It won\u2019t be the first time Benee has played both festivals in a single year either, having performed at R&A in 2020 before flying to Gisborne the next day to welcome in the new year.<\/p>\n
Benee is set to perform at Gisborne’s final Rhythm & Vines on December 30. She will then head south to welcome in the new year at sister festival Rhythm & Alps.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m so excited. What the heck? I was just looking at the lineup,\u201d she told Ryan Bridge TODAY.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to see some Shapeshifter, Fat Freddy\u2019s Drop, Wax Mustang. I saw that\u2019s his, like, last festival [in New Zealand], which is really sad.\u201d<\/p>\n
Benee said it was \u201ca little bit heartbreaking\u201d knowing this year\u2019s R&V would be the end of the festival in its current form, given its 24-year history at Waiohika Estate.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first R&V I went to, in maybe 2017, I thought I\u2019d be there every year for the rest of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked whether she\u2019d heard anything about R&V\u2019s future plans, Benee responded: \u201cWhat have you heard?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know. Well, I guess I can say, because someone – I don\u2019t even remember who told me. Maybe Hamilton?\u201d<\/p>\n
Host Ryan Bridge said he\u2019d \u201cheard Hamilton too\u201d, but noted there had been no way to confirm.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m intrigued, I\u2019m intrigued,\u201d Benee replied.<\/p>\n
Speaking from Auckland, Benee reflected on touring and opening arena shows for American pop stars Olivia Rodrigo and Tate McRae.<\/p>\n
\u201cWatching that kind of pop star level in action is pretty inspiring,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt definitely makes me ambitious for the future of what my show might look like. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m appreciating choreography more and, I don\u2019t know, I guess it just makes me want a bigger and better show, but obviously that requires a lot of stage and a lot of crew.\u201d<\/p>\n
Benee said it was only going to be \u201conwards and upwards\u201d from here.<\/p>\n
She told Bridge she splits most of her time between New Zealand, Los Angeles and New York City, and is trying to come home more often.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been in America now for like four years, and I\u2019ve got an American man, but I\u2019m quite frankly connected to this country till I die.\u201d<\/p>\n