Festivals

Looking for the latest lineup, date, ticket information or latest news about your favourite festivals, look no further.  Summer Festival Guide’s Festival News section covers all your needs!

Chase & Status announced as headliner for Boardmasters

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Boardmasters gets set to make waves today as the third headline act for this year’s festival is announced. Drum n Bass duo Chase & Status will be making a hotly anticipated return to the golden Cornish coastline for Boardmasters 2016 as they get set to entertain festivalgoers with their thumping, thrilling sound. Cornwall’s own surf and music festival runs from Wednesday 10 – Sunday 14 August 2016 for five days of exhilarating surf and music action along the sun-drenched coast.

Chase & Status have firmly cemented themselves as the ultimate Drum n Bass duo, having dominated the dance scene for over a decade with their unique sound, which never fails to get crowds jumping. Having released three studio albums, their most iconic dance hits include ‘Blind Faith, ‘Lost and Found’ and ‘Count on Me’. The duo have just released a brand new single ‘Control’, featuring Slaves, who join the list of the huge musical names that Chase & Status have worked with, including Plan B, Example and Rihanna. They’re no strangers to Boardmasters, having headlined back in 2014. Back by popular demand, Chase & Status are sure rock Watergate Bay this summer with a fist pumping, banging display of the very best in Drum n Bass.

Boardmasters has also today announced further acts joining the line up, including 2016 BRIT Award winning rockers, the awesomeCatfish and The Bottlemen who scooped with coveted British Breakthrough Act gong at this year’s ceremony. The four-piece, who released their new single ‘Soundcheck’ last month are currently on tour, taking the UK by storm with their retro-rock sound and are expected to drop a brand new album later this year.

Boardmasters is stoked to announce even more acts for this year’s festival. The hottest UK rising star right now, Raleigh Ritchie who recently released his debut album ‘You’re a Man Now, Boy’ will be making his Boardmasters debut. The incredible Foxes will be bringing her electro-pop sound, with Krept & Konan representing the best in fresh UK hip-hop. UK rapper Mike Skinner presents TONGA, formerly front man of The Streets is lined up for Boardmasters 2016 alongside funk legends Soul II Soul best known for the chart-topper ‘Back To Life’, and dubstep pioneer Artwork. Bringing the best in UK grime is Kano, who has just released new album‘Made in the Manor’. Get set for dance floor royalty, as Radio One Dance Anthems DJ Danny Howard also joins the line up, withProtoje who’s leading the reggae revival and Manchester punk rockers Spring King. Indie-rockers Eliza and The Bear, who have firmly established themselves with a reputation for an unforgettable live show will take to the stage, as will White who’s sure to bring an electro-funk vibe, the incredible Irish talent SOAK and one to watch, singer-songwriter Louis Berry. Further acts added to the line up include Formation, Big Deal, Toucan, Carly Foxx, Camelphat, Apres, Ben Remember, Kloe and Hein Cooper.

Boardmasters is located across two sites jam-packed with the best in music and sports action. Keep the party going with Beach Sessions with live music on stunning Fistral Beach, as well as the Beach Bar and BBQ offering food, drink and DJ sets. Head into Newquay and party into the early hours with Boardmasters After Parties, which take place at clubs around the town centre. There arePro Skate and BMX competitions to check out the best in extreme sports, the Surf Village, Cornish Market where you can sample delights from local merchants, as well as Surf Art, photography and film sessions. If watching the surf action from the sidelines has tempted you to try it out yourself, you can ride the waves with a Surf Lesson with a local surf school. Unwind and relax at theWellbeing Area or the On Site Eco Spa for some well deserved pamper time. There is also Luxury Camping and Glamping on offer to upgrade your experience even more.

Established in 1981, Boardmasters is a 5-day event situated across two stunning locations in Cornwall – the surfing mecca of the UK,Fistral Beach where Boardmasters famous International Surf Competitions take place and arguably the most stunning location in the country to watch live music, Watergate Bay. Last year saw Boardmasters welcome over 150,000 festivalgoers across its two sites over the 5 days of the festival. Boardmasters operates a tiered ticket system with price bands for tickets changing over time. The sooner you buy, the cheaper it is! Book tickets via the website.

BOARDMASTERS 2016

Headline Acts

Deadmau5 // James Bay // Chase & Status  

Joined by

Catfish and the Bottlemen // Kaiser Chiefs // Primal Scream

Lianne La Havas // Sigma // Craig David’s TS5 // // Wilkinson // Wolf Alice

Example & DJ Wire // Foxes // Soul II Soul // Mystery Jets

Kano // Krept & Konan // The Magic Numbers // Eats Everything // Protoje Jackmaster // Roots Manuva // Rat Boy // Blossoms

Mike Skinner & Murkage presents TONGA // Raleigh Ritchie // SOAK

 

Apres // Artwork // Ben Remember // Bicep // Big Deal // Bodhi // Camelphat  

Carly Foxx // COASTS // The Correspondents // Danny Howard // Detroit Swindle Doorly // Dusky // Eli & Fur 

Eliza & The Bear // Eton Messy // Formation // Gabrielle Aplin // Heidi // Hein Cooper // Jack Savoretti // Jamie Lawson

Jonas Rathsman // Kloe // Louis Berry // Maribou State // MNEK

The Mouse Outfit // Nahko and Medicine for the People // Rationale  

Spring King // Toucan // VANT // White

Also Festival announce full lineup for 2016

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Created by Salon London, Also festival brings to life the biggest, boldest and most exciting ideas from art, science, psychology and philosophy in immersive talks and experiences over the summer solstice weekend. Across the programme Also seeks to find out more, from the personal to the universe itself. Talks with authors, professors and Nobel Peace Prize nominees explore how to survive an apocalypse, how to play a role in world peace through forgiveness and explore the future of artificial intelligence. DJs and live musicians provide the soundtrack to the weekend, Also's beautiful lakeside banqueting tent hosts a range of dining experiences, and there are a range of workshops are designed to get children engaged with big ideas. The theme for 2016 is Chance as festival-goers of all levels are given plenty of opportunities to get involved, from the philosophy of wine tasting to wild swimming in a perfumed lake. Also takes place 17th – 19th June and tickets start at just £75. For more information visit www.also-festival.com.

The third Also Festival takes place in the stunning lake-side setting of Park Farm, Warwickshire, within 50 acres of beautiful 'Capability' Brown-designed countryside all open for festival-goers to explore, swim and relax in. Like the location, Also's programming encourages experiences without constraints, whether that's learning how to survive an apocalypse, trying a hand at standup, watching a band or sitting down to a three course dinner in the festival's beautiful dining tent. Across the weekend the festival will welcome professors, authors, theorists and more to share their ideas and bring them to life in a live setting. Books by speakers will be on sale for those who want to explore those ideas even further at home.

IDEAS
 

This year Also organisers have cherry-picked some of their favourite thinkers to come and stoke the cognitive fires with a series of interactive sessions. Cambridge University Professor for Risk Sir David Spiegelhalter helps us make considered decisions about how much risk we want to take in our life in Risky Business, while How To Forgive sees three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee Dr Scilla Ellworthy talk about forgiveness and how to actively create peace in life. Down by the lake it's Time To Consider as renowned psychotherapist Philippa Perry discusses philosophy over breakfast and author and classicist Natalie Haynes explains how to learn transcendent lessons about life, love and beauty from the Ancient World. A Bear Grylls for the mind, Dr Lewis Dartnell of the UK Space Agency gives an insight into how to restart the world in the event of a catastrophe in Creative Surge and leading artificial intelligence expert, UCL’s Dr Robert E Smith, will be on hand to answer questions on the future of Artificial Intelligence and how we'll co-exist with super smart computers. 

Magic meets science with Dr Gustav Kuhn of Goldsmith's University as he brings experts from both sides to see what they can learn from each other. Having worked on the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and currently a professor at the University of Cambridge, Dr Ben Allanach is something of an authority on particle theory. He'll be bringing festival-goers up to speed on what the LHC could tell us about life, the universe and beyond. Oxford University's Professor of Social Geography Danny Dorling looks at how and why to redress the balance between the powerful 1% and everyone else. 

FOOD
 

Also's food raises the bar for festival dining. A Friday night three-course dinner whets the appetite, hosted in Also's dining tent down by the lake and serving a seasonal menu sourced within 10 miles of the festival, while The Fat Chance Banquet is a Saturday night highlight with a menu curated by James Knight and Rebecca Otero served with a game of chance, magic and psychology developed by a leading illusionist to satisfy both the stomach and mind. French comedian and connoisseur Marcel Lucont pairs Wine and Philosophy in an exciting new tasting session for Also Festival and throughout the weekend there will be a whole host of pop up food events to enjoy.

FAMILY
 

Also is open to all the family and the ethos of the festival spreads to the children's programme. Astrobiologist Dr Lewis Dartnell separates science fact from science fiction and invites young budding astronauts to ask anything they want about space and beyond. DJing for Kids is back as DJ Vertigoshares all tricks of the trade in a hands-on session behind the decks. Also is partnering with multi-arts group As-Creatives to deliver even more children-friendly content and for teenagers only, Sir David Spiegelhalter gives advice on navigating the teenage years in a special q&a.

CHANCE
 

Following the theme of Chance, festival-goers are encouraged to experience something new over the weekend. The Also Choir sessions sees festival co-founder and lead vocal coach for The Voice, Juliet Russell, help novice and experienced singers raise their game before a performance with a festival artist. Who are we really? With Psycho Games, Redstone Press and Also team up to present innovative and playful takes on famous personality tests like the Rorschach Inkblot Test and the Thematic Apperception Test to find out just that and how other people might see differently. New Bollywood dance moves are up for grabs at Bhangra on the Beach, spend Cocktail Hour in the Orangery with Oxford University Experimental Psychology Departments group of Crossmodalists, map areas of the brain and recreating scientific experiments with leading academics. Also welcomes Cabaret Fantastique to the festival, a truly incredible show that showcases the best, boldest and most beautiful in cabaret and scent expert Lizzie Ostrom, a.k.a Odette Toilette, pushes the brain's capacity of sensation with a perfumed swim in the lake. Further highlights across the weekend include Rockaoke, Rave Yoga, Lip Sync Battles and for the brave, open-mic stand up comedy with The Taste of Funny Gong Show. 

MUSIC
 

Also Festival is proud to welcome Faithless founding member Jamie Catto to the line-up for 2016 as he helms a session on how to unlock passions and will also take part in Also's Soundtrack to My Life, sharing the tracks that mean the most to him. Music at Also comes courtesy of Andro, the soulful crooner from the band Jungle who is breaking out on his own as well as Afropean choir Mizike, while DJs provide the soundtrack for Sunday with previous guests including Justin Robertson and Greg Wilson.

Weekend tickets with camping start at just £75, with luxury camping available with the Safari Hotel option. Tickets are available here – http://www.also-festival.com/tickets.

Wireless Festival announce Calvin Harris, Chase & Status, J. Cole, Kygo, Boy Better Know and more!

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Wireless Festival is back for its 11th year, returning to Finsbury Park for the ultimate summer party on the weekend of the 8–10 July.Announcing the first acts for the 2016 line up, Wireless is set to be one of the biggest music events of the year, with more acts still to be announced. Day tickets cost from £59.50 and Multi-day tickets are also available.

Click here to buy tickets on Friday 

Since Wireless began in 2005 it has garnered an undeniable reputation for breaking and nurturing some of the biggest names in entertainment with the festival and its fans undeniably at the cutting edge of modern music. This year’s festival brings the best talent to the capital with artists including the UK’s very own Grammy Award winning Calvin Harris, the return of Chase & Status, platinum-selling rapper J. Cole, grime collective Boy Better Know and a performance by Norwegian superstar Kygo.

Friday’s headliner, Calvin Harris is undeniably one of the most successful artists on the planet. During the past decade, the Scottish DJ/producer was the first musician to score nine top 10 singles from one album (the 2012 LP ‘18 Months’), whilst his fourth album also delivered 3 No.1 singles.

Chase & Status need no introduction as a festival headliner.  Saul Milton and Will Kennard form the recording duo behind the band’s live show. Before the release of their highly anticipated 2016 4th studio album, Chase & Status returned with brand new project: ‘London Bars’, which saw the duo joining forces with some of the biggest rhymers from the UK scene. Last month the band premiered their first new track from their 4th album, ‘Control’ which featured Slaves. 2016 is set to be a massive year for them and Wireless Festival are excited to welcome them home, to celebrate the best in UK music at what’s set to be their first live London show in over 2 years.

Chase & Status said; “We have an epic show lined up for Wireless 2016, which we‘ve been planning in secret for the last couple of months. It’s an honour to be performing in our hometown alongside some of the most exciting names in music and we’re looking forward to dropping one of our best sets yet.”

Grammy nominated and platinum-selling rapper, J. Cole, has taken the hip-hop world by storm in recent years. Cole released his first live album, ‘Forest Hills Drive: Live’ earlier this year – he returns to Wireless Festival following his incredible 2014 performance.

Closing Sunday’s show is UK's favourite grime collective Boy Better Know. Headed up by founders Jme and Skepta, the renowned BBK is best understood as a cultural movement in 2016. Die-hard Wireless fans will share an important moment in British musical history when BBK ‘shutdown’ the festival in July.

Kygo is one of the 25 most played artists in history, having amassed over a billion streams in a single year. Ready to take London by storm, Wireless festival will welcome the Norwegian DJ for his Wireless debut in Finsbury Park this year.

The 2016 line up also champions some of the best emerging and established music talent, includingappearances by international platinum-selling artist Craig David who, fresh from his sold-out European tour brings his TS5 show to Wireless. Also joining the line up are MOBO award winning duo Krept and Konan, and grime royalty Lady Leshurr.

British songstress Jess Glynne is also billed to take the Wireless stage this summer, performing some of her iconic, feel-good anthems to fans. The hit-maker has had an incredible 2015, including 2 No.1 singles, and is set for even bigger things in 2016.

Straight off the release of his debut album, Wireless is pleased to present trapsoul artist Bryson Tiller, who has taken the American music scene by storm with over 36 million plays of his single ‘Don’t’ on SoundCloud.

Tiller will be performing alongside U.S. hip-hop and R&B greats including Miguel, who’s recent album release ‘Wildheart’ was ranked by Rolling Stone as one of the best R&B albums of 2015, and Future, who recently made history in the US by charting 3 albums at No.1 in the last 6 months with ‘Dirty Sprite 2’, ‘What a Time to Be Alive’ and ‘Evol’.

Ranked as one of the top DJ’s in the world, Martin Garrix will be performing his electric mix of EDM and House music to fans at Wireless Festival. One of the youngest and fastest rising stars of EDM music, Martin Garrix has worked with the likes of Usher, Ed Sheeran, Tiësto and is set to get the crowd dancing well into the evening.

Wireless will also play host to US rap sensation, Action Bronson. Known as one of the most raucous live performers hip-hop has today, expect hits from his critically acclaimed album ‘Mr. Wonderful’. Also joining the line up are Yelawolf and singer and rapper Ty Dolla $ignwho has combined hip-hop and contemporary R&B to create a truly unique sound.

With additional performances by duo Sigma and current UK number 1 album holders, The 1975, Wireless looks forward to giving festival goers the ultimate music experience this summer.

Artists announced: Action Bronson, Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals, Anne-Marie, A$AP Ferg, Big Narstie, Bomba Estéreo, Boy Better Know, Bryson Tiller, Bugzy Malone, Calvin Harris, Chase & Status, Craig David's TS5, Dillon Francis, Disciples, DJ Semtex, Future, Geko, Jahkoy, J. Cole, Jeremih, Jess Glynne, Kehlani, Krept & Konan, Kurupt Fm, Kwabs, Kygo, Lady Leshurr, Logan Sama, Martin Garrix, Maverick Sabre, Miguel, Nadia Rose, Newham Generals, Petite Meller, Section Boyz, Sigma Live, The 1975, Ty Dolla $ign, Vic Mensa,Vince Staples, Wilkinson Live, WSTRN, Yelawolf, Young Thug, Yungen

Dreadzone to headline Undercover Festival 2016

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Undercover Festival today announced Dreadzone as the headline act for Saturday 10th September at Brighton Racecourse.

“We are really pleased to be able to welcome Dreadzone who headlined our very first night on our very first festival back to Undercover Festival as our headline act on Sat 10th Sept 2016” said Festival Organiser Mick Moriarty.

Saturdays line up of Dreadzone, Sonic Boom Six, Spear of Destiny, Eddie & The Hotrods, XSLF (X Stiff Little Fingers), Radical Dance Faction, Spizzenergi, Anti Pasti, The Cravats, Witchdoktors, 1919, Pussycat & The Dirty Johnsons, Dragster, Church of Eon, Piranhas 4, Pints, Mick O’Toole, Rage DC, Emergency Bitter, Knock Off, Skaciety, Vikki Vortex & The *** S***s, R.E.D, Archive45, Punka, plus many other bands including a host of cracking emerging local bands and so much more over three stages is shaping up to be the strongest Saturday line up ever at Undercover.

With Fridays line up as well including The Selecter, Peter & The Test Tube Babies, 999, Chelsea, Sex Pistols Experience, The JB Conspiracy, Department S, Menace, The Meow Meows, Criminal Mind, Riskee & The Ridicule, Tree House Fire, Charred Hearts, and many more on the line-up over the weekend, we believe we have most bases covered.

This year’s Undercover Festival has moved to Brighton Racecourse and is once again held undercover i.e. not outdoors so if it’s peeing down come September it’s not a problem and your beer won’t get diluted. Leave your wellies at home, and enjoy one of the best small alternative festivals the South has to offer this September.

The festival is one that prides itself on taking an independent and grassroots approach to things, and is always determined to be different from mainstream events.

As the name suggests, it’s an indoor event but with two days of alternative action from bands you’d be highly unlikely to see on many other festival line-ups.

Mick Moriarty said: “We believe the usual run-of-the-mill festivals tend to book bands that in the main are broadly similar – and way too safe! We try for a line up and experience that is something different and appeals to a crowd not catered for elsewhere.

“Being a small independent grassroots festival is tough because media attention is always on the big boys. But we’ve got through to our fourth year and we’re going strong because what we have created really has struck a chord with people who like their music raw and full of the passion and energy that only acts like ours generate.”

The festival grew out of a small tent tucked in the back corner of the sadly departed GuilFest in Surrey and has now become a firm fixture in many people’s diaries, with dedicated fans coming back year on year.

UNDERCOVER FESTIVAL set in and around the unique setting of Brighton Racecourse, a festival venue and experience that defies all other conventions and festival templates.

The nature of the venue ensures that everything is nearby; no long walks between stages, parking is free, and camping is available literally a short one minute walk from the festival proper.

In a financial climate where it always seems to be about the money, Undercover throws convention to the wind and just goes with what it believes in. There is a huge line up and tickets can be bought in advance online of from various locations details from www.undercoverfest.com

~ ~ ~ FULL LINE UP ~ ~ ~

DREADZONE

THE SELECTER
EDDIE AND THE HOTRODS
SPEAR OF DESTINY
SONIC BOOM SIX
PETER & THE TEST TUBE BABIES
999
CHELSEA
SEX PISTOLS EXPERIENCE
XSLF (X STIFF LITTLE FINGERS)
R.D.F (Radical Dance Faction)
SPIZZENERGI
ANTI PASTI
THE CRAVATS
DEPARTMENT S
THE JB CONSPIRACY
MENACE
DRAGSTER
1919
THE TUTS
PIRANHAS FOUR + SPECIAL GUEST
CHURCH OF EON
PUSSYCAT & THE DIRTY JOHNSONS
THE MEOW MEOWS
CRIMINAL MIND
WITCHDOKTORS
TREE HOUSE FIRE
LEAD SHOT HAZARD
CHARRED HEARTS
PINTS
RAGE DC
XTRAVERTS
VIKKI VORTEX & THE CUM SHOTS
EMERGENCY BITTER
CRISIS WARNING
A-M-I
SKACIETY
MICK O’TOOL

RISKEE AND THE RIDICULE
ARMY OF SKANKS
PHOENIX CHROI
R.E.D
KNOCK OFF
SWEET JONNY
DEMON SMILES
THE FANZINES
ARCHIVE 45
THE MARGINAL
RAY GUN
NO LIP
ECHO & THE BEATS
ARXX
PUNKA
5 GO MAD

THE MISTAKES
RAT BAG
SARAH PINK
COMRADE X
NEGATIVE MEASURES
AIM LOW

LITTLE TREASURE ALL STARS
PLUTONIAN FIRE BRIGADE
PIG CITY ANGELS

HARSH TIMES
THE DISINCLINED

 

GRYMM (Previously called Dead Weight)

 

KEITH WOODHOUSE MC MAIN STAGE + DJs RUDE BOY PRODUCTIONS SPINNING TUNES IN BETWEEN BANDS + Stage II DJ TREV BOSSOM (GUILDFORDS FINEST) – Stage III- DJs TBA + RAT BOY LURKING AROUND THE PLACE

Ultra Europe Phase 1 lineup announced for 2016

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Ultra Europe
In a little over four months time, Europe’s Premier Destination Music Festival – ULTRA Europe – will welcome a dazzling array of DJs and electronic acts to the Dalmatian coast for its fourth annual edition.
 
Some of those headlining ULTRA Europe across three days, from July 15-17 at Split’s majestic Poljud Stadium, will be global megastars including (listed in alphabetical order) Above & Beyond, Adam Beyer, Afrojack, Alesso, Armin van Buuren, Carl Cox, Dash Berlin, David Guetta,Hardwell, Jamie Jones, Marco Carola, Martin Garrix, DJ Snake and Solomun.
 
Support comes from Gouryella, Hot Since 82, Ida Engberg, Joseph Capriati, Markus Schulz, Nic Fanciulli and W&W.
 
 
With Phase Two set to be announced for the main event very soon, and with lineups still to be revealed for the OPENING PARTY at Giraffe Palm Beach Club, Yacht Regatta, ULTRA Beach andRESISTANCE CLOSING PARTY, the second annual edition of Destination ULTRA is shaping up to be even bigger than ever before.
 
Destination ULTRA 2016 Dates:
 
July 14 – Opening Party @ Giraffe Palm Beach House, Split
July 15-17 – ULTRA Europe @ Poljud Stadium, Split
July 18 – Yacht Regatta @ Zlatni Rat Beach, Bol, Brač
July 19 – ULTRA Beach @ Hotel Amfora Grand Brach Resort, Hvar
July 20 – RESISTANCE Closing Party

Skrillex to headline Sea Dance Festival

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One of the most influential music icons of today, Skrillex, will play at Montenegro's top tourist destination Jaz Beach, for a spectacular opening of Sea Dance Festival on 14 July! The multi-awarded American producer had one of the most noted performances at Exit Festival in 2014. On that occasion, thrilled by the festival and the atmosphere itself, he even decided to stay and close Exit's Dance Arena! The beautiful Jaz Beach scenery which was declared as the best beach in Europe by Lonely Planet, as well as all the positive impressions from Exit festival, were a more than adequate reason for Skrillex to adjust his tour plan and continue on another Exit Adventure, the unique festival holiday package made of two award/winning festivals Exit and Sea Dance, held at two spectacular locations Petrovaradin fortress and gorgeous Jaz Beach!

With a total of 8 Grammy awards, Skrillex is currently holding a record amongst electronic music performers, and is one of five highest-paid DJs on the Forbes’ list. Skrillex surpasses electronic music as being one of ten most influential musicians of today by the “Billboard Social 50”, counting more than 4 billion YouTube views, 20 million Facebook fans, with 5 million people following him on Twitter, and 4 million on Instagram! Sonny John Moore, aka Skrillex, started his music career as a singer and a guitarist for the American band From First To Last, with whom he was part of the Warped tour from 2004 to 2007. Soon, he embarks on a successful solo career as an extremely talented producer, and in a very short matter of time, he gained planetary success thanks to his singles "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites" and "Bangarang", as well as through various collaborations and projects with various electronic music superstars. During last year, together with another hitmaker Diplo, he released an album named Jack Ü, which brought him another two golden gramophones for the Best Dance Recording "Where Are You Now", done in collaboration with Justin Bieber, as well as the Best Dance/Electronic Album "Skrillex and Diplo present Jack Ü". Skrillex engages an exchange of powerful, unstoppable energy through his marvelously produced performances, an energy he himself claims impossible without the audience, who make the spectacle possible.

Watch the Sea Dance Festival Aftermovie by UKF here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0M_JodMop0

Trench Town lineup announced for Boomtown

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For its penultimate Chapter 8 district line-up announcement BoomTown steps into TrenchTown, one of the festival’s most popular districts and the city hub of all things reggae, dub, dancehall and jungle. At its heart is the Lion’s Den, an ancient temple towering 40ft into the sky and the UK’s largest dedicated reggae stage.  Elsewhere in the district, the Hidden Woods stage is all about the beach party vibrations and deep into the woodland Tangled Roots celebrates sound system culture to the fullest, while all new stage The Windmill is the place to go to soak up laid-back folk, reggae, soul and funk sounds.

Topping Chapter 8’s monumental line-up are two acts who represent so much of BoomTown’s heritage and finally make their debuts at the festival; the legend that is Damian ‘Jr Gong’ Marley and New Zealand dub dons Fat Freddy’s Drop. Joining them is a collection of previously announced reggae and dub big hitters; Morgan Heritage, Inner Circle, Tarrus Riley, Junior Kelly, Channel One meets Mad Professor, Kabaka Pyramid & The Bebble Rockers, Little Roy and Mungo’s Hi Fi LIve, plus a fresh wave of additions that includes Pama International, Alaine and Dean Fraser with Blak Soil Band, Earl Gateshead, Kiko Bun, Hollie Cook andIQulah Rastafari.

Bashment fans will be getting their dutty whine on to dancehall queens Tanya Stephens and Soom T, The Heatwave alongside an explosive line-up of UK vocal talent including Big Narstie, Tippa Irie, General Levy, Flowdan, Rodney P, Demolition Man, Skibadee, Solo Banton, Serocee, Stush and Nadia Rose, plus Japanese soundsytem collective Part2Style and US producer6Blocc.

Repping the ragga junglists and dubwise DnB heads are the likes of Congo Natty feat Congo Dubz, Tenor Fly & Iron Dread, Benny Page vs Ed Solo, Aries, Dreadsquad & Blackout JA plus Uncle Dugs dropping a ‘Jungle Renaissance Rinse FM set’.

Full TrenchTown Line-Up:

Damian 'Jr Gong' Marley, Fat Freddy's DropMorgan Heritage, Inner Circle, Tarrus Riley, Junior Kelly, Tanya Stephens, Kabaka Pyramid & The Bebble Rockers, The Heatwave presents Showtime feat. Big Narstie, Tippa Irie, General Levy, Flowdan, Rodney P, Demolition Man, Skibadee, Solo Banton, Serocee, Stush + Nadia Rose, Congo Natty feat Congo Dubz, Tenor Fly & Iron Dread, Little Roy (Battle For Seattle), The Skints, Mungo's Hi-Fi Live Band feat. YT, Charlie P, Eva Lazarus + more, Channel One Meets Mad Professor,Benny Page Vs Ed Solo, Zion Train, Prince Fatty & Horseman, Soom T, Pama International, Alaine and Dean Fraser with Blak Soil Band, Earl Gateshead, Kiko Bun, Hollie Cook, Wrongtom & The Ragga Twins, Dreadsquad & Blackout JA, Aries, Laid Blak, IQulah Rastafari, ManuDigital, Part2Style, Uncle Dugs ‘Jungle Renaissance Rinse FM set’, 6Blocc, Sticky Joe & Cheshire Cat, Stagga & Ras Robbie, Baby Dub, Skitz, Joe Burn, Jinx in Dub, The Resonators, onlyjoe, Eva Lazarus, Backbeat Soundsystem, Illbilly Hitec ft. Longfingah, Kelvin 373 + Born On Road, Delhi Sultanate & Begum X, Unit 137 Sound System + Lionpulse Sound System AKA Lion Unit, Fleck, Dope Ammo, AAA Badboy, Amabadama, Donette Forte & Urban Lions, General Roots, General Skank, Samsara, Dubheart, Disorda, Danny T & Tradesman, Jam Jah feat. Lion Art, Leo Samson, J-Man Selecta, CHIEF ROCKAS, Daddy Nature, Escape Roots feat. Tom Spirals, Mattykore, Fat Stash, The Mr Bassie Band, Captain Accident, Arrival Sound, Steel City Rhythm, Rubberdub Soundsystem, Countryman Soundsystem, Titan Sound, Kaotik Kartel, Prank Dancehall, Shanti Squire & MC Little Tree

Jack Garrett, Oh Wonder and more lead Barn on the Farm lineup

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Award winning and acclaimed Barn on the Farm Festival returns to the Gloucestershire countryside with an unstoppable line-up for what is set to be the biggest year yet. Today BOTF announces headliners as Brits Critics' Choice Winner  Jack Garratt and alt-pop Oh Wonder, who will perform their first ever festival headline slot. They will be joined by electronic-soul duo, Honne, Irelands Choice Music Prize Winner for 'Song of the Year' Gavin James, BBC Radio 1's Future Festival headliner Rationale and BBC's Sound of 2016 longlist Frances and Billie Marten. Announcing over 25 artists BOTF continues to deliver a stellar collective of musicians and remains one of the UK’s most intimate and true independent music festivals.
 
Heavily renowned for a carefully tailored line-up and predicting future success, BOTF has pulled out all the stops. Two years in a row BOTF sees Brits Critic's Choice Winners headlining the main stage. In his third time playing the festival, Jack Garratt will set the Main Stage alight on Sunday night after his hotly anticipated album ‘Phase'. It’s already been an incredible year for Jack, who said, "I've been away a lot recently because I'm lucky enough to go and play shows around the world but I already know that headlining Barn on the Farm will be one of the most important shows I play this year. The crowd there is always so welcoming, I know it'll feel like coming home."
 
Achieving unbelievable dreams, writing duo Oh Wonder, who released a song a month in 2015, will headline the Saturday night. The London pair have just come back from a sell-out North American tour after releasing their impeccable self-titled first album. The duo mentioned, "We're so excited to headline this year's Barn On The Farm! We've watched this wonderful festival grow and can't wait to join the amazing list of bands from previous years."
 
BOTF's two Main Stage headliners will be joined by singer song-writer Gavin James, who will headline the Wooden Barn Stage on Saturday, and Communion's Frances, who will headline Sunday night. 
 
The announcement today also sees Coastal Love duo Honne, vocalist and producer Rationale and singer-songwriter, years beyond her age, Billie Marten.  Continually showcasing the best in up-and-coming music, BOTF also unveils firm festival favourite JP Cooper, Liverpool quartet Clean Cut Kid, plus the distinctive and soulful sounds of Zak Abel, who has previously been guest vocalist for Bondax and supported Kwabs.
 
Completing the first announcement are Samm Henshaw, Black Honey, Dagny, The Hunna, Martin Luke Brown, Isaac Gracie, Seramic, Will Joseph Cook, Mahalia, Jessarae, Etham, Tom Walker, Rhys Lewis, James TW, Pleasure Beach and The Tin Pigeons plus many more to come. 
 
With emerging music at the heart of the festival 2016 is set to be one of the most exciting years yet and will feature a new festival layout. Born in 2009 BOTF has seen  internationally renowned artists grace the barns including Ed Sheeran, James Bay, Ben Howard, Hozier, Bastille, George Ezra, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Wolf Alice, Matt Corby, Gabrielle Aplin, Benjamin Frances Leftwich and The Staves, to name only a few. Set in the perfect setting of the Gloucestershire countryside BOTF is the perfect festival for music lovers, full of supreme personal performances from the most exciting and up-coming artists to some of the best-established musicians. 

Beat Herder first wave line up announced.

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BEAT-HERDER FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES FIRST ACTS FOR 2016
 
 
RIBBLE VALLEY, LANCASHIRE
15TH – 17TH JULY 2016
www.beatherder.co.uk
 
 
PRIMAL SCREAM
CHRONIXX & ZINCFENCE REDEMPTION
DONOVAN
ANDHIM
CLAUDE VONSTROKE
DERRICK CARTER
CLEAN CUT KID
DOORLY
DUB PISTOLS
EASY STAR ALL STARS
GENTLEMAN'S DUB CLUB
GENERAL LEVY

FORMAT: B / JAUZ / JESS ROSE / JUSTIN MARTIN
MARSHALL JEFFERSON / RITON / SONNY FODERA

A.SKILLZ / BEATANGERS / DELTA HEAVY / DR ALEX PATTERSON (THE ORB) / KRYSKO / MOOQEE / UTAN SAINTS / WILL TRAMP / BROADWAY SOUNDS / CASH + DAVID / CAPTAIN HOTKNIVES / COSMO SHELDRAKE / FORMATION / KIKO BUN / LOUIS BERRY / OTHERKIN / TANTZ

DOHNUT / ED STONES & THE BD3 / EDDIE EARTHQUAKE & THE TREMORS / FANDJANGO / THE FOLKESTRA / FOXES FAUX / J-BEAR & THE GIANTS / PETE FOXON'S SOUL TRAIN / RARE ELEMENT / RUBBER KAZOO / FATHER FUNK / JAMIE BERRY / JAY NEWMAN / MAFIA KISS / NICOLA BEAR / SKAPES

 
 
The jewel in the crown of Northern England's festival calendar, the beloved Beat-Herder Festival, is back with a much-anticipated cheer from the 12,000 set to attend. Following its huge 10th birthday celebrations last year, Beat-Herder returns with its first line up announcement for 2016.

What sets this festival apart from all the rest – in addition to its entirely hand-made site and unpretentious atmosphere – is its wealth of musical diversity. True to form, in 2016 Beat-Herder will once again celebrate all genres of music, with a genuinely diverse line up that features household names across rock, house, techno, dub, reggae, drum & bass, folk, indie – with even a spot of EDM and dubstep thrown in for good measure.

Taking to the main stage will be veteran Scottish psych-rockers Primal Scream, folk-pop troubadour and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Donovan, reggae legend Chronixx, who will perform with his Zincfence Redemption Band, high octane party upstartsGentleman’s Dub Club and firm favourites Dub Pistols.

Over at the magical Toil Trees stage, the house and techno heartland of the festival nestled deep in the woods, Beat-Herder will play host to some of today's biggest DJs, including Riton – whose current track Rinse & Repeat  ft. Kah-Lo is riding high in the charts – Dirtybird co-founder Justin Martin, Andhim, Defected stalwart Sonny Fodera and a special Doorly & Friends takeover, featuring fellow Dirthybird ead honcho Claude VonStroke, Derrick Carter, Will Tramp and many more.

Beat-Herder's very own 60ft x 60ft rave Fortress – complete with its own lasers, ramparts and fire breathing turrets – will be headlined by LA-based dubstep superstar Jauz, who has been garnering support from the likes of Skrillex, Zedd and Diplo. Living ragga legendGeneral Levy is also confirmed for The Fortress and will no doubt bring his encyclopedic knowledge of ragga, jungle and dancehall to the Ribble Valley this July.

 
 
Originating from roots as a free rave on the Lancashire moors in 2006, Beat-Herder Festival has grown to where it is today thanks to a swift word-of-mouth growth and a devout army of fans who come back year on year. Despite its increasing popularity, the organisers intentionally cap the tickets at an intimate 12,000 to maintain it’s egalitarian feel. Beat-Herder is a friendly, barmy, hedonistic oasis hidden amidst the relative calm of the Ribble Valley. 

So much more than a music festival, Beat-Herder houses a Working Men's Club, comedy stage, a tattoo parlour, yoga classes, workshops including knitting and woodturning, mass-participation games, pop-up performances, a fun-fair and many more surprises round every corner, giving the punter an entirely holistic experience.

The entire site is made from scratch, by hand, including the tunnels in the woods leading to secret raves (look out for a red telephone box…) and a chapel, complete with SundayService. With so many secrets round every corner, including a secluded on-site swimming pool nestled in the heart of the woods, it’s no wonder the festival is such a special and magical experience for those lucky enough to attend, described by Gigwise as a ’northern secret and a magical wonderland.’  

Reflecting the eclectic programming the festival is known for, Beat-Herder have also confirmed multi-instrumentalist and singer Cosmo Sheldrake, who creates beautifully unique folk-tinged tunes, Dr Alex Patterson of the legendary house group The Orb, breakbeat dance artist A.Skillz, Ram Records regulars, drum & bass metal duo Delta Heavy, house producer Jesse Rose and reggae singer/producer Kiko Bun.

 
 
Broadway Sounds will be showcasing their Australian psych-pop sound, with rising UK band Clean Cut Kid also on the billing. Bringing their ‘hard-hitting klezmer’ to Beat Herderare Leeds-based band Tantz, as well as Irish grunge-pop outfit Otherkin. On the Maison D’Etre stage – aiming to showcase a hand-picked selection of upcoming and unusual artists – are guitarist and singer Louis Berry and electro-pop duo Cash and David. 

Stay tuned for more exciting line up announcements to come…

Chapter XII Festival: Your guide to headliners, tickets and travel

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Saturday, March 26 marks the Midlands’ leading inner-city festival in Birmingham, Chapter XII, taking place at The Rainbow Venues.

The Birmingham based festival will take over a number of unique and industrial areas and will boast more stages than last year’s event, with the launch of new spaces – The Big Top, The Rooftop, The Blackbox and The Arches.

Against the backdrop of Digbeth’s railway arches, Chapter XII will promote innovative stage production, utilising contemporary technology to allow some of the biggest names in house and techno music to perform with spectacular results.

dubfire:live brings a hybrid audiovisual production set-up that has only ever been done in the UK once before. The techno house artist unifies science, technology and music to create an innovative live show with 2D and 3D animation, live audio and lighting.

In The Big Top, Desolat boss Loco Dice, Drumcode’s Italian techno titan Joseph Capriati, live duo Pan Pot, Paradise man Jamie Jones, plus local hero Adam Shelton back to back with Lewis Oxley.

The Arena finds Richie Hawtin playing top of the bill, alongside dubfire:live. Sasha and Nic Fanciulli also set to play back to back. Canadian tech house titan Art Department and classic house and techno man Argy, of Bedrock and BPtich Control, also plays.

The Warehouse sees the return of Maya Jane Coles, Rumors boss Guy Gerber, George Fitzgerald, and techno tastemakers Dense & Pika.

Lobster Boy also takeover with Redlight, Preditah, Mella Dee, NYTA, Mele and Mak & Pasteman. Birmingham's favourite house and techno hotspot The Blackbox boasts sets from Trust chief Nick Curly, Drumcode techno star Alan Fitzpatrick and Fuse foudner Enzo Siragusa.

There will also be ‘Chapter 12 by Night’ as the official after party, hosted by the world famous Elrow (Barcelona) which will see the Hot Creations crew return to Birmingham, featuring key acts like Patrick Topping, Infinity Ink LIVE, wAFF and Russ Yallop

WHEN: Saturday, March 26

WHERE: Birmingham, UK

HOW MUCH: from £30

For more information visit website: http://therainbowvenues.co.uk