The Big Festivals

Name: SUMMADAYZE

What: Australian's biggest dance festival crosses the Tasman with DJ sets from Brits Lisa Lashes, Groove Armada, Lo Fidelity Allstars, Krafty Kuts, Rennie Pilgrim and American star Roger Sanchez. A hip-hop and breaks stage features locals Scribe, Concord Dawn, Fast Crew, among others, with more than 30 local dance acts and DJs spread across the event's eight indoor and outdoor areas.

Where: Lakeside Convention Centre, Mangere

When: Friday, January 9

Info: Response

Name: THE BIG DAY OUT

What: The annual one-day mecca for contemporary rock, hip-hop and dance music fans featuring the strongest, hippest line-up in years. Big-name imports include Metallica, Flaming Lips, the Strokes, Afrika Bambaataa, Dandy Warhols, Muse, the Kings Of Leon, the Darkness, Audio Bullys, David Holmes, Basement Jaxx as well as a who's who of our coolest bands.

Where: Ericsson Stadium, Penrose

When: Friday, January 16 (timetable out on Wednesday)

Info: Big Day Out



Name: SPLORE

What: Three-day dance music festival which ran consecutively for four years from 1998 and then took a year off. Confirmed acts for next year include Fat Freddy's Drop, International Observer, Trinity Roots, Manuel Bundy, Concord Dawn, Minuit and Roger Perry, among others. Also features outdoor art gallery and performance space.

Where: Waharau Regional Park, (one hour southeast of Auckland central)

When: Friday, March 5 to Sunday, March 7

Info: Splore