Bay Dreams is back in 2023, with 50,000 revellers expected to celebrate in summer hotspots Mount Maunganui and Nelson.

The first line-up announcement includes 10-time Grammy nominated artist Diplo, a sought-after produced who has worked with artists like Justin Bieber, Dua Lipa, Beyoncé and Sia.

Festival organiser Mitch Lowe also hinted at a special guest to be announced soon, saying performer was 'one of our favourite overseas artists at the moment.”

Diplo, one of the world's sought after music producers, is one of the headline acts for Bay Dreams 2023. Photo: Maria Josã© Gove/Stuff.

Lowe says after two years of a pandemic, which hit the festival industry hard, Bay Dreams is back to its full potential and aiming to be the highlight of the summer.

'We have been through many changes the past couple years and have grown in even more ways as a company. We've pushed the boundaries on shows throughout the year, and we will be taking all of our learnings and implementing them at Bay Dreams 2023, to make sure it's a festival experience that is talked about long after Diplo plays his final tune.”

Bay Dreams 2023 will be held at Trustpower Baypark in Mount Maunganui on January 3 and at Trafalgar Park in Nelson on January 5.

An audience of 25,000 is expected at both festivals, Lowe says.

Crowd favourites Sticky Fingers are returning to the festival after a four-year hiatus, a sold out Australian tour and hotly released new album ‘Lekkerboy'.

Hybrid Minds. Photo: Supplied/Stuff.

Drum & bass trailblazers Hybrid Minds are also set to bring their legendary live show to the 2023 festival. Titled ‘Outline', it welcomes lead-singer Charlotte Haining for the first time alongside the duo on this side of the globe.

This act is a ‘must see' for drum and bass fans around the world and something brand-new for Aotearoa, says Matt Lowe of Hybrid Minds.

'We've spoken about bringing our Outline live show to New Zealand for years, and it's surreal that we're finally doing it. To say we are excited is an understatement, it's going to be incredible!”

The hip hop lineup includes Denzel Curry, who is currently on a 2022 world tour and has just dropped his new album ‘Melt My Eyez See Your Future.'

American rapper Denzel Curry. Photo: Supplied/Stuff.

Grammy nominated, Indiana rap icon Freddie Gibbs is also coming, fresh off his acting debut in award-winning film ‘Down with the King'.

The electronic stage is set to take things to another level this summer with disco inspired artist and producer SG Lewis, who has also worked with artists such as Dua Lipa, The Neptunes and more recently Elton John.

He is also riding the wave of success from his smash hit remix of the Bee Gees classic ‘More Than A Woman' which clocked 30 million streams in less than a year.

Multi-instrumentalist Elderbrook is set to impress audiences with his debut Bay Dreams performance.

Grammy-nominated Elderbook has collaborated with Camelphat, Diplo and Rudimental to name a few. The electronic stage wouldn't be complete without legendary dubstep icon Flux Pavilion.

Drum & Bass fans will be impressed with four time award winner BOU on the lineup. This Manchester DJ and producer has countless number-one releases.

He will be joined by Koven who have made waves in the digital space with millions of monthly listeners and featuring their cinematic bass tracks on games like Fortnight, Rocket League and more.

UK drum and bass artist A.M.C will be showing off his future-driven sets and ability to play on four decks at once If that's not enough, the DNB A-Team has been called in for this including legends such as 1991, S.P.Y, A Little Sound and V O E.

Organiser Lowe, who is from Mt Maunganui, says they have put a big effort into supporting home-grown acts too.

'As always Kiwi fans want to see their local heroes on stage, and this year's lineup is packed with local talent”.

Bay Dreams. Photo: Supplied/Stuff.

Top local names featuring on the 2023 Mount Maunganui and Nelson line-up's include Elipsa, Tori Levett, Ashez, Repair, Lil Bubblegum and DJ Sirvere, plus crowd favourites Beccie B, LMC, Ana Agius, Jess Rhodes, Kaylr, Kid Rey, Button B, Indecisive, K Mully, Persona, Ponz, Rayne, So&So, Twofold, Hail B2B Yams, Savvy, Suune, EReal Estate and NFX.

More acts are still to be announced, says Lowe.

In the meantime, you can register for tickets now at baydreams.co.nz

The first tickets will go on sale on Wednesday, July 27, at 7pm in a 24-hour ticket deal.

- Annemarie Quill/Stuff.co.nz