Rhythm & Vines announce first wave of killer three day line up!
Gisborne based festival organizers are extremely pleased to announce their first wave of international and New Zealand acts and musicians who will be performing at this year’s new format, three day event.
Amongst the highlights - One of the biggest indie-rock acts in the world right now, The Kooks, playing their first and only New Zealand show, are set to open Rhythm and Vines on the 29th December and will be supporting one of the most iconic indie rock bands of all time, to be announced next month. On the big night of 31st December New Zealand’s favourite band Shihad will set audiences on fire leading us into the big countdown; On the Vines stage Digitalism, the electro house duo from Germany will be joining us for an exclusive NZ live show whilst one of the world’s biggest DJ Producers Carl Cox, with an epic NYE selection in tow, will journey party-goers through the worlds very first sunrise set of 2009!
Down at the beach the full festival week will be kicking off at BW Campgrounds on the 27th December with heaps of entertainment and warm-up parties running each day and night right through to January 2nd. On the 27th December Whakatane group Kora and drum and bass duo Concord Dawn will rock the opening night celebrations, whilst on the 29th December State of Mind will be supporting a very special guest (to be announced next month) playing the first of two exclusive festival after-parties to celebrate the opening night of the Rhythm and Vines festival itself.
The history of Rhythm and Vines
During Dunedin winter in 2003 University friends Hamish Pinkham and Tom Gibson had an idea to organize an event to invite their networks of friends from around New Zealand to join at one central scenic location – Gisborne!
The next step was teaming up with local Gisborne lad Andrew Witters who agreed to use the amazing purpose-built concert amphitheatre at Waiohika Estate for their inaugural event. With its beaches and sunshine, not to mention the uniquely kiwi destination Gisborne seemed the perfect spot for the party. With the support of all Andrew's family the boys were on their way launching the beautiful vineyard set party.
The event would be called ‘Rhythm and Vines’ and would feature top up and coming act the Black Seeds amongst other acts. The event went off without too many hitches under the bright blue Gisborne skies and accommodated 1800 impressed guests.
In 2004/05 the event was well on its way to becoming the class event it is today. and entertained around 5,500 people. A second stage was put in place with more of a dance focus. Crowd favourites the Black Seeds returned to perform a memorable sunset show, while headliners Salmonella Dub had the vineyard thumping following a spell binding New Year’s celebration.
The event grew further in 2005/06 to accommodate a new main stage and a capacity for 12,000 people. Security measures were up, flushing toilets and permanent power facilities were implemented. Fat Freddy’s Drop had just been crowned New Zealand’s number 1 band at the NZ Music Awards and people clambered to buy tickets.
In 2006 the event underwent massive growth with 15,000 people over 4 stages and internationals such as Mylo, Crazy P, Shapeshifter, Kora and Dick Johnson headlining the event.
Last year the fifth year anniversary bought a colossal stable of both festivals goers and artists to Gisborne. Four stages were now in place at Waiohika and catered for everything from indie to dance, roots to punk. The goals of the initial event rang true as up and coming local acts performed with the likes of returning kiwi heroes Hollie Smith and Scribe and internationals MANDY and New Young Pony Club. The now famous midnight display bought the 16,000 strong crowd to a standstill as Ariel fireworks and lasers lit up the main stage basin.