V Festival 2012 will take place across the weekend of August 18th – 19th,with a limited allocation of tickets going on sale on Wednesday 24rd August from 9am. Fans are urged to be quick, early bird tickets are likely to go within a week. Festivalgoers can also book festival tickets and coach packages through See Tickets and Big Green Coach at 2011 prices.
V Festival Director, Simon Moran comments:
“Once again there was an incredible demand for tickets this year and as ever we’d like to give music lovers the chance to get their hands on next year’s early, and save some money in the process. With Glastonbury off the festival circuit next year, there is evenmore reason for music fans to take advantage of this great opportunity. Thisyear’s line up was one of the most exciting and eclectic yet so next year’s festival has a lot to live up to, but I’m sure it won’t disappoint.”
Following the success of this year’s sold out V Style packages, the new luxurious range of stylish accommodation will once again be available for those in search of some pampering. Festival fans can sleep in decadent surroundings by choosing between a lux pad, pop up hotel room, yurt or perhaps even a gypsy caravan to chill out at the end of each night. V Style packages include* weekend passes and all your accommodation needs including a warm shower and premium toilets. You’ll never go back to basic camping again!
Organisers are urging fans of the festival to ensure that they only use official ticket channels when buying tickets and not to purchase tickets from unofficial or secondary outlets.
Visit www.vfestival.com for details of all official ticket outlets or contact See Tickets.
Today saw the 16th edition of V Festival hit Hylands Park in Chelmsford. V Festival is known for providing a diverse lineup to suit everyone and thats exactly what we had this Saturday.
From the headlining Arctic Monkeys, through to to Jessie J, Chase & Status, Aloe Blac, Ziggy Marley and even a comedy tent, it was not hard to be pleased.
Sheffield rockers Arctic Monkeys brought Saturday to an almight close as they trailed through hits from their latest album 'Suck It and See' as well as hits from their previous albums. Notable tracks like 'I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor' went down a treat with the crowd in the main arena that streched right to the back.
Aloe Blacc's soulful and cool presense on stage was the perfect fit for a sun drenched crowd who were lapping up his energy. The crowd got into full swing when Aloe performed his hit 'I Need A Dollar'.
Over on the V Stage, Bruno Mars came out to a wet welcome as the rain started to come down at Hylands Park. Opening with his hit 'The Lazy Song' the crowd, unfazed by the change in weather, continued to sing song after song with Bruno.
With the rain subsiding, the welcoming sun shone over Hylands Park. We headed to The Arena where hip hop star Wiz Khalifa was performing. Wiz has a laidback style about him and he came out performing with a mic on a stand! Fresh off his Rolling Papers album Wiz Khalifa banged out tune after tune with 'Black & Yellow' the biggest song of his set.
Back on the 4 Music Stage, Example had the majority of the crowd bouncing to his army of tracks which included his latest single 'Natural Disaster'.
Still with a cast on her leg, Jessie J arrived to a packed out arena on the 4 Music Stage to perform whilst sitting on her throne. Even though she was confined to sitting down, her performance is still amazing and energetic, you can see how much she just wants to get up and dance! She stated 'It's my first time performing in Essex, this time last year I was in the crowd!'
Back over to the V Stage, Plan B had taken to the stage. One of the biggest UK artist's of the moment, Plan B has featured on a number of festival lineup's this year. His performance is bar none one of the better of the day. Moving through tracks from his 'The Defamation of Strickland Banks' the enjoyment of the crowd can be heard throughout the park as they applause and join in to sing along with him. His tracks 'The Recluse', 'Prayin', 'She Said' were some of the biggest of his set.
V Festival is one of the must go to festivals on the summer calendar! Its diverse lineup and dual location makes it an easy choice for festival goers from around the UK.
V Festival on Sunday will host Rihanna and Eminem as headliners. Its a sure fire thing that they will bring down the curtains to an almighty applause as we witness yet another great year at V Festival!
With a glint in his eye and a spring in his step Rob da Bank said: “We’re mega proud to have sold out Bestival for the seventh year running. Selling 50,000 tickets for a 100% independent festival in the current climate is no mean feat but its all thanks to our wicked crowd of regulars and new Bestivalites and music lovers who have chosen to join us on the Isle of Wight in 3 weeks… Thanks for the support and see you in the magic meadows of Bestival!”
Featuring a colossal 18 stages of live music and DJs, creative mayhem, magical experiences, our Rock Stars, Pop Stars and Divas fancy dress parade, loads of crazy fresh stuff including the Swamp Shack, Roller Disco, Wall of Death, Freesports Park, Crazy Golf, Campsite Hubs, Ambient Forest, Herbert’s Dream and much more, we’re pretty sure it’s going to be our best Bestival yet and we can’t wait!
After its success at this year’s Camp Bestival we’re bringing Kerstin Rodgers’ The Underground Restaurant to the Isle of Wight to give Bestival-goers the chance to enjoy an extravagant three-course sit down meal in the heart of the festival. An experience not to be missed! ??
There will be a wonderful set menu, gorgeous waitresses in vintage French pinnies, vintage mismatched crockery, table linen and a chance to sit down for lunch, dinner or a late supper… always welcome at a festival. Plus on Saturday night only there will be a Pyjama Party themed Midnight Feast! Wear jim-jams, nighties, bring teddies, hot water bottles, dressing gowns, comfy slippers, hair rollers, your pet blanket and have a secret feast under the cover of a supper club. Places are limited though so we highly recommend you book yourself and you friends in now. click here to book (NB: sittings do not clash with the main stage headliners).
As the countdown gets well and truly under way we’ve joined forces with Rapanui Clothing, a brilliant Isle of Wight based eco-fashion company, to create a limited edition pre-event T-shirt for this year’s Bestival. This Organic Cotton T-shirt is made in a wind-powered, Fair Wear Foundation audited factory and is printed on 100% organic cotton. They were transported by ship, not air, are printed with phthalate-free inks and were hand-finished in the UK. A strictly limited edition run, these T-shirts will ONLY be available to order up until 26th August. They will not be on sale at Bestival itself. You can order yours here
Finally, if you were lucky enough to get yourself a Bestival ticket but your circumstances have changed and you can’t make it down to the Isle of Wight now the ONLY place we recommend to re-sell your ticket is www.thetickettrust.com
Likewise, if you would like to purchase a Bestival ticket, the ONLY place we recommend that you go to is www.thetickettrust.com
The Ticket Trust has been created by the Association of Independent Festivals and Sandbag to offer a safe and secure ticket exchange to help correct the secondary ticketing problem. Comprising a group of promoters, artists and music industry professionals embarrassed by what they see happening to tickets to their events – the exploitation of fans’ pockets! The Ticket Trust has created a place where music lovers can exchange unwanted tickets at face value, providing a platform for safe, secure and legitimate ticket exchange – without the over inflated mark-ups. This is the promoters’ and artists’ answer to the secondary ticketing market which seeks to make big profits – taking hard earned cash away from the fans, the musicians and the live events we all love.
Remember to keep on checking www.bestival.net for full line up details and all the up to the minute news.
High winds and heavy rain hit the Pukkelpop Festival near the town of Hasselt in the north of Belgium yesterday. Some giant screens toppled, trees were uprooted, and stages collapsed killing 5 people and injuring dozens more.
Pukkelpop Festival has now been cancelled.
See more news on the Sky website: http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16052613
This in-door music festival extravaganza offers an unmissable end of season alternative with ticket prices starting at £10, bringing the UK’s top bands, emerging talent and festival vibe to venues near you!
Ley Lines will be taking over both floors at the O2 Academy Oxford, the Backroom at The Bullingdon and newly renovated arts venue ‘The Old Boot Factory’ – which will offer something more homegrown for the DIY enthusiasts – with more off the beaten track locations to be announced.
With the line up currently under wraps, music lovers should expect a fresh selection of top touring acts with an eclectic mix of local and new bands to pick and choose from. Don’t just watch – get involved with interactive workshops, music classes and sessions, talks, stalls and exhibitions.
DHP promoter and festival organiser Isla Miskelly is the driving force behind Ley Lines. She comments –
“We’re really excited to be bringing a new festival to the city, and we hope that even in the current economical climate, people can still experience the atmosphere of a festival and discover new acts as well as seeing some great bands at an affordable price, all on their doorstep in OX4. We’ll be bringing a whole host of exciting national acts into the mix with the best of Oxfords new emerging talent, there really will be something for everyone!“
As a resident of Oxford for eight years, Isla has promoted for over three years and with DHP she continues to offer a platform for locals to share the stage with some of the hottest bands in the UK. A growing fixture of the local vibrant music scene, DHP bring the latest national touring artists to many of Oxford’s venues, promoting in excess of 100 shows each year across the city. Tickets – Tickets go onsale Monday 15th August 2011 at 9am. Limited Early Bird tickets are available at £10, grab yours now as these will fly out – so don’t delay! The ticket price will then go up to £15 advance.
The event is open to ages 14+ with limited acts 18+ - these will be made apparent on all listings
Tickets will be available from the following outlets
The Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) has just released the first selection of confirmed artists that are scheduled for the upcoming edition. The sixteenth edition of the ADE, which takes place from 19 to 22 October, promises to be the biggest to date with a varied and extensive international programming in a record breaking 52 venues around Amsterdam. In the past sixteen years the ADE has become the most important showcase festival and conference for electronic music in the world. For the upcoming edition the organization expects more than 130,000 visitors, of which 25,000 are from all across Europe.
Programming
Headlines for the next edition include Grammy Award winner Afrojack (NL), who scored a number one hit in America recently, the world tour of Richie Hawtin’s (CA) new Plastikman 1.5 show superstar David Guetta (FR), techno legend Carl Cox (US) and the current number one DJ in the world Armin van Buuren (NL).
Other confirmed acts:
2000 and One (NL), Aeroplane (BE), Afrojack (NL), Alex Flatner (DE), Ambush (US), Âme (DE), Andrew Weatherall (GB), Annie Mac (GB), Anton Pieete (NL), Apparat (DE), Applescal (NL), Armin van Buuren (NL), Bart Skils (NL), Ben Klock (DE), Boemklatsch (NL), Boris Werner & William Kouam Djoko (NL), Brodinski (FR), Caribou (CA), Carl Cox (GB), Carl Craig (US), Chocolate Puma (NL), Chris Liebing (DE), Christian Varela (ES), Crookers (IT), Culoe De Song (SA), Daniel Miller (GB), Dave Clarke (GB), David Guetta (FR), David Morales (US), Dennis Ferrer (US), Derrick May (US), Detroit Grand Pubahs (US), Dimitri Kneppers (NL), Dixon (Innervisions, DE), DJ Judge Jules (GB), DJ Kypski (NL), DJ Simon Patterson (GB), Dubfire (IR), Ellen Allien (DE), Eskmo (US), Fake Blood (GB), Fedde le Grand (NL), Ferry Corsten (NL), Flowing (DE), Frankie Knuckles (US), Funkerman (NL), Goldfish (SA), Goldie (GB), Gregor Tresher (DE), Groove Armada presents ‘Red Light’ (GB), Guy J (IL), Heiko Laux (DE), Henrik Schwarz (DE), Hudson Mohawke (GB), Industrialyzer LIVE (PT), James Holden (GB), Jaxx da Fishworks (JP), John Dahlback (SE), John Digweed (GB), Jon Rundell (GB), Joost van Bellen (NL), Joris Voorn (NL), Kaiserdisco (DE), Karotte (DE), Kate Wax (CH), Kenny Dope (US), Kenny Larkin (US), Kettel (NL), Kyle Hall (US), Lone live (GB), M.A.N.D.Y. (DE), Makam (NL), Marcel Dettmann (DE), Martyn (US) live, Mason (NL), Matthias Tanzmann (DE), Mauro Picotto (IT), Melon (NL), Michael Mayer (DE), Michel Cleis (CH) , Modeselektor live (DE), Monika Kruse (DE), Mousse T. (DE), Nick Fiurucci (CA), Özgur Can (SE), Palmbomen (NL), Pional (live) (ES), Radioslave (GB), Real el Canario (ES), Richie Hawtin (CA), Rimer London & Cata.Pirata (NL), RipTide (NL), Riva Starr (GB), Robert Owens (US), Ron Carroll (US), Sander Kleinenberg (NL), Sander van Doorn (NL), SebastiAn (FR), Shinedoe (NL), Soul Clap (US), Stephan Bodzin (DE), Steve Bug (DE), Steve Mac (GB), Steve Rachmad (NL), Stonebridge (SE), Sven Väth (DE), The Advent LIVE (GB), The Glitch Mob (US), The Martinez Brothers (US), The Partysquad (NL), The Shapeshifters (GB), Theo Parrish (US), Tom Novy (DE), Tommie Sunshine (US), Tommy Four Seven (GB), Umek vs Beltek (SI), WhoMadeWho live (DK) and many more. In total over 700 acts are scheduled to play the ADE.
Record number of stages
In 2011 the ADEworks with a record number of 52 venues around Amsterdam, including Paradiso, Melkweg, Escape, Panama, Air, Chicago Social Club, Heineken Music Hall, Jimmy Woo, Ocean Diva, Studio 80, Passenger Terminal Amsterdam, Supperclub, Trouw and Westerunie. Amongst the locations there are also many first-time locations as Bloc23, bus Museum, Gazz, Havana, House of Rising muzyQ, Minibar, Pand 14, Rust and The Sun.
On the main stage, there will be a showcase of family-friendly popular music. Imelda May will open the festival on Friday 26th August and supporting her will be Size 9, aneight piece band from South London, fusing funky-soulful sounds from the past with a distinctly contemporary and urban feel to create their own organic and original music, Parade, an all-female band with their groovy, RnB pop with a touch of street style, Oh My! a girl duo, who are signed my 679 – the label who kick started the careers of Dizzee Rascal and Plan B and Lucy Morris, fresh from her performance at the Isle of Wight Festival.
On Saturday 27th August, Bjorn Again will be headlining and supporting them will be, Tankus the Henge a six piece powerhouse of a band who embody a look and a sound that lies somewhere between their South East London home and the carnival town of New Orleans, Mamas Gun who combine the euphoria of soul and Motown with the spirit of Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye and Daniela Brooker, who was picked up by Chris Evan’s Breakfast Show and Hit Sheet heralds her as “definitely one to watch”.
McFly will be headlining the main stage on Sunday 28th August and will be supported by AJ, already dubbed by the media as Britain’s ‘Prince of Pop’, this singer-songwriter has spent the last year touring the UK on a string of promo dates alongside artists such as The Saturdays, Peter Andre, Chipmunk, Scouting for Girls and former X factor winners, Size 9 and City Stereo a nationally up and coming pop-rock band performing their trademark, energetic mix of pop-rock.
The Festival will close on Monday 29th August with Sing-A-Long-A Sound Of Music and a spectacular fireworks display. The support acts including Chelcee Grimes with her urban pop songs packed with hooks and lyrical twists, Daniela Brooker and funk rock fusion from Soul Trigger.
So, grab your friends and enjoy the bank holiday weekend with great music and entertainment. There will be Pimms, beer and Champagne tents as well as delicious food available from Jamie Oliver’s Fabulous Feasts, Pizza Express, Maggies Farm, SoulFoods Co and Flaming Cactus to name a few. There will be a delightful Summer Market stalls jam packed with arts & crafts, gifts & jewellery as well as delicious homemade cakes and fudge.
Jolly Day Out also has plenty of kids entertainment throughout the day, whilst the bands play. We will have live shows from Charlie & Lola’s Best Bestest Play* from the BBC hit TV series, the stage show of HORRIBLE HISTORIES and the Zingzillas performing. There’ll be hourly story- telling from The Roald Dahl Museum, interactive demos and experiments from the Science Museum and Henry the Apes Arena. Learn circus skills in our very own Big Top, make arts & crafts, faces painting and a traditional funfair as well as the Moshi Monsters who’ll be at Jolly Day Out on Saturday and Sunday. There will also be the chance to bet on your favourite Pig, with Pig Racing every hour, see the special Dancing Sheep andget stuck in with Welly Wanging.
All this and much more will be available in an afternoon of British summertime fun!
Date:Friday 26th – Monday 29th August 2011
Friday 26th:Imelda May, Size 9, Parade, Oh My! and Lucy Morris
Saturday 27th:Bjorn Again, Tankus the Henge, Mamas Gun and Daniela Brooker
Sunday 28th:McFly, AJ, Size 9 and City Stereo
Monday 29th:Sing-A-Long-A Sound Of Music, Chelcee Grimes, Daniela Brooker and Soul Trigger
Location:Hampton Court Green (Opposite Palace), East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 9AU
Tickets: £25 for 13 years and over
Tickets are free for kids 12 and under
Each adult ticket entitles you to 2 free kids tickets
Times: Doors open at 1200, headline act on stage at 8pm
*No alcohol or food is permitted to be brought into the Festival.
Extra information – Theatre Tent tickets Tickets for each of the Charlie and Lola shows and Horrible Histories shows need to be booked in addition to your Festival Tickets and as numbers are limited, advanced booking is highly recommended. Tickets for these shows are only £4.50 per person so simply select the date you have booked for the Festival and the Theatre Tent show and time to ensure you are there.
Show times are as follows each day: Charlie and Lola – 12.30, 3.00 and 5.30 Horrible Histories – 1.45, 4.15, 6.45
PAUL CHOWDHRY has distinguished himself as one of the most talented and popular comedians to have recently emerged, with the ability and diversity to effortlessly straddle the urban and main stand-up circuits as an international headline act. Constantly challenging and relentlessly inventive comedy fuels an eclectic set punctuated by impressive feats of mimicry and verbal dexterity. Paul’s highly charged dry observational humour taps into the multicultural diversity of contemporary Britain.
Co-star and co-writer of Frankie Boyle’s ‘Tramadol Nights’ on Channel Four, TOM STADE’s magnetic stage presence, irrepressible charm and first class story-telling have now firmly established him as one of the most sought after performers on the UK and international circuit, On stage, he shares his off-beat world as he recounts his global adventures – often with a little help from inimitable sidekick Jimmy – and never fails to have his audience in stitches.
Full of passion and charisma, JARRED CHRISTMAS takes the audience on a hilarious thrill ride of laughs and gasps with an edge of anger that manifests itself in his incredible rants against the small things in our lives, he been called “one of the funniest men to pick up a microphone” by Time Out.
A regular headliner at all Australian comedy venues and MC for the Friday at Reading, WAYNE DEAKIN has toured throughout the USA, Canada, Asia, the Middle East and the Isle of Man. As well as his solo Melbourne Comedy Festival shows, Deakin’s New York tours included consecutive nights at Caroline’s, New York’s premier comedy venue and headlining New York Improv. Performing at the Montreal Comedy Festival and doing a week as MC at the world famous Laff Trax in Las Vegas are current career highlights..until Reading that is!
Londoner MICHAEL FABBRI made his mark on the UK circuit by reaching the final of Channel 4’s ‘So You Think You’re Funny?’ Sharp and smart, his quick-witted technique catches his audience unaware but ensures they can’t help but laugh along with him, despite his honest approach to some of life’s more touchy subjects.
In his short comic career MIKE BUBBINS has already supported Rhod Gilbert on his sold out nationwide tour and brought his debut show to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. A finalist in the ‘So You Think You’re Funny?’ competition, he has also become a regular guest comedian on BBC Radio Wales and won fans at some of the biggest comedy clubs across the UK. Festival-goers can see why when he takes the MC role on Sunday after gracing Leeds with his presence on the Friday.
New names added to the Leeds line-up include:
DAVE FULTON says he started comedy back when it was popular and profitable and decided to stay on past the point of when it wasn’t. He is opinionated, pulls the punches in his observations and yet has a laid back stage manner that disguises a raw aggression. Commenting on a varied melting pot of issues that sometimes even he doesn’t want to explore, this is un-missable comedy from one of the most dynamic and innovative comedians breaking on the comedy circuit at the moment.
Award-winning writer GORDON SOUTHERN has years of comedy experience under his belt and is one of the most sought after headline acts on the UK circuit. His upbeat delivery combined with his fantastically funny observational comedy and quick-witted improvisation has now secured his place as an audience favourite.
Not content with all the comedy and music on offer, there will be also be screenings of the acclaimed film KABOOM, a smart and sexy apocalyptic comedy from cult director Gregg Araki Stylish; wickedly funny and featuring a hot young cast, KABOOM has been described by Rolling Stone as “an erotic blast of sinful flesh, fun and fantasy that you don’t want to stop”. Written and directed by Morgan Spurlock, of Supersize Me fame, THE GREATEST MOVIE EVER SOLD is a documentary about branding, advertising and product placement that is financed and made possible by brands, advertising and product placement.
At both Reading & Leeds, the short films MIXTAPE and DISCO will be shown from multi-award winning writer/director Luke Snellin. MIXTAPE follows Ben who spends his time listening to his Dad’s old 70’s vinyl and making mixtapes on an old double deck tape recorder. to try and woo the girl next door, Lily, the girl of his dreams. DISCO is set in the English summer of 1997, Oasis reach number one with ‘D’you Know What I Mean’. Tony Blair has moved his stuff in to Downing Street. Meanwhile Danny is trying to tell a girl named Pippa that he likes her. On this Friday we follow Danny through mis-communication, gossip, chinese whispers and a love triangle between Danny, Pippa and his best friend Greg.
At Leeds, the party runs into the night with our friends at Transgressive Records
TRANSGRESSIVE & FRIENDS PRESENT… THE ALTERNATIVE STAGE AT LEEDS FESTIVAL 2011:
For 2011, Transgressive’s fifth year in presenting artists, visuals and DJs at Leeds Festival, Transgressive’s booking power extends from our traditional Sunday ‘closing night’ slot, to also incorporating an additional evening of programming on Saturday night.
Saturday will showcase some of our generation’s most exciting and quality songwriters, in the form of Johnny Flynn and the Sussex Wit (exclusive live set), Pete and the Pirates, and the hotly tipped Dry the River.
Sunday will incorporate more challenging and diverse electronica-tinged themes, with exclusive sets from all of SBTRKT (live), Gold Panda (live), Becoming Real (live), and Three Trapped Tigers (live).
More surprises to be added on the nights themselves.
Saturday:
8.45pm - 9.15pm: Transgressive DJ’s
9.15pm - 9.50pm: DRY THE RIVER (LIVE)
9.50pm – 10.20pm: Rockfeedback DJ’s
10.20pm – 11.00pm: PETE AND THE PIRATES (LIVE)
11.00pm – 11.30pm: Transgressive & paradYse DJ’s
11.30pm – 12.15am: JOHNNY FLYNN AND THE SUSSEX WIT (LIVE)
12.15am - 2.30am: GOLDIEROCKS DJ, PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS DJ’s PULLED APART BY HORSES
Sunday:
8.45pm - 9.15pm: Rockfeedback DJ’s
9.15pm - 9.50pm: THREE TRAPPED TIGERS (LIVE)
9.50pm – 10.15pm: Transgressive & paradYse DJ’s
10.15pm – 11.00pm: GOLD PANDA (LIVE)
11.00pm – 11.30pm: BECOMING REAL (LIVE / DJ set)
11.30pm – 12.15am: SBTRKT (LIVE)
12.15am - 2.30am: TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB DJ SET PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS DJ’s
THE RELENTLESS ENERGY SESSIONS ARENA:
At Leeds only, Relentless will be showcasing their new for 2011 Relentless Energy Sessions Arena in the village with late night DJ’s over four days from 10pm – 3am.
So, the hype around The Trinity Band continues and you’ve been announced on the line-up at Norfolk Spectacular, how do you feel about that then? Wow! It’s huge! It’s a huge gig with so many of our favourite artists, so to be included on the line-up is an honour and a dream-come-true.
It means you’re on the same line-up as Chase and Status, Example and Professor Green. How does that sound? What can we say, a week after winning Live and unsigned and were playing with the biggest names in UK music. Dreams are being fulfilled for us right now!! Seriously.
How’s the experience of being Live and Unsigned winners been so far? So far it has been a ‘whirlwind’ experience. What can we say it’s all go! The experience has been great and the whole Live and Unsigned team have been ‘on point’ and very supportive. The future looks bright the future looks ‘Trinatronic!’
So is Live & Unsigned the best £10 pounds you’ve ever spent? (Laughs) Rukus paid for it! He leads the band. It’s funny actually we entered the year before and didn’t make it to our audition but that could be fate. We might not have won it last year but this was our time. As a band we’ve only been going seriously for a couple of years and we’ve developed an identity now which we may not have had last year.
What was it like getting ready for your first audition? It was quite an experience actually; we changed the song we were going to perform while in the queue! We had a vote on which one to do then had to rehearse it in front of everyone in the queue, they must have thought ‘who are these jokers’! We were sure the judges didn’t like as because they give no feedback straight away. It was a real surprise when we were told we were through.
You then brought quite a large following to the live shows, how much did that help? Our fan base is fantastic. The ’Trinatronic’ people follow us everywhere and they’re always there for us. Having people there definitely helped, they gave us the energy to put in the performances we did. They were shouting our name the whole way through and we had to tell them to tone it down while the other acts were on! It’s always difficult to tie people down to come to gigs but it makes a massive difference once you do get them there.
What was it like being on stage on what is one of the world’s best venues for live music, The O2? To perform at The O2, it was amazing, it was immense, it was huge. You couldn’t even see the floor and there were a lot of people upstairs but the lights were in my eyes so I couldn’t see them but you could tell there was a vibe there. For us, to be able to put that on our musical C.V. is amazing, just to say that we have actually performed at The O2 is amazing, and that’s down in history now and no one can take that away from us!
So how did The Trinity Band come together? It used to be a collective called Trinity which was more than just musicians. We had dancers, rappers, singers and everything. We used to put on community shows, plays and dance events and stuff. Then six years ago Rukus was Dwain’s mentor at college and he heard him singing and took him under his wing. Then Rukus saw Craig and James at church and Rukus decided he wanted to develop it. Then we got Pete on board. Pete didn’t even have a bass for the first gig because he’d stopped playing a while ago. He had to borrow one then realised he’d need to buy one again! So it was a collective that evolved. It was a case of if you’re talented enough you can be in it. We’ve probably had a hundred involved through the years but a couple of years ago we decided it was time to unify and focus on a smaller band set-up.
Is commitment the biggest challenge for any aspiring band? It is. People think we rehearse more than we do. We have difficult job commitments and it’s hard to find the time to practice. But with the unity we have we make it work. Dwain is a new dad and has gone part time at work because he didn’t have time for music, work and family. There was only ever going to be one sacrifice there! You have to be committed to push on and take the next step.
What would you say to bands thinking of entering Live & Unsigned? Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse! Just go for it. Have an original angle to your music. Don’t watch the competition but chase the dream. Have faith, work hard, do your research, be realistic in song choice, keep your songs current and keep it fresh. Song choice is key. Experiment with the music and see what works. Don’t do a straight cover, make it your own.
What did being part of a competition like Live and Unsigned do for you? It brings you together and improves you as a band. It sharpens your mentality. You have to have the ability to bounce back though, that’s so important. If you’re in the music industry more doors close than open to begin with. You have to take the knocks. Music is subjective so keep going.
You auditioned in the Midlands as did quite a few others who made the Grand Final. What is it about the midlands, there seems to be a lot of talent around? I think there’s a lot of hunger in the Midlands at the moment. So many great artists come from London so people feel they need to work harder up here. Also, we’re disconnected from London so we’re all doing our own thing. We’re not watching them, so originality is our strength.
So what was the highlight of your Live and Unsigned journey? Winning! Wow, it was just the shock when we heard our name. Dwain nearly choked on his chewing gum! It was so surreal it was like slow-motion. It was like a confirmation of our abilities. We always had belief in ourselves but to be told we are the best unsigned band in the UK means a lot.
You’ll want to build on that and use it as a basis. How far do you guys want to go? Yeah we definitely want to build on that, the sky’s the limit. We want to take it as far as we can go. We want to be known throughout the world as a great, phenomenal band. Live and Unsigned has opened a door for us and it’s up to us what we do from here. When you get an opportunity you’ve got to step into it and work towards something greater, and we are willing to put everything into this thing because we know we’ve got something that can go around the world.
Madness said of the event. “Life is a series of beautiful moments, this weekend is a moment in time where you can, we hope take some beautiful moments home with you. Please endeavour to introduce yourself to as many as possible, make new friends, dance, sing, laugh, give support, create joy, be decent, spread the love and most of all enjoy yourselves as much as you think is possible, you know it makes sense”
With their tenth album currently in the works, Madness will be playing a career-spanning extravaganza over the weekend, with a few extra-special surprises up their sleeves.
The weekend will be packed with top class performances from the likes of the mighty los hermanos Cubanos, The Cuban Brothers, DJ Jerry Dammers, beatbox superstar Beardyman and a set from eclectic powerhouse DJ Andrew Weatherall. Heavyweights The Whip will bring the party, and Norman Jay MBE will be providing yet another classic set. Mr Scruff willgrace us with more than three hours of freestyle beats,whilst Squeaky Hill, Marc Roberts and Toddla T & MC Serocee will provide the bass driven rhythms. Check out some arcade-electro rhymes from Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip, and digital-ska maestros Man Like Me.
We have a wealth of comedy acts on show, who will provide side-splitting entertainment just for your pleasure! The amazing talent we have for you includes Bob Mills, Junior Simpson, Nick Wilty, Al Barrie, Kevin McCarthy and Ben Norris with 8-piece horn and percussion ensemble, Brassroots, Wagontails. As if our stellar musical line-up wasn’t enough, we’re also treating you to some of the best comedians around!
The amazing ex-Housemartins and Beautiful South singer Paul Heaton will be one to see, along with Marcus Birdman, Gordon Southern, Michael Smiley and incredible improv-rapping with Abandoman. Halifax Hospital Radio’s very own Barry Peters will make a special appearance, with zoot suited soul flavours from The Milk, electro-swingers The Correspondents and Radio 1’s leftfield master Rob da Bank. Don’t miss DJs,Justin Robertson & Greg Wilson or Brit-Rock Poppers Missing Andy. Watch legendary darts players Wayne Mardle & Peter Manley for something a little bit different,or check outlate night treats from Marc Roberts and a ninja-mash-up from Jaguar Skills.DJ sets from Don Letts and erstwhile Specials kingpin Jerry Dammers are sure to get you dancing.
Future garage don Doorly will be unmissable, along with Marc Roberts and Craig Charles’ Funk and Soul Show. We are in for a treat from El Thommo in the form of Lee Thompson’s Ska Orchestra and the Irish Bar will host odd-ball merriment from Squeaky Hill and sing-along japes with Rockaoke all weekend long. You can score a strike with the Bowling Disco plus there will be a very special Madness Pool Competition.
To book the House of Fun Weekender, or for more information, call 0845 070 4730 or visit www.butlins.com/madness (The maximum call charge is 2p per minute from a BT landline. Calls from other networks may vary)
