Headlined this year by The Stranglers, Levellers, The Skints and Simon Townshend with a strong supporting line up of almost 60 fantastic bands, the winner of the Acoustic Category in the Live and Unsigned National Grand Final will go on to be a part of this fantastic festival!
Looe Music
Taking place between the 21st and the 23rd September, Looe Music Festival boasts low ticket prices for only £40 for an adult weekend, and £10 for Under 18’s. The festival features two stages smack-bang in the centre of Looe, a lovely little Cornish town and the main stage being situated on the beach.
Now in its second year, the festival was set up with the mission of bringing the best live bands to a sunny little Cornish fishing port in Looe. Having recently earned charitable status, any profits from the Looe Music Festival will go back into the festival as well as local community projects promoting musical talent and understanding.
Looe Music Festival is an expanding event and each year brings in bigger and better bands, it is catered to a wide variety of tastes in music from hip-hop and rock to 1940s swing and blues. So for 2012 Looe Music Festival is working in conjunction with Live and Unsigned to offer one act the opportunity to play in front of thousands of music lovers.
Live and Unsigned Festival Opportunities
Looe Music Festival is just one example of the festival opportunities up for grabs at the Live and Unsigned Grand Final which will be taking at The O2. Those who make it to the Grand Final will be competing for £10,000 cash and slots at up to 12 festivals!! The winner of Live and Unsigned 2012 is so far scheduled to play at the following festivals; Glass Butter Beach, Bingley Music Live, Sundown, Relentless Energy Drink Boardmasters, Strawberry Fields Festival, Brownstock, Stockton Weekender, Just So Festival, Cockermouth Rock Festival, London Summer Jam, Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Lancaster Music Festival. These festival slots are subject to genre suitability and dates.
This year’s celebrity judges for the final so far include BBC Radio 1’s Ras Kwame, Kerrang Radio’s Unsigned Expert Alex Baker and Mark Hill – also known as one half of the urban duo Artful Dodger.
To get the chance to play festival slots such as Guernsey Festival, enter Live and Unsigned. For more information on Looe Music Festival, check out the festival website.
Described by The Guardian’s Paul Lester as a ‘a grittier John Lennon’, South London singer/songwriterJosh Osho comes to T in the Park fresh from the release of his hotly anticipated first album L.I.F.E (Learning Is For Ever).Osho’s first single Redemption Days enjoyed huge critical acclaim last year, becoming record of the week on Radio 1, Radio 2 and 1 Xtra, all of whom have consistently championed this rising star ever since.
Also added to this year’s line-up is 18-year-old acoustic folk artist Jake Bugg. His beautiful melodies have already earned him accolades such as Zane Lowes ‘Hottest Record in the World’ for singleLightning Bolt and a spot supporting fellow T in the Park artist Michael Kiwanuka on tour. Inspired by folk legends such as Donovan, Don McLean and Bob Dylan Jake Bugg’s mix of soft acoustic melodies and honest, gentle lyrics make for the perfect folk ballad. This summer’s appearance at T in the Parkis just the start of many great things to come for this extremely talented young songwriter.
American born but UK based stand-up REGINALD D HUNTER has seen his career trajectory soar since his arrival on the circuit back in the early noughties. Subsequently picking up Edinburgh Festival nominations and garnering plaudits for his candid observational comic genius The Sunday Times hailed him as such, “his presence and intelligence make him one of the most brilliantly unpredictable comics in the country”. Brought to a wider audience following regular appearances on the small screen whilst guesting on the likes of ‘Have I Got News For You’ , ‘8 Out Of 10 Cats’ and ‘Would I Lie To You?’, Hunter makes his headline debut this year, miss at your peril.
Delve into the world of LEE NELSON’s outrageous, hilarious mayhem which is witness to his anarchic brand of good natured ribbing, somewhat dubious life lessons and general mischief as he brings a show especially created for Reading & Leeds to the festival this summer. LEE NELSON’S WELL GOOD PARTY features THE PETEBOX which sees an entirely new approach to using beatbox skills to create music, the live show is akin to that of a full band with fully crafted songs as well as demonstrating his world class beatbox skills and featuring graffiti artists.
JASON BYRNE’s inspired, original brand of high-energy intelligent lunacy ensures that there is no other comedian like him. With accolades including the Chortle Award for ‘Best Headliner’ in 2007, Byrne has a growing international profile which has seen him perform in New York, Boston, Hong Kong, Singapore, Brussels, Milan, Paris and Australia. After recently finishing his sell out ‘Cirque Du Byrne’ tour, he now has plans to bring a brand new show to the UK for his second major nationwide tour in Autumn 2012.
STEPHEN K AMOS has charmed and entertained audiences all over the world with his natural, assured delivery. His performances are filled with an almost child-like joy and exuberance and can find the funny in some of the most unexpected places. Comfortable as a performer, presenter, actor and guest there is no doubt that Amos will retain his position as one of the nation’s favourite comedians for a long time to come.
Charming and charismatic, a natural motor-mouth, Brighton's SEANN WALSH is the most frighteningly precocious talent to emerge from the UK comedy circuit in ages. Within two years of his first comedy performance in 2007, Seann became the winner of the Leicester ‘Mercury Comedian of the Year’. Shortly after, other accolades included Chortle ‘Best Breakthrough Act Nominee 2010’ and Chortle ‘Best Compere Nominee 2011’. As team captain on ‘Argumental’ and many other TV appearances, Seann is fast becoming one of the UK’s best new funnymen.
AL MURRAY aka The Pub Landlord has become a national institution over the years, his hilarious character has continued to win over audiences with his original and downright funny shows. His countless TV series’ and appearances have made him a household name, and no doubt the summer of the Jubilee and Olympics has given him plenty of new material for this proud Englishman. A comedy superstar who will pack this stage out, get in early.
Having moved to the UK from his native Vancouver, GLENN WOOL rapidly became one of the rising stars of the comedy circuit in both London and internationally. With an armoury of jokes that are set up and knocked over with startling precision his material veers between sagely political and gleefully silly, a cleverly subversive comedian with a sharp intelligence that quietly hits the mark, effortlessly but effectively.
As seen on ‘Never Mind The Buzzcocks’, ‘8 Out of 10 Cats’, ‘Argumental’ and ‘Russell Howard’s Good News’, CHRIS RAMSEY is enjoying a breakthrough year. Nominated for an Edinburgh Comedy Award at last year’s festival and with a recently completed sell-out Spring tour he is now an established circuit act and manages to convey comic observation with passion and infectious, bubbly likeability that’s breathlessly entertaining and one that will appeal to many.
Both a writer and stand-up HOLLY WALSH was Chortle’s ‘Best Newcomer of The Year’ in 2006 and has since appeared on numerous TV shows as well as writing for both TV and radio. Last year saw her nominated for an Edinburgh Comedy ‘Best Newcomer Award’ in recognition of her first full show, whilst a new six-part sitcom ‘Life Story’ set in a prison and written along with Sharon Horgan – featuring Horgan and Jennifer Saunders, has recently been aired on BBC Three.
Canadian-born KATHERINE RYAN brings to the stage a range of topics that includes relationships, bringing up children and her own childhood experiences including beauty pageants. Truly an irreverent treat for all, she manages to retain your attention, ripping into exploitative TV and small-town expectations amongst others with a dark, savage wit whilst exuding a wholesome sweetness, making her edgy in-your-face material even more sobering.
www.katherineryan.co.uk
(Reading Sunday 26)
DOC BROWN emerged from a musical background as a battle rapper at the onset of the noughties and it was a chance opportunity that led to him launching the comedy arm of his multi-facetted career which has seen Brown take on various film and TV roles. A relative newcomer to the circuit he has performed both here in the UK at Edinburgh and further afield at the prestigious Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Comedian, rapper and self-proclaimed bloody good entertainer, this summer marks his debut at the festival and it will be special show for the Reading and Leeds audience, featuring a full rap set.
The mind reader who can’t read minds, CHRIS COX is an accomplished and much loved performer, using a mongrel hybrid mix of witty chit chat, magic, psychology, body language, influence, devilish good looks… and lies, to make you think he knows what you’re thinking, despite never knowing what you are thinking, or being able to really do anything he says. This New Zealand talent has been described as one of the most entertaining performers in the UK.
Emergent in 2005, having reached the finals of the prestigious ‘BBC New Talent’, JIMMY MCGHIE has become a highly regarded and much sought after stand-up. Having served his time performing on the comedy ladder in theatres, clubs and universities countrywide he has garnered high praise as an acclaimed young comedian and TV warm-up and has recently been nominated for Chortle’s Compere Of the Year.
Winner of the ‘Amused Moose Laugh-Off’, runner-up in ‘So You Think You’re Funny’, and member of sketch trio WitTank, behold, His Imperial Highness Prince Nazim Ziaeddin Nazim Osmanoglu. Half English posh-boy, half Turkish warlord, NAZ OSMANOGLU wields the only scimitar he’s got – a sharp sense of humour and a claim to the Turkish throne. Beware: this man is sweaty, but very charismatic.
www.nazosmanoglu.com
(Leeds Saturday 25)
NATHAN CATON has been active on the UK comedy circuit since the tender age of 19. He excels in combining both personal, confessional material with up-to-date social and political anecdotes. This has won him numerous credits and plaudits over the years and has made him one of the hottest rising young stars on the circuit.
A little known fact about MARTIN BIGPIG is that he appears on the board of Trivial Pursuit (The Genius Edition) – on an arts/entertainment square where he can be seen wearing a leotard. That is not something many people can say. Nor can they have celebrated over 25 years as a professional performer, initially in the circus before moving into the comedy circuit. Very much the comedian’s comedian, Martin has been the support act of choice for; Frankie Boyle, Jack Dee, Lee Evans, Jasper Carrot, Patrick Kielty, Johnny Vegas, Steve Coogan, and once Tina Turner. Don’t miss this in demand popular funnyman.
The hilarious DAMO CLARK is Ireland’s favourite Australian. He moved over to Dublin in 2005 after collecting a set of awards at home and proceeded to win over fans in his new home and all over the UK. The hugely influential Chortle website said "There is barely a bad word to say about Clark: distinctive and possessing a comic talent beyond his years, both biological and mental." Sample one-liner – “What's orange and looks good on a hippie? Fire”. Oh yes, you’ll enjoy this.
After winning the Chortle ‘Student Comedian Award’ in 2007, TOM DEACON took part in Edinburgh Festival’s longest running group comedy show, The Comedy Zone in 2008, which previously launched the careers of Russell Howard, Harry Hill and Al Murray. Having his own Radio 1 show and making regular appearances previously on the BBC’s ‘5.19’ show have only sealed his reputation as one of the UK’s brightest up and coming stand-ups.
Hailing from Rockhampton near Bristol, JOEL DOMMET did his first show in Los Angeles as he thought “shame can’t swim so it wouldn’t follow me home” – luckily for us he made it back over the Atlantic and has been making audiences laugh ever since. Roles in ‘Skins’, BBC2′s ‘Popatron’ and stand up on ‘Russell Howards Good News’ followed and he can be seen presenting the news everyday on MTV. A welcome new face on the scene.
Winners of both Hackney Empire ‘New Act of the Year 2012’ and ‘The Musical Comedy Awards 2010’, ABANDOMAN create hilarious musical sketches at lightning speed live in front of their audience and no two gigs are ever the same. The project sees Rob Broderick and multi-instrumentalist James Hancox reinventing hip-hop in a way that appeals to all age groups. The group sold out their entire 28-day run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where they were also invited to perform alongside the likes of Jimmy Carr and John Bishop.
POPCORN COMEDY presents some of the strongest, sharpest and funniest videos found online. The show also features the country’s best comedians as they showcase their own short comedy films. Previous live performers have included Peter Serafinowicz,Tim Key, Adam Buxton, Josie Long, Robert Popper, David Cross and Graham Linehan. Popcorn Comedy is a Time Out ‘Critic’s Choice’ and has featured on the ‘Culture Show’ (BBC2). “The first truly successful interactive live stand-up show" BBC.
LATE NIGHT GIMP FIGHT formed in November 2008 and have been nominated for ‘Best Newcomer’ at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2010 and won a 2011 Chortle Award for ‘Best Sketch or Character Act’. Directed by Soho Theatre’s Artistic Director Steve Marmion, the collective consists of Paul Biggin, Richard Campbell, Lee Griffiths, David Moon and Matt Ralph. Plus one other, who is described in their own words as, “a technical gimp called Matt whose wedding list included two colanders and some onion goggles”.
Stand up comedian and compere DAVE TWENTYMAN will be your host for the Friday of the Alternative Stage at Leeds, effortlessly funny and quick on his feet, Dave endears himself to the toughest of audiences and he is a regular favourite to warm up the crowds at Leeds. Described by XFM as a, “Very funny, lovely young man” be sure to take time out to catch Dave and get in the mood for plenty of laughs. M
http://dave-twentyman.co.uk
(Leeds Friday 24)
Actor and comedian JEFF LEACH is a young man hell bent on world domination. He performs his own opulent and revealing brand of stand up comedy whilst acting in feature films, writing sketch and sitcom pieces and also developing and presenting immersive documentaries. He has been a finalist in the London New Comedian Awards and Amused Moose Laughter Awards and last year performed a sold out solo one hour show at Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Catch this multi-talented young man at Reading this year before he achieves his world domination!
World-renowned scratch DJ, KID KOALA, has made a name for himself with his three solo albums on Ninja Tune; ‘Carpal Tunnel Syndrome’, ‘Some of My Best Friends Are DJs’ and ‘Your Mom’s Favourite DJ’. He has also been involved in collaborations with the likes of Gorillaz, The Slew and Deltron 3030, with the latter hip-hop supergroup featuring Dan The Automator and Del The Funky Homosapien gearing up for the release of their much anticipated second album later this year. Be sure to check out one of the best turntabalists around at this year’s Reading & Leeds Festival.
Distinctively attired in a trucker cap, charity shop suit and beard, SCROOBIUS PIP has been an unmistakable face in the UK’s music scene in recent years. Best known as one half of the unlikely chart bothering duo dan le sac Vs Scroobius Pip, he released his solo album ‘Distraction Pieces at the latter end of 2011. The record features a roll call of collaborators from the worlds of rock and leftfield hip-hop, including the likes of Renholder, Richard Russell (XL) and Steve Mason. Be sure to get down the front early for this very special full band set.
It’s impossible to categorise the legendary BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAH. Dub poet, political performer, a musician who encompasses jazz, reggae, hip hop, folk, rock and house music, author, playwright … we could go on but it just goes to say he is one of the most recognisable and influential poets in the UK. Any show from this Birmingham superstar is a life-enhancing experience. Enjoy.
Presented by the irresistible SECRET CINEMA, Matthew Kassovitz’s seminal work ‘LA HAINE’ is heading to Leeds Festival. With Asian Dub Foundation performing a live re-score to the film, this promises to kick start things in truly mesmerising fashion. The film, labelled French cinema’s answer to ‘Boyz N The Hood’, sees kids clash with cops in suburban Paris and the result is an explosion of scathing social commentary and dynamic storytelling.
CHRIS SHEPHERD is a BAFTA nominated director who blends live action with animation to examine the humorously dark side of life. He's worked on funny shows such as ‘Big Train’ and ‘Nathan Barley’ while directing award winners such as ‘Dad's Dead’, ‘Bad Night For The Blues’ and his collaboration with David Shrigley ‘Who I Am And What I Want’. More recently he's been directing a film for, as well as curating for Channel 4's art strand ‘Random Acts’.
The UK’s biggest indie night, PROPAGANDA, takes over the Alternative Stage on Friday night for an incredible audio-visual extravaganza. Regularly playing to 25,000 people per week in 22 cities across the UK, Ireland and Australia, Propaganda are experts in keeping the party alive into the early hours. With a little help from local boys The Pigeon Detectives, the Propaganda residents will bring you music from the likes of Arctic Monkeys, The Black Keys, The Vaccines, Florence & The Machine, Mumford & Sons, The Stokes, Bombay Bicycle Club and much more.If you’ve been to Propaganda before, you know this will be unmissable. If you haven’t, now is your chance.
LINE UP ANNOUNCED FOR THE ENERGY SESSIONS ARENA, SPONSORED BY RELENTLESS ENERGY DRINK, AT THIS YEAR’S LEEDS FESTIVAL
Relentless Energy Drink is excited to announce the DJ line-up for the Energy Sessions Arena, sponsored by Relentless Energy Drink, which will take pride of place in the campsite at this year’s Leeds Festival, providing banging tunes late into the night.
The Energy Sessions Arena, sponsored by Relentless Energy Drink will get going from 10pm to 3am each night of the festival, including Thursday night when this stage will be getting the party started for the early arrivals before the music stages start on the Friday.
Rudimental are currently on a mission to bring soul to electronic music, with the east London quartet winning support from Zane Lowe, The xx, Mistajam and Fearne Cotton. With them set to dominate dance floors in the coming months, their headline DJ set will kick-start the weekend in fine style.
Purveyors of high quality D&B, and Hospital records favourites, fast-rising producers Fred V & Grafix will also be lighting up the stage over the weekend. These two West Country natives have been making a lot of impact with their scorching sounds and are one of the DJ acts of 2012 to keep a firm eye on.
Electro-pop/R&B superstar Mr Hudson will be bringing some magic to Leeds via his headline DJ set. Known for his exciting collaborations and tours with the likes of Kanye West, Jay-Z and Amy Winehouse, Mr Hudson has also DJed all over the world and played for Louis Vuitton, Formula 1, Elton John and former US President Bill Clinton. Expect him to bring an incredibly broad collection of music to the decks for a set you won’t want to miss.
Best known for melding politically-charged dubstep and post-hardcore rock Rout & Sgt. Rolfy – AKA Enter Shikari frontman Rou Reynolds and drummer Rob Rolfe, who are playing on the main stages at Reading and Leeds with their bandmates over the weekend – will be closing the festivities at the Leeds Festival on the Energy Sessions Arena, sponsored By Relentless Energy Drink.
"We shall be busting out the re-energising tunes for a long night of partying,” explains Rou. “Expect enough bass to rupture stomachs and invert ear drums; from the darkest drum & bass, to the biggest booty shaking dubstep, plus plenty of surprising remixes!"
It’s set to be a banging weekend with the Relentless Energy Drink flowing at the Arena bar and all bars across Leeds Festival.
Families with children looking to try out new sports, Londoners wanting to catch up with the Gamesafter a long day at work, or groups of friends wishing to catch their favourite music acts live – BT London Live will be the place to be in London during the Games.
Visitors to BT London Live Victoria Park 27 July – 12 August will get the chance to experience the following for FREE:
· Multi-purpose sports courts: sports include Badminton, Tennis, Wheelchair Basketball, Handball, Judo, Volleyball, Basketball, Table Tennis, Lacrosse and Athletics.
· Entertainment on the Main Stage presented by KISS (official London Radio Station of BT London Live):Norman Jay and FriendsSaturday 28 July, Alexandra Burke Thursday 2 August Soul II Soul Saturday 4August, Club de Fromage, Courtney Pine, Alyssa Reid, Sean Rowley’s Guilty Pleasures, Slow Club, Summer Camp, Sound of Latin London, and more
· BT Air Balloon: free tethered flights available dependant on weather conditions
· Kids Zone: Activities will include sporting themed craft activities for children aged 2-8 years for up to 600 young children every day from 11am – 5pm. There’s also the chance for children to participate in ‘One Movement’, a youth focused sports festival aimed at a younger audience covering sports not featuring in the Sports Arena, this runs daily from 11am – 8pm from 2 – 5 August.
· Showtime: between 8 – 12 August a taster of some of the exciting artists taking part in Showtime, which has been commissioned by the Mayor of London and is the biggest festival of outdoor arts ever staged in the capital . Artists range from Red Poppy (Chinese Drum ensemble from the Beijing Opening Ceremony) to comedy & magic shows.
· Theatre Tol: also part of Showtime, the leading outdoor arts company from Belgium will perform a late evening 45-minute cycling based aerial spectacle.. Nightly performances will be staged between 27 July – 1 August nightly.
· Fanfare, all the best show choirs from the USA, with varied performances from three different schools every night in the Sports Arena between 3 & 7 August
· Cirque Bijou & The Boxettes, an urban performance of parkour and dance nightly with interactive workshops through out the day on 6 & 7 August
· In the Zone, a Wellcome Trust initiative inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, It provides a fun, free and fascinating way of using science to discover how our bodies work during sport, activity, movement and rest.
· Big Dance will be running massparticipation dance events ranging from Dirty Dancing, Bollywood, Disco Fever, Tango and many more themes in nightly performances in the Sports Arena between 28July & 1s August.
· The World in London Project, avisual art proposal from the Photographers Gallery, with images of Londonersfrom all over the world depicting London’s diverse population and illustrating that all 204 competing nations in the Olympic Games have ‘home support’.
Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman said: “BT London Live is a great way for residents and visitors to share in the excitement of the Games. Victoria Park will be at the heart of the action with live music, a range of sports to try out and a fantastic festival atmosphere.”
Paid for attractions (which can be obtained via www.btlondonlive.comwhen booking Guaranteed Entry Tickets) include:
· Zip Line, zip down the 320m long, 45m high, 4 wire
· BTObservation Wheel, a first class view of the Olympic Park and the London skyline
· Zorbing, by land or on water
· Bungeetrampolining
*BT London Live Victoria Park is subject to planning application
Access to BT London Live is FREE, just walk up and join the fun. There are a limited number of Guaranteed EntryTickets still available for those who wish to ensure they don’t miss out on a particular day or their favourite sport. Pre-booked tickets for BT London Live provide guaranteed entry before 2pm. After 2pm, entry is on a first-come, first-served basis, but due to likely demand, may be subject tolong queues. An order processing fee of £3.50 will be applied to each transaction of up to four Guaranteed Entry Tickets*. To secure your tickets and for more information about Guaranteed Entry, please go to www.btlondonlive.com. *Guaranteed Entry tickets are not available for BT London Live Trafalgar Square which offers walk in entry at all times, on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to capacity.
BT London Live is also hosting two Celebration Concerts in Hyde Park to coincide with the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Snow Patrol,Stereophonics, Duran Duran and Paolo Nutini will perform at the Opening Ceremony Celebration Concert on Friday 27 July, whilst Blur will headline the Closing Ceremony Celebration Concert on Sunday 12 August, with special guests Bombay Bicycle Club, New Order and The Specials. No one will miss the excitement as all the action from the Olympic Park will be beamed into BT London Live. For tickets and more information go to www.btlondonlive.com.
Giving One Love Festival audience a very special glimpse into Bob Marley before he was famous, and a rare opportunity to ask questions about Bob Marley to someone who personally knew him. The film presents the 'lost footage of Bob Marley' shot by Esther Anderson in 56 Hope Road in 1973, showing for the first time the young Bob Marley and the Wailers reasoning and performing their first ever rehearsal.
This historical footage and Esther's intimate narration reveals the love story between Esther and Bob, the writing of anthems like Get up stand up, I Shot the Sheriff and War. The restored footage also reveals the brotherly friendship between Bob Marley and Peter Tosh and the strength of the Reggae sound by the other legends Aston Familyman Barrett and his brother Carlton Barrett, unravelling a vision that gave birth of the union between Reggae music and Rasta consciousness during a time of social confrontation.
In music Esther Anderson helped to develop the career of Millie Small, and Bob Marley and The Wailers. Her photographs launch ed the career of Bob Marley and The Wailers (All photographs appearing on Catch a Fire album and Burnin' album were shot by Esther Anderson in 1973 to launch their international career). Esther was a minority shareholder of Island Records and an associate producer of The Harder They Come, casting Jimmy Cliff for the part of Ivan O Martin and coaching him for the part. A co-founder of Island Records, Esther helped to create a musical revolution from the early 60, giving an international platform to Jamaican musicians.
Esther is a NAACP Image Award winning actress in Hollywood films opposite actors like Sidney Poitier and Sammy Davis Jr. Among her credits she play the lead role opposite Sidney Poitier in A Warm December – for which she was put forward for an Oscar nomination by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. She was made an Honorary Citizen of Memphis Tennessee for her contribution to music and films.
For Full One Love Festival 2012 Artist and Cinema Schedule :
Saturday and Sunday are now completely sold out for this years Wireless Festival, and if you haven't got your ticket yet but want to catch a piece of Wireless, you can still get day tickets for Friday to see deadmau5, Aforjack and more!
After pulling out in 2010 due to unforseen circumstances, Drake returns to London to headline Wireless Festival in 2012. Joining Drake on the main stage will be US rapper Nicki Minaj, Example, Wiz Khalifa, Professor Green, Tulisa and Rita Ora. Over in the Pepsi Max Stage, Nero will headline along with The Weekend, Labrinth, Deliah, D'banj, Hilltop Hoods, Clement Marfo & The Frontline.
Rihanna returns to London to headline Sunday night after a massive sell out tour in the UK last year. Joining Rhi-Rhi on the main stage is Jessie J, J Cole, Rizzle Kicks, Labrinth, Pitbull and Cher Llyod.
The Summer Festival Guide will be on hand to bring you all the action from Saturday, we will be keeping you up to date on the performances through the day, who we have seen in the press area's, and will hopefully catch a few acts to interview through the day!
We’re also thrilled to spill the beans on three more exciting Main Stage acts – TheJim Jones Revue, L Marshall and a specially selected BBC Introducing band from the Hackney Weekend. Meanwhile the Raise the Roof stage has another nine incredible bands that are well worth closer investigation. Juan Zelada, Karima Francis, Lilygreen & Maguire, Me and My Friends, Spirit of John, The Milk, Matt Belmont, Nico Cara andMaquipucuna further enhance our dizzying list of performers, which now splits as follows:
Friday 31st Aug
Saturday 1st Sept
Sunday 2nd Sept
Main Stage
The Charlatans
Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
Kids in Glass Houses
Stooshe
BBC Introducing band
Razorlight
DJ Fresh Live
The Pigeon Detectives
Delilah
Space
The Jim Jones Revue
Black Spiders
The Chevin
Nero
Plus Special Guests
Maverick Sabre
Hard-Fi
Katzenjammer
Band to be announced
Citizens!
L Marshall
Raise the Roof Stage
Miles Hunt & Erica Knockalls
Skinny Lister
Sadie and the Hotheads
Matt Belmont
Spirit of John
The Lancashire Hotpots
King Charles
We Were Evergreen
Jake Bugg
Karima Francis
Lilygreen & Maguire
Maquipucuna
The Milk
The Idiot B*stard Band
Katzenjammer
Yes Sir Boss
Ellen and the Escapades
Juan Zelada
L&U Competition Winners Me and My Friends
Nico Cara
The Musicians Centre Stage
all too human / Ballyhoo Eventide / Bearfoot Beware / Control is Dead / Dan Audio / Deadwall / Den Miller / Down The Machine / Eskimo Fandango / Foxes Faux /
Gods of Hellfire / Joe Tilston / Lunar Coup / Return to Ajustrel / Small Words / Talking To Strangers / Ti Amo / The Coopers / The Simon Pollard Band /
Tom Savage & The Hash Mafia
Opening proceedings on the Main Stage on Friday afternoon we have some special guests performing for us. The band is still to be revealed but they will be one of 18 acts specially selected by a panel of judges to perform on the BBC Introducing Stage at the Hackney Weekend festival this Saturday and Sunday. This initiative is a partnership between the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) and the BBC to bring new music to a wider audience.
Winners of Artrocker magazine’s inaugural ‘Best Live Band Award’ last year The Jim Jones Revue have an unprecedented reputation for their onstage performance. This 5-piece bring a no-holds-barred energy to the fore and a unique take on blues-tinged, punk rock that has a truly vital, life affirming feel. Their speaker-ripping frenzy of furious, pounding sound has earned them an army of followers and you too can be blown away this summer. As lead singer and eponymous band member, Jim, explains it’s a role that “you just feel in your bones.” Here! Here!
The name L Marshall may as yet be unfamiliar but you’re likely to have heard his music. An exceptionally talented songwriter he’s already scored two top 5 hits with Loick Essien’s How we roll and Wretch 32’s Traktor. Now stepping into the limelight, this London born 24-year old will take to the Main Stage to display his incredible vocal talent that melds rap with song in a genre-refining style. Currently busy recording his debut album, BML audiences can experience for themselves the tempo-twisting tunes that range from grime to RnB… catch him while you can.
Over on the Raise the Roof stage, Juan Zelada comes armed with a simple manifesto… toshow everyone “what a good time people can have if they go for it”. Born in Madrid, Juan attended Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Institute of the Performing Arts, where Macca even presented the young Juan with a songwriting prize. Fast forward a few years and the hardworking lad has been signed to Decca Records with recent singles from his debut album High Ceiling and Collar Bones receiving heavy airplay on Radio 2.
Back with renewed vigour and vitality after a two-year absence, Karima Francis is famed for being able to hush a crowded gig into complete silence with her bare-to-the-bone sound and raw emotion. Produced by Flood, Karima’s new album The Remedy is due for releaseon 13th August. This extraordinary singer songwriter from Blackpool is set to captivate our BML audience with her highly charged lyrics and potent stage presence.
Fresh from supporting Olly Murs and Westlife on their arena tours, the two Jons, Lilygreen & Maguire have already established a loyal following and look set for big things with a record deal with Warner Bros and the release of new single Ain’t Love Crazy. With their clean cut looks, pitch perfect harmonies and acoustic guitars the duo from Newport, Walesare pure pop magic.
Me and My Friends are the perfect band for a gloriously sunny afternoon at a festival. ThisLeeds based five-piece promise to deliver a healthy dose of musical sunshine that’s sure to bring a smile to your face. Mixing seemingly disparate styles and influences together, the group has mastered creating unified and infectiously upbeat melodies and rhythms. A big, warm musical hug is in store for everyone in attendance.
Acoustic two-piece Spirit of John deliver a raw, rasping and sometimes rowdy sound that evokes the Deep South of last century rather than modern day Halifax! Signed toYorkshire’s dedicated roots music label ‘Ginhouse’ the duo effortlessly encompass blues, country, skiffle, folk as well as occasional punk influences. Regularly joined on stage by guest musicians they deliver a rich earthy sound and robust live performance.
The Milk are four guys from Essex on a mission to ‘bring proper music to the charts’. They succeed in achieving a soulful sound that has something of a retro vibe about it. New singleEvery time we fight is released next week (look out for the video featuring Jay from ‘The Inbetweeners’) and with a string of live dates over the summer and debut album Tales from the Thames Delta to follow later in the year; 2012 could well be the year that The Milk gets the cream.
Leeds based singer-songwriter Matt Belmont has spent the last 12 months tirelessly touring the UK. Matt’s debut EP Not Coming Down was released in February this year,reaching the Top 30 of the iTunes Alternative Chart and picking up airplay on various radio stations including Alan Raw’s BBC introducing show. Expect original arrangements, faultless playing and a confident, mature voice – definitely one to watch.
Originally from London, 16 year old Nico Cara is now based in Richmond, North Yorkshire.Blessed with an extraordinary musical talent, his songs have a worldly-wiseness about them and include some cracking titles such as Back away you stupid bint. As yet unsigned, the teenager possesses a distinctive vocal style that’s sure to have plenty of appeal.
Macquipucuna (that’s pronounced Mack-wi-pa-coona just so you know!!) will be bringing the sound of the Balkans to Bingley. Expect a high-energy musical riot that delivers frenetic Eastern rhythms by a band of super-skilled West Yorkshire based musicians. Formed in 2010 by German violinist Brigitte Mallon, the band’s sole intent is to cause widespread uncontrolled and uncontrollable dancing… something BML audiences always excel at.
If you head to http://www.facebook.com/Bloodstock you can submit your suggestions via a poll. Each fan can pick five songs fromMACHINE HEAD’s incredible debut “Burn My Eyes”, and the five most popular tracks will be performed at CATTON HALL this summer.
BLOODSTOCK can also reveal a further three acts for the Sophie Stage and one for the Ronnie James Dio Stage. Headlining the Sophie Stage on Thursday night, raucous rockers VIKING SKULL bring their loud and proud metal to BLOODSTOCK, alongside Belfast metalheads SWEET SAVAGE. Hotly tipped newcomers DEATH VALLEY KNIGHTS show why in just a few short months their powerful metal has earned them a much coveted spot at Britain’s most metal festival, and finally Canada’s KOBRA & THE LOTUS make their BLOODSTOCK debut opening the Ronnie James Dio Stage on Sunday.
With Olly Murs, Pixie Lott, Alexandra Stan, Stooshe, Katy B, Zane Lowe, Ms Dynamite, Sub Focus, Dot Rotten, Labrinth and headliners Chase & Status Live rocking the Main Stage over the two-day festival and with Stage 2 playing host to the likes of Feed Me Live, Radio 1/1Xtra’s Mista Jam, Funtcase, Zinc, Wilkinson and 16 Bit, presented by UKF on Saturday 1 September, it has now been announced that dance brand KISS will present headliner David Rodigan MBE, Sway Live, EZ, Shortee Blitz, MJ Cole and Charlie Hedges on Stage 2 for the Sunday night
Sundown Festival spokesman, Dion Clements comments: “As we had previously announced, this year’s second stage, or Stage 2, is going to be much more dance led than last year. The Saturday night, as we know, will have a strong emphasis on Bass music, and now we’re able to announce that the Sunday night will focus on a mix of House, Garage and Reggae, with some of the biggest club DJs mixing it up under the KISS brand. Bringing the likes of David Rodigan MBE, EZ and MJ Cole to Norfolk just pushed the boundaries of the festival, and its appeal, even further“
It was also recently announced that the global NEXT Model Management will be sending scouts to the festival to search for ‘new faces’
The festival will take place at the Norfolk Showground on Saturday 1 & Sunday 2 September.
Twenty-five years ago Hugh Masekela put forth an idea to Paul Simon to tour the ‘Graceland’ album with an array of South African musicians, including Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba and 10-man vocal team Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Now for the first time in 25 years, Paul Simon will be joined by original ‘Graceland’ musicians to bring the show back to the UK at Hard Rock Calling in London’s Hyde Park.
The groundbreaking world-pop masterpiece ‘Graceland’ generated three hit singles, a five-year tour, Grammy Awards for best album and best record andsales of over 14 million copies.
