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The country’s biggest multi-day New Year’s Eve music festival — Rhythm and Vines (R&V) — is about to turn 21!
Started in 2003 by University of Otago friends Hamish Pinkham, Tom Gibson and Andrew Witters, R&V has grown from a small party held at Gisborne’s Waiohika Estate vineyard and attended by almost 1800 people to an event attracting crowds of around 25,000 people.
It has become something of a rite of passage for energetic young Kiwis and music enthusiasts who make the annual pilgrimage to Gisborne to party in the vines.
In 2018, the world’s largest live entertainment company — Live Nation — bought a controlling interest in the annual three-day event.
This allowed the festival to be sustainable, as well as continue operating at a world-class level and attracting top talent.
Live Nation has run more than 100 festivals worldwide, including Spendour in Grass, Lollapoloosa, and Reading.
The live entertainment company has also toured artists such as U2, Coldplay and Bruno Mars.
Since its birth in 2003, R&V has evolved and now has three stages, seven camping areas including glamping options with airbeds, linen, camp chairs and solar lights, as well as a dedicated VIP area and a wide range of food and catering options.
It also attracts up to 100 top international and Kiwi acts each year.
by Libbie Gillard
The ultimate coming-of-age festival is itself coming of age. This new year, Rhythm and Vines is celebrating their 21st festival and they are all set to usher in a new generation of festival-goers.
Since its inception in 2003, Rhythm and Vines has cemented itself as a favourite for both Kiwi and international festival-goers.
In celebration of 21 years of R&V, here are 21 ways R&V has established itself as a world-class festival.
1. A world-class festival requires world-class artists
Each R&V line-up is curated to include a mix of artists behind the hottest hits of the year, like Central Cee, along with up-and-coming local musicians.
2. Rhythm Roadie
For out-of-towners, the road trip to Gisborne is an important and iconic aspect of the R&V experience.
3. Waiohika Warmup
Every second at R&V counts. The Waiohika Warmup is the festival pre-show that ensures campers are ready for the fun.
4. Safety commitments
R&V is committed to being the world’s safest New Year destination. The Haven is the festival’s getaway from the festival fare, with trained counsellors on hand for a chat, yoga on offer and healthy food and drink options too.
5. The R&V App makes information easy and accessible
The R&V app is the one-stop shop for festival information, set times and key announcements. It is developed by the same company that provides apps to some of the largest festivals in the world.
6. A summer camping experience
Set in the scenic Waiohika Valley, there is nowhere in the world where you can pitch your tent in amongst the shade of the vines. Uniquely New Zealand.
7. The Haven safe space
Three days of music, lights and people may sound like a dream for some, but everyone needs to take a breather at times. The Haven is R&V’s safe space and relaxation hub, with trained counsellors on hand for festival-goers if needed.
8. A D&B hotspot
There’s a reason why drum and bass big-hitters like Wilkinson and Sub Focus keep returning to the festival: R&V has cemented itself as a worldwide D&B destination.
9. The beautiful scenery of Waiohika Estate
For 21 years, the Waiohika Estate has been the location for R&V and drawn crowds from around the world.
10. Boosting the Gisborne community
Rhythm and Vines provides both jobs and customers to Gisborne, injecting approximately $10 million into the local economy every year.
11. Constant review and improvement to R&V’s environmental footprint
Rhythm and Vines is a plastic-free event. Also, every year, R&V’s Bookatent scheme saves around 2500 single-use tents from entering into the festival.
12. Flood relief
All of R&V’s fundraising efforts this year will be directed towards the Gisborne Flood Relief, having raised over $20k already.
13. A festival born and raised in Aotearoa
A uniquely Kiwi festival, over 350,000 New Zealanders have experienced their rite of passage at R&V since 2003.
14. A destination festival
Being a destination festival adds to the escapism R&V offers. Not only is R&V on a continual journey of reinvention, it is the trip that tens of thousands take each year to reinvent themselves.
15. Countdown video and New Year’s show
R&V is known for their countdown video that collates all the key moments from the year, followed by fireworks to ring in the new year. The 2023 production is nearly complete.
16. First sunrise of the New Year
In Tairāwhiti, Gisborne, Rhythm and Vines punters are the first in the world to see the New Year’s sunrise.
17. A foodie heaven
Just like their act line-ups, R&V take their Taste of Rhythm line-ups very seriously. R&V food trucks serve food to fuel the party.
18. Man-made water slide
The man-made water slide is uniquely R&V.
19. The full experience
R&V is not just about the music, but also the experience. At Vines Village, festival-goers can find some food, shade, stores, skate parks and even basketball courts.
20. Rite of passage
Since 2003, R&V has become a rite of passage for Kiwis. Over 350,000 people have attended so far, and the festival is showing no signs of slowing down.
21. World-class systems and innovations
New event technology and systems have been created at R&V. From AWOP/Wayver RFID technology, Globelet / Turn Cup reusable cups. Ideas have been brought to life at R&V and taken off globally.
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