So much more at Splore: The line up, the artwork, the sustainability & two tickets for you to win!

[gallery link="file" ids="4915,4916,4917,4918,4919,4920"] There’s something special about Splore. It might be the music, it might be the art, it might be the setting or it might be all of the above. Everyone you speak to who been to Splore talks about it being magical, different from any other festival. Music wise 2015 is going to be a biggie, with internationals including UK DJ legend Mr Scruff, hip hop supergroup Deltron 3030, renowned party band The Cat Empire, up and coming Los Angeles R&B artist Tinashe, electronic dance pioneer Lee Coombs, hip hop artist Azizi Gibson, UK reggae MC YT, Barcelona’s audio visual artist Filastine and DJ’s J Star, Slynk and Pippin. Not to mention, over 20 of the very best Kiwi talent across all genres! ‘Splore is about both art and music, and that’s what sets it aside from other festivals,’ says Ross Liew, Art Director of Splore 2015. And how right he is. Splore showcases both international and local artists, as well as commissioning a number of pieces that reflect Splore’s unique vision. Showcasing a melting pot of talent, works range from the tactile to the monumental, malleable to digital and absolutely everything in between. Pieces are chosen from a large number of applicants and ‘expressions of interest’. ‘[They] are a huge pool of talent, a really cool mix of festival people, in a way, it is art for the people by the people. We have such a great community of artists in New Zealand. And we have submissions from Asia and Europe too. People submit their work and come to Splore based around a holiday to New Zealand, so that’s pretty cool,’ says Ross. Splore 2015 has a set theme that dictates and shapes the artists’ work - the theme of ‘home’. Easily personalized for each individual - a whare, the beach, Whanau, friends - home is where the heart is. Artists looking to take part in Splore 2015 are required to explore home as a theme in their entries. ‘When you talk about home in relation to the site, it is about New Zealand, the coast, summer, lifestyle, holiday. It is a similarity and a passion that is so part of our lives. Tapapakanga Regional Park is a very sacred place. It is interesting to see how people from elsewhere react at the site, and we want people to react appropriately. We want to see the emotion it evokes, because it is a very powerful place.’  Much more than just music, Splore is the first New Zealand festival to win an international ‘A Greener Festival Award’. The esteemed award is given to festivals that prove they are well managed, environmentally aware and have taken significant steps to reduce waste, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and educate their audience. Splore received the accolade this October for their event in February 2014, which included 73% diversion from landfill, 25% reduction in vehicles and 14,000 reusable cups circulated during the event, preventing 55,000 single serve cups going to landfill. Epic! Hey want to come to Splore? We have two general admission tickets to Splore to give away, one for you and a mate, plus a general camping pass for you to stay at. Easy to enter: Simply 'Like' this article and comment the artist/act you're most excited to see in the field below to go in the draw. Winner will be drawn December 18th. Words by Isabella van Heusden.