FM Winery Tour in Sandusky, er, Queenstown

I went to this music fest on Sunday presented by the FM Winery Tour. On the bill was Op Shop, Anika Moa, and Dave Dobbyn, three of NZ's biggest acts. I had heard from friends that it would be a lot of fun, so I decided to get Jess and I a couple of tickets while we were down in Qtown. Unfortunately, come Sunday Jess wasn't feeling up to it, and the weather was for shit, so I decided to make the trek out to Milbrook Estates on my own. It was a great place to go hear some music - gorgeous backdrop, mountains for miles. There were different wineries set up with drinks and great food, and it was a small enough venue that you could easily find your friends (if only I'd had some) upon entering the field. Going to things like this alone is a nice opportunity to do some thinking, to reflect on where you are and really take it all in. Well, looking around it would've been hard to tell if I was in Zew Zealand or Ohio. Ladies in Mom Jeans with dykey haircuts dancing around with sillie smiles hangin off their faces. Men in fanny packs and oversized t-shirts, foakly sunglasses swinging from their necks. There were groups of young people in between, but a lot of them were there with their mums and pops and uncles and aunties and all that. It was wierd. The one thing that was refreshing and able to really make me smile were the hoards of children playing everywhere. I swear to God, parents must think I'm a pure child stalker molester when I sit there and watch their babies with a shit eating grin on my face. But honestly, how can you not laugh when there's a toddler in a diaper trying to shake and dance to the music. Thank God I'm a girl right? I ended up not being into the music at all, and played soccer with some kids for the most part. Op Shop is super fucking cheesy, and once they had the crowd to the mexican wave I was pretty much done with them. Anika Moa had a great voice, and fantastic stage presence, but again, I just couldn't help but feel like I was at a Raffie concert circa 1985. I kept thinking to myself, "Is this really New Zealand?" The answer is, yes, yes it is. NZ for the most part is filled with hick farmers with missing teeth, and tight knit families who shear sheep and get married young, and go out hunting with their mothers. By the time Dave Dobbyn took the stage, I was simultaneously disgusted and jealous of all these young people dancing with their families, drinking beers, and having a great time. Toward the close of the fest, the weather had cleared and the music was nearly done. As was I. I got a ride back into Queenstown (ie. civilization) and met up with Jess for a pizza at Winnies. The #2 Irish Idol was there playing cover tunes! Ha, can't get much better than that!