A hip-hop duo from the United States is set to headline next month's Otago University Students' Association (OUSA) Orientation line-up, the pair fresh off a number two album in the US and in the New Zealand charts with a number one single.
Seattle hip-hop duo Macklemore and Ryan Lewis are set to play at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Thursday, February 21, as part of a week of Orientation events, which includes the Highlanders versus Chiefs game the following day and a toga party.
The duo's debut studio album The Heist entered the US Billboard 200 charts at number two, selling 78,000 copies in the first week, with their single ''Thrift Shop'' reaching number one here and across the Tasman.
OUSA spokesman Alasdair Johnston said it was ''awesome'' to have such a big act headlining this year's Orientation but the OUSA had needed to work hard to attract them.
''We were stoked to be able to get them. Usually we can only go for Kiwi acts, so it was awesome to be able to get them in the stadium. We thought he was on the way up and I think we got him just before he peaked and got his big number one in New Zealand.''
Events at his year's Orientation would take place at either the Forsyth Barr Stadium or the Union Hall, which was unavailable for use last year because it was being renovated.
OUSA was also happy with the rest of the line-up and was confident it was going to another ''huge Orientation''.
''It's going to be a great welcome for students to Dunedin,'' Mr Johnston said.
OUSA Orientation 2013 ''Super Pass'' tickets are available for $155 from TicketDirect and tickets for individual events go on sale later this month.
Several of the Orientation events including Macklemore and Ryan Lewis would be open to the public and not just restricted to students.
