eye Hi-Fi only just joined the fold last year, we can see a very long and happy future with this wonderful gang of bass fiends! We’ll let you hear it from the crew themselves - have a read of their story from Chris, AKA Intec:

“The first members of the crew met in Wellington in the smoking area of the Grand. We instantly bonded through our love for Sound System Culture and found both common and differing grounds in our music tastes. As the beers flowed, the discussions turned to building a sound of our own in New Zealand. We got to work 3D modeling cabinets and producing the drawings, then we started the build in a garage in Eastbourne. We soon realised we needed a larger workshop so a couple of months later we had moved in together and were working nights after our day jobs to get the boxes built.

As the Sound was coming together, our talks turned to intent and ethos. We all felt that we wanted the sound to be a genreless, genderless host to provide a platform for everyone to work with, perform on and enjoy. The idea that an A.I. had downloaded itself into the system came to the forefront and we felt this story could carry our vision.

A few years on and we now have a solid crew of incredible people, all with different talents that give their time to push the sound. Everyone's work is appreciated so much and it's beautiful to see the efforts come together to create something we love. 

Removal of ownership, inclusivity, diversity and a safe space to let loose stays heavily at the forefront of what we are trying to achieve with Third Eye Hi-Fi.

Our box designs are all paraflex and open source, and massive credit must be given to the incredible community over at the High Order Quarter Wave Society which we are blessed to be a part of. Here a huge number of people worldwide work tirelessly, providing their various skills to allow access to great sounding cabinets for everyone to enjoy. 

It's so hard to pick a favourite memory so far, everytime we get the system out and see happy, smiling faces, we know all the graft has been worth it.

The first time we set up the system was at Kiwiburn 2021, and we had barely heard the full setup ourselves. Once we had it all dialed in and pumping, we will never forget the sense of accomplishment after all those hundreds of hours of work. When we then saw people letting loose in front of it, it really was something special and will stay with us forever.

Twisted Frequency last year was a massive highlight. We didn't know the Dojo crew closely before we got there, but we instantly gelled and knew we were in for a good time. For us one of the best parts was being given the opportunity and working with such an incredible crew all week, whilst being able to co-create such epic vibes for everyone to enjoy.

This year, we can't wait to bring the system again and level up on last year. We are working closely with the Dojo crew and can't wait for everyone to see what we have in store!

Lastly (but most importantly), our Sound System isn't possible without everyone's support and a solid crew sitting behind it. So we want to say a massive big up yaself to everyone who shows support toward what we are doing, it really means the world and drives us to keep doing what we do!”


****

It has been a pleasure working with this crew and amazing to see a soundsystem and team grow and evolve over the last few years. The rig BUMPS and they are putting on some stonking gigs across Welly and beyond. Make sure you head on over to the Dojo over NY and keep your third eye open for one of their incredible gigs!

Third Eye Hi-fi

We have some stonking artists coming to Twisted Frequency this year repping Australian record label Universal Tribe Records. We reckon UTR are due a Sunday Shout Out for all their hard work in the doof scene! Amidst a busy schedule of music releases and festivals, Luke from Universal Tribe Records spilled the deets on where they’ve come from, some favourite memories and what it’s all about. 

Luke told us, “Established in Melbourne at the beginning of 2013, Universal Tribe Records have planted their roots deep within the underground scene of progressive genres. Predominantly focusing on Bush Prog, Deep Daytime and occasionally exploring the higher end of the spectrum with their own take on Deep Progressive sounds. 

This grassroots label has a strong focus on recognising newly emerging talents, providing a platform for up and coming artists. Having worked with artists alike Sumiruna, Eartheogen, Triforce, Tekdiffeye, Scionaugh, Digital Swamp and countless others at the very beginning of their journeys as well as a number of world renowned acts such as Grouch, Electrypnose, Braindrop, Radioactive cake and many more.

Universal Tribe Records has a strong appreciation for nature which has largely inspired the label’s creation and sound, striving to better connect music & community to meaningful action whilst sharing their own unique sound birthed from the Australian bush. 

We are inspired by the many talented artists and endless quality of music being submitted to UTR. The label is incredibly motivated by a release schedule that will currently see back to back releases through to June 2023. And of course we are excited to be working with Twisted Frequency and truly appreciate them for recognising not only the artists but the label behind them. We are always eager to be able to support the opportunity for artists to perform at such events, making this a massive opportunity for them.

Thinking about our favourite memories, the Universal Tribe showcase at Earth Frequency Festival was a highlight for sure after the lockdowns. Also proud of the fact that through multiple fundraiser events during the peak of our event days, we've collectively raised just over $50,000 towards various non for profit organisations who are leading critical work in the preservation of Earth's ecosystems. 

I wish I was coming to Twisted Frequency this year, I'm yet to explore NZ and it's been on my bucket list for years. Just stoked that UTR artists are going to be smashing some filthy basslines. 

We have back to back releases landing, the best way to check out our sound is via Soundcloud but if you're wanting to support the label and artists in the best way possible we encourage you to head to our Bandcamp and download the music in high quality. Head to 

Twisted Frequency looks forward to hosting the sick acts from Universal Tribe Records this New Year’s Eve!

Universal Tribe Records

With a passion for bringing you distinctive music experiences, this Sunday Shout Out goes to Froth Entertainment. The Froth crew are taking over Twisted’s Chillery stage this New Year’s Eve, Here they give ya the lowdown on what gets them frothing to make things happen, and what’s coming up next!

“Born and raised in Wellington, Froth Entertainment made its start in the culture hub of Newtown. Where our front man Theon Kraayjoy spent his teenage years hosting backyard sessions and house raves, with humble intentions to provide a platform for budding artists alike. Creating dynamic and expressive spaces when there were so few at the time made Froth feel magic, and seeing friends safe across the dance floor in moments of pure joy, an addiction. Which meant it wasn’t long until Froth's ambitions outgrew the four walls of their Adelaide Road flat. 

Froth expanded quickly as a group of creatives inspired to curate environments we felt were missing, and we've spent the last few years doing just that. Fuelled by experimental spirit, our love lies in multi stage and multi genre. Our raves play host to live dancers, live drums, silent discos and visual artists. With a great appreciation for all things diverse and distinctive, blending different sounds and spaces together has become part of our nature. And while our roots were set in techno, house, and drum and bass, Froth's sound knows no boundaries. Delving with no fear between funk, hip hop, psytrance and jungle beats whenever the situation strikes.

We think this is a really exciting time for music in Wellington, and one we can't be prouder to be a part of. More than ever clubs are taken over and reimagined night by night. It feels like life is being breathed back into more traditional spaces and with it an opportunity to reassess what Wellington nightlife is about. Amongst the chaos the capital is welcoming new talent, new ideas, and new ways of enjoying music together. We can't thank Twisted Frequency enough for their mindful and leading example, as they’ve been our biggest inspiration in our own contributions to this progression.

This year we are beyond excited to be bringing such a large part of our team to Twisted, as we take over the Chillery stage on New Year’s Eve. With five artists returning after last year, it's obvious the impact that the festival had on us all. To be working with an organization that has been such an inspiration for both our artists and our ethos is the greatest honor. Along with those returning, our takeover this year brings three first time faces, and one festival veteran into the mix. Boasting the sounds of Buzzlightyeah, performing in Genre Sluts, the Froth stage will feature energetic 4/4 style techno, house, and progressive psytrance, with a taste of drum and bass throughout. 

If you're in Wellington come November 25th, or you simply can’t wait until the festival, go along and get a taste of what's in store from the team this New Year's, as we host our very last event of 2022 in full twisted fashion. Featuring 8/9 of our takeover stage artists, expect to get excited with energetic live drums and electric back to back sets at Allen Street’s Love Not Lost. Support the team and stay updated via instagram. Find tickets to the final Froth of the year via the Eventbrite link over at @FROTH.”

Froth Entertainment

The folks at Psy-Care NZ have been an integral part of shaping culture and practice of underground outdoor festivals in NZ,and will return to Twisted Frequency 2023. We have seen this beautiful crew grow and evolve at an astounding rate and never stray from their mission of making parties safer and offering their love and support for anyone who comes their way. Here they tell us the story of how Psy-Care came to be. 

What's the origin story of Psy-Care NZ, how did it come about, what's the kaupapa?

Psy-Care NZ Inc. was founded by Ashlyn Hornsby in 2015, in reaction to seeing major issues that needed addressing within the festival scene. It grew out of a passionate response and love for the community that surrounded these events. Since then the organisation has solidified and expanded, operating onsite at multiple events and festivals around Te Wai Pounamu, growing our volunteer base, and has honed in on drug harm reduction as our area of expertise.

Psy-Care NZ is an entirely volunteer-run organisation. We operate under a harm reduction framework, an approach which acknowledges the reality of drug and alcohol use in our society, and implements evidence-based practices such as education and on-the-ground support to minimise the risks associated.

We provide a calm and secure space for festival goers who are overwhelmed or struggling during the event, to make their experience safer and ensure they are supported and looked after. We work with on site medical teams, complementing their medical knowledge with our expertise. 

The space is set up with blankets, water, hot drinks, snacks, and diversions such as toys and art equipment, plus harm reduction information. Trained volunteers staff the space and roam the festival site. When necessary we work alongside the medics, festival security, and festival organisers; either to de-escalate the situation, or to make the call to involve external services.

A special shout out to Twisted Frequency who were one of the first festivals to implement Psy-Care NZ in their operations. And have always shown us support throughout this journey.

Do you have any favourite memories with Psy-Care?

Charlie: One of my favourite memories was being gifted a painting by someone who had been cared for in the space (at Twisted) about six months later. More generally though, watching a team of people come together for the purpose of being kind and caring humans.

Clare: Finishing a particularly challenging shift at 8am and getting a ten-minute cathartic dance to hi-tech up on the main stage one morning before crashing out, that was pretty special! Otherwise, there’s always a beautiful moment on the evening of the second day when everything has slotted into place, all our volunteers have settled into the routine and we’re all able to relax slightly from the non-stop hectic set-up. 

Ashlyn: There are so many. Being contacted and thanked by those people/ their support people afterward for our contribution. One of my favourites was seeing a young man step into the space at his first festival when we were a young organisation too, and using us as a safety base while exploring. He continued coming in for festivals after that and we saw him blossom within the community using that attachment theory of a safe space to explore from. That’s the guts of it for me. That and the outside connections that happen within the space between our volunteers.

Jessa: Being brought in and acknowledged as Mana whenua of the land occupied is definitely a special moment for me, being able to kōrero to a bunch of willing volunteers, of the kaupapa of Psy-Care through a Te Whare Tapa Whā me Te Ao Māori lens and it being received not only with open hearts and arms but with excitement will always have a place in my heart. Mauri Ora!

What do you feel is important or exciting about bringing Psy-Care to Twisted?

Charlie: Just knowing there is a support network in place helps people feel safer and fosters a culture where people actively care for each other.  

Clare: I love that Twisted was integral to the birth of Psy-Care, even though that was long before my time, so it feels like being on supportive home ground.

Ashlyn: Twisted holds a special place in my heart. The organisers were alongside me as I grew Psy-Care in the early days. It is both important and exciting for a grassroots movement to cater to the communities’ actual needs which aren’t properly being attended to by other major events. We hold a lot of trust for Twisted Frequency and we know the feeling is mutual.



What do you hope to achieve or enable for this year's summer season?

Clare: Our volunteer team always has a mix of veterans and fresh faces, and I look forward to seeing new volunteers find their feet at Twisted with us as their touchstone this year. Every year we improve our training and volunteer organising, and I’m really looking forward to our volunteers coming away with a better experience than ever - because looking after them is crucial.

I’d love to get our coordinators and permanent volunteers all on a psychological first aid course before the coming season. In terms of infrastructure, we actually purchased a new bell tent last season as the old one was in a dire state, so the fundraiser will be paying off the loan for that. Otherwise, Twisted looks after us with access to power and radios etc, which are the other upgrades we’re aiming for so we can work at smaller, less-resourced events.




Ashlyn: It’s so exciting that Psy-Care has grown so big and reached so far. The influx of volunteer applications this year already are far more than we have seen yet and we are so excited for the years to come. When we began, I wasn’t aware of other psychedelic care spaces, so it has been amazing to connect on an international level with other similar organisations and to grow together. If anyone has questions or wants to volunteer, email us at 

What a bunch of heroes these cats are! Twisted Frequency is massively appreciative of their incredible contribution. It’s hard mahi this stuff, but hugely important to keep our community safe - which is top priority. The biggest of love to this wonderful crew of caring humans, we are so grateful for your energy, skill and compassion to support our festival communities.  <3

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