Gate on stage at Lines of Flight Festival Photo: Fraser Thompson
Peter Porteous is a musician and festival organiser based in Dunedin. He was compelled to run the Lines of Flight experimental music festival after travelling from Auckland to Ōtepoti to play in the year 2000, and making many musical connections. For many years Porteous co-organised the event with his dear friend, drummer Peter Stapleton, co-founder of The Terminals and a member of seminal South Island groups ranging from Vacuum and The Pin Group to Scorched Earth Policy.
Stapleton passed away in 2020 after a battle with cancer, fondly remembered by many in alternative music circles as someone who connected the dots. This year's festival in October pays tribute to him and the many he brought to Otago to explore sounds of the underground. This year Lines of Flight is situated at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery and the bustling town of Port Chalmers, a home for many creatives.
A Handful of Dust performing at Lines of Flight 2019 Photo: Fraser Thompson
Lines of Flight attracts audiences and musicians from across Aotearoa and the globe. Like LA noise musician Gabie Strong and Melbourne’s Ov Pain.
Maggie Tweedie asked Peter Porteous to share some of his favourite acts over the past 12 iterations of the festival. From the intricate prepared piano of Hermione Johnson to the violin conversations of A Dream is Like a Magic Cloak.
Sewage playing at Lines of Flight 2017 Photo: Fraser Thompson
Lines of Flight Festival runs from Thursday Oct 26 opening at Dunedin Public Art Gallery. Following three shows on Friday and Saturday at Port Chalmers Town Hall.
