Rumba rolls out starter names

The line-up to the long-rumoured Rumba pop festival has been confirmed for Western Springs on Saturday November 30.

Seven international acts have been announced, including American star Pink (who is also playing a New Zealand tour), Shaggy, and former Neighbours star-turned-singer and sometime cosmetics model, Natalie Imbruglia.

However, while Pink and Shaggy have made sizeable dents in the NZ charts, it would seem organisers are also relying on the drawing power of the local contingent, which includes platinum-sellers Bic Runga, Che Fu and the Krates, and Zed, as well as K'Lee and Nesian Mystik.

Imbruglia's second album disappeared quickly from view, while the rest of Rumba's international acts are yet to make an impact here. They include Abs (a former member of English boy band Five), Sophie Monk (former member of Aussie Popstars-formed girl group Bardot), Melbourne guitar pop group Taxiride and rising American r&b star Toya.

The Auckland event will kick off Rumba's six Australasian dates in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney.

The Western Springs line-up is smaller than the Australian concerts. Three shows across the Tasman will be headlined by rock veterans Bon Jovi and include English girl group the Sugababes.

The ticket price here is cheaper - $89.90 compared to around the A$95 ($110) mark across the Tasman - and tickets go on sale here on September 26 via Ticketek.

The first Rumba shows in Australia last year played to more than 200,000 fans.

The publicity promises a "huge lifestyle and entertainment event featuring masses of the coolest activities around". That includes Rumba TV, the concert's backstage and roving camera crews whose footage will be showing on two giant screens.

It will also feature an "Autograph Stage" for fans to assess their favourite stars' penmanship, an on-site shopping mall and a "Chill Zone" to relax away from the arena.

The show will start at midday, finish mid-evening and will be alcohol-free.