July 7, headlined by international superstar Drake, and Sunday July 8, headlined by global sensationRihanna have now sold out! Incredible demand has led to 65,000 tickets being snapped up for each day, well over a month in advance of the festival. Three day tickets and two day tickets have also sold out, tickets for Friday July 6, headlined by Deadmau5 are still available but selling fast.
Acts joining Deadmau5 on Friday 6 July include The Roots, Maverick Sabre, Santigold and Afrojack whilst Saturday’s line-up headlined by Drake includes Nicki Minaj, Example, Wiz Khalifa, Rita Ora and Professor Green.Rihanna will be joined by Jessie J, J Cole, Rizzle Kicks, andPitbull amongst others on Sunday July 8.
Without doubt this year’s Barclaycard Wireless Festival will be the biggest and best yet!
Full line up so far as follows:
Friday 6 July Deadmau5
The Roots Maverick Sabre Metric Knife Party Feed Me Santigold Modestep Jaguar Skills Zeds Dead Childish Gambino Ms Dynamite Gemini Araabmuzik Zedd Plus special guest – Afrojack
Saturday 7 July Drake Nicki Minaj Example Wiz Khalifa The Weekend Professor Green Labrinth Tulisa Rita Ora Chiddy Bang D’banj Hilltop Hoods Clement Marfo and the Frontline Dot Rotten Angel EJ Sneakbo Lady Leshurr Koan Sound AlunaGeorge Josh Osho Bakery Boys Plus Special Guest – Nero
Sunday 8 July Rihanna Jessie J J Cole Rizzle Kicks Labrinth Pitbull Cher Lloyd Kaskade Madeon A$AP Rocky Lloyd Flux Pavilion Delilah Stooshe Far East Movement Theophilus London Doctor P Kreayshawn L Marshall Monsta Steve Papa Edwards Skyline Plus special guest – Calvin Harris
Of these, 67,000 have a combi-ticket and will be there for the full four days. In addition, 18,000 day tickets have been sold for each day. Rock Werchter can confirm a new attendance record this year. A total of 139,000 unique visitors will be here. And the new Rock Werchter, with an extra stage this year, will be a special one. 81 artists are to perform including The Cure, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Editors, Elbow, dEUS, Jack White, The xx, Mumford & Sons, Snow Patrol and Florence + the Machine.
Important: There are a number of dodgy sites offering tickets to the festival. They have bought tickets on the regular market and are now offering them for several times the original price. The validity of tickets bought on the secondary market cannot be guaranteed and admittance to the festival may be denied. We strongly advise against buying tickets from auction sites or second-hand. All the information is onwww.ilovemyticket.be . As is its tradition, Rock Werchter offers a legal alternative to buying resold festival tickets: the ticket exchange desk. This is at the entrance to the Festivalpark during the festival. Tickets can only be sold on via this office, and at the official ticket prices. This exchange desk has been proven to the efficient. Anyone who, for any reason, has a spare ticket for the festival can offer it for sale. Potential buyers can also register their interest here. Click here for more information on the ticket exchange desk.
Holland’s famous Kraak & Smaak will give a great live show at the Arena and there are four new additions to the line-up of the A38 stage, including Danish singer-songwriter Agnes Obel, beatbox phenomenon Beardyman, London’s finest Citizens! and Berlin-based punk crew, Bonaparte. Meet them together with fans from over 60 countries this summer in Budapest, between 6 and 13 August.
Maxïmo Park was formed in the early 2000’s, releasing their debut album in 2005, which got them a Mercury Prize nomination the same year. Since then, thanks to millions of sold albums and great live performances, the band belongs to the elite of the UK indie scene. Their new studio album, The National Health is scheduled for release this June.
The Roots will also join the 20th edition of Europe’s freshly crowned and completely renewed best major festival. In fact they were already active even at the times before Sziget started and the American East Coast crew collected several Grammy awards since then. They provide a great mixture of hip-hop, rock, pop, jazz and soul, clearly proving this on a total of 10 studio albums, but first and foremost playing live on stage.
Kraak & Smaak has been one of the most exciting export items of the Dutch music scene for the last 10 years, brilliantly mixing jazz, funk, soul and lounge patterns with electronica. Their sets are loose and elegant, full of great tunes and taste, cheered on by thousands of fans wherever they play.
Agnes Obel is probably the most talented contemporary female performer Denmark has to offer. A singer-songwriter who already won great awards and is known all over Europe by now, supporting her singing with piano harmonies and always keeping a simple, clean, melancholic but also very cozy musical attitude.
Darren Foreman, a.k.a. Beardyman is a hyperactive showman from the Babilon of Europe, London. He is hailed for his phenomenal beatbox technique and also his eccentric live loopings. BBC already crowned him „King of Sound and Ruler of Beats” and for the last few years he has been a regular performer at the biggest UK festivals.
Citizens!’ music is British from head to toe, keeping a discrete, intimate, synth-pop based line, but also including speedy guitar themes. The 5-piece combo will be proud the present their newest album, Here We Are, right at the best possible place, Sziget nr. 20.
Bonaparte is probably more spectacular than the guy who lent them his name. They are the flag ship of the current Berlin punk scene, famous for wild and shocking carnival-like performances that involve a number of actors, dancers and musicians on stage. Their new album „0110111 – Quantum Physics & A Horseshoe” came out recently.
‘Chai Wallahs’ is the largest independent music venue touring the UK festival circuit, consistently creating a spectacular and energising environment that provides the perfect back drop for programming and production partner ‘Diplomats of Sound’. The Chai Wallahs stage in the Kaylied area will be a melting pot of genres purveying sounds from across the globe bringing extra layers to one of the North’s most diverse festival line-ups. Chai Wallahs in the Kaylied lays on the best in folk, balkan beats, hip hop, jazz, live dubstep, funk and ska!
Landing into the Kaylied area with their beautifully crafted marquee, shisha lounge and famed festival stage; Chai Wallahs and Arts Council funded project Global Local will revamp the Kaylied stage and serve up exotic flavours. Produced by Continental Drifts and its partners, Global Local is a ground breaking project that consistently brings some of the world’s best music to festival stages.
Dance outfit Dreadzone will be setting the night alight with their arresting sound and catalogue of hits. On the flip side are the calming sounds of Benjamin Francis Leftwich who has been making waves on the acoustic folk scene and will also take to the stage with his acclaimed sound.
6-piece Yes Sir Boss are an unstoppable force. Hailing from Bristol the outfit are original and distinctive with off beat rhythms, singalong choruses and epic riff and horn sections!
Edinburgh based band, Hidden Orchestra combine drummers, samples and dub basslines to create cinematic soundscapes, which is truly music to be experienced.
Festival favourites King Porter Stomp are also joining the bill along with folk extraordinaire Lucy Rose who has been receiving lots of national attention of late, and Jesca Hoop who returns to Kendal following the release of her third album “The House That Jack Built” this Summer.
One act not to be missed are 10-piece live band Slamboree, who waltz aboard complete with circus performers, brass sections, carnivalesque guitars and more to create an immersive audio-visual experience, incorporating electronic music with live instruments, acrobatics, pyrotechnics and fire!
Other artist highlights include Kendal Calling favourite and much-loved BBC Radio DJ Craig Charles who returns to close the festival with his acclaimed Funk and Soul Show which is sure to get those wellies deep down on the dancefloor for his extra special extended set at this year’s festival.
The music and activities in the Kendal Calling meadow span 14 diverse stages and areas, situated in a close-knit site that means you’re never far from your friends; areas include Mainstage, GLoW dance tent,
Calling Out new music stage, Chai Wallahs in the Kaylied area, Soapbox, Kids Area, Kendal Calling Real Ale Festival tent, Garden of Eden, Village Green, New Woodland area (details tba), Happy Slap boutique, Riot Jazz, Houseparty, Sailor Jerry’s, Songsmith Solar stage, and new for 2012; Kopparberg Kube and Tim Peak’s Diner brought to you by Tim Burgess of the Charlatans!
DIZZEE RASCAL / JAMES / MAXIMO PARK / DAN LE SAC VS SCOOBIUS PIP / SHED SEVEN / WE ARE SCIENTISTS / THE VIEW / FEEDER / INSPIRAL CARPETS / SPECTOR / VINTAGE TROUBLE / TRIBES / WHISKYCATS / DJ YODA & THE TRANSIBERIAN MARCH BAND / LITTLE ROY / TO KILL A KING / DODGY/ BOMBSKARE / GHOSTPOET / TWISTED WHEEL / JUAN ZELADA / THE LANCASHIRE HOTPOTS / MONSTER CEILIDH / VARIOUS CRUELTIES / ISLET / LUCY ROSE / TOY / STEVE SMYTH / MAX RAPTOR / HYDE & BEAST / RAE MORRIS / RYAN KEEN / PETE ROE / KING CHARLES / JACK MARTELLO / SPRING OFFENSIVE / JAKE EVANS (BAD LIEUTENANT) / EXTRA CURRICULAR / BEANS ON TOAST / RANDOM IMPULSE / WONDER VILLIANS / POLICE DOG HOGAN
DANCE TENT: BENGA / ANDY C / SHY FX / JACK BEATS (DJ set) / MOSCA / MS DYNAMITE / TODDLA T / A.SKILLZ / OLUGBENGA (METRONOMY) / UTAH SAINTS / 16-BIT / THE CORRESPONDENTS / PHAELEH / DUB PISTOLS (DJ set) / JAYMO & ANDY GEORGE / D/R/U/G/S + MANY MORE
KAYLEID TENT: DREADZONE / BENJAMIN FRANCES LEFTWICH / HIDDEN ORCHESTRA / LAZY HABITS / YES SIR BOSS / LUCY ROSE / DIZRAELI AND THE SMALL GODS/ LOUIS BARABBAS & THE BEDLAM SIX JESCA HOOP / DJ SWITCH / KING PORTER STOMP / TAKO LAKO / JUAN ZELADA / SLAMBOREE DJ MONEYSHOT / EXTRA CURRICULAR / BOMBSKARE / RAE MORRIS / DEXTER DEXTROUS & THE FINGER SMITHS / CUT A SHINE / THE MONSTER CEILIDH BAND / JACK MARTELLO / CODA / RYAN KEEN / POLICE DOG HOGAN / HEYMOONSHAKER / PAT DAM SMYTH / PETER ROE / KIDNAP ALICE / THE LOOSE MOOSE STRING BAND / THE MEKKITS
Fans looking for accommodation can still purchase a very limited number of RIP options including the new RIP Metal Hotel. Both day tickets and RIP packages are available at www.downloadfestival.co.uk/tickets
This year’s Download Village entertainment is set to be better than ever in celebration of the 10th Anniversary. The Doghouse returns with a full weekend line-up of DJs, Rockeoke and its infamous “Fancy Dress Friday”. This year’s theme is ‘Download Legends’ and everyone is encouraged to get involved by paying homage to theirs.
The comedy tent returns to raise more laughs, with some popular names from years past as well as fresh faces; and if fans want to escape the crowds after the main arena closes they can kick back at the Download Cinema
To commemorate Download’s 10th anniversary there will also be a range of vintage merchandise & limited edition t-shirts that fans can purchase.
Download Festival are also excited to announce the return of the ever rocking Download Radio powered by Team Rock, broadcasting on 87.7FM across the Donington site, and online at www.DownloadFM.co.uk, providing a weekend of tunes alongside a pint of Official Download 2012 beer, Tuborg – a match made in heaven. Download FM is on air 9am Wednesday 6 June and finishing 12pm Monday 11 June. Requests can be made via twitter @DOWNLOADFM & by email to [email protected].
Zippo is back and ready to rock with you at Download Festival for a second year! Check out your favourite bands on the Zippo Encore stage and then come chill out in Zippo’s Encore zone. There’ll be lots of surprises for you including the return of the hugely popular ‘Design My Zippo Lighter’ competition, face painting and other exciting activities. You will also be able to purchase Zippo lighters on-site, including Download Festival limited editions. We look forward to seeing you there, make sure you stop by. Those that rock, roll with Zippo!
Max it with your mates this year with Pepsi Max, join us at the Pepsi Max Stage and rock out to all your favourite acts. Max out on music.www.pepsi.co.uk.
This year, acts from The Red Bull Bedroom Jam have entered by uploading a video to www.redbullbedroomjam.com. Entrants are in the running to appear in an online show recorded straight from their home, have a professional music video recorded for them by the Bedroom Jam pro's ANDsupport the UK tour of a major artist. On top of all that the top 8 bands of 2012 will join previous success stories play the Red Bull Bedroom Jam stage at Download!
Jägermeister will bring their monolithic metal beasts – two specially converted ex-military 25 tonne vehicles converted into a cool, sub zero ice bar known as the JägerIce Truck and an awesome acoustic stage known as the JägerRock Truck. The JägerIce Truck comes with a 21 meter bar, serving Ice Cold Jäger shots from tap machines that chill the Jägermeister to an icy zero degrees. Download the app “Jägermeister Ice Cold”, check in when you visit their Ice Truck and stand the chance to win amazing prizes.
Heading to Lancashire’s Ribble Valley for a UK festival exclusive will be The Netherlands’ finest electronic live act Kraak & Smaak. The Dutch trio will be headlining the coveted Beat-Herder Sunday evening slot along with their full live band. XFM’s Eddy Temple Morris will be entertaining the Friday evening crowds with the Sugarbeat Club in the woods along with Lancashire born DMC champion DJ Woody. Ambient techno outfit System 7 have also been added to the Saturday line- up with Jalapeno Sound System providing the funky beats on Sunday evening in the woods.
The aptly name Rajazzle Tent will see additions of Stealing Sheep , Mr Woodnote and Lil Rhys and Middleman and venue Trailer Trash will see additions Drum Machine (as featured on Britain’s Got Talent), The 59ers and Dub Smugglers. STUMBLEFUNK have added Skittles’n’that and Extra Love plus there will be DJ sets from Steve Thorpe and Ken Evil Vs Compa. Venues Smokey Tenticles and The Perfumed Garden Stage will welcome a host of DJs and live acts and the Bushrocker Hifi will play home to a plethora of DJs spinning roots, reggae and dub including Asher G- The Rocksteady Daddy who will be a sure fire hit with his blend of rare, raw and hardcore ja music.
These additions join the previously announced Saturday headliners, British electronic pioneers Orbital, dub king Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, legendary French house producer Etienne de Crecy and Euro pop perfection Black Lace who will be performing in the Working Men’s Club. Making their UK festival debut will be The Parov Stelar Band who will be entertaining the crowds with a full six piece band. Psychedelic rock, electronica and techno will come courtesy of Death In Vegas , ska kings The Beat, Drum and Bass legend Goldie, Border Community founder James Holden, label mate Nathan Fake, and Ninja Tune’s finest export Mr Scruff further make up The Beat-Herder’s varied and carefully considered line up, which can be read in its entirety below.
Complete Line- Up
Aeroplane
Barry Ashworth
Black Lace
Captain Hotknives
CODA
D/R/U/G/S
Death In Vegas
Delorean Drivers
Discopolis
DJ Sneak Beats
Dooks
Drum Machine
Drymbago
Dub Jazz Sound System
Dub Smugglers
Earthdoctor
Eddie Earthquake & The Tremors
Electric Swing Circus
Ellen & The Escapades
Ennio Maccaroni
Etienne De Crecy
Extra Love
Fake Blood
Freestylers (DJ Set)
Frisky & Mannish
Girl Unit
Goldie
Grinny Grandad Live
Ivan Campo
Jake Bugg
Jalapeno Sound System
James Holden
Japenese Popstars Dj Set
Jinx in Dub
Johnny Powell
Kajamor Family
Kate Fear
Keep the Drummer Happy
Ken Evil Vs Compa
Kiki deVille & The Cadillacs
King Charles
Kitten & The Hip
Kora Fula
Kraak & Smaak
Krysko
Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry
Middleman
Mooqee (Bombstrikes)
Mr Cottonhouse
Mr Woodnote and Lil Rhys
Mrs Cakehead
Nathan Fake
Nubiyan Twist
Orbital
Pariah
Parov Stelar Live
Phil Smith
Pilooski
Ponies
Red Tin Dave
Rudimental
Rumour Has It
Shantytown Junction
Shepdog (NICE UP!)
Skittles’n’that
Slamboree
Smerins Anti Social Club
Spiral Scouts
Stealing Sheep
Steve Thorpe
STUMBLEFUNK- live
Sunday Afternoon Toil Trees session with Mr Scruff & MC Kwasi
The Queen of Funk will take to the main stage and belt out her feel-good grooves across Victoria Park which include the classic worldwide hits: “I Feel For You”, ‘Through The Wire”, ‘I’m Every Woman’ and the 80’s number one ‘Ain’t Nobody’.
Chaka now completes the ultimate disco line up alongside headliner Grace Jones and special guest Chic ‘Le Freak’ for the hottest disco inferno to hit London. These US megastars are set to take the Lovebox crowd on a musical journey back to the worldwide early 80s disco phenomenon, firmly cementing Sunday Lovebox as the best disco of this decade of love.
Across the three-day weekend, Victoria Park, Hackney will come to life as Lovebox celebrates its 10th birthday with a multitude of the world’s best artists and DJs that will be taking to the many stages and arenas in June. Festivalgoers are in for an unforgettable experience.
Plus, Norwegian newcomer and YouTube sensation, Daniel Simonsen has also been confirmed, and for the first time there’ll also be a daily slot of funny, clean comedy dedicated to children in The Social with Comedy Club 4 Kids.
Providing a sure-fire night of laughter on Saturday, audiences will be charmed by Stephen’s almost child-like joy and exuberance, and his ability to find the funny side of things in even the most unexpected places! Having entertained audiences all over the world, he has numerous TV credits under his belt, including his own TV series The Stephen K Amos Show.
Larmer Tree Festival Co-Director and comedy programmer, Julia Safe, said: “Each year it seems a daunting task to improve on the previous year’s amazing comedy line-up, but I’m very pleased to say we undoubtedly have in 2012!”
Stephen joins a stellar line-up of comedians ready to take to the mic and bring rapturous laughter to the enchanted gardens this year. Top of the bill is comedy genius, Tim Minchin, who’ll be given the great accolade of being the first comedian ever to grace the festival’s Main Stage. Rock superstar, Tim and his grand piano will be wowing audiences on Thursday night with a unique blend of musical comedy.
Heading up the ARC’s Comedy Club on Thursday evening will be Greg Davies. Possibly best known for playing the psychotic Head of Sixth Form Mr Gilbert in Channel 4’s The Inbetweeners, Greg’s also appeared on numerous TV shows. Next up it’s the multi-award winning comedian, Milton Jones, who’ll be drawing the Comedy Club to a side-splittingly funny close when he headlines Sunday. Festival-goers will have seen Milton on Mock the Week (BBC2), and more recently on Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow (BBC1). He’s also had his ninth radio series commissioned for BBC Radio 4.
Bringing their indomitable late night festival fanfare to Friday evening is the fifth and final comedy headliner, The Horne Section. Gathering together the UK’s finest jazz musicians and throwing them on stage with the world’s most exciting comics – Alex Horne has created a truly unique brand of jazz-infused comedy.
Plus, the Larmer Tree team is very pleased to welcome Comedy Club 4 Kids to the festival. Tailored for anyone over the age of eight, it features the best comedians on the circuit doing what they do best… but without the rude bits! Families can now enjoy the funniest acts, swear-free at lunchtimes in The Social.
It’s not just about the comedy, there’ll be more than 70 eclectic artists performing over the five day festival. Joining firm favouriteJools Holland, other not to be missed headliners include Paloma Faith, Amadou & Mariam, Levellers and Roots Manuva.
Tickets include all entertainment, free parking and camping for tents, caravans and campervans, so there are no additional costs. A three day ticket costs £140 per adult but festival-goers can enjoy a four or five day weekend for only an extra £25 or £50 respectively.
Tim Minchin • Greg Davies • Milton Jones • Stephen K Amos • The Horne Section • Terry Alderton • Zoe Lyons • Alun Cochrane • Carl Donnelly • Nick Helm • Roisin Conaty • Marcel Lucont • Naz Osmanoglu • Jimmy McGhie • Tom Craine • Paul McCaffrey • Daniel Simonsen • Comedy Club 4 Kids
Getting the party started on day one of the Most Beautiful Festival In The World – is the quite excellent MUMFORD & SONS who along with NOAH & THE WHALE, THE DRUMS, MYSTERY JETS and ADMIRAL FALLOWcharge the MAIN STAGE, whilst Breakthrough Star ED SHEERAN,WRETCH 32 and ETIENNE DE CRECY head up the GOLDEN VOICE ARENA. The first class electro for which RockNess is famed commences in awesome form with EATS EVERYTHING and HUDSON MOHAWKE headlining the mighty CLASH presents SUB CLUB SOUND SYSTEM, with Baron of Techno DAVE CLARKE and CLAUDE VONSTROKE assuming control of the new ARCADIA UFO presented by SOMA RECORDS. The HOWARDS END ARENA in association with SOUND CITY presents the finest new music including THEOPHILUS LONDON and STARBOY NATHAN, topped with the much lovedROCKNESS CEILIDH ALL STARS.
Day two of RockNess – NME award winning ‘Best Small Festival’ for two consecutive years running – promises to be a moment of quite simply epic proportions as two of the world’s biggest names in dance head to Scotland. With what is arguably the most spectacular show out of all the major electronic headliners right now, Californian superstar DJ and producer DEADMAU5 on the MAIN STAGE precluded by ANNIE MAC and DJ FRESHwill be truly unmissable. And in a double whammy, there is no bigger act to headline the GOLDEN VOICE ARENA on Saturday night than French electro Gods JUSTICE! Not since Daft Punk played RockNess – a moment so iconic and mind bogglingly awesome that it is now widely acknowledged as one of the most seminal moments in Scottish music history – has there been an act that so frequently tops the wishlist of fans. With an all-French support of BUSY P, JACQUES LU CONT and MADEON, the GOLDEN VOICE roof will without any shadow of doubt be blown off.
International comedy superstar TIM MINCHIN heads up a first class comedy proposition at this year’s festival and is guaranteed a full house in Saturday afternoon’s GOLDEN VOICE ARENA with fast rising Scottish star DANIEL SLOSS and a host of other supremely talented funnymen (and ladies!) on the weekend bill too. Saturday’s CLASH ARENA welcomes Special Guests THE VIEW to what is sure to be an ecstatic home crowd welcome. THE PIGEON DETECTIVES and GUILLEMOTS precede the Dundee rockers in the CLASH ARENA. And as day becomes night, the CLASH ARENA transforms into the hedonistic clubbing utopia of the SUB CLUB SOUND SYSTEM with HARRI & DOMENIC headlining alongside LEVON VINCENT, IVAN SMAGGHE and SENSU. Over on the ARCADIA UFO, in a techno treat of cosmic proportions, BEN SIMS, JAMES HOLDEN and SILICONE SOUL are joined by ANDREW WEATHERALL and SEAN JOHNSTON who present ‘A Love From Outer Space’.
New music is well represented in Saturday’s HOWARDS END ARENA with BASTILLE, SAINT SAVIOUR and others, plus fun and games from BEARDED KITTEN (who also get the RockNess Express party antics going!).
From start to finish, day three of RockNess 2012 is simply heaving with quality. Last time they played, the response was thunderous. This time they’re back and bringing the festival to an almighty close on the Sunday. Get set for the biggest finale you’ve ever seen as Scotland’s rock superstars BIFFY CLYRO bring the MAIN STAGE to a close! Joining BIFFY CLYRO on Sunday’s MAIN STAGE is ZANE LOWE whipping the crowd into a frenzy as only he does best, the brilliant FRIENDLY FIRES, and the legend that is NILE RODGERS who along with CHIC will deliver a set of back to back all time disco classics.
Sunday’s GOLDEN VOICE ARENA is a stormer as THE KNIFE, METRONOMY and ROB DA BANK get the party well and truly rocking, while the CLASH ARENA sees ASH headline with a very special 20th Anniversary set alongside RIFLES and ERRORS. Changing over into the SUB CLUB SOUND SYSTEM once dusk falls over Loch Ness, the arena goes into full effect with an exclusive 3 hour set from Detroit legend JEFF MILLS. Over on the ARCADIA UFO, MYLO brings his famed EPP Party to Dores in another amazing exclusive with YUKSEK and TIGERandWOODS joining the Skye born maestro. Sunday’s new music proposition includes FOXES, CHARLOTTE O’CONNOR and STEALING SHEEP.
Plus there’s more! As one of Scotland’s premier destinations for DJs and clubbers, RockNess is delighted to welcome back Aberdeen’s CLUB SNAFU for more exemplary beats and good times to the new intimate Kopparberg Kube. Epitomising the sublime music policy of CLUB SNAFU, the boutique space will be headlined by Hot Creation’s funk and disco groovemeisters WiLDKATS, with the outstanding BIGFOOT’S TEA PARTY back to tear up the dancefloor again after last year’s exhilarating performance. CLUB SNAFU resident (and inaugural RockNess DJ Competition Winner) FUAD is one of the most hotly tipped producers on the scene, packing out the club on a Saturday night and we’re really happy to say he too is Dores bound along with fellow CLUB SNAFU resident KRAZZY MARTIN. A key member of Aberdeen’s clubbing community, KRAZZY MARTIN has staged some of the North’s most legendary parties in recent years. So he’ll be right at home at RockNess!
It is with much excitement we can announce our friends at the sublime LUCKY ME collective will take control of the decks in the Kopparberg Kube on Sunday. Firmly at the fore of new hip hop, RnB, house and all things musically experimental, besides releasing vinyl and clothing, LUCKY ME direct in music and fashion. Founded in Glasgow by Mike Slott, Dominic Sum Flannigan, Martyn Flyn, and Ross Birchard (aka previously announced Sub Club Sound System penultimate headliner HUDSON MOHAWKE), LUCKY ME present a triple whammy of outstanding talent with S-TYPE, THE BLESSINGS and DEMA.
Endorsed by Paul Weller, cult cockney mods THE RIFLES are packing out venues across the land and scooping rave reviews as they go with their no nonsense, no frills approach. Recently released album ‘Freedom Run’, the Chingford band’s third, offers tracks that burst into life with the brightest of harmonies. Catch them at RockNess for as good a guitar pop set as you’re likely to hear in 2012.
Multi-national, multi-instrumentalist and multi-talented. GUILLEMOTS don’t do understatement. Mercury Prize and Brit nominated, their music is a lesson in modern brilliance. Ambitious arrangements, expansive beauty and some seriously large-scale emotion, the quartet make music that is, according to charismatic frontman Fyfe Dangerfield “to be heard across the night sky". And where more seductive than Loch Ness. Unmissable.
The most recent spinoff of the Wu Tang-like Odd Future collective, THE INTERNET is a hip hop soul duo consisting of female DJ, singer and producer SYD THA KYD and producer MATT MARTIANS of LA skateboarding hip hop collective OFWGKTA (Wolf Gang Kill Them All). The brilliant young duo’s skeletal beats and smoothed out cooing hit the internet a few months back and RockNess is extremely pleased to be welcoming THE INTERNET to Scotland for the first time.
Arriving with her Neon Gold Records debut ‘Youth’ late last year, the resplendent synths, industrial percussion and soaring vocals of FOXES (Louisa Rose Allen) were the talk of the town. Now the 22 year old from Southampton returns with eagerly awaited follow up EP, ‘Warrior’ on 1st July, with RockNess the perfect precursor to showcase the new material live.
The exquisite STEALING SHEEP have had an impressive rise over the last twelve months. Show stealing performances across the UK and a nod from Sir Paul McCartney has seen the all-female Liverpool trio gain a growing audience. Far from just another folk clone, the influence of 60's psychedelic rock and pop can be clearly heard across their beautifully crafted songs and unusual instrumentation.
Folky and soulful, CHARLOTTE O’CONNOR admits her musical influences are far reaching. Growing up in Blackburn with a half-Malawian/half-Indian mum and an Irish father, she was exposed to all kinds of sounds. And for that we should be thankful. Debut album ‘For Kenny’ released in March was “romantic and fun with a lot of energy” and is set to be swiftly followed up with an as yet untitled EP late summer.
Last but certainly by no means least, Inverness’ KOBI aka Steve Robertson, Gary Thain and Dave Smith have a big vision for 2012. Having spent several years honing their multifaceted, voyeuristic sound on the live circuit, which most notably included a support slot to Shaun Ryder, the recording of the trio’s debut album is soon to commence in Spain. Catch them this summer at Dores and hear the new material in full effect.
Live and Unsigned auditions started in January leading up to the National Finals at the UK’s Largest indoor music festival, Live Fest (14th July, 02 Arena). The competition will be judged by a panel of music industry gurus from National Radio 1, Kerrang, BBC Introducing, Regional Press & record labels including Radio 1’s Annie Knightingale MBE, Kerrang! Radio’s Alex Baker, former Stone Roses guitarist Aziz Ibrahim and many more to be announced!
The overall winner of Live and Unsigned 2012 will receive the exclusive opportunity to play WOWfest’s main stage on Friday 17th August. Sharing the main stage over the weekend are the likes of Norman Jay MBE, The Selecter and Aswad, with more still to be announced. In addition the winner of Live and Unsigned’s acoustic music sub category will play WOWfest’s new and local talent stage, Shaved Fish.
Only in its first year, WOWfest’s features an electric mix of House, Reggae, Ska, Jazz, World, Disco, Dance, Dubstep and Drum and Bass music including House legends Paul Oakenfold and Danny Rampling, Reggae stars UB40, Junior Marvin of Bob Marley's Wailers and Maxi Priest as well as Ska originals The Selecter and The Beat to name a few. On top of a spectacular line up the festival features Ubuntu, WOWfest’s African Village, as well as a vintage fun fair, workshops, theatre performances and afterhours comedy club and swirling burlesque.
The Live and Unsigned 2012 winner will also play Relentless Energy Drink Boardmasters, Sundown, Strawberry Fields Festival, Cloud 9 Festival, Glass Butter Beach, Bingley Music Live, Cockermouth Rock Festival, Brownstock, WOWFest, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Just So Festival, Stockton Weekender, London Summer Jam and Lancaster Music Festival as well as receive a cash prize of £10,000.
To enter Live and Unsigned visit http://www.liveandunsigned.uk.com/enter-now
Live and Unsigned Grand Final 14th July 2012 , The O2 London
