When is Rhythm and Vines?
Rhythm and Vines is a three-day event that kicks off at 2pm on December 29, ending with the first sunrise of 2025 on January 1. How poetic.
On-site campers can arrive at the campground for check-in from 9:30am to 9pm on December 28. While the festival doesn’t officially start until the next day, there is an exclusive pre-party (the “Waiohika Warmup”) for on-site campers on December 28 to get the party started.
Where is Rhythm and Vines?
Rhythm and Vines is held at the sprawling Waiohika Estate in Gisborne/Tairāwhiti: for the designated Google Mappers, the official address is 75 Waimata Valley Rd, Hexton.
On a regular day, the drive to Waiohika Estate from Auckland CBD is just over 6 hours. However, the proverbial “Road to Rhythm” can be notoriously congested, so the drive will likely be an hour or two longer, depending on when you leave. Rhythm and Vines' regulars will recommend travelling at off-peak times, even if it means setting a very early alarm.
Who is performing at Rhythm and Vines 2024?
Rhythm and Vines is known for hosting a diverse line-up of artists, from international heavyweights to homegrown talent.
Each day features a different bill, with the artists performing across three main stages: Rhythm, One NZ Vines, and Cellar. There are also several smaller stages, such as Garden, the Greenhouse Bar, and Goose Club.
To avoid missing your favourite artist, take note of the day they are scheduled to perform and which stage — for example, Peking Duk will take the One NZ Vines stage on December 29, so if you show up expecting to see them on December 31, you will be pekin’ disappointed.
Here are the headlining acts for each day:
December 29: Ice Spice, Sammy Virji, Peking Duk, Shy FX (with Stamina MC)
December 30: Pendulum, RL Grime, Dope Lemon, Koven, Meduza, Coterie
December 31: Luude, Sir Dave Dobbyn, Jyoty, Lee Mvtthews, Girls Don’t Sync, Sachi.
The full line-up is available here. For set times and stages, you can download the R&V app from the App Store or Google Play.
How do I get there and back?
Many attendees see Rhythm and Vines as an opportunity for the ultimate road-trip, but if you’re unable to drive (or can’t be bothered splitting gas money), Intercity is running direct bus services to and from the festival.
The buses leave from Auckland, Napier and Wellington on December 28 and 29 and arrive (and depart from) outside the Gate B entrance. If these services don’t work for you, Intercity also runs regular buses to Gisborne from towns and cities around the North Island.
Saturday, December 28
Auckland-Gisborne 8:30am - Sky City Bus Terminal, 102 Hobson St, Auckland 6:32pm - Gate B Entrance, 75 Waimata Valley Road.
Wellington-Napier-Gisborne 7:30am - Railway Station, Platform 10 6:10pm - Gate B Entrance.
Napier-Gisborne 1:45pm - 12 Carlyle Street 6:10pm - Gate B Entrance.
Wednesday, January 1
Gisborne-Napier 8:30am - Gate B Entrance 1pm - 12 Carlyle Street.
Gisborne-Napier-Wellington 8:30am - Gate B Entrance 7:45pm - Railway Station, Platform 10.
Gisborne-Auckland 7:55am - Gate B Entrance 6:20pm - Sky City Bus Terminal.
You can book a seat on a designated Rhythm and Vines bus here.
For those staying in or around Gisborne, there are ticketed bus services available for all attendees. You can purchase a 3-day or single-day bus pass that will take you to and from the festival site each day. You can book your bus pass and find more information here.
I drove: where can I park?
Good news: there is free parking on-site.
Entry to the carpark may be delayed during peak periods as all cars are required to be searched.
If you want to travel into Gisborne during the day, there are several public carparks available around the city. Information is available here.
While you are allowed to bring a campervan into the on-site carpark, you are not allowed to sleep in it. People who travel in campervans are still required to stay at one of the festival campgrounds. If you are wanting to sleep in your van, you will need to take it to one of the local campervan parks.
What’s the deal with wristbands and how do I top-up?
Rhythm and Vines is a cashless event and uses a bank system, Wayver, to help minimise queues.
In a nutshell, all attendees are given an electronic wristband at check-in which contains an RFID chip. This chip will act like your Eftpos card: any on-site purchases are made by scanning your chip, which will deduct funds from your Wayver account.
If you’re running low on dollars, never fear: you can top-up your wristband at the on-site stations or “festival banks”. You can top-up with cash, Eftpos, Visa or MasterCard. You can also refund any remaining money to your account via these stations at the end of the festival.
The first time you top up your wristband, there will be a once-off service fee of $5, and the maximum top-up at any one time is $300. Capeesh?
Can I bring my own alcohol?
That would be a resounding no. Rhythm and Vines' liquor licence does not allow attendees to bring their own alcohol.
There are bars located within the festival site that sell alcoholic beverages.
If you are thinking about trying to sneak alcohol in on your body or in your car, remember, all cars are required to be searched and bags are checked at the gates. Staff may also pat you down before entry.
What are the camping options?
There are several campgrounds across the estate: Bass Camp, Rhythm Camp, Meadow Camp, Treble Camp, Lil Treble, and Premium Camp. You will have booked your campground when you purchased your ticket.
Facilities include portaloos, shower blocks, shaded seating, camp stores, bars, and food courts. All campgrounds are located on-site and a stone’s throw from the stages.
When it comes to premium accommodation, the Glamping and Prem-Tent Packages, as well as the off-site Hotel Package, have sold out. However, several Motel Packages are still available at the time of writing. Packages include your festival tickets and accommodation.
If your friends are staying in a different campground, you may be able to swap via your ticketing account — subject to availability, of course. If you are wanting to upgrade campsites, fees will apply.
Do I need to bring a tent?
If you have a camping ticket for Treble, Rhythm, Bass, Meadow, Lil Treble or Premium, you need to bring your own tent (and remove it afterwards).
If you purchased Glamping, Prem-Tent, or a Bookatent Camping Package, your tent is included.
Can I swim at the beach?
On December 28, Gisborne District Council announced its beaches - including Tolaga Bay, Wainui, Waikanae and Midway - were unsafe for swimming, warming people to steer clear.
Surf Life Saving New Zealand said heavy rainfall had “overwhelmed the city’s wastewater system”, contaminating the Taruheru and Tūranganui rivers, which flow into the sea.
What should I bring with me?
Aside from a tent (see above), this is what you will need in your R&V arsenal:
- If you’re camping, you’ll need bedding: think an air mattress or sleeping mat, plus a pillow, sleeping bag or duvet (foam mattresses aren’t allowed).
- A valid photo ID: the only forms of ID R&V can and will accept are valid NZ driver’s licences, Hanz 18+ ID cards, and overseas or NZ passports.
- Your ticket: either a printed or digital copy.
- Any prescription medication and evidence of your prescription.
- Cash or Eftpos to top up your wristband.
- Warm clothes: it might be sweltering during the day but it can get pretty chilly at night.
- Basic toiletries (you know, like a toothbrush): not essential but highly recommended.
For a detailed list of what you can and can’t bring, check the official list here.
Lana Andelane is an entertainment and lifestyle journalist. She was previously lifestyle editor at Newshub, where she began her career as a news producer in 2019. She enjoys writing about music, pop culture, fashion and beauty.
