Rain fails to deter Rhythm & Vines revellers

TAKE ME OUT: Franz Ferdinand, one of the headline acts at this year's Rhythm & Vines festival.

FESTIVAL FEVER: The Kooks on stage at Rhythm & Vines.

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Wet weather failed to deter the 20,000 visitors to the first day of the popular Rhythm & Vines Music Festival in Gisborne yesterday.

Continuous rain and sometimes heavy downpours meant keeping dry was out of the question but as the day wore on, the crowd embraced the wet conditions and did not let it dampen the party mode.

The festival, now in its sixth year, features a raft of international and local artists, light displays and street performers.

Some big-name international acts such as Franz Ferdinand and The Kooks along with New Zealand acts such as Katchafire, Ladyhawke, The Phoenix Foundation and Shihad will share the venue's four stages.

The festival took a romantic turn when English tourist Patrick Seal came on to the main stage between acts and got down on one knee to propose to his girlfriend Charlotte, sending the crowd into a collective "awwww". She said "yes".

Police said the crowd was on its best behaviour, with few incidents and zero arrests throughout the day.

St John Ambulance team manager Shane Clapperton said they had treated a number of people throughout the day, all for minor injuries and at times the effects of excessive drinking and other substances.

Rhythm & Vines programme director Hamish Pinkham said he was happy with how the event kicked off.

"It was a challenge in the rain but good to see so many happy people on day one. The organising team showed its true strengths overcoming the issues that came with the rain.

"We are going to be doing a lot of prep to get the venue ready for the next two days."

The rain had made dusty paths and dust at the front of the stage muddy but Mr Pinkham expected the sun today would dry the grounds out.

The venue had also gone down incredibly well with the international bands, he said.

- NZPA