Ice Spice will be heading to Gisborne to bring in the New Year. Photo: THEO WARGO
Popular New York rapper Ice Spice will be heading to Gisborne to headline this year's Rhythm and Vines festival, organisers have revealed, in the first announcement of the four-day New Year's celebration.
Other international acts announced on the bill on Tuesday night are UK garage and house producer Sammy Virji, Italian electronic supergroup Meduza, British electronic producers Koven and the return of American record producer RL Grime.
This summer will rack up the 22nd edition of the popular NYE party. Photo: Kaelin Wade
Local festival favourites include the return of Sir Dave Dobbyn, Sachi, hometown hero Messie and debut performance from the award winning Corrella.
This summer will be the 22nd edition of the music festival which sees fans flock to Waiohika Estate on the East Coast. It opens up to campers from 28 December, with the festival officially kicking off on 29 December, through to the first sunrise on 1 January.
At the end of last summer's event, police warned there were too many drink-drivers caught leaving, putting others in danger. Although police working inside the site had made no arrests in the three days.
Back in 2022, organisers faced backlash for including Dizzee Rascal in the line-up, despite the English rapper's conviction for domestic violence.
Passes for the annual festival are on sale from [www.rhythmandvines.co.nz rhythmandvines.co.nz].