New Zealand’s Rhythm & Vines festival is a perfect if extreme way to avoid Jools Holland this New Year’s Eve

“What are you doing for New Year’s Eve?”
“Dunno, what are you doing?”
“Well, dunno, what are you doing? ”
“Well I might go to… but then… What’s everyone else doing?”
“Dunno. What shall we do?”
“Hey, let’s fly to New Zealand for the Rhythm & Vines festival where we can experience, among others, Franz Ferdinand, Mystery Jets, Public Enemy, Santogold, Ladyhawke, Digitalism, Late Of The Pier and Jamie Liddell! On top of that, we’ll be in the place where we’ll be able to see the first sunrise of 2009! And look at that photo! The policemans are all jolly! Click image to enlarge and see just how LOL-y they are!”
“Well, it would mean missing Eastenders… But tell me more, for I am intrigued at your proposal thus far.”

“OK, well it takes place between 29th December and 1st January on the vowel-heavy Waiohika Estate vineyards. That’s summertime down there, remember! Prices vary depending on how long you want to stay, but the most expensive package is $210 plus booking fee, which is pretty good when you consider how much UK fests set you back.”
“Yeah, we’d need to shell out for plane tickets on top of that though.”
“Well, duh.”
“Don’t be like that. It’s all very well banging on about how cheap it is, but flights to New Zealand don’t grow on trees, you know.”
“YOU’RE JUST LOOKING FOR EXCUSES. Anyway, I’d also like to highlight the fact that the Rhythm & Vines website is pretty bloody good. Unlike many heavily-sponsored festivals, you get the sense that their “web presence” is carefully maintained by - hey! - real people. They’re currently encouraging emails from people who would be interested in accommodation alternatives to camping, with a view to seeing what they can provide. Now, on the one hand that seems a somewhat amateur approach, but on the other it does have a nice caring n’sharing appeal to it.”
“Jesus, if you love this website so much why don’t you just marry it already?”
“Maybe I will.”
“You can’t. It’s illegal.”
“So anyway, what do you think? Fancy it? We’ll get everyone to go! It’ll be amazing!”
“Nah, I’d miss Jools Holland’s Hootenanny.”
“OK. I’ll bring the Twiglets.”