R&A's line-up announced, tickets on sale
Benee, Fat Freddy's Drop, Ocean Alley and Synthony are booked to perform for a crowd of 10,000 at this year's Rhythm & Alps Festival, in Cardrona Valley.
Organisers of the three-day bash, the South Island's biggest New Year's Eve party, have announced the first 16 acts on the bill, with more to be revealed over the coming weeks.
Now in its 13th year, the festival welcomes back popstar Stella Bennett, aka Benee, for a one-off Aotearoa summer show, as well as festival favourites Fat Freddy's Drop and Ocean Alley, who make their South Island exclusive appearances.
Synthony, which features a live orchestra with vocalists, instrumentalists, DJs and an immersive visual show, will headline New Year's Eve, complete with fireworks show.
Event organiser Alex Turnbull says: "We are immensely proud of the carefully curated first artist announce for the 2023 event.
"We have worked hard over the years to build an inclusive event, with a little something for everybody - performers and festival goers alike - and 2023 promises to be another exciting and welcoming festival for all."
Northern Ireland electronic music production and DJ duo Bicep make a festival return after heavy demand from their southern fans, while hip-hop crew Home Brew and Australian dance act Peking Duk will also perform.
Leading-edge rapper and gifted hip-hop act out of Compton, Chanel Tres, and Australasia's most streamed Country artist, the award-winning and multi-talented Kaylee Bell, are also on the bill, demonstrating its variety.
Belfast Music producer and DJ, Calibre, Aotearoa's award-winning force Paige Julia, and one of the scene's most exciting talents, Disrupta, along with UK duo Sigma are all scheduled to perform across the three days.
And, rounding out the first festival announcement are NZ’s most noteworthy breakout dance DJs, Bontempo, Melbourne-based producer Nice Girl, UK house producer Ross From Friends, and roots-driven hypnotic dance trio My Baby.
"Rhythm & Alps is the best place to be in New Zealand for New Year’s," Turnbull says. "Awesome music, immaculate stage production, amazing weather and a 100% good vibes."
The music and camping festival opens in the afternoon on 29 December and the last act finishes in the wee hours of 1 January, 2024
The festival welcomes 10,000 partygoers and more than 6,000 campers, with just over 40% of attendees from outside the region.
Tickets are on sale now.
