When it was announced last year that Kendrick Lamar would be headlining the Auckland City Limits, hip-hop heads across the nation revelled.
The 28-year-old played the Powerstation in 2012, and while tickets sold out in the blink of an eye, he's only become more popular since.
The Compton-born singer has released a few extremely successful albums, good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012) and To Pimp a Butterfly (2014), and for the tracks that didn't hit the latter album, untitled unmastered. (2016).
Campbell Smith, one of Auckland City Limits' organisers, says having a cultural phenomenon headlining the festival is a privilege, and calls Lamar "a spokesperson for a generation".
To Pimp a Butterfly and untitled unmastered. are hugely influenced by the Black Lives Matter movement, and touch on shootings of black people by white police officers.
Although many of the songs do have a political slant, they're also extremely catchy, which speaks to the success he's experienced in recent years.
Ladyhawke performs (Cassie Devoy / Newshub.)
But he's not the only act, of course.
Another headliner is The National, an indie-rock band. They're known for their sad love songs, but they're also a bit of fun.
The band held a rehearsal in anticipation of the festival, guitarist Aaron Dessner said.
"We don't usually rehearse, but we did rehearse today, so we feel very prepared."
Auckland City Limits markets (Newshub.)
While lead singer Matt Berninger is excited for a different reason.
"I'm very excited about it, because apparently there are freshwater eels all over the place. I'm a huge eel fan," he said.
Locally, there are a slew of acts -- new and old -- who will be taking the stage.
Naked and Famous are one of them. Forming in 2007, the group of five friends have made a name for themselves internationally.
Two albums and a few world tours later, they're back in the country and performing on local soil for the first time in years.
Their hit single 'Young Blood' from Passive Me, Aggressive You topped New Zealand charts in 2010 before becoming loved across the world -- and cementing their popularity.
For vocalist Alisa Xayalith, Auckland City Limits will be the first time her four- and five-year-old niece and nephew get to see her perform live.
"I'm really excited for them to see what their aunty does," she said.
Guitarist and vocalist Thom Powers says it's been a while since they've played in New Zealand, so a lot of the band will have their family watching from the crowd.
"It'll be a pretty family-orientated show for us -- everyone's got at least mum and dad there," he explained.
Album number three is on the way for the band -- but that means it's been a while since they've toured.
"We might be little rusty, this is us stretching our touring legs," Powers said.
The V Fly Wall (Newshub.)
Xayalith says she's really nervous, but revealed the crowd might be in for a sneak-peek of some new music.
However it's not all about the music at Auckland City Limits.
The festival will be home to a food court, Auckland Eats, a market and various art installations.
In terms of food, Mr Smith says he was being 'selfish'.
"I thought about what I wanted to eat -- and that's what is being served," he said.
Nationally acclaimed restaurants have popped up for the day, including Al Brown's Fed Deli, Cazador, and Woodpecker Hill -- so you can forget about the punnets of soggy chips and cold hot dogs.
There will also be food courts scattered throughout, so a feed will never be far away.
Art installations decorate the grounds, some of which prolific New Zealand artist Judy Darragh has been involved with.
She says she's pleased with the way the pieces have come together for the festival.
"Art slows things down," she said, addressing the usually fast-paced and hectic festival vibe.
The installations have several themes, including a weaved code artwork and a mirrored piece, among other abstract attractions dotted throughout Western Springs.
For the creatives attending the festival, the markets will feature art, fashion, crafts items, and merchandise from the Auckland creative community.
Newshub.
