Here's Rhythm and Vines' First Lineup Release

Gisborne, the land of eternal sunshine* and good times is playing host to yet another year of Rhythm and Vines. The first lineup announcement offers a bit of nostalgia, a little bit of trap and some music to swoon to.

“Alongside the hip hop and drum and bass that have driven the crowds crazy these past few years, we will be adding everything from trap to tropical house for 2015”, said festival founder Hamish Pinkham in their most recent media release. What does that mean in terms of acts? Well, a Pendulum DJ set, a bit of Angus and Julia Stone, a dash of RL Grime, a slither of Cut Snake, a bit of Peking Duk and even a slice of old mate Dave Dobbyn. A second release of acts is promised for late September which, given our close in-office proximity to the R&V team, we understand will contain some big hitters.

Besides acts, the festival have also announced some other new on-site activities. “With a new sound, comes further additions which are completely new to the festival, including a comedy component, new staging layout, craft beer gardens and much more,” Pinkham said. A pop-up comedy bar in the middle of a festival? Um, hell yes. The only things that could possibly top that would be an in-festival karaoke van or perhaps a hot tub cinema. So, well done Mr Pinkham.

Another new announcement is the new sunrise stage production (co-curated with culture music brand UKF), a first in the festival's 12-year history. It's fitting, given that Rhythm and Vines is the first festival in the world to see the sun rise. It's a fact which has made it an almost imperative tradition for festival-going souls to perch themselves up the hill near the Vines stage to greet the new year's sun on the 1st. No doubt a well crafted sunrise stage production would make that experience even cooler.

See the full first lineup announcement below:

Angus and Julia Stone, Concord Dawn, Cut Snake, Dan Aux, Dave Dobbyn, David Dallas, Jupiter Project, Peking Duk, Scribe, Pendulum DJ set & Verse, P-Money, RL Grime, Slumberjack, Sticky Fingers, State of Mind, Sniffers and The Black Club with Mac Mylo.

Head to rhythmandvines.co.nz for full details.

*Subject to weather conditions and daylight hours.