Where to head on New Year's Eve

Where will you be this New Year's Eve?

Here are TimeOut's picks of the big gigs bringing in 2015.

1. Apart from Rhythm and Vines, Gisborne also plays host to the BW Summer Festival at the beachside campgrounds. They have two nights of live music in their own soundshell with Australian DJ star Flume, plus Shapeshifter and David Dallas headlining this year.

2. Just out of Mangawhai is where Northern Bass festival is held, on a farm with rolling hills, a lagoon, beach, and its own jungle. Acts like Hudson Mohawke, Ghostface Killah, Fat Freddy's Drop, and Goldie lead this years extensive drum 'n' bass/dub/jungle/dance line-up.

3. Shihad are going to ring in the new year at Cathedral Square in Christchurch this year, with support from the Datsuns, I Am Giant, and Cairo Knife Fight, as part of their FVEY tour.

4. If you're out on the west coast, head to the Butlers Reef Hotel in New Plymouth to check out a skankin' summery line-up of the Black Seeds, Katchafire, and Sons of Zion.

5. It has been billed the Clash of the Titans, and if you like your classic rock then the Coroglen Tavern is going to be your preferred spot for New Year's celebrations this year, with Dragon, the Feelers, and the Exponents sparring for the ultimate title.

6. They've gone from being an unknown band to having a gold-selling debut album which went to No 1, as well as a 20-date sold-out tour of New Zealand, so Devilskin have plenty to celebrate this year, and they'll be bringing the noise to Brewers Bar in Mt Maunganui on December 31.

7. If you're in Auckland for New Year's Eve and you want to stay away from the city crowds, then the Kings Arms could be the place for you. The High Rollers Extravaganza will be a diverse night of blues, country, rockabilly, pop, and folk with Bernie Griffen and the Thin Men, Labretta Suede and the Motel 6, Mulholland, and Eyreton Hall all performing.

8. SkyCity are covering all bases with their New Year's celebrations. There will be the annual fireworks display from the Sky Tower at midnight, plus Eve Gordon from acrobatic-burlesque troop Dust Palace will be performing a jaw-dropping act in the main SkyCity atrium from 10pm, while Jupiter Project will headline in Bar Twentyone, and there will be an outdoor plaza stage including roving street performers.

9. The Britomart Beach Party returns this year, once again bringing four tonnes of sand to Takutai Square, and creating a relaxed party with one ticket giving you access to the seven surrounding venues (Roukai Ln, Britomart Country Club, Northern Steamship, 1885, Orleans, Racket, Nathan Club). Performers include the Freestylers (UK), Sola Rosa, Jupiter Project, Janine and the Mixtape, Latinaotearoa, and Sweet Mix Kids, plus there'll be a special taiko drumming performance.

10. If you prefer music of the throbbing, pulsating, EDM type, and fancy dancing among some vines in Auckland, Highlife NYE at Stonyridge on Waiheke Island could be the ticket. Along with dancers, performers, food, and fireworks, the line-up includes Ron Carroll (USA), Federico Scavo (Italy), Sean Finn (Germany), and a lot of locally loved DJs.

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- TimeOut