Around 17-thousand campers have descended on Gisborne's Waiohika Estate, for the first night of Rhythm and Vines

Despite the heavy rain on Boxing Day and high winds, organisers welcomed festival goers with a warm-up act lead by Gisborne native Messie.

Around 15-hundred Book-a-tents were set up to accommodate some campers, who also enjoyed a first ever festival gym workout organised by Red Bull.

Among the acts performing tonight, include Ice Spice, Peking Duk and Cassie Henderson.