Looking for the latest lineup, date, ticket information or latest news about your favourite festivals, look no further. Summer Festival Guide’s Festival News section covers all your needs!
London’s Finsbury Park will once again play host to some of the biggest artists on the planet as the lineup for Wireless was released. Taking place across the weekend from the 3rd July to 5th July 2020, this is bound to be a sellout so get your tickets fast!
Medusa Festival once again becomes a pop up beach city from August 5th to 10th 2020, when 60,000 people a day descend on Playa De Cullera to party under a hot sun to sounds provided by techno names such as Carl Cox, Loco Dice, Nina Kraviz, Oscar Mulero, Marco Carola, Andrea Oliva, plus EDM giants Martin Garrix, Steve Aoki, Nicky Romero, Timmy Trumpet, Dash Berlin, Nervo, Paul van Dyk, Morten and many more. This is a spectacular three day festival starts with two days of pre-parties and the whole thing is guaranteed to awaken inner feelings and bring wild illusions to life in a production full of fantasy and mythical creatures.
2020 marks the seventh edition of this unique festival, and this year it goes under the theme of Circus of Madness because the whole site becomes a city full of magic, light and color a few meters from the sea on the gorgeous Playa De Cullera in Spain, a long expanse of beach palm trees and mountain views all making it a real paradise.
Known for the most huge and magical stage designs, mesmeric lighting and next level pyrotechnic and visual shows anywhere in the world, there are five stages in all, one of them inside a beach club with a swimming pool.
The festival also offers six days of camping for 12000 attendees in the pop up campsite it builds, complete with all amenities and plenty of extra activities to keep people entertained around the clock. This includes fun fair rides, food and drink, water sports, chill out areas, shishas, a pool to float about in, and much more including VIP and ULTRA VIP areas.
The line-up for this sun kissed getaway include techno and house superstars from across the spectrum such as Ibiza king Carl Cox, chunky techno star Loco Dice, Trip boss and acid techno icon Nina Kraviz, Spanish titan Oscar Mulero as well as Italian hero Marco Carola and White Isle favourite Andrea Oliva plus chart topping US hitmaker Fisher.
As well as this there are plenty of big time EDM headliners and DJ Mag Top 100 poll winners such as Martin Garrix, Dash Berlin, Orjan Nilsen, Paul Van Dyk, Steve Aoki, Timmy Trumpet, Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano, American star Morten and Australian duo Nervo who bring plenty of maximal club sounds.
This is an unmissable beach festival and the 2020 edition is set to be the best yet.
The Noisily Team have been working tirelessly to program the very best electronic music for 2020, and are excited to share their first wave of headliners and brand spanking new artwork, ahead of the main January release.
Noisily Festival of Music & Arts has unveiled its full line up with names such as OC Verde, Nanoplex, Adrien Sherwood, Ulterior Motive, Culprate, Dirty Doering and many more all playing next to the already announced likes of DJ Storm, Goldie, Gregor Tresher, Gaudi, Layo & Bushwacka and plenty of others.
These latest names bring the cutting edge of house and techno to the party with OC & Verde. This pair have had plenty of support from tastemakers like Pete Tong who announced them as ‘New Names’ and they are joined by legendary dub pioneer and studio wizard Adrian Sherwood who brings dark, punk and raw aesthetics to everything he touches. Add in a special b2b between Andreas Henneberg and Beth Lydi, Liquid Soul and tens more and you have a broad spectrum of sound that coves all essential bases.
Noisily is well loved for celebrating the individual, cultivating understanding in the collective, and exploring what it means to be human via the mediums of music, art and healing. The friendly and intimate gathering all unfolds in secluded woods at a unique site that welcomes 6,000 likeminded people across three main stages and a number of smaller satellite venues throughout the woods.
There are also interactive art installations all around the site, and in 2020 the theme is ‘We Are Nature’, wherein all artists have been encouraged to keep our fragile environment at the centre of their planning and production. Beyond the music you can explore a Mind Body Soul healing area which is a holistic space where hundreds of contributors come together to share knowledge and skills with the guests, including a full program of panels and talks, yoga and bodywork, therapies, workshops, sound healing, hot tubs and everything in between.
The countdown is now on to the most exciting and accomplished Noisily yet.
Are you a BLOODSTOCK regular? Perhaps you’re thinking of coming for the first time, or you’ve tested the waters before with a day ticket just to see what you think? BLOODSTOCK weekend ticket holders don’t just get three days of heavy metal glory, they get four! While day tickets can be purchased closer to the event for Friday, Saturday, and/or Sunday, BLOODSTOCK starts the party on Thursday, exclusively for weekend ticket holders! Get your tent pitched, grab your mates, and head over to the Planet Rock presents…Sophie Lancaster stage for a jam-packed evening of heavy metal fun.
Back in December, BLOODSTOCK revealed that Swedish hard rockers THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA are set to headline Thursday’s opening night party. The Nuclear Blast-signed band, who feature members of Soilwork and Arch Enemy in their ranks, are promising new songs in 2020, but meanwhile, check out ‘This Time’ from current release, ‘Sometimes The World Ain’t Enough’ here.
BLOODSTOCK is thrilled to announce that they’ll be joined on the bill by these four bands…
Firstly, the irrepressible goblin kings, NEKROGOBLIKON. Hailing from California, the group released latest album ‘Welcome To Bonkers’ in 2018, featuring the track ‘Dressed As Goblins’ – watch the video for it here. If that’s not enough goblin for you, browse the rest of their Nekrogoblitude, and if you want to dress up especially for their set, who are we to stop you?! Be sure to get your photo snapped by our roving official photographers if you do!
Northern Irish death/doom merchants THE CRAWLING are also added to Thursday’s line-up. Citing influences such as Paradise Lost, Marduk, Katatonia, and Bolt Thrower, this stripped back, dark three piece will bring all the heavy. Get familiar via the video for ‘Still No Sun’ here, taken from their album ‘Wolves And The Hideous White’.
Derby-based grind squad RAISED BY OWLS are looking forward to adding their brand of extreme metal to Thursday’s headbangin’ shenanigans, promising a no-holds-barred aural assault with a hefty dose of sardonic humour. You only have to check out the video for their Christmas charity single ‘The Santanist’ here (proceeds going to the Sophie Lancaster Foundation), to get a flavour of what’s in store.
Also joining the fray, are last year’s Bournemouth Metal 2 The Masses victors ANAKIM, offering up a choice blend of progressive black/death metal to get your weekend started. Check out that live set, including the single ‘Born Of The Serpents Tongue’, filmed at BLOODSTOCK, here. Their album, ‘Monuments To Departed Worlds’, is out now.
And that’s just the bands! There’s a host of other entertainment planned too, sure to kick off your weekend in glorious style. Don’t miss out!
Unsure what to expect? Watch a trailer all about BLOODSTOCK here.
BLOODSTOCK’s 2020 main stage headliners are DEVIN TOWNSEND (Friday), BEHEMOTH (Saturday), and JUDAS PRIEST (Sunday). The festival also welcomes HATEBREED, PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS, SKINDRED, PARADISE LOST, LIFE OF AGONY, BURY TOMORROW, BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, DIAMOND HEAD, JINJER, VIO-LENCE, SACRED REICH, GLORYHAMMER, DARK TRANQUILLITY, BUTCHER BABIES, CATTLE DECAPITATION, BLOODYWOOD, MEMORIAM, RAMAGE INC, GREEN LUNG, BOSSK, CONJURER, ORANGE GOBLIN, THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA, UNLEASH THE ARCHERS, SAXON, SYLOSIS, TOXIC HOLOCAUST, NECTOR, WINTERFYLLETH, & EXHUMED so far. Many more bands performing over the weekend are still to be announced!
Retro Events will team up with JBM Music this summer to host a very special outdoor festival at Burnley’s Towneley Park, bringing together an incredible line-up alongside huge 90s brand ‘90s Baby’. The massive 10 hour party, taking place on Saturday 4th July, will see a gigantic billing of artists spread across several genres perform across three huge stages, with ‘Retro In The Park’ marking Retro’s first ever Burnley festival.
Bringing both ‘Retro’ and ‘90s Baby’ back, and much bigger than ever before, the latest brainchild of events juggernauts JBM Music will combine the largest array of talent from the North West with a carefully curated ensemble of the world’s most popular acts and local superstars. The festival will follow a trilogy of huge ‘Retro’ shows at Manchester’s Albert Hall in recent times, with the event series surging in popularity thanks to the stunning production level of the parties, and insane line-ups.
With ‘Retro In The Park’ providing no exception to the rule, Ibiza legend Roger Sanchez will spearhead proceedings in Arena 1, fresh from another season on the sunset strip with a series of summer performances at Balearic institution Cafe Mambo. The ‘Another Chance’ producer will be joined by a huge (TBA) headliner, in addition to further sets from Graeme Park, Cream resident Tall Paul, Paul Taylor, James Semphie and Matty Robinson.
With 90s Baby invading Arena 2 at the festival, nostalgia lovers and party people alike can expect to hear a flurry of the biggest anthems from yesteryear as Scottish electronic act Nightcrawlers (‘Push The Feeling On’) headline an eclectic billing which will also herald eagerly anticipated live performances from one of the biggest selling dance acts of the 90s – N-Trance – and chart-topping vocalist Sonique, the mastermind behind UK number #1 single ‘It Feels So Good’. With further performances across the day from Technotronic (MC Eric), and electronic collective K-Klass, the Arena is already shaping up to be one of the most in-demand areas of the festival, as Alex Party, JX, Happy Clappers, Katherine Ellis, Nick Coulson and Mark Johnstone round off a simply sensational roll call.
Transporting party-goers back to an era filled with timeless hands-in-the-air anthems in Arena 3’s ‘Angels Reunion’ takeover, a true feel-good celebration of music will be led by the sounds of Stu Allen, with Rob Tissera and Matt Bell also on hand to place a firm emphasis on a care-free evening of unmatched euphoria. Bringing a special selection of guests, including Grant Holmes, Marc Mackender, Liam Boult and Mick Clarke, this arena will ensure the raucous crowd reach fever pitch levels of excitement to round off what is truly shaping up as one of summer 2020’s most unmissable events.
With JBM Music booking 328 artists – (and bringing over 53,000 attendees) – over the course of 64 events in 7 different cities during 2019, the rapidly evolving company continue to dominate the scene, bringing 7 new festivals to the UK throughout 2020. To grab tickets to the inaugural edition of Retro In The Park – be sure to sign up via this link.
Motion are returning to the great outdoors on the early May bank holiday weekend for their first ever two day festival edition of YARD: Open Air Club! Bringing the venue’s outdoor spaces to life once again for the 4th year running and following last year’s sell out instalments, the 2020 edition of the event will be Motion’s most ambitious to date.
To signify the occasion, the team behind DJ Mag’s #11 club in the worldhave booked an all-star cast of House, Techno & Disco stalwarts to join them in the Bristol sunshine for what is looking set to be another standout affair in the south west’s clubbing calendar. Taking place from 1pm-10pm on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th May, 6,000 party-goers are due to descend on Motion’s industrial complex for two all-day sessions spanning across three unique open-air stages.
Day 1 of the festival sees We Are The Brave boss Alan Fitzpatrick return to the city to head up the 2000 capacity Container Yard alongside a highly anticipated live show from Bristol favourites Dense & Pika and DJ sets from two of the scenes most reputable new talents BEC and Franky Wah. Over in the 600 capacity Crane Yard, revellers will be treated to a live show from KiNK, who’ll be showcasing his notorious melodic wizardries alongsideone of the most consistent tech-house producers in the game,Dennis Cruz, as well as a DJ set fromeclectic house duo Acid Mondays.Over in the more intimate riverside Lock Yard, founder of the esteemed Life and Death imprint DJ Tenniswill play a one-off 5-hour set.
Rolling into day 2, Denis Sulta takes over the Container Yard with his signature sound of chaotic cuts and euphoric energy.Always in good company, the Glaswegian will be joined by spirited selector Palms Trax, genre-spanning artist Jennifer Cardini and resident of Parisian dance music institution Concrete, Leo Pol who’ll be performing live. In Dust We Trust label bosses and brothers Chaos In The CBD head up the Crane Yard alongside Eclair Fifi for a dose of freestyle House andeverything in between,not forgetting Baba Stiltz who’ll also be on hand with a collection of Disco tinged burners.Over in the Lock Yard, Dusky will be chopping and sliding between melodic House, Detroit Techno and more experimental forms for a rare all day long set and if their infamous ‘Take A Trip’ mixes are anything to go by, this spectacle is worth buying a ticket for on its own.
YARD: Open Air Club is a stellar showcase of established and emerging talent from the global electronic scene. Marking the early May bank holiday in true Motion style with a stacked bill of multi-dimensional artists, tickets are expected to fly out for this one.
Sustainability will also be a strong focal point throughout the festival. Eco-friendly initiatives including reusable cups, canned water and vegan food offerings will be available throughout to keep party-goers’ shakedown in the sunshine guilt-free!
JBM Events are back with another mouthwatering run of events that features parties in Manchester, Newcastle, London, Leeds, Burnley, Hastings and Milton Keynes. Each one features a tasteful mix of headliners from the vanguard of house, disco and techno such as Craig David, Shaggy, Toots & Maytals, Floorplan, Danny Krivit, Francois K, Pleasurekraft, Craig David Presents TS5, Roger Sanchez, Low Steppa, Crazy P, Todd Terry, Artwork, Pan Pot, Spectre, Mark Knight, DJ Rush, Cafe Mambo, Green Velvet, Do Not Sleep, Retro, Paula Temple and Imogen, with the world famous Retro and specially themed 90s and reggae nights also included featuring Toots and The Maytals, Aswad, David Rodigan and more.
In only one year, Jorge Meehan and Brian Murphy’s JBM Events have established themselves as one of the country’s foremost party promoters and draw on over 20 years of experience of hosting events. Last year alone they booked 328 artists, hosted 64 events, had 53,298 attendees, held music shows and festivals in seven different UK cities and was nominated as ‘Best Large Club Promoter’ in Skiddle’s 18th Birthday Awards. In 2020 the company’s festival count exceeds 20 with the hope to attract over 120,000 attendees this year alone not to mention booking over 150 music events across the country.
Each event they host is focussed on getting the details right, so you can always be sure that the mesmeric lights, epic sound systems and close knit atmospheres are unlike any other you have experienced. They take place in leading venues up and down the country and deal with the most assured and iconic brands, DJs, labels and artists in dance music. The latest schedule is another bold statement of intent that covers plenty of the electronic spectrum and with the launch of seven new festivals will take their festival count past the 20 mark.
On Feb 8th Haus 22 host Detroit royalty in pioneering house and techno pair Floorplan aka father and daughter duo Robert and Lyric Hood at underground cavern Gorilla. The same venue on the 22nd is another special Haus 22 event as Pleasurekraft, Spektre and OC & Verde stop by as part of their UK cosmic techno tour.
On February 28th at Hidden, Haus 22 host again with Augmented, this time with a three hour set from Chicago’s hard techno don DJ Rush, and the same night sees Augmented present an all night long set at Joshua Brooks from Toolroom label boss and global house ambassador Mark Knight. As well as La Discotheque with Body and Soul pair Danny Krivit b2b Francois K, Artwork, Crazy P, and Jamie 3:26 at Albert Hall, and 90s Baby at The Steel Yard in London. February also includes chart topping house talent Low Steppa presenting Boiling Point at intimate Newcastle space World Headquarters.
Drum & bass fans will be counting down to Playaz Manchester at Albert Hall on the 6th with key talents DJ Hype, Hazard, Problem Central, Watch The Ride, Sub Zero, Annix and many more all bringing a wide sphere of sound. The same venues welcomes some Balearic bliss and years of dance heritage when Cafe Mambo host on March 7th with Riton, Weiss and Tough Love, and Low Steppa’s Boiling Room then lands at HiFi Club in Leeds on the 13th.
Do Not Sleep is the edgiest night in house music with a key party in Ibiza, and on March 14th it comes to Albert Hall with Pan-Pot, Darius Syrossian, East End Dubs and Sidney Charles all serving up the no frills grooves. On the same night, Berlin favourite and dark techno renegade Paula Temple links with NTS host Imogen at Hidden, and then Low Steppa comes to Gorilla on the 20th.
In April, the 4th is a huge Garage Nation party at Manchester’s Albert Hall with DJ Pied Piper, DJ Luck & MC Neat, Artful Dodger, Oxide & Neutrino and plenty of others. Do Not Sleep also returns on Easter Sunday with Green Velvet, Richy Ahmed, Darius Syrossian and Seb Zito at Planet Ice in Milton Keynes.
The rest of the year also promises 90s Baby at Albert Hall on May 1st, ABODE Bank Holiday Special on May 8th for a 10 hour marathon at Albert Hall, Retro in the Park on July 4th in Burnley, Hastings Reggae Festival at The Oval on August 1st with Shaggy, David Rodigan, Channel One, Eva Lazarus, General Levy, Prince Fatty and many more, and The Milton Keynes Reggae Festival on August 15th with Toots and The Maytals, Aswad, David Rodigan, General Levy, Mungos HiFi, Channel One, Levi Roots, Iration Steppas and more. Last of all is Southern Sunset Festival on Saturday September 5th with Craig David Presents TS5 at The Oval in Hastings.
This is a bold and adventurous series that takes in the very cutting edge and is set to confirm JBM Music as a vital player in the contemporary dance music landscape.
FEATURING THE ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA CONDUCTED BY STEPHEN BELL
PRESENTED BYMYLEENE KLASS
COMEDY
MATT FORDE | ANUVAB PAL | MILTON JONES | AL MURRAY | CHRIS STOKES
SIMON EVANS | SHAPPI KHORSANDI | OLGA KOCH | KEN CHENG
EDWARD ASKHAM-SPENCER | ADA CAMPE | KIRSTY NEWTON
TOM HOUGHTON | SOPHIE DUKER | RORY BREMNER | JUSTIN MOORHOUSE JONNY AWSUM | LOST VOICE GUY | CRAIG HILL | MARK SIMMONS
ROBERT WHITE | WITT ‘N CAMP
JAZZ & SWING
THE BONESHAKER BAND | MOSCOW DRUG CLUB | JAZZ DYNAMOS
NATTY CONGEROO & THE FLAMES OF RHYTHM | GROOVE UNDER THE SEA
AUREUM SAXOPHONE QUARTET | THE HAWKMEN
WORLD & FOLK
JULU & HEG | MARTIN HARLEY SOLO
HENRY WEBSTER & ELLIOTT MORRIS | NICOLA & JIM
CHARLOTTE CAMPBELL | THE GASLIGHT TROUBADOURS | MAX PASHM
PAPRIKA | THRILL COLLINS | NAMVULA
BBC MUSIC INTRODUCING BERKSHIRE
RALEGH LONG | DARSHAAN | ROZ FIRTH
OLLY CHAMBERLAIN | TABI GAZELE
VISUAL ARTS
PUNCHBOWL GALLERY| CRISTO DESIGN | HANOI ART HOUSE
FRED GORDAN | GALLERY ATTACHÉ
Henley Festival, the UK’s most glamorous festival, and winner of Headline Performance of the Year in 2016 returns to its spectacular setting on the riverbank in Henley-on-Thames from 8th to 12th July 2020.
As the UK’s only black-tie festival, Henley Festival is glamour personified, offering Michelin starred food, award-winning comedy, critically acclaimed artists and the biggest names in popular, world, jazz and classical music. Many festival goers arrive by boat, as the green lawns of the festival are transformed into a Great Gatsby vision, as black tie clad revellers spill across the festival site, champagne in hand, while fireworks explode overhead.
Established 38 years ago as a classical music charity event, Henley Festival continues to run as a non-profit organisation, supporting charitable projects at both a national and local level.
THE FLOATING STAGE HEADLINERS 2020
Seminal British pop band Madness will open Henley festival 2020 on Wednesday night. One of the top 20 selling UK groups of all time, Madness have seven top ten albums, 22 top 20 hits and over six million album sales to their name. Having celebrated 40 years in the music industry in 2019, Madness will perform much loved classics including ‘House of Fun’, ‘Baggy Trousers’ and ‘It Must Be Love’ alongside new songs from their first album in five years ‘The Bullingdon Boys.’ A British group like no other, formed in the heyday of punk, Madness are true originals who mix ska and reggae rhythms with social comment and music hall humour. Their appeal endures to this day, Madness’ latter-day concerts having become fun-packed celebrations of one of the best-loved songbooks in British pop.
On Thursday night, Henley Festival is delighted to welcome the multi-platinum selling singer-songwriter James Blunt to headline the Floating Stage. A household name across the UK and beyond, Blunt rose to fame in 2004 with the release of his debut album Back to Bedlam, achieving worldwide acclaim with the hit singles ‘You’re Beautiful’ and ‘Goodbye My Lover’. Back to Bedlam went on to become the best-selling album of the 2000s in the UK, with over 11 million copies sold worldwide. Blunt has received numerous awards, including two Brit Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards and two Ivor Novello Awards, as well as receiving five Grammy Award nominations. He has continued to achieve huge commercial success with his following releases, the latest being his new album Once Upon a Mind.
The Henley festival audience are in for a treat on Friday night, as singer-songwriter sensation Sophie Ellis-Bextor takes to the floating stage. The queen of ‘sophisticated pop’, Ellis-Bextor released her double-platinum selling debut album Read My Lips in 2001, which reached number two in the UK Albums Chart and produced hit singles including ‘Murder On The Dancefloor’ and ‘Take Me Home’. The album also experienced international success, selling more than 2 million copies worldwide and winning the Edison Award for ‘Best Dance Album’ in 2003. Ellis-Bextor continued to achieve great commercial success with her following releases. In 2014, her fifth studio album Wanderlust became her highest charting album since Read My Lips, peaking at number 4 in the UK. Bringing a vibrant mixture of mainstream pop, disco, nu-disco and 1980s electronic sounds to Henley, Ellis Bextor’s headline show is bound to have the whole festival dancing the night away!
Friday night’s performance by Sophie Ellis-Bextor on the floating stage will be followed by Sara Cox presents: Just Can’t Get Enough 80s.Dance the night away to classic tunes from the TV and radio broadcast legend! Join Sara Cox for all the hits from the best decade, delivered with a stunning stage set and amazing visuals. Huge anthems for monumental crowd participation moments making epic memories to take home. If you’ve got fond memories of legwarmers and spandex, ‘Just Can’t Get Enough 80s’ is a new show set to send you into a retro frenzy!
Lovers of disco are in for a once-in-a-lifetime treat on Saturday night, as a collection of the world’s most iconic dancefloor hits are reimagined, reinvented and brought to the floating stage by Disco Classical, with legendary Special Guest Sister Sledge featuring Kathy Sledge. Formed in 1971, Sister Sledge achieved international success at the height of the disco era. The year 1979 saw the release of their breakthrough album We Are Family, which peaked at number three on the US Album Chart and included the top ten singles ‘He’s the Greatest Dancer’ and ‘We Are Family’, the latter earning a Grammy Award nomination. Alongside the Manchester Camerata Orchestra – who opened Glastonbury 2017 – a live band, guest singers and renowned crowd-pleaser DJ Mark Armstrong, Disco Classical and Sister Sledge will create one of the most memorable and uplifting live music experiences around, filled with captivating light displays and glittering disco balls; it’s the perfect party show!
On Sunday 12th July, classical superstar Myleene Klass will present Classic FM’s Classical Salute, an evening of classical and military music performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Stephen Bell.
Classical Salute celebrates the power and glory of one of our finest orchestras and the theatre of the military around the world. During the evening, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will be joined by a string of military musicians including Ceremonial Trumpeters for Verdi’s Grand March from Aida, a band of Military Drummers for Ravel’s Bolero as well as uniformed pipers for Highland Cathedral by Roever. The orchestra will also be joined by internationally acclaimed soloists for performances of popular greats including Rule Britannia, Bizet’s Carmen and a rousing performance of Goodwins 633 Squadron. There will also be music by Gershwin, Strauss and many others, and the evening will end with triumphant fireworks exploding over the river on the final night of the festival.
A STELLAR COMEDY LINE-UP
The 2020 comedy line up at Henley is set to be bigger and better than ever, with the likes of Al Murray,Milton Jones, Shappi Khorsandi and Rory Bremner among the stellar 20 comedians performing at this year’s festival. One of Britain’s favourite comedians, Al Murray’s hard-edged social and political satire is sure to have the audience in fits of laughter. In 2003, Murray was listed in The Observer as one of the 50 funniest acts in British comedy, and in 2007 he was voted the 16th greatest stand-up comic on Channel 4’s 100 Greatest Stand-Ups.
Milton Jones will be bringing his hilariously clever one-liners to Henley’s comedy line up, involving puns delivered in a uniquely deadpan and purposely neurotic style. Jones has had various shows on BBC Radio 4 and is a recurring guest panellist on Mock the Week. Along with the likes of comedian and author Shappi KhorsandiandScottish impressionist and comedian Rory Bremner,his hilarious show is certainly not to be missed. In addition, runner-up on series 12 of Britain’s Got Talent, Robert White, and the first stand-up comedian in Britain to use a communication aid in his routines, Lost Voice Guy, will also be keeping audiences thoroughly entertained, alongside a whole host of up-and-coming comics.
JAZZ AT HENLEY FESTIVAL
Henley Festival’s very own Jazz Club in the stunning Spiegel Tent offers dining and live jazz music before and after the main headline act. With their thrilling three-part harmonies, mercurial percussion, virtuoso violin and soaring sax and clarinet, The Boneshaker Band will create an inimitable and unmissable opening to the Jazz Club on Wednesday night. On the following night, Moscow Drug Club will bring their intoxicating & intimate musical experience – where elements of Berlin Cabaret, Hot Club de France, French Musette and Storytelling meet – to Henley’s Jazz Club. Friday night will see London’s own Jazz Dynamos transform and reinvent well-known songs from Peggy Lee, Dolly Parton and Madonna with a mix of jazz, bossa, samba, and contemporary pop music – occasionally all at the same time!
On Saturday night, internationally acclaimed Swing band Natty Congeroo & the Flames of Rhythm will bring the party to the Jazz Club with their high-energy, immersive live performance. Led by the legendary showman Natty Congeroo, the Flames’ repertoire is a combination of tight original numbers and explosive interpretations of classic Hot Jazz, Swing, Rhythm ’n’ Blues and Gospel. Closing the Jazz Club on Sunday, Austrian ensemble Aureum Saxophone Quartet will showcase the richness and infinite array of sounds that are possible on the saxophone; your ears will be amazed! In addition, electrifying live outfit The Hawkmen will bring a taste of rhythm ‘n’ blues, soul and rock ‘n’ roll – brought together in a uniquely classic, rootsy, hybrid blend – to Henley.
WORLD & FOLK MUSIC IN THE BEDOUIN TENT
Enter the Bedouin Tent for a taste of world music and home-grown British folk at their best. World music highlights include Paprika, the UK’s leading Balkan band, who create fiery melodies and foot-tapping rhythms that fuse Eastern European, Balkan, Gypsy and Classical music in a whirlwind performance of frenzied virtuosity. Max Pashm will also bring his infamous live show experience to Henley, featuring uplifting percussion, vocals and keyboards along with his general showmanship and sense of humour on stage. Fusing the folk and urban traditions of her Zambian homeland and her Scottish roots with London’s eclectic music scene, Namvula’s uplifting, emotive songs will transport the Henley audience into different worlds, while staying firmly rooted in African soil.
The Bedouin Tent will also be presenting up-and-coming names in folk music, including Julu & Heg, who have taken the scene by storm with their evocative, harmony-rich songs. Award-winning fiddle player Henry Webster is also among the latest generation of folk musicians bringing a fresh perspective to the tradition. Teaming up with singer-songwriter and guitarist Elliott Morris, this special performance is not one to be missed. In addition, folk duo Nicola & Jim will present the amazing spectacle of Nicola’s simultaneous fiddle playing and clog dancing alongside the driving sounds of Jim’s piano and accordion. Having recorded and performed with international stars including Eric Clapton, Van Morrison and Laura Marling, British slide guitarist and songwriter Martin Harley will also showcase hisincredible artistry and intimate, gritty style to the Henley audience, and with three albums and numerous gigs across Europe already under her belt, Charlotte Campbell will be bringing her charming London street performances to the Bedouin Tent stage.
BBC MUSIC INTRODUCING BERKSHIRE
BBC Music Introducing was created in 2007 to support unsigned, undiscovered and under the radar musicians. Henley Festival is hugely excited to be working with BBC Music Introducingdiscovering breaking acts from the region, all of whom have featured across the BBC network before.
This year Henley Festival will be hosting new local producer talent in addition to emerging bands and songwriters. Elton John and Lauren Laverne approved multi-instrumentalist Ralegh Long brings his Nick Drake-like sombre lyricism to Henley on Wednesday night followed by the London based and Reading bred electronic composer Darshaan on Thursday. On Friday Henley audience gets to enjoy the intricate folk of Roz Firth and on Saturday the singer-songwriter Olly Chamberlain will grace the stage at Pure Heaven before hitting major UK festivals in Reading and Leeds. Nigerian-Australian Tabi Gazele’shypnotic melodies and joyful yet thought-provoking lyrics have drawn her comparisons to Emeli Sande. Her first performance at Henley Festival follows over 2 million combined streams of two track features (Devil On My Shoulder and Soul Glo with Lee Fields) on multi-platinum Australian hip-hop group Bliss n Eso’s 6th Studio Album ‘Off The Grid.’
VISUAL ARTS
Henley Festival is one of the very few festivals in the UK to showcase artworks from some of the UK’s most talented artists, photographers and galleries. Focusing largely on local talent this year, Henley Festival is delighted to play host to a string of up and coming makers and craftsmen, including artisanal jewellers of Studio 35 and Cristo Design’s striking wooden furniture. The festival will also welcome back Tommy Burr’s urban art that repurposes mundane materials like traffic signs into vibrant pieces of art. The festival will also collaborate with the internationally recognised Bishopsland Educational Trust for the first time, celebrating the craftmanship of the recent jewellery graduates.
FOODIE FESTIVAL
Michelin starred chef Angela Hartnett MBE will be returning to Henley Festival 2020 to run Europe’s biggest field restaurant, creating a bespoke menu exclusively for Henley, at the Riverside Restaurant. Angela Hartnett’s astonishingly creative, flawlessly executed dishes focus on purity of flavour and reverence for ingredients. A festival for food lovers, Henley caters for all tastes offering a huge number of restaurants and pop ups from street food to fine dining. Restaurant’s popping up at the festival will include Garden Bistro by Jimmy Garcia, Green Box, Oink, BBQ Club, Hotel Chocolat, Jessecco Prosecco, Black Cab Coffee Company and many more.
FAMILY SUNDAY
Sunday sees the festival transformed into an enchanting playground for families and children of all ages, with a whole host of dazzling activities, performances and concerts.
Headlining the stage on Family Sunday is award-winning children’s presenter and double MOBO winning saxophonist YolanDa Brown performing with the spellbinding Henley Symphony Orchestra. From glitter face painting, eccentric comedy and theatre shows to interactive performance art, Family Sunday is a whole day dedicated to nurturing adventurous, curious and creative little minds.
For kids who love our furry friends, globe-trotting theatre troupe Creature Feature will roam the grounds as hugely lifelike and interactive gorillas for the day, for kids who love music there will be jazz and funk fuelled storytelling taking them on a magical adventure under the sea from Groove Baby whose latest show ran at London’s Southbank Centre, and for kids that love to have a giggle, hilariously silly comedy-duo Mad Etiquette will be performing one of their critically acclaimed skits.
With a programme packed full of wildly imaginative activities, Family Sunday at Henley Festival promises a truly entertaining day out for all the family.
Excitement continues to build for Outlook Origins as the cult bass festival returns to its roots in the stunning Garden Resort in Tisno from July 30th to August 3rd 2020. It can now be revealed that joining the 13 tastemaking curators will be the heavyweight likes of Shy FX, dBridge, Fabio & Grooverider, Randall, Wookie, Youngsta, Hatcha, Breakage, Doc Scott, DRS, J.Sparrow, P. Money, 6 Figure Gang (aka Dobby, FAUZIA, Jossy Mitsu, L U C Y, Sherelle, Yazzus), Children of Zeus, Coops, Darwin, Horsepower Productions, Jah Shaka, N-Type and many more to come.
Outlook has built a world renowned reputation for focussing on the best in drum & bass, dubstep, grime, garage, reggae and beyond on its scene-leading sound systems. Returning to their roots in 2020 with a new and exciting format, the mission this year is to showcase the very best in the game, old and new, as curated by 13 bass heroes who are experts in their field and include Calibre, D Double E, DJ Storm, Flava D, Fliptrix, Goldie, Iration Steppas, Lenzman, Mala, Mungo’s Hifi, The Bug and Zed Bias – with new addition Hybrid Minds, added to the list with this announcement.
Celebrating the foundations of Outlook Festival, this year’s addition is set at The Garden Resort for the main festival, open-air club Barbarella’s for after-parties, and the iconic St Michaels Fortress for an all new opening concert. As such, the new look festival promises to be an imitate, personal gathering of friends and family who all have a shared love of bass and are long time devoted dancers.
The first wave of names is irresistible, with all the most vital names included from the worlds of drum & bass such as Shy FX, dBridge, Breakage, Randall, Doc Scott, DRS and Fabio & Grooverider, amongst others. Red hot grime, dubstep and bass talents are also well represented with El-B, Horsepower Productions, Hatcha, Youngsta, Wookie, Darwin, P. Money, J.Sparrow and 6 Figure Gang (aka cult collective Dobby, FAUZIA, Jossy Mitsu, L U C Y, Sherelle and Yazzus) as well as plenty more, with hip hop heads like Children of Zeus and Coops also lining up.
As well as further details of the beach parties, boat parties, after-parties and opening concert, the all important stage splits will soon be revealed as the countdown to this much anticipated chapter in the history of Outlook gets ever closer.
Cross The Tracks Festival continues to build excitement for the mouthwatering 2020 edition as new names such as the iconic Madlib, Sudan Archives, Greentea Peng, Sadar Bahar, London African Gospel Choir, Coops, Laura Misch, Neue Grafik Ensemble, SEED Ensemble, Charlie Bones, Dreamcast and many more are all added. Taking place on Sunday June 7th at Brixton’s beautiful Brockwell Park and offering a wealth ofstreet food, craft beer immersive workshops, talks and much more, Cross The Tracks has already announced a peerless mix of funk, soul, disco, jazz, r&b, and house stars from across the ages including Sister Sledge, Tinariwen, Gilles Peterson, Norman Jay MBE, Nu Guinea, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Chris Dave & The Drumhedz and Theon Cross amongst tens more.
The carefully assembled Cross The Tracks is set to be an all encompassing day out for lovers of real music, great food and contemporary culture. It mixes up the original pioneers with artists from today’s vanguard in a beautiful setting that is ripe for exploring thanks to its rolling green lushness, ornamental ponds, formal flower beds and wealth of top class street food vendors, craft beer brewers and bespoke bars, luxury toilets for VIP access, chill out and wellness areas, art fair, panels, creative markets and plenty more to nourish your entire being.
The first of these new names couldn’t be bigger: Madlib is a giant of the hip-hop world who will play a special back-to-back set with Gilles Peterson. From recent collaborations with Freddie Gibb to cult albums like Madvillany with MF Doom, his jazz remixes on Shades of Blue Note or genre-defining albums as Quasimoto, Madlib has taken hip-hop to its highest heights. His ability to craft beats and lay down instrumentals is second to none and for that reason he is one of the most critically acclaimed in the game. He is a DJ first and foremost, so this show should especial indeed.
Joining him will be the likes of Stones Throw artist Sudan Archives, the hugely innovative violin player who mixes her playing with beautifully melancholic soul and hip-hop. There will also be a show from South London experimentalist Laura Misch, who is defining new soundworlds with her saxophone, synths and vocals.
There will be an in-the-know focus on the exciting emerging r&b and neo-soul scene, too, with acts driving things forward like Biig Piig, Sasha Keable, Charlotte Dos Santos and Collard all playing, plus hotly tipped London star Greentea Peng, who has a look as unique as her candid, immersive sound.
The booming contemporary jazz scene will also be well represented by Neue Grafik Ensemble and SEED Ensemble, who are bringing fresh perspectives as well as compelling grooves to their productions and live shows which are hybrids of house, jazz and hip-hop. Steam Down also line up and are a London collective who have supported Kamasi Washington, picked up two Jazz FM awards, appeared on Jools Holland, headlined their own UK and EU tours and brought real spontaneity to the jazz scene.
There will also be hip-hop from High Focus star Coops, a widescreen array from NTS’s legendary Breakfast Show host Charlie Bones, lo-fi bliss from super smooth Washington, D.C. singer Dreamcast, and soul stirring sounds from London African Gospel Choir who will be performing Paul Simon’s Graceland, as well as a smorgasbord of disco brilliance from famously deep digging Chicago originator Sadar Bahar.
These latest additions are another bold statement that make Cross The Tracks the capital’s most essential day of music, culture and good times.
