Swearing mars New Year's event

Lead singer warned on obscenities

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Palmerston North welcomed 2010 with the usual gig in The Square but opinion is divided about whether one of the bands was a bit of a lemon for a family show.

The weather was fine and locals turned out in good numbers to the annual New Year's Eve entertainment, which included The Beatles Band, That 80s Band and Masterton-based group Deaf Lemon.

And it was this foursome, whose website boasts they play "high-energy music that everyone can dance to" that created some concern for those with young children because of their language.

One Palmerston North mother said people had been approaching security guards with their concerns about, in particular, the band's use of the f-word during their performance.

The women asked not to be named.

Deaf Lemon lead singer Pip Hansen had been getting kids to sing along to the words "my s...", she said.

Event organiser Karen Heaphy said she had gone backstage to speak to the band about their swearing.

"We asked them not to. It's a family event, [Pip Hansen's] been spoken to. That's all I can say really."

When asked if the band would be welcomed back to future events, Ms Heaphy said the lead singer would not be allowed to swear on stage.

There had been "a couple" of complaints from members of the public.

About 9000 to 10,000 people had attended The Square throughout the evening, she said.

"It's been a good day. It was tough to set up [on Wednesday]."

Deaf Lemon drummer Toby Mills said any swearing on stage was due to Ms Hansen being "really excited".

"It was probably more of an accident than anything."

Not worried about Deaf Lemon's language were Ross Devonshire and his daughter, Samantha, 8.

Both said the Masterton band was the highlight of their evening, with Mr Devonshire saying their set was "raging".

Feilding's Steven family, Susan and Julian, with daughters Georgia, 16, Vicky, 15, and Holly, 11 said they enjoyed That 80s Band.

Deaf Lemon's language was not appropriate at a family show, Mr Steven said.

Mr and Mrs Steven said they enjoyed a midnight kiss during the 30 seconds of fireworks on the stroke of the new year.

The post-midnight entertainment was cut short when That 80s Band lead singer Brent Christoffersen lost his voice and had to retire early.

Police senior sergeant Cliff Brown said people were pretty well behaved and The Square concert went well. There were a few arrests made for breaches of the liquor ban and disorder, he said.

- © Fairfax NZ News