A Gisborne event organiser is confident he will attract a sizeable crowd to celebrate Waitangi Day next year with some of biggest reggae acts from New Zealand and Australia.
East Coast Vibes is being promoted as a roots music festival with reggae, dub and R&B bands will not only epitomise the East Coast's laid-back atmosphere, but also mark Bob Marley's birthday.
Organiser Rob Coe-Tipene says the proposed line-up of acts will be familiar to locals he says have been waiting for a long time for a good music festival designed with them in mind.
Another show last year called Reggaelutionpulled an audience of 5000, and that success inspired the idea of something more long term, in line with local people who wanted their own summer party for the East Coast.
Mr Coe-Tipene says the annual Rhythm and Vines festival is more suited to out-of-towners and locals want a gig that they can enjoy.
Musicians so far invited are all Maori, including Hamilton's Katchafire, Cornerstone Roots, Ria Hall, Pieter T, Sons of Zion, Darky Roots and Bella Kalolo.
The venue, Gisborne's Outdoor Theatre on Midway Beach, can accommodate up to 13,000 people.
