Latitude announce Literary Arena and Wellcome Trust Hub

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Latitude are thrilled to welcome political economist, writer, columnist and former editor-in-chief of The Observer, Will Hutton to the Literary Arena, where he will be discussing how a fundamental social change is required to defeat the anxiety epidemic gripping society today.
 
Bestselling author Ben MacIntyre will be sharing his research behind A Spy Amongst Friends, the definitive biography of Kim Philby, the most notorious British defector and Soviet mole in history. MacIntyre was given unprecedented access to newly released MI5 files, previously unseen family papers, and cooperation of former officers of MI6 and the CIA – unlocking what is perhaps the last great secret of the Cold War.
 
The Victoria & Albert Museum will present a preview of their forthcoming major exhibition You Say You Want a Revolution? Records and Rebels 1966 – 70. Assistant Curator Elisa Bailey will explore the era-defining significance and impact of the late 1960s, expressed through some of the greatest music and performances of the 20th century alongside fashion, film, design and political activism.
 
In a talk entitled From Prince to Punk, Deirdre Murphy, Senior Curator at the Historic Royal Palaces, will talk about fashion’s tribes: each day we dress ourselves, our clothes a marker expressing both our individuality and the group we identify with. Deirdre will explore these ideas across history; the look, the individuals and the idols that have epitomised fashion’s most recognisable tribes.
 
The team behind critical tongue-attractors like Young Avengers and PHONOGRAM, Jamie McKelvie and Kieron Gillen, will be interviewed by journalist Emily Mackay on the inspiration behind their acclaimed contemporary fantasy comic book series The Wicked & The Divine, winner of Best Comic at the 2014 British Comic Awards.
 
Ewen MacAskill, the Guardian’s Defence and Security Correspondent, involved in preparing the Edward Snowden revelations concerning the National Security Agency for publication, will be talking to the Latitude audience about secrets, lies and Edward Snowden.
 
Robin Ince presents The Magick of Art – The Wizardry of Thin White Dukes with Daisy Campbell, Andrew O'Neilland John Constable – a discussion of David Bowie’s final piece of work looking at it both visually and aurally, and how it was the most potent of his career further highlighted by his death three days after the release of Blackstar. His favourite books contained many on art, the occult and magick – are the great creators shamanic? Is art a spell?
 
Stand-up comedian, actress and author Sara Pascoe will be sharing her debut book, Animal: How a Woman is Made, which combines autobiography and evolutionary history to explore how the female body has been oppressed, fetishized and misunderstood throughout history. Another of this year’s multi-talented stand-up comedians joining the Literary Arena is Mark Watson – a familiar face from his appearances on Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Mock the Week – showcasing his latest highly acclaimed thriller, The Place That Didn’t Exist. 
 
In conversation with Sarfraz Manzoor, highly talented scriptwriter, broadcast and comedy writer David Quantickpresents his new comic thriller The Mule, a novel about sex, Paris, murder and an imaginary world.
 
Showcasing her debut cookbook Get the Glow!, nutritional health coach to the stars Madeleine Shaw will demonstrate how eating well can easily become a way of life, resulting in the hottest, healthiest and happiest you. Madeleine's philosophy is simple: ditch the junk and eat foods that heal your gut, so you can shine from head to toe and really get the glow.
 
Latitude also invites Helen Pearson to present her acclaimed book The Life Project: what makes some people happy, healthy and successful – and others not? The factors that most affect our life chances are revealed as the first group of British babies followed in a remarkable cradle-to-grave study turns 70.
 
Standard Issue is bringing some of its smart, funny and brilliant writers to Latitude for a very special event. Join editor Mickey Noonan, deputy editor Hannah Dunleavy, comedians Angela Barnes and Felicity Ward, plus a special guest for a smart and funny hour of chat about comedy, feminism and being a woman in the modern world.  
 
Latitude is thrilled to welcome the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction to the festival for the first time, presenting three exciting events hosted by novelist and BWPFF co-founder Kate Mosse. Now in its twenty first year, the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction is the UK’s most prestigious annual book award for fiction written by a woman. Set up in 1996 to celebrate and promote international fiction by women throughout the world to the widest range of readers possible, the Prize is awarded for the best novel of the year written by a woman. Any woman writing in English – whatever her nationality, country of residence, age or subject matter – is eligible.
 
The Baileys Prize events at Latitude include: Forgotten Authors – an inspiring panel including former BWPFF longlisted author Emma Healey put forward their favourite forgotten literary treasures – the female authors they feel have fallen out of fashion and should be returned to the spotlight; Women and Power – author Naomi Alderman, comedian and writer Sara Pascoe, award-winning campaigner Leyla Hussein and  Amy Annette (editor of I call myself a Feminist) discuss the new feminism and issues around women and power; and back by popular demand following their appearance at the Baileys Prize Pop-Up Book Bar earlier this year, actors James Rastall and Tori Allen-Martin read from the six books shortlisted for the 2016 Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction in their own inimitable style. 
 
The Literary Arena also hosts Ruth and Martin’s Album Club, that will see an invited guest choose an album they’ve never listened to, laying out any potential prejudice the guest will listen to the album at least three times, leading to a discussion: was it worth it or not?
 
Radio 4’s Viv Groskop brings her hilarious new work-in-progress Be More Margo to Latitude, taking a look at snobbery, class, Britishness and The Good Life, fuelled entirely by gin. Should we be classless now that we're "all in it together"? Or is it time to assert our inner reactionary and Be More Margo?
 
Also in the Literary Arena, Latitude will present a series of talks supported by the Wellcome Trust – a global charitable foundation dedicated to improving health by supporting bright minds in science, the humanities and social sciences, and public engagement.
 
In a discussion spanning devastating brain trauma, psychogenic disease and mental illness, hear from Wellcome Book Prize 2016’s winner and shortlisted authors talking to 2016 judge and writer, Sathnam Sanghera. In a  discussion spanning devastating brain trauma, psychogenic disease and mental illness, hear from 2016 Winner Suzanne O’Sullivan, on It’s All in Your Head, a compassionate study of the real suffering caused by psychosomatic illness; Cathy Rentzenbrink on her powerful memoir about the death of her brother, The Last Act of Love; and Alex Pheby on Playthings, a fictional take on one of Freud’s most influential psychological case studies: Daniel Schreber.
 
This year Salon London, with support from the Wellcome Trust, present four Salon London events in the Literary Arena:
 
In Salon London: Love Thy Neighbour: Feast of Strangers showcases Prof Theodore Zeldin (Oxford) on the ways in which conversation with a stranger might contribute to radical social change, inviting the Latitude audience to take part in his Feast of Strangers and have a structured conversation with someone they don’t know; and theRefugee Choir will perform a new piece by leading UK vocal coach, Juliet Russell.
 
Salon London: Love Thy Neighbour: The Rewards will feature Dr Molly Crockett (Oxford) on the advanced altruism of Festival Goers; neurobiologist Dr Carsten De Dreu (Amsterdam) on the brain’s response to competitive vs cooperative ways of thinking; and Prof Tim Lewens (Cambridge) on the science behind a big question: is human nature fundamentally good?
 
Salon London: Love Thy Neighbour: The Dark Side presents Prof Christopher French (Goldsmiths) on how we use the paranormal to understand others; Salon London & Redstone Press’s Psycho Games will bring an interactive tour of the scientific games used in 20th Century psychological evaluation; and Dr Gustav Kuhn(Goldsmiths) on the psychology of magic and why we are so easily deceived.
 
Salon London: Social Standing and Your Health will feature Sir Prof Michael Marmot (UCL), whose 40 years of research on health inequalities has the potential to radically change the way we think about health equity and society, and Prof Danny Dorling (Oxford) on how the way the all-so-powerful 1% live affects us all, and how, and why, we can redress the balance between us.
 
The Porn Perspective panel explores the ways we interact with and our consumption of pornography: neuroscientist and broadcaster Dr Jack Lewis is joined by former editor of Loaded and teen educator on the potential dangers of online pornography Martin Daubney, plus Christopher Green, a performer whose work has explored sex and addiction, all chaired by Dr Suzi Gage (Bristol), who has provided a counter point to Dr Philip Zimbardo's work theorising a crisis in masculinity caused by a cyberspace of video games and pornography.
 
Also joining the line up in the Literary Arena is author of NHS foundation’s Be Mindful report Ed Halliwell. Ed will be introducing his new book Into the Heart of Mindfulness: Finding a Way of Well-being, in which he takes the reader on a journey into the heart of mindfulness. With practical advice, taster exercises and a refreshing honesty, Ed will explore how opening to and working with the realities of our minds, bodies and day-to-day existence – rather than striving for positive results – can, paradoxically, help us rediscover a richly nourishing, deeply textured life.
 
Festival of Spoken Nerd – the science comedy phenomenon that will feed your brain, tickle your ribs and light your Bunsen burner will be engaging the Latitude audience in the Literary  Arena. Full Frontal Nerdity guaranteed! The trio of stand-up mathematician Matt Parker, experiments maestro Steve Mould and geek songstress Helen Arney, will be mixing astonishing science with statistically significant comedy, plus experiments that will electrify the Latitude audience – sometimes literally!
 
We will also host a live podcast recording of Level Up Human – a Wellcome supported podcast with a unique mission – to make humans better. The podcast will be led by Simon Watt: biologist, comedian and TV presenter, best known for the BAFTA winning Inside Nature’s Giants and Channel 4's The Elephant: Life After Death. Simon will be joined by comic Elf Lyons, QI researcher and author Stevyn Colgan.
 
The Wellcome Trust Hub, supported by Wellcome Trust, will once again host a variety of incredible discussions, debates and performances this year, exploring the neurosciences that affect your health, happiness and interactions with those around you.
 
Does happiness affect our health? Are the cells of your body aware of your mood swings and nagging doubts? It turns out that the immune system are surprisingly sensitive to our emotions. In The Immune System, Health and Happiness, find out more from Dr. Pippa Kennedy, a research scientist from the Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research.
 
What is fun? How is it distinct from happiness or pleasure? How do we know when we are having it? In TheSociology & Psychology of Fun, Dr Bree Macdonald (Chartered Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist) and Dr Ben Fincham, author of The Sociology of Fun, will be discussing how we want to have fun and who determines the fun we have.
 
In his new book, The Idiot Brain, Guardian science blogger and neuroscientist Dr Dean Burnett explores the most inefficient, bizarre and irrational workings of the human brain. Join him and Infinite Monkey Cage host Robin Incefor a light-hearted look at the how the illogical workings of our brains can affect our everyday world, including the psychology of superstition, the neuroscience of sleep, how tall people are more intelligent and why a glass of wine might improve our memory. In The Science of the Self/ie, artist Meg Mosley (aka Megastar) teams up with Dr James Kilner, Head of Neuroscience at UCL, to further explore the psychology behind the selfie.
 
In Keeping Up With the Joneses, the panel will discuss social behaviours that might be caused by our perception of those around us, and crucially, how we believe they perceive us. Dr Valerie Voon (Wellcome Trust Intermediate Clinical Fellow, University of Cambridge) will talk about impulsive control disorder, with more panellists to be announced.

Editor of The Psychologist, Professor Jon Sutton will be in conversation with Professor Elizabeth Stokoe,discussing How To Talk So People Listen. We live our lives through talk. We build, maintain and end relationships. We buy and sell. We are excited, embarrassed and consoled in response to things others say. By collecting thousands of recordings ‘in the wild’ – from first dates to neighbour disputes – Professor Elizabeth Stokoe has found that talk is highly organised. In conversation with Dr Jon Sutton, she draws on this evidence to show how to talk so people listen.
 
The Wellcome Trust Hub also presents Loneliness with Prof Carsten De Dreu (Amsterdam), on the social and neurobiological mechanisms we have, designed to work and co-operate with others, and what happens to us psychologically when we have no one with whom to co-operate, along with Stuart Evers, author of the acclaimedTen Stories about Smoking and new book, Your Father Sends His Love, chaired by Jo Griffin, journalist and author of the acclaimed The Lonely Society for The Mental Health Foundation.
 
Your Food, Your Mood: Real Food & Gut Health will feature professor of Genetic Epidemiology Prof Tim Spector (KCL), who conducted the biggest ever experiment in to gut health and its effect on health and mental health: it turns out your biome (the microbes in your stomach) could hold all the keys. In Cure: A Journey into the Science of Mind over Body, science writer Jo Marchant will provide a rigorous, sceptical, deeply reported discussion of the new science behind the mind's surprising ability to heal the body. 
 
The Biology of Morality will provide an in depth look at the human’s relationship with altruism with psychotherapistDr Molly Crockett who studies the neuroscience and psychology of altruism, morality and self-control, in conversation with Dr Tim Lewens, Professor of Philosophy of Science at the University of Cambridge, where he is also Deputy Director of CRASSH – the Centre for Research in Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities.
 
Science Gallery London’s No Pain, No Gain? invites scientists to explore pain, what it is and how we perceive it, and also how our relationship with pain shapes our experiences (for better or worse!). In The Science of Snogging, Science Gallery London invite the Latitude audience to open wide, to delve into the orifice and think about what is really involved in a kiss. Rosie Wilby and Amie Taylor take their audiences through a series of short comedic, fun and fast paced performance lectures exploring the science, history and anthropology behind kissing, with help from Dr Rebecca Babb. You’ll never think about a kiss in the same way again!
 
Latitude is extremely proud to announce that Scotland’s new national poet Jackie Kay – who was awarded an MBE for her services to literature in 2006 – will be joining the stellar line-up already announced in this year’s Poetry Arena. The highly acclaimed Kay draws upon her unconventional upbringing in her work, documenting her own struggles with selfhood in her writing.
 
Poet in the City will also be joining this year’s Poetry line-up. An arts organisation which promotes a love of poetry to their audiences, Poet in the City will provide a dynamic platform to contemporary poets, curate imaginative and exciting themed events as well as bringing classic poetry to life for a 21st century audience. At Latitude they will present a programme of poets and the links between poetry & activism with guest Jack Monroe.
 
Further poetry acts announced today include rapper, multi-instrumentalist and sometime singer Dizraeli, who has taken hip-hop to new terrains, and will be thrilling the Latitude crowd along with Nigerian poet, English teacher and a member of the SXWKS collective Caleb Femi, whose work is often described as vivid, honest and delivered with an essence of musicality whilst touching on issues involving assimilation, memory, displacement, education, gang culture and its treatment in the media. Andy Bennett has been performing stand up poetry for half a decade, and  will be delighting audiences with his wilfully shambolic style that belies a cerebral and acerbic wit, and an honest and celebratory approach to life and performance.
 
Hosted by award winning children’s poet Laura Mucha, join us for some fantastic characters, stories and rhymes in new writing inspired by Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes, in celebration of 100 years since his birth. Dahl re-interpreted well-known fairy tales, replacing the traditional happily-ever-after with his own alternative endings, and now, some of Latitude’s best-loved poets – Rosie Carrick, Jemima Foxtrot and Andy Bennett – will do the same, turning well known stories on their head.
 
And finally, writer for Sunday Times, Telegraph, Elle, Red, Tank, The Numinous and more, Lisa Luxx will also be joining the Poetry Arena line up performing her work based on the existential crisis of the net generation, politics of queerdom, female sexuality, psychedelic philosophy and explorations of mental health.
 
Home Live Art returns to The Faraway Forest with the ever-changing and unexpected Home Live Art Exchange. Pop by and you may find a utopian world of your own making, an opportunity to swap woes with a friend or even the rare chance to truly understand your neighbours. What happens here depends on what you bring – whether it’s sharing thoughts, dreaming of the future, partaking in games, songs, conversations or meaningful quests, whatever happens it’s on your terms. Come and go, or stay and play. Twice Shy Theatre will also appear in The Faraway Forest this year, using their challenging and innovative theatre and live art to bring creative minds together in support and discussion.
 
Latitude are also delighted that The Reading Agency will be returning to Latitude, a charity whose mission is to inspire more people to read, encourage the enjoyment of reading, and celebrating the difference that it makes to all our lives.
 
Dylan’s Mobile Bookstore will once again return to Pandora’s Playground, promising to feed your need to read. The words on wheels experience, specialising in books associated with Wales and Dylan Thomas, has been quite literally spreading the words. Selling a wide range of books, including used, rare, fine and antiquarian they offer a space on the bus for mini readings and signing sessions with performers from the festival, and welcome people aboard to browse, hang out, chat, listen to poetry and appreciate the simple pleasures of reading.
 
The Shed of Stories will again play host to a heady mix of exciting authors, ground-breaking artists and important voices, including Commute Blog who will reveal the true identities of London commuters one photo at a time, touching upon this year’s theme ‘Love Thy Neighbour’.
 
Award-winning short story writer and novelist Lisa Blower will present her novel Sitting Ducks, which follows the intransigent, courageous Minton family’s battle against the predatory landlord during the 2010 General Election – a novel that will have you laughing out loud then raging at the page. The Shed of Stories also welcomes the highly acclaimed John Osborne, performing from Birthdays!
 
Esses & DeMesa will be bringing their contemporary theatre game about immigration, art and democracy Dis Placeto the Shed of Stories, asking: Who can stay? Are you ready to play? It’s London, 2021. Post EU Referendum and the British People have voted to stay out of Europe and deport most immigrants. Ten foreign artists squat in the basement of The Glory, only one will be allowed to stay in the country. The choice is in the hands of you – the Latitude audience – and your leaders.

And finally, following their performance in the Little House, the Young Vic presents a workshop with Gbolahan Obisesan, Director of Cuttin’ It, the incredibly emotive play from award-winning playwright Charlene James, tackling the urgent issue of FGM in Britain and the price some girls pay to become a woman. It’s a piece that encourages the audience to look more closely at the lives of those around them and to raise awareness of a deeply affecting procedure, and the discussion and workshop offers a rare chance for the audience to engage directly with the theatre maker.

LITERARY
WILL HUTTON | BEN MACINTYRE
VICTORIA & ALBERT MUSEUM PRESENTS YOU SAY YOU WANT A REVOLUTION?
 HISTORIC ROYAL PALACES: FROM PRINCE TO PUNK HOSTED BY DEIRDRE MURPHY 
EWEN MACASKILL
JAMIE McKELVIE & KIERON GILLEN INTERVIEWED BY EMILY MACKAY 
ROBIN INCE: THE MAGICK OF ART – THE WIZARDRY OF THIN WHITE DUKES
WITH DAISY CAMPBELL, ANDREW O'NEILL & JOHN CONSTABLE 
 SARA PASCOE | STANDARD ISSUE | BAILEYS WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR FICTION
HELEN PEARSON: THE LIFE PROJECT | MADELEINE SHAW | MARK WATSON
DAVID QUANTICK ICW SARFRAZ MANZOOR
 RUTH & MARTIN'S ALBUM CLUB | VIV GROSKOP
 
WELLCOME BOOK PRIZE 2016 WITH SUZANNE O’SULLIVAN, CATHY RENTZENBRINK AND
ALEX PHEBY ICW SATHNAM SANGHERA
 
WELLCOME TRUST WITH SALON LONDON PRESENT
LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR: FEAST OF STRANGERS WITH PROF THEODORE ZELDIN AND THEREFUGEE CHOIR
LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR: THE REWARDS WITH DR MOLLY CROCKETT, DR CARSTEN DE DREU ANDPROF TIM LEWENS
LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR: THE DARK SIDE WITH PROF CHRISTOPHER FRENCH 
SALON LONDON & REDSTONE PRESS’S PSYCHO GAMES AND DR GUSTAV KUHN
SOCIAL STANDING AND YOUR HEALTH WITH SIR PROF MICHAEL MARMOT AND PROF DANNY DORLING
 
WELLCOME TRUST 
THE PORN PERSPECTIVE WITH DR JACK LEWIS, CHRISTOPHER GREEN 
AND MARTIN DAUBNEY CHAIRED BY DR SUZI GAGE
DR ARTHUR I MILLER ICW DR ROBERT E SMITH: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE – BRAVE NEW WORLD
ED HALLIWELL ON MINDFULLNESS | FESTIVAL OF THE SPOKEN NERD
PHILIPPA KENNEDY | DR BEN FINCHAM & DR BREE MACDONALD  ON  FUN
DR DEAN BURNETT & ROBIN INCE ON THE IDIOT BRAIN | DR JAMES KILNER & MEG MOSLEY  ON SELFIES
DR VALERIE VOON ON KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES
THE PSYCHOLOGIST PRESENTS DR JON SUTTON  ICW.  PROFESSOR ELIZABETH STOKOE PROF CARSTEN DE DREU, STUART EVERS AND JO GRIFFIN ON LONELINESS
YOUR FOOD, YOUR MOOD: REAL FOOD & GUT HEALTH WITH  PROF TIM SPECTOR
CURE: A JOURNEY INTO THE SCIENCE OF MIND OVER BODY  WITH  JO MARCHANT
THE BIOLOGY OF MORALITY WITH  DR MOLLY CROCKETT  AND  DR TIM LEWENS
SCIENCE GALLERY LONDON: NO PAIN, NO GAIN?
SCIENCE GALLERY LONDON: THE SCIENCE OF SNOGGING
LEVEL UP HUMAN: LIVE PODCAST RECORDING  WITH  SIMON WATT, ELF LYONS  AND  STEVYN COLGAN
 
POETRY
JACKIE KAY | POET IN THE CITY | DIZRAELI | CALEB FEMI 
ANDY BENNETT | LISA LUXX
RIPPED OFF REVOLTING RHYMES HOSTED BY LAURA MUCHA WITH JEMIMA FOXTROT,
ROSY CARRICK AND ANDY BENNETT
 
THE FARAWAY FOREST
HOME LIVE ART | TWICE SHY THEATRE | THE READING AGENCY
 
PANDORA’S PLAYGROUND
DYLAN'S MOBILE BOOKSTORE
 
SHED OF STORIES
COMMUTE BLOG | LISA BLOWER | JOHN OSBORNE | ESSES & DE MESA 
YOUNG VIC PRESENT CUTTIN' IT DISCUSSION / WORKSHOP
WITH GBOLAHAN OBISESAN

Boundary Brighton, Second wave of Artists announced!

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Working with tireless passion and meticulous detail the team behind brand new music festival Boundary Brighton add a star-studded cast of acts to their debut show. With the bar set high, new acts includeCraig David, Groove Armada, Jackmaster, Richy Ahmed, Jaguar Skills and many more, to dance-out the summer at Stanmer Park on Saturday 17th September 2016.
 
Craig David has taken 2016 by storm and will headline the festival with TS5; expect a forward-thinking trip to nostalgia; with a heavy emphasis on party. Expect an eclectic mix of bangers from old school anthems and future classics. Commenting on the show, Craig David said "I can't wait to bring 'TS5' to Boundary Brighton! Trust me it's going to go off big time!"
 
Groove Armada will bring one of their famous DJ sets to the first event. Constantly moving and evolving you can expect a set that goes through the very best In house music.
 
Jackmaster has a mercurial ear for making people dance, breaking down the barriers between fun, underground and commercial, he'll always leave you with a smile on your face.
 
When Richy Ahmed is on a lineup, you know the party is going to have some heavy heat. Having earnt his stripes curating some of the DC-10 lineups in Ibiza, he's become a trusted ear within house and techno.
 
One of the most naturally gifted DJs on the planet, Jaguar Skills is insane to watch when he's in full flow. Tweaking every single knob on the mixer, his technical wizardry puts others to shame. From rock to rave, hip-hop to rap; he'll be mixing it all up with ninja skills.
 
Iron Dread, the righteous rhyming Lioness will bring her junglist flow to Congo Natty's set. A proper party starter she'll bring a touch of carnival to Stanmer Park.
 
Boundary is all about doing things a little differently, so we've called on the eccentricity of Bob Kerr and his Whoopee Band, a mad cap jazz outfit formed in 1967. They're as brilliant as they are utterly insane. They are joined by Mr Wilson's Second Liners – A New Orleans band are bubbling over with serotonin infused 90's rave classics. An anarchic extravaganza, bursting with colour and sound, rallying impromptu raves at every turn.
 
Toni Varga has built a career on connecting with the audience, which has made him a staple on the Elrow lineups globally. He'll be bringing his experiential electronic rhythms to the Elrow stage.
 
With previously announced acts including Seth Troxler, Wilkinson, Bondax, Jungle, Snake Hips, Toddla T, Tom Trago, Gentleman't Dub Club, Submotion Orchestra and Congo Natty, Boundary Brighton's debut show will offer a vibrant array of music to keep festival-goers on their toes and dancing throughout the day. 
 
With further surprises yet to come, presale and first release have completely sold out with second release tickets running low.
 
 

Bloodstock’s first M2TM Finals winners announced

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There’s a wealth of exciting news from BLOODSTOCK HQ in regard to their grass-roots-metal-supporting ‘Metal 2 The Masses’ scheme!  Coming on board as a premier sponsor is the newly resurrected, iconic metal label, MUSIC FOR NATIONS!  Also two more exciting prizes have been thrown into the hat for one of the lucky bands on the Hobgoblin New Blood bill.  

All those winning a slot on the Hobgoblin New Blood stage via the ‘Metal 2 The Masses’ initiative will already be in the running for the chance to receive endorsement deals from gear manufacturers and professional PR advice, but are also now eligible for these additional prizes.  One winner will get recording time with renowned producer, Jaime Gomez Arellano (Ghost, Angel Witch, Cathedral & many more) at his residential Orgone Studios in Woburn, Beds.  Metal Hammer have also pledged to support one winning band with exposure on Metal Hammer’s website and invite them to the magazine offices for a feature photoshoot and interview, plus a radio interview for Team Rock Radio.

Meantime, the ‘M2TM’ finals are already under way and continue through to 10th July (remaining dates below).  BLOODSTOCK’s ‘Metal 2 The Masses’ judging squad have been clocking up the miles (1800 to date!) and many lucky bands have won slots on the Hobgoblin New Blood stage!  Check out this lot for starters.  

 

Joining Friday’s bill are;

SEED OF SORROW (www.facebook.com/seedofsorrow), melodic death metallers from the Inverness final.  Five piece from the Scottish highlands, dedicated to producing the angriest metal possible!  

HUSK (www.facebook.com/HUSKUKMETAL), death metal from the Wolverhampton final.  With many of their dark, groove based tracks being built around bass player/vocalist Bob Taylor’s infectious bass playing, introducing elements of slap bass in death metal shouldn’t even be a thing …. But it really is.

BURNING THE DREAM (www.facebook.com/burningthedream), progressive death metal from Glasgow’s final.  Venomous groove-laden death with hooks galore!  

VEHEMENT (www.facebook.com/officialvehement), extreme/black metal from Brighton’s final.  Black clothes?  Black face masks?!  Check!  An unrelenting smoke machine and a bone fide MMA fighter on drums?!  Check, check!!  Extreme metal with real strength!  

TRIVERSE MASSACRE (www.facebook.com/triversemassacre), groove/thrash metal from Carlisle’s final.  “…like standing naked in a hurricane, or diving head-first into a nest of pissed-off hornets!”  Heavy as fuck!!

THE CRAWLING (https://www.facebook.com/thecrawlingband), down-tempo death from Belfast’s final.  When a band has the ability to set a scene in a mere 30mins, you’re on to a winner.  The Crawling say little between tracks allowing the sample of flies to draw the audience into an uneasy feeling of melancholy.  A grim blend of doom and death that’ll hve you scratching and questioning your own mortality.

TEN TON SLUG (www.facebook.com/tentonslug), stoner sludge doom from Dublin’s final.  Like being reverse kicked in the knackers by a disgruntled rhino!  These lads are not for those of a weak disposition.

 

Winning a Saturday slot:

BEARFIST (www.facebook.com/bearfistuk), metal from London!  It’s all about the riffs and these guys have ‘em in spades.  So much so, the guitarist won the handmade custom guitar from local sponsors, Empire Guitars!  Congrats lads!

RAMAGE INC (www.facebook.com/ramageinc), ambient prog metal from Glasgow’s final.  Already well established with prog/tech metal fans, these guys deliver with comparisons to the Devin Townsend writing style but with the Ramage stamp.  Tech bliss.

FAMYNE (www.facebook.com/famyneuk), doom from Kent’s final.  A young band with an old school sound, remiscent of Chronicles’-era Hawkwind mixed up with the epic sound of Candlemass.  An obligatory oversized gong and a rolling smoke machine were in full effect!

 

And the first one for Sunday:

ART OF DECEPTION (www.facebook.com/ArtofDeceptionofficial), melodic death from Norway’s final.  With frontman Sindre Johnsen having direct family ties to Kvelertak, his pedigree points to his ferocious vocal delivery and no shortage of notable twin lead skills.  These guys were a stand out choice.

As well as the fresh blood, sliding in to a Sophie stage slot are BEHOLDER (www.facebook.com/beholderuk)!  Fronted by M2TM Head Honcho, Simon Hall, he’ll be leading the way where many of his charges will hope to follow.  With a recently lauded new album…

There’s also a chance for punters at each event to win weekend tickets to BLOODSTOCK, a case of Hobgoblin Ale to take home, or various other BLOODSTOCK related prizes.  You can even shake hands with BLOODSTOCK’s ‘M2TM’ mainman, Simon Hall.  Remaining finals run as follows so get out, support and win those festival tickets for yourself!

 

17th Jun – NEWCASTLE – The Cluny

18th Jun – SOUTH WALES / CARDIFF – Fuel Club

19th Jun – MANCHESTER – Grand Central

24th Jun – SWINDON – The Victoria

24th Jun – DEWSBURY – The Old Turk

25th Jun – MERSEYSIDE / LIVERPOOL – Bumper

1st Jul – LINCOLNSHIRE / LINCOLN – The Lincoln Imp

2nd Jul – READING – Facebar

9th Jul – BURNLEY – Sanctuary

9th Jul – BOURNEMOUTH – The Anvil

9th Jul – POLAND / BIELSKO-BIALA – The Rude Boy Club

10th Jul – BIRMINGHAM – The Roadhouse

 

Already announced for 2016 are our three headliners, TWISTED SISTER (in their last ever UK show), MASTODON and SLAYER, plus special guests BEHEMOTH, GOJIRA and ANTHRAX.  Also on the bill are FEAR FACTORY, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, SYMPHONY X, SATYRICON, PARADISE LOST, DRAGONFORCE, METAL ALLEGIANCE, STUCK MOJO, ROTTING CHRIST, MISERY LOVES CO, GHOST BATH, VENOM, UNEARTH, DIAMOND HEAD, GOATWHORE, ACID REIGN and many more.  Additional bands are still to be announced.

Bestival Announces Amphitheatre Line Up

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Cloaked among luxuriant trees in Bestival’s Ambient Forest lies The Amphitheatre, an enchanted world of arch amusements. Featuring a provocative feast of curious follies by day, and an unmissable whiff of penetrating, tongue in cheek fun by night, this is just one glimpse of The Future at our anthology of the absurd this September on the Isle of Wight.

Rob da Bank says: “We like to think we’re pretty open-minded and uninhibited at Bestival… and it certainly feels like that in the middle of the night down by the Amphitheatre. It might be off the beaten track but it’s definitely one to search out if you’re looking to have your mind blown by all manner of crazy things. From our mates Sink the Pink, Jodie Harsh and Scottee to madcap theatre, spellbinding poetry and brilliant comedy you won’t know what’s hit you”.

Resplendent below its verdant canopy, The Amphitheatre is a treasure trove of off-the-wall entertainment by day, including electrifying gig-theatre from My Beautiful Black Dog, a celebration of the Bard on booze with Shitfaced Shakespeare, sketch comedy from Beasts Presents Mr Bestival, anxiety comedy from Morbid Abnormal Me, the final part of Sleeping Trees’ live movie trilogy, Sci-Fi, dance-theatre from Scary Shit, sketches, songs and super-good jokes from Shelf Comedy Duo, absurd comedy from Simon Slack – The Fantastic and an enlightening look at drug policy with Leap – Good Cop Bad War. 

We’ll also have music from London Contemporary Voices Choir, beatboxing heavyweight and artist Reeps One will be turning up the heat for Nando’s Music Exchange, there will be fx pedal mania with Dawson Loop Station and the Sounds Familiar Quiz, plus versification with The Satin Lizard Lounge curated by Scroobius Pip, our Island Poetry Competition winner Kestrell and the amazing Roundhouse Poetry Collective, all hosted by Jack Rooke.

As day time turns to night we discover exactly what lurks beneath the belly of the Bestival beast… fizzing with gay abandon, The Amphitheatre will transform into a glitter-strewn arcadia where our number one drag slags Sink the Pink await you on Friday and Saturday night. We’ll also have bottle-blonde-bombshell beats with Dystopia Presented by Jodie Harsh, limp-wristed future weirdness from Scottee's Camp, Hacienda legend Greg Wilson's Super Weird in the Woods, with The Reynolds and Blind Arcade, Backstreet bacchanalia with Figs in Wigs, homo-hip-hop from Hard Cock Life, and the chance to unleash your hidden diva with Gospeloke. Plus, there will be Two Total Losers and the Fabbo Future Quiz, and it’s all hosted by Aoife Hanna.

There are still plenty of treats to be revealed for our Future paradise, including our Sunday night main stage headliners and much more, so head to www.Bestival.net, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram / Tumblr

#Bestival16

Reading and Leeds Festival announce fifteen more acts

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One of the most entertaining figures in British culture today, Big Narstie has become a true superstar of the internet age. The BDL figurehead has helped usher in the new era of Grime dominance with his punchy vocal flow and unmistakable presence, dropping by mainstream TV and chart features with ease. Catching a viral sensation in the flesh, Big Narstie’s appearances on the BBC Radio 1Xtra Stage are set to be a true highlight of a legend in the making at this year’s festivals.
 
Californian heroes Third Eye Blind are set to return to British shores with a hugely anticipated set on the Festival Republic Stage. Following the sold out London & Manchester shows last November, American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind return to the UK for Reading and Leeds. Expect the classics and fan favourites from the first 4 albums, along with songs from their recently released ‘Dopamine’ album.
 
The favourites of today and the future reign supreme at Reading and Leeds 2016, as seen by the return of Deaf Havana take to the stage armed with a catalogue of unifying rock tales and new material from an upcoming fourth studio album that’s sure to see airplay at their NME/Radio 1 Stage appearance. Rising pop-soul queen Låpsley has drawn vast plaudits for her recently released debut LP ‘Long Way Home’ and her mercurial sound is sure to create a unique and bewitching spectacle on the Festival Republic Stage, whilst Arcane Roots and their heavy-hitting onslaught is sure to be a massive hit over at the Lock Up Stage.
 
Across a spectrum of stages, Reading and Leeds provides a true platter of game-changing music with a variety of names added to the line up today.

MAIN STAGE

Joining a mammoth line up on the Main Stage that already boasts appearances from the biggest names in modern music are American groove-benders Clutch, celebrating 25 years and 11 studio albums of forward-thinking alternative rock. They are joined today by Macclesfield trio The Virginmarys whose set of riotous punk comes fresh off the back of sophomore album ‘Divides’. Providing an opportunity to seize the biggest stage of the summer, the Main Stage is lined up to provide festival moment after festival moment at Reading and Leeds 2016.

NME / RADIO 1 STAGE

With Deaf Havana announced for their return to Reading and Leeds, the NME/Radio 1 Stage is also set to host the hotly-tipped six-piece Whitney who’s deftly Americana sound has seen them rise into a bonafide force of their own. Formed for just over a year, their debut appearance at Reading and Leeds Festival is sure to be a riveting affair. Joining them are Fickle Friends who have been on the tongues of new music fans for over 18 months, steadily building a reputation for dazzling tropical indie and delectable pop hooks that are sure to bring the sunshine to Reading and Leeds this summer.
 
THE PIT/LOCK UP STAGE
Alongside Arcane Roots being announced today is the distorted scuzz sound of Ghost Town. Infusing electronic dance music with dank heavy vibrations to form a true hybrid spectacle, Ghost Town will be coming to The Pit with sheer ferocious intent fresh from having spent the entire summer on the Warped Tour in America. Also on the Lock Up stage, rising favourites Greywind will touch down for a hotly anticipated performance, as the Irish brother-sister duo unleash a wave of sound that cements just why they remain one of the hottest properties in rock today. Full of originality and sensational live spectacles, The Pit/Lock Up Stage once again boasts the best in the heavy rock sphere.

FESTIVAL REPUBLIC STAGE

Full of the headliners and the anthemic sounds of tomorrow, the Festival Republic Stage has added even more of the hottest names in ground-breaking new sounds. Psychedelic Australian rockers King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard will be launching into dense technicolour, whilst ethereal sound-scapers Palace will continue their rise with an emphatic and moon-lit set this summer. With further appearances announced for pop groover Will Joseph Cook, Austrian ‘stoner-rock’ duo White Miles and the alternative neo-indie of Gnash, the Festival Republic Stage is once again the place to be.

1XTRA STAGE

With Big Narstie announced today, the BBC 1XTRA Stage packs the biggest urban festival line up of the summer, with new additions including radio icon Charlie Sloth; arguably the voice of British urban music and a true champion of innovative and fresh hip-hop from around the globe. He’ll take to the decks alongside names including established South London MC Sneakbo, Jay Z collaborator Baauer, US underground starlet Mick Jenkins, Kiko Bun and his modern take on classic reggae and admired producer Troyboi. With The Range and Rude Kid also confirmed for moments across the weekend, the BBC 1XTRA Stage will provide an exciting soundtrack to the bank holiday weekend.

Stuffed full of incredible music and festival memories, Reading and Leeds 2016 will break new ground with 5 Headliners Over 3 Days, with Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foals, Biffy Clyro, Disclosure and Fall Out Boy all commanding euphoric celebrations for landmark headlining performances. They head up a bill that includes the leading names in rock, indie, dance, hip-hop, RnB and everything in-between featuring Jack U, The 1975, Two Door Cinema Club, Boy Better Know, Chvrches, Imagine Dragons, The Vaccines, A$AP Rocky, HAIM, Nas, Good Charlotte, Asking Alexandria, Fetty Wap and over 200 more. The epicentre of alternative music, Reading and Leeds is once again destined to cement the next generation of musical legends.

 
PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED
Biffy Clyro (Co-headline) (UK Festival Exclusive)
Fall Out Boy (Co-headline) (UK Festival Exclusive)
Red Hot Chili Peppers (Headline)
Foals (Co-Headline)
Disclosure (Co-Headline)
Imagine Dragons (European Festival Exclusive)
Jack Ü                  
Two Door Cinema Club                 
The 1975
Courteeners                     
Boy Better Know
Chvrches
The Vaccines (UK Festival Exclusive)
A$AP Rocky (UK Festival Exclusive)
HAIM (UK Festival Exclusive)
Jack Garratt
Nas (UK Festival Exclusive)
Frank Turner
Kano
Good Charlotte (UK Festival Exclusive)
Coheed and Cambria
Mastodon
Tonight Alive (UK Festival Exclusive)
The Wombats
Twenty One Pilots (UK Festival Exclusive)                                                       
Crystal Castles (UK Festival Exclusive)    
Fetty Wap (UK Festival Exclusive)                     
Eagles Of Death Metal (UK Festival Exclusive)
Slaves  
Parkway Drive (UK Festival Exclusive)
Nothing But Thieves     
The Internet (UK Festival Exclusive)
Rat Boy
Hinds
Lower Than Atlantis (UK Festival Exclusive)
Asking Alexandria (UK Festival Exclusive)
The Dillinger Escape Plan (UK Festival Exclusive)
Travi$ Scott (UK Festival Exclusive)
G-Eazy (UK Festival Exclusive)
Skindred        
Five Finger Death Punch (UK Festival Exclusive)                     
Sleeping With Sirens (UK Festival Exclusive)
The Neighbourhood (UK Festival Exclusive)
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes         
State Champs
Savages
Die Antwoord (UK Festival Exclusive)
Cage The Elephant (UK Festival Exclusive)
Krept & Konan
Sigma
Half Moon Run
Basement
Blossoms
Mura Masa
Spring King
Sunset Sons
Haelos
Black Foxxes
The Temper Trap
Brian Fallon And The Crowes
BØRNS
Eagulls
Clean Cut Kid
Pulled Apart By Horses
Ezra Furman
VANT
The Magic Gang
Blaenavon
The Hunna
LANY
The Sherlocks
DMA’s
Rationale
Beach Baby
Transviolet
Isaac Gracie
Giggs
Netsky
Highly Suspect (UK Festival Exclusive)
Sundara Karma
Lewis Del Mar
LUH
Otherkin
Anteros
The Beach
The Vryll Society
Area 52
Tibet
Thrice
Hacktivist
DMAs
LUH
Nothing More
Milk Teeth
Giraffe Tongue Orchestra
MGK
Heck
ROAM
Beach Slang
SWMRS
Superheaven
Big Spring
Waterparks
Yung Lean
Hoodie Allen
Maverick Sabre
Metro Boomin
Little Simz
Fekky
Geko
Bugzy Malone
Logic
K.Flay
Franko Fraize
Clara Amfo
SOPHIE
Danny L Harle
Rag’n’Bone Man
Friction
Fred V & Grafix
Delta Heavy
The Japanese House
99 Souls
Redlight
Lion Babe
AlunaGeorge
Duke Dumont
David Rodigan MBE
Disciples                              
My Nu Leng B2B Oneman + Dread MC (Reading) / Oneman B2B My Nu Leng + Dread MC (Leeds)                          
MistaJam
Philip George                    
Riton                    
Birdy Nam Nam                               
Oliver Heldens   
DJ EZ
Hannah Wants
Crossfaith
Kurupt FM Presents: Champagne Steam Rooms
Cassetteboy vs DJ Rubbish
The King Blues
Kvelertak
FVK                                                          
Modern Baseball
Dead!         
Creeper             
Citizen                                      
Maxïmo Park
Raleigh Ritchie                                                                                                     
INHEAVEN                        
Banners                                                                                                                     
Tuff Love                                              
Seratones       
Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals                         
Section Boyz                     
Protoje                                                              
Lady Leshurr
DJ Semtex (Reading)
Yungen    
Jauz  
Zack Samuel
Tkay Maidza
Hermitude
Lemaitre
Low Steppa
Draper
James Organ

Common People Southampton 2016 – FULL REVIEW!

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SATURDAY

As one of Bestival's satellite babies, Common People Southampton was always going to be hit and in it's inaugural year 2015 proved you can have all the feel of the festival in the middle of a city, but now round 2 has started on the common and there's a new sense of ownership, like Southampton has taken CP to heart.

Over in Oxford a new dawn rises on a sister festival, but we're getting the kinks-ironed-out experience of a trialled triumph and the site looks incredible. Towering high right inside the main gates is The World’s Biggest Bouncy Castle, a Bestival x Something Creative collaboration that looks like it should have been made by Willy Wonka or be home to a herd of unicorns. Apparently it can comfortably hold one hundred people at a time, but we bet the somersault-police couldn’t catch us in that many…

A decent queue is forming already but it’s off to the main stage we go for first band of the day, Wild Front who to be honest look a little scared to be there. After a sort of quiet start, the Hampshire lads get their rhythm and there are some full on dancing fans down the front.

Next on are West End Kids, an energetic musical troupe who buzz through hits from all the biggest stage shows, followed by the legendary kids comedy duo The Chuckle Brothers. Who can resist a bit of to-me-to-you with Paul and Baz (…and Tinchy Stryder)? The massive and rowdy crowd singing along with them is decidedly younger than they should be for long-time fans, I can only assume they’ve been hitting up youtube in preparation for the festival…

Rapper Lady Leshurr gives us a short but energetic set, after being over an hour late due to ‘traffic’ but dressed head to toe in camo and waxing lyrical about her weave and being from Birmingham, hit ‘Brush Your Teeth’ goes down a storm. Though she clearly doesn’t trust us – yelling “Has every single one of you brushed your teeth today?” “I feel like some of you are lying”. The Sugarhill Gang crowd-please with ‘Apache (Jump on It)’ and ‘Rapper’s Delight’ with Hen Dogg sporting epic double-denim and a rather fetching gold tipped cane.

Over on the Uncommon Stage Southampton crew Our Hollow, Our Home have drawn a big crowd, and Chris is jamming on the guitar in The People’s Front Room. Elsewhere the Jam Jar bar is packed with people sipping fancy martinis and the kids area is awash with laughter from the wonky bicycle trials.

Hometown band Signals pack out the Uncommon stage, as mermaid-haired frontwoman Ellie bounces about, we get a taste of the curiously named genre ‘math pop’. Ghostpoet is getting soulful on the main stage to a big crowd, and Gaz Coombes is rocking less of the Supergrass era sideburns and more of his second solo album ‘Matador’.

Public Enemy get the crowd moving with the likes of ‘Don’t Believe The Hype’ but it’s just not the same without clock-toting weirdo Flavor Flav who apparently wasn’t allowed to come for some reason – “F–kin governments. Flava flav can’t be here because of F–kin governments”. The kid in the front row wearing a PE tshirt and a bedside alarm clock around his neck is obviously devastated.

After a tasty dinner at one of CP’s many amazing food outlets (Soft-shell crab burger? Brie and Pear toastie? Truffled mushroom quesadilla?) we are ready to take on the night, and so are Primal Scream. Rocking an eye-offendingly bright pink blazer, frontman Bobby Gillespie lopes about the stage looking every bit the archetypal boho rockstar. It’s a great, powerful set from the band with new album Chaosmosis material hitting the mark. Over on the Uncontained Stage (read: rave station) Kurupt FM are winding up the absolutely rammed arena into a frenzy, there are bodies everywhere – it’s a mostly teenage rampage.

On the main stage, the much anticipated return of Southampton son Craig David has drawn practically everyone from around the site and it’s not without a touch of nostalgia that we’re singing along to hits ‘Fill Me In’ and ‘Re-Wind’. Though the TS5 moniker is largely being ignored, it is fun to hear him mixing in tracks from other artists and sampling some proper legendary stuff, but to be honest – we all just love a bit of him singing his own name over and over again. Ahh memories.

Check out our full Craig David review here!

SUNDAY

Sunday stacks up a bit cooler but everyone still seems to be rocking up in bright festival-attire, and the telltale signs of yesterday’s sunburn are found in every bald head or exposed shoulder today. Shrieks of mayhem are emanating from the behemoth bouncy castle and a quick peek inside is like looking at a candy-coloured warzone. Kids are tombstoning each other, toddlers are being skimmed within millimetres by their falling parents and the flip-police have no hope of stopping the teenagers intent on putting the maximum effort into possible neck-injury. It’s awesome.

Next door on the Uncommon Stage, Arid Wave are rocking everyone’s socks off, but it looks like Hercules Morse on the main stage have fallen foul of the Sunday hangover absentees – there just aren’t that many people here yet. M.E.R.C.Y. – Southampton Urban Collective take over the main stage in the absence of Xylaroo, with two of the most adorable… sorry, SICK, hiphop dancers Jamie and Jamal giving us proper attitude and a heap of up and coming artists alongside.

Later on, Mr. Motivator draws a massive but spacious crowd as young, old and anyone in-between are getting their groove on with the positively ageless Mr. M and his lovely wife. Sporting a dazzlingly terrible-yet-amazing lycra onesie he plugs in his jams and off he goes doing squat technique mixed with curious life coaching “If the grass is greener on the other side, you probably aren’t watering yours. No man's gonna water my grass”. Telling us we’re “Much better than Oxford” only serves to endear this living legend to us more, and with classic moves such as ‘drive the car’ and the possibly slightly inappropriate for a younger audience ‘whip the horse’ – what’s not to love?

Brighton scenesters The Magic Gang look like they’ve stepped right out of Empire Records and give us a good dose of proper melodic indie pop before Chas & Dave take to the stage (flat-cap mandatory) to tell us about those ‘London Girls’.

Now we brace ourselves for the powerhouse of unmentionably bad behaviour that is The Cuban Brothers. The CB’s are of course rocking a new set of crazy patterned suits for the occasion, throwing down headspins, flares and insane flips all over the shop, as Miguel assures parents that all of the rude things he says will go right over the kids’ heads. This would be fine, but there’s no way you can make those kids un-see him pretending to slam his willy into a microphone whilst wearing only a thong, now is there? That right there is seared into some young memories. Newest member One Erection almost smashes his teeth out doing a massive front tuck off the stage into the pit and gets thoroughly told off by security for hopping into the crowd. M.E.R.C.Y lads Jamie and Jamal are invited on stage to dance with the CB’s and their faces are absolutely priceless when the guys hit the stage in their holographic fringed jumpsuits. However they are visibly horrified when Miguel dons a pair of extremely skimpy Bjork-esque swan pants. ‘Mike For President’ is the only song I remember because there was so much happening. He gets my vote though.

Jamie Lawson’s ‘Wasn’t Expecting That’ has everyone up and singing in the sunshine – he even managed to get us to do a decent job of harmonizing, but it’s Katy B’s set that really lights the place up. Bathed in the setting sun her sequined dinosaur dress shimmers all over as she dances around the stage with her troupe, and the likes of  ‘Lights On’ and ‘Katy On A Mission’ has the arena jumping – especially when she doubles up the tempo. Chalk up another win for Southampton as Katy yells “Southampton, you are abosolutely smashing oxford right now I have to say”.

As the last of the daylight goes and the Helter Skelter and Big Wheel go neon, there’s just one more act to finish off what has been another amazing Common People festival, and it’s no small fry. Eighties synth-pop legends Duran Duran blow through a hit parade of absolute classics such as ‘Wild Boys’, ‘Hungry Like the Wolf’ and ‘Girls on Film’. With tributes to both David Bowie and Prince, it’s a special one and ending with anthem ‘Rio’ couldn’t be more fitting on the costa del Southampton. As the arena clears and the crowd spills out into the streets to head home, it’s obvious that once again CP has been a massive success, and it sounds like Oxford is loving the CP vibe too.

Read our full Duran Duran review here!

Just for Laughs Festival comes to London

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Just For Laughs London is a brand new festival experience, brought to you by the creators of the world's most famous comedy festival Just For Laughs in Montreal; the largest multi-venue comedy event in the world, attracting the greatest names and crème de la crème of comedy talent.

The original festival is both a desirable launch pad (kick-starting the careers of Rowan Atkinson, Jim Carrey, Adam Sandler, Louis CK and so many more), and a place for the globe's greatest joke slingers to flex their comedic muscles. With an eye firmly on the prize JFL are planning to take over the world with laughter and London is no exception; starting with Russell Square, destined to be the funniest place on the planet for 12 days in July. 

The centre of Russell Square will be open daily as a free festival of street performers, magicians and art installations. The Paradiso Spiegeltent and the UK's hottest new venue The Mix will play host to our festival hub ticketed shows and 900 capacity venue Logan Hall is just 2 minutes away, where our biggest names will be holding court.

JFL London is proud to announce Jim Jefferies as one of the amazing headliners. Jim is one of most sort after cult comedy tickets on the globe – with sell out arena shows over 4 continents.  Make sure you’re quick to get tickets as you can expect the ‘Bad Boy of Comedy’ to sell out within just hours of going on sale.

Jim is just one of many phenomenal comics making their way to JFL London. Bethnal Green's very own Gina Yashere is still making waves over in New York & LA; America’s Got Talent ‘loser’ Piff The Magic Dragon, now a nightly resident of The Flamingo Casino Hotel in Las Vegas, will be wowing us with his comedy, magic and levitating Chihuahua. And whilst on the subject of magic we welcome the Champions of Magic, a HUGE illusion show that will blow your mind and probably a few of the venue's light bulbs (NO SPOILERS).

 
Eddie The Eagle will only be performing in London this year at Just For Laughs festival on 22nd and 23rd July at The Mix, Russell Square. Eddie The Eagle Edwards is a unique British sporting hero. Expect a blizzard of hilarious anecdotes and a succession of soaring highs and bumpy landings: from worldwide fame to bankruptcy, through facial reconstruction and heartbreak, to being acclaimed as a National treasure and immortalised on the silver screen in a major feature film. His unique story of flying against-all-odds and turning failure into success shows what’s possible when you dare to follow your dream.
 
We're very excited for a WORLD EXCLUSIVE from Whose Line Is It Anyway? star Colin Mochrie. The most intriguing and craziest show at the festival: HYPROV. A brand new concept morphing hypnosis and improv where the unconscious inhibitions of a chosen few audience members (and Colin himself) will create a different and guaranteed hysterical show every night. Not to be missed. Add to all this a juggernaut of the best comedians, cabaret shows and kids activities – a huge first year to celebrate and the chance to meet the festival's pesky mascot Victor.

Throughout the 12 days you can also catch a brand new show from Milton Jones and see Marcus Brigstocke's topical news show The Early Edition. 

Alongside the comedy there is a plethora of musical shows taking place in our surrounding venues, just a chassé away.Sing along to the purely brilliant and uplifting A Night at The Musicals starring Le Gâteaux Chocolat & Johnny Woo or sing even louder to another set of legends: The Brand New Heavies. If you’d prefer a ‘quiet night in’ you can dance all night at the ORIGINAL Silent Disco.  Whatever you do, do not miss The Church who are destined for great things, it’s written in the scriptures!

There’s even more… with the always hilarious and topical Andrew Maxwell, the simply sublime Sammy J and Randy and kids shows including Annabelle's Skirting Board Adventure. So much to mention, so little time! With many more surprise guests and exclusive one off shows to be announced we hope this has whet your appetite.

The opening night Gala will be held at the Spiegeltent on Wednesday 13thJuly with proceeds from ticket sales donated to Great Ormond Street.

The line up includes; Miss Behave, Piff The Magic Dragon, Marcus Brigstocke, Andrew Maxwell, and more acts still to be announced
 
“With a smile and a laugh you can change the world”
Gilbert Rozon, CEO Just for Laughs

LISTINGS (MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED) 

Logan Hall – 20 Bedford Way, London, WC1H 0AL
13-15                                    Jim Jefferies               2 shows each day
16                                         Gina Yashere              2 shows
17–24                                   Champions of Magic    
17                                         Milton Jones
18-22                                    Special JFL Guests TBA
23                                         The Brand New Heavies        
24                                         JFL London Closing Gala
 
Spiegeltent– Russell Square
13 JFL LONDON OPENING GALA (not to be published)
14-17, 20-21                         HYPROV
14-17                                    Special JFL Guests TBA
15                                         Funz & Gamez
16                                         Funz & Gamez II
22-23                                    Special JFL Guests TBA
23                                         Andrew Maxwell
23-24                                    Early Edition with Marcus Brigstocke
 
The Mix – Russell Square
14                                         Keith Farnan
20-24                                    Sammy J and Randy
22-23                                    Eddie The Eagle
22                                         Glenn Wool
14-17 & 20/21 – 8.40pm       Piff The Magic Dragon
23                                         TBA
16/17/23 – 3pm                     Annabelle's Skirting Board Adventure
 
The Camden Centre– Euston Road, Kings Cross, WC1H 9JE
15/16         – 8pm                   The Church
18/19         – 7pm                   HYPROV
18/19         – 8.40pm              Piff the Magic Dragon
22-23                                     Night at the Musicals
15/16 & 22/23 – 10pm           Silent Disco

Lost Village 2016 Festival Review – a magical paradise

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Mix up a multitude of techno-hungry ravers, a plethora of incredible DJs and artists, a dash of gorgeous woodland surroundings and lashings of the most weird and wonderful experiences you’ll ever come across at a festival. What do you get? Lost Village, of course!

In only its second year, the dreamland of Moda Black’s Jaymo & Andy George took place deep in the Lincolnshire countryside, kicking off festival season in the most enchanting way possible. I’ve been to many a festival in my time, and nothing quite made me as excited as this. With the likes of Ben Klock, Fatboy Slim, Bicep and Eats Everything – to name just a few – it seemed we were in for a hell of a bank holiday weekend. And God, were we right.

As we arrive at Lost Village, we felt a sense of flair and passion for what we all love; a good old fashioned rave. Perfectly honed and crafted in such a magical way, we’re invited to this story book world, where our only worries are to grab a well-priced wine, have a dance and enjoy the experience. Friday’s line-up was bursting at the seams – we arrived early, seeing acts such as Huxley and PBR Streetgang intensely warming up the growing crowds at the smaller stages, whilst Doorly over at the main stage Burial Ground, blasting out tune after tune to a slow-burning crowd who grew bigger and bigger by the minute.

My heart fell to the ground when I realised Fatboy Slim and Ben Klock were on the same night – we all know that clashing panic. Luckily, Lost Village had timings to perfection – at half 9 we were able to see the iconic Fatboy Slim take to the decks – and yes, it was just as epic as you might imagine. You really do forget all the classics that he did – Right here, Right now was one of the most intense dances I have ever seen, with crowds literally bellowing out those four words at the top of their lungs, bursting into a dancing frenzy as it dropped. Crowd-pleaser Eat Sleep Rave Repeat literally saw everyone jump rhythmically in the air, creating a wave of raving fists in its path. It seemed everything – even Praise You, was a lot more electronic than we’d imagine, but everyone lapped it up either way. A brilliant vision and an amazing atmosphere, which left us enough time to run over to the master himself – Ben Klock.

Now, I’ve seen Ben Klock a fair few times, and he will never fail to amaze me. The fact Lost Village had this incredible act in such an enchanting setting was one of the most surreal experiences. The Abandoned Chapel (a quaint, church-like outdoor zone) was closed, so Klock was moved to the more intimate setting of the Forgotten Cabin – a techno haven, surrounding by trees, lamps and shed load of ravers. Klock is well-acquainted with commanding any crowd he comes across; his deep, dark and ruthless techno echoing into the woods with crowds begging for more. The music couldn’t go on much past 1am – after an unreal final set at The Lookout stage with Bicep – but the crowds back at the campsite didn’t let the party end until deep into the morning. A perfect close to an incredible first day.

Saturday brought an eclectic mix of acts to the forest; Artwork took over the Abandoned Chapel at 3pm, delivering a disco set with none-stop movement from the crowd – a nice change from the techno we’d be hearing everywhere else. The sun was beaming as Heidi took to the stage – you only have to experience one of her Jackathon events to know that she always delivers. It was wild, lively, and what can only be described as almost tropical, emphasising her place as one of the greatest female DJs we’ve had the pleasure of seeing.

The beauty of Lost Village isn’t just the music; it’s the experiences. One minute we’re in a comedy tent, the next we’re doing Yoga near a lake, the next we’re getting our face thwarted with glitter at the Illamasqua tent (a delightful addition). You wander through the woodland at 1am and meet people from all across the country, the festival empowering its ‘Good Vibes Only’ stance and bringing together people who are here purely to have the greatest time ever. There were characters at every corner, a haunting parade of old-fashioned, torch-grasping woodland dwellers marching through the forest, two life-size rats nibbling at people’s food and even a stunning contemporary dance of fairies by the Lake of Tranquility. Not to mention the food stalls from around the world, and quite frankly the greatest pulled pork burger I’ve ever experienced in my entire life. For a boutique festival, the experiences were larger than life.

As DC10 resident Jackmaster finished a happy yet hardcore set at the Burial Ground, we got to see the big man himself. Introduced as “One of the greatest DJs in the world”, Eats Everything played “absolute bangers” as the guy behind me screamed – and he was right. He knew how to get people on their feet, dancing, singing, blasting our crowd-pleasers and putting on insane build-up tunes that mad everyone lower to the ground and jump up at all once. Huge fireworks were blasting over at the lake, and it was a completely surreal time to be alive – just none-stop, perfect, fun times. This was something special.

As the hangovers started to kick in, Sunday’s vibe was a lot more relaxed; bands such as Vitamin and Formation provided a calm and enjoyable atmosphere at the Lookout to rival the thumping beats from Enzo Siragusa at the Forgotten Cabin, while ex-Coronation Street and Red Dwarf legend Craig Charles put on a soul-filled and funky set to a surprisingly massive crowd.

Roman Flugel played a calm, deep and dark techno set at the Cabin – naturally accompanied by a girl in the crowd climbing up to the top of a huge pole, sliding down to a crowd of screaming ravers. It was surreal and intense, but we wanted something a bit different – and we found it in the form of headliner Jack Garratt over at the main stage. For those who don’t know, Garratt is a multi-instrumentalist and singer, who plays live sets in the most incredible way. Everything was recorded then and there, his music completely enthralling the entire crowd who had left the techno behind to see him play. The talent this guy has is absolutely unbelievable, and such an incredible sight to see. It was a bit different, a bit dreamlike, and a bit unbelievable – and that definitely sums up Lost Village to a tee.  

I can’t begin to put into words what Lost Village was like – it was an experience you have to see to believe. Magical, mystical and everything but normal, it’s an adventure like no other – next year, anyone?

Slam Dunk 2016 Midlands Review

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On 29th May the Genting Arena in Birmingham opened up the doors for Slam Dunk Festival. Each year the SDF team promises to make the event bigger and better than before and with the Midlands venue being shifted from Wolverhampton Civic Halls following their refurbishment, to the far larger Genting Arena it’s set to be bigger and better for their 10th Anniversary.   

Initially, when entering the main arena it is jam-packed full of fans, various traders, band merchandise stalls and eateries. Once you finally managed to gather your bearings, there’s lots of talent on offer across the eight stages. 

Early starters Coldrain were set to take to the stage at 1:20pm but after waiting around it was announced that they wouldn’t be performing due to technical issues beyond their control so they had to cancel their performance and quite a crowd had gather to watch the band open up the Atlas stage.  

Next up on the Atlas stage were the boys in The Word Alive

Set list: 
Dreamer
Face To Face
Made This Way
Lighthouse
Grunge
Trapped
Life Cycles

 

Then it was a mad dash over to the Main Stage for Young Guns lucky enough I made it with five minutes to spare before they took to the stage.  They kicked things off with “ Daughter Of The Sea” followed by “Speaking In Tongues” which had the arena in one massive sing-a-long. Their set was full of high energy and you could see why they were part of the main stage bill.

Set list: 
Daughter Of The Sea
Speaking In Tongues
Bulletproof
Rising Up
Winter Kiss
Brother In Arms
Bones
I Want Out

Next were indie rockers Mayday Parade, their set offered uplifting speeches and infectious energy contrasting with the songs we all had featured on our MySpace pages back in the day. The band set nostalgic memories across the room as the fans dance and sang along to every word. 

Set list:

One Of Them Will Destroy The Other
Jamie All Over
When You See My Friends
Keep In Mind, Transmogrification Is A New Technology
Three Cheers For Five Years
Hallow
Oh Well, Oh Well
Black Cat
Jersey

We Came As Romans came out strong on to the Atlas stage with heavy riffs and even seen Kyle Pavone get in with the crowd to mix things up abit.
Once again another mad dash over to The Key Club Stage to see As It Is. I’ve seen this band previously and they never fail to put on a good performance with high energy and antics. The room was full and so was the photo pit, it was all very tight squeeze. From the word GO! The room was bouncing and people were crowd surfing their little pop-punk hearts out, we even got to see Alex Costello of Roam join the lads on stage for “Cheap Shots & Set Backs”.

Set list: 

Concrete
Cheap Shots & Set Backs (with Alex Costello of Roam)
Can’t Save Myself
Horoscopes
Silence (Pretending’s So Comfortable)
Winter’s Weather
Speak Soft
Sorry
Dial Tones

Another nostalgic moment was up next on the Main Stage with Yellowcard playing their album Ocean Avenue in full but not with minor set backs with equipment not working, it seemed a few bands were having technical difficulties over the weekend but lucky enough stand in drummer Rib Chianelli from We Are The In Crowd managed to fix the issue and get the show on the road with the crowd erupting from start to finish while the band bounces from side to side like ping pong balls on stage.

The Amity Affliction

Set list:
I Bring The Weather With Me (Live Debut)
Open Letter
Lost & Fading 
The Weigh Down
Death’s Hand
Pittsburgh
Don’t Lean On Me

Mallory Knox never seen to disappoint their fans. The stage lighting was dark tonal shades of blue and green, highlighted with the well know MK logo creating atmospheric silhouettes.

Set list: 

Beggars
Wolves
Wake Up
Hello
1949
Ghost In The Mirror
Death Rattle
Creeper / Oceans
Lighthouse

New Found Glory were set to take to the main stage next and I’ve got to say no matter what venue they play they always get the crowd hyped up with there influential back catalogue showcasing that Pop-Punk is not dead. 

Set list:

Hit Or Miss
Understatement
Selfless
All Downhill from here
Truth Of My Youth
Resurrection
Listen To Your Friends
Ready, Aim, Fire!
Ready & Willing
Kiss Me (cover)
Situations
Dressed To Kill
Vicious Love
The Promise – (requested by a fan)
Forget My Name
Head On Collision
Sonny
My Friend’s Over You

Finally the one of the main bands people were waiting to see where finally about to take to the stage. Panic! At The Disco for me stole the show, being easily the best of the night. You wouldn’t of thought that the band had already played a show earlier that day in Exeter with the amount of energy and showmanship on display even though Brendan announced to the room he was “totally fucked” before lying down on the floor. Urie is one of the world’s true showmen as he changes his attitude, persona throughout the set to fit the tracks he’s playing. He also showed off his vocal range and high-notes with a mind-blowing cover of Bohemian Rhapsody and fire erupts from cannons and a confetti explosion ends the event in style.

Happy 10th Anniversary to Slam Dunk Festival"

T in the Park announce stage splits for 2016

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With just over 5 weeks to go until the biggest party of the summer, T in the Parkfestival organisers DF Concerts and founding partner Tennent’s Lager today revealed the stage splits ahead of this year’s festival, to help T in the Parkers prepare for a weekend of enjoying the best music around, creating memories with friends old and new, and experiencing the magic of T in the Park.
 
 
Also announced today were the exciting additions of Izzy Bizu, The Telermen, The Lapelles and Hey! Hello! to the T in the Park bill, joining headliners The Stone Roses, Calvin Harris, Red Hot Chili Peppers plus Disclosure, Courteeners, The 1975, Chase & Status, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Jess Glynne amongst many others at Strathallan Castle across 8th – 10th July.
 
Singer-songwriter, Izzy Bizu can count Sam Smith, Rudimental, Foxes and Jamie Cullum amongst fans, having supported said artists on UK tours as well as securing a coveted spot on the Brits Critics’ Choice award shortlist and the BBC Sound of… 2016 longlist. Her soul, funk, jazz and pop fusion is sure to go down a treat when she performs on the T Break Stage at T in the Park.
 
Glasgow-bred, indie-rock quartet, The Telermen, recently released their debut EP, “Organic”. The band features Dillon Squire (lead vocals, rhythm and lead guitar) whose father, guitarist John Squire, will headline T in the Park on Friday 8th July with The Stone Roses. With festival-worthy tunes including “I’m a Liar”, “Lonely Mind” and “Trust You” they will rock the T Break Stage this summer.
 
Having supported fellow T in the Park act The Last Shadow Puppets last night in Newcastle, and also joining Turner and Kane this evening for their Leicester show, Scottish five-piece The Lapelles are on the rise. Recently released track, “Grab Life By” was hailed by NME as possessing the “youthful swagger of Catfish and the Bottlemen”, with national airplay also secured from Radio X – catch them on the T Break Stage on Sunday 10th July.
 
Hey! Hello! are an international power-pop band formed by English singer-songwriter Ginger Wildheart. The band’s single “How I Survived The Punk Wars” was championed by Guns ‘n’ Roses’ Duff McKagan who commented in his Seattle weekly blog that the track was “perhaps the best and most real punk rock song in a long, long time. It actually stunned me”. They’ll bring their melodic tunes to T in the Park this summer.
 
Tickets for T in the Park 2016 are on sale now from www.tinthepark.com and remain at the same price for a fourth year running. T in the Park’s home Strathallan Castle is centrally located in the heart of the beautiful Perthshire countryside, approximately one hour away from both Edinburgh and Glasgow. Lying on an estate sprawling a massive 1000 acres, surrounded by beautiful woodland, the site has expanded for 2016 with the Main Arena now a quarter bigger in size and the campsite increasing by a larger amount.