WATCH: Road to Rhythm - the story behind Rhythm & Vines

Wiz Khalifa performs at Rhythm & Vines.

Rhythm & Vines has come a long way since its inception as a New Year's Eve party for University of Otago students.

The Gisborne-based festival has tens of thousands of fans show up every year to see in the New Year with an annual line-up that's included some of the biggest names in the music business.

Big names over the years include Pharrell, Chance the Rapper, Public Enemy, Franz Ferdinand, Calvin Harris, Wiz Khalifa, Six60, Fat Freddy's Drop and Ladyhawke.

But it hasn't all been smooth sailing, and a new R18 documentary examines the highs and lows over the festival's 15 years.

Watch all four parts of NZME's documentary, The Road to Rhythm, below ...

WATCH THE ROAD TO RHYTHM PART ONE:

WATCH THE ROAD TO RHYTHM PART TWO:

WATCH THE ROAD TO RHYTHM PART THREE:

WATCH THE ROAD TO RHYTHM PART FOUR:

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