Music Festivals and Events Photo: CC By 3.0 Bill Ebbesen
The Summer Festivals are on the horizon and to help us work out which ones to catch and which ones to potentially avoid, DJ and music producer Aroha Harawira has some highlights.
Mudtopia Festival in Rotorua December 1-3
Get down and dirty in the Mud Arena, Mud Games zone and Mud Run, unwind with wellness and spa experiences - Inspired by one of the world’s most unusual and immersive festivals – Korea’s Boryeong Mud Festival. The festivals motto is “Party, Pamper, Play" and features performance from Shapeshifter, Peking Duk, Chores, Jason Kerrison, Hollie Smith, Melodownz, Anika Moa, Jupiter Project, Aroha.
Hidden Valley Dec 27th - Ascension Winery, Matakana
Considered a warm up festival for the upcoming New Years festivities hidden Valley features a mainly electronic line up in this one day, no clashes party featuring serious international artists like Wilkinson, Sub Focus, High Contrast, Motez, Wax Motif, Terace, Beat Mafia and other locals.
Rhythm & Alps in Wanaka - Dec 29-31
Set in the beautiful Crown Range in Wanaka this New Years eve celebration features the majority of artist performing at Rhythm and Vines plus a few exclusives like Little Dragon and Cigarettes After Sex. Also featuring Fat Freddy’s Drop, Tash Sultana, Schoolboy Q, Wilkinson, Goldie, Nao, Lord Echo, Swindle, Ocean Alley, Black Sun Empire and more.
Wondergarden at Silo Park, Auckland - New Year’s Eve
Now in it's second year Wondergarden provides an outstanding line up for those tat are staying in Aucklad for New Years featuring Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Chelsea Jade, Leisure, Swidt, Maala, The Ruby Suns, Nadia Reid, Bailey Wiley and more.
Northern Bass - Mangawhai Dec 29-31
Heavy on bass and great vibes this year the Northern Bass line up features an incredible array of internationals as well as the reformation of Salmonella Dub in it's entirety. Also Andy C, The Gaslamp Killer, Shapeshifter, Aroha & Tali, Stormy, Ladi 6, Chali 2na & Krafty Kuts, The Upbeats, Goldie, Pendulum DJ set, Post Malone, Jess B, Kamandi, Doc Scott, Dylan C and more.
Rhythm & Vines Gisborne - Dec 29-31 Waiohika Estate
Probably the largest of the major festivals Rhythm and Vines has become a rite of passage experience for many of the nations youth. This year the line features Schoolboy Q, 2Many DJs, Mura Masa, Baauer, Felix Da Housecat, Pomo, Wilkinson, Netsky DJ set, Giggs, B-Traits (BBC radio 1 dance music gal), A-Trak, Ria Hall, Sachi, Montell 2099. Also for the second year they have a comedy stage also, Giggle and Vines.
Highlife New Year’s Day Smales Farm Takapuna Auckland
Primarily aimed at house music fans, this elite festival also boasts an R21+ restriction and a dress code. This year Ron Carroll - Chicago house DJ and producer is headlining along with Tai from Munich, Germany, Mr & Mrs Haines (Jamie and Nathan fusing Latin, soul, nu-disco and jazz), Aroha & Tali.
Bay Dreams, Mt Maunganui - Jan 2nd
Mount Maunganui hosts this enormous gathering featuring a line up guaranteed to bring the youths from all over the New Zealand. DJ Snake, Machine Gun Kelly, Foster The People, FKJ, Opiuo, Flatbush Zombies, Classixx, Concord Dawn, Matrix & Futurebound, Maribou State DJ Set, Sons Of Zion and more.
Soundsplash, Raglan - Jan 19-21st
Soundssplash is a festival that not only bring the big acts but also support a sustainable eco friendly environment, family camping areas and tickets for youths. This year the line up is massive featuring Shapeshifter, Slumberjack, Dub FX, Katchafire, Ocean Alley, Dreadsquad, Swidt, Cornerstone Roots, Fortunes, Alien Weaponry, Teeks, Bailey Wiley, Aroha & Tali,Jess B, Sunshine Soundsystem and more.
Laneway - 29th Jan, Albert Park
It's Laneway's second year in their lush new location and it looks set to be a sell out with an incredible line up that offers something for almost everyone. There are too many to list here but they include Anderson Paak and Free Nationals, Billie Eilish, Aldous Harding, The Internet, Melodownz, The War On Drugs, BadBadNotGood, Tokimonsta, Wolf Alice, Moses Sumney and so so many more.
Tuki Festival Wanaka February 10
Formerly known as the Rippon festival this South Island party has moved to a new location and features an exclusively stellar line up of locals including Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Marlon Williams, Aaradhna, Tapz, Phoenix Foundation and of course, many many more.
