The Flaming Lips is but one of 20 acts coming to the McLaren Valley Music and Arts Festival, a new event to run at a venue nestled below the Bay of Plenty's Kaimai Ranges in mid-January.
Also headlining the three-day event from January 10 to 12 will be British electronic duo Disclosure - whose much anticipated new album featuring tracks with vocals from Sam Smith and Lorde - is released next month.
Other imports include American singer-songwriter Kurt Vile and Scottish hip-hop trio Young Fathers, while from across the Tasman come C.W. Stoneking, The Preatures and Jordan Leser and high profile Sydney DJ Alison Wonderland.
Locals on the bill include Dunedin rock institution The Chills, David Dallas and the Daylight Robbery, The Datsuns, The Phoenix Foundation, Avalanche City, Tiny Ruins and alt-country troubadors Marlon Williams and The Yarra Benders, as well as P-Money, Racing, The Eastern, Fazerdaze, and Arthur Ahbez.
The venue is the McLaren Falls Park, about 20 minutes' drive from Tauranga.
Festival director Paxton Talbot says more acts to play on the event's three stages have yet to be announced.
"We've picked these artists with excellence in mind. Bands and performers who, no matter their genre, will be able to speak to any member of the audience on some level, just due to their sheer calibre."
Markets, a wellness programme and themed camping will bring "a taste of Glastonbury and Coachella to the Pacific", he says.
• Tickets for McLaren Valley Music & Arts Festival are on sale from Monday, August 24 through Ticketmaster or via mvf.co.nz. Three-day passes, camping tickets as well as youth and family options will be available.
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- TimeOut