Long over due, especially considering this year’s line up is about to be released, here is my coverage of the 15th Anniversary of Rhythm and Vines 2017-2018. Held over 3 days in Gisborne on the North Island (while Rhythm and Alps is held in Wanaka on the South Island with the same artists), this music festival is “in the vines” at Waiohika Estate Vineyard.
Camp site amongst the vines
I really wanted to attend as Gisborne is the first sunrise of the day, meaning the first sunrise of the New Year in the World! We arrived on Thursday afternoon to set up camp, as the first full day was Friday. We waited in the car line for about an hour to have our car checked. They were searching for glass, alcohol and any drug paraphernalia; and of course confiscating it. From there we parked and went through another security point to get our wristbands. Once we had that we went back to the car to unload our stuff: tent, gazebo tent, cooler and bags. It took us about 3 trips to get everything and start to set up camp. This took a long time as we had to go back through security each time, and each time the line was getting worse as everyone was arriving.
An overcast, rainy and brisk day did not ruin our 1st full day
We made friends with people around us, which was nice considering it was just me and my boyfriend. From there we walked around the festival to get an idea of what there was to eat and where stages were located. We had an early night because it was rainy and we were about to have a full 3 days.
Treble Stage and side bar
I took full advantage of the “RnV” app and here is who we saw:
Friday:
Sachi: Auckland born friends, Nick Chrisp and Will Thomas are up and coming producers who have been on the NZ and international airwaves. With singles “Lowkey,” “Home” and “Heavy Breathing,” they opened up on the big stage on Friday night. They had awesome visuals and set the vibe for the rest of the festival… even in the rain.
Vines Stage aka the Main Stage. Note the vineyard to the right and left of the stage
Set Mo: One the big acts I wanted to see, Set Mo is also a duo but of two Aussies. Their sound is sexy disco, deep house and groovy techno. They were in a tent toward the back of the festival, called “Supertop” and they brought down the house. “White Dress” and “See Right Through Me” had me dancing my size 7.5 U.S. shoes off!
Front row, slightly off center for Set Mo
Schoolboy Q: One of the only rappers at the festival, many flocked to see this American. He was on the main stage and rocked the first set in the dark. We were way up on the hill, but I would say almost every single person of the 40,000 festival goers was in the field for him.
A-Trak: The youngest DJ to win a DJ-battling world championship at 15, he was also the first to win all three major championships of ‘International Turntablist Federation,’ ‘Disco Mix Club’ and ‘Vestax World Extravaganza.’ He now has his own label and has developed artists such as Kid Cudi, Danny Brown and Flosstradamus. I didn’t see much of his set as I ran over to Boombox Cartel, but hearing this talented DJ play “Out the Speakers” and “Push” was pretty sweet. With a little bit of a hip-hop background, his tracks have intense lyrics with classic club beats and drops.
Boombox Cartel: Back in the “Supertop” tent, Boombox Cartel ended the night on a high note. These 2 Mexican producers, DJ Americo Garcia and Jorge Medina, have a played at Moonrise, Global Dance and EDC. “Aftershock” and “Colors” had the tent vibrating so hard that it was overflowing. I would love to see them again!
Imagine this entire space filled to the max…
Saturday:
Client Liaison: Harvey Miller and Monte Morgan make up this Aussie duo who hit the stage in 70’s style suits. With a dance electric style they call “new jack swing,” it set Saturday off to the right start. I went crazy when “World Of Our Love” and “Off White Limousine” came on. I’d had them on my playlist all year!
Day 2 with no rain!
Cut Snake: Surfers turned DJs, Leigh “Sedz” Sedley and Paul “Fish” Fisher make up Cut Snake. They had the “Supertop” tent rocking with “Stomp,” “Face Down” and “Echo.”
Sub Focus & MC ID: Back at the main stage was English DJ, songwriter and producer Nick Douwma. His group has become known for music that comes from all styles of the electronic landscape. He definetely set the stage for Baauer.
Baauer: No one can resist the “Harlem Shake.” I saw him in Amsterdam back in 2013 at Pitch Festival, and he had me wanting to see him again. He did not disappoint!
2ManyDJs: Unbeknownst to me, these DJ’s were probably top 5 of the entire festival for me! They played songs and artist from almost every decade and mixed them perfectly. They kept the party going for an hour and stopped when the clock struck midnight.
Sunday (New Years Eve):
Molly & The Chromatics: Soulful vocals and acoustic back ups, this 4 person band was a bit groovy. The perfect act to see while eating dinner, I was glad we checked them out.
Garden Stage
Theia: The Kiwi that gave us “Roam” was riding her newest hit “Treat You.” If Britney Spears was born 15 years later, this would be her sound: dreamy, ethereal and sultry. I was also excited to hear “Everything.”
P-Money: Another winner at the “International Turntabilst Federation” repping New Zealand, Peter Wadams has been DJing since he got his first turntable at 18. This was his 9th R&V appearance and he has created mixes with a hip-hop style.
Savage: A little disappointed this was a DJ set and not live music, I was looking forward to hearing his hit “Swing.” As a Kiwi he did draw a large crowd understandably.
Krankbrother: UK’s underground brothers, Danny and Kieran, mixes techno, disco, house and acid.
Dick Johnson: Another UK expat, now based in Auckland, and having a weekly spot on a local radio station, Dick came to entertain.
B.Traits: As an American, I have listened to this Canadian chick for years. I didn’t care about fireworks at the main stage, I was in the “Supertop” tent as soon as she went on at the New Year. She played for an hour and a half and had the whole tent dancing as if it was the last night of RnV. As a remixer and radio presenter, she’s evolved with a drum and bass sound that is girlie yet airy.
Took a breather from the Tent on some hammocks. B.Traits packed the house for the first hours of 2018
By the point was got to the hammocks over looking B.Traits, I ended up nodding off and missing Wilkinson.
This festival was definitely a younger crowd, and the weather was somewhat of a bummer. The food stalls were typical fast food so it was hard to eat healthy. I was also personally disappointed with the lack of veggie and vegan options. Drinks started out cheap on Thursday, and increased in price every day. I also found it annoying that you had to finish your drink in the area you bought it. This meant if I bought it at “Supertop” I could not bring it to the main “Vines” stage, and even meant dumping water bottles; a total waste! They did have decent showers and lots of portable toilets throughout the grounds.
Livin’ the Fest Life
Overall I would definitely go to “R and V” again, but only if it was with a big group of friends. I would also try to leave during the day once to check out the near-by beaches. We decided against that because we did not want to wait in line for a car check again. If I had to do it again, I would also bring a bigger cooler stocked with food, as after the first day I was over the options around the grounds.
Pro Tip: A gazebo tent is a must. It keeps you out of the sun during the day, and dry if it happens to rain. It also helps establish your space when setting up camp.
Have you been to a festival were weather ruined the weekend? How did you deal?
