Shapeshifter headline festival

Kiwi festival favourites Shapeshifter join the party with new music off their latest album at Bay Dreams on January 2. Photo/supplied

A wave of sound will hit Mount Maunganui early in the New Year, with fans set to pour into the Bay Dreams Festival.

Shapeshifter will headline the R18 event.

They're considered one of the most influential live drum 'n bass-dance acts in the world and will unleash new material from their highly anticipated sixth album. Stars. The rest of the second line-up reads like a map of the finest electronic music from around the world.

It includes British DJ and producer Skream, who promises everything from funk, disco, house and techno. Other appearances include Canadian electronic extraordinaire Ryan Hemsworth, and Australian beat-maker Kilter.

Summer Thieves are also in the mix, and as "anyone who's seen the Dunedin dynamos live can attest to, these guys are next-level amazing", says festival organiser Pato Alverez.

Herman Saiz has earned his reputation blending his Latin roots with provocative electronic house/techno joins Kiwi hip-hop sensation Rory Noble who has gone from making beats in his Palmerston North bedroom to playing shows and festivals around the globe.

This second wave of acts joins masters of psych, rock and reggae, Sticky Fingers; legendary US hip-hop acts Grandmaster Flash, Bizzy Bone and Kiwi favourites Katchafire, Kora, Concord Dawn and Home Brew.

Ahead of the big day, Bay Dreams will kick off with a warm-up party on January 1 featuring The Upbeats, MC Tiki Taane, The Peace Keepers, Average Rap Band and Earth Tiger. Another major drawcard is the inclusion of KINGS, who are one of the hottest acts on the charts right now.

the fine print
What: Bay Dreams 2017
Where: ASB Baypark
When: January 2
Ticket: R18 www.baydreams.co.nz