PHOTOS & VIDEO: Rhythm and Vines - Happy New Year!

18,500 festival goers were amongst the first people in the world to welcome 2015 at music festival Rhythm and Vines in Gisborne, New Zealand.

A spectacular firework display lit up the rolling hills surrounding the vineyard of the picturesque Waiohika Estate which has hosted a world-class musical line-up over the three day festival. The festival, which started off as a dream of Kiwi university students, is now in its twelfth year.

For the final song of the year, British band Bastille had the crowd singing with hands in the air to hit Pompeii. International DJ and producer, Zane Lowe then kicked off 2015 with an electrifying mix to a pumped up crowd who will continue to party until the first sun of the year rises over the vineyard around 6am.

Over the four stages, including the ‘Arcadia Afterburner’ of Glastonbury, the final day the festival hosted a stream of international and Kiwi talent including Broods, Just Blaze, London Electricity, The Funk Hunters, Frank Booker, Derrick Carter and PleasePlease.

Kieran Spillane, CEO of Rhythm Group, said:

"We are delighted with the turn out for this years festival. With the sun shining on Gisborne this holiday season, a strong international line up of artists, and a 18,500 strong crowd, our new year party could not be going any better. The Arcadia Afterburner all the way from Glastonbury is turning out to be a crowd favourite and it really has to be experienced to be believed”

The festival gates opened for campers to camp within the rows of vines on 28 December. The festival itself kicked off on 29 December and has hosted other artists including Chase and Status (DJ Set) Chet Faker, Netsky LIVE, Danny Brown, Ta-ku and Jagwar Ma.

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ENDS

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