As I crawled through the tangled roots of the kฤnuka forest and ascended the glorious Hill, my soul was drawn into a sonic symphony – enveloped by a psychedelic tribe. AUM Winter Series: Hill Stage Edition was every bit as spectacular as the last rave, yet this time, the crew at Science of Sound NZ guided us on a transcendent journey through deep, pumping grooves, intergalactic soundscapes, and synesthetic bursts of colour that lit up the entire night.
Iโve always loved how fire creates both a welcoming and grounding energy, so being greeted by the Auckland Fire and Flow troupe as we entered the cartoon-like dance floor felt like a true delight – a warm invitation into the surreal.
The Hill Rave came alive with vibrant lights and visuals that pulsed in sync with psychedelic rhythms and waves of beautiful noise erupting from the sound system. Giant canopies adorned with trippy, perspective-bending art embraced the dance floor, transforming the space into a twisted playground where all the psychedelic creatures could roam and play. Frequencies melted into one another as each performer blended their own sonic colours, moving the crowd in ways only music can. What a feeling – to melt into rhythm and become sound itself. WOW!
How blessed we were to dance with such an inspiring line up . As the crowd warmed and the energy rose, the nightโs musical journey reached new heights. Roma Dias – Mental Broadcast/Subverso (Brazil) – lit up the night with two sultry sets that plucked at the heartstrings and kept my feet in motion (what can I say – I love to samba!). The warehouse echoed with deep, grooving basslines and rhythms that lifted me higher, as music flowed through the audience, igniting a dancefloor alive with smiles and connection.
Anchoring the night were true jewels of Aotearoaโs psychedelic scene. Cosmck-J and Tiabeanie each brought their own flavoursome energy, setting the tone with vibrant, genre-blending sets that warmed the crowd for what was to come. Then, Sharkra seamlessly took the reins, weaving Romaโs two performances together with her trippy, tribal-infused soundscape. At times, it felt as if the ground itself was shattering beneath my feet. Hypnotic grooves pulsed in perfect synchrony with the lights, lasers, and visuals, amplifying the Hill Stageโs immersive magic and drawing the crowd deeper into a sonic trance.
Just as the rave reached the summit, Miss Molly emerged like a sorceress of sound, conjuring up an electrifying blend of rhythm and resonance; a sonic potion that lingered in the mind until dawn and kept me grooving all the way home.
With the last bassline still reverberating through the air, I found myself reflecting on the magic we shared. Sound is art in motion – and Science of Sound NZ, together with Mental Broadcast/Subverso and the ever-enchanting AUM whฤnau, hosted a phenomenal experience that was both lively and deeply inspiring. I love witnessing people create magic and lose themselves in beautiful music and art. Iโm already looking forward to the next showโฆ I wonder who will delight us next time around.
Whether you danced until sunrise or melted into the bass at midnight, you can revisit those sonic journeys through the DJ’s SoundCloud links in the words above. These performers brought the stage to life – and their sets still pulse with the energy of that sacred space. Relive the magic, rediscover the groove, and let the music carry you back into the heart of the rave.
Tickets for AUM New Yearโs Festival 2025 (30 December 2025 โ 2 January 2026) are on sale now – donโt miss your chance to be part of the next chapter in this psychedelic celebration.
Until next time, cosmic ravers – may the frequencies guide us home!
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