The soaring highs and deep lows of the Rhythm and Vines festival are revealed in a "warts and all" documentary being released by the New Zealand Herald tomorrow.
The Road to Rhythm is a four-part series chronicling the 15-year history of the popular music event near Gisborne.
Road to Rhythm Part 1
Road to Rhythm Part 2
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Road to Rhythm Part 4
It follows the festival's roller-coaster ride - including some of the big-name acts it's featured, ultra-ambitious plans from festival bosses, huge financial losses which left its future in doubt and what now appears to be a positive future for the music celebration.
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Belinda Henley - an executive video producer at NZME - co-director Phill Prendeville created the doco.
Rhythm and Vines began as a dance party for University of Otago students and has since become New Zealand's premiere New Year's festival.
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Among aspects covered in the doco is a strained relationship between festival co-directors Hamish Pinkham and Andrew Witters.
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Pinkham described the series as "certainly warts and all".
The future now is looking a lot more secure for the festival, recently going into partnership with Live Nation.
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In April, Live Nation announced it had taken a controlling interest.
"Over the course of 15 years, Rhythm and Vines has curated a wonderful line-up of both domestic and international talent in one of the most beautiful parts of our country.
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"It has become a household name [nationwide] and we're excited to be adding the festival to the Live Nation portfolio and welcoming its experienced team to the company," said Live Nation New Zealand chairman Stuart Clumpas.
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Rhythm and Vines Festival chief executive Kieran Spillane said the partnership with Live Nation would "ensure our long-term vision for the event and continue to grow the festival.
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"This partnership will allow us to attract the very best acts, delivering a unique festival experience in New Zealand."
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Rhythm and Vines, held from December 29 to 31 each year, has played host to a number of big headliners over the years including Public Enemy, Moby, LCD Soundsystem, Wiz Khalifa, Bastille and Chance the Rapper, and last year's line-up boasted big names such as Schoolboy Q, Mura Masa, 2manydjs, A-Trak, Baauer and Giggs.
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