Month: May 2012

Twang, Dodgy, Jack Beats and more added to V Festival 2012 linup

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Ahead of his appearance at V Festival, Andy Brown, lead singer of Lawson says, "We are absolutely delighted to be playing V Festival this year. It's been a dream of ours for a long time and when we wrote the album we had live festival performances on a hot summer’s day, watching thousands of people go for it, in mind – it's gonna be an amazing couple of days.”

Andy continues, “We're big fans of a lot of the acts playing so hopefully we'll get the chance to have a few beers and catch some of their sets after we'veplayed – in particular Snow Patrol, The Killers and Rita Ora. Bring it on!"

Jack Beats comments, “We are really pleased to be involved in this year’s V Festival and can't wait for the shows!"

The newly announced artists will join headliners Stone Roses and fellow rockers from across the pond, The Killers.  Othermusic royalty featuring across the weekend will include Snow Patrol, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, the first lady of American hip-hop Nicki Minaj, David Guetta,Tinie Tempah, Rita Ora, Wretch 32 and the Ivor Novello winning Ed Sheeran.

Further to the plethora of talent appearing at V this year, fans are being asked tostay tuned for further announcements over the upcoming months.

Fans are encouraged to visit www.vfestival.com to find out more about the remaining ticket options available, including coach and ticket packages through the Big Green Coach company and V Style for those looking for a luxury festival experience.

V organisers once again stress that fans should only purchase tickets through official outlets listed on the V Festival website and that purchasing from unofficial outlets could lead to disappointment.

RockNess Monsters & Aliens Fancy Dress announced + amazing competition

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So if the prospect of feeling the awesome energy of MUMFORD & SONS’ unmissable Friday Main Stage performance up close, or joining ED SHEERAN in what will be one massive sing-along of all his brilliant hits, or being completely blown away by the mighty BIFFY CLYRO as they bring RockNess 2012 to a thunderous close on the Sunday, then this is one competition you do not want to miss entering.

Mumford & Sons

If you’ve already got your weekend ticket then to be in with a chance of winning it couldn’t be easier, simply go to http://rockness.us2.list-manage2.com/subscribe?u=847210feaa3e8fa7d0ff3ce85&id=ee1f63ee0a.

And for those day ticket holders thinking about upgrading to a weekend ticket – and be in with a chance of walking off with this once in a lifetime prize – now’s the time to do it. Simply go to WWW.ROCKNESS.CO.UK/BUY-TICKETS  then get entering!  Entries have to be completed by midnight on Thursday May 31st with the draw happening on Friday June 1st so you must have bought your ticket prior to this date to qualify. Good luck everyone and watch this space for the winners!

In another new announcement, and as if popping up by magic, the incredible MAGICAL BONES will make a Special Guest appearances in the VIP Arena. Starting out his career as a professional hip-hop dancer, MAGICAL BONES has worked with some of the biggest names including Madonna, Black Eyed Peas and Alicia Keys, and was the star of the Mint Royale number 1 hit single ‘Singing In the Rain’. An exceptionally skilled breakdancer and gifted showman, he has gone on to establish himself as one of the most respected and prominent figures within the UK hip hop scene. Now focusing primarily as a magician, which he has uniquely combined with his love of hip hop culture, his passion for the art of magic is as he describes, an experience of “soulful astonishment”.

MAGICAL BONES has to be seen to be believed…and even then you won’t believe what you’re seeing! 

Finally those legendary RockNess feel good vibes are set to get a big new injection of fun this year as fans are encouraged to get their fancy dress glad rags on for their big Saturday night out with the launch of MONSTERS & ALIENS Fancy Dress. There’s nothing at stake other than how creative you can be…and how much FUN you can have in the process!.

Commenting on these latest fun filled announcements and the once in a lifetime competition, Festival Director Jim King said ”I always like to catch my favourite bands for at least some of their set from the side of stage. There's nothing more exciting than seeing one of your idols walk past you and take their position on stage. When the lights go up and you look out across a sea of 35,000 people and then the music kicks in, the hairs on the back of my neck always reach levels I never knew existed.  This really is a must enter competition.”

Wireless Festival Saturday & Sunday tickets SOLD OUT

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July 7, headlined by international superstar Drake, and Sunday July 8, headlined by global sensationRihanna have now sold out!  Incredible demand has led to 65,000 tickets being snapped up for each day, well over a month in advance of the festival.  Three day tickets and two day tickets have also sold out, tickets for Friday July 6, headlined by Deadmau5 are still available but selling fast. 

DeadMau5

Acts joining Deadmau5 on Friday 6 July include The Roots, Maverick Sabre, Santigold and Afrojack whilst Saturday’s line-up headlined by Drake includes Nicki Minaj, Example, Wiz Khalifa, Rita Ora and Professor Green.  Rihanna will be joined by Jessie J, J Cole, Rizzle Kicks, andPitbull amongst others on Sunday July 8.

Without doubt this year’s Barclaycard Wireless Festival will be the biggest and best yet!

Full line up so far as follows:

Friday 6 July
Deadmau5

The Roots
Maverick Sabre
Metric
Knife Party
Feed Me
Santigold
Modestep
Jaguar Skills
Zeds Dead
Childish Gambino
Ms Dynamite
Gemini
Araabmuzik
Zedd
Plus special guest – Afrojack

Saturday 7 July
Drake
Nicki Minaj
Example
Wiz Khalifa
The Weekend
Professor Green
Labrinth
Tulisa
Rita Ora
Chiddy Bang
D’banj
Hilltop Hoods
Clement Marfo and the Frontline
Dot Rotten
Angel
EJ
Sneakbo
Lady Leshurr
Koan Sound
AlunaGeorge
Josh Osho
Bakery Boys
Plus Special Guest – Nero

 
Sunday 8 July
Rihanna
Jessie J
J Cole
Rizzle Kicks
Labrinth
Pitbull
Cher Lloyd
Kaskade
Madeon
A$AP Rocky
Lloyd
Flux Pavilion
Delilah
Stooshe
Far East Movement
Theophilus London
Doctor P
Kreayshawn
L Marshall
Monsta
Steve Papa Edwards
Skyline
Plus special guest – Calvin Harris

Rock Werchter 2012 now SOLD OUT

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Of these, 67,000 have a combi-ticket and will be there for the full four days. In addition, 18,000 day tickets have been sold for each day. Rock Werchter can confirm a new attendance record this year. A total of 139,000 unique visitors will be here. And the new Rock Werchter, with an extra stage this year, will be a special one. 81 artists are to perform including The Cure, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Editors, Elbow, dEUS, Jack White, The xx, Mumford & Sons, Snow Patrol and Florence + the Machine.

Important: There are a number of dodgy sites offering tickets to the festival. They have bought tickets on the regular market and are now offering them for several times the original price. The validity of tickets bought on the secondary market cannot be guaranteed and admittance to the festival may be denied. We strongly advise against buying tickets from auction sites or second-hand. All the information is onwww.ilovemyticket.be . As is its tradition, Rock Werchter offers a legal alternative to buying resold festival tickets: the ticket exchange desk. This is at the entrance to the Festivalpark during the festival. Tickets can only be sold on via this office, and at the official ticket prices. This exchange desk has been proven to the efficient. Anyone who, for any reason, has a spare ticket for the festival can offer it for sale. Potential buyers can also register their interest here. Click here for more information on the ticket exchange desk.

Maxïmo Park, The Roots and more added to Sziget

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Holland’s famous Kraak & Smaak will give a great live show at the Arena and there are four new additions to the line-up of the A38 stage, including Danish singer-songwriter Agnes Obel, beatbox phenomenon Beardyman, London’s finest Citizens! and Berlin-based punk crew, Bonaparte. Meet them together with fans from over 60 countries this summer in Budapest, between 6 and 13 August.

Maxïmo Park was formed in the early 2000’s, releasing their debut album in 2005, which got them a Mercury Prize nomination the same year. Since then, thanks to millions of sold albums and great live performances, the band belongs to the elite of the UK indie scene. Their new studio album, The National Health is scheduled for release this June.

Maximo Park

The Roots will also join the 20th edition of Europe’s freshly crowned and completely renewed best major festival. In fact they were already active even at the times before Sziget started and the American East Coast crew collected several Grammy awards since then. They provide a great mixture of hip-hop, rock, pop, jazz and soul, clearly proving this on a total of 10 studio albums, but first and foremost playing live on stage.

Kraak & Smaak has been one of the most exciting export items of the Dutch music scene for the last 10 years, brilliantly mixing jazz, funk, soul and lounge patterns with electronica. Their sets are loose and elegant, full of great tunes and taste, cheered on by thousands of fans wherever they play.

Agnes Obel is probably the most talented contemporary female performer Denmark has to offer. A singer-songwriter who already won great awards and is known all over Europe by now, supporting her singing with piano harmonies and always keeping a simple, clean, melancholic but also very cozy musical attitude.  

Darren Foreman, a.k.a. Beardyman is a hyperactive showman from the Babilon of Europe, London. He is hailed for his phenomenal beatbox technique and also his eccentric live loopings. BBC already crowned him „King of Sound and Ruler of Beats” and for the last few years he has been a regular performer at the biggest UK festivals.

Citizens!’ music is British from head to toe, keeping a discrete, intimate, synth-pop based line, but also including speedy guitar themes. The 5-piece combo will be proud the present their newest album, Here We Are, right at the best possible place, Sziget nr. 20.

Bonaparte is probably more spectacular than the guy who lent them his name. They are the flag ship of the current Berlin punk scene, famous for wild and shocking carnival-like performances that involve a number of actors, dancers and musicians on stage. Their new album „0110111 – Quantum Physics & A Horseshoe” came out recently.

Only 74 days left till Sziget nr. 20!

Kendal Calling Chai Wallahs lineup revealed

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‘Chai Wallahs’ is the largest independent music venue touring the UK festival circuit, consistently creating a spectacular and energising environment that provides the perfect back drop for programming and production partner ‘Diplomats of Sound’. The Chai Wallahs stage in the Kaylied area will be a melting pot of genres purveying sounds from across the globe bringing extra layers to one of the North’s most diverse festival line-ups. Chai Wallahs in the Kaylied lays on the best in folk, balkan beats, hip hop, jazz, live dubstep, funk and ska!

Landing into the Kaylied area with their beautifully crafted marquee, shisha lounge and famed festival stage; Chai Wallahs and Arts Council funded project Global Local will revamp the Kaylied stage and serve up exotic flavours. Produced by Continental Drifts and its partners, Global Local is a ground breaking project that consistently brings some of the world’s best music to festival stages.

Dance outfit Dreadzone will be setting the night alight with their arresting sound and catalogue of hits. On the flip side are the calming sounds of Benjamin Francis Leftwich who has been making waves on the acoustic folk scene and will also take to the stage with his acclaimed sound.

6-piece Yes Sir Boss are an unstoppable force. Hailing from Bristol the outfit are original and distinctive with off beat rhythms, singalong choruses and epic riff and horn sections!

Edinburgh based band, Hidden Orchestra combine drummers, samples and dub basslines to create cinematic soundscapes, which is truly music to be experienced.

Festival favourites King Porter Stomp are also joining the bill along with folk extraordinaire Lucy Rose who has been receiving lots of national attention of late, and Jesca Hoop who returns to Kendal following the release of her third album “The House That Jack Built” this Summer.

One act not to be missed are 10-piece live band Slamboree, who waltz aboard complete with circus performers, brass sections, carnivalesque guitars and more to create an immersive audio-visual experience, incorporating electronic music with live instruments, acrobatics, pyrotechnics and fire! 

Other artist highlights include Kendal Calling favourite and much-loved BBC Radio DJ Craig Charles who returns to close the festival with his acclaimed Funk and Soul Show which is sure to get those wellies deep down on the dancefloor for his extra special extended set at this year’s festival.

The music and activities in the Kendal Calling meadow span 14 diverse stages and areas, situated in a close-knit site that means you’re never far from your friends; areas include Mainstage, GLoW dance tent,

Calling Out new music stage, Chai Wallahs in the Kaylied area, Soapbox, Kids Area, Kendal Calling Real Ale Festival tent, Garden of Eden, Village Green, New Woodland area (details tba), Happy Slap boutique, Riot Jazz, Houseparty, Sailor Jerry’s, Songsmith Solar stage, and new for 2012; Kopparberg Kube and Tim Peak’s Diner brought to you by Tim Burgess of the Charlatans!

See you in the fields…

www.kendalcalling.com 

FULL LINE UP INCLUDES:

DIZZEE RASCAL / JAMES / MAXIMO PARK / DAN LE SAC VS SCOOBIUS PIP / SHED SEVEN / WE ARE SCIENTISTS / THE VIEW / FEEDER / INSPIRAL CARPETS  / SPECTOR / VINTAGE TROUBLE / TRIBES / WHISKYCATS / DJ YODA & THE TRANSIBERIAN MARCH BAND / LITTLE ROY / TO KILL A KING / DODGY/ BOMBSKARE / GHOSTPOET / TWISTED WHEEL / JUAN ZELADA / THE LANCASHIRE HOTPOTS / MONSTER CEILIDH / VARIOUS CRUELTIES / ISLET / LUCY ROSE / TOY / STEVE SMYTH / MAX RAPTOR / HYDE & BEAST / RAE MORRIS / RYAN KEEN / PETE ROE / KING CHARLES / JACK MARTELLO / SPRING OFFENSIVE / JAKE EVANS (BAD LIEUTENANT) / EXTRA CURRICULAR / BEANS ON TOAST / RANDOM IMPULSE / WONDER VILLIANS / POLICE DOG HOGAN

DANCE TENT: BENGA / ANDY C / SHY FX / JACK BEATS (DJ set) / MOSCA / MS DYNAMITE / TODDLA T /  A.SKILLZ / OLUGBENGA (METRONOMY) / UTAH SAINTS / 16-BIT  /  THE CORRESPONDENTS / PHAELEH / DUB PISTOLS (DJ set) / JAYMO & ANDY GEORGE / D/R/U/G/S + MANY MORE

KAYLEID TENT: DREADZONE / BENJAMIN FRANCES LEFTWICH / HIDDEN ORCHESTRA / LAZY HABITS / YES SIR BOSS / LUCY ROSE  / DIZRAELI AND THE SMALL GODS/ LOUIS BARABBAS & THE BEDLAM SIX JESCA HOOP / DJ SWITCH / KING PORTER STOMP / TAKO LAKO / JUAN ZELADA / SLAMBOREE  DJ MONEYSHOT / EXTRA CURRICULAR /  BOMBSKARE /  RAE MORRIS / DEXTER DEXTROUS & THE FINGER SMITHS / CUT A SHINE / THE MONSTER CEILIDH BAND / JACK MARTELLO / CODA / RYAN KEEN / POLICE DOG HOGAN / HEYMOONSHAKER / PAT DAM SMYTH / PETER ROE / KIDNAP ALICE / THE LOOSE MOOSE STRING BAND / THE MEKKITS

Download Festival 2012 SOLD OUT

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Fans looking for accommodation can still purchase a very limited number of RIP options including the new RIP Metal Hotel. Both day tickets and RIP packages are available at www.downloadfestival.co.uk/tickets
 
This year’s Download Village entertainment is set to be better than ever in celebration of the 10th Anniversary. The Doghouse returns with a full weekend line-up of DJs, Rockeoke and its infamous “Fancy Dress Friday”. This year’s theme is ‘Download Legends’ and everyone is encouraged to get involved by paying homage to theirs.
 
The comedy tent returns to raise more laughs, with some popular names from years past as well as fresh faces; and if fans want to escape the crowds after the main arena closes they can kick back at the Download Cinema

To commemorate Download’s 10th anniversary there will also be a range of vintage merchandise & limited edition t-shirts that fans can purchase.
 
Download Festival are also excited to announce the return of the ever rocking Download Radio powered by Team Rock, broadcasting on 87.7FM across the Donington site, and online at www.DownloadFM.co.uk, providing a weekend of tunes alongside a pint of Official Download 2012 beer, Tuborg – a match made in heaven.  Download FM is on air 9am Wednesday 6 June and finishing 12pm Monday 11 June. Requests can be made via twitter @DOWNLOADFM & by email to [email protected]. 
 
Zippo is back and ready to rock with you at Download Festival for a second year! Check out your favourite bands on the Zippo Encore stage and then come chill out in Zippo’s Encore zone. There’ll be lots of surprises for you including the return of the hugely popular ‘Design My Zippo Lighter’ competition, face painting and other exciting activities. You will also be able to purchase Zippo lighters on-site, including Download  Festival limited editions. We look forward to seeing you there, make sure you stop by. Those that rock, roll with Zippo!
 
Max it with your mates this year with Pepsi Max, join us at the Pepsi Max Stage and rock out to all your favourite acts. Max out on music.www.pepsi.co.uk. 

This year, acts from The Red Bull Bedroom Jam have entered by 
uploading a video to www.redbullbedroomjam.com. Entrants are in the running to appear in an online show recorded straight from their home, have a professional music video recorded for them by the Bedroom Jam pro's ANDsupport the UK tour of a major artist. On top of all that the top 8 bands of 2012 will join previous success stories play the Red Bull Bedroom Jam stage at Download!
 
Jägermeister will bring their monolithic metal beasts – two specially converted ex-military 25 tonne vehicles converted into a cool, sub zero ice bar known as the JägerIce Truck and an awesome acoustic stage known as the JägerRock Truck. The JägerIce Truck comes with a 21 meter bar, serving Ice Cold Jäger shots from tap machines that chill the Jägermeister to an icy zero degrees. Download the app “Jägermeister Ice Cold”, check in when you visit their Ice Truck and stand the chance to win amazing prizes.

http://www.facebook.com/JagermeisterUK

Liverpool Sound City 2012

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300 bands, 19 venues, a music expo, the student music awards and an industry conference crammed into 3 short days. Is it possible? Well according to Sound City, yes. Born in 2008 its grown from strength to strength and this year was set to bring bigger acts from a wider range of genres than ever before. Headliners included, Professor Green, Temper Trap and Alkaline Trio among a host of other local and international acts. Armed with a festival map and a list as long as our arms of bands we wanted to see, we headed down to check out the action.

After a few misses, another attempt with google maps, and some friendly bar staff we managed to find our first venue, a little later than we'd hoped, to catch the Mystery Jets, woo an audience back to optimism and a belief in love at first sight. The band was tight and sounded as harmonic as ever, and the crowd, loved every minute of it. We're not sure the venue itself was a real life music venue in its everyday existence, in fact, we're pretty certain it was a dressed up car garage, but, we'll give it to them, it worked.

Other highlights for us were Alkaline Trio, performing the last date of their European tour at the O2 academy and GhostPoet who played an intimate gig at a great boutique theatre style music venue called The Kazimier, performing tracks like 'Survive It' from his latest album Peanut Butter Blues and Melancholy Jam. If anyone had any doubt about this artist's skill and talent, they were forgotten by the time he finished with his infectious hit Cash and Carry Me Home.

Overall the festival was a mixture of chaos and good fun, if map reading isn’t your forte you may find yourself wandering aimlessly through the back alleys of Liverpool, but once you found where you wanted to be, you're sure to have a good night.

 

Kraak and Smaak, System 7 and more for Beat-Herder Festival

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Heading to Lancashire’s Ribble Valley for a UK festival exclusive will be The Netherlands’ finest electronic live act Kraak & Smaak. The Dutch trio will be headlining the coveted Beat-Herder Sunday evening slot along with their full live band. XFM’s Eddy Temple Morris will be entertaining the Friday evening crowds with the Sugarbeat Club in the woods along with Lancashire born DMC champion DJ Woody. Ambient techno outfit System 7 have also been added to the Saturday line- up with Jalapeno Sound System providing the funky beats on Sunday evening in the woods.

The aptly name Rajazzle Tent will see additions of Stealing Sheep , Mr Woodnote and Lil Rhys and Middleman and venue Trailer Trash will see additions Drum Machine (as featured on Britain’s Got Talent), The 59ers and Dub Smugglers. STUMBLEFUNK have added Skittles’n’that and Extra Love plus there will be DJ sets from Steve Thorpe and Ken Evil Vs Compa. Venues Smokey Tenticles and The Perfumed Garden Stage will welcome a host of DJs and live acts and the Bushrocker Hifi will play home to a plethora of DJs spinning roots, reggae and dub including Asher G- The Rocksteady Daddy who will be a sure fire hit with his blend of rare, raw and hardcore ja music.

These additions join the previously announced Saturday headliners, British electronic pioneers Orbital, dub king Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, legendary French house producer Etienne de Crecy and Euro pop perfection Black Lace who will be performing in the Working Men’s Club. Making their UK festival debut will be The Parov Stelar Band who will be entertaining the crowds with a full six piece band. Psychedelic rock, electronica and techno will come courtesy of Death In Vegas , ska kings The Beat, Drum and Bass legend Goldie, Border Community founder James Holden, label mate Nathan Fake, and Ninja Tune’s finest export Mr Scruff further make up The Beat-Herder’s varied and carefully considered line up, which can be read in its entirety below.

Complete Line- Up

Aeroplane

Barry Ashworth

Black Lace

Captain Hotknives

CODA

D/R/U/G/S

Death In Vegas

Delorean Drivers

Discopolis

DJ Sneak Beats

Dooks

Drum Machine

Drymbago

Dub Jazz Sound System

Dub Smugglers

Earthdoctor

Eddie Earthquake & The Tremors

Electric Swing Circus

Ellen & The Escapades

Ennio Maccaroni

Etienne De Crecy

Extra Love

Fake Blood

Freestylers (DJ Set)

Frisky & Mannish

Girl Unit

Goldie

Grinny Grandad Live

Ivan Campo

Jake Bugg

Jalapeno Sound System

James Holden

Japenese Popstars Dj Set

Jinx in Dub

Johnny Powell

Kajamor Family

Kate Fear

Keep the Drummer Happy

Ken Evil Vs Compa

Kiki deVille & The Cadillacs

King Charles

Kitten & The Hip

Kora Fula

Kraak & Smaak

Krysko

Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry

Middleman

Mooqee (Bombstrikes)

Mr Cottonhouse

Mr Woodnote and Lil Rhys

Mrs Cakehead

Nathan Fake

Nubiyan Twist

Orbital

Pariah

Parov Stelar Live

Phil Smith

Pilooski

Ponies

Red Tin Dave

Rudimental

Rumour Has It

Shantytown Junction

Shepdog (NICE UP!)

Skittles’n’that

Slamboree

Smerins Anti Social Club

Spiral Scouts

Stealing Sheep

Steve Thorpe

STUMBLEFUNK- live

Sunday Afternoon Toil Trees session with Mr Scruff & MC Kwasi

System 7

The 59ers

The Banana Sessions

The Beat

The Drop

The Orb Sound System

The Other Tribe

The Whip

The Wonderful Sound of the Cinema Organ

Tidal Beats drum workshop

Toni Jarvis (Toolroom)

Undercover Hippy

United Vibrations

Utah Saints

Yes Sir Boss

Music Legend Chaka Khan Joins Grace Jones & Chic at Lovebox!

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The Queen of Funk will take to the main stage and belt out her feel-good grooves across Victoria Park which include the classic worldwide hits: “I Feel For You”, ‘Through The Wire”, ‘I’m Every Woman’ and the 80’s number one ‘Ain’t Nobody’.
 
Chaka now completes the ultimate disco line up alongside headliner Grace Jones and special guest Chic ‘Le Freak’ for the hottest disco inferno to hit London. These US megastars are set to take the Lovebox crowd on a musical journey back to the worldwide early 80s disco phenomenon, firmly cementing Sunday Lovebox as the best disco of this decade of love.
 
Chaka Khan
 
Across the three-day weekend, Victoria Park, Hackney will come to life as Lovebox celebrates its 10th birthday with a multitude of the world’s best artists and DJs that will be taking to the many stages and arenas in June. Festivalgoers are in for an unforgettable experience.