WATCHET LIVE FESTIVAL have announced details of the three further main stage acts; Bellowhead, Boney M and Dub Pistols that complete their 2014 main stage line-up.
They join previously announced main stage headliners Toploader, Bad Manners, Eric Faulkners Bay City Rollers and Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band, festival house band, The Wurzels and more, in what is the festivals strongest and most diverse bill in its eight year history.
Bellowhead are 5-times winner of Best Live Band at the Radio 2 Awards. They have transported folk music into hitherto unknown territory and spearheaded the new folk boom. They are the greatest live act in Britain says BBC Radio 2s Simon Mayo, and the blistering 11-piece band fuse folk, funk, rock, world, jazz, music hall and classical, placing themselves at the cutting edge of the contemporary music scene.
Dub Pistols, Barry Ashworths high energy 7-piece live dance act will undoubtedly get the Saturday night crowd jumping with their unique blend of dub, hiphop, techno, ska & punk.
Sunday headliner Boney M need little in the way of introduction. Founder member Maizie will be providing the ultimate sing-a-long finale to WATCHET LIVE by performing their incredible back catalogue of hits, including Brown Girl In The Ring, Daddy Cool, Ra-Ra-Rasputin and of course, the UKs 7th biggest selling single of all time, Rivers Of Babylon.
The Summer Festival Guide can reveal the third headliner announced for this years Lake District's Kendal Calling festival is none other than pop star and show man Example.
Bringing his energetic show to the stunning surrounds of the Lake District, Example will perform his massive hits such as ‘Changed The Way You Kissed Me’, ‘Kids Again’, ‘Kickstarts’, ‘Stay Awake’, ‘Won’t Go Quietly’, ‘Say Nothing’ and ‘All The Wrong Places’, the lead single from his new album ‘Live Life Living’ which will be released in June. Example’s live shows are joyous affairs and this crowd pleasing set of sing-along anthems set to a crescendo of fireworks will live long in the memory.
Augustines are undoubtedly one of the best recording and live acts around, a band who have always been able to tap into the raw emotion of their personal experiences and channel it into cathartic, teary eyed but smiling, booze beaten rock and roll. The band have just released their second, self titled album and with honest, passionate emotion dripping from every chord and lyric, this is a band who somehow sound massive and instantly accessibly whilst betraying no cynicism or pomposity. They are a fitting headliner for the Calling Out stage.
Example and Augustines join a huge line-up of acts including headliners Suede and Frank Turner And The Sleeping Souls and a veritable smorgasbord of incredible artists such as De La Soul, 2manydjs, Happy Mondays, Miles Kane, ZaneLowe, Clean Bandit, Frightened Rabbit, Jimi Goodwin, Gorgon City, Andy C, Bondax, Mr Scruff and many more.
This years Exit Festival brings some of the biggest names in dance music together for a batch of back to back DJ sets. The Summer Festival Guide has the complete set lineup which will set the Exit Festival Dance Arena on fire.
AFROJACK VS QUINTINO Afrojack is one of the hottest EDM music maestros, and most influential DJs and producers. At just 26 this young man accomplished a lot! He’s got a Grammy under his belt, and has been in the top 10 best DJs list for three years by DJ Magazine; Forbes tips him as the seventh most paid DJ on the planet, and he’s even dated Paris Hilton! His awesome track "Selecta" brought together the young Dutchman with his country-man Quintino, so their duo set is going to show just who reigns the EDM scene.
MACEO PLEX VS DANNY DAZE Two of the hottest DJs of the moment, Maceo Plex and Danny Daze found out they shared the same urge to get people dancing. Maceo Plex's cuban heritage fits perfectly with the Cuban influences that, along with Italo disco and techno, make up Danny Daze's sets. This duo collaborated before and pushed tracks under the combo-alias 'Jupiter Jazz', and they're definitely the hottest, most-wanted thing happening in electronic music right now.
TIGA VS DJ HELL We promised we'd get exclusive b2b sets at Dance Arena for our 15th EXIT jubilee, but we're going to do one better – our festival will be the place where the divergent come together in confluence; where the electro colossi that never performed and for the first time ever, step together onto the same mix-table. Those colossi are none other than Tiga and DJ Hell! Tiga, the author of monumental hits like "Sunglasses at Night" and "You Gonna Want Me", and our dear friend of the festival and a welcome guest, will go head-to-head with the owner of the International DeeJay Gigolo label and one of the most creative and best german DJs ever – DJ Hell! Hell has a reputation that proceeds him and his first ever performance on the Dance Arena is certainly been hotly anticipated.
HEIDI VS KIM ANN FOXMAN
We have the highest honour of welcoming two exceptionally irresistible dames this year, who both have an uncanny infatuation with the dance floor and house music – Heidi and Kim Ann Foxman. No stranger to the Dance Arena, Heidi is infectious as she is passionate. To truly feel the insatiable passion Heidi has for music, you need only listen to her show on BBC Radio 1, or just visit one of the many Jackathon parties organised worldwide. If by any chance you're unable to do that, Dance Arena will be more than happy to oblige. Kim Ann Foxman is better known to some as the ex-member of Hercules & Love Affair, but she-s been devoted 100% to her gigs – from Tokyo to Cologne to Chicago – all the while ranking up her reputation as one of the most interesting house players in the scene. These ladies are going to be delighting us with their performance and this will be one set that will be truly spectacular.
DANCE ARENA BACK TO BACK SPECIALS Afrojack vs Quintino, Carl Cox vs Danny Tenaglia, Ben Klock vs Marcel Dettmann, Carl Craig vs Green Velvet, Dusky vs Paul Woolford, Eats Everything vs Cassy, Heidi vs Kim Ann Foxman, Maceo Plex vs Danny Daze, Tiga vs DJ Hell, Jackmaster & Oneman presents 'Can U Dance' with more to be announced and not forgetting Disclosure presents Wildlife making the Dance Arena the place to be this summer!
Handpicked by DJ and broadcaster Huw Stephens, The Lake Stage will be the first place festival goers can see the stars of the future. Previous artists who have graced the stage before going on to win awards or headline their own shows include BRITS Critic Choice winner 2014 Sam Smith, 2012’s Mercury Music Prize winners Alt-J, The 1975, Clean Bandits, Bombay Bicycle Club, Metronomy and more.
Making a grand entrance this year is the hit electronic duo Bondax, who first shot to fame in 2011 through an introduction from BBC Radio. The pair from Lancashire have since gone on to set up their own record label, Just Us Recordings, and grown in popularity with hits such as a cover of Blackstreet’s No Diggity and have toured around the world. They are set apart by the tempo of their tracks, significantly below current house music’s 125 beats per minute, but still with enough groove to make them sensual, get dancefloors packed and secure plays on Annie Mac. Likened to a “northern Disclosure” by The Guardian, they have supported other dance music greats such as Basement Jaxx. Bondax promise to be a hit at Latitude with their sun kissed tunes.
Catfish and the Bottlemen, from Llandudno, Wales, have an old school take on indie rock playing loud & explosive guitar laden riffs, that have led to comparisons including Feeder & Foo Fighters, while their single Rango being chosen for Zane Lowe’s Top 100 of 2013. Still relatively unknown, but well on their way to super rock stardom following B List support from BBC Radio 1 for their single Kathleen, their performance at the festival will be one to see in an intimate setting whilst you still have the chance.
Talented virtuoso Luke Sital Singh, will headline the stage on the Sunday of Latitude. Compared to the likes of Bon Iver and Damien Rice, Luke is a rising star and received early support from BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 6 Music and XFM. Having played a sold-out series of headline shows across London he released his third EP Tornados towards the end of 2013 and has featured in the iTunes singer-songwriter charts and The Guardian’s ‘New Band of the Day’.
Also on The Lake Stage will be Cate Le Bon who wowed Latitude with her stunning performance in 2012. She returns with her unforgettable haunting voice, twinned with a unique folk rock style, following the release of her 2013 albumTurnstile. Joining Cate will be the minimalist music of Sumie – the younger sister of front man Yukimi for the Swedish synth pop band Little Dragon, Sumie makes delicate, dreamlike folk with a similar unpolished, outsider feel to the loner folk of early '70s artists Sibylle Baier and Linda Perhacs.
Following the release of his debut album Days in the City this January, Only Real mixes hip-hop influences with London city tales against a 90’s pop backdrop and has been described as having “delightful languor and piercing lyrical turns”,Loud & Quiet. After much duly deserved attention from the release of his first LP in 2013, Latitude is thrilled to welcome talented producer and songsmith Oliver Wilde. Wilde’s electronic downer-pop music will soothe listeners in to a blissful hazy trance this summer.
Making their Latitude debut is the South East garage punk duo Slaves. Unlike many British punk bands, these boys don’t sway towards American themes of punk, but stick to their Kentish roots, evident in their charged performances. Also joining the 2014 line-up for The Lake Stage are The Bohicas, a quartet from Essex and East London and makers of arresting indie rock 'n' roll. Forecast to be one of the major live acts this summer, these lads have serious stage presence and are guaranteed to deliver an epic performance.
Latitude is pleased to welcome newcomers Circa Waves to this year’s festival circuit, their rendition of up-beat garage-rock is a revival of the early-Noughties. Originating from Liverpool and less than a year old, Circa Waves have already been tipped by BBC Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe with their single Get Away, which was praised as one of his hottest records in the world.
Latitude is proud to announce the North Dakota-based band Gengahr (formally known as RES) will be performing at this year’s festival. Following a string of new releases the up-and-coming band will get crowds going with their own easy-listening brand of indie-rock music. Festival goers can expect a sweaty, fun-filled extravaganza from Manchester bandSpring King, whose raw version of garage-rock revival bands is reminiscent of that covetable untamed youth. Their debut album In All This Murk And Dirt is a talented home production of tracks performed and recorded in a day, making them a real musical gem. Four-piece Woman’s Hour consists of siblings Fiona on lead vocals and William on guitar, along with bandmates Nick and Josh. Described by The Guardian’s New band of The Day as “singing about the enervating aspects of love in a soft, sighing way over…modern indie styles.” They are currently touring Europe with Metronomy, and their bring their debut album Conversations to Latitude just days after its release.
The Lake Stage is proud to showcase a plethora of emerging talent this year. Making her debut on a major UK festival stage this year is the super talented 16 year-old SOAK from Derry, Ireland who has already been cited as ‘one to watch’ by The Guardian. Gracing the stage this year will be the soulful Elli Ingram whose ambient sounds accentuate her creativity as one of the most contemporary and eclectic artists around. Soul singer, Moko joins the bill with her original blend of soul, house and gospel. Both Moko and Elli are renowned for their work supporting and collaborating with on the famous duo Chase & Status. Also making her first appearance at a major UK festival is London resident from New York, Norma Jean Martine, replete with The Black Keys-like woo’s and a vocal talent and mystique reminiscent of Amy Winehouse, Norma will be one of many shining gems at the festival.
Known for nurturing the best new bands, Ibiza Rocks first booked The Kooks in 2005, unsigned and unknown. They returned as one of Britain’s biggest bands in 2009 and then made history as the first band to ever play Mallorca Rocks, opening the summer of live gigs under the stars in 2010. With consistent mass international appeal and a huge Spanish contingent, The Kooks are back with a new sound and new single ‘Down’ which just premiered as Zane Lowe’s Hottest Record in the World and went straight on the Radio 1 playlist. Baleaeric bound once more, this will be a returning highlight of the summer as The Kooks take to the famous open-air Rocks stage in September.
The Kooks said:‘We're well excited to be dropping into the magic islands of Ibiza and Mallorca this summer – definitely rocks.’
Jake Bugg is another huge talent that came up through the ranks at Rocks. Having supported Ben Howard in 2012, Jake released his eponymous debut album later that year and a mass of praise, sales and award nominations followed. As a bonafide solo star, Jake returned in 2013 to headline the coveted Rocks opening party slot and is now back for peak season shows at Mallorca and Ibiza Rocks in July. With top billing at an array of summers biggest festivals and with his third album in the making, this will be a chance for fans to get up close to Jake Bugg in the much more intimate poolside setting of the Rocks Hotels for a sun-soaked preview of what’s to come from one of the UK’s biggest music stars in 2014.
Jake Bugg said:‘Looking forward to playing Ibiza Rocks for the third year running. It's always a good crowd and a great atmosphere.’
Jake Bugg and The Kooks add to a scorching summer line up that also includes Haim, The 1975, Ed Sheeran, Rudimental, Bastille, Skrillex, Tinie Tempah, John Newman, Clean Bandit, Lily Allen, Madness, Bombay Bicycle Club, Wolf Alice, Breton, Chloe Howl, Ella Eyre, Dan Croll and Krept and Konan, with even more to come.
The Ibiza Rocks brand consistently boasts a bill crammed with the biggest international artists, best breakthrough talent and cutting edge DJs. Summer 2014 will see the celebration of Ibiza Rocks 9th Birthday and Mallorca Rocks 4th Birthday during the 16 week season of spectacular outdoor gigs under the stars. More Rocks headline acts and W.A.R! line up announcements will follow soon.
MALLORCA ROCKS
03/06 OPENING PARTY WITH HAIM | BRETON
10/06 THE 1975 | WOLF ALICE
17/06 JOHN NEWMAN | CHLOE HOWL
24/06 LILY ALLEN
01/07 TINIE TEMPAH | KREPT AND KONAN
15/07 JAKE BUGG
22/07 4TH BIRTHDAY PARTY WITH ED SHEERAN
29/07 RUDIMENTAL (LIVE)
05/08 BASTILLE
12/08 MADNESS
19/08 SKRILLEX
26/08 CLEAN BANDIT | ELLA EYRE
09/09 THE KOOKS
IBIZA ROCKS
04/06 OPENING PARTY WITH HAIM | BRETON
11/06 THE 1975 | WOLF ALICE
18/06 JOHN NEWMAN | CHLOE HOWL
25/06 LILY ALLEN
02/07 TINIE TEMPAH | KREPT AND KONAN
16/07 JAKE BUGG
23/07 9TH BIRTHDAY PARTY WITH ED SHEERAN
30/07 RUDIMENTAL (LIVE)
06/08 BASTILLE
13/08 MADNESS
27/08 CLEAN BANDIT | ELLA EYRE
10/09 THE KOOKS
17/09 CLOSING PARTY – BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB | DAN CROLL
The Summer Festival Guide is excited to reveal the first lineup announces for this years BluesFest which includes some of the biggest names in Blues, Jazz, Soul and RnB.
Now in its fourth year, and widely regarded as one of the highlights of the live music calendar, BluesFest made history in 2013 when it relocated to the Royal Albert Hall and became the iconic building’s first ever full-scale music festival. The four day event was a resounding success, with over 40,000 music fans enjoying an incredible run of shows from the likes of Robert Plant, Ronnie Wood, Bobby Womack, Van Morrison, Gregory Porter, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Mavis Staples, Chris Rea and many more. This year’s festival will feature a similarly world class line-up as evidenced by the first batch of headliners which includes the return of one of the most indelible artists of the 20th century, the legendary Van Morrison (Oct 28th), songwriting icon Elvis Costello (Oct 29th), the inimitable Georgie Fame (who opens for Costello on Oct 29th), multi-Grammy-winning Sheryl Crow (Oct 31st) and chart-topping jazz funk outfit Level 42 (Oct 26th). Although all these artists are now celebrated for their own distinctive sounds and styles, they all credit the blues as the start of their musical journeys.
Elvis Costello: "I've waited a, long, long time to share a bill with Georgie Fame. There is no better address to do it than Albert's Royal Hall. Fame at last!"
As was the case with last year’s festival, BluesFest 2014 will be hosted exclusively at the Royal Albert Hall, with performances taking place not just in the main auditorium, but also in other rooms around the building during the daytime, utilising the Grade 1 listed venue’s varied selection of performance spaces. Alongside the headline concerts in the main auditorium each evening, some of the additional daytime activity introduced in 2013 will return including intimate sessions from festival artists, exclusive exhibitions, showcases, and an ‘In Conversation With’ series.
The Summer Festival Guide has the latest additions to this years Sonar by Day and Sonar by Night lineups including Nils Frahm, James Holden, Simian Mobile Disco and more!
These are the artists that complete the program for Sonar 2014:
Nils Frahm, Buraka Som Sistema, Chris & Cosey, MØ, Daphni b2b James Holden, Simian Mobile Disco “Whorl”, Tokimonsta, Ryan Hemsworth, Dj2D2, Monki, Debruit & Alsarah, Uner presented by Pioneer dj, Stwo, Dengue Dengue Dengue, Elijah & Skilliam feat. Flava D, Sau Poler, Jameszoo, Simmone Jones, Arufe, Pick A Piper, Octo Octa, Mwëslee, Shelby Grey, Kresy, Nev.Era, Pina, Mr. k!, Territoire, Eme Dj, Sunny Graves, Rayo 60, Xavi Mateu & Carlos Bayona, Sonia Gómez & Lucy Suggate & James Holden, Discos Paradiso Crew, Glue Kids, BSN Posse, Mario Nieto, 3QUINOX, Dj Enpunto, Dj Der, Ordre Etern, Sanatruja, Vallès.
Top international names
The popular young German pianist Nils Frahm will perform on the SonarHall stage, and will demonstrate why he is one of the most revered new school representatives, combining acoustic with electronic.
Meanwhile, British duo Simian Mobile Disco present their new project 'Whorl' at SonarComplex, in which bpms will be replaced by a primal ambient approach akin to Tangerine Dream.
Rounding off the new additions to Sonar by Day are new Nordic pop star MØ and two pulsating sets at SonarVillage from Canadian beat makers Ryan Hemsworth and Frenchman Stwo.
Sonar by Night highlights will include: the collaboration betweenDaphni (Dan Snaith, Caribou) and James Holden, who will join forces to offer an unprecedented and electrifying four handed dj set on Saturday night at SonarLab; a set by the BBC Radio1 DJ & presenter Monki who will close the SonarCar stage with UK house and bass music of the highest order.
Red Bull Music Academy at SonarDôme
The infallible Buraka Som Sistema head the newly confirmed acts on the SonarDôme stage, curated by Red Bull Music Academy. The Portuguese group is famous for the assimilation of the most exciting in African and South American dance rhythms in a spectacular live show.
Joining them will be the mythical Chris & Cosey, founders of Throbbing Gristle, interminably investigating and advancing in the field of cutting-edge electronica; the exceptional LA producer Tokimonstafrom the Brainfeeder family; American housemaster Octo Octa; the fruitful alliance between Frenchman Débruit and Sudanese vocalistAlsarah; the UK garage and grime trio consisting of Elija & Skilliam(Butterz label chiefs) together with Flava D; Spanish nationals Sau Poler and Arufe, both of whose careers are about to take off; Peruvian cumbia-step duo Dengue Dengue Dengue; the contemporary electronica of Dutchman Jameszoo; charismatic electro-rock from American and Berlin resident Simonne Jones; and psychedelic groove from Canadian and ex Caribou drummer, Pick a Piper.
Today’s excellent Spanish scene
Sonar completes one of its most exciting Spanish line-ups ever, drawing from the national scene’s strength and depth in recent years.
New additions include the hypnotic electronica of Nev.Era, the industrial techno of Pina, the dream-noise of Sunny Graves, environmental drones from Rayo-60, Galician beatmaker Mwësleewho will close one of the nights at SonarCar, the cinematic hip-hop ofGlue Kids, bass music from BSN Posse, garage-house from Kresy, pictorial post rock from Territoire, the 3QUINOX audiovisual collision, the versatility and knowledge of Discos Paradiso Crew, supreme skills on the decks from DJ2D2, Dj Der, Enpunto and Shelby Grey, open-minded electropop from Xavi Mateu & Carlos Bayona, post-dubstep from Mario Nieto, the dance power of Uner (presented by Pioneer DJ), the noise experimentation of Ordre Etern, dance movement from Sonia Gomez and Lucy Suggate to the music of James Holden, the pop vocation of Eme DJ, the groovy house ofVallès, the future beats from Sanatruja and the dance floor versatility of Mr.k!.
This year, for the first time, Sonar will collaborate with the Mercat de les Flors venue, central reference for contemporary dance and performing arts in Barcelona. They will host the show "The Inquisitive Middle" at Sonar by Day, a dance piece created by choreographer and performer Sonia Gomez and dancer and performer Lucy Suggate, inspired by the music from "The Inheritors" James Holdenwho will be performing live.
Beside the main sponsor EstrellaDamm and the further confirmed sponsors RedBullMusicAcademy and adidas, Sonar will also be supported by Bershka, RonBrugal, PioneerDj and illycaffè.
New names were added to the always colorful line-up of Sziget Festival. All genres will be covered this year as well, so Deadmau5, Axwell, Bombay Bicycle Club, The Kooks, Crystal Fighters, Anti-Flag will be great add-ins to the previously announced acts like Queens of the Stone Age, The Prodigy, Placebo, Imagine Dragons and many more. The Island of Freedom is held between 11-18 August in Budapest. Tickets for discounted ‘Advance round 1’ prices are available till 30 April.
Sziget is known for its diverse musical world and 2014 will also be dedicated to this open-minded tradition. To the already announced names, organizers added many exciting new performers, who will definitely keep the audience moving both in front of the stages and also wandering from one venue to the other.
This year Day 0, 12th August, is also very special as not only Queens of the Stone Age will perform, but fans can check out the opening show of Deadmau5 as well. The Canadian EDM superstar, a groundbreaking electronic artist, is an emblematic figure of the biggest festivals. He makes music that changed pop culture as we know it. Up to this point, his career stands earmarked by a series of firsts and shattered records. Also playing on Day 0, Anti-Flag, an ultra provocative punk rock band from Pittsburgh, are known for their tight paced music and sharp lyrics. Their music and message is a call to action for people of all backgrounds and beliefs to focus on making tomorrow a better place for all.
The global dance icon, five-time Grammy nominated Axwell has had little time to rest upon his laurels over the past decade. In a career that has taken him from the Swedish underground to the top of the charts, he has risen as an idol of modern house music. He will also make a frenetic gig at Sziget this year.
In addition, The Kooks will also play their characteristic and stylish British post-punk music, reminding us a little bit of the 60s. The band of Luke Pritchard comes all the way from Brighton to Sziget with their new album, so old fans will also have some surprises.
Bombay Bicycle Club will also bring their guitar-driven music to the Sziget audience this year. Their newest album is innovative, a beautiful collection of songs that will stand the test of time from a band at the top of its game. The songs are built around ethereal loops that owe more to experimental electronica than to the kind of indie-rock the band was initially known for.
The music of Crystal Fighters merges traditional-acoustic Basque music elements with slushy bass and euphoric electronic sounds mixing altogether an atmosphere of loose chillwave and speedy dubstep-electro. The London-based band makes such a complex music and merges so many genres that currently there is no one else in the alternative dance universe like them.
With a successful music career spanning over the course of two decades, Macedonian born Kiril Dzajkovski is without a doubt one of the most respected and critically acclaimed electronic artists from the Balkans. He is regarded as one of the pioneer producers to introduce Balkan sounds to the modern dance production – globally known as the "Balkan Beat phenomenon". At Sziget we can see Djaikovski ft. TK Wonder & MC Wasp.
Tasteful, stylish, mostly moderate tempo, essentially melancholic, but uplifting music is what Girls in Hawaiido. They create some kind of magical atmosphere with their indie pop. They come to Sziget from Belgium and they will present their unique miracles, showing us their most recent album, Everest.
Mount Kimbie have played a central role in forging a new form for electronic music. Their influence stretches far beyond the tiny corner of the dance music underground that birthed them and, with the duo now signed to the legendary Warp label, it looks set to stretch further still in the coming years.
Wild Beasts play a sophisticated and elegant guitar-music in which we can barely hear a little folk rock sound. Their music is lacking any kind of monumental character rather their trade-mark is the beautiful voice of singer-guitarist Hayden Thorpe. They were nominated for the Mercury Prize two years ago for their album 'Two Dancers' and now they are arriving to Sziget with their recent album 'Present Tense' released this February and navigating us to the maze of synthpop.
Full Line Up so far: Queens of the Stone Age, The Prodigy, Placebo, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Skrillex, Calvin Harris, Lily Allen, Deadmau5, Bastille, Imagine Dragons The Kooks, Jake Bugg, Stromae, Axwell, Die Fantastischen Vier, London Grammar, La Roux, Ska P, Bombay Bicycle Club, Tom Odell, Miles Kane,, Crystal Fighters, Klaxons, Michael Kiwanuka, Laidback Luke, Darkside, Bonobo, Anti Flag, Palma Violets, Wild Beasts, The Big Pink, Kavinsky, Outrun Live, Fink, Borgore, Mount Kimbie, Jagwar Ma, Djaikovski ft. TK, Wonder, Brody Dalle, Girls in Hawai, Starlight Girls.
