Festivals

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

Photo Gallery: Moga Festival 2019

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Moga Festival is a stunning event in many ways – the food, the music, the local customs and traditions and talented artists, as well as the beautiful setting. 
Essaouira in Morocco is crazy-historic and has been used as The Red City in Game of Thrones. Palm trees and lush sunsets, beautiful sand beaches and old stone buildings ooze real atmosphere and the hot sun makes it a real desert escape. 
Music plays out on four different stages, there are 6500 people in all from many different countries and top sets from the likes of Behrouz, and Praslea, and many more all make it hugely memorable. 
The crowd is friendly and in the know and help make this a truly absorbing experience. 
We were there and here are some of the best photos. 
Photos by Oli Riley Photography, Juliet Airs and Momo Filali

BLOODSTOCK announce final main stage headliners for 2020

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If you tuned into Planet Rock Radio this morning, you’ll have been amongst the first to hear BLOODSTOCK’s hotly anticipated news, revealing the final two Ronnie James Dio main stage headliners for 2020’s event. DEVIN TOWNSEND was announced as Friday night’s headliner last month. Without further ado…

 

Metal legends JUDAS PRIEST will headline Sunday night. In a year when BLOODSTOCK celebrates 20 years, we can think of no better place to also celebrate JUDAS PRIEST’s 50 Heavy Metal Years!  The Grammy Award-winning British icons were recently nominated again for the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame and to date have sold over 50 million albums. Their latest release, 2018’s ‘Firepower’, saw the band return all guns blazing, earning the accolade Best British Album at the Planet Rock Awards. JUDAS PRIEST enthuse, “Horns up BLOODSTOCK – the PRIEST is back to headline the 20th year of BLOODSTOCK with our 50 Heavy Metal Years anniversary show!! A double barrel, once in a lifetime, blast of metal mania 2020….!!”  You can watch a special message from the inimitable Rob Halford at: https://youtu.be/2VJIsrJf_Mc.

 

The mighty BEHEMOTH are set to headline Saturday in a UK festival exclusive for 2020. Having wowed fans across the globe with their phenomenal set on both Slayer’s final US tour and Slipknot’s current Knotfest Roadshow, the Polish metal heavyweights will be upping the stakes by bringing their biggest and best production to date.  Don’t miss the spectacle of them closing out the Ronnie James Dio main stage on Saturday night! Charismatic frontman Nergal tells us, “BLOODSTOCK! The hallowed lands of Catton Park will once again host our Fiendish Festivities. This is BEHEMOTH’s first UK festival headline and that will be celebrated in the only way we know how; Hell will be raised, blood will be shed, and magick will descend! We shall see you there Legions!”  Hear it straight from BEHEMOTH themselves at: https://youtu.be/oe_1eQyZpXY.

 

BLOODSTOCK will be headlined on Friday by DEVIN TOWNSEND and also welcomes PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS, SKINDRED, PARADISE LOST, LIFE OF AGONY, BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, DIAMOND HEAD, JINJER, VIO-LENCE, SACRED REICH, GLORYHAMMER, DARK TRANQUILITY, and BUTCHER BABIES so far. Many more bands performing over the weekend will be announced in due course.

10 of the Best Photos from Dockyard Festival

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Dockyard x Mystic Garden is one of the most exciting and invigorating parties of the ADE meet up each year.

It pairs off industrial vibes with fairytale and dream like production, a world class crowd who know their music and love to dance and also this year showcased some cool new names that had been talent picked all year long.

Surgeon and Lady Starlight live was a real highlight, while Radio Salve laid down some heavy techno, Maxtrixxmann and Ellen Allien went back to back with a dark and twisted set of techno and disco, Eats everything layered up the bumping bass, Latumn and Joey Daniel were some new school talents who impressed, techno from Oscar Mulero and Paco Osuna and many more also made this a standout year.

These are 10 photos that really show you what an essential event this is.

Kaos Garden is the First Immersive Experience of Elrow Art

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Following its US debut in Miami at Art Basel on December 6, elrow’art’s Kaos Garden will make its New York debut on three stages at Avant Gardner on December 14.

Famed Multidisciplinary artist Okuda San Miguel and Renowned Producer/ DJ Paco Osuna will represent, through avant-garde art and electronic music, their particular vision of ‘The Garden of Earthly Delights’ in an experience where the audience will be part of a great piece of interactive art.

elrow and Paco Osuna have curated a very special musical lineup featuring the trendiest DJS from around the globe: Lee Foss, Eats Everything, Latmun, and Jacky plus B2B sets from Jean Pierre and Jesse Collaso, and Charles Meyer and Joe Pompeo, as well as elrow residents Bastian Bux and De La Swing. Lee Foss’s Repopulate Mars crew will take over King’s Hall with its out-of-this-world vibe. The event continues elrow’s celebrated New York residency and provides New Yorkers a one of a kind experience unlike any they’ve had before.

For the first time, elrow’art takes over three stages at Avant Gardner, The Great Hall, Lost Circus, and elrow partners with Repopulate Mars for Kings Hall takeover

elrow Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elrowofficial/
elrow Twitter: https://twitter.com/elrow_
elrow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elrowofficial/

Matthias Tanzmann Returns with New Album Round and Round

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Round and Round comes three years after Momentum, Tanzmann’s last album and one that provided a snapshot of the deeper sounds he was enjoying at the time. This third full length is a more widescreen overview of his entire career and will be released one track at a time over the course of a few weeks and months.

The album was all written in the last year, but reflects every facet of the artist’s sound, so unfolds something like a career-long musical diary: from the collaboration with long-time friend and Poker Flat chief Steve Bug, which harks back to the early days of deep house, via newer connections and modern techno with Rebuke, tracks with old companions like Mathias Kaden, and on to new creative links with contemporary stars like Mihalis Safras and Black Circle.

This is an autobiographical album informed by another busy year of gigs at major festivals around the world, his famous Circoloco residency at DC10 and further Ibiza gigs everywhere from ANTS to Elrow to Music On. September also saw the release of the Better Lost Than Stupid album Wild Slide, a collaborative work with pals Davide Squillace and Martin Buttrich that shows that decades after first starting out, Tanzmann is still very much at the forefront of the global underground scene.

Moon Harbour Shop: moonharbourshop.com

BLOODSTOCK reveal four more for Ronnie James Dio main stage

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As Halloween approaches and Autumn rolls in, BLOODSTOCK is delighted to reveal four more amazing bands joining the heavy metal shenanigans in Catton Park next August as well as details of this year’s Rock Society memberships.

PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS will be bringing their much lauded ‘A Vulgar Display of Pantera’ set to the Ronnie James Dio main stage on Friday. Bound to be one of the ‘Do Not Miss’ sets of the weekend, performing a slew of Pantera classics, we suggest you grab your mates and get down the front early.  For a taste of what’s to come, check out this clip of a similar set earlier this year, in Brooklyn, NY’s famous St Vitus bar – https://youtu.be/Mx2VIEGeWRQ.

On Saturday, PARADISE LOST fans are in for a treat, as the gothic-doom overlords will be performing their much loved fifth album ‘Draconian Times’ in full!  Released in 1995, it spawned singles ‘The Last Time’ (https://youtu.be/uuh-Ui_ZKTk) and ‘Forever Failure’ (https://youtu.be/gVgIW_pBcdI).  Now signed to Nuclear Blast, the band unveiled their fifteenth studio album, ‘Medusa’ in 2017 and hit the studio at the end of October to record the follow up.

BLOODSTOCK is pleased to share that LIFE OF AGONY will be joining us on the Ronnie James Dio main stage on Sunday. New album ‘The Sound Of Scars’, released by Napalm Records just 11 days ago, serves as a sequel to their seminal 1993 debut ‘River Runs Red’. Watch the video for new song ‘Scars’ at https://youtu.be/Z0hyh0yTdaU.

When legends like Metallica and Megadeth cite them as an influence, you know they’ve earned their spot.  DIAMOND HEAD pick up a slot on Sunday’s main stage bill and will show exactly why they’re considered one of the leaders of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement. Formed back in 1976, but still creating new music, their latest album ‘The Coffin Train’ dropped in May. Get into the title track at: https://youtu.be/YFsC6M7x32g.

Finally, BLOODSTOCK’s Rock Society memberships go on general sale at 9am on Thursday 31st October.  The Rock Society is effectively BLOODSTOCK’s ‘Members Club’, offering not only a 10% discount on your weekend ticket (on top of the early bird discount when you purchase the ‘Rock Society membership + ticket bundle’ option), but all sorts of other cool benefits like priority signing tent access, access to the VIP Serpents Lair bar, special tours of the backstage & production areas seeing ‘behind the scenes’, a Rock Society laminate, a dedicated hangout area in the Rock Society tent on site and plenty more besides.  Full details can be found at http://www.bloodstock.uk.com/pages/rock-society.  Memberships are limited to just 300 and sell out almost immediately.  Priced at £75, memberships are available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, so be ready in the ticket store at 9am on Halloween if you want to join this exclusive club!

BLOODSTOCK will be headlined on Friday by DEVIN TOWNSEND and is also set to welcome SKINDRED, BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, JINJER, VIO-LENCE, SACRED REICH, GLORYHAMMER, DARK TRANQUILITY, and BUTCHER BABIES so far.  BLOODSTOCK’s remaining two headline acts and many more bands performing over the weekend will be announced in due course.

Ministry of Sound Head to Butlin’s Skegness with Sigma, Basement Jaxx, Tom Zanetti, High Contrast

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Ministry of Sound are heading to Butlin’s Skegness for a massive weekender from November 22nd to 24th.

Headliners have been revealed as Sigma, Basement Jaxx, Tom Zanetti, High Contrast, Fabio & Groove Rider, Barely Legal and DJ Hype.

This unmissable experience will feature no less than six superb sarges hosted by Ministry of Sound as well as leading party brands Pretty Weird, Sleepin is Cheatin, Hedkandi, Euphoria, Throwback and Euphoria.

Next to the nocturnal dances, you can also look forward to day time raves, pool parties, and a non-stop mix of fun and games including pool halls, bowling, arcade game rooms, bars, big sports screens, seaside treats and much more across the site that means you can plot your own fun.

With comfortable and stylish accommodation on site, this is an essential adult playground for a weekend of dance music fun like never before.

BLOODSTOCK Festival launches 2020’s regional Metal 2 The Masses Programme

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BLOODSTOCK’s hugely popular, grass roots-supporting ‘Metal 2 The Masses’ scheme gives unsigned and DIY bands the chance of being part of the BLOODSTOCK Festival experience.  

With 2020 marking 20 years of Bloodstock, plans are already well underway for the festival’s biggest and best year yet and BLOODSTOCK along with our favourite ale, Hobgoblin, are aiming once again to track down the best, hot new metal talent to win slots to perform on the New Blood stage.  All bands chosen to play via the M2TM scheme will also be included on a free compilation CD courtesy of CRAM Duplication given away to fans at the festival next summer.

M2TM 2020 will take place in 28 regions across the UK, Ireland, Poland, and Norway. See the full list of participating areas below, and then if you’re in a self-released or unsigned band and want to try out for a slot on the BLOODSTOCK bill, get in touch with the event nearest you and get yourselves involved!!  One winner from each region will win a slot on the New Blood stage. In August 2020,  YOU could be stepping on stage at BLOODSTOCK!

Full details including who to contact to enter can be found at https://www.bloodstock.uk.com/events/boa-2020/venues and also via https://www.facebook.com/groups/m2tmofficial. 

 

The regions are:

BIRMINGHAM

BRIGHTON

BRISTOL

CHELTENHAM

CHESTERFIELD

DEVON & CORNWALL

ESSEX

HITCHIN

LEEDS

LONDON

MANCHESTER

MERSEYSIDE

MILTON KEYNES

NEWCASTLE

NORTHERN IRELAND

NORTH WALES

NOTTINGHAM

NORWAY

NORWICH

OXFORD

POLAND

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

SCOTLAND

SHEFFIELD

SOMERSET

SOUTH WALES

STOKE ON TRENT

WOLVERHAMPTON

 

BLOODSTOCK 2020 is set to welcome Friday night headliner DEVIN TOWNSEND, plus JINJER, GLORYHAMMER, SKINDRED, BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, VIO-LENCE, SACRED REICH, DARK TRANQUILLITY, and BUTCHER BABIES announced to date.  BLOODSTOCK’s remaining two headline acts and many more bands, including the eventual M2TM winners will be announced in due course. 

France to be the focus of ADE at the French Electronic Lab

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France has always been a rich and innovating country when it comes to electronic music.

The land of festivals, clubs, underground raves, not to forget the free parties, France offers a large diversity of actors, music and events. The country is now more than ever a breeding ground of talented creators, which allows the French scene to shine internationally. Electronic music is in fact the directory which exports the best abroad.

On Thursday the 17th of October, Technopol, the SACEM and Bureau Export will present for the first time the French Electronic Lab at De Balie to celebrate all this.

Conferences, showcases and speed meetings : an emphasis will be put on the presenting the French electronic music ecosystem via its actors (artists, labels, bookers) and its distributors (clubs & festivals). A day for exchanges, information and meeting, the venue will highlight the dynamism of the current French scene.

The goal of the French Electronic Lab is to give an outline of electronic music in France and its strengths, during panels, in English, all based around the same theme : How to work with the French market? Throughout the day, we will give the necessary tools to professionals to develop a long-lasting relationship with the principal figures of this country.

The French Electronic Lab will be open to everyone and will take place in the cultural venue De Balie from 12pm until 7pm.

The programme:

12pm — 14pm : FRENCH BRUNCH

The French Electronic Lab opens with a Frenc Brunch in partnership with Shotgun and Animal Records & Kitchen.

1pm — 5pm : CONFERENCES

How to work with French Institutions
1pm — 1.45pm
Frédéric Hocquard, Deputy Mayor in charge of nightlife and cultural economy, Michel Pilot, cultural advisor of Jack Lang (ex Minister of Culture) and General Secretary of the Union Chamber for musical venues and Tommy Vaudecrane, President of Technopol.

How to work with clubs and festivals
2pm — 2.45pm
Brice Coudert, Artistic Director of Concrete / Weather Festival / Dehors Brut, Mathieu Fonsny, Artistic Director of Marsatac & Joran Le Corre, Artistic Director of Panoramas Festival

How to work with labels, booking and management agencies
3pm — 3.45pm
Max Le Disez from AMS Bookings, Thomas Lefrançois from Allo Floride, Louis Lambilliotte from Because Editions and Rachel Graham from InFiné Music and Passé Projects & Publishing

I <3 U SO: Examples of The Best Export Campaigns from Top French Industry Figures
4pm — 4.45pm
Marie Dapoigny, Digital Editor at Mixmag, Thibaut Casanova, Director of International Development at Warner Music, Chiara Belolo, General Manager at Scorpio, Quentin Leblet, A&R, Creative Director & Sync Manager at Unity Publishing

5pm — 7pm : NETWORKING DRINKS

In partnership with Overact, this French Aperitif will be an opportunity for people to meet and converse. It will also be the opportunity to announce the winners of the Raise Your Act competition. There will also be a musical showcase by the artist Toh Imago who will present his new album Nord Noir signed on the Infiné Music label.

For more information, go to the Amsterdam Dance Event website or the French Electronic Lab Facebook event.
The French Electronic Lab is open to ADE pass holders.

5 Top Tunes From Groove Island 2019

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There is so much competition for your money these days in the festival market that a new event really has to standout.

Groove Island really did and came correct on its bold ambitions at the end of September.

Sam Felt, Oliver Heldens, Mark Knight, Chus & Ceballos, Leftwing:Kody and tens more and here are some for he top tracks we heard while dancing in the magical old ballroom, amongst other places.