The Temper Trap, British Sea Power and more announced for Truck Festival 2012

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THE TEMPER TRAP, BRITISH SEA POWER, THE LOW ANTHEM, GUILLEMOTS, KING CHARLES, THREE TRAPPED TIGERS, LITTLE COMETS and more will join the already-announced MYSTERY JETS, VILLAGERS, 65 DAYS OF STATIC and GET CAPE. WEAR CAPE. FLY! amongst many more on the bill for this year's Truck Festival! 
 
Here's new Truck organiser Ralph Broadbent: "I think this line-up captures the spirit of Truck over the last 15 years – everything that's great about music all in one place, with some of the most creative and independent acts out there, and at £69 for the weekend, it's really affordable!" 
 
We hope you'll agree, this is as good a selection as you'll see anywhere trooping in for Truck's 15th Anniversary on July 20th & 21st at Hill Farm, Steventon. Early Bird tickets have sold out but Weekend tickets are indeed still only £69; they are available now at www.truckfestival.com.
 
THE TEMPER TRAP
Closing the main stage on the Saturday will be The Temper Trap; these Australians sport an international Top 10 hit single, Sweet Disposition, and a 2011 BRIT Award nomination for 'Best International Breakthrough Artist'; this year they're following up that breakthrough with a much-anticipated new album, ‘The Temper Trap’. The new album was recorded at the famed Sound Factory in Los Angeles, with producer Tony Hoffer (Beck, M83,Phoenix) and we look forward to seeing their ambitious live show on the back of a truck…
 
British Sea PowerBRITISH SEA POWER
It's an amazingly long time since BSP graced Hill Farm, which is surprising because they are almost the perfect band for the festival. In an unrelated comment, frontman Yan recently claimed: “I was a big fan of World’s Toughest Trucker on UK Channel 5, which finished a couple weeks ago – especially old dog Rookie who came third. You can probably still see it via the Watch It Again M8! function?” Perhaps he's cryptically expressing his excitement to be back playing at Truck Festival. We'd better do a risk assessment for use of twigs and branches on the stage…
 
Oh my God, THE LOW ANTHEM!
We are delighted to add this talented and creative band; they embody the DIY spirit of Truck Festival, self-releasing their break-out 3rd album "Oh, My God, Charlie Darwin", screen-printing the covers themselves and heading out on the road to promote it. Last year, as well as following up with "Smart Flesh", produced by Mike Mogis of Bright Eyes, they dished out a free album for fans under the alter-ego "Snake Wagon". The epic sweep and rustic roots of their music will sound great on the back of a truck at Hill Farm, that is for sure!
 
GUILLEMOTS
Fyfe Dangerfield & co recently played instore at Truck Store and mentioned that they had somehow never played Truck Festival, and the new organisers instantly moved to correct that! As well as having mass appeal and hit albums, the band are constantly evolving and putting out interesting music, which makes them a perfect band for Truck too. Drummer Greig Stewart has close links with the Oxford area so we're glad to welcome him along to Truck to play – finally!
And that’s not all:
 
KING CHARLES has toured with Mumford & Sons, Noah & the Whale and Laura Marling, but has a style and bohemian panache all of his own, "part of that tradition of uniquely English, psych-inflected pastoral whimsy", and our scouts saw it for themselves at a recent Oxford show. His debut album comes out in May. We also welcome VADOINMESSICO, an elusive collective from London with accordions, harmonies, and even a remix by Crystal Fighters. Mysterious! and FEDERATION OF THE DISCO PIMP: Maybe you've listened to ex-Red Dwarf man Craig Charles' funk show on 6 Music, in which case you'll have heard these guys: Scotland’s premier exponents of modern funk, alright! and this just in: LITTLE COMETS will be bringing their hard-touring guerilla-gigging bandwagon all the way from Tyneside, for one night in July!
 
The much-requested London noise-rockers THREE TRAPPED TIGERS will be closing the Barn on Saturday which will doubtless be a very special occasion. Before them, just in case you missed it, we have announced the line up for the Alcopop Records and Big Scary Monsters takeover (4-9pm Saturday, The Barn). They will be bringing with them: JOHNNY FOREIGNER, TALL SHIPS, BRONTIDE, TALONS, GUNNING FOR TAMAR & MY FIRST TOOTH. Sweeeeet! These labels, and bands, represent what the Barn stage is all about and no doubt the famous cowshed will be heaving throughout!
 
Of course, there are many more artists still to be added, including many local acts; we are accepting BAND SUBMISSIONS until 1st April 2012. After this date, no further submissions will be considered. To apply, bands can send an email with links to 2-3 recordings on Soundcloud or Youtube to: [email protected]. We ask them not to send MP3s or other audio files or large photos as attachments (these clog the inbox), and please don’t try to send us physical packages- we haven’t got anywhere to put them!
 
We've also launched a new website with all kinds of information about the festival at  www.truckfestival.com.  Tickets can be purchased there for this year's 15th Anniversary back-to-basics truckstravaganza! Tickets are also on sale at Truck Store, Oxford and will soon also be available at Remade Guitars, Abingdon.

Roots Manuva, Scroobius Pip and more added to Play Fest 2012

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Joining Ash, Pigeon Detectives and some amazing unsigned talent on the Main Stage, is the leading light and unmistakable face of the UK’s spoken word scene, Scroobius Pip. Taking a side step from his duo collaboration with Dan Le Sac, his Play Fest appearance will focus on his recent solo album, Distraction Piece. Be prepared for some clever and crafty prose, with insightful, thought provoking political observations and a killer bassline! Joining Pip on the Main Stage for Sunday evening is UK sunshine reggae maestro, Natty. Pulling from a variety of influences from South Africa, Italy and the UK, his style moves effortlessly from Reggae to West African Horns mixing in a fresh take on popular songs such as Armand Van Helden’s “You Don't Know Me”. Having reached both critical and popular success Play Fest are jumping for joy at the thought of seeing in the Sunday evening with Natty’s feel good summertime vibes! Another addition to the main stage bill for the Saturday evening will be North East four-piece Little Comets, their blend of tricky percussive rhythms and Afro-beat-tinged guitars has seen them labelled as the British Vampire Weekend and perfect to ease you into Play Fest’s Saturday evening!

Saturday on the Big Top Stage welcomes a very special guest, a man who needs no introduction; UK Hip-Hop supremeo, Roots Manuva who brings his mix of dub, ragga and trip-hop style to the Play Fest fields, a MOBO award winner and Mercury prize nominee, Roots Manuva has effortless charm and delivers an engaging stage show. Other acts newly confirmed for the Big Top include, Federation of the Disco Pimp, Rory McVicar and Boat to Row. These are all set to snuggle up on the Big Top bill next to the likes of the awesome electro-swing gods The Correspondents , local troubadours Killamonjambo and many more…

Roots Manua

Play Fest can also reveal some acts for the main Dance Stage, curated by Norwich's leading electronic club night, POW! Where the best in up front electronic music can be found from some of the biggest names in the industry, alongside some world-famous party starters! The bill so far is looking pretty meaty, with; Toddla T, Shy FX, Jaymo & Andy George, Zinc, Rattus Rattus & Klose One (Urban Nerds), DJ Andy H, DJ@WAR, DJ Cable (DMC Champ), POW! Party Boys, Attack Yourself!, Joshua Roberts and Get Low Cartel.

Finally, it’s time to introduce Play Fest’s very own naughty corner… The Asylum stage! This is a place to fully expect the unexpected, to let your hair down and get involved in the mayhem. A spectacular mix of solo artists and bands will grace the stage during daylight hours, then as night falls, prepare for some crazy shenanigans at this late night live music venue, where some of the hottest music acts and cabaret performances from the local and UK music scene will be rocking the night away! Including; Double Drop, Sam & The Womp, The Vagaband, Feral Mouth, Swingball, Poppy Perezz, The Harvs, Cielo, Kodeta, Josh Doughty, Nimmo & The Gauntlets, Eliza Shaddad, Slightly Offensive Steve, Andy Kirkham, The Woodland Creatures, Scott Wright.

Although the bulk of the line up is now announced, the big-hearted folk at Play Fest HQ still have a few tricks up their sleeves and are still to announce the Main Stage Sunday headliner and support, along with the dance arena Sunday headliner and a sprinkling of other gems still to add to the bill. Watch this space Play Mates!

Gottwood Festival 2012 lineup revealed

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The line up is already causing a stir with many names having already been leaked, with special guests to be announced in the coming months.

TIGER & WOODS // DINKY // MOSCA // MOVE D // GROJ // THE CORRESPONDENTS (LIVE) // HUXLEY // ED SOLO // MR WOODNOTE & LIL RHYS // TRISTAN DA CUNHA // WILDKATS // APPLEBLIM // ARKIST    +SPECIAL GUESTS TO BE ANNOUNCED

2 BIT THUGS // AARTEKT (LIVE) // ALEX JONES // ASHLEY WILD // AUTOPHASE // BRINSLEY KAZAK // BRUNO SCHMIDT // CASINO TIMES // CATCH 23 // CEDRIC MAISON // CHARLIE BANKS // CHIMPO // eLDOKO // GREYMATTER // GYGO // HESSELTIME // JOHN MALCOLM MOORE // JOSH T // MATT ROACH // NICK LAWSON // PICTURE HOUSE // PUCA // THE PUSHAMANN // RICH REASON // RIZ MC // STRATEGY // THE OTHER TRIBE (LIVE) // TOM FRANK // THE WILD KNIGHTS // TRISTAN DA CUNHA // ZOO LOOK // ZUMO

AMBITUR // ANTAGONIST // ARLO & JACK // BOWEN FT. AGGY // BUTLER & MURT // CROZ // CLERICAL MASS // CUBIQ // DAN NEO // ED MACKIE // ED STEELE & KOSTAS G // EOIN THOMAS // FAMOUS BY FIVE // GED LEVER // GUY RICHARDS // HANNAH HAMMOND // JARVIS & DEAN // JIGSAW // JOHN MARSHALL // JOHNNY DUB // JONNA & ARTHUR JNR // KYDRO // LEADBELLY // LEON RILEY // MR SOLID GOLD // OPTIMUS // REAL NICE // ROGER LI // SHARKBAIT // SPARKS // STE-V-SOMETHING // SWAY 2 // T-MAN // TEN STORY // THICK AS THIEVES // TOSH OHTA // YOGHURT WARRIORS // DAN JORDAN // THOMAS FC RIDDIM // VOYEUR + MORE TBC

Returning to its lush and enchanting deep forest location (or as DJ Mag penned: the "magically decorated rave forest") in idyllic Anglesey, Gottwood is the festival for the musically experimental and open-minded. Serving up the most exciting talent from across the electronic music spectrum, last year saw the likes of Jamie XX, Lee Foss, Max Cooper, Midland, The Correspondents, Round Table Knights (and many more) experiment with an eclectic mix of the best of all genres of electronic dance music, mashing house, techno, drum & bass, dubstep, hip-hop, garage and more, and feeding it to the eager ears of over a thousand Gottwood Festival goers. And there's more Gottwood have promised a secret mystery guest this year that will not disappoint!

Incorporating a variety of diverse festival treats and with intricate attention to detail, Gottwood offers a truly unique and intimate festival experience worthy of its position in the Daily Telegraph's Top 100 UK Festivals list. Gottwood 2011 further cemented it as the electronic music festival not to be missed, and featured in The Sunday Times "Definitive Guide to the 100 Best Music Festivals".

Gottwood's success in its sophomore year has attracted some of the UK's finest promoters, including Tief, Krankbrother, Louche, Hypercolour, We Are Your Friends, Finger Lickin' Management, White Mink, Hit & Run, Absentminds, idiosync, & Pelski.

This year also sees Gottwood unlocking the gates to two previously inaccessible areas: a luscious walled garden to tantalise your optic nerves and most excitingly, the swathing lakes on the site will now be opened for a very special Sunday event… cue bikini-clad ravers and bombing galore. Gottwood veterans will recall the gorgeous coastlines within a 15 minute walk that earned the North Wales coast Lonely Planet's "Greatest Region on Earth 2012" accolade.

Early bird tickets have already run out, so attendees will have to move quickly as capacity has been limited to just 1500 this year to keep the intimacy that helped to make the first two years such a success.

If you can't wait until June, Gottwood will host a very special night at second home Basing House on Friday 23rd March with the awesome Fantastic Mr Fox, Arkist & Medlam heading the bill.

Stevie Wonder to headline Bestival 2012

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

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

 

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

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

All The Acts Announced So far:

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

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

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

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

EXIT Festival announce Plan B, Avicii and more!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Need more insight?

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

LMFAO

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Sven Väth set for Cocoon in the Park 2012

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

Another dirty dozen bands added to Download Festival 2012

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

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

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

Paul Simon Confirmed to headline Hard Rock Calling 2012

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

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

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

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

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

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

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