Northern Bass
One of the best spots in the country to ring in the new year.
Overview
Held less than two hours from Auckland, Northern Bass is the biggest New Year festival within a reasonable driving distance from the big smoke. The name says it all really, the festival was started a few years ago by the dudes who used to run Fu & Zen and has a focus on bass music, most notably drum and bass and underground hip hop.
The festival is held on a farm tucked away on a gravel road just a quick zip from Mangawhai's swimming and eating spots. It has steadily grown to have now become a full blown three-day bender, with the option to camp onsite or to try your luck at finding accommodation close by.
There are some rather large acts on this years lineup, included are Shapeshifter, who need no introduction whatsoever, UK electronic cross-over act Foreign Beggars, Jurassic 5's most recognisable voice Chali 2na, prolific grime artist Skepta, J Dilla's former group Slum Village, and much loved Auckland hip hop crew Homebrew.
Northern Bass is held at an ideal location being so close to some of the North Island's best beaches yet less than a couple hours drive from Auckland. It promises to be one of the best spots in the country to see in the new year.
Here is the full lineup;
Andy C * Spor * Keys n Krates * Slum Village * Tiki Taane * Critical Sound System feat Mefjus b2b Kasra * Trei * Stickybuds * Kamandi * Bulletproof * Sunshine Sound System * Aroha * Race Banyon * The Black Club + Mac Mylo * Rhyas b2b Shift * Soultrader * Latinaotearoa Sound System * Orphan + Resin One * Eno x Dirty * Cooper + Mitch Incog * Sam Perry * The Anciients * Beau Jeffries * TwoFace * Base Breakfast feat Dylan C + Oaariki
Shapeshifter * Skepta * Foreign Beggars * Chali 2na * DJ Marky * Ladi 6 * Machinedrum * Danny Byrd * Mala * Homebrew * Swindle * A-sides * Skeptical *Dub Phizix + Strategy * State of Mind + MC Woody * Dylan C * k+lab +band * DLR * Bailey Wiley * Midnight Gallery * Tali * Diaz Grimm * 48 sonic * Totems * Randa