Live Nation Expands Presence In New Zealand With Addition Of Rhythm & Vines Festival The country's biggest music and camping festival joins Live Nation's 100+ #globalfestival portfolio #AUCKLAND, New Zealand, April 22, 2018 /@PRNewswire / -- @livenationon Entertainment today announced that it has taken a controlling interest in New Zealand's Rhythm and Vines Festival, expanding its presence and festival count in the region. Held annually, Rhythm and Vines is one of New Zealand's biggest music and #campingfestivals and the country's most iconic New Year's event. Given their time zone, New Zealanders are among the first to ring in the new year, and Rhythm and Vines embraces its distinction of being the first festival in the world to welcome the New Year's sunrise. Founded in 2003, the three-day festival is set among wineries in the #coastaltown of Gisborne and is the 'must attend' event of the New Zealand summer for music fans from around the world. Rhythm and Vines has played host to a number of #bigheadliners over the years including @publicenemyftp , Moby, @lcdsoundsystem , @wizkhalifa , @bastilledan and @chancetherapper , and last year's line-up boasted big names such as @schoolboyq , @the_mura_masa , @2manydjs , @atrak , Baauer and Giggs. "Over the course of 15 years, #Rhythm and Vines has curated a wonderful line up of both domestic and international talent in one of the most beautiful parts of our country. It has become a #householdname in New Zealand and we're excited to be adding the festival to the Live Nation #portfolio and welcoming its experienced team to the company," said Live Nation New Zealand Chairman, Stuart Clumpas. "By joining forces with the global leaders in entertainment, #LiveNation, we can ensure our long term vision for the event and continue to grow the festival. This partnership will allow us to attract the very best acts, delivering a unique #festival experience in #NewZealand," said Kieran Spillane, CEO of Rhythm and #VinesFestival . Hamish Pinkham, co-founder of #RhythmandVines added: "From humble beginnings, Rhythm and Vines has always tried to do justice to being the first celebration in the world to bring in the new year.