Shapeshifter top big line-up

Drum n' bass group Shapeshifter will headline the Northern Bass event in Mangawhai. Photo / File

Kiwi drum n' bass legends Shapeshifter will headline the Northern Bass dance music extravaganza in Mangawhai at the end of the year.

Organisers of the three-day event, held at Worsfold Farm, Mangawhai, from December 29-31, have released the first line-up of acts for the show after the success of last year's sold-out event.

Joining Shapeshifter are Skepte, Ladi6, Foreign Beggers, Chali 2NA, DJ Markey, Machinedrum, Danny Byrd, Mala, Homebrew, Swindle, A-Sides, Skeptical and Dub Phizix + Strategy.

Also lined up are State of Mind, MC Woody, Dylan C, K+Lab+Band, DLR, Bailey Wiley, Midnight Gallery, Tali, Diaz Grimm, 48 Sonic, Totems and Randa.

A second announcement, still to come, will reveal other performers.

"Getting to see Shapeshifter perform on the Northern Bass main stage has been a long-term goal of mine," festival director Gareth Popham said. "We can't wait to see how all of these artists make their mark on Northern Bass."

This year sees Northern Bass move to a three-day festival format, with the addition of an extra night of entertainment and camping on December 29.

"The idea of adding the 29th came after we received requests from a large portion of our audience to extend their Northern Bass experience," Mr Popham said.

The festival will have a focus on sustainability and environmental awareness with initiatives aimed to combat the impact of waste, abandoned camping equipment and to encourage recycling and choosing reusable products.

-Tickets on sale now from iticket.co.nz. For more information check out www.northernbass.co.nz.