The biggest New Year’s party in the Southern Lakes, international music festival Rhythm and Alps (R&A) is back for it’s fifth anniversary in 2015, with star-studded lineup in-store for the hugely popular year’s end event.
Held over two-days in the Cardrona Valley near Wanaka from December 30th-31st, this year’s line-up boasts international talent like Carl Cox and Chali 2na, as well as great Aussie talent like Sticky Fingers and plenty of homegrown talent like Opiou and more featured on the bill.
As you would expect Carl Cox will be headlining in the coveted midnight December 31st slot, here to help see in the New Year with his impressive collection of all things dance floor. Keeping it in the commonwealth alongside the British Cox are hard drinking Aussie party boys Sticky Fingers, who will be taking to the main stage as 2015 comes to a close.
Also set to feature on New Year’s Eve is US hip hop artist Chali 2na, frontman of seminal ’90s hip hop troupe Jurassic 5, who is returning to R&A this year with his live hip hop band The House of Vibe. On the hip hop tip, Melbourne rapper Remi will be appearing on December 30th, as well Kiwi glitch artist Opiou, who like 2na, has his live band along for the ride.
The festival will feature more great international talent including fusion duo Âme (Germany), funk outfit Stickybuds (Canada), electronica artist Machinedrum (US) and dubstep pioneer Mala (UK). On top of that they’ve also got some great local acts playing, with Weird Together, Electric Wire Hustle, Ahoribuzz and Out Of Sorts all making their debut at R&A this year.
The festival is also set to heavily feature drum & bass music, with the Where The Wild Things Are (WTWTA) stage being dedicated entirely to the genre. With an impressive line up featuring Brazil’s DJ Marky – arguably the leading DJ in the genre – hosted Christchurch DnB promoters Bassfreaks as well as Ed Rush & Optical and the Uk’s Dub Phizix & Strategy, the WTWTA stage will be blasting all day December 30th and well into the night.
However if you want this reporter’s pick of the festival, look no further than Thanks Murray Sweetpants, if only for the curious images of this man the name conjures to mind
Speaking about the festival’s anniversary and looking back over the previous four events, director Alex Turnbull says it’s fitting that the fifth annual event will host the strongest festival line-up to date.
“We’ve got an unprecedented first announcement of a talent-packed roster of artists over two days and we expect the lineup to appeal to a wide range of music lovers of all ages,” he says.
“With more live music than ever before, and set in the stunning, iconic location in the Cardrona Valley, R&A 2015 will be the place to be for New Year’s Eve celebrations.”
With approx 7500 people expected – 5000 campers and 2500 non-camping ticket holders – the 2015 festival promises to be the biggest ever. Early bird tickets ($129 for two days) are limited, with the standard rate for a two-day pass being $195. Single day passes come in at a modest $109 if you don’t feel up for the full two days.
In terms of the all important add-ons however, the festival have a number of treats in stall for party-goers, including VIP, Glamping, Campervans and general camping. Our pick of the lot would be the $860 all inclusive ultimate glamping package, however for the less extravangantly minded camping is $70 for two nights and $95 for three nights, keeping in line with regional campground prices. Campervan passes remain unchanged at $100.
Tickets are avaialbe now from the festival site
A second line up announcement and sponsor partnerships will be announced in the coming month.
Rhythm and Alps first lineup announcement 2015:
Carl Cox
Sticky Fingers
Chali 2na And The House Of Vibe
Opiuo Band
Ed Rush And Optical
Dub Phizix & Strategy
Dj Marky
Mala
Machinedrum
Âme
Weird Together
Electric Wire Hustle
Ahoribuzz
Reality Chant & Deadly Hunta
Kamandi
Arma Del Amor
Remi
Jps
Stickybuds
Summer Thieves
Amit
Kaiser Souzai
Out Of Sorts
Thanks Murry Sweetpants
Kumara Funk Djs
Rhythmn & Alps 2015
December 30th – 31st
Cardrona Valley, Wanaka NZ
Tickets: Rhythmn & Alps 2015
