Dizzee Rascal to headline Splore 2018

UK grime MC Dizzee Rascal is headlining Splore 2018. Photo / Supplied

Dizzee Rascal has just been announced to headline Splore this summer.

The UK MC and Mercury Prize winner will play the festival off the back of his sixth album, Raskit, returning to New Zealand for the first time in five years.

Also announced for the 2018 festival is Jamaican star and reggae revivalist, Chronixx, and New York buskers-turned-global phenomenon,Too Many Zooz.

There's also Detroit hip-hop artist Black Milk, UK DJ MK, Japan's KAOS, Dutch band My Baby, German punkster Bonaparte, Brazilian DJ Marcelinho da Luna, and Danish DJs Courtesy and Mama Snake as well as local acts Ria Hall, The Nudge, Manuel Bundy, Greg Churchill, Lady Flic, and Aroha and Tali.

DJ Aroha Harawira is returning to the festival as a long-time performer and attendee, having been a dedicated Splore-goer for the last 10 years, citing everything from the location to the obscure line-ups as why she loves it so much.

Aroha Harawira will play Splore with Tali. Photo / Supplied

"There are a lot of quite niche artists ... they scour festivals around the world to pick out ones that are going to be a little bit different and challenge you, which I love because you're not going there with a schedule," she says.

"You just wander around and if you hear something you like you just go toward it and you might end up seeing the most amazing act you've ever seen in your life.

"It's unlike any other festival in New Zealand. This one resonates the most with me because of that inclusive thing; there are all different types of people, all different ages, there are no egos, people aren't trying to show off, it's just a really chill vibe, people look out for each other, everyone picks up after themselves. I love it."

Splore takes place February 23-25 at Tapapakanga Regional Park. More acts will be announced in November. For tickets and information, see splore.net.