Following Friday’s line up announcement for Creamfields 2012 the UK’s No.1 dance festival have announced more acts to the bill. Dancefloor hit machine Afrojack joins the bill performing on Saturday 25th August – the Grammy award winner’s peerless reputation as a producer has seen him work with the likes of Madonna and collaborate with some of the worlds most respected artists including Black Eyed Peas, Steve Aoki and David Guetta.
In addition Goodgreef Xtra Hard make a welcome return offering a new twist for 2012, this year as an outdoor stage delivered by the ‘Best in British’ talent from all the key brands and labels in UK hard dance. BBC Radio 1’s award winning Kutski headlines the stage alongside Kiddfectious legend Alex Kidd with support from the Awsum superstar Andy Whitby and king of the underground Mark EG plus the pioneers of the harder edged sound The Organ Donors and hardstyle’s finest duo Cally & Juice. Goodgreef Xtra Hard also introduces you for the first time a selection of the hottest, new and rising names in the British hard dance scene.
This year Creamfields has delivered one of the biggest electronic festival line up’s of the summer, which includes performances from deadmau5 (dance festival exclusive), Tiësto (exclusive), David Guetta (dance festival exclusive), Avicii (dance festival exclusive), Skrillex, Calvin Harris (dance festival exclusive), Example (dance festival exclusive), Axwell, Steve Angello (exclusive), Sebastian Ingrosso (Exclusive), Paul van Dyk, Above & Beyond, Eric Prydz, Groove Armada (DJ Set), Richie Hawtin, Sub Focus (Live), Knife Party, Laidback Luke (exclusive), Steve Aoki, Eddie Halliwell, Ferry Corsten, Loco Dice (exclusive), Seth Troxler, Major Lazer, A-Trak, Sander van Doorn, John Digweed and Joris Voorn.
Lil' Louis / Ron Trent & Chez Damier / Benji B & MC Judah / Adrian Sherwood
A.Skillz / Move D / Steffi / Deetron / Tortured Soul (live) / Jimmy Edgar (live)
The Correspondents (live) and many more…
Going bold with a lineup that reads like a who’s who of UK and European electronic music, Stop Making Sense 2012 looks stronger than ever – where London, Berlin and Paris collide.
The Stop Making Sense 2012 lineup brings together the cream of dance music talent for five days and nights of partying by the sea – with Lil’ Louis, Benji B & MC Judah, Ron Trent & Chez Damier, Move D, A Skillz, Adrian Sherwood, Steffi and Deetron, plus Tortured Soul, Jimmy Edgar and The Correspondents live – and that’s only some of what you can expect!
One of the founding fathers of house music, Lil’ Louis is an internationally renowned artist, producer, DJ, songwriter and author. Epitomising the sound of Chicago house, Lil’ Louis is a true legend. Also repping Chicago house are Ron Trent & Chez Damier. The pair, who founded Prescription Records – widely considered one of the most forward-thinking electronic music labels of all time – in the early ‘90s, are reunited for the first time in 15 years!
Deviation head and Radio 1 DJ, Benji B is renowned for his eclectic and diverse collection and his broad DJ style, where genres are mixed and matched seamlessly. Pioneer dub producer, experimentalist and reggae champion, Adrian Sherwood promises a set that celebrates his three decades in the business. Remix mastermind, A.Skillz ups the ante, with his mashup party style.
German house and techno producer Move D pushes boundaries and opens new doors with his music. Experimental and exciting, his will be a set to remember. Dutch DJ, producer, label boss and OstGut Ton favourite, Steffi is one of electronic music’s most skillful DJs. She’ll mix up an eclectic set that will delve into deep, analogue and disco house. And, with sets that last the dancefloor distance, Swiss techno DJ and producer Deetron brings his bouncy, melodic Detroit-loving sound, promising to be a highlight.
Brooklyn’s Tortured Soul bring their live house music show – renowned as they are for their soulful sound and intriguing performances. An exponent of electronic eclecticism, Jimmy Edgar funks it up, and with a new album coming in June his set is sure to offer plenty of surprises. And, rounding up the live headliners, The Correspondents return to Stop Making Sense, exploring their own twisted history of music, taking in jazz, electro, jungle, dubstep and drum’n’bass – with bounding MC Mr Bruce over the top.
As well as a bundle of headliners who could hold this five-day party on their own, Stop Making Sense 2012 is serving up a stunning list of DJs and acts, including Dark Sky, Daniel Avery (Stopmakingme), Nick Höppner, Sketchy, Moxie, George Fitzgerald, Etienne Tron, Hannah Holland, Another Amit and Sven Weisemann, and a whole list of others…
Stop Making Sense 2012 presents a stellar lineup of acts from across the dance music spectrum – from jazz, Latin and Afro house, to Chicago via Detroit and techno, through reggae, dubstep and electro – a kaleidoscope of sun, sea and electronic entertainment.
The music programme runs 12pm until 1am in Tisno, with two stages, boat parties, a private beach, tiki bars, and much more… From 11pm to 7am, the late-night action continues at the local Barbarella’s open-air club. There’s nothing better than partying under Croatian stars until a steady sunrise takes revellers into a new day of the nonsensical and sublime.
Stop Making Sense is a music and dance festival, a summer haven and a sunshine getaway all rolled into one. But it’s really mostly about a true love of music. Get involved!
TICKETS: Early bird tickets have now sold out. But tickets are still only £100. http://stopmakingsense.eu/?p=628
TRAVEL/ACCOMMODATION: The closest airports to Tisno are Zadar and Split, both serviced by Ryanair and Easyjet, and approximately a 60-minute drive away. Stop Making Sense works with a local transfer company to make the trip to and from the airport a breeze. Stop Making Sense 2012 also has on-site accommodation. Not too close to the stages, yet within crawling distance to all the action. For more information and bookings check out www.stopmakingsense.eu.
Mumford & Sons, The Maccabees, Garbage, Block Party, Enter Shikari, Four Tet, Young Guns, Pure Love, Ben Howard, The Jon Spencer Blues Band Explosion, Here We Go Magic and local talent Zea Mays have all been added to the line-up of the event, due to take place from the 12th to 14th July in the northern Spanish city of Bilbao.
Having already confirmed headliners The Cure and Radiohead plus performances from the likes of The Kooks, Glasvegas, Noah and the Whale and Warpaint amongst others, Bilbao BBK Live festival once again attracts the biggest names in music. Previous editions of the event have included headliners such as Coldplay, Pearl Jam, Depeche Mode, Jane’s Addiction, RHCP and Suede.
Three Day tickets to the festival, including camping, are available for just £88+ booking fee. One Day Tickets are available for £46+ booking fee; all on See Tickets, Ticketweb and Lastminute.com.
Exactly ten years to the date after its original release, Long Island hardcore innovators glassjaw will perform their landmark “Worship & Tribute” album in its entirety exclusively at SONISPHERE. Formed in 1993, glassjaw took their hardcore and punk influences and DIY attitude to create a genre defying sound entirely their own.
Over the years the band has brought their art to the public through undisclosed elaborate algorithms and sequential coding which up to now has baffled modern day mathematicians, scientists and fans alike. So, with releases such as 8/8, 9/9, 10/10, 11/11, 12/12, 01/01/11 and 07,07,07, one questions how, 10 years later, another significant sequential date of 8/7 could have been planned out with such accuracy. The Mayan calendar doesn’t have shit on these guys.
Now, glassjaw play the historic KNEBWORTH, a fitting site for this pioneering collective from Long Island, NY with a punk rock ethos and a desire to challenge the boundaries of guitar music.
Another ten year anniversary comes in the form of HUNDRED REASONS’ “Ideas Above Our Station”, which the Aldershot quintet will perform in full in BOHEMIA on the Friday. From the moment the band played their first show at London’s Kingston Peel, it was obvious HUNDRED REASONS were gong to make a name for themselves. Within months they were being offered high-profile support slots, plastered all over Kerrang! Magazine and generally creating a buzz wherever they went.
Earning a Top 10 (#6) chart position on its release in May 2002, “Ideas Above Our Station” is HUNDRED REASONS’ biggest selling album to date. Featuring chart topping singles including “If I Could”, Silver” and “Falter”, HUNDRED REASONS will see a packed out BOHEMIA relive a magical moment in music’s history.
Says guitarist Larry Hibbitt:
“We are galactically excited to be playing Sonisphere Festival 2012. It's been way too long and we can't wait to get back to doing exactly what we do best. See you at the front."
BLACK STONE CHERRY makes their SONISPHERE debut on the APOLLO stage on the Friday. With last year’s “Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea” rapturously received by a rock loving public, crashing into number 1 in the UK Rock Charts, the rapidly rising Kentucky quartet shows no sign of slowing down as they kick off a SOLD OUT UK TOUR later this week.
“Now we can check off another goal on the ole BSC "wanna do it" list!” says guitarist Ben Wells. “We can't wait to make our debut at Sonisphere 2012!!”
With gargantuan riffs and even bigger hooks, songs like “Rain Wizard” and “Blind Man” to dish out, SONISPHERE is serving the hottest piece of the BLACK STONE CHERRY pie so far.
If there’s one man capable of getting 60,000 music fans to go loco it’s SKINDRED’s Benji Webbe. The charismatic frontman has led his raga-punk troupe since 1998, earning a reputation as one of the best live acts around today. With an instantly recognisable sound totally their own, their musical mix of metal, reggae, dance and punk is at it’s height, as they headline the sold-out JAGERMEISTER MUSIC tour next month. Says Benji:
“We've built this band on being a solid, tight live act, and what more of a perfect platform can one ask for other than Sonisphere Festival Knebworth 2012. We are so thankful and honoured to be invited back once again! We are gunna get this place rocking. We are gunna get this place bouncing. WE ARE GUNNA GET YOU Bitches! SD crew step up!”
Whether it’s a packed out club or a huge festival field the size of KNEBWORTH, one can be certain that everybody in sight will have no option but to let the music take over, and their set on SONISPHERE’sSATURN stage will be one of Saturday’s highlights.
Legendary post-punk heroes NEW MODEL ARMY join the SONISPHERE cast for a very special late night set on Friday night in BOHEMIA after headliners KISS wrap up the APOLLO stage. Forming in Bradford in 1980, NMA earned a highly dedicated and impassioned fanbase through their combination of angry punk, modern-day protest folk and anthemic political chanting, which included the likes of Brazilian metallers SEPULTURA who covered “The Hunt”. Their set in BOHEMIA will be highly anticipated, and serve to showcase the diversity and wide range of music on offer at SONISPHERE this summer.
Since their formation in 1993, ELECTRIC WIZARD’s name was a familiar one amongst metal underground, but in 2007 – perhaps after a pact with the devil himself – the Dorset four-piece have been riding a black wave of success off the back of their “Witchcult Today” album. 2010’s “Black Masses” has only seen that success continue, with the band poised to play their biggest headline show to date later this month at London’s Forum. Sludgey, heavy, the epitome of doom, let us pray that BOHEMIA’s structure can withstand the WIZARD’s down-tuned onslaught.
A bunch of men travelling around the world selling their wares, plundering booty and devouring rum – the natural merger of touring band and buccaneering pirates has long been inevitable, and leading that charge are Scotsmen ALESTORM. Having just completed a sell out tour of the UK, Describing themselves as “True Scottish Pirate Metal”, these swashbuckling scallywags combine elements of folk and power metal with nautical nastiness and are announced hot off the back of a sold out UK tour. Ideal festival fun, ALESTORM will shiver your timbers and blow you down when they open the SATURN stage on Saturday.
If one day dictionaries have audio examples of definitions replacing the current standard text format, one wouldn’t be surprised to hear CROWBAR’s “Broken Glass” under the “Heavy” entry. Led by Kirk Windstein – now also one of the leading forces in DOWN – these sludge metal pioneers were one of the first bands to show the world that being heavy is not just about playing fast, and in fact that the opposite is true. With heavy hitters like “”All I Had (I Gave)”, “Nothing” and “Planets Collide”, their exclusive festival appearance will test BOHEMIA’s structural integrity to its limits.
Norwegian black’n’rollers KVELERTAK return to SONISPHERE for a second time after their 2010 appearance in the wake of a massive buzz. That a six piece from Stavanger, Norway who sing about Norse mythology and Viking folklore solely in their native tongue, could become one of the hottest and most talked about acts of late is testament to just how awesome their music is, and their only UK show of 2012 on Sunday in BOHEMIA will be a triumphant return.
Alternative rock heroes SEETHER play their only UK festival on SONISPHERE’sSATURN stage on the Sunday. The South African post-grunge trio have enjoyed massive success in the States, making them one of SA’s biggest musical exports, with four out of six records earning gold status. Currently touring with multi-platinum rockers 3 DOORS DOWN, SEETHER are slowly but surely winning over fans on this side of the pond, and their exclusive festival appearance at SONISPHERE will show us why.
The first band to be announced for the RED BULL BEDROOM JAM stage is Kerrang! Introducing stars THE GETAWAY PLAN. "To be able to say that we are a part of the Sonisphere festival this year is an absolute honour.” Says frontman Matthew Wright. “This is going to be our first time to the UK and our first ever show outside of Australia. We're over the fucking moon!" The Aussie rockers make their UK debut at SONISPHERE on the Saturday, giving UK fans the first chance to see why Australian rock fans have ensured chart topping success for the alt-rock four piece.
Mad Dog Mcrea are one of the Westcountry’s hottest bands, having recently won Best Album at the South West Music Awards. The Wurzels return to their favourite festival, for what is, due to popular demand, now a regular booking.
Watchet LIVE 2012 is set to build on the success of the 2012 event which saw nearly 5,000 people from Somerset and beyond attend the festival. Efestivals.co.uk declared that, “Watchet is a lovely little festival” and neonfiller.com described it as, “One of the UK's most eclectic boutique festivals”
With a host of internationally renowned artists performing, a friendly 'small festival' vibe, stunning views across the West Somerset coastline, and a full range of tickets and camping options, WATCHET LIVE is a fantastic festival and a perfect place to spend August Bank Holiday weekend.
Highlights of WATCHET LIVE FESTIVAL 2012 include:
• 3 live music stages featuring over 40 live music acts
• 3 distinct days: Tribute Night (Friday), Original Music (Saturday), Fancy Dress (Sunday)
• Glastonbury Festival’s very own Croissant Neuf Tent featuring live acts all weekend.
• Festival-owned ale bar selling a wide range of drinks at "cheaper than pub prices"
• Cider Island and Food Court
• The legendary Something Else Tea Tent
• Kids Corner
• Festival Market
• Showers in the campsite and flushing toilets in the newly expanded camping area!
This year’s festival charity is The Children’s Hospice South West
Weekend Tickets with camping are £50 (Adults), £30 (Youths 13-17), Under 12’s are free. A Family Weekend Ticket for 2 Adults & 2 Youths is just £110.
Weekend Tickets without camping are priced at just £40 (Adults), £20 (Youths 13-17), Under 12’s are free. A Family Ticket for 2 Adults & 2 Youths is £ 90. Day Tickets also available (£15/10)
Van Morrison will make a welcome return to the Festival with classics such as Have I Told You Lately That I Love You and Brown Eyed Girl.Squeeze will also perform and delight fans with old favourites including Cool for Cats and Up the Junction as well as new material. In addition, the incredible Marc Almond will join Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra as a special guest, alongside Gilson Lavis and guest vocalists Ruby Turner and Louise Marshall.
They join Liza Minnelli, the legendary worldwide universally loved superstar who will provide the opening for the Festival’s 20th Anniversary on Thursday 14th June. The concert will include many of Liza’s showstoppers such as Cabaret, Maybe This Time, New York New York – arguably her very own signature tune – all written especially for her by the legendary song writing partnership of John Kander and Fred Ebb (Chicago, Cabaret) – and a selection of her best loved songs.
The Festival will also host play host to Katie Melua, one of Britain’s most successful artists of the last decade who’s sold more than 11 million albums, who will delight festival-goers with familiar favourites such as Closest Thing To Crazy and Nine Million Bicycles, as well as performing songs from her new album Secret Symphony, out on 5th March. Legendary Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons will perform their first concert in the UK for 18 years at the Festival. This eagerly awaited concert will give fans the chance to hear many of the classic hit songs played live, such as: Big Girls Don’t Cry,Walk Like A Man,Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You,Bye, Bye, Baby (Baby Goodbye), December 1963 (Oh What A Night) and Grease.
Brit Award Winner James Morrison is also confirmed to perform in the stunning open-air courtyard of King Henry VIII’s Palace and will treat fans to his hit songs You Give Me Something, Wonderful World and I Won’t Let You Go as well as new tracks from his current album The Awakening. Caro Emerald, who recently appeared on Jools Holland’s Annual Hootenanny, will make her Festival debut this year with her eclectic style of ballroom jazz, cinematic tangos, groovin' jazz and infectious mambos with songs from her platinum-selling album Deleted Scenes From The Cutting Room Floor.
To mark the Festival’s milestone, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will perform a special 20th Anniversary Gala, which will be followed by spectacular fireworks over the Palace. Conducted by Gavin Sutherland, he will be joined by tenor James Edwards, soprano Laura Wright and violinist Clio Gould. The evening will have a long interval so that Festival-goers can enjoy their picnics and Champagne in the Palace Gardens as the sun sets on the summer’s evening.
In addition to the music, Hampton Court Palace Festival is renowned for creating a truly unforgettable experience. Artists perform in the historic main courtyard of the magnificent Tudor Palace providing an intimate atmosphere for an audience of 3,000. Corporate hospitality is available in the State Apartments and Festival-goers can also arrive early (Palace Gardens open at 1730) and enjoy a delicious picnic courtesy of Jamie Oliver’s Fabulous Feasts, in the stunning Palace gardens.
Held over the May Bank Holiday, the Festival will welcome musical stars including Jamie Cullum, Paloma Faith, Imelda May, The Puppini Sisters, Marcus Miller, Candi Staton and Gregory Porter.
Plus, with a brand new Big Top venue, free outdoor stage, boutique cinema, interactive Music Lab – full of the latest musical gadgetry – and a host of bars and cafes, the gardens will offer the perfect backdrop to the world’s greatest jazz performers.
Tickets are on-sale now. Visit cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz to sign up for alerts and to buy tickets.
The Deer Shed Festival music line-up has expanded from the format of the first two years – year three will see the Main Stage now in action each day instead of just Saturday and there is the new Lake Stage. The festival team are very excited about the whole thing which is quite understandable.
The first ever Friday night Main Stage headliner to be announced for Deer Shed Festival is, drum roll please, Saint Etienne. These titans of pristine pop moments release their first album for seven years in May, ‘Words and Music By Saint Etienne’, restoring everyone’s faith in a genre that Saturday night telly has done its best to ruin over the last decade. The Main Stage bill on Friday is completed by the dreamy, US west coast via Belfast, shimmers of Cashier No 9 and Club Smith who have just finished touring with Kaiser Chiefs.
Janice Graham Band are reclaiming ska for a new generation. Sharp lyrics about love, life and murder, this unpredictable band of four lads from Manchester are on the cusp of greatness and play the In The Dock Stage on Friday. Opening the stage ahead of them are Moody Gowns, a quintessentially British band in the vein of Ian Dury and The Blockheads. Previously announced Dutch Uncles complete the In The Dock Stage line-up for Friday – clearly the place to be for lovers of unconventional Brit-indie greatness at Deer Shed Festival 3.
The final band to be announced today for Friday’s bill is The Glendale Family. Returning to Baldersby Park for the third year, it’s fair to say they are the Deer Shed Festival house band. Playing the new Lake Stage on the first day of the festival, they’ll also be found in charge of the late night good times, curating and playing in the After Hours Lounge Bar.
Saturday’s Main Stage line up is completed by a trio of distinctive bands. Los Campesinos! bring their glockenspiels, big beats and boundless energy to North Yorkshire for the first time, playing before headliners Villagers. The Staves will serenade the Main Stage crowd mid-afternoon with their sibling harmonic perfection and Washington Irving open up with beautiful Scottish indie-folk-pop.
Further acts for Saturday include the ethereal singer-songwriter Paul Thomas Saunders who will play his sublimely haunting and reverb sodden songs on the In The Dock Stage. The Lake Stage line-up will be headlined on Saturday by Leeds folk quintet Ellen and the Escapades. Joining them will be the Buddy Holly-esque The Lost Brothers, the beautiful and soothing Pale Seas and North Yorkshire lass and BBC Introducing darling Pip Mountjoy.
There was a lot of whooping in the Deer Shed Festival office when the next act was confirmed. Human Don’t Be Angry is the newest project from the obscenely talented Malcolm Middleton and this noodling guitar, looped lyric offering continues the high level of brilliance we’ve come to expect. Middleton plays before Main Stage headliner Cherry Ghost on Sunday. Also taking to this stage will be singer-songwriter Rae Morris with her distinctive voice and piano talent.
That’s it for now. The final third of the music bill will be announced soon plus details of cabaret, comedy, cinema, theatre, workshops and the all-important theme for Deer Shed Festival 3. It’s going to be a BIG (clue alert!) one this year.
First up is Canadian electro pioneer deadmau5 – this stadium selling artist has well and truly transcended the superstar DJ frontier and he returns to Creamfields for his last UK festival performance of the year on Sunday’s North Stage. Headlining the South Stage on Saturday will be Avicii, Some things are worth the wait and as one of the most requested acts over recent years this Creamfields debut will undoubtedly be one that goes down in festival history. Having attracted over 25,000 people for his performance in 2011 we’re pleased to welcome back Tiësto who returns to host his own Clublife stage and having secured the No.1 spot in the DJ Mag Top 100 and two Grammy nominations the mighty David Guetta takes the helm of Saturday’s North Stage. It’s undoubtedly been an apocalyptic year for Creamfields regulars the Swedish House Mafia who this year are focusing on their 65,000 capacity show at Milton Keynes Bowl, however, fear ye not as Creamfields has snared them back, this time Axwell, Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso return to the fields of Cream to perform solo. Grammy award winning breakout star Skrillex performs under canvas this year as headliner of the BBC Radio 1Xtra arena, with his unique brand of dub-step, electro and glitch which has caught the imaginations of the planet’s dance-floors over the last 12 months it’s with great pleasure we welcome him back.
Other highlights come from the Grammy nominated and globally acclaimed Paul van Dyk who jets in from his Cream Ibiza residency just for the occasion, along with one of the most discerning trance outfits in the business Above & Beyond and the mighty Ferry Corsten. We see the return of everyone’s favourite flying Scotsman Calvin Harris who joins deadmau5 on the North stage plus a live performance from singer / rapper / musician / producer extraordinaire Example.
This of course is just the tip of the iceberg as we also introduce four new arenas for 2012. Internationally renowned techno god Richie Hawtin presents his brand new concept in the form of the M-nus presents Enter. Arena, curated by the man himself he brings together some of the most exciting artists from the scene including Loco Dice, Seth Troxler, Gaiser and Paco Osuna. Everyone’s favourite superstylers Groove Armada return to DJ as hosts of their very own arena, expect carnivalesque, ass shaking mayhem from the funk battalion who will be joined by BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix star A-Trak plus the highly anticipated return from DJ/Producer Stuart Price aka Jacques Lu Cont, not to mention performances from the likes of Fake Blood, Jaguar Skills, Alex Metric and Burns. BBC Radio 1Xtra’s Mistajam has curated his own Speakerbox arena featuring performances from the likes of Sub Focus Live, Knife Party, Borgore, Shy FX feat Stamina MC and Redlight. Creamfields favourite and international superstar DJ Mr Eddie Halliwell returns as host as he debuts the all new Fire It Up Arena – there are people who play records and there are DJ’s who blow minds – Eddie is the latter, expect a wagon load of production and SFX too, as this arena will be full throttle from start to finish as he’s joined by the likes of Sander van Doorn, Mark Knight, Funkagenda and Michael Woods to name a few.
Following last year’s superhero success Laidback Luke returns with his Super You&Me arena once again, and to celebrate we welcome a debut performance from American DJ/Producer and Dim Mak Records boss Steve Aoki (expect the odd stage dive!), Wolfgang Gartner, Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano – what superhero outfit will you be wearing?
Renowned for fusing legends with rising stars, the Pryda Friends arena is back, Eric Prydz heads up another eclectic line-up featuring a welcome return from John Digweed, debut appearances from Mixmag’s ‘Breakthrough Producer Of The Year’ Maya Jane Coles and Hotflush boss Scuba. Completing the bill for what will be one of the festivals most exciting arenas is Joris Voorn, Sébastien Léger and Jeremy Olander.
The trance continues in the Cream Arena with performances from Above and Beyond, Gareth Emery, Markus Schulz, Judge Jules and Mat Zo. Mafia don Steve Angello returns with his Size Matters arena featuring a special guest performance from Benny Benassi, Pete Tong, younger sibling AN21, Max Vangeli and Third Party.
Other acts include a Creamfields debut from BBC Radio 1 supremo Zane Lowe, Dirty South, Sebastian Ingrosso protégé and label peer Alesso, John O’Callaghan, Feed Me, Hardwell, Simon Patterson, Ørjan Nilsen, Adam Sheridan, Cazzette, Norman Doray, Syn Cole, Guetta collaborator Nicky Romero, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Australian lovelies NERVO and a debut performance from one of the most talked about and in-demand DJ/Remixer/Producer’s Porter Robinson.
They smashed it in 2011 so it’s with great pleasure we welcome back the 1Xtra crew for a second year, only this time they’ve moved to bigger capacity premises to accommodate the genres ever growing fan base, Skrillex is at the helm, along with Andy C feat MC GQ, Caspa, Flux Pavilion, Friction, Koan Sound, Doctor P, Loadstar feat MC Texas and Ikay whilst 1Xtra stable mates Skream feat. Sgt Pokes, Benga feat. Youngman and Mistajam keep the bass alive.
Queen of the mash up Annie Mac has pulled together a salivating line up for her Annie Mac presents arena, expect bass, electro, disco, house and dub-step from one of the most diverse tents on site with performances from dancehall duo Major Lazer, Erol Alkan, Crookers, Melé and rising star Madeon and if that wasn’t enough Brodinski joins Gesaffelstein for a special back to back set.
As well as being the name of Mixmag’s rag-tag bunch of in-house DJs, the Mixmag Allstars arena will feature a mix of the best up and coming DJ’s they’ve discovered in the past 12 months alongside some recognisable big name house DJ’s in the form of James Zabiela, Creamfields South America DJ legend Hernan Cattaneo, Nick Curly and Paul Woolford, combined they will be mixing a perfect Sunday session for those who have still got it in them!
Back to flaunt its ever-growing fabulousness is Hed Kandi who return as hosts of the Hospitality Arena. Last year sold out nearly 3 months in advance and this year we expect even greater demand as word spreads of this exclusive luxurious oasis on site…you have been warned!
And let’s not forget Friday night’s Silent Disco Arenas brought to you from That Mixmag Thing, UNION and Riva Starr’s label Snatch!
Creamfields welcomes back BBC Radio 1 & BBC Radio 1Xtra as this year’s exclusive radio partners; you can hear highlights from the event on both stations – www.bbc.co.uk/radio1 / www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra
The countdown begins….
CREAMFIELDS 2012 LINE UP
SATURDAY 25TH AUGUST
South Stage
Avicii Sebastian Ingrosso Alesso Cazzette Norman Doray Syn Cole
North Stage
David Guetta Example Nicky Romero NERVO Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike
Cream in Association with Mixmag
Above & Beyond Gareth Emery Markus Schulz Judge Jules Mat Zo Gareth Wyn Ben Gold Rob Harnetty
Size Matters
Steve Angello Pete Tong AN21 & Max Vangeli Third Party Tim Mason Qulinez Special Guest: Benny Benassi
Pryda Friends
Eric Prydz John Digweed Joris Voorn Maya Jane Coles Sébastien Léger Scuba Jeremy Olander
BBC Radio 1Xtra
Skrillex Skream feat. Sgt Pokes Benga feat. Youngman Andy C feat. MC GQ Caspa Flux Pavilion Friction Mistajam Doctor P Loadstar feat. MC Texas and Ikay Koan Sound Rudimental
Annie Mac Presents
Annie Mac Major Lazer Erol Alkan Crookers Madeon Brodinski vs Gesaffelstein Melé
Fire It Up
Eddie Halliwell Sander van Doorn Mark Knight Funkagenda Michael Woods Thomas Gold Kryder D.O.D
Hed Kandi Hospitality
Phil Faversham Sam Cannon DJ Eibhlin Sarah Louise Steve Lewis (Percussion) Aimee Jay (Saxophone)
SUNDAY 26TH AUGUST
North Stage
deadmau5 Calvin Harris Zane Lowe Feed Me Porter Robinson
Clublife South Stage
Tiësto Axwell Dirty South Hardwell Tommy Trash
Cream
Paul van Dyk Ferry Corsten John O’Callaghan Simon Patterson Ørjan Nilsen Adam Sheridan
Super You&Me
Laidback Luke Steve Aoki Wolfgang Gartner Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano Zedd Swanky Tunes
Groove Armada Presents
Groove Armada (DJ Set) A-Trak Fake Blood Jaguar Skills Alex Metric Burns Special Guest: Jacques Lu Cont
Mistajam Presents Speakerbox
Sub Focus Live Knife Party Borgore Shy FX (Stamina MC) Redlight 16bit North Base
M-Nus Presents Enter
Richie Hawtin Loco Dice Seth Troxler Gaiser Paco Osuna
Mixmag Allstars
James Zabiela Hernan Cattaneo Nick Curly Paul Woolford George Fitzgerald Mar-T Anthony Probyn
Hed Kandi Hospitality
Carl Hanaghan Stephanie Jay Dave Silcox Matt Nash Steve Lewis (Percussion) Aimee Jay (Saxophone)
FRIDAY 24TH AUGUST (Silent Disco)
That Mixmag Thing
Brookes Brothers True Tiger The Prototypes Mixmag Allstars
UNION
Kissy Sell Out UNION Engine-Earz Experiment
Snatch!
Riva Starr Kim Fai The Japanese Popstars Jet Project
FRIENDLY FIRES * DAVE CLARKE * THE DRUMS * JACQUES LU CONT * THE RAPTURE * ANNIE MAC * MYLO * ZANE LOWE * KNIFE PARTY * KASSIDY * ADMIRAL FALLOW * MYSTERY JETS * JAKWOB * CLAUDE VON STROKE * ANIMAL FARM * JAPANESE POPSTARS * LITTLE COMETS * LUCY ROSE * PORTER ROBINSON * BASTILLE * TO KILL A KING * THE DRAYMIN
SPECIAL GUESTS THE VIEW
PLUS FIRST COMEDY ANNOUNCEMENT TIM MINCHIN
Fresh from winning ‘BEST SMALL FESTIVAL’ for the second consecutive year at this week’s star studded NME Awards, and hot on the heels of MUMFORD & SONS, DEADMAU5, BIFFY CLYRO, ED SHEERAN, JUSTICE plus many more already having been announced, the good times keep on rolling as RockNess today confirm the latest names for the award winning line up.
First up and with tunes that say ‘party’ in a way this year’s RockNess audience will find hard to resist, FRIENDLY FIRES bring together a sound coated in melody with nods to nu- and old rave, the right measure of poppy brevity and slick vocals by disco dancing frontman Ed MacFarlane. Like a bringing together of all the great parts of an indie disco in one place, expect the perfect Loch-side soundtrack.
Joining the RockNess bill as special guests, THE VIEW are one of the most exciting young rock bands of their generation. A debut album that blasted straight into number one, multi million sales and two excellent follow up albums, massive radio and media coverage, Mercury Music Prize nominations…and a level of notoriety that only adds to their authentic bona fide star status. With a hugely anticipated fourth album set for release this summer – rumoured to be their finest yet and recorded in Nashvile with Angelo Petraglia (Kings of Leon) and Mike Crossey (Arctic Monkeys) – Loch Ness is officially on standby as THE VIEW prepare to unleash their electrifying sound to a guaranteed rapturous response.
TIM MINCHIN is a comedy rock superstar whose sell out live performances are a juggernaut of potent, grandiose showmanship. As one of the most commanding figures on the global comedy circuit, Minchin’s unique signature of intellectually provocative wit set against a sweeping musical backdrop, led by the barefoot balladeer on his grand piano, is irresistible. Expect a suitably huge affair at Dores as RockNess continues to offer outstanding comedy across the weekend.
Known as The Baron Of Techno, a moniker given to him by the late great John Peel, DAVE CLARKE is a bonafide veteran of electro and the first headliner announced for this year’s much anticipated SOMA RECORDS proposition at RockNess. With peerless sets that straddle tracks from the dawn of house through to gothic punk, the man in black’s gritty rock n roll anarchist energy is second to none. Revered by techno connoisseurs the world over for his sonic integrity, as Clarke says, “I may be established but I’ll never be establishment”.
Glistening tunes and insanely catchy riffs have made New York indie rockers THE DRUMS one of the most brilliant breakthrough bands of recent times, largely due to excellent second album Portamento. Fronted by Jonathan Pierce, and with a sound of carefully constructed gems that draw influence from a gamut of artists most notably The Smiths, 2012 promises to see the band’s career trajectory continue.
JACQUES LU CONT (aka Les Rythmes Digitales, Man With Guitar, Thin White Duke, Pour Homme, Zoot Woman, Paper Faces…and Stuart Price) is a three-time Grammy-winning electronic maestro who counts New Order, Madonna, Missy Elliot, Scissor Sisters and The Killers as fans who have enlisted his sublime production expertise. He is also one of the most respected names in electro, devoid of pretension but never failing to deliver killer beats. LU CONT’s contribution to the Fabriclive series is widely regarded as one of the finest ever, and awesome new track ‘Church’ – the first we’ve heard in a long time – marks a stunning return to form.
THE RAPTURE were forerunners of the early 2000s post-punk revival, mixing influences from acid house, disco, electronic and punk rock. A stream of excellent releases and high profile tours followed – most notably as the support for Daft Punk’s wildly successful North American assault. Now, after a five year hiatus, the New York trio are back and in rude health. Recent fourth album In the Grace of Your Love sees the band underpin their art-rock credentials but still with ample funky slabs of synth to keep the RockNess crowd dancing.
Always guaranteed to deliver the very best parties, RockNess is delighted to welcome BBC Radio 1’s ANNIE MAC and ZANE LOWE back to Dores. As two of the nation’s foremost exponents of cutting edge new music – Annie with her magnificent ‘official start to the weekend’ Friday night dance show and Zane with his fast paced nightly unleashing of the freshest new sounds – both are sure to be given a rousing welcome when they hit up the festival.
It is with huge excitement that RockNess can announce the appearance this June of an artist who will without any doubt be one of the festival’s highlights, MYLO. In a very special treat, MYLO will, for one night only, be bringing his famed EPP party to The Highlands. With a host of guest DJ friends to be revealed, expect a full scale hip wiggling, nu disco inferno mixed up with trademark genius throwbacks from the beat loving electro wizard.
KNIFE PARTY – the side project of Pendulum’s Rob Swire and Gareth McGrillem – has been touring and tearing up dancefloors in clubs across the world for the last year playing remixes of Swedish House Mafia, Nero, Porter Robinson as well as a load of their own heavy hitting material with Skrillex and Mistajam. Recently released EP No Modern Talking is a smash, brimming with energy-packed madness and the wackiest beats you’re likely to hear. RockNess kids get ready!
Also confirmed are Glasgow rockers KASSIDY. The guitar wielding, four piece’s joyous harmonies draw on a range of influences most notably Crosby, Stills and Nash and the Grateful Dead, and their part folk, part hippie sensibility, captured to gorgeous effect on debut album Hope St unashamedly spans evocative and rousing Americana in equal measure.
Scotland’s ADMIRAL FALLOW know what they’re doing. Songs that are heartfelt, honest and as pure as the Scottish snow, harmonies that can’t help but raise a smile, melodies that blossom into glorious anthemic hooks, debut album Boots Met My Face, recorded at Glasgow’s famed Chem 19 studio with Paul Savage (former Delgados drummer) is probably the best example of orchestral indie folk-pop as you’re likely to hear. Magnificent.
Inheritors of Britpop and exponents of what could be loosely termed British guitar indie, London’s MYSTERY JETS are that…and so much more. Their inventiveness and output of ideas means they operate on a plateau far above most of the competition, with their most obvious peers being Super Furry Animals and British Sea Power. Three albums in, culminating in the triumphant third Serotonin, and a much anticipated fourth due for an April 2012 release, RockNess awaits their Highland arrival with fervour.
Minimalist and menacingly reggaetronic, JAKWOB transcends the genres of dubstep, electro, ghetto-tech and breakbeat and is one of the hottest new producers and DJs around. Aged 22, he is already one of the go-to guys in remixing – Lana Del Rey, Little Boots, Empire of the Sun, Frankmusik, Lily Allen, Coco Sumner, Temper Trap and Ellie Goulding have all received the JAKWOB magic. However it is for his forthcoming album that expectations are high. Using his multi instrumentalist skills (he plays nine), and collaborating with writing and vocal partner Rocky, a sound rich with variety and inspired by flavours from his life so far is anticipated.
On the party trip CLAUDE VON STROKE is a name synonymous with good times, and is announced as the second SOMA RECORDS act for 2012. Expect genre busting grooves, wonky beats and gear changing brilliance from this San Francisco-based maestro as he asserts control of the sensory extravaganza that is the ARCADIA AFTERBURNER.
ANIMAL FARM are four friends Darren Quail, Chris Lamb, Charlie Turtle and Ronin Vallelly. Influenced by early Detroit and Chicago techno, the boys have spent the last seven years perfecting their sound as residents at one of the planet’s most revered clubs, the SUB CLUB. The boys have brought many of their electronic heroes to Glasgow including Ben Klock, Marcel Dettmann, Regis, Sandwell District, Ryan Elliott, Marcel Fengler and Mark Henning to name a few…plus a host Glasgow’s young talent including Harvey McKay, Gary Beck, BCR Boys, Mr. Copy and Simon Stokes. ANIMAL FARM also broadcast weekly on the city’s lead student radio station, Sub City.
Championed by Zane Lowe and Huw Stephens amongst many others, LITTLE COMETS are an indie-pop troupe to behold. Hailing from the North East of England, marvellous debut album In Search of Elusive Little Comets was a joyful collection of some of the catchiest tunes of 2011 and shining follow up EP Worry should see this excellent young band move into well deserved regular playlist territory.
Hailed by VOGUE as one of indie’s breakthrough stars of 2012, LUCY ROSE is an English singer songwriter whose full capacity, live performances are fast commanding a proper sense of occasion. Likened to Joni Mitchell and tipped as an English Suzanne Vega, ROSE, who has contributed vocals on Bombay Bicycle Club’s two most recent albums, exudes a quiet determination with a clutch of deceptively sweet songs that make her appearance at RockNess well worth the effort to check out.
Often called a prodigy of the electro genre, PORTER ROBINSON is a 19 year old producer who has rapidly ascended the ranks of the international electronic music scene, captivating audiences with his ability to skilfully blend genres into his own unique sound that's complex yet catchy, and classic yet cutting edge. He’s performed with Deadmau5, Moby, Afrojack and A-Trak. Check him out at RockNess to see why.
By all rights, BASTILLE should have a record deal and chart success such is the beautiful potency of their material. Festival slots at Isle of Wight, Glastonbury, Glade and Great Escape aside, the four piece from London have been marching on and growing their fanbase. Through this steady promotion, and the recent release of a thoroughly decent EP containing notable gems Icarus and Flaws.it now finally looks like BASTILLE’s moment could be arriving.
With a one off single released on the Communion label of Ben Mumford of RockNess headliners MUMFORD & SONS, and a well received EP My Crooked Saint, rousing folk rockers TO KILL A KING are an exciting new five piece whose poetic lyrics and gritty music has them as ‘ones to watch’ this year.
