All NZ line-up at R&V

WHAT HAPPENS ON TOUR . . . The world will be watching what is possibly the only music festival where patrons rub shoulders and other body parts in mosh pits at the New Zealand-act dominated, 2020 Rhythm and Vines music festival. Picture supplied

The seven-headed soul monster Fat Freddy’s Drop is among the first tranche of New Zealand acts announced for this year’s Rhythm and Vines music festival.

Never before has the opportunity been so wide open to saturate the fest’s stages and big tents with New Zealand acts.

Rising global superstar and R&V headline act Benee will crack open the new year with hits such as Supalonely, On an Island and Soaked.

L.A.B, Shapeshifter, who last performed at R&V nine years ago; Chaos in the CBD, State of Mind, Balu Brigada, Concord Dawn, Daffodils, Eastern Bloc, Mermaidens, Sin, The Leers, Vayne, AW B, Bloom, Bontempo, Brook Gibson, Katyanagi Twins, LA Women, Leaping Tiger, Levyne, Park Rd, Sammie, Teto, Zeisha and There’s a Tuesday are also up for keeping the neighbours awake.

Fans of New Zealand hip-hop will find themselves in the presence of royalty when Ladi6 graces the Vodafone Vines stage on the R&V’s second night (December 30).

She is joined on the first release by some of the country’s leading hip-hop talent in the shape of rapper and former professional netballer, JessB.

Also in the line-up are rap stars Church & AP with their blend of southern/UK rap fused with grime, and Wax Mustang, the former carpet salesman with his unique brand of rap.

Rapper/producer duo No Comply, Palestinian-born act IllBaz and Auckland rapper Polyhill are also to hit any one of the site’s stages.

The Upbeats, featuring award-winning vocalist MC Tall, State of Mind, Concord Dawn and Trei& Jabz lead the charge, along with rising stars in Witters, Lee Mvtthews and Poris are expected to pump out 180bpm.

Most genres of electronic music will be covered by performances from Montell2009, Quix, Chaos in the CBD, High Hoops, Otosan, and Aroha & Tall.

Mako Road is now about to sit at the big table when the band takes the main stage this year after a few years headlining the Garden Stage. Other notable stars on the rise include Harper Finn, Foley, Cassie Henderson and Paige.

People who missed out on R&V tickets are reminded not to buy tickets anywhere other than from the Rhythm and Vines website (which links off to the official ticketing partner).

Scammers and scalpers are in operation.

If party people buy official resale tickets from the R&V website, they are guaranteed that their ticket is valid and not scalped.

With $5 million injected into the Gisborne economy each year, R&V is an integral fixture on the East Coast calendar.

More than 90 percent of festival-goers come from outside the region, and the event employs hundreds of local contractors, staff and volunteers.

The world will huddle around the laptop to watch New Zealanders in regulation tropical shirts and shorts; crop tops and Daisy Dukes, boot 2020 into touch while smacking 2021 on the arse for it to take its first breath of East Coast air.

Limited single day and accommodation packages still available, head to to purchase.