British hip-hop star Dizzee Rascal, who proved a live hit at two Big Day Outs, is returning to Auckland - and he's bringing his own mini festival with him.
Rascal will be the headline act at Vector Arena on March 1 in an extended superclub-styled show which will feature a raft of DJs and rising New York singer-rapper Azealia Banks.
The acts are playing here before heading to the Future Music Festivals in Australia, and are the latest the transtasman crossings by acts playing the Oz event - others include the Stone Roses and Fun.
Rascal and Banks' live performances will be supported by Dutch House music star Hardwell, rising French DJ Madeon, Belgian DJ duo and brothers Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike, and Canadian world champion turntablist turned remixer-to-the stars, A-Trak.
Rascal comes here ahead of the expected release of the long-awaited follow up to his last album 2009's Tongue N' Cheek, which he has recorded in his new home base of Miami.
US hip-hop It girl Banks is due to release her debut album entitled Broke With Expensive Taste this year after a string of attention-getting singles, EPs and videos following her breakthrough 212 from late 2011.
Her rapid rise in profile via the music and fashion press hasn't all been smooth sailing. She recently came under fire after calling gossip blogger Perez Hilton a "messy faggot" in a series of tweets, and initially refused to retract the remark, adding "As a bisexual person I knew what I meant when I used that word."
Banks eventually apologised " to anyone who was indirectly offended by my foul language".
The show's promoters say it won't be like a usual Vector Arena show but a will be "a full-on seamless night of music and djs" with the venue allowing free flow for the audience between the floor and seated areas.
The show is likely to start at 8pm and go through to the wee small hours.
Tickets go on sale on Tuesday.
- TimeOut