Month: July 2015

Fierce Panda Summer Showcase- Longfellow & Masakichi

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Last night Fierce Panda hosted their Summer Showcase in The Oak Room at Covent Gardens 'The Hospital Club; comprising of two of their signings, 'LONGFELLOW' and new signing, ''MASAKICHI'.

 

Having heard their new single, 'Spring' on Soundcloud I was eager to see 'Masakichi' live, to see if they were able to recreate the dynamic range from their released tracks, and put simply- I was not disappointed. The five piece from London played a flawless set from start to finish, combining soft droning verses with shatteringly heavy choruses, laced with tonnes of groove and subtle uses of compound time signatures, the harmonies between Hannah Cartwright and Hattie Williams really polishing off what was a tight, and solid performance.

 

If you are like me, and you can't really listen to vast amounts of Post-Rock instrumental bands without yearning for vocal melodies and harmonies, I would recommend checking out Masakichi. Their instrumental arrangements have all the epicness and dynamism of atmospheric Post-Rock, while filling the void often left by other bands through their use of melodic vocal lines, and harmonies.

 

Their Album is out September 18th, and can be pre-ordered from Fierce Panda Here.

 

Check out MASAKICHI HERE.

 

LONGFELLOW, an established Fierce Panda act took to the stage shortly after, and cracked straight into a set full of incredibly well written, upbeat pop songs from their latest release. Having been blown away by Masakichi's set, I had high expectations for Longfellow. Although I wasn't disappointed by their performance, I felt that there was a lack of emotion and passion during the first half of their set, their cover of 'Elastic Heart' by Sia not managing to capture the raw emotion of the original and falling into the back of the room, Owen Lloyd's vocals unfortunately getting lost in the arrangement.

 

New single 'Choose' introduced a welcomed melancholy and emotional track into their set which really stood out and addressed my prior issues, the downbeat song really conveying the pain of emotional stalemate and cyclical relationship routines in a raw pop song. Ending their encore with 'Medic', Longfellow managed to prove themselves as a versatile act, thoroughly dismissing my prior reservations, and providing me with songs stuck in my head while on the train home.

 

Longfellow's New EP is available to pre-order from Fierce Panda Here.

 

Check out LONGFELLOW HERE.

 

 

MADE Birmingham 2015 Review

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Whilst many of the big festivals were coping with mud over the weekend we were thankful that our Brummie feet were firmly on solid ground as we arrived for MADE. With a line up that boasts heavyweight names such as MK, Heidi, Claude Von Stroke, Julio Bashmore and David Rodigan, as well as prominent local acts Tom Shorterz and Adam Shelton, there was plenty for everyone in this urban playground.

MADE is a mini Metropolitan festival that brought ravers from all corners into the heart of Birmingham city. Now in its second year, the site had been expanded to include six stages set across the Digbeth triangle and the Rainbow complex. In keeping with the creative melting pot of the area, that ethos was very much evident in the site production from the epic wall mural by Newso & Gent48, live graffiti art and illustrative signage.

First up was veteran DJ and reggae selector David ‘Ram Jam’ Rodigan on the Heavyweight Bass Champion stage, a boxing ring with caliber of booming bass and DnB acts to match. 40 years in the business and David still knows how to rock a crowd. He invited all the ‘young tongue shooters to take a trip to Jamaica’ with him as he spun tunes from reggae, dance hall and DnB. He bounced around with the energy of a teenager, puffing out his chest and rewinding the decks, it was a pure joy to watch.

Next up was Norman Jay MBE playing from a fire exit high above the car park. The Bloc Party stage set up wasn’t a massive success and it was a shame to see Normal play to smaller numbers than expected. The VIP terrace above the Warehouse offered the best views over the main stage and revellers danced with the inflatables in the hazy afternoon sun. We stopped for some much needed respite with a delicious gourmet pizza from Baked-in Brick.

Back on the Heavyweight stage was beat-box extraordinaire Beardyman and friends for the ‘Bass Battle Off’. DJs Pete Graham, Marc Spence and Santero went back to back with only 7 minutes to impress the audience. We darted round the site, catching glimpses of sets from Korupt FM, Stanton Warriors, and Blonde who performed live as confetti cannons launched multi coloured flakes into the sky of the main arena. Julio Bashmore and Dusky were the stars of the Underground stage as they played to hyped punters in dark sweat-box of a room.

A packed out crowed gathered at the main stage anticipation for the headline act.  It seemed as if most people had come to see MK (Marc Kinchen) as the other stages emptied out. As his first record dropped confetti cannons boomed, followed by smoke jets and fire streams lighting up the crowd. His set was bursting with techno and club classics including remixes of Rudimental’s ‘Powerless’, Bakermat’s ‘Teach me’, Dumont’s ‘The giver’ to the crowd pleasing anthemic sing-a-long moment ‘My head is a jungle’. MK dived into the crowd at the end of his set and was hoisted up on to shoulders for the fireworks finale whilst Low steppa took up the mantle.

We caught up with Pete Jordan festival organiser about the challenges of delivering 11,000 capacity inner-city festival. “Digbeth is a unbelievable place and we had the opportunity to go bigger. We have had a phenomenal amount of support from the council, police and emergency services.”

“Having the indoor and outdoor spaces created a different vibe and we tried to put a bit of personality into each individual stage. Delivering bass music in a conceptual form such as a boxing ring makes people experience the music in different way. To see some of these stages really come off makes me really proud.”

It was clear the festival was a big hit with the punters too. Carly Banks from Staffs said “I have literally had the best day/night of my life!!! so unexpected and so worth it!!!!!”

Despite the terrible weather on Sunday they still had good numbers through the door for Made by Day. The organisers worked quickly to relocate as much of it indoors at the rainbow complex. There was a great selection of food available from gourmet burgers, pizzas, Caribbean, North African, Thai from Digbeth Dining Club regulars, as well as comedy, music and retro gaming from Dead Pixels.

Made my day was a great success and provided thousands with the best in bass and dance to party through day and night. We’re already looking forward to what 2016 has to offer.

 

See the full image set here https://www.flickr.com/photos/summerfestivalguide/sets/72157656009069788

 

 

 

 

 

 

NozStock 2015 Review

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Have you heard of Nozstock before? I wouldn't blame you if you haven't. This modest 5000 capacity festival, aptly sub-headed 'The Hidden Valley' is hidden deep within the Herefordshire countryside- near the Hamlet of Bromyard. Now in it's Seventeenth year, Nozstock has established itself a dedicated fanbase of locals, and those from increasingly further afield. Each year has a theme, and this year's- A Hitch-hikers Guide to the Galaxy, saw the site lovingly decorated in everything space. The theming did stop there though, with space related workshops and activities for the younger members of families and the audience, those tired from listening to music could retreat to any of the activities area to participate in Jetpack making, building spaceships, rockets, blacksmithing, to the vaguely advertised 'Space crafting' (at the Enchanted Glade 17:00 Sunday).

In my now seemingly traditional festival journey, a gruelling 8 hour drive down to Bromyard at lunchtime had me pitching my tent in darkness, in the hammering rain, undeterred from enjoying ourselves, we set off to explore the site and listen to some music.

Nozstock festival has an intriguing demographic, due to it's diverse acts -as you will hopefully read throughout this writeup- and as the night draws on, the crowd grows wilder, heading down to the COPPICE, BULLPEN, and CUBICLES stages, all dedicated to different styles of Dance, Electro, Dub, 2 Step, Hip-Hop, Garage, Basscore and Drum 'n' Bass. Admittedly, upon arrival; and without any prior knowledge of the festival I was worried that my only dance move 'Big fish, Little fish, Cardboard box' wouldn't last me throughout the weekend and I would be ousted as an impostor of dance and electro music. Much to my relief, the friendly crowds didn't catch on.

Heading to the Orchard Stage for NEVILLE STAPLE BAND's headline set, we caught a jam packed performance full of crowd skanking in the mud, churning up the sodden floor, kicking the first night of music off with a energetic and tight performance. It has to be noted however- that this festival breaks the tradition of curfew by 11, or half past, with headline sets on the mainstage starting as late as 23:45, with smaller bands playing throughout the site to as late as 2:40, before music stopping around 3:30. The site however is fantastically laid out with sound from each stage not spilling over into over crowds, and bearing in mind that it only takes 10 minutes to complete a circuit of the site, this is a seemingly impossible but well realised feat.

SATURDAY

We kicked off Saturday with HIPICAT, winners of the 'Gigslutz PlayNoz 2015' competition, who brought the new day in with easy to process (for those hungover) Psychedellic rock. Luckily the rain for Saturday had abated, and throughout the day, the churned mess in front of the stage dried out enough to sit down and enjoy the weather. As mentioned earlier, before around 8pm the day had a completely different vibe to the night time, becoming more diverse musically, and more appealing to families with younger children. South African loop pedal artist, JEREMY LOOPS wowed the afternoon crowd with multilayered tunes consisting of massive harmonies, beatboxing, harmonicas and guitar arrangements that have taken him around the world, picking up bits of culturally diverse sounds and mashing them up into a impressive set.

It has to be said about the hospitality of the NozStock press team, which was second to none. Instantly upon arrival, Damo and Nolly were on hand to answer any questions about the site or anything else, and organising a press picnic on Saturday was the icing on the cake. ROZELLE treated an unfortunately modest crowd to an expertly crafted set of Indie Rock tunes, and personally I thought they would have been better suited to a later slot than they were given, or been allocated a place on one of the bigger stages at a similar time. As the evening grew cold, back on the Orchard Stage SKINNY LISTER kept the crowd warm with their pub folk tunes, rallying mass dance offs, swaying, and mass cheers to a highly energetic set.

As are most festivals, NozStock is not just limited to stages for music, with the Wrong Directions Cinema Tent providing short and feature length films throughout the day, the Laughing Stock stage promoting comedy, and Bantam of the Opera & Velveteen Valley offering magic, theatre and late night cabaret to indulge in. Saturday's comedy headline came from Seann Walsh, who through his blend of current topics, anecdotes about living with his girlfriend and stand up comebacks gave the audience 40 minutes of non-stop laughter.

WU-TANG CLAN's set was flawless, apart from the fact that they didn't actually show up. Pulling out of the festival late last week, they had yet to provide a reason for this late and very unprofessional cancellation by Saturday. The disappointment throughout the crowd was noted, with expletives slamming Wu-Tang's to be found scrawled on toilets around the site. Fortunately DE LA SOUL was on hand to provide a heavy and incredibly well received set, expertly encouraging crowd response, easily drawing the biggest crowd of the weekend.

SUNDAY

The clouds burst early Sunday morning, turning the just dried ground back into a sloshy mess. This however didn't dampen spirits, as the crowds were back out in full force come 4pm for TANTZ's high octane Yiddish dance music set. Combining elements of reggae, electro swing, power-klezma, rock, dub and upbeat insanity, Aaran Kent riled the crowd up into a frenzy between -and whilst- on Clarinet duties. TANTZ, despite the miserable weather were able to deliver a hard hitting set that was without fault, and one of my favourite of the day.

The eclectic mixture of artists over the stages was impressive, and NozStock seemingly taking pride in promoting a lot of local and nearby artists, giving the crowds the opportunity to take a punt on many bands that they may not have heard of. This is a great attitude to have when organising a festival, as the promotion of smaller artists is invaluable to those working as musicians.

MR B THE GENTLEMAN RHYMER graced NozStock with two sets on Sunday, one at the Orchard Stage, and a later set on The Bandstand. The well spoken ambassador of rhythmic lyricisms split his catalogue for the event, self notedly playing more of his pop ditties earlier in the day, before giving a more chap-hop set in the evening. MR B's one man quest to 'introduce Hip-hop to the manners of the Queen's English' went down a treat, building a solid rapport with the crowd throughout the duration of his set. We stopped to eat later by the Orchard Stage whilst BROKEN BRASS EMSEMBLE's expertly arranged set of swing tunes drew an active crowd, an act I couldn't have even imagined playing at the same festival as the one I had initially seen upon my arrival on Friday. The brass troupe from Holland would transcend from swing into funk and Hip-hop styling flawlessly, and then come straight back into big band arrangements as though it was nothing, with slick professionalism.

Sunday night drew to a close with Motown legend, MARTHA REEVES AND THE VANDELLAS on the Orchard Stage. Unfortunately getting off to a late and rocky start- Martha Reeves called a abrupt end to her opening number within the first 15 seconds of coming on stage, before complaining to the sound engineers and starting over again. Martha Reeves' voice sounded a bit strained throughout their performance, but held up well regardless. Appealing to an audience of older and younger fans, it's lovely to see that the Motown Veteran's music has crossed the generations and was being sung along to, danced to, and enjoyed by such a diverse audience.

If I had to summarize NozStock 2015 in one word, it would be: Crazy.

Allow me to explain, and since being back for 12 hours (at time of writing) the 2 examples I have used to explain the unprecedented madness of this weekend to friends and family are: Firstly, the penultimate act for me this weekend involved me having to follow a guy dressed as a badger into a small room covered in zigzags where we had to dance to gain access to a secret stage, where I watched a three piece post-rock band who consisted of a Peter Serafinowicz doppelgänger and a mannequin torso on stage. And secondly, whilst out and about I saw a person dressed as a button being chased by a pack of kids with sparkly wooden spoons, attacking him under the command of a woman dressed as what looked like a salt shaker.

This weekend has been fantastic, and I would like to thank the team at NozStock for their hospitality and for such an unexpected experience, which I'd hope to experience again next year!

 

 

Amsterdam Dance Events announce a massive first lineup for 2015

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The Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE), the world's biggest club festival and conference for electronic music, today reveals the first selection of artists that will perform from 14 to 18 October. The ADE is preparing for its 20th annual edition with 2,200 performing artists at one hundred of the most diverse venues in Amsterdam. Over 365,000 visitors from all over the world are expected to visit the event this year.

In the past twenty years ADE has grown into a globally renowned platform for the international dance and electronic music scene. The festival is the perfect place to spot the latest musical trends and emerging talents, as well as hearing the most recent work of both electronic music pioneers and leading acts from the mainstream and the underground dance scenes, across every genre of electronic music. In addition to the extensive live line-up of the ADE Festival, the daytime program, ADE Playground, offers music enthusiasts a large and varied program including exhibitions, in-store showcases, tech workshops, pop-up stores and film screenings all over the city centre. The business aspect of the event (ADE Conference) is recognized as the most important of its kind, presenting a broad range of conferences and networking opportunities that focus on music and technology, VJs & visuals, sustainability, dance & brands, new talent and the education of students.

Biggest club festival in the world
The ADE is the biggest club festival in the world with performances by 2,200 artists at 300 events spread over 100 venues. The five-day music program covers all things electronic music. Currently over 500 artists are confirmed. Among the first selection of artists announced today are:

&Me (DE), Adam Beyer (SE), Adriatique (CH), Agoria (FR), Alan Fitzpatrick (GB), Alesso (SE), Andhim (DE), Antal (NL), Anthony Parasole (US), Apollonia (FR), Armin van Buuren (NL), Art Department (CA), Axwell Λ Ingrosso (SE), Black Coffee (ZA), Bonobo (GB), Boris Werner (NL), Carl Cox (GB), Cassy (AT), Cleavage (NL), Chris Liebing (DE), Cristian Varela (ES), Damian Lazarus (GB), Dauwd (GB), Dave Clarke (GB), David Guetta (FR), De Sluwe Vos (NL), Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike (BE), DJ Rush (US), DJ Sneak (CA), DJ Qu (US), Donato Dozzy (IT), Dubfire (US), Fernanda Martins (BR), Fort Romeau (GB), GE-OLOGY (US), George FitzGerald (GB), Green Velvet (US), Guti (AR), Happa (GB), Hardwell (NL), Henrik Schwarz (DE), Horse Meat Disco (gb), Hot Since 82 (UK), Hunee (DE), I-F (NL), Ici Sans Merci (NL), Ida Engberg (SE), Jeff Mills (US), Joran van Pol (NL), Joris Voorn (NL), Joseph Capriati (IT), Julian Jeweil (FR), Karmon (NL), Kate Boy (SE), Kollektiv Turmstrasse (DE), Kolombo (BE), Kraak & Smaak (NL), Len Faki (DE), Leon Vynehall (US), Levon Vincent (US), Maceo Plex (US), Machinedrum (US), Malawi (NL), Marcel Fengler (DE), Markus Schulz (US), Martin Garrix (NL), Matador (IE), Matthias Tanzmann (DE), Menno de Jong (NL), Midland (GB), Monika Kruse (DE), Moodymann (US), Nicky Romero (NL), Nicole Moudaber (GB), Nina Kraviz (RU), Noisia (NL), Nuno dos Santos (NL), Octave One (US), Odesza (US), Oliver Heldens (NL), Osunlade (US), Pan-Pot (DE), Paul Oakenfold (GB), Perc (GB), Petar Dundov (HR), PETDuo (BR), Petre Inspirescu (RO), Posij (NL), Raresh (RO), Rebekah (GB), Rebolledo (MX), Ricardo Villalobos (CL), Richie Hawtin (CA), Robert Hood (US), Robin Schulz (DE), ROD (NL), Romare (GB), Ron Morelli (US),Ron Trent (US), Rødhåd (DE), Sandrien (NL), Santé (DE), Scuba (UK), Seth Troxler (US), Showtek (NL), Sidney Charles (DE), Solomun (DE), Speedy J (NL), Stanislav Tolkachev (UA), Stefano Noferini (IT), Surgeon (GB), The Gaslamp Killer (US), The Hacker (FR), The Martinez Brothers (US), Tiësto (NL), Truss (GB), Tsepo (NL), Tyree Cooper (US), Vicetone (NL), Yellow Claw (NL) and many more.

 

Dance lineup confirmed for Relentless Stage at Leeds Festival

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Known as the latest and loudest stage at Leeds Festival, the Relentless Stage returns for 2015 with another mega party line-up. Headlining each night are leading names in dance and electronic music, including Bondax, Mau5trap Presents Special Guests, DJ EZ and Modestep (DJ set).
 
The Relentless Stage continues the party vibe as it has done in previous years, with music kicking off from 8pm every night going straight through until 3am. The eponymous 3-d image mapped stage is back in the same location, nestled amongst the trees, between the Orange and Red campsites.
 
Kicking off the first night of the festival in style is none other than electronic duo Bondax, backed by Fono, and Relentless’s Here to be Heard DJ competition 2014 winner, Luke Hassan.
 
Ravers should get to the Relentless Stage early on Friday night for an incredible line-up presented by Mau5trap featuring some very special guest appearances. Watch this space…
 
Saturday night will be a showcase of London talent, with garage legend, DJ EZ, showing us why he’s still king of the festival party. He will be supported by Rinse FM regular, Oneman, and NTS’s record maker, player and mixer, Martelo.
 
There's no let up on Sunday, the final night, as London-based dubstep and electronic rock band Modestep take to the stage with a late-night DJ set. He will be backed by electronic / dubstep favourite Culprate as well as this year’s Relentless’s yet-to-be-decided Here to be Heard DJ competition winner – check out http://relentlesshtbh.com/ for the latest news on the competition. 

United Festival add DJ Marky, Oxide and Neutrino and more

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Following a colossal sold-out debut last year, United Festival returns to Finsbury Park on Sunday 13th September to close the summer for the second year running. Celebrating over 25 years of British rave culture, United have enlisted leading instigators of a movement that resonated across the globe to shape the face of modern-day club culture. Eight stages of music will feature sets from over one-hundred-and-fifty acts including DJ Hype, 808 State, Lisa Lashes, The Ratpack, Force & Styles, Fabio & Grooverider, DJ Hazard, Randall & DJ Storm, Slipmatt, Kenny Ken & Jumpin jack Frost, DJ Luck & MC Neat, Pied Piper, Robert Owens, Marshall Jefferson, Graeme Park, Mark EG, Andy Farley, Baby D and many, many more… 

 

Representing an ideology that traversed the boundaries of convention and defined a new generation of sonic revolutionaries, British rave culture is now recognised as one of the most iconic movements in recent cultural history. Setting out to reinforce this ethos, United Festival will be the fifth and final event in the epic summer festival Found Series – produced in collaboration with essential rave luminaries, Slammin' Vinyl. 

 

United's Main Stage will host an electrifying line-up, with multi-award winning drum & bass and jungle producer DJ Hype taking headline duties to showcase his revered Playaz sound. The original Queen of Dance Lisa Lashes returns after a memorable set at last year's festival, whilst seminal acid house collective 808 State will make their United debut. Drum & bass stalwart Harry Shotta will present The Harry Shotta Show, showcasing the best of his new album, whilst Force & Styles are to play an exclusive, one-off set celebrating the world's biggest hardcore classics. 

 

Old Skool lynchpins The Ratpack and Fabio & Grooverider will also be in session alongsideDeckajam and a flurry of live PAs from British dance music icons Baby D, Jungle legend General Levyand old skoolers Shut up & Dance. MCs GQ, IC3, Harra Shotta and Whizzkid will keep the main stage hyped throughout the day, with a further two very special headliners still to be announced.

 

Showcasing the best in drum & bass, Slammin' Vinyl's flagship party brand One Nation will host United's second arena. Fabric regular DJ Hazard heads an impressively expansive bill that will also take in sets from SASASAS, The Prototypes, Bad Company UK, DJ Guv, Sly & Logan D, Brockie, Majistrate, Cabin Fever, Inter & SLB, Kezman & Terry M and Whiley One – all hosted by MCs Eksman, Skibadee, Harry Shotta, Shabba D, Stormin, IC3, Evil B, Trigga, Bassman, Det, Felon, Grima, Azza, Deefa and Funktion. 

 

Old skool, jungle and drum & bass classics will be on show in United's third arena hosted by revered party brand Moondance, who have assembled an eclectic crew of leading rave personalities includingRam Records's Hamilton, Randall & DJ Storm, Mickey Finn, Top Buzz, godfather of old skoolSlipmatt, Kenny Ken & Jumping Jack Frost, Billy Daniel Bunter, Uncle Dugs & Nicky Blackmarket, Ashatack, Twitsta & Trix, Sense and Genetic & Dan Rewind – plus MCs Moose, Fearless, Five Alive, Ragga Twins, Whizzkid, Mad P, Charlie B, Shockin B, 3Flow, Cutter, Fusion. 

 

 

Representing UKG, seminal 90s garage hub Twice as Nice host United's fourth arena with a live PA from scene originator Robbie Craig. Further sets will also come from MOBO award-winning DJ Luck & MC Neat, Dreem Teem, DJ Ironik Woody, DJ Jonezy, Pied Piper, DJ, Junior Buzz and Redlockwith stage hosts Creed, DT, CKP, Unknown, PSG, Dr Psycho, Minx and Kifa. 

 

Classic house will be the order of the day at Promised Land's arena, with a headline set from one of the scenes most modest and unassuming talents in Robert Owens. Chicago jacking house originatorMarshall Jefferson will spin a driving selection, with pioneering house producers Graeme Park andBrandon Block & Alex P bringing the focus back to British. Further sets come from Huck Finn, Philgood & Ram, Arkoss, Mark Rushton and EZM. 

 

Showcasing the darker side of trance, Indecent Noise will roll up to United with a host of key players from much loved label Mental Asylum Records, including Jordan Suckley, Will Atkinson, James Dymond, Standerwick, Jase Thirlwall, Robbie Van Doe and a live PA from Noire Lee. 

 

Unarguably one of the hardest dance offerings in the UK, Frantic are set to host one of United's most popular arenas with a no-nonsense programme of hard trance, hard house and hard dance headlined by Frantic favourite Lisa Pin Up. Mark EG & M Zone with MC Ribbz will pay homage to infamous rave institutions Bagleys and The Sanctuary with an exclusive, one-off hard trance set, and hard trance legend K90 will perform his new live PA 'Reboot'. Celebrating 25 years behind the decks, hard house pioneer Andy Farley is also scheduled to appear, with further sets from Steve Hill, Lucy Fur, JP & Jukesy, A vs B Live, Ashley Waters, Wayne Smart & Jake Martin, Skol & Aaron James andStewart T & Jon Hanley. 

 

For those seeking to party in style, United are offering a VIP Classics arena headlined by Slipmatt – who will play an exclusive old skool house and trance set – plus a garden seating area, VIP toilets, private cocktail bar and a selection of gourmet street food. 
 
The £17.50 first release tickets sold out in records time, second release tickets can be snapped-up for the very old skool price of just £20 for standard entry and £45 for VIP.

Mint Festival add Sven Vath and more

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MINT Festival announce Sven Vath as their headliner for Saturday's  

'Mint Present's' arena along with Maya Jane Coles, The Martinez Brothers, George FitzGerald, PBR Streetgang and Bobby O'Donnell. 
 
Jamie Jones will now be joined in the Paradise arena by an array of DJ talent including Jamie Principle (Live), Paco Osuna, Davide Squillace, Richy Ahmed, wAFF and Robert James. 
 
Other additions include, the impeccable Tiga, Hip Hop hero DJ Yoda, who will be playing a Golden Era Hip Hop set, and Late Nite Tuff Guy, who plays on the Saturday for No Way Back, Milkman Delivers& Mint Club's weekly new night, Never Too Much.
 
Mint Festival also go that extra mile to add another 3 Arenas on both the Saturday and Sunday for 2015, bringing it to 9 separate areas of music per day, a total of 18 over the weekend. If you thought it couldn't get any better, it just has done. 

 

They also introduce an all new VIP Arena with a Viewing Terrace over Wetherby Racecourse amongst many other benefits, adding to a special appearance from USA legend Todd Terry on Saturday and Sunday. He will be joined by Special Guests throughout each day, as The iconic Hard Times are Hosting.
 
 

FULL MINT FESTIVAL LINE-UP

SATURDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER..
MINT PRESENTS ARENA  
Sven Vath | Maya Jane Coles | The Martinez Brothers | George FitzGerald | PBR Streetgang | Bobby O'Donnell

 

SYSTEM & SET ONE TWENTY ARENA
Luciano | Apollonia | Premiesku (live) | DeWalta | Rich NxT | Annie Errez

 

KNEE DEEP IN SOUND 
Hot Since 82 | Green Velvet | Joris Voorn | Route 94 | Santé & Sidney Charles | Denney | Finn & Farrow (Circular) 

 

DUKE DUMONT PRESENTS BLASE BOYS CLUB
Duke Dumont | Tiga | Waze & Odyssey | Fono | Kiwi

 

BITCH
W&W | Kryder | Firebeatz | Arno Cost | My Digital Enemy | D.O.D | Futuristic Polar Bears | Joshua Roberts | Nick Coulson | Digital Mode | Lost Boys | Molise 

 

DIGITAL SOCIETY & GOODGREEF
Paul Oakenfold (25Years of Perfecto Set) | Cosmic Gate | Andy Moor | Menno de Jong vs. Ram | Will Atkinson | Luke Bond | ReOrder | Artic Moon | Hiddenagenda | James Cottle | Paul Pearson
 
NO WAY BACK, MILKMAN DELIVERIES & NEVER TO MUCH
Late Nite Tuff Guy | Transmission Collective | Lucy Locket | Haydn Porter | Campo | Michael Upson | Twogood | Ethan Marin | Mzungu | Cole Proctor | Nickson
 
NO CURFEW & CATALYTIC 
Tom Haigh | Grayson | James Barra | Dan Hills | Jamie Hartley | Manny Brown | Jo Lobel | Tom Jagger | Jordan Khokhar | Dave Q | Twinsound | Mark Sinclair | Reload

VIP WITH HARD TIMES & FRIENDS

Todd Terry | Mat Playford | Brotherton Wing | Lewis Bailey | Jason Bye | Afro Coalition DJs | Clandestino | Jammhot | Liam Frisco | Anton Raphael | Ben Bottomley + Secret Guests from The Festival
SUNDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER..
 
PARADISE
Jamie Jones | Paco Osuna | Davide Squillace | Jamie Principle (live) | Richy Ahmed | wAFF | Robert James 
 
SETH TROXLER PRESENTS
Seth Troxler b2b The Martinez Brothers | Cajmere | Crag Richards | Tom Trago | Felix Dickinson 
 
JUNGLE JAM & DETONATE
Sub Focus | Very Special Guest TBA | Shy FX | Cause & Affect | Benton | Randall | Amy Becker | Stamina MC | MC I.D. | Transit Mafia | Northern Scum | Vital Techniques | Standfast | MC Ruthless | MC Gigante | MC Jordache | MC Pean 
 
SYSTEM PRESENTS FUSE
Ricardo Villalobos b2b Zip | Henrik Schwarz (live) | Dyed Soundorom b2b Enzo Siragusa | Rossko b2b Archie Hamilton | Annie Errez & Bobby O'Donnell 
 
ELROW
Eats Everything (Extended Set) | Skream | De La Swing | Tom Rio 
 
PRISM, CIRCULAR & DEJA VU 
Very Special Guest TBA | Darius Syrossian | Oliver Dollar | Josh Butler | Leftwing & Kody | Sonny Fodera | Cristoph | Finn & Farrow | Luke Pompey & Rickie DH 
 
SLOWDOWN SOUNDS & ELEMENTS
DJ Yoda (Golden era Hip Hop set) | Prince Valium | Tony Green | Jimmy Brooklyn | Sangria Kong | BT3K | Hip Hop Karaoke w/ Ben Randm 
 
RESIDENTS ARENA
Motion DJs | Portal DJs | Under DJs | Mvson DJs | Covert DJs | White Rabbit DJs | Piers Crozier 
 
VIP WITH HARD TIMES & FRIENDS
Todd Terry | Doorly | Mat Playford | Brotherton Wing | Lewis Bailey | Jason Bye | Death on the Balcony | The Head Gardner | Foz | Steve Hoyland | Jack Bettinson b2b Jordan Day + Secret Guests from The Festival 

A brand new area for Bestival 2015 – CARNIVALE!

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Bestival’s Summer of Love is all about going back to our roots. It’s about remembering all the things that got us super-excited about our amazing festival life in the first place, and one of our true loves that’s floated our boat since day dot is off-the-wall carnival action. So we’re massively thrilled to be able to announce a brilliant, brand new attraction for 2015 – Carnivale!

Our king of the carnival, Rob da Bank says: “We all know Besti-goers love a good party and any excuse to dress up, so gradually over the years we’ve been building our carnival activity up, till this year things have just gone off the scale with a fantastic Arts Council grant enabling us to put on our biggest carnival ever, and to have a mega pirate ship base for everything carnival to operate from. Combine that with our annual Saturday afternoon parade, and brand new illuminated night parades, soundtracked by yours truly, then things are going to go well and truly crazy for carnival this year!”

Produced by Kirsty Henderson in collaboration with Bestival and one of Europe’s leading and most original carnival groups, Shademakers, Carnivale is situated smack bang in the wonderland that is the Wishing Tree Field. Featuring a huge pirate ship stage with a cast of oddball performers and dancers providing mind-bending entertainment all weekend long, prepare to be bowled over by all manner of amusements, from morning shakedowns and eye-catching exploits, to our Carnival Day Parade and our incredible Night Parades. Plus, there’s an inviting workshop tent where you can get involved in the madness, learning mysterious carnival arts and making your own costumes. An enchanted hive of the unanticipated, Shademakers menagerie of wild and wonderful creations will scamper through the crowds, as Commedia Dell’Arte inspired pirates romp from the rigging, and acrobatic monkeys scale the heights, all as carnival music from around the world, sea shanties and drums fill the air.

Visit the Carnivale’s rhubarb and custard big top, and experience the Galleon Gallery, join in with the creative workshops, make a mask, flag, lantern or withy sculpture, or have your face painted as a cherub or glittery devil! Watch or take part in the many dance and musical workshops… Have you danced to tikitak, played the spoons or a kazoo? There will also be a History of Carnival exhibition where you can kick back and watch some stunning film footage of carnivals from around the world and discover the history of the truly fantastic costumes on display – come and be inspired to join the Carnival!

Whatever you do, don’t miss this year’s Day Parade with more sparkle, more music and more energetically colourful performances than ever before thanks to some of the UK’s top carnival companies. A collaboration across several art forms, the gates to the Carnivale will burst open and the fields of Bestival will be filled with one big summer of love explosion and the joy of the carnival featuring Spandy Andy, Sink the Pink, Mr Wilson's Second Liners, Mariachi El Pinche Grin Go, Shademakers, Area 51, Cirque Bijou, Emergency Exit Arts, Batala Portsmouth, Kinetika Bloco, Mandinga Arts, Preston Carnival, Brouhaha, New Carnival Company, VIP Puppets, Artemis, Quture, CTD Dance Company, Rainbow Connections, Utopia Mas, The Love Float (a collaboration between Shademakers and the IOW Police Volunteer Cadet Force) and The Parlour Make Up, all rocking along to an amazing soundtrack designed especially for the occasion by the man himself, Rob da Bank.

Each night as the sun sets over Bestival, our carnival revellers will come out to play in nocturnal disguise for our glorious Night Parades commissioned by Bestival in association with Roundhouse, Gideon Reeling and Shademakers. Cast your eyes to the horizon and watch as illuminated dancers appear, spreading their glorious wings, marvel as ethereal beings float past your eyes, radiating joy into the Bestival twilight. Heading for the hills of Slow Motion, they’ll gather together there to perform their Rituals of Love, in a spellbindingly wondrous display replete with a jaw-dropping fire finale that will enrapture anyone lucky enough to witness it.

Witness the Spirits of the Summer of Love, here to spread their message of freedom and joy, and to capture you in their playful web, as they dance their way through the festival. And keep an eye out in the Ambient Forest for the spirits as the wonderful Gideon Reeling and The Roundhouse team up to sprinkle magic and a bucket-load of love throughout the thickets, clad in the glorious flamboyant creations of Shademakers Carnival Costumiers.

 

Hannah Wants Creamfields 2015 Q & A

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So Hannah, how’s your 2015 been so far?

Amazing thank you! I started the year with the Holy Ship in Miami followed by a two-week vacation in Cancun and it’s been absolutely hectic since then. I’m a happy girl.

In your words what was your big break?

I don’t think there was one. I’ve been DJ’ing and grafting for over a decade to reach where I am now. Some people think success happens over night but it doesn’t. Every day, every month, every year I’d progress a little further in one way or another and I’ve still got so far to go, there’s still so much I want to achieve. It’s a roller coaster journey of a career and life.

With the music industry forever changing, how do you keep track and do you think your sound changes with it?

I don’t keep track with it and for me that’s worked out well. I’ve only ever concentrated on my game and my work; I don’t concern myself with anything or anyone else. Not least because I don’t have the time to even if I wanted to but also because I think it’s paramount that you stay true to yourself and your own unique sound.

Sounds and styles are ever evolving, that’s the joy of music! The music I’m playing and making today is not the same as I was playing or making 1 year ago or 5 years ago or whatever.

I do, make, play whatever I’m truly passionate about and if people like what I’m doing and join me on my musical journey then that’s great! It’s an amazing feeling to know that I can impact on somebody’s day or night in a positive way whether it’s listening to a mixtape or radio show or raving at a set, I love that!

You recently announced your debut solo track ‘Just’ which was premiered on Annie Mac’s Radio 1 show. How excited are you to release this long awaited track?

More than you know! I’ve been working on solo material for months now but I’ve wanted to wait until the right time to show the world. I’ve got lots of new material coming up including a collaboration with an amazing vocalist called Detour City, there’s two versions; one’s made for the club on a techno vibe and the other is a real chill downtempo beat. It’s all super exciting!

With a Radio 1 residency and festivals throughout the summer, how do you find the time to just sit back and relax? When you do get a moment to yourself, what do you like to do?

I don’t. Well… very rarely. I struggle to switch off and relax anyway, there’s always something to do. If I’m at home and I get a couple of hours in the evening or whatever I’ll just jump on the sofa with my Sky remote (and sometimes a take-away!) and just chill.

Did you at least take some time off for your birthday earlier this month?

I was travelling from one gig to another. I checked into my hotel and had the choice of going to the cinema and dining at a restaurant orrrrr staying in… I ordered a Chinese and stayed in. To most that may sound like the lamest birthday but my schedule is that hectic I had an absolute whale of a time! Haha.

Do you have any rituals before going on stage?

No. Just a vodka and diet lemonade is good. Although I do love to get to my gig no less than an hour before so that I can check out the vibe, the venue, see what the DJ’s playing before me etc. Then I’m happy, I’m more prepared with my set and know where I want to take the crowd.

You’re playing parties across the globe this summer; Croatia, Serbia and Canada to name but a few! Where’s your favourite place to play and why?

This is a pretty impossible question to answer; there are way too many great parties around the world and all for different reasons. Boat parties are great, intimate with unreal views, playing to thousands in festival tents is just insane; club gigs are full on raves…

Recently you posted on Facebook saying “In 2010 I used to wander around Ibiza daily when I spent the summer here dreaming of being up there on billboards. Five years later it's come true”. What is it about Ibiza that makes it so special to you? Why do you think to this day it’s still the clubbing capital?

Ibiza feels like my second home. I spent two summers in Ibiza with a dream to become a professional DJ and my months spent there definitely helped start to build my name. It’s also the mecca of dance music from around the entire world, playing in the super clubs of Ibiza has got to be up there in the top goals of any DJ.

Congratulations on being nominated for the Bass category in the 2015 DJ Award! How does it feel to be up alongside some of the biggest names in the business?

Thank you! It feels surreal, I was a little surprised by the nomination! The other nominees are literally like some of the biggest artists from around the world so to even be considered and nominated next to them is a massive achievement for me.

You’ve performed Creamfields before, what’s your favourite memory from the show?

The whole gig! Honestly it was a 2014 highlight for me alongside Hideout Festival. It was the biggest crowd I’d played too, the tent was rammed and the vibe was crazy. I loved every second.

So youre geared up for this years show then?

Of course! I won a Mixmag competition in 2012 to play a set at the silent disco at Creamfields, it was my first ever festival gig! I then returned last year to play to thousands in the AMP arena which was insane. It was a definite highlight of last year so I’m super buzzing to be coming back!

We hope you’ll be sticking around the Daresbury site! If so, who are you looking forward to seeing?

That weekend I’m playing four big festivals over three days. It’s gonna be crazy but Creamfields is the last one so it’s definitely geared up to be a celebratory gig! I’ll be sticking around for as long as I can, I’ll no doubt be found in the MK Area 10 tent where I’m playing. Actually I’ve never seen Maceo Plex DJ, it’d be cool if I could catch his set to see what he’s all about.

It’s a great achievement to break through in such a male dominated industry, how do you feel about that?  What advice would you give any budding ladies out there wanting to break into it?  

I’d give the same advice to anyone, it doesn’t matter whether they’re male or female. For me gender is completely irrelevant.

I’d say don’t expect things to happen overnight. Things take time and rightly so. Secondly I’d say to act professionally and consistently. Other than that… practise, practise, practise! So many people want to be DJ’s nowadays, you need to stand out from the crowd whether that be your mixing style or selection. Make mixtapes, send (professional) emails to local promoters and slowly but surely build your profile. Oh, and don’t gain an ego! In my opinion, it’s the worst quality of them all! Be a nice human!!!

You’ll be performing at the first ever Creamfields Ibiza in August, and theres a lot of excitement surrounding this inaugural festival which many have regarded as a game changer for the island, how does it feel to be part of it? What are your thoughts about it?

I’m super honoured to have been asked to be a part of it. I’ve never played at Ushuaia before either so it’s going to be a first on a lot of levels. The line up’s great, Creamfields in Ibiza is a match made in heaven, and I can’t wait!

Finally, finish this sentence: Creamfields is…

Legendary!

Hannah Wants will be performing at Creamfields Ibiza on Saturday 1st August 2015 and Creamfields UK on August Bank Holiday weekend, for info and tickets go to http://www.cream.co.uk/