Sun shines for 21st Rhythm & Vines

Members of the Connor Pilcher Fan Club from Auckland, here for R&V, were quick to take to the beach at Okitu yesterday afternoon once the temperature warmed up. The “club” is in honour of their friend Connor, who couldn’t make it. Picture by Liam Clayton

Rhythm and Vines is in full swing, with festival director Kieran Spillane saying it was great that every year the Gisborne community was able to grow into a much larger family to celebrate the New Year together.

“It’s even more special that this year we can celebrate our 21st birthday together.”

Around 17,000 campers on site at Waiohika Estate enjoyed the Waiohika Warm-up on Thursday night.

“It was a wonderful first night as the campers warmed up for the three days ahead.

“The site was a little bit damp yesterday morning, but we are expecting things to warm up for the first full day of acts.

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“We ask people to come out nice and early, allow for some queues and we encourage Gisborne locals to book a bus ticket online for the most efficient way to get into and out of the festival.”

The organising team took part in the annual pōwhiri with Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki on Wednesday.

“It was a great way to start our final preparations,” Mr Spillane said.

“R&V 23-24 will unlock what we call a re-mystified experience, headlined by a star-studded international line-up.

“These include Aotearoa-exclusive performances from Central Cee, Australia’s hottest producer on the rise Dom Dolla, as well as the return of the undisputed drum and bass king Wilkinson.

“Not only is R&V on a continual journey of reinvention, it’s the trip tens of thousands take each year to reinvent themselves.”

While Rhythm and Vines was all about having fun, safety remains the number one priority, he said.

“Although the teams in and around Waiohika Estate can help to keep everyone safe, everyone must do their part.”

Police, security, and medical staff are stationed in and around Waiohika Estate and a text helpline is available on 3960.

As a festival message to those attending he said, “Let’s all party safe and unlock our dream New Year.”

• St John staff at R&V said the first night on Thursday was a “standard night” for them, with “no real dramas”.

“Lots of people were on site and we had a good night,” a spokesman said.

“We dealt with a few medical conditions, and three people were taken to hospital for further care.”