All you need to know for festival
Rhythm and Vines back for three days of singing, dancing and good times
It’s the country’s most iconic new year’s event, and days out from celebrating its 21st birthday, Rhythm and Vines is back for its biggest year yet. The annual event has become a rite of passage for Kiwi festivalgoers and is set to welcome 21,000 people to Gisborne’s Waiohika Estate.
With a performance from one of the world’s most in-demand house music producers, Dom Dolla, to Wilkinson, Becky Hill, Kiwi icon Gin Wigmore and all the stores, eateries and bars in between, it’s set to be an impressive experience — especially if the weather holds up.
When does it start?
The festivities officially kick off at 2pm tomorrow, but on-site campers can make their way into the camping area from 9.30am today to set up a home away from home.
As for those attending with a three, two or one-day pass without camping, the festival gates open at 2pm each day with shows finishing at 12.30am on December 29 and 30.
On New Year’s Eve, however, the acts will be performing all the way through until the first sunrise of the new year.
Who will be there?
It’s going to be three days of singing, dancing and good times — especially because Central Cee, Dom Dolla, Sub Focus, Wilkinson and Becky Hill will be there.
Parking and transport
If you’re doing the ultimate summer roadie and camping on-site there is a free carpark not far from the campsite. It can be used for campervans too but you won’t be allowed to sleep there.
For those with a dedicated sober driver set to drive the crew home each night, there is free on-site parking — which does include a car search, so make sure you allocate a little extra time, a little extra water in your drink bottle and some snacks to munch on.
As for those staying elsewhere, don’t drive if you’re planning to drink.
There are plenty of options to get home safely including having a sober mate drive or booking transport with the festival bus service.
How the wristband works
R&V is a cashless festival.
To make sure you aren’t the one friend who promises to get your mate a drink, waits in line for 30 minutes, then realises you have to pay with the electronic chip on your wristband, which you are given at check-in, you can head to an AWOP (another way of payment) station at the festival to top up.
What to bring
● Must bring valid photo ID — by law the only forms of ID that R&V can accept are valid NZ driver licences, Hanz 18+ ID cards, and overseas or NZ passports
● Have your ticket on you, either a printed copy or on your phone
● Cash or Eftpos to top up your wristband
● Warm clothes for when the sun goes down
● If you’re a camper, bring all your necessary camping supplies, a sturdy tent, sleeping bags, the works.
What not to bring
The festival once again has a noBYO policy this year with any alcohol brought in set to be confiscated. You also can’t bring in
● Fireworks
● Weapons
● Gang patches or gang-affiliated clothing
● Lasers
● Any form of glass, including glass containers and/or drinking vessels
● Barbecues
● Material to construct fires or weapons or other dangerous items
● Strictly no aerial drones will be allowed on the festival site
● Animals
● Illicit drugs or illegal substances
● For safety reasons, the event does not permit metal-head hammers on site. Rubber, wood, or plastic hammers for tent pegs only.