Everything you need to know about today's Laneway festival

Herald online

31 Jan, 2016 10:40 PM2 mins to read

A sellout crowd is due to enjoy acts like Grimes, Flume and Hermitude at today's Laneway festival in Auckland.

A Laneway act has pulled out of his performance just hours before the Auckland-based festival was due to begin.

UK electronic artist Sophie was due on stage in the Thunderdome at 8.40pm with pop singer QT.

But in a Facebook post this morning, Laneway said Sophie - real name Samuel Long - had missed a flight and would no longer be able to perform.

"Due to missing a flight, Sophie is unable to travel to New Zealand in time for today's Laneway show in Auckland - so has unfortunately withdrawn from the New Zealand leg of Laneway 2016."

Organisers said QT will perform a DJ set in his place, but some fans weren't happy.

"This just ruined laneway," said one. "I'm going to cry," said another.

The event has been a sellout at Silo Park for the last few years, and while limited door sales are available today for $150, they're expected to go quickly, organisers say.

That's means more than 12,000 fans will be on site to see performances from international acts like Grimes, Chvrches, Purity Ring and Flume, and local acts Leisure, HDU and Silicon.

While occasional showers have cooled Auckland down this morning, the Metservice forecast is for fine weather over the afternoon and into the evening, with a high of 26 degrees.

That means organisers are asking festival-goers to wear sunscreen and drink plenty of water. Drink bottles can be filled for free at water sites around the venue.

Shade has also been increased around the venue, they say.