Rhythm & Alps organisers are calling their latest assemblage the 'best lineup yet', and they're not half wrong. Following the early bird announcement of Australian looping wunderkind, Tash Sultana, the first artist lineup has been announced for the three-day festival held in the pristine Cardrona Valley. At the seventh annual Rhythm & Alps around 50 acts will perform across three stages. Quintessential Kiwi act Fat Freddy's Drop will be responsible for headlining the main stage on New Year's Eve with their extended barbecue jams. Swedish electronic group Little Dragon will return to NZ for the first time since 2015 to play exclusively at the festival, while New York ambient-pop band Cigarettes After Sex will make their NZ debut. UK soul-wave funk queen Nao will drop by with her 11-piece band, while drum and bass addicts will be frothing to see Wilkinson, Goldie, Camo + Krooked, Hybrid Minds and Black Sun Empire — all performing on December 30. For those who have already made alternative plans, Rhythm & Alps will also be hosting a warmup gig at the Lake Hawea Hotel on December 28 featuring Los Angeles rapper Schoolboy Q. RHYTHM & ALPS 2017 FIRST ARTIST LINEUP Tash Sultana Fat Freddy's Drop Little Dragon Cigarettes After Sex Nao Wilkinson Goldie Camo + Krooked Hybrid Minds Black Sun Empire Ocean Alley Cornerstone Roots Lord Echo Yoko-Zuna Pomo Remi Swindle The Librarian A second lineup announcement will be made in September. Rhythm & Alps 2017 is set to take place at Robrosa Station, Cardrona Valley from December 29-31. More info here.