Final countdown to South Island’s biggest New Year’s party

Five thousand people. 3500 campers. Hundreds of kegs of cold beer. 150 incredible musical acts. Ninety portaloos. Seventy caravans. Twenty marquees. Fifteen food vendors. Three stages. One clown. The final countdown is on for the South Island’s biggest New Year’s party, Rhythm & Alps (R&A).

Organisers of the renowned music festival, which celebrates its fifth year running, are anticipating another successful event as party-goers gather at Robrosa Station in Wanaka’s iconic Cardrona Valley on December 30.

Headliners for R&A 2015 include Kiwi rock superstars Shihad and award-winning British house and techno DJ Carl Cox. International artists such as Chali 2na and the House of Vibe, Sticky Fingers and Machinedrum will also be performing.

R&A festival director Alex Turnbull says it’s the combination of this unprecedented lineup, together with the festival’s state-of-the-art technology and world-class production standards, that are set to ensure the 2015 event is the best yet. As well as 48 hours of live music, R&A’s three stages will feature a captivating mix of high-impact lighting and bespoke visuals.

“The production stages and the crew involved are very, very good at what they do, resulting in a really smooth event,” he says. “Carl Cox and Shihad will be playing late on New Year’s Eve, so that’s obviously a big drawcard for those who want to start 2016 with a bang.”

Approximately 5000 revellers from around the South Island and even as far afield as Australia are expected on both days of the two-day music festival, which has become an important fixture on the Southern Lakes’ annual events calendar.

“R&A injects a decent revenue into the Southern Lakes,” Turnbull says. “It’s becoming a leading New Zealand event and is also recognised around the world – the Southern Lakes region is now featuring on the international touring circuit.”

Camping is available at the R18 event, however the coveted “Glamping” sites – a premium area complete with flushing toilets, teepees and luxurious bell tents with airbeds – are now sold out.

Limited one and two-day passes can be purchased at www.rhythmandalps.co.nz and will be available at the on-site box office on December 30 and 31.

ENDS

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