Overview
The team at Rhythm and Vines released their 10th festival line-up on Thursday evening and while this year's performers may not be altogether familiar - I'm absolutely confident they've got it right. Here are the top ten artists you may not have heard of but will pretend you did come 29, 30, 31 December 2012.
1. The Presets
Ok, so chances are you've heard of the The Presets. But for those who haven't this electro pop house duo from Australia been tearing up the dance scene for a while. With two studio albums under the belts, a whole stack of ARIA and APRA Awards and the enviable title of support to "Daft Punk" in 2007 they're more than capable of taking R&V into it's second decade come New Year's Eve. Check out the first single off their new album 'Youth in Trouble'.
2. Mark Ronson (DJ Set)
It almost feels like sacrilege to add Mark Ronson to a list of artists you might not ever heard of, and to be honest it is. Ronson has worked with or produced music for Amy Winehouse, Wu Tang Clan's ODB and Ghostface Killah, Robbie Williams, Nas, Adele, Duran Duran and the Kaiser Chiefs. Where have you been?!
3. Knife Party
Chances are you saw this Aussie duo play as part of one of the most spectacular performances R&V has ever seen - the infamous Pendulum show of 2011. Now that Pendulum has disbanded, Knife Party is Rob Swire and Gareth McGrillen's number one focus. Having seen this dubstep/electronica duo them perform at Sydney's Future Music Festival, I've got no doubt they will be tearing Wai-O-Hika apart this December.
4. Tame Impala
Something to keep the indie kids happy Tame Impala will certainly be a massive hit. They have described their sound as 'a steady flowing psychedelic groove rock band that emphasizes dream-like melody'. Epic. If the Beatles were making music today they would sound like these guys. DO NOT MISS THIS PERFORMANCE.
5. Chali 2na
Chali 2na may be better known to you as the 'Verbal Herman Munster' from iconic South Central LA hip hop crew Jurassic5. Having caught his show in Auckland earlier in the year Chali 2na is definitely the life blood of J5. If you never had the privilege of seeing them live this is your next best bet. Expect 2na originals and J5 hits in this show and you'll be 'holding onto to what's golden'.
6. Netsky LIVE
You should definitely know this king of liquid drum and bass by now but I thought I would just take the opportunity to clear something up. It's pronounced Net-SKY as in clouds in the sky not Net-SKI as in what you do at Ruapehu. Coming back for a third tour of duty and this time bringing his LIVE show there is no doubt that this will be Boris' pièce de résistance.
7. MC Wrec
Described as one of the hardest working MCs in the UK, MC Wrec is the resident MC at Hospital Records - who by the looks of things are bringing a whole contingent of their gang for a New Year's Eve down under! With close ties to the likes of High Contrast, London Electricity, Stanton Warriors, The Next Men and Netsky expect to see this pocket rocket popping up all over the place at R&V.
8. Araabmuzik
Ok, it's fair to say that I'm probably most excited by Araabmuzik. With an upcoming US tour planned with Sleigh Bells you know that this guy is the real deal. His sound is like SBTRKT meets Grimes. It's excellent and I can't wait to see him do it live.
9. Parachute Youth
Sydney/Adelaide duo Parachute Youth might be another one to watch out for at R&V 'X'. I hadn't really heard much about them to be honest but I gave their signature tune a whurl and I was pretty impressed. With endorsements from guys like Empire of the Sun you'd probably have to say that it can't get better than this.
10. Disclosure LIVE
Lucky last are Disclosure the "South Londoners pedalling an infectious 2-step sound that still sounds fresh and distinctive amongst the growing crowd of artists making not-dubstep" - Pulse. At just 20 and 17 years old (!!!) it could be said that the R&V team have done what they do best again and picked a young horse with a bright future. Get into it.