Mystery artist on a Mission

The 2013 Mission Concert artist has been signed and sealed, and the date for the big event now set.

The Mission Estate hillside will once again be turned into a colourful sea of humanity to take in the 21st concert and Saturday, February 23, has been locked in as the day.

Sel operations manager Garry Craft said he was mindful that people needed to begin making plans around the concert date and the company had worked hard to get it sorted as soon as possible.

While there had been delays, the date and a signature from the headline act were confirmed late yesterday.

"Yes, the artist has signed and we now just have to line a few things up - get some material sorted out," Mr Craft said.

And that artist?

"We should have that for you pretty soon," he said - adding that all going well the announcement would be made before the end of the month.

Would the announcement send a ripple of excitement through potential concertgoers?

"Oh, I think so," he said.

The rumour mill has embraced everyone from Paul McCartney, Paul Simon and ex-Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler, through to bands such as The Eagles and Fleetwood Mac - although early indications pointed to the hunt for the headline act involving a "him".