Features
Major NZ Summer Festivals Unveil Acts
Just before its announces its full program Oct. 21, WOMAD NZ leaked that Ladysmith Black Mambazo and singer-songwriter John Grant would be performing its stages March 18-24.
The 2016 installment marks WOMAD NZ’s 12th year at New Plymouth’s TSB Bowl of Brooklands and Brooklands Park.
Veteran Kiwi rock band Shihad co-headline Rhythm & Alps 2015, alongside the previously announced DJ Carl Cox. The Dec. 30-31 event is in the Cardrona Valley near Wanaka. Its second round of 20 acts included a drum & bass-heavy lineup including Spycc, Kakapo and Alby.
Reggae festival Raggamuffin (Feb. 20, Trusts Arena, Auckland) added UB40, Macy Gray, Xzibit, The Game, Beenie Man, Bitty McLean, House Of Pain featuring Everlast, Savage and the Aotearoa Reggae Collective.
A new addition to the NZ summer circuit is Bay Dreams, Jan. 2 at Bay Park Stadium in Mount Maunganui.
Pato Entertainment’s first announcement for the EDM, hip-hop and roots lineup included Pendulum, DJ Premier, Chali2na of Jurassic 5, The Black Seeds and Concord Dawn.
New Zealand’s summer festival circuit also includes Rhythm & Vines (Dec. 29-31), Northern Bass (Dec. 29-31), Soundsplash (Jan. 8-10), McLaren Valley Music and Arts Festival (Jan. 10-12), Laneway Festival (Feb. 1), Splore (Feb. 19-21) and Homegrown (April 2).