Low numbers and anti-vaccination threats on social media did not deter festival goers from enjoying good music, weather and the idyllic venue of this year's Revitalise Music Festival.

And while it was disappointing that just 162 people attended the three day event, those who did make it to organiser Tim Gow's organic Blackmount stud farm had a really great time.

After last year's rain and flooding, the festival kicked off on Sunday, 2 January with blue sky and a warm summer breeze, but the disappointingly small audience barely outnumbered the performers.

Revitalise's headline act Don McGlashan and organiser Tim Gow try out a new Tuatara Electric UTV on top Butterfly hill under the Takitimu mountains. Photo: Tim Gow

Gow said there had been an aggressive reaction from anti-vaccination protestors in the lead-up to the event (which was only open to those with valid vaccination passes).

“There were death threats and messages that those coming to the festival would be beaten at the gate,” he said.

Thankfully there were no such incidents, instead, a dramatic setting sun on the Takitimu Mountains made for a perfect backdrop to festivities that even prompted headline act Don McGlashan to pause his opening night performance, so he could draw the audiences attention to the amazing glow.

Don McGlashan singing to an intimate but appreciative audience at sunset. Photo: Tim Gow

Day one started late in the afternoon with an “open mike” giving local musicians a chance to perform in front of an audience.

There were a number of standout performances including Beekeepin' Pete, whose deep velvety voice well suited his performance of Jonny Cash songs as well as his own song promoting the manuka and clover honey he produces.

Brad and Chrissie MacClure of Invercargill played some catchy celtic tunes, while Dunedin's Julian Temple Band rocked the crowd with their mixture of rock, blues and folk.

Nine-year-old Carla Laedstaetter surprised with a voice bigger than the girl herself when she sang two songs from the musical 'Matilda'.

Laedstaetter, formerly of Manapouri/Te Anau and now based in Christchurch, has been selected for the title role in 'Matilda', which will open in Christchurch in April.

But it wasn't till the end of the day that Don McGlashan, a former member of the famous New Zealand band The Muttonbirds, really got the crowd on their feet singing and dancing.

Brad MacClure leads a DadGad celtic guitar tuning workshop at this year's Revitalise festival. Photo: Tim Gow

For his final two songs he invited the Julian Temple Band to join him on stage for a joint performance that fired up both the audience and the musicians themselves, producing an atmosphere of euphoria.

Day 2 started with a talk by Gow about organic farming and a guided walk on his farm. This was followed by a yoga session with Aaron Kyle and a guitar tuning workshop by McClure.

Music commenced after lunch with a great variety of music styles by a lineup of local musicians, including Kerstine Ladstaetter on the piano and her daughter Carla on violin, Jane Maxwell (mellow folk), the amazing Café Operana

with an unusual combination of instruments featuring Helen Webby on her golden harp, Sophia Bidwell on accordion, and operatic singer Lois Johnston, followed by Paul Macnicol (rock), Beekeepin' Pete, Makim - a jazz and country music duo, Brad McClure, King Leo (Leo LaDell) - a veteran blues musician, and a Celtic music band, Ceol.

Wellington comedians Danny Sewell, Jamie Patterson and Jordan Turner, provided light entertainment.

The music continued past midnight and concluded with another awesome performance by Julian Temple Band.

Day 3 was a relaxing family day with more yoga, energy healing, farming talks and of course music.

Tufty (polled Highland) cattle were a surprise attraction at this year's Revitalise festival. Photo: Tim Gow

Asked for his final comment about the festival, Gow said that it was “wonderful”.

“I had a good time and so did others. I hope that people left revitalised. All the musicians, including Don MacGlashan, said that they wanted to come back next year, so there will be another Revitalise Festival in January 2023” he said.