The first lineup for Rhythm and Vines 2016 has been announced with Chance The Rapper, ZHU and RÜFÜS in headline spots for the three-day festival.
 
At only 23, Chance the Rapper has already earned mainstream recognition and critical acclaim for his fusion of hip-hop and gospel sounds. His latest release Coloring Book was the first album to chart on the Billboard 200 purely on streams, peaking at number 8. Headlining Rhythm and Vines marks Chance’s first ever show on NZ soil.
 
ZHU is the Los Angeles-based producer behind the smash hit track ‘Faded’. Originally releasing his music anonymously, ZHU has risen globally in popularity, recently closing out Lollapalooza, and his EP Generationwhy gaining critical acclaim from Rolling Stone.
 
Famous for their atmospheric indie electronic dance-pop sound, Australian trio RÜFÜS will bring their infectious summer sound to this year’s festival. Formed in 2010 when a rain-soaked vacation to Byron Bay turned into an impromptu jam session, RÜFÜS features the talents of guitarist Tyrone Lindqvist, keyboardist Jon George, and drummer James Hunt. RÜFÜS released their full-length album, Bloom this year with the singles ‘Like an Animal,’ ‘You Were Right’ and ‘Take Me Out’ breakout hits on kiwi radio. RÜFÜS also played two sold out gigs to support the album at Auckland's Powerstation earlier this year.
 
Bolstering the strong international hip hop lineup will be performances from US rappers Goldlink and Denzel Curry. Goldlink’s debut album, The God Complex was named one of the best albums of 2014 by New York's Complex magazine. Catering for electronic fans, UK-based Dusky, Hot Chip (DJ Set), S.P.Y and Skream have been charged to bring in the New Year at Waiohika Estate.
 
Signed to Skrillex’s label OWSLA, heavy hitter Getter will be bringing the noise alongside fellow American DJ AC Slater. They will be joined by Drum and Bass favourites Wilkinson and Netsky who also return to the festival, marking Netsky’s fifth appearance at Rhythm and Vines.
 
Alongside the strong international line up, 2016 will see local favourites P Money, Savage, The Jordan Luck Band, Anna Coddington, Yoko-Zuna, Pacific Heights, Eno x Dirty, Bailey Wiley and Three Houses Down along with NZ producers Stack & Piece and Montell2099 rounding off the first release for the 2016 festival. This strong line up of local talent echoing the original vision of the festival as a platform to promote local talent. 
 
2016 will also see the expansion of the festival’s premium offerings with a greater variety of food and drink options, including cocktail bars, speciality food vendors as well as increased emphasis on onsite camping activities, including an onsite sports arena to host 5-aside football tournament, yoga, zumba and more.
 
“We are entering into a new and exciting phase for the festival. This is truly a cutting edge lineup. Our attention now turns to putting on memorable festival experience within the rolling hills of Waiohika Estate.” said festival founder Hamish Pinkham.
 

Rhythm & Vines 2016

December 29 - 31: Waiohika Estate, Gisborne

Pre-slaes via TicketSquad

The full first announcement line up for Rhythm and Vines 2016 is as follows: Chance the Rapper, ZHU, RÜFÜS, Wilkinson DJ, Netsky DJ, Goldlink, Denzel Curry, Getter, Dusky, Skream, Hot Chip DJ, AC Slater, S.P.Y, Savage, The Jordan Luck Band, P Money, Sachi, Yoko-Zuna, Pacific Heights, Anna Coddington, Three Houses Down, Bailey Wiley, Eno x Dirty, Montell2099, Stack & Piece.