Gisborne And Rhythm & Vines Welcome 2008

Gisborne and Rhythm & Vines Welcome 2008

Eleven days after a 6.8 earthquake rattled Gisborne, New Zealand, the first city west of the International Date Line welcomed the New Year in style with a world-class music festival. The quake that brought international attention to Gisborne was not a deterrent to the thousands of year-end holiday-makers who have poured into the coastal city for Rhythm & Vines, New Zealand's premier music festival.

The city has been buzzing with excitement and music events over the past four days. The 18–35 year-old partygoers have been enjoying a weeklong series of music events around Gisborne staged by BW Campgrounds and Rhythm & Vines Summer Sessions, culminating at Rhythm & Vines.

Rhythm & Vines, celebrating its 5th Anniversary, was a resounding success, according to organisers. Attendance was approximately 15,000, and over 40 acts were presented across four stages. Trapeze artists and fire performers who shot flames from their bodies complemented a choreographed midnight pyrotechnic show.

New Zealand music sweetheart Hollie Smith, kiwi icon Don McGlashan and rising bands the Mint Chicks, The Checks and Die! Die! Die! entertained the afternoon crowds, and Australia's Blue King Brown rocked the midnight set. Dance acts M.A.N.D.Y. (Germany) and DJ T and New Zealand's Concord Dawn, Dick Johnson and Aural Trash played to the late night revellers.

UK dance/rock band New Young Pony Club arrived fresh from Australia for their debut New Zealand performance praising the beautiful surroundings and the "chilled-out vibes" of the New Zealand people.

"Rhythm & Vines was yet again a safe and secure and well managed festival. I would like to extend a thank you to everyone involved who worked around the clock to make it happen," said Festival Producer, Christine Shanahan.

Rhythm & Vines takes place over 24 hours at Waiohika Estate Vineyards, which boasts two natural amphitheatres and views of the Poverty Bay Flats and Young Nick's Head, the historic first New Zealand land sighting by Captain James Cook in 1876.

The festival was the brainchild of three Otago University students. The first party in 2003 attracted 1,800 revelers. The festival has grown every year on its platform of a high-quality selection of music and consistent trouble-free record.

ENDS

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