Kiwis on the pursuit of happiness would have found it today with the announcement of Brooklyn rapper KID CUDI headlining the 23rd edition of Rhythm and Vines. Along with 48 other acts announced on the first lineup release, the first release features first ever Hardcore punk headliners for the festival in TURNSTILE, American rapper 070 SHAKE, youtube star and electronic producer MARC REBILLET, live set from UK electronic music duo MARIBOU STATE, and the return of fan favourites L.A.B. Drum and Bass producer WILKINSON, the king of Waiohika Estate, will be headlining New Year’s Eve and bringing festival fans into 2026.
The first release of acts includes:
KID CUDI, TURNSTILE, WILKINSON, 070 SHAKE, KANINE, L.A.B, MARIBOU STATE, MARC REBILLET, A-TRAK, CYRIL, EMILY MAKIS, ESHA TEWARI, FCUKERS, GOOD NEIGHBOURS, HOME BREW, INJI, JANE REMOVER, MOZEY, NOTION, SAM GELLAITRY, SKEPSIS, SOTA, SWIMMING PAUL, 1TBSP, BL3SS, CLUB ANGEL, CORRELLA, GRAY, HORI SHAW, LANCE SAVALI, LINSKA, NED BENNETT, SEX MASK, TE WEHI, ATARANGI, BORDERLINE, COAST ARCADE, CORNERS, ELLA MONNERY, EMERSON, INMOTION, LIBERTY, MIKEYY, REASXN, THERE'S A TUESDAY, VITAMIN COS, WHERE’S JAI, PIRAPUS PRESENTS F U T U R E
KID CUDI is a Grammy-winning artist, actor, and cultural innovator from Cleveland whose honesty and genre-bending sound redefined hip-hop for a generation. Breaking through with ‘Day ’n’ Nite’ and ‘Man on the Moon: The End of Day’, he became the voice of a new era, blending rap, rock, and alternative influences while opening up conversations around mental health and vulnerability in music. Over the years, he’s built a genre of his own—shaping culture not just through his albums, but also through film, fashion, and television. With each project, Kid Cudi continues to challenge himself creatively and push the boundaries of what an artist can be. This will be Kid Cudi’s debut performance at Rhythm and Vines,
TURNSTILE is a hardcore punk band formed in Baltimore, Maryland, in 2010. They are known for their blend of aggressive hardcore with elements of metalcore, and their willingness to experiment with different sounds. The band has released four studio albums, several EPs, and has gained critical and commercial success, including Grammy nominations and rave reviews from their recent Glastonbury performance.
MARIBOU STATE is an English electronic music duo formed by Chris Davids and Liam Ivory, celebrated for their lush blend of electronica, soul, and world-inspired sounds. Emerging in the early 2010s, they have released two critically acclaimed albums — Portraits and Kingdoms in Colour — which showcase their signature mix of textured beats, live instrumentation, and atmospheric production. With collaborations ranging from Khruangbin to Holly Walker, and a reputation for immersive live performances that bring their studio craft to life, Maribou State has become a festival favourite and a leading name in forward-thinking electronic music.
MARC REBILLET is an improvisational producer and artist from Dallas, Texas. World famous for his eccentric live mixing of entertaining and often hilarious performances, distributed primarily through YouTube videos and Twitch live streams using a loop station, keyboard, vocals and percussion instruments to produce his songs in his apartment. In 2007, Rebillet first went viral after being interviewed on Fox 4 in Dallas, while lining up to be the first to buy an iPhone during its initial release.
070 SHAKE thrives in the shadows. The boundaryless New Jersey artist crafts uniquely nocturnal songs. Her 2022 song Escapism, having frequently appeared on hooks for veteran rappers like Kanye West, Nas and Pusha T, bringing her piercing lyrics and sentimental vocals to powerful rap songs. And across her solo efforts, she’s demonstrated poise and vulnerability, as well as a dedication to going to uncomfortable places, writing moving songs about romantic entanglements and infidelity.
Drum and Bass is served up on a platter of 175bpm across all 3 days. From WILKINSON, KANINE, EMILY MAKIS, MOZEY, SKEPSIS and SOTA. The F U T U R E of drum and bass will also be presented in a new light by Kiwi legends PIRAPUS. More details to be released shortly. And for those looking for a buffet style dinner of electronic music across 3 main stages, leading names in electronic music include NOTION, NED BENNETT, SWIMMING PAUL, JANE REMOVER and more.
Local reggae and hip hop is covered by the return of L.A.B, HOME BREW, and CORRELLA. With an impressive 14 Aotearoa Music Awards between them, these legendary artists will bring the iconic sound of the Kiwi summer to Gisborne for the summer.
Building on the festival's reputation for introducing new talent. Newcomers include TE WEHI, HORI SHAW, BORDERLINE, MIKEYYand THERE’S A TUESDAY. Making his festival debut is the iconic LANCE SAVALI. Lance has built an international reputation performing with some of the world’s biggest stars, including Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Jennifer Lopez. However, it’s his music that has been making waves, with his track ‘Devotion’ one of the highest stream electronic tracks of the year.
With close to 100 acts tipped to perform at Rhythm and Vines, the first release certainly gives festival fans a mouth watering taste of what is to come.
FESTIVAL PASSES
All Earlybird and First Release tickets sold out earlier this year. A limited allocation of tickets have been made available to One NZ and R&V customers below
One NZ Customers can access 24 Hour ticket offer 5:30pm until Wed, August 27 5:30pm. Head to one.nz/rewards
R&V fans and subscribers can access an exclusive ticket offer from Wed, Aug 27 6:30pm.
Tickets go onsale to the General Public on Thursday August 28 10:30am.
ABOUT RHYTHM AND VINES
Since 2003, over 375,000 Kiwis and international travellers have unlocked their rite of passage - the journey that is Rhythm and Vines.
Held each year at the stunning Waiohika Estate, on the East Coast of New Zealand, in the beautiful township of Tairāwhiti |Gisborne. Be one of the first in the world to welcome the first sunrise at one of the world's premier music festivals. The award winning music festival opens up to campers from December 28, with the festival officially kicking off on December 29, through to the first sunrise on January 1.
This will be the 23rd edition of Rhythm and Vines.
The festival successfully raised $40,000 for the Gisborne Mayoral Relief Fund and will now focus it’s fundrasing efforts to SugerGrans Tairāwhiti. In the years prior to the Gisborne floods, Rhythm and Vines successfully raised over $62,500 for Lifeline.
Full lineup and ticketing information available at rhythmandvines.co.nz