The Wingman Festival was born from the love and loss of our brother Shane ‘Wingman’ Billingham. Shane, tragically passed away at the age of 33 while at Burning Man Festival 19 in Nevada U.S.
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Shane had a larger-than-life soul, was easy-going, with a world-famous smile. He loved everything good in this world; most of all music, whanau, and his home – Aotea/Great Barrier.
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Music is what Shane lived for, starting as a youngster in his family home alongside his big brother and little sister. Shane advanced musically to be a founding member and kick-arse drummer of Solomon Jamski, creating their very own album. In his mid-twenties he put the drumsticks aside and picked up a djembe drum and started traveling the world, playing at some incredible festivals alongside the likes of Rueben Stone, Grouch, Issac Chambers…….
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Shane loved the traveling musician lifestyle but his heart and home was always on Aotea/Great Barrier. He dreamed of bringing music and his worldly experiences to the island in the form of a festival.
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In 2020, a year after Shane’s passing the Aotea Wingman Festival Trust was created. Friends and family came together, with the support of the community, to see his dream come alive. The Wingman Festival is a not-for-profit event with money raised going to fund the tamariki’s own music and arts journeys as well as keeping the festival alive.