Summer Festival Guide

Stevie Wonder to headline Bestival 2012

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Rob da Bank says: “What can I say? What a day! I see part of my job at Bestival as giving you acts you may never have seen or will get the chance to see again… so, I’m hoping you feel as happy as I do as we announce the legendary Stevie Wonder as Sunday night headliner! A winner of 25 Grammy Awards,  the most ever for a solo artist, this man’s music has always been part of the da Bank home listening experience and also a favourite at our Sunday Best and Bestival parties and this is a very rare chance to see a legend in action. See you there!”

 
A man of unparalleled fame, Stevie Wonder is our musical definition of sunshine. From his first number 1 hit, ‘Fingertips, Part 2’ at the age of 13, to the present day, he is one of the most celebrated and prominent figures in popular music. With a run of 5 classic mid-70s albums that included ‘Talking Book’, ‘Innervisions’ and ‘Songs in the Key of Life’ and platinum selling albums in the 80s, producing a string of hit singles including ‘Superstition’, ‘Higher Ground’, ‘Living for the City’ ‘Masterblaster (Jammin’)’ and ‘Happy Birthday’ which became the rallying song of Stevie’s efforts that helped make Martin Luther King’s birthday a national holiday in the US, his influence is timeless. And, almost unbelievably, he is coming to the Isle of Wight to close Bestival 2012 in a UK festival exclusive with a live performance tour de force and we are about as excited as we’ve ever been! So, make sure you join us at Robin Hill Country Park this September to witness one of the greatest acts of all time.

 

With over 20 stages of live music from more than 300 bands soundtracking your escape from reality, Bestival is the fans’ favourite festival, with a wealth of hidden treasures peppered across the site. From the old world southern American charms of the Swamp Shack and the magical aura of the Wishing Tree, to the mayhem of the Wall of Death and the rush of the Roller Disco it’s a non-stop party paradise and the greatest show on earth! See you down the front!

Don’t forget, we still have our Friday night headliner to announce as well as lots more amazing escapist action so keep on checking in at the ever expanding www.bestival.net, and our Facebook page and Twitter for all the super-fresh, up to the minute business.

All The Acts Announced So far:

Live:
Stevie Wonder / New Order / The xx / Sigur Rós / Friendly Fires / 2manydjs – live / Soulwax / Justice / Two Door Cinema Club / Hot Chip /  Bat For Lashes / Nero / Emeli Sandé / Orbital / SBTRKT / Warpaint /  De La Soul / Roots Manuva / Major Lazer / Sister Sledge / Gary Numan / The Horrors / Spiritualized / Death In Vegas / Doom / Ben Howard / Michael Kiwanuka / Sub Focus / Azealia Banks / Alabama Shakes / Kevin Saunderson feat. Inner City live  / Gallows / Rizzle Kicks / Buraka Som Sistema / Sage Francis / Grimes / Bellowhead / Earth Wind & Fire Experience feat Al McKay / Django Django / Little Dragon / Gold Panda / Adam Ant & The Good, The Mad and The Lovely Posse / The Cuban Brothers / Top Cat featuring Sir Coxsone Outernational / Chairlift / Iceage / Ren Harvieu / Lianne La Havas / Delilah / First Aid Kit / Gesaffelstein / Daughter / Zulu Winter / Ane Brun / Friends / Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs / King Khan and The Shrines / The Japanese Popstars / Chas & Dave / Dub Pistols / Factory Floor / Charli XCX / Errors / King Krule /  Toy / Kindness / Dismantle / Dirty Beaches / Drums Of Death / Jeffrey Lewis & The Junkyard / General Levy / Slagsmålsklubben / Jaipur Kawa Brass Band / Field Music / Jinja Safari  /Jaipur Kawa Circus / B.Dolan's Church of Love & Ruin / 2:54 / Frankie Rose / Porcelain Raft / Milagres / 3 Bonzos & a Piano / Prince Fatty / Liz Green / Trailer Trash Tracys / Forest Swords / Alt-J / Skinny Lister / Josh Kumra / Ryan Keen / Stay+ / Nina Nesbitt / BIGkids / Gabrielle Aplin / Fiction / Turbowolf / Misty's Big Adventure / This Is The Kit / Young British Artists / Patterns / Ghost Outfit / L.A. Salami / To Kill A King / Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo / Heathward / Laurel Collective / ahab / Gecko / Model Society / Sky Sphere / Blackhouse Crow / The Lovely Eggs / St Spirit / Charming / Shepherds / Seán McGowan

DJ Sets From Rob da Bank And Friends:
Annie Mac Presents / Four Tet b2b Caribou / The 2 Bears / David Rodigan MBE presents Ram Jam / Dirtybird showcase feat. Claude VonStroke, Justin Martin & Eats Everything / François Kevorkian / Moodymann / DJ Yoda / Maya Jane Coles / Scuba / Kavinsky / LTJ Bukem / Plastician / Greg Wilson / Doctor P / Pearson Sound  / Borgore  / Flux Pavilion / Max Cooper / Gemini / Krystal Klear / Pangaea / Billy Daniel Bunter / Pariah / Trolley Snatcha / Warm & Electric Minds / Scratch Perverts / Koan Sound / Camo & Krooked / Giles Smith & James Priestley (secretsundaze) / Mosca / Numbers showcase: Oneman b2b Jackmaster,  Deadboy, Spencer, Redinho / Ben UFO / PBR Streetgang / Jaguar Skills & His Amazing Friends / Blawan / Girl Unit / Chris Coco / Pete Gooding / Phil Mison / DJ Shepdog / Shellac Collective / DJ Charge

And in the Ambient Forest: Mixmaster Morris, Chris Coco, Pete Gooding, Phil Mison
Plus

Brainfeeder Presents Thundercat, The Gaslamp Killer, Teebs, Lapalux, Jeremiah Jae, DJ Kutmah

EXIT Festival announce Plan B, Avicii and more!

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Plan BFirst up is Plan B aka Ben Drew – singer-songwriter, rapper, actor and film director came to prominence with the 2006 release of the critically acclaimed hip hop album ‘Who Needs Actions When You Got Words’. His next project, the soul-influenced ‘The Defamation of Strickland Banks’, takes the listener on a journey of a man who finds success hard to handle and then hits rock bottom. Released in 2010, the album went on to become the fifth biggest seller of the year and continued a chart presence through 2011. Featuring crafted hit singles like ‘Stay Too Long’, ‘Prayin’ and ‘The Recluse’, awards have abounded for artist and album alike including Brit Award for Best British Male and a trio of Ivor Novellos: Ben Drew ­ Songwriter of the Year; The Defamation Of Strickland Banks ­ Album of The Year and ‘She Said’ – Most Performed Work.  See Plan B take the main stage by storm on Saturday 14th July.

This years electronic antics steps up another notch announcing one of the biggest djs on the planet right now Avicii in the famous Dance Arena on Thursday 12th July.  The lad needs little introduction as Avicii is THE rising star of the electronic music scene making the top 10 in the 2011 DJ Top 100 poll at only 21 years of age and scoring millions of fans with his 'Levels' track which reached the top 10 in 14 European countries.  Hailing from Sweden and having first emerged onto the scene in 2008 with a remix of the theme song to the Commodore 64 video game Lazy Jones, Avicii's first release was signed to Strike Recordings, entitled 'Lazy Lace.' If you don’t already know about him then you will, Avicii is definitely one to watch and his recent collaboration with David Guetta on a track called 'Sunshine' was nominated for a Grammy award under the category for Best Dance Recording. Avicii is already taking on the dance music world by storm – Guetta better watch his back!

Making a welcome return to the EXIT Dance Arena is the cheekiest cat in dance,Felix Da Housecat, a name as synonymous with house music as it is with being the moniker of one of the greatest innovators of the current Electro sound.  Regarded as a member of the second wave of Chicago House, Felix da Housecat's breakthrough 2001 album, “Kittenz and Thee Glitz”, took the dance music world by storm as his collaborations with the now infamous Miss Kittin on "Silver Screen" and "Madame Hollywood" and "What Does it Feel Like" spawned a synth club revival.  Felix Da Housecat has music in his veins and the world has recognized this with two Grammy Award nominations for the legendary DJ/Producer. Felix is one of electronic music pioneers and we can’t wait for him to dominate the dancefloor at EXIT.

Performing live on the same night is the unusually named Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs (TEED) moniker Orlando Higginbottom, swinging between an overt musicality and scarily on-point dancefloor sensibility, ripping up clubs around the globe with his live show of bizarre instruments, glitter cannons and of course… dancing dinosaurs. His first two EPs (released in 2009 and 2010) have already stirred up the commotion around TEED, set to culminate this May with the release of the debut album, so brace yourselves for exclusives in the Dance Arena. Orlando’s greatest and latest adventure is the famous trip to Congo, where he worked closely with local musicians, as a producer, personally invited by Damon Albarn and Oxfam on their DRC LP project.

4+1 TICKET OFFER: HOW MANY FRIENDS DO YOU HAVE?
When it comes to music festivals it’s the more the merrier! If you and your friends still haven’t purchased your Exit Festival tickets, count yourselves lucky, because from 19th March to 15th April, if you purchase four tickets EXIT will give you one free! Is there a better way to shake the winter blues than plan the summer party of a lifetime?  Gather up your buddies, your mates, your friends and tally up how many will you take to this year’s festival. Sun worshipers and music lovers alike can enjoy 9 fun filled days of partying in the Exit Village, and four mind-blowing days at the festival from 12th – 15th July. Go on, surprise one of your friends or simply welcome another new to your party crew AND those who buy their tickets before April 1, become instant members of the Exit Tribe 2013 loyalty program and will enjoy a range of rewards at the festival next year. Buy tickets here www.etickets.to/exit

LINE UP SO FAR:
Guns N’ Roses, New Order, Plan B, Avicci, Richie Hawtin, Gossip, Wolfmother, Luciano, Laurent Garnier LBS, Miss Kittin, Felix Da Housecat, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, Azari & III live, Buraka Som Sistema, Art Department, Maceo Plex, Reboot live, Brodinksi, Kenny Larkin, Robert Dietz, When Saints Go Machine, Maayan Nidam…. with much much more to be announced!

TICKETS:
Early Bird Tickets: £85 plus booking fee SOLD OUT
Loyalty Club Tickets: £89 plus booking fee
Standard Tickets: £95 plus booking fee 
Camping Tickets: £25 plus booking fee
VIP Tickets: £220 plus booking fee

LMFAO, The XX, Paolo Nutini join Sziget Festival 2012 lineup

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Joining them also are Indie revelations Ting Tings, Norway’s coolest and sexiest Katzenjammer, LA underground hip-hop guru Flying Lotus, the soulful and inspiring Fink and the one and only Anna Calvi. All this and a lot more awaits fans from all over the world this summer, between 6-13 August in Budapest.

The 20th edition of Sziget Festival could give quite some excuse for getting lost in memories, but the Sziget team has always tried to present new stuff and keeps on doing so. Probably this is the only programming method that works for an event that is the unofficial world champion in the category of internationality – once again expecting fans from over 60 countries to the well know Danube island.

Need more insight?

Redfoo and SkyBlu are without any doubts the coolest party icons of these days. They teamed up to create LMFAO (you might wanna check what these five letters actually mean) and took over the planet with their unavoidable Party Rock Anthem. LMFAO is a role model for young kids around the world and started a tidal wave of shuffling in 2011.

LMFAO

London-based The xx have shown their potentials already in 2009 when releasing their debut LP. Their homemade album became platinum and created a huge buzz in some of the highest valued English media, while also earning them a Mercury Prize (given by the British Phonographic Industry).

Paolo Nutini has some Italian origins – hard to deny it with such a name – but lives and works in Scotland, and counts as one of the most talented singer-songwriters and a true titan of the folk-blues scene. 2006 saw the release of his debut album, These Streets, rocketing him to the top 3 of the British charts. His second LP came out in 2009 with the title Sunny Side Up.

"If The Libertines defined the start of the decade and Arctic Monkeys its middle, then Glasvegas are almost certainly going to define its end and beyond" – as stated by the New Musical Express. The impact of the Glasgow-based band in the UK and success of their debut album did not go unnoticed in North America either. See them for yourself at Sziget.

The Ting Tings means groovy guitar pop in a duo format, a joint venture of Katie White and Jules De Martino, the two members of the British indie combo. They have already sold millions of their first LP and are now promoting their 2012 Ivor Novello Award-winning record, Sounds of Nowhere.

The name Katzenjammer might awake memories of bad hangovers, but the four hot girls from the cold north are anything but depressed. The Oslo-based band is renown for cool and characteristic singing, playing more than 25 different instruments and mixing genres such as folk, pop, rock, country and Balkan music.

Flying Lotus is one of the most popular acts of the experimental electronic scene and a true representative of the LA underground hip-hop culture. Two years ago he earned an Independent Music Award with his third album, Cosmogramma, then backed it up with another IMA for the video of his 2011 single, MmmHmm.

Fin Greenall, aka Fink is a singer-songwriter from the UK, mixing his producer skills with romantic, human and thoughtful pieces and charismatic performances. He released five LPs during the last ten years, amongst them the 2011 album, Perfect Darkness, highly praised by many, including The Guardian.

Anna Calvi is another exciting and inspiring representative of the UK singer-songwriter scene, also proven by her Mercury Prize and BRIT Awards nominations in 2011 and 2012. Many think she’s the biggest prospect of the genre since Patti Smith, so you are right to expect something special from her also at Sziget.

Jessie Ware, Fink and more for Nova Festival of Arts and Music

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It’s an exciting time for arts at Nova as Rankin and Damien Hirst will be bringing their Myths, Monsters and Legends installations to life at the festival. Featuring model Dani Smith, dreamt-up creatures from classical civilizations, myths, and fairy tales will come to life to culminate in an unmissable experience.

Most famous for filling Trafalgar Square with 30,000 bananas in 2004, Doug Fishbone will be bringing his own brand of Crazy Golf to Nova. Each hole on the course will be designed a different artist with contributions from Jake Chapman, Brian Griffiths, Gary Webb, Zatorski and Zatorski, and Pete Fowler with more to be announced soon. Better still, the entry fee for playing goes straight to Action Aid’s reconstruction efforts in Haiti, so everyone's a winner on this course.
 
Jem Finer’s Still exhibition will make an appearance at Nova alongside Landscape, curated by award winning screen writer Tony Grisoni (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Red Riding). The exploration into themes of Landscape will feature Jem's installation running in Nova’s Zen Gardens. British film director, writer and artist Andrew Kotting's new film, This Is Our Still Life will be on show, joined by contemporary experimental film maker Ben Rivers' first feature length piece, 2 YEARS AT SEA. The screenings will include an open discussion with Finer, Kotting and Rivers chaired by Tony Grisoni.
 
Nova’s bespoke cinema The Flicker Club are hosting a night a twisted night of Alice in Wonderland surprises. You can forget all your comforting memories of dear old Disney's version, for this is Jan Svankmajer's 1988 film version of Alice in Wonderland. It’ll be complimented by numerous late night screenings to keep you entertained all night long.
 
Theatre sits in prime location at Nova with confirmation of The Pleasance’s programming for the festival. They’ll be showcasing The Pick of the Pleasance – a series of performances including the Late Night Gimp Fight (talk of the town at Edinburgh last year), Abandoman, Doc Browns, Pappy's Max & Ivan, The Beta Males, Ginger & Black, Delete The Banjax and Sheeps. The Battersea Arts Centre will be showcasing Gooseparty, their intense party of sassy pseudo-fiesta funk, electronica gender anthems, dirty agro railway blues, plus a bit of the strummy soft stuff for the lovers of the lonely, in a high octane evening of madcap musical wildness, wilderness and general “gooseyness” which will sure to inspire and thrill the minds of all who are involved.
 
The Pop Up Casino will be in full effect at Nova for those wanting to experience the thrills of Roulette, Blackjack and Poker. At a fraction of the cost of a normal casino (bets start as low as 10p) and with great prizes and all profits going to The Rockinghorse  Appeal – so even if you lose, a local charity wins. They’ll also be hosting the “casino school” for newbies to get a taste of the action before the real games begin.
 
Nova promises a festival of weirdness and wonder and they’re set to deliver just that. John Hegley, the people's Poet Laureate will be spreading joy, humour and wordy wisdom in his inimitable and tuneful way throughout the weekend andGreenandPleasantLand will be bringing their unique blend of physical theatre, live music and folk traditions in an epic adventure for audiences aged 10 upwards.
 
Teatro-Saurus specialise in high-quality mask-theatre for families, who’ll be bringing their original mix of physical theatre and masked fun to Nova. Alongside the stalking poets, prowling postmen and more surprises in the woods, performances at the festival are set to be unrivalled in spontaneity and creativity.
 
Talks at Nova are sure to heighten senses with appearances, readings, debates and lectures from Charley Boorman, Rankin, Clive Arrowsmith, Tony Grisoni, Ben Rivers, Andrew Kotting, Gustav Temple (founder and editor of The Chap),Paul Trynka (David Bowie biographer), Neil Palmer (author of the forthcoming "Rockhunter"), Peter Hancock (aka comedian Jinx Jones), Katy Darby (author of Whores’ Asylum) and many more to be announced.
As well as listening, festival goers are encouraged to create. Nova will host an array of creative salons with London Drawing life drawing, jewellery making, foraging, cooking, burlesque, photography, painting, filmmaking and much more.
 
Alongside the previously announced Nova Arms pub, festival goers are set to be treated to an inventive and unusual dining experience courtesy of Disappear Dining. Referred to as “…the perfect dinner party” by Stylist and “one of London's hottest places to go” by Time Out, they’re some of the most capable dinner party organisers and will be on hand to cater for even the most discerning diners. The Hurly Burly are set to bring their solar powered 'Dining Theatre' for a special appearance and will be stepping up their game for Nova with their unique blend of joyful silliness, live family theatre, puppetry and exquisite food.
 
Throughout the day and into the night, festival goers will be able to come and experience the unique, wild and unscheduled breakout performances that combine physical theatre, dance, gourmet food and live music.
 
For Nova, The Hurly Burly's resident theatre company will be bringing their highly acclaimed, brand new show, Birdy. A haven for families, there will be a rich programme of live family theatre and puppetry, plus live acoustic sessions and juke box songs around the piano.
 
When surrounded by such a massive amount of fun, it’s expected that some may go a little overboard. Nova are fully prepared for those who are in need of festival therapy with their rejuvenation areas. From Soul Pads for Deep Tissue, Aromatherapy, Thai massage, Shiatsu, Acupressure, Reflexology, Indian Head, Reiki, Tui Na, Bliss Domes for sound and light baths plus Yoga, Wild Run and Hot Tubs – they’ll be no shortage of avenues to get your mojo back and geared for all the spectacular experiences that Nova has to offer.
 
Confirmed music acts so far include AFRI-KOKOA Allstars, Anna Phoebe, Ballina Whalers, Bird Radio and live and unplugged surprise guests, Carrie Tree, Cheeba, Chris Coco, City Shanty Band, Crazy P, DJ Food, DJ Shep Dog, Duffstep, Fink, Fionn Regan, Ghostpoet, Hexstatic, Indigo Earth, James Morgan, Jessie Ware, JFB, Joker and the Thief, Jono McCleery, KeepUp, Kinny, Krystal Klear, Magic Lantern, Mick Sands, Mixmaster Morris, Mother Feather, Norman Jay, Pete Lawrence, Psychemagik, Reeps One, Sam Brookes, Seahawks, Solid Steel AV Special, Soul Jazz Sound System, Stumblin' Slims and The Black Kat Boppers, The Do, The Midnight Barbers, The Roundhouse Experimental Choir, The Staves, Tim Cumming, Tim Love Lee, tUnE-yArDs, Vic and Tina Smith and We Were Evergreen.

 

Sven Väth set for Cocoon in the Park 2012

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Set a stone's throw from Leeds city centre, the Cocoon in the Park festival site lies within the grounds of a 450-year-old mansion house surrounded by forests and lakes in a celebrated area of outstanding natural beauty. The historic estate of Temple Newsam once again plays host to an exclusive line-up over one stage led by Cocoon ringmaster Sven Väth with support from Cassy and Visionquest.

The festival site includes various food outlets and bars, a chill-out area and a VIP platform where VIP ticketholders can enjoy views across the site and main stage with access to separate toilets and a bar. The main stage is powered by a Funktion-One PA custom-built by festival sound specialists Audio-Plus and features state of the art pyrotechnics, a live VJ and of course performances from the Cocoon dance troupe. Expect nothing less than the usual breathtaking Cocoon production and top quality soundtrack to one of the most popular and talked about events in the UK.

As for the music, Väth is a ruler of the techno world and has been for decades.  With his revered label and club of the same name, Cocoon, he has brought techno to the masses all over the world and, most famously, at Amnesia, Ibiza, since the turn of the millennium.  His learned vinyl sets included sounds from a vast remit of techno; incorporate plenty of colours, oomph and dancing bait and, all the while, are served up with a loveable élan and unbridled passion.

And so to next headliner, Cassy… a regular in the best Berlin clubs, as well as places like fabric, she is an upstanding member of the deep house community who has mixed it up for Cocoon and Panorama Bar in the past.  Her sets are cultured things, much like her productions on her own labels and others like Perlon, and it’s for that reason that she is so in-demand.

Finally, Visionquest (Seth Troxler, Ryan Crosson, Shaun Reeves) will do their unadulterated electronic thing.  Little needs to be said of these current scene darlings: their own label has launched an underground pop revolution, they’ve mixed it up for fabric, taken over at WMC and are generally a crew as lovable as they are sonically inventive.

Join Cocoon, System and thousands of like-minded party-goers, then, for what promises to be the ultimate boutique festival experience.

 

Buy Tickets: http://www.cocooninthepark.com/tickets.html

1st Release £35 **SOLD OUT**
2nd Release £43
VIP £75

 

Another dirty dozen bands added to Download Festival 2012

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Making their Download debut despite a career spanning three decades, Sweden’s most successful rock group EUROPE are confirmed, to bring hits such as ‘The Final Countdown’ and ‘Rock The Night’ to the Donington masses.

Ahead of their second album release, Pennsylvanian quartet HALESTORM, led by the enigmatic Lzzy Hale, will make their second appearance at Download, along with Greek heavy metallers FIREWIND (who last played in 2008).

Norwegian “deathpunk” act TURBONEGRO will be back, alongside platinum selling Roadrunner signings THEORY OF A DEADMAN and their upcoming tour mates STELLAR REVIVAL, long standing Brit punk band ANTI-NOWHERE LEAGUE, the mixed bag of sound that is Bristol’s TURBOWOLF, acclaimed Cambridge rockers MALLORY KNOX, the Radio 1 championed prog metallers THE SAFETY FIRE, American deathcore act EMMURE and infectious hard rockers BROKEN.

Paul Simon Confirmed to headline Hard Rock Calling 2012

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The evening will include a special performance of ‘Graceland’, featuring Ladysmith Black Mambazo, in addition to songs spanning his illustrious career. Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas are also confirmed for Sunday 15 July, while Lady Antebellum and John Fogerty join headliner Bruce Springsteen on Saturday 14 July in what promises to be one of the biggest weekends in the music calendar.

‘Graceland’ is one of the most influential albums of the last three decades, and as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations, Paul Simon will be performing the album in its entirety at Hard Rock Calling 2012. He will be joined on stage by Jimmy Cliff on songs including Harder They Come and Too Many Rivers To Cross, before Ladysmith Black Mambazo take to the stage for a Graceland reunion, a UK first since 1987. 

Also announced for Sunday 15 July is Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas. Grammy Award-winning Alison Krauss has sold in excess of 12 million albums, including the smash hit release with Robert Plant, Raising Sand. They will perform songs from new album ‘Paper Airplane’, and her breathtaking live performances should not be missed.

Lady Antebellum, multi-million selling country-pop trio, are now confirmed for Saturday 14 July. Their rich harmonies and impeccable instrumental skills are sure to be a hit with crowds at Hard Rock Calling 2012. They join Creedence Clearwater Revival’s John Fogerty, who not only penned some of the biggest hits ever written including the unforgettable Proud Mary, but has also enjoyed a chart-topping solo career releasing eight studio albums and two live albums.

“Paul Simon’s ‘Graceland’ is considered to be one of the greatest of albums of all time,” said Hamish Dodds, President and CEO of Hard Rock International. “We look forward to welcoming Paul Simon to the Hard Rock Calling 2012 stage and celebrating ‘Graceland’s’ 25th Anniversary.”

Live Nation’s Vice President of Promotions, Toby Leighton-Pope commented: “We have some fantastic additions to the lineup. A full performance of Paul Simon’s ‘Graceland’ in Hyde Park is going to be incredible and we can’t wait to see the crowd’s reaction. Hard Rock Calling 2012 is a big one with many stand out moments, this will be a special one.”

Hard Rock Calling takes place 13-15 July 2012. The 2011 shows saw over 150,000 music fans flock to Hyde Park for an unforgettable weekend of live music.

Tatton Park Picnic Concerts return for 2012

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The Hallé Fireworks and Choral Spectacular will be an evening of the most celebrated and exciting pieces of choral music with the famous orchestra and a choir of 100 voices on Saturday 28 July while music icons Tony Hadley, Rick Astley, Roland Gift of the Fine Young Cannibals, Heaven 17 and Altered Images will put on ashow-stopping ‘Back To The 80s’ concert on Sunday 29 July, in association with Francis House Children’s Hospice.  

Held in the picturesque grounds of the historic estate, the Tatton Park Picnic Concerts are a true highlight of the North West’s summer season. The event celebrates the wonderful British tradition of the picnic as ten thousand concertgoers enjoy scrumptious picnics in the spectacular surrounds before experiencing world-class music and breathtaking firework displays.

The Hallé Fireworks and Choral Spectacular will come to the beautiful lakeside setting for a magical evening on Saturday 28 July. The world-class Hallé Orchestra with their choir of 100 voices, conducted by Stephen Bell, will perform renditions of the most dramatic choral masterpieces including Handel’s Zadok the Priest, the Anvil Chorus from Verdi’s Il Travatore and Orf’s formidable O Fortuna from Carmina Burana in the stunning lakeside setting of Tatton Park. This enchanting evening will crescendo with an awe-inspiring fireworks finale, as each impressive explosion is timed perfectly to accompany some of classical music’s most famouscompositions. This is one incredible summer experience not to be missed.

Back To The 80s on Sunday 29 July will feature some of the greatest and most successful artists of the 1980s: Spandau Ballet’s enigmatic frontman Tony Hadley, the soulful voice of Rick Astley, sultan of soul Roland Gift of the Fine Young Cannibals, Heaven 17 and cult Scottish rockers Altered Images.  It’s a welcome return for Heaven 17 who performed at the Tatton Park Picnic Concerts in 2009, they said:

“We're thrilled to be playing this year's Tatton Park Picnic Concerts, we played in 2009 and the audience were incredible.  We can't wait to perform there again; the lakeside setting is absolutely beautiful.”

With anthems amongst them including ‘Gold’, ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’, ‘She Drives Me Crazy’, ‘Temptation’ and ‘Happy Birthday’, Back To The 80s is set to be a sensational party night. This outstanding evening is in association with Francis House Children’s Hospice, with a portion of proceeds raised on the night going towards care for children and young adults with life-threatening conditions from all over the North West.

Tatton Park Picnic Concerts stands out in a busy UK summer music programme due to its perfect marriage of the magical outdoor setting and world-class music performances, together with the celebration of one of Britain’s favourite pasttimes. Guests can choose to bring their own picnics or enjoy the delicious pre-prepared picnic hampers provided by Carluccio’s. With the estate’s interesting history of music – the mansion boasts a dedicated music room with a 1789 harpsichord – Tatton Park is the perfect destination for an incredible night of entertainment.

Tickets and pre-booked picnic packages are on sale this Friday 16 March from www.tattonparkconcerts.com or by phone 0844 847 2457

SATURDAY 28 JULY – Hallé Fireworks and Choral Spectacular

Early Bird – £27.50

Adult – £29.50

Family – £112

Groups of 10+ – £27.50 per person

SUNDAY 29 JULY – Backto the 80s

Early Bird – £30.50

Adult – £32.50

Family – £124

Groups of 15+ – £30.50 per person

WEEKEND TICKETS

Entry to both concerts – £56

Roots Manuva, Family Stone and George Clinton to headline Mostly Jazz, Funk, and Soul Festival

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The Friday – 29th June 2012 – curated by Birmingham’s Leftfoot will see the return of Gilles Peterson who will be compering on the day as well as jumping behind the decks of one of his legendary DJ sets.

Roots ManuvaLondon Hip-Hop virtuoso Roots Manuva will be headlining the Friday and will be joined by the genre defying Ghostpoet, cover Maestro’s Introducing who will be taking on DJ Shadow’s ‘Entroducing’ in full, with Leftfoot’s new favourites Bad Bad Not Good completing the main stage line up.

Headlining the second stage will be local tropical dub pioneers Troumaca, electro heroes Free School, the groove driven Maylight as well as a DJ set from Leftfoot’s very own Sam Redmore.

The Friday doesn’t end there… Mr. Scruff will be heading to the park to play on his very own stage – Mr Scruff’s Tennis Hut. He will also be headlining the After Show Party which will be completely exclusive to Mostly Jazz, Funk & Soul ticket holders!

On Saturday – 30th June 2012 – we will see the return of Craig Charles’ Funk & Soul Club with the man himself curating the line up as well playing a headline DJ Set on the second stage. He will also be taking over the After Show Party on the Saturday night. Again, this will be completely exclusive to Mostly Jazz, Funk & Soul Ticket holders.

Headlining the Saturday night will be Rock and Roll Hall of Famers and Woodstock legends Family Stone. They will be playing a hit laden set which will include psychedelic groove classics such as Dance To The Music, Family Affair and Everyday People.

They will be joined by the Native New Yorkers Odyssey, Speedometer, The Atlantic Players, The Bongolian, Lack of Afro (DJ Set) & Federation Of The Disco Pimp, Rotunda of Wonder, Electric Swing Circus as well as Introducing coming back to play their second show of the weekend with their take on the music of Mr. Scruff.

On Sunday – 1st July 2012 – We will be joined by the Godfathers of Funk – George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic. They will be bringing the party to a rapturous close which what is looking like their only UK date of the summer!

Also performing on the Sunday will be James Brown’s Trombone player and master in his own right Fred Wesley who will be joined by his long time band The New JB’s. Completing the Sunday line up will be Soweto Kinch, Neil Cowley Trio, Zoe Rahman, Abram Wilson, Andy Hamilton & The Bluenotes, Husk, Miles Levin, Steve Ajao & Birmingham Jazz Youth Ensemble.

In 2012…. There will be, once again, two stages side by side at the festival, the second of which will feature up and coming talent. As in 2011, Tony Dudley-Evans’ development agency Jazzlines and Birmingham’s premier jazz & funk parlour The Yardbird will be curating the second stage, whilst Gilles Peterson’s favourite Birmingham promoters Leftfoot will curate both stages on the Friday. Each will showcase some of their top acts so expect to see a wealth of emerging sounds.

Tickets for Mostly Jazz, Funk & Soul 2012 are now on sale via www.mostlyjazz.co.uk. To avoid booking fees there will also be the option to send in a postal form which is now available from the website. Alternatively, you can visit one of our outlets listed on our site to pick up the tickets in person.

Bombay Bicycle Club, J Cole and more for T in the Park 2012

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bOMBAY bICYCLE cLUBHaving sold in excess of 350,000 albums since their debut release in 2009, North London’s finest, Bombay Bicycle Club, have already notched up two Top 10 albums, an Ivor Novello nomination and an NME Award for Best New Band (2010). With rave reviews for their third studio album A Different Kind Of Fix, the band have just returned from a sold-out US tour and are sure to thrill fans with a stand-out set at T in the Park 2012.
 
After their massive break-through hit Buck Rogers cemented their much-deserved status as one of the UK’s biggest rock acts, Feeder are back with a revitalised new sound. Having sold over 5million records and wowing audiences around the world with their exhilarating anthemic rock, T in the Park fans are in for a treat.
 
When US rap sensation J Cole released his hugely anticipated debut album Cole World: The Sideline Story last September, it shot straight to the top of the US Billboard chart and earned him a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. Counting Jay-Z amongst his many fans J Cole is one of the hottest breakthrough acts on the hip hop block right now.
 
Reverend and the Makers’ massive top 10 single Heavyweight Champion of the World announced their arrival as a huge force on the UK indie scene. Their epic anthems secured them a coveted support slot with Oasis on their last ever tour, and they have just supported fellow T in the Park act Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds on their recent tour. With their third studio album @Reverend_Makers due this spring, it’s sure to be a stand out set at T in the Park 2012.
 
Californian psych rockers The Brian Jonestown Massacre achieved cult status with their starring role in the notorious 2004 rockumentary Dig! The band won themselves even more fans when their track Straight Up and Down was used as the opening theme to hit TV series Boardwalk Empire. With their legendary psychedelic jams and killer hooks, they’ll no doubt treat the crowd to old hits, as well as new material from the soon to be released Aufheben, their 13th studio album to date.
 
York-born acoustic singer-songwriter Benjamin Francis Leftwich is hotly tipped for the top.  His first single, Pictures (taken from his EP of the same name), was declared "The Hottest Record in the World Today" by Radio 1’s Zane Lowe, and his majestic debut album Last Smoke Before the Snowstorm is earning him major critical acclaim.
 
London five-piece Zulu Winter are also capturing the eyes and ears of fans and critics alike and the quintet’s catchy and anthemic indie-dance, atmospheric synth-pop went down a storm at their recent NME Awards show.
 
The Milk have been enjoying major airplay on BBC Radio 6 Music courtesy of Huey Morgan and with their influences ranging from classic Motown to the Beastie Boys, their edgy blend of hip-hop, dub, dance and punk is sure to impress on their T in the Park debut.
 
California-based roots rock band Dawes make their big debut this summer. Their rich West Coast harmonies and vintage Americana sound has earned them comparisons to Crosby, Stills and Nash and Neil Young, and they’ll showcase material from their highly acclaimed second album Nothing is Wrong.