16 July 2014 - 0 Comments
It won’t be too long until summer is here and Rhythm and Alps will hit the Cardrona Valley once again with an exciting and diverse line up of international and local artists, sure to give festival goers an unforgettable New Year’s experience. Last year the festival sold out and with a capacity of only 10,000 tickets this year’s festival is selling fast and is expected to sell out.
UK chart toppers Bastille were announced last month as the first in the list of artists playing, and now we are thrilled to reveal the rest of the line up.
Returning to Wanaka again this year are Shapeshifter who will be headlining on New Year’s Eve. Known for their energetic live shows they have become a kiwi crowd favourite but are also world leaders in live entertainment as they globe trot regularly to overseas festivals like Glastonbury, The Big Chill and Parklife. Their blend of electronica/dance also incorporates rock, drum ‘n’ bass, jazz and soul, a sound that has been heralded as unique as their performances.
Zane Lowe was an absolute party starter at both Rhythm and Vines and Rhythm and Alps last year and for that very reason festival organizers are bringing him back to Alps. Kiwi born, and based in the UK, Zane is one of Britain’s leading musical tastemakers. He is one of BBC Radio One’s most popular radio personalities and has won numerous awards for his show. His DJ sets are known for their eclectic remixes and samples.
Growing up on his dad's chill out compilations along with albums from the jazz great Chet Baker, Australian electronica artist Nick Murphy combined the two and took the name Chet Faker when he launched his career with a down tempo cover of Backstreet’s "No Diggity" that went viral online. Since then his career has soared. His debut ‘Thinking in Textures’ won ‘Best Independent Single/EP’ at the Australian Independent Record Awards, and ‘Best Independent Release’ at the Rolling Stone Australia Awards. Last year Chet Faker blew everyone away at Rhythm and Vines with his soulful electronica. This year will be his first Rhythm and Alps appearance.
Just Blaze is one of hip hop’s leading producers and takes his place alongside such greats as Timbaland and the Neptunes. He has developed a trademark knack for using old-school soul samples in unique ways and is well known for producing songs for Jay-Z and Eminem. He has also produced tracks for big-name East Coast rappers such as Busta Rhymes, Jadakiss, DMX, and Fabolous.
London Elektricity is the stage name of DJ and electronic musician Tony Colman. Having been involved in the drum ‘n’ bass scene since the mid-90s, the co-founder of festival favourites Hospital Records, has been instrumental in the development of the genre as we know it today. Responsible for some of Hospital’s biggest anthems (Round The Corner, Different Drum, Just One Second), Tony has cultivated a first class reputation as both a producer and DJ.
When it comes to crafting anthemic dance floor destroyers there is no doubt DC Breaks are top of the class. Nearly a decade of production experience has propelled Dan Havers and Chris Page right to the forefront as one of drum ‘n’ bass’s premier headline acts. The duo have charged forward with a number of high energy cuts on the legendary label. From their debut single The More I Want, to the guttural punch of Swag and Gambino, the pair are also capable of turning their hand to some killer remixes, adding their touch to tunes by the likes of Example and Tinie Tempah amongst others.
Danish singer Karen Marie Ørsted first made an impact on the music scene under the moniker MØ in 2013, when she lent her vocals to Swedish producer Avicii's song "Dear Boy," from his hit album True. Her electro indie pop sound has garnered great reviews with her debut full-length, No Mythologies to Follow, and drawn comparisons to contemporaries AlunaGeorge and Grimes. This is an artist on the rise and it will not be long before word is well and truly out so catch her while you can.
Mr Carmack aka Aaron Carmack is a Hawaii-based producer blurring the distinction between Hip Hop and Dance Music in a progressive way that has even the most seasoned producers scratching their heads. Supported by the likes of RL Grime, GTA, Plastician, Djemba Djemba, S Type, Elair Fifi as well as appearances on BBC Radio 1, Mr. Carmack’s global domination has only just begun.
Pioneering dub producer the Mad Professor has worked with a diverse range of artists, from reggae greats like Lee “Scratch’ Perry, Horace Andy, Sly and Robbie, to artists outside that realm like Sade, The Orb and Massive Attack. Starting his musical career on the technical side of things as a service engineer for mixing desks he then launched the now legendary Dub Me Crazy series. This will be his first South Island appearance.
Joining these artists at Rhythm and Alps are Addison Groove, The Cuban Brothers, State of Mind, Ayah Marar, Meta and the Cornerstones, Little May, Team Dynamite, Doprah, Sorceress, Kamandi, Haz Beats, Longwalkshortdock, The Nomad, Kev Fresh, Uone, Timmus, Drax Project, Play DJ’s, Deep Fried Dub, Ribera.
Full list of artists:
Bastille/Shapeshifter
Zane Lowe/ Chet Faker/Just Blaze
London Elektricity & MC Wrec
DC Breaks/MØ/Mr Carmack
Mad Professor/Addison Groove
The Cuban Brothers/ State of Mind
Ayah Marar/Meta and the Cornerstones
Little May/Team Dynamite/Doprah/Sorceress
Kamandi/Haz Beats/Longwalkshortdock
The Nomad/Kev Fresh/Uone/Timmus
Drax Project/Play DJ’s
Deep Fried Dub/Ribera
More information on artists can be found at www.rhythmandalps.co.nz
Ticket Information
2 day festival tickets from $159 +booking fee
2 day festival pass and on-site camping from $229 +booking fee
2 day festival ticket plus premium onsite camping from $269 + booking fee
Tickets are available now from www.rhythmandalps.co.nz
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