Summer Festival Guide

Metronomy, The Antlers and more for Off Festival

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And if that’s still not enough, the American electropop duo High Places, the British producer/visionary Andy Stott, and Beneficjenci Splendoru (who are not robots, despite rumors) invite you to the Radio 3 Stage.

Metronomy
An electropop machine designed to get you on your feet. Patented in the English town of Devon in 1999 and led by mulitinstrumentalist and showman Joseph Mount. Their third and latest album, The English Riviera, serves up a handful of club hits that no proper party can do without, and has also garnered critical acclaim, culminating in a nomination to the prestigious Mercury Prize. But their live performances are where Metronomy truly shine. The group has become a hot item for remixes as well, collaborating with such artists as Gorillaz, Franz Ferdinand, Goldfrapp, and Lady Gaga.

The Antlers

“Our goal was to bring people with us as we navigate different waters of sound. To invite people into this world that we were working on as a group of three people enjoying what we were discovering about music and about songwriting and about making a record,” said The Antlers leader Peter Silberman about the premiere of last year’s album Burst Apart. This Brooklyn-based indie rock outfit has managed to win over festival audiences at Primavera and Lollapalooza, as well as the critics at Pitchfork, who awarded Burst Apart the “Best New Music Label,” and Drowned in Sound, who proclaimed it 2011’s best record (“albums are rarely as unashamedly, gut-wrenchingly, genuinely emotional as this”.)

Bardo Pond

Founded in 1989 by the guitar-wielding Gibbons brothers, the American group Bardo Pond is one of those bands that has cultivated and developed its own form of psychedelic, exploratory rock. Rightly considered the leading representatives of a space rock movement known as Psychedelphia, Bardo Pond have released eight official albums along with countless EPs and limited-edition jam session recordings. Reviewers have pointed out echoes of early Pinky Floyd in their music, as well as the influence of cold krautrock and noise rock. It’s hard not to give in to the hypnotic qualities of this music at live performances.

Shangaan Electro

Dog, whose real name is Richard “Nozinja” Mthethwa, was a cell phone repairman up until recently. Now he’s a publisher, producer, and the shining star behind a new style of music whose popularity has spread across Africa and the entire world. What launched Shangaan Electro from Limpopo in South Africa to trendy Western clubs was its explosive combination of ethnic elements and dance music played at breakneck tempos. If the prospect of dancing to a marimba at 180 bpm sounds enticing, then this concert just might be the highlight of your OFF Festival experience!

Mikołaj Trzaska plays Rose

Mikołaj Trzaska, co-founder and sax player for the band Miłosc, and later the leader of Łoskot, is one of the most significant figures on the yass scene, responsible for the last important revolution in Polish independent music. He has worked with such artists as Tymon Tymański, Marcin Swietlicki and Andrzej Stasiuk, Yuri Andrukhovych and Ken Vandermark, and has boldly crossed boundaries in genre and culture. His performance at the OFF Festival will feature the beautiful soundtrack to Wojciech Smarzowski’s stirring film Rose, live for the first time ever. The concert will be a continuation and development of a project that starts off with the OFF Club (Katowice, May 11-13), where Barn Owl, A Hawk And A Hacksaw, and Tim Hecker will perform the music to movies by Anka and Wilhelm Sasnal, Sergei Parajanov, and Werner Herzog.

Apteka

Apteka may be Polish for "pharmacy", but this is one drugstore that isn’t going to leave you feeling any better. Despite his 30 years on the rock scene, Jędrzej “Kodym” Kodymowski – the frontman of this Tri-City band – has lost none of his former radicalism. The band’s excellent new album, Od pacyfizmu do ludobójstwa, is not only Apteka’s most furious release since their cult album Menda, but also their most artistically accomplished record since. Supporting Kodym in the studio were Agim Dzeljilji of Oszibarack (production) and James Morton, who performs with Portishead. But there will be no room for nuance on stage: Apteka live is a consistently psychedelic and punk rock punch in the jaw.

High Places

Mix a handful of intelligent 80s electronic music with a dash of contemporary indie-psychedelica: that’s the recipe for artistic success used by the NYC-founded but California-based duo High Places. The tracks served up by Mary Pearson and Rob Barber might bear faint echoes of the The Knife and Xiu Xiu (with whom they even shared a split record), but these original sounds are much brighter, more open, and fun. Just check out their latest album, Original Colors, released last fall on the legendary Thrill Jockey label, and see for yourself.

Andy Stott

Though small, the Manchester label Modern Love has already earned a following among fans of new electronic music. No wonder they decided to open their doors to Andy Stott — a producer with quite a reputation already — who breathed new life into dub techno with his 2011 release Passed Me By. We’ve already featured Actress at the OFF Festival, and now it’s time to meet the guy who threw the gauntlet down before him.

Beneficjenci Splendoru

Until recently, it seemed that Beneficjenci Splendoru would never step outside the home fortress of musician and journalist Marcin Staniszewski, remaining an exclusively studio-based project, albeit one praised universally for their debut Trendywaty chłopiec and their sophomore release Tęczy wybielacz, both of which garnered enthusiastic reviews. Luckily, it turns out that Beneficjenci Splendoru’s hermetic avant-pop will have a live incarnation, reinforced by vocalist and multiinstrumentalist Iza Lamik, drummer Robert Alabrudziński (Daktari, Strange Brew), and guitarist Wojtek Bubak (Lachowicz, Sensorry). This is one concert you just can’t miss.

Due to circumstances beyond the events control, the band Swietliki will not be performing at the OFF Festival.

Line up so far

Africa HiTech, AfroKolektyw, Akron/Family, Alva Noto, annb: alva noto & blixa bargeld, Andy Scott, Apteka, Atari Teenage Riot, Bardo Pond, Baroness, Battles, Baxter Dury, Beneficjenci Splendoru, Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaires, Colin Stetson, Connan Mockasin, Container, Converge, Das Racist, Death in Vegas, Dominique Young Unique, Fennesz & Lillevan, Forest Swords, Henry Rollins, Iceage, Iggy and The Stooges, Jacaszek, Josh T. Pearson, Kanal Audytywny, Kim Gordon & Ikue Mori, King Creosote & Jon Hopkins, kIRk, Kurt Vile and the Violators, Matthew Herbert, Megafaun, Metronomy, Mikolaj Trzaska gra ‘Roze’, Mordy, Nerwowe Wakacje, Nils Frahm, Nosowska, Other Lives, Papa M, Pietnastka, Retro Stefson, Shabazz Palaces, Shangaan Electro, Sleep Party People, Spectrum, Suicide, Swans, The Antlers, The House of Love, Thurston Moore, Ty Segall.

Kendal Calling Fancy Dress Theme announced

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For the third year, Kendal Calling reveal a fancy dress theme that has been a huge success in previous years with revellers showing incredible innovation and imagination in designing and donning costumes.

Getting dressed up for a festival is all about becoming another version of you, an exaggerated, bold and colourful character. So this year we are transforming the Deer Park into another world with our theme Fairy Tales & Comic Books.

With the backdrop of the stunning Lake District, Kendal Calling expects to see everyone from the pied piper to Wolverine, Little Red Riding Hood to Catwoman, the Gingerbread to Tin Tin all partying together and this years theme will make the event even more of a surreal wonderland of fun and frolics than ever before.

The fun and frolics continues at Kendal Calling in the crazy world of the Happy Slap Boutique. This area will be like no other and is where anything goes, and is the home of electro swing and eclectic music. A haven to transform into creatures and characters, the Happy Slap face-painting boutique will get revelers ready to be immersed in magical worlds, dazzled by spectacular cabaret shows, wowed by our travelling circus and entertained in ways you never thought possible.

Happy Slap Boutique present a world of fairy tales and mischief full of secrets to explore and discover, keeping the entertainment going all weekend. Bump into Jack Sprat, a narcoleptic sleeping beauty or climb up Rapunzel's hair and witness their take on your classic fairy tales. Performers will be traveling around the festival doing walk-about performance where it’s least expected with music, song, dance and ridiculousness.

As night falls, Happy Slap Boutique transforms into a plethora of circus, fire and glow performances alongside clowning, grotesque burlesque, world famous 'Rave Aerobics' and surprise acts that keep buzzing all night. DJs Ocelus, Tom Excell, Dan The Hat, Wolfie Rassmatazz, Magic Lantern, Vinyl Rights Experience, Mikey J & very special guests will spin a genre defying mix of electro swing, jungle, balkan, breakbeat, house & electro. The only music we can guarantee are upbeat party tunes. Check out Happy Slap Radio for exclusive mixes.

Tickets have been getting snapped up for this years Kendal Calling festival and a full to bursting line up has already been unveiled that includes Dizzee Rascal, James, Maximo Park, Dan le Sac vs Scroobius Pip, We Are Scientists, The View and many more.

The music and activities in the Kendal Calling meadow span 11 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, Kaylied tent, 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 and new for 2012; Tim Peak’s Diner brought to you by Tim Burgess of the Charlatans! See you in the fields…

www.kendalcalling.com

FULL LINE UP INCLUDES:

DIZZEE RASCAL / JAMES / MAXIMO PARK / DAN LE SAC VS SCOOBIUS PIP / SHED SEVEN / WE ARE SCIENTISTS / THE VIEW / FEEDER / INSPIRAL CARPETS  / SPECTOR / VINTAGE TROUBLE / TRIBES / BENJAMIN FRANCIS LEFTWICH / WHISKYCATS / DJ YODA & THE TRANSIBERIAN MARCH BAND / /DREADZONE / 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

Hilltop Hoods, Fun, Stooshe and more added to T in the Park bill

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The Parlotones, Dog is Dead, Blood Red Shoes, Ren Harvieu, Mull Historical Society, Stooshe, Here We Go Magic, The Minutes and Lonsdale Boys Club joining summer’s most finely tuned festival bill. 
 
T in the Park secures the biggest bands from across the globe whilst consistently promoting the best new and breakthrough talent and providing the ultimate platform for all to appear as part of the festival. This year is no exception with an array of 'ones to watch' in 2012 set to wow the 85,000 strong crowd per day over the weekend of 6th – 8th July.
 
Hip-hop trio, Hilltop Hoods are one of Australia’s leading live acts and the most significant hip-hop group to ever emerge from this territory. Six studio albums in (including three No.1’s), the band’s sound has been embraced far beyond hip hop’s underground and their fearless and innovative ethos has guaranteed their place at the top of the Australian music industry and now beyond.
 
Hilltop Hoods
 
New York indie-pop band Fun. achieved massive success when their hit single We Are Young (featuring Janelle Monáe) hit the top of U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming the first rock/alternative song to do so since Coldplay's Viva la Vida. Their acclaimed second album Some Nights is crammed with catchy pop gems with a hip-hop twist, and is produced by legendary Grammy-winning producer Jeff Bhasker (Beyoncé, Kanye West). 
 
West London indie-pop singer-songwriter King Charles became the first ever Brit to win Nashville’s International Songwriting Competition in 2010 after wowing a prestigious judging panel including Tom Waits, Jeff Beck and Kings of Leon. Having supported Mumford & Sons on their sold-out US tour, his hotly anticipated debut album Lovebloodis set for release next month, and he is fast emerging as one of the UK’s most exciting young lyricists.
 
South Africa’s multi-platinum selling The Parlotones are musical heroes at home and are set to make their mark on the rest of the world with their fresh and stylish take on African doo-wop and folk. They wowed the crowds with a sensational performance at the FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert, sharing a bill with the likes of The Black Eyed Peas and Alicia Keys. Their album A World Next Door To Yours is South Africa’s biggest selling rock album of this decade, and the band are set to release their latest record Journey Through the Shadows next month.
 
The Nottingham art-pop five-piece Dog Is Dead have been tipped for big things. Following widespread acclaim for their recent gigs, which have included touring with Bombay Bicycle Club, the band earned a new following when they performed in the final episode of Skins Series 5. Harmonious indie-pop with jazz and disco influences, their hotly anticipated debut album is scheduled for release this autumn.
 
Blood Red Shoes are back with their third album In Time to Voices, an edgy, hook-laden record which has seen the band enter into ambitious new territory and is being hailed as their most mature and thrilling release to date. The Brighton punk-rock duo made their T in the Park debut in 2008 and are sure to receive a warm welcome back.
 
Ren Harvieu’s stunning voice evokes some of the great divas of bygone years. Discovered after posting a song on Myspace, her cool contemporary take on vintage blues sound and old-fashioned swing has caught the attention of industry tastemakers, and she was named in the BBC’s Sound of 2012 poll.   
 
Hailed by Rolling Stone for his “tuneful and plaintive pop gems”, Mull Historical Society, aka Colin MacIntyre, made a big impact when his single Barcode Bypass was crowned “Debut Single of the Year” by NME. Now firmly established as a major British song-writing force, Mull Historical Society is back in 2012 with a new album City Awakenings, and ready to showcase their sparkling, whimsical new tunes to the T in the Park crowd.
 
London ladies Stooshe have stormed onto the music scene and into the charts this year with smash hit single Love Me, featuring US rapper Travie McCoy. Nominated in the BBC's Sound of 2012 poll, there’s sure to be many more hits to come from their forthcoming debut album Swings and Roundabouts.
 
As well as the talent, New York four-piece Here We Go Magic have quite the tale to tell. During a particularly difficult show last year they spotted two men in the front row who, in their words, were ‘dancing around like maniacs’. These two ‘maniacs’ turned out to be none other than Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and legendary producer Nigel Godrich, resulting in Godrich’s decision to produce the band’s third album, A Different Ship – the band’s most remarkable and captivating album yet.
 
Dublin trio The Minutes’ debut album Marcata is packed with raucous anthems, melding primal garage rock ‘n’ roll with elements of blues and gospel. Renowned for their exuberant energy, it’s sure to be a high octane set at T in the Park, as they wow the crowd with their sing-along tunes.
 
Featuring reggae club promoter Charlie, New Zealand export Topher, and DJ Loz, together the Lonsdale Boys Club deliver a new wave of beat-driven guitar greatness. With nods to Gorillaz, Outkast and old school disco, they’ll bring the funk to the festival fans at T in the Park.
 
There’s a lot to see at T in the Park this summer and fans can expect to discover some hidden gems amongst the well-known music maestros.  With 3 amazing days (Fri 6th-Sun 8th July) filled with the best live talent, the Slam Tent open for Friday night fun for the very first time, and the opportunity for fans to start their T in the Park journey by checking into the campsite on the Thursday, T in the Park 2012 is all set up to be the ultimate festival four-day weekend, on a massive scale.

 

Plan B, The Maccabees & Axwell for Ibiza and Mallorca Rocks

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As always, Ibiza Rocks will also present the best DJ’s, including a welcome return from Radio 1 DJ and Bestival head-honcho Rob da Bank who has a long history with ‘Rocks’ having played at the first ever gig at the opening of the Ibiza Rocks Hotel in 2008 and then at the 5th Birthday with The Prodigy. Rob da Bank is back and joins the line up with Ibiza boy Ben Howard (04/07). On top of that there’s the brilliant breaking talent throughout the season and organisers are pleased to announce that Spector, Fenech-Soler, The Milk and Theme Park and are amongst the first set of supreme support bands to be added to summer’s best bill.
 
Rob da Bank said: ‘I’ve been playing at Ibiza Rocks since it started and injected a much needed different vibe into Ibiza party life. I’ve loved playing many times since and can’t wait to get back to that crazy Ibiza Rocks Hotel and warm it up for the brilliant Ben Howard. Ibiza Rocks bloody well rocks!’
 
Plan BFollowing a phenomenal headline performance by Plan B at the ‘Rocks’ opening parties last year, organisers are delighted to welcome back the multi award-winning, multi-talented star to the main stage at Mallorca Rocks (03/07) and Ibiza Rocks (25/07).  A truly maverick figure in the world of music, Ben Drew’s diverse creativity is inexhaustible. Awards, accolades, acclaim and multi-platinum album sales are just the tip of his artistic ambitions. Following his quadruple- platinum No.1 second album, The Defamation of Strickland Banks, a BRIT, three Ivor Novello’s and  sold out headline tours, Drew, AKA Plan B, has just completed his self-penned directorial debut film and album, iLL Manors – a stark, often brutal and provocative depiction of Forest Gate, east London, where Drew was born and raised.    
 
Once again, Plan B will wow the crowds with chart-topping favourites form Defamation of Strickland Banks along with the promise of new material including iLL Manors, which will be a must buy, featuring production from Labrinth (Tinie Tempah), Chase & Status (Rihanna) and Al Shux (Jay-Z) – the soundscape is as bold and brilliant as its namesake. Bass-heavy, there’s references to the music Ben is listening to now (Rocks acts Azealia Banks and Maverick Sabre to name two) as well as the dubstep, bass, hip hop and D&B that have shaped him sonically over the years.  In Ibiza, Plan B will be joined by Ibiza Rocks Music Director and the UK’s most influential tastemaker, Zane Lowe – two of music’s biggest champions united on one incredible Balearic bill.
 
It’s fair to say that The Maccabees got off to a very good start in 2012, with the release of their third studio album Given to the Wild  storming into the Top 5, receiving mass critical acclaim and being hailed by The Sunday Times as ‘One of the albums of 2012.’ As well as a masterpiece of an album, the South London five-piece can boast sold out UK tours including their momentous homecoming show at Brixton Academy (their third headline sold out show at the London venue to date) and they still have their biggest headline gig to come (Alexandra Palace, 08/06). It is with huge excitement that Ibiza Rocks bring The Maccabees to the famous, open-air ‘Rocks’ stage for a truly unmissable gig that’s sure to be one of many crowning moments for the ‘must see’ band this year (20/06).
 
The Maccabees said: 'This will be our first time at Ibiza Rocks. It's a pleasure to be involved in such a strong line-up of shows this year. Thanks for having us!'
 
Also freshly announced is Swedish House Mafia’s own Axwell who will headline one of the summer’s hottest gigs, with British electro-poppers Fenech-Soler playing live in support (24/07).  Given that Swedish House Mafia are now a fully bonifide stadium selling act and have just headlined Coachella, this is quite a statement to have one of the main men making their way to Mallorca Rocks for this intimate, electric, outdoor show. 
 
Ibiza Rocks has consistently provided a platform for new and breakthrough talent, offering support slots to those they believe have what it takes to go all the way.  Tinie Tempah, Bombay Bicycle Club and Example are just a few previous support acts who have returned to headline in their own right.  This year will see another brilliant batch of breaking bands start their ‘Rocks’ journey. 
 
BBC’s Sound of 2012 nominees Spector have been impressively labeled as ‘somewhere between Roxy Music and the Strokes, the Killers and Kanye West, Pulp, R&B and Frank Sinatra’ (The Guardian). Spector are currently touring Europe with Florence and the Machine and have just made their first US appearance to the masses at California’s Coachella festival. Safe to say these boys don’t mess about! They are sure to be on their finest form when they support Kaiser Chiefs at Mallorca and Ibiza Rocks in June, with Zane Lowe also added to the bill to make these shows a triple triumph.
 
British electro pop giants Fenech-Soler’s single Stop and Stare brought a little bit of the Balearics to the UK and Demons brought a dark mix of dancey beats to the charts.  They also co-wrote and featured on Paper Romance by Groove Armada and the band is firmly at the top of the nu rave pile.  They are sure to put on a show to remember for fans when they play Mallorca Rocks in July, joining Axwell on the bill.
 
The Milk will be supporting Ed Sheeran at both ‘Rock’s opening parties in June.  These young soul rebels promise to bring something different to the Balearics, with their irresistibly infectious mix of classic northern soul, punk and reggae – a combination so favourable that NME have labeled them ‘the next band you all should be paying attention to’ and The Guardian say they are ‘the band you’ve been waiting for.’
 
Highly touted London four-piece Theme Park have been releasing demos online and dominating the charts on internet Radio before now finally starting to catch the attention of the mainstream, with standout tracks such as the insanely catchy Milk. They’ve been compared to the likes of Vampire Weekend and Metronomy and hailed as “fine and worthy successors to the funk-rock mantle previously held by Talking Heads.” Having toured recently with the likes of Florence and the Machine and Bombay Bicycle Club and with their debut album due out next month, Theme Park are ‘one to watch’ at ‘Rocks’ 2012 and will support The Maccabees.
 
The Ibiza Rocks brand consistently boasts a bill crammed with the biggest international artists and breakthrough talent live under the Balearic stars and offers a choice of quality accommodation options in Mallorca and Ibiza at exceptional value.  Summer 2012 will see 32 ‘Rocks’ gigs across 16 consecutive weeks.  Mallorca Rocks every Tuesday from 05 June – 18 September.  Ibiza Rocks every Wednesday from 06 June to 19 September.
 
Tickets and hotel packages available now at www.ibizarocks.com andwww.mallorcarocks.com (Gig Tickets priced from £28.50 plus booking fee) *Special Opening & Closing Party Short Breaks from €104 (approx. £89) per person (see: Notes to Editors for full list of options and prices).
 
 
MALLORCA ROCKS
 
IBIZA ROCKS
05 JUNE
ED SHEERAN | THE MILK
06 JUNE
ED SHEERAN | THE MILK
12 JUNE
MAVERICK SABRE | LABRINTH
13 JUNE
MAVERICK SABRE | LABRINTH
20 JUNE
SPECIAL GUESTS TBC
20 JUNE
THE MACCABEES | THEME PARK
26 JUNE
KAISER CHIEFS | SPECTOR| ZANE LOWE
27 JUNE
KAISER CHIEFS | SPECTOR
03 JULY
PLAN B
04 JULY
BEN HOWARD | ROB DA BANK DJ
10 JULY
KASABIAN
11 JULY
KASABIAN | ZANE LOWE
17 JULY
PROFESSOR GREEN | DJ FRESH PRESENTS FRESH/LIVE
18 JULY
PROFESSOR GREEN | DJ FRESH PRESENTS FRESH/LIVE
24 JULY
AXWELL | FENECH-SOLER
25 JULY
PLAN B | ZANE LOWE
31 JULY
CHASE & STATUS
01 AUG
CHASE & STATUS
07 AUG
PAOLO NUTINI
08 AUG
PAOLO NUTINI
14 AUG
TINIE TEMPAH
15 AUG
TINIE TEMPAH
21 AUG
SPECIAL GUESTS TBC
22 AUG
TBC
28 AUG
EXAMPLE | AZEALIA BANKS
29 AUG
EXAMPLE | AZEALIA BANKS
04 SEPT
BLOC PARTY
05 SEPT
BLOC PARTY | ZANE LOWE
11 SEPT
NEW ORDER
12 SEPT
NEW ORDER
18 SEPT
TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB
19 SEPT
TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB

 

Blissfields Festival adds Guillemots, Clock Opera and more to lineup

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Also confirmed is Josh Kumra, NZCA/Lines, Pete Roe, SixNationState, Wave Pictures, Dog Is Dead, Artrocker DJ, paradYse and Transgressive Records DJ, comedian Phil Ellis, and first winners of the festival’s regional talent search Road To Blissfields – Flashfires, Half Crown, and Ben Goddard & The Heartbeats.
 
These new additions join acts such as headliners Noisettes and Patrick Wolf(performing a special grand piano acoustic set), Spector, Man Like Me, Lucy Rose, Charli XCX, Crazy P (Live), Toddla T, and many more live music acts, DJ sets, comedy performances, art installations, and a sports day to end all sports days at The Park, Hampshire on the weekend of 29th June to 1st July.
 
Nominated for Best Live Act at the 2007 BRIT Awards, Guillemots’ beautiful live set will soundtrack the sun going down on Friday, while currently play-listed across radio with ‘Shotgun’, Eugene McGuinness will demonstrate why he’s one of the most acclaimed new songwriters of the past few years on the Saturday evening. Getting nods from taste-makers this Spring, London’s Citizens! will bring a sense of theatre with their 80’s-onica, and multi-instrumentalist Clock Opera sets to deliver one of the most intensely upbeat shows of the weekend. Theme Park’s fun, groove-filled set and the return of Blissfields favorites SixNationState, add only more excitement to this year’s already swelling bill of artists.
 

Blissfields Festival 2012

 
The festival has been applauded over the past 11 years for its attention to detail, creativity, family friendly atmosphere and wide-ranging musical and arts bill, but above all, for remaining at an intimate 2,000 capacity, following years of critical praise, stellar live performances from some of the country’s biggest live music acts, and sell-out crowds.
 
In 2012, Blissfields nod their school cap to the world of sport, offering a dandy revival of the Great British Summertime and a golden age of playground camaraderie and frivolity. With a full program of sports day shenanigans, a school disco and late night ballyhoo, expect your mischievous tutors to be on fine form as they guide you through the most fun you’ll have with your chums all year. Hoorah! Hoorah, indeed!
 
This year you’ll have the opportunity to represent your House, as well as vote for House Captains, once again giving fans of the festival another way to be a part of the makings of the event. Although Blissfields will not be strict on the dress code, they warn that Hall Monitors may have to be assigned to make sure you are all upholding the Blissfields reputation.
 
Grab your jolly hockey sticks and catch us round the back of the bike shed for the best “last day of term” style fun you ever had.
 
This year’s full line-up of activities will be announced shortly.

Ticket Info and Full Line-Up

Weekend Adult: £74.00 + Booking Fee
Weekend Youth: £49.00 + Booking Fee
Weekend Under 6: Free and No Booking Fee (Please note a nominal fee of 1p is charged to register the purchase)
Weekend Family Ticket (2 Adult & 2 Youth weekend tickets): £210.00 + Booking Fee
Weekend 10 Adult tickets for the price of 9: £666.00 + Booking Fee
Thursday Camping: £16.00 + NO Booking Fee
Live-in Vehicle Pass: £35.00
Car Park: £10.00

All tickets available via: www.blissfields.co.uk

Main Stage
Noisettes [Saturday Headline]
Patrick Wolf [Acoustic Grand Piano Headline Set]
Guillemots ~ Spector ~ Lucy Rose ~ Charli XCX
Eugene McGuinness ~ Man Like Me ~ Josh Kumra
Dub Pistols ~ Dreadzone~ Pronghorn
Fleetwood Bac ~ Subgiant ~ The Mini Band
 
Second Stage
Toddla T ~ Clock Opera
Dog Is Dead ~ Toy ~ Theme Park ~ Crazy P (Live)
Imperial Leisure ~ Citizens ~ Cashier No.9 ~ NZCA/Lines
Wave Pictures ~ Passenger ~ AlunaGeorge ~ Beans on Toast ~ Skinny Lister
Cut Corners ~ Eighteen Nightmares at the Lux ~ Arp Attack  ~ Bear Cavalry
Kill Em Dead Cowboy ~ Little Chief ~ Live Like Kings ~ Melodramas ~ Oresteia
 Reventure ~ Pussy Cat and the Dirty Johnsons ~ Sean McGowan
Smokey Bastard ~ Stinger ~ Stone Them Crows
The Lost Souls Club ~ The Queue ~ Flashfires ~ Half Crown
Ben Goddard & The Heartbeats ~ Tropics
  
The Hidden Hedge
Mary Miss Fairy ~ Kursa
DJ Envious Mind ~ Alex the Kidd ~ Andy Oliver ~ Dan Munrow
DJ Jet Pack Assassin ~ Dan Hayes Remnant Psyche ~ Science of Eight Limbs
Transend ~ Dr. Strangelove's Burlesque Discotheque ~ Amongst The Pigeons
Shuddervision Soundsystem featuring Digits Mcphee ~ Heath:Ward
 
+ Chillout and Visuals by Magnetic Mirror (VJ),
Wub World (VJ) and VJ Visualante
+ Installations and artwork by Coalescence Collective
 
The Hidden Hedge: Presents
(Express FM / Blissfields Festival / Turf Records /
paradYse Records / Beans On Toast)
Huw Olesker and the Barebackers ~ ME
Bebe Black ~ I Dream In Colour ~ Colourmasks ~ Sam McCarthy
Will McNichol & Jack Palmer ~ Leigh Mary Stoke ~ Luke Ferre
Owen Hackett ~ Bryony Marie Fry ~ Jonny P Taylor ~ Stir of Echoes
We Spies ~ Laura Boyle ~ Charley Farley Sunday Four
Rose Bradshaw
 
Blisscoteque
Olly Salter & Benzo ~ The C90s ~ Ridney
Artful ~ Bitr8 ~ thequickandthedead ~ Kiwi ~ Frankie Aglow ~ Jafr0 ~ Tanka
Soundtracks ~ Artrocker DJ ~ paradYse Records DJ ~ Transgressive Records DJ
Luca Pilato ~ Loveless DJ's ~ Psychadelia DJ's ~ MASS_IVe ~ Diska Tek ~ Ally Wolf
 Rockfeedback DJ ~ Super Vs Pavilion DJs ~ Seb Marx ~ Ally Wolf ~ Matt Clark
Cholombian ~ Morgan Hislop ~ Yes Tom! ~ Deadproud & JayB ~ MattyLAH
 WILLOW ~ Side A ~ Charlie Fox ~ Grrrl Scout ~ Paul Saunders
Lexy SNS ~ Little Chief Z ~ DJ Grey Jumps ~ DJ Hammy ~ Handsome Dave Rocker
Giles W & Mr Toad Z ~ The Great One
 
Comedy Stage
Andrew O’Neill ~ David Morgan ~ Phil Ellis
Marc Burrows ~ Bob Slayer ~ Danny Sutcliffe ~ Ed Easton ~ Tony Basnett
Fern Brady ~ Owen Niblock ~ Peter Philiipson ~ Red Redmond
with Ruth E Cockburn (compere)
 
+ MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED ACROSS ALL STAGES

In The Woods Festival

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Curated and pulled together by the band with a small crew of dedicated helpers, the festival has fast become a watershed show for new talent, having seen Anna Calvi, Micachu + The Shapes and Alt-J play impressive sets just months before their careers took flight. The festival has also hosted Lianne La Havas who this year was nominated for BBC Sound of 2012 award. While espousing the virtues of small independent festivals has become de rigeur, the In the Woods crew are confident they’ve got more than enough on offer to make their event stand out from the crowd.They pay great attention to the acts they book, so punters are as likely to encounter a future star (Calvi) as much as a left-field brilliance (Connan Mockasin), soulful masters (The Invisible), noise rockers (Three Trapped Tigers) or even a veteran performer such as folk sensation Anais Mitchell. Mitchell’s stunning set last year showed her worthiness of the huge critical acclaim she has garnered, typical of the talent the festival chooses instead of the latest short lived “buzz” band. This years line up in the making promises to be equally diverse.

Amidst the carefully selected talent, beautiful lights and captivating art installations are scattered throughout the forest as punters mingle with nature and music over two stages, with local ales and food. A silent disco and gigantic bonfire keep things going til sunrise in a picturesque valley beside the site, and with only 750 tickets available from April 15th, the event has become one of the year's most unmissable parties. Join our mailing list to receive all the info on how to get to this special, exclusive event.

Date: Saturday 1st September 2012

http://www.inthewoodsfestival.co.uk/

 

Shakedown Festival announce Professor Green, Katy B, Stooshe and more!

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Last year’s event was a huge success and the event organisers are building on their promise to deliver another outstanding line up of contemporary musical talent. 

Professor GreenProfessor Green will perform before Dizzee Rascal in Stanmer Park.  His debut album, ‘Alive Till I’m Dead’ crashed into the charts and went double-Gold, spawning four hit singles with ‘I Need You Tonight’, ‘Just Be Good To Green’, ‘Monster’ and 'Jungle' amassing over 500,000 sales. His second album ‘At Your Inconvenience’ produced the number 1 single ‘Read All About It’ and the size of his army of Facebook friends – 1.5 million – tells it like it is; Professor Green is a genuine super star!
 
Girl about town and queen of the underground Katy B enjoyed huge success with her debut album ‘On A Mission’. The Brit Award winner combines dub step, funky, house, garage and r n’ b to mesmerising effect and the London songstress has teamed up with uber producer Mark Ronson to record a track for the
Olympics.  The much anticipated second album is due out this summer and her set is sure to be a Shakedown highlight. 
 
Stooshe raise eyebrows, turn heads and set tongues wagging wherever they perform and their brash, bolshy and infectiously catchy brand of urban pop marks them out as the ultimate modern pop band.
 
South London MC Clement Marfo and his genre-splitting band The Frontline are a fusion of grime and hip hop with an endless supply of gargantuan pop hooks and sweet neo-soul vocals.  Their music is based around positivity and inspiration, the sound of an aspirational youth and they are tipped for big things in 2012
 
These acts will support the irrepressible Dizzee Rascal who headlines the main stage. The ultimate showman, Dizzee Rascal ensures rapturous responses from audiences and arrives with a sack load of number 1 hits including ‘Dance Wiv Me’, ‘Bonkers’, ‘Holiday’ and ‘Dirtee Disco’.
 
"Been a while since I last played in Brighton”, said Dizzee. “Looking forward to Shakedown, it's gonna be massive this year!"   Shakedown promoter Steve Jones comments, "Pro Green and Katy B are the perfect way to build up to Dizzee on the main stage and I cannot wait to see them getting thousands of people worked up into a frenzy.  Once you see who we have playing in the dance tent you are going to be blown away."  
The line up for the dance stage will be revealed shortly and Brighton will be jumping to the beats, bass and electronic rhythms of the most cutting edge musical artists at the last festival of the summer.
 
Union are hosting the main stage and will also be playing to get the crowd warmed up in the afternoon and Shakedown will also be showcasing one up and coming band and DJ on the main stage, who will be decided through a huge competition over the summer months.
 
TICKETS £40 + bf
 
http://www.shakedown.co.uk/tickets
http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/
http://www.seetickets.com/
http://www.viewbrighton.co.uk/
http://www.brightondome.org/

Wireless add Afrojack, The Roots, Santigold and more to lineup

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Day tickets for Sunday 8 July, headlined by Rihanna, have already sold out whilst tickets for Friday 6 and Saturday 7 are selling fast.  This year is set to be the biggest and best selling Barclaycard Wireless Festival yet!

SantigoldAfrojack, The Roots, Metric, Santigold and Zeds Dead join an already enviable line up on Friday 6 July, headlined by Grammy-nominated dance maestro deadmau5.  Dutch music producer Afrojack first burst onto the scene with the 2010 smash ‘Take Over Control’.  He became a mainstream chart-topping force when he teamed up with Pitbull, Ne-Yo and Nayer for last year’s ‘Give Me Everything’ and 2011 saw him placed in the top ten of DJ Mags top 100 DJ’s of the year.  Philadelphian neo soul band The Roots have become one of the most respected acts around, with four Grammys under their belt.  Their live shows are known for being among the best in the business and their set at Barclaycard Wireless Festival will not disappoint.  Toronto-based quartet Metric also join Friday’s line-up, their self-released album ‘Fantasties’ sold over a million albums worldwide.  The band have picked up two JUNO awards and also wrote the theme song for the Grammy nominated and Academy shortlisted Twilight: Eclipse soundtrack.  Brooklyn’s Santigold is a unique and inspiring figure on today’s musical landscape. Her 2008 eponymous album established her internationally as one of the most exciting and fearless artists to emerge in the last decade. Her eagerly anticipated new album ‘Master of My Make Believe’ will be out later this year.  Toronto electric duo Zeds Dead have earned an excellent reputation amongst a new generation of producers with their unique brand ofdance-floor classics.

Rita Ora, Hilltop Hoods, Koan Sound and AlunaGeorge are confirmed to join the Barclaycard Wireless Festival line up on Saturday 7 July, headlined by Drake.  Roc Nation’s newest signee and British it girl Rita Orais making waves on the global music scene. Her tremendous vocal ability and fresh take on music have earned her respect and interest from heavy-weights Will.I.Am, Drake and Kanye West, all of whom are working with her on her debut album.  She recently featured on DJ Fresh’s numberone single ‘Hot Right Now’ and is soon to release her own single ‘R.I.P.’, which features Tinie Tempah.  Aria Award winning Australian groupThe Hilltop Hoods have earned themselves a place at the very forefront of the Australian music industry, repeatedly singled out as one of Australia’s hottest live acts by media, industry insiders and fans alike, theBarclaycard Wireless Festival audience are set for a real treat.  Hailing from Bristol, duo KOAN Sound released their first extended single, the ‘Max Out EP’ in early 2011. Later in the year the group unveiled their biggest release to date, the ‘Funk Blaster EP’ on Skrillex’s OWSLA imprint.  The duo rounded off 2011 with the ‘Best Breakthrough Artist’ at the Dubstep Music Awards.  Also joining Saturday’s line up are hotly tipped AlunaGeorge. Taking the boom and glitch of British bass culture and allying it to the slick sweetness of classic American R&B, singer Aluna Francis and producer George Reid have captured the attention of futuristic pop heads across the blogosphere.

Far East Movement

Lloyd, Far East Movement, Doctor P and Kreayshawn join Sunday’s bill, headlined by superstar Rihanna.  R&B recording artist Lloyd released his solo debut single ‘Southside’ in 2004, his fourth studio album ‘King of Hearts’ was released last year, it featured the massive hit single ‘Dedication To My Ex (Miss That)’ (featuring Andre 3000 and Lil Wayne) which went top 5 on the UK singles chart.  LA-based quartet Far East Movement made their major label debut in 2010 with the release of ‘Like A G6’ which topped the US singles chart. They have gone on to collaborate with the likes of Snoop Dogg and Justin Bieber, new album ‘Dirty Bass’ is out later this year.  English producer Doctor P and Californian rapperKreayshawn also join Sunday’s sensational sold out bill which along withRihanna features the likes of Jessie J, Calvin Harris, J Cole and Rizzle Kicks.

Rock Werchter Friday tickets SOLD OUT

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There are 81 names in this year's line up. And they're going down well. Festival tickets are selling like hotcakes. The 18,000 day tickets for Sunday 1 July and the 67,000 combi-tickets are already sold out. In fact, early this morning the last of the 18,000 day tickets for Friday 29 June flew out the door.  There's no escaping it, if you want a day ticket for Saturday 30 June, you'd better be quick. There are just 500 tickets left for Saturday. Though tickets for Thursday 28 are still for sale, the stack is rapidly depleting. On the bill for the first day of the festival are Garbage, Selah Sue, Skrillex, Justice, Blink-182, Elbow, The Cure and many more!

One-day tickets for Thursday and Saturday can be purchased via Proximus Go For Music:
www.proximusgoformusic.be

Madeleine Peyroux at WOWfest!

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Headlining the Blue Angel stage on Sunday night this American bohemian, once discovered busking on the streets of Paris, has a voice likened to the late great Billy Holiday. With self penned soul searching lyrics delivered in husky tones of a jazz/folk style, the lady who left us with "Careless Love" five years ago, returns with two more albums under her belt and stronger than ever.

Madeleine Peyroux

WOWfest has the greatest reggae line up of this season and how appropriate that there is also a stage, at this brightest new festival, to revive the mood of the British modern Jazz era of 1950s London clubs, around Carnaby Street, growing at the same time as sounds from the Caribbean were integrating into UK musical culture around the same haunts as jazzfather Johnny Dankworth. 

The WOWfest Blue Angel Stage revives the spirit of the great island jazz festivals, but with an extra pinch of WOW. During the day escape into the eclectic world that is jazz – from '40s swing to bebop and modern fusions, plus the most unexpected – to night time burlesque and comedic cabaret with all the ingredients of turn of the century France or pre-war Berlin. In Das Kabaret see one of the most respected and admired performers in the world of burlesque, LouLou D’vil, along with the King of Comedy Magic, Christian Leeand legendary street performer, Chris Lynam, among others to whip up a froth of expectation and laughter.

The Blue Angel stage boasts enigmatic renditions from the UK's hottest vocal harmony group, The Overtones, with songs from their platinum selling album 'Good Ol' Fashioned Love'. Influenced by classics artists like Amy Winehouse, Duffy and the Drifters, their unique doo-wop vocal harmonies will be sure to keep audiences spellbound.

Gregg Kofi Brown makes a first time appearance on the festival isle. Gregg has been a member of the world class African pioneers OSIBISA for over 22 years and has travelled all over the world promoting the music of Ghana. His music is an addictive fusion of funky afro-rhythms, jazz and conscience-laden lyrics.

And anticipated to be making a return to the Isle of Wight is DJ Perry Louis & his JazzCotech Dancers or “Red Box Perry” and “those brilliant dancers” as they became affectionately known at IW Jazz Festivals. They’ll be occupying the Blue Angel during the weekend with their own style of Old Skool Jazz, Street Dance and DJ Perry's enviable collection of over 10,000 vinyls covering all those great genres that have their musical roots in Africa.

Performing on the Blue Angel stage is London born singer, writer and multi-instrumentalist Joe Cang who has toured, recorded and written with Ian Drury, Scritti Politti, K.T. Tunstall, Desmond Dekker, Hall and Oates, Marianne Faithfull, Hugh Masakela, Leona Lewis and Aswad – with whom he wrote the million seller hit “Shine”. Joe's band includes some of the cream of London's musicians and they are currently playing throughout Europe their unique blend of new classic jazz with a strong hint of blues.

From Ronnie Scotts to Milan and finally to the Isle of Wight’s WOWfest, ex Communard Sarah Jane Morris is one artist that really lets you “Leave your preconceptions at home,” as one London critic said of the sensual singer-songwriter. Sarah straddles rock, blues, jazz and soul with a goosebump-raising four octave range that rumbles from the heels of her size eight shoes to the tips of her flame-red mane. Famed for her association with the Communards in the mid-80s, Sarah has always attracted as much attention for her politics as for her soul-driven, seismic voice.

Other artists gracing the Blue Angel are distinctive Dominican jazz guitarist Cameron Pierre, the Shez Raja Collective, the London Gospel Community Choir, award winning Dennis Rollins – the most exciting British trombonist of our times – and Dixie chicksLarkin Poe, the precociously talented young women who recently took America by storm.