Rhythm and Vines: Festival’s opening stages going smoothly

Breakout local DJ Messie on the Cellar Stage at Rhythm and Vines on Saturday night for the "Waiohika Warmup" pre-event. Photo / Radlab, Rhythm and Vines

Rising local talents and international superstars have all rocked the stages so far at a packed Rhythm and Vines (R&V) festival in Gisborne.

The event got off to a relatively smooth start, wet weather and wind aside, with no serious injuries on Sunday night, according to a Hato Hone St John spokesperson.

Waihirere iwi welcomed R&V staff on to the site at Waiohika Estate with a pōwhiri before a pre-event on Saturday evening, the “Waiohika Warmup”, featuring up-and-coming Gisborne DJ Messie.

Organisers said R&V continues to raise money for the Gisborne Mayoral Flood Relief Fund and created the event’s “Cellar Stage” out of recycled Himalayan cedar, cleaned up following Cyclone Gabrielle.

Waihirere iwi welcomed R&V festival staff on to the site at Waiohika Estate with a pōwhiri. Photo / Radlab, Rhythm and Vines

By Sunday, 18,000 campers had come through the gates and there had been a total of 25,000 festival attendees for the official first day of the event.

Day one featured headline performances from award-winning rapper Ice Spice, DJ and record producer Sammy Virji, electronic band Peking Duk and DJ and producer Shy FX, among others.

Ice Spice headlined the first night at Rhythm and Vines on Sunday, December 29. Photo / Radlab, Rhythm and Vines

Sunday night went by without any serious injuries occurring, according to St John area operations manager Shane Clapperton.

Around 30 St John ambulance staff and volunteers have been on-site.

“It was a good night; the weather was nice. It was business as usual for us, with nothing unusual.”

Australian electronic band Peking Duk also headlined R&V's first night. Photo / Radlab, Rhythm and Vines

Clapperton said the majority of cases they dealt with were minor.

“We had no injuries of note, apart from a few sprained ankles, and we didn’t have to transport anyone to hospital with injuries.

“We did take a couple of people with medical problems.”

Joy (Anonymous) performing live at Rhythm and Vines. Photo / Radlab, Rhythm and Vines

Clapperton said the drug and alcohol issues they encountered were no different from previous years.

“There’s always those who overindulge and come to spend some time with us at our medical centre.”

Day two of Rhythm and Vines will feature performances from Dope Lemon, Young Franco, RL Grime, Meduza, Cotorie, a Pendulum DJ set and more.

Tickets are still available for December 30 and December 31.