What is your preferred mode of travel for the summer tour?
No better way to travel New Zealand in summer than in a ten-seater van with your best mates.
Who's in charge of the stereo/iPod, and what's on it?
It's normally who ends up in the front seat. We play anything and everything. From D'Angelo to Incubus and everything Kiwi too. The likes of Shapeshifter, the Black Seeds, and Katchafire are definitely summer road-trip favourites.
Favourite place to grab a feed while out on the road?
It's become habit for most of the band to visit a local cafe and get eggs benedict for breakfast.
Your favourite summer venue?
Opononi - the stage backdrop is the Hokianga Harbour and the big sand dunes across it. Sun, music, beautiful scenery, and great people.
Where else are you looking forward to visiting along your tour route?
All the beaches and swimming spots in each town we are playing at.
Best spot for a quick dip in the ocean, or an inviting swimming hole?
McLaren Falls just out of Tauranga is always a good stop.
What song will you be playing to really get the crowd going?
An old favourite would be our song Running. It's a real hype track that combines rock, reggae, and we switch into some more electronic dubstep at the end.
What are your plans for New Year's Eve?
We start off at La De Da festival and jump on a plane straight after our performance to head to Mount Vibes festival at Mt Maunganui.
Do you have any New Year's traditions?
Performing would probably be the only tradition on NYE. Other than a few brews with our mates counting down the clock into the New Year.
Do certain styles of music make more sense during the hot and sweaty months of summer?
Reggae is easily the most summer-associated style of music.
Is it tough having to work over the summer break when everyone else is on holiday?
Travelling all over New Zealand, performing for great crowds, meeting new people, beaches and afterparties. Doesn't sound like work to us!
Ideal summer music fest dream team line-up?
Can't go past our homegrown artists. Katchafire, the Black Seeds, Fat Freddy's, Shapeshifter, and Kora. Of course sneaking Sons of Zion into the line-up would also be awesome.
Sons of Zion play Admirals Arms, Coromandel, Dec 28; Whakatane Hotel, Dec 29; La De Da, Martinborough, Dec 30; Mount Vibes, Mt Maunganui, Dec 31; Horeke Tavern, Northland, Jan 2; Maungaturoto Hotel, Jan 3; Spa Hotel, Taupo, Jan 4; Raggamuffin Festival, Rotorua, Jan 31.
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- TimeOut
Show sets new record after winning nine gongs.