A high music festival-to-population ratio in New Zealand means there’s New Year’s entertainment to suit all tastes. Capital Times looks at four of the biggest festivals for 2010.
IF you’re about to partake in the annual migration to the New Year festivals around the country, or if you’re working this year but keen to think ahead to 2011, there are a few things to remember. At any festival snacks, warm socks and things to decorate yourself with are near essential. If you’re camping, you’ll also need a torch, a map, bottled water and a flag to identify your campsite.

Rhythm and Vines
Where: Waiohika Estate, Gisborne.
When: December 29-31.
What: A three-day event featuring a handful of big international acts – usually from hip-hop, electronic or rock backgrounds – among New Zealand’s favourite bands and DJ’s. Among many others, this year N.E.R.D, Tinie Tempah, Justice, Flying Lotus, Gaslamp Killer, Hudson Mohawk, Shihad, Electric Wire Hustle and Hollie Smith.
Who: Most attendees would be in their 20s. A diverse lineup attracts both those with mainstream and underground tastes. One older attendee remarked that swarms of young people don’t put them off “because they’re all in the first aid tent by midnight anyway, leaving the party to us”. Parents – encourage responsible drinking. Avoid Baywatch campgrounds if you don’t like teenagers, rubbish, and nudity.
Tickets: Three-day pass, $235. One day passes range from $85-$145. Accommodation can be tricky to find, so get onto it as soon as you can.
What to wear? 2009 saw swarms of girls in high-waisted denim cutoff shorts, and boys in board shorts, jandals and singlets. Like Coromandel Gold, attendees tend to follow the crowd a bit in terms of fashion.
What to drink? Harvest Cider. At about $20 a bottle it’s not cheap, but it’s nice to sip on even warm and because the bottles are big (1.5l), you’ll need less trips to the bar. The RnV specialty Sauvignon Blanc was great last year. The label spouted all the usual descriptives about robust flavours and citrus notes… “And all from the very vines you’ve been pissing on.” Water is also important if you are indulging in the option below.
Drug of choice? Ecstasy.
Essential Items: A light raincoat. It almost always drizzles and entrepreneurial Gisborne locals have been known to buy up the whole city’s cheap plastic ponchos and resell them at a large profit. Berocca. A towel if you want to go down the waterslide, or to Rere Falls before or after the festival.
Extra Notes: You can see who’s playing when on the website at www.rhythmandvines.co.nz, and buy one or two one-day passes if there’s a night you don’t mind missing.

La De Da
Where: Alana Estate, Martinborough
When: December 31. Camping is also provided on the night of the 30th at ‘Lullaby Lane’, where there will also be some music.
What: An all ages, one-day festival with an all New Zealand lineup including Kora, Katchafire, Salmonella Dub, Minuit, Upbeats Live and Thomas Oliver Band.
Who: It’s the festival’s first time so it’s hard to typify any one attendee, but it sounds like a great night for the whole family. Being so close to Wellington you’re likely to see a
whole lot of familiar faces, so be careful about completely losing your inhibitions!
Tickets: Sold Out.
What to wear? Whatever you want. This is bound to be one of the most relaxed of the New Year festivals, and a family occasion too, so think comfort over style.
What to drink? Wine of course! Alana Estate’s 2008 Pinot Noir won best overall Pinot in the 2010 Los Angeles International Wine Competition varietal’s section, so that sounds worth a try.
Drug of choice? It’s in its first year, but we’d guess alcohol.
Essential Items: Cash (there is Eftpos but cash is always faster) and ID (for access to the bar).
Extra Notes: Get in quick if the festival goes ahead again next year!

Coromandel Gold
Where: Whitianga, Coromandel.
When: New Year’s Eve, 2:30pm to 2:30am.
What: A one-day event showcasing New Zealand music festival staple acts, often with a dub sound but sometimes heading more towards rock or drum n bass. This year Shapeshifter, Tiki Taane, Trinity Roots, Ladi 6, Little Bushman and more.
Who: An interesting mix of dreadlocked or rastafari colour-wearing Kiwi dub fiends and super-cool Auckland teenagers.
An attendee from last year said there were “more babes there than at Rhythm and Vines”. The majority of the punters are just out of high school or attending university; it’s a good festival for first-timers.
Tickets: Sold out, although if you’re really keen you can buy a ticket to one of Shapeshifter’s summer gigs and go in the draw to win four tickets.
What to wear? Head into Auckland central for a day, see what they’re all wearing, and buy yourself something like that. The area is grassy, so don’t wear stilettos.
What to drink? Drinks last year were limited, and one punter said this was a main disappointment. Only canned RTD’s (pre-mixed, ready to drink concoctions) and a couple of 250ml cans of beer were available.
Drug of choice? Party pills.
Essential Items: Sunscreen, condoms, Panadol.
Extra Notes: If you don’t like teenagers, sell your ticket.

Phat ’11
Where: Inangahua, one hour’s drive from Westport on the West Coast.
When: Dec 29 – Jan 2.
What: A festival that runs over four nights, focusing mainly on electronic dance music. Artists include Andy C, Ecision, Black Sun Empire, Breakage, Concord Dawn, The Upbeats, State of Mind and Electric Wire Hustle.
Who: Thumping, pumping, electronic music lovers. Think less boy-racers of Christchurch (although there’ll be some there), and more basement DJ’s, snowboarders and clubbers. If you don’t know who anyone in the line-up is, this event is not for you.
Tickets: $254.
What to wear? This being the West Coast, preparation is essential. Both jandals and gumboots will probably be needed. Practice the art of layering. You’ll likely be freezing cold and in need of a cardigan and hat between tents, and sweating profusely, ready to strip to your knickers once you’re inside.
What to drink? Speights, Jägermeister, and lots and lots of water.
Drug of choice? Whatever you can get your hands on.
Essential Items: Togs and towel for swimming holes, earplugs if you intend to sleep, spare toilet paper, ID, insect repellent.
Extra Notes: Cellphone coverage is sketchy so make good plans for meeting up with friends before you head in. Also there’s no petrol at Inaungahua so fill your car at Reefton, Murchison, Greymouth or Westport.