Local music artist Jock Nowell-Usticke (BAYNK) made his Rhythm and Vines debut at the 14th annual music festival at Gisborne's Waiohika Estate on Thursday night.
A recent engineering graduate, BAYNK played in the same line-up as American hip hop artist Chance the Rapper on the first day of the three-day festival.
The achievement is testament to Mr Nowell-Usticke's transformation from humble bedroom artist to up-and-coming producer.
BAYNK'S journey to the stage began in 2015 when, as a 22-year old Canterbury University student, he uploaded his first bedroom-mastered song.
In what can only be described as Kiwi ingenuity Mr Nowell-Usticke started using Ableton production software at university after having to mix music for his university band on a computer when studio time became too expensive.
"I didn't really know SoundCloud at all . . . I just assumed if I uploaded a song it would go viral," he said.
His first track titled Sundae was released seven months ago after experimenting with music creation during his studies.
"But it didn't really go viral. I put it up five months before and it sat there for so long - I just imagined if I put something up, magic things would happen," he said.
It wasn't until months later that the track caught the attention of an internet blogger who wrote about it.
Despite being somewhat delayed, the "magic" Mr Nowell-Usticke hoped for did eventually happen.
Since graduating Mr Nowell-Usticke has been busy directing music videos for his latest singles and building up his discography.
"I was over in Europe and I got invited to play at [Saint Jerome's] Laneway Festival halfway through my trip. That's when I thought 'oh okay, people must actually like the music'."
It has been a successful year for the young producer but he said the best part is only just taking place.
"I have been to Rhythm for six years. It's so cool [to be on the other side]. But I also enjoy Rhythm so much as a punter. I would quite happily have come this year even if I didn't get asked to play."
After his performance BAYNK flew out to play Rhythm and Alps before joining the WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance) tour.