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!
Ariana Grande is returning to Manchester to headline a special One Love Manchester benefit concert on Sunday 4 June to honour and raise vital funds for the victims and families who were tragically affected by the Manchester attack after her show last week. The concert will take place at the Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground. General admission and hospitality tickets will be on sale through Ticketmaster (ticketmaster.co.uk/arianagrandemanchester) from Thursday 1 June 2017 at 10:00AM BST.
Ariana Grande has called on the biggest international names in music to join her for this unforgettable evening, including Justin Bieber, Coldplay, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Pharrell Williams, Usher, Take That, Niall Horan, and others. The concert will be broadcast on BBC Television, and on BBC Radio and Capital Radio Networks. The BBC will be the host broadcaster for international television networks. The show will also be streamed with a digital partner worldwide, to be announced soon.
All net ticket proceeds of the show will go directly to the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund which was set up by the Manchester City Council in partnership with the British Red Cross, in aid of grieving families and victims of the horrific attack.
Ariana is offering fans who were at the Manchester show on Monday free tickets to this benefit concert. Customers who would like to attend will need to follow this link (http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/arianagrandemanchester) and register before Wednesday 31 May 2017 at 4:00PM BST. Ticketmaster will be in touch via email within 36 hours of registrations with instructions on how to process your free ticket.
Ariana Grande said, in an open letter posted on her social media accounts:
“My heart, prayers and condolences are with the victims of the Manchester Attack and their loved ones. There is nothing I or anyone can do to take away the pain you are feeling or to make this better. However, I extend my hand and heart and everything I possibly can give to you and yours, should you want or need my help in any way.”
She continued: “We will not quit or operate in fear. We won’t let this divide us. We won’t let hate win… Our response to this violence must be to come closer together, to help each other, to love more, to sing louder and to live more kindly and generously than we did before.”
“Music is meant to heal us, to bring us together, to make us happy. So that is what it will continue to do for us. We will continue to honour the ones we lost, their loved ones, my fans and all affected by this tragedy. They will be on my mind and in my heart everyday and I will think of them with everything I do for the rest of my life.”
The attack – which took place after Ariana’s Dangerous Woman concert at Manchester Arena on Monday 22 May – killed 22 people, seven of whom were children, and injured hundreds of others.
ONE LOVE MANCHESTER
LOCATION: Emirates Old Trafford, Talbot Road, Stretford, Old Trafford M16 0PX
For speed of entry, we are requesting that concert-goers do not attend with bags.
As Spring creeps into Summer, BLOODSTOCK HQ is a hive of activity. The ‘Metal 2 The Masses’ finals are well under way and plans are on track for 2017 being the biggest and best BLOODSTOCK yet! Here’s ten more bands for starters…
BLOODSTOCK is delighted to now reveal that nefarious Nuclear Blast group DEVILMENT will join the bill at Catton Park this Summer. Featuring the unmistakable vocals of Dani Filth, catch the band on the Ronnie James Dio main stage on Friday. DEVILMENT declare, “Obviously the band are really looking forward to playing the festival, and as a English band it will definitely be an honour to play the main stage on what is tantamount to the best British festival out there. Hopefully festival goers will come and check DEVILMENT out, we intend on putting on quite a raucous heavy metal spectacle!” If you’re not a loyal disciple already, get to grips with their most recent album, ‘Devilment II: The Mephisto Waltzes’, via their Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/devilmentcorps/ and watch the video for ‘Hitchcock Blonde’ – https://youtu.be/tQbZ-tQycEY.
Thursday’s headliner over on the Sophie Lancaster stage will be Helsinki’s own BATTLE BEAST! With ferocious riffs galore, BATTLE BEAST are both heavy AND metal, perfect for opening night party shenanigans! Bassist Eero comments, “We're psyched to be taking on BLOODSTOCK for the first time. We had a great time playing in the UK this spring, and it's really neat to be returning there so soon. Looking forward to seeing all our friends again soon!” Check out the video for ‘Bringer Of Pain’, the title track from their most recent album, at: https://youtu.be/pBpv_pcUEIQ.
BLOODSTOCK can also announce the first batch of additions from the ‘Metal 2 The Masses’ finals! Friday welcomes Coventry winners DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND, who combine hardcore vocals with power melodies (https://www.facebook.com/devil.playground) and modern metalheads MERITHIAN, who took top prize in the Swindon heat (https://www.facebook.com/MerithianOfficial). Check out their lyric video for ‘Grow’ at: https://youtu.be/vnsGwZTJMgk. Also brutalizing Friday are Brighton’s death metal victors ENSLAVEMENT (https://www.facebook.com/EnslavementUK), influenced by classics like Suffocation, Immolation, & Devourment. On Saturday, Sheffield champions BA’AL add their blackened doom (www.facebook.com/baalsheff) plus Dublin’s top dogs ZHORA bring some progressive sludge a long way from Tipperary (https://www.facebook.com/zhOramusic/). Sunday sees Slovenian doomsters MIST roll in, as part of the band exchange with MetalDays (www.facebook.com/mist.doom). Originally all-female, the group builds on the legacy of acts like Black Sabbath, Candlemass, & Pentagram – hear it in ‘Phobia’ at: https://youtu.be/u7QwIwGk28w. CD application conquerors HEATHEN DEITY join Sunday from the Midlands (https://www.facebook.com/heathendeityofficial). Get into their esoteric lore and absolute blackness via ‘Gut The Church’ at https://youtu.be/414Y6aG-RUo. Last but not least, melodic death metallers SHROUDED also join Sunday’s bill (https://www.facebook.com/shroudedband), having clinched first place in Belfast’s final.
Planning your travel to BLOODSTOCK yet? Need a lift or driving there and want cash for your empty seats? BLOODSTOCK have teamed up with GOCARSHARE again so you can rock out and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time. Register where you’re travelling to/from, or your route, and then wait for drivers/passengers to get in touch! GOCARSHARE is integrated with Facebook, so you can check out your possible travel buddies and they encourage travellers to post feedback. Plus you might even win a pair of tickets for next year! For full details, head over to http://gocarshare.com/festival/bloodstock. Prefer to come by coach? BIG GREEN COACH have 21 departure cities directly to BLOODSTOCK in 2017, from all over the UK. They’ll bring you, all your camping gear and beer supplies, and drop you hassle free right inside the festival grounds. Visit http://www.biggreencoach.co.uk/events/bloodstock-festival-tickets-coach-travel.
Already announced for 2017 are our three headliners AMON AMARTH, GHOST, and MEGADETH, plus ARCH ENEMY, KREATOR, BLIND GUARDIAN, HATEBREED, TESTAMENT, OBITUARY, KING 810, BRUJERIA, WHITECHAPEL, SKINDRED, POSSESSED, ANNIHILATOR, MUNICIPAL WASTE, HELL, DECAPITATED, SOILWORK, CHELSEA GRIN, MACABRE, INQUISITION, SCARAB, WINTERSUN, ONI, DENDERA, KROH, ABHORRENT DECIMATION, COURTESANS, WRETCHED SOUL, BOSSK, WINTERFYLLETH, GODS, BLIND HAZE, ARTHEMIS, SEASON’S END, BLIND RIVER, ENDEAVOUR, BLAAKYUM, DAKESIS, NORDJEVEL, TORQUED, BLACK MOTH, MANTAR, WOLFHEART, LIONIZE and BROKEN TEETH. Many more are still be announced! Stay tuned to BLOODSTOCK’s social media at https://www.facebook.com/bloodstock and https://twitter.com/bloodstockfest for the latest!
The line-up at Parklife is diverse; it crosses genres and over four decades of music history. Older artists aren’t in the mix solely for nostalgia, they represent the music that is part of our music culture here today in 2017. We mentioned in the preview that we’re coming up to a decade of Parklife/Mad Ferret (one year shy) and how festival culture here in the UK has evolved from raves, warehouse parties and soundsystems and merged to form the current festival culture, particularly in the UK. We also looked at that maiden line-up from 2008. This year the musical mezze of acts spans electronic music, hip hop, R&B, drum and bass, UK garage, dub and reggae and the artists that represent those evergreen steelos (yea I’m hip) have histories of recording or performing music stretching back as far as 1978. So this is where it gets a bit Rick and Morty, or more accurately, Doc Brown and Marty McFly: imagine if you could jump in a 1983 DeLorean and go back in time to start your own festival, using only acts from this year’s Parklife line-up, Parklife prequels if you like? Well guess what? You don’t have to because we’re gonna do it for you, each week, until Parklife, starting with Parklife ’87. (Tell me any one of these would not be #LitAF!)
Parklife 87
Chaka Khan – Congo Natty – David Rodigan – Norman Jay – Pete Tong
The headline on the main stage would undoubtedly be Chaka Khan. Already a Grammy Award winning artist with ‘70s groups Rufus, over a decade after ‘You Got the Love’, Chaka was an established solo artist and cameo in a major Hollywood motion picture by 1987. That’s not to mention having a list of collaborations from Stevie Wonder to Quincy Jones and being the first R&B singer to make a crossover hit featuring a rapper under her belt. A 1987 version of me (there was actually a one year old version of me in 1987 but we’ll ‘llow that) would be gassed at the prospect of catching the by then five-time Grammy Award winner at Heaton Park.
Away from the main stage, up the hill and down the other side, what would start as a low rumble would open out to another, altogether different stage. A stage with speakers stacked almost as high as the summer sky, spilling sub-low frequencies and the echoing toasts from the deejays. Before the digital age, in the golden era of soundclash culture, the man dem got their kicks, and their bass, by way of dub. From Brixton to Bristol, Chapletown to Moss Side, kids from the inner city to the suburbs were bunning absolute dog shit weed and drinking cheap lager at parties, clashes and radio shows brought to them by man like Congo Natty, Norman Jay MBE and David Rodigan MBE. And yep, we still are. By 1987 Rodigan had grown from selling roots records in Putney to shows on the likes of Capital FM, keeping the nation warm n easy. Born in Notting Hill, Norman Jay had built up a credible international reputation starting in the late ‘70s at block parties in New York at a time when the city was beginning to churn out the music we live by today. When disco was red hot, when hip hop and house were being born and the Big Apple’s large West Indian communities were getting down to new, exciting waves of sounds of the islands. Associated with the emerging careers of Trevor Nelson, Giles Peterson, Jazzie B from Soul II Soul, Judge Jules and Danny Rampling, by the time of the (hypothetical but jeez you should have got this by now) Parklife 87 came around he was Mr rare groove himself and synonymous with the London incarnation of the then-pirate KISS FM.
But this was the ‘80s. Technology had provided musicians with new tools to their armoury, new, electronic tools, and so we go, over to the house tent. This was just slightly before acid really took off, a year (or two) before the second summer(s) of love, and four years before the Essential Selection first aired on Radio 1, but nevertheless, Pete Tong was a well-established ‘dance’ DJ and radio presenter, particularly in the capital.
I’d go to that festival today, never mind back then. Also, there’s another name worth a mention. They hadn’t released their debut album yet, or even had someone listen to their demo, but A Tribe Called Quest might have had a cheeky feature on an up-and-coming slot, having been formed in 1985, but their time will come when we visit Parklife 97 next week.
Anyway, back to reality…
Parklife 17 updates: New act announced!!
I was surprised when they weren’t included in the initial line-up but the announcement coming just as tickets were pretty much sold out seems more like a thank you than a stub-shifter, okay I’m stalling, I’ll get on with it… The latest announcement is… a bashy, energetic, anthemic collaboration between Brooklyn rapper El-P and ATL’s Killer Mike. Yep it’s Run the Jewels. Hyped.
It’s nearly ten years ago now that Mad Ferret made an audacious attempt to throw a party in the heart of Fallowfield with the idea of lighting a fuse that had been priming since the 90s. They hoped to combine the two sides of Manchester – the native music and rave heritage of the Ten Townships and a student population desperate and deserving of another dimension to their experience of the city – for a big party in the park to sign off the end of their uni year and kick start the summer, or just for a laugh at the weekend. The Resident Advisor page for the original event still exists on the results page of a Google search and it says a lot about how that experiment has succeded and indeed a lot about how the UK festival landscape has transformed in less than a decade.
5000 people, 50+ DJs, 20+ bands.
Stanton Warriors. Friction. Aim. D.I.M. Iration Steppas. Nicky Blackmarket. Youngsta. Ntype. Prophecy. Chase n Status. Riot Jazz Band.
Straight away a whole heap of things stand out. For starters, none of these acts made the lineup nine years on. Perhaps the only one of those acts you might consider a current household name would be Chase n Status, but I wouldn’t mention that to any of the living memes you find in Antwerp on a Tuesday night, but still they found themselves on the fifth line of the original poster. Remember when Chase n Status were big lol. That was a time I bet we all could delete from our Facebook photos.
The press release showed this year’s full lineup in a chaotic scramble of names, spread over two pages, a lineup so big I wonder if half of them would have even managed to cop tickets for the first one in 08. What’s more interesting is how much more diverse and international it is now, like exponentially. It’s incomparable. And the set up at Heaton Park is another world from the days of Platt Fields. I’d say it’s the most coveted non-camping festival in the UK. From Frank Ocean to Carl Cox, it really doesn’t get any bigger. From Moodymann to A Tribe Called Quest it doesn’t get any more credible. From the 1975 to EZ it doesn’t get more diverse. Diverse but that’s not to say populist, or pandering desperately for anyone who will love them or fork out for a wristband. No one stands out as alone in style or support – it’s a broad array of music but still with only a few degrees of separation. You can imagine someone who’d like Frank Ocean might like Anderson .Paak and might also have listened to Drake’s (not featured) album and heard Giggs or BBK’s Skepta, who in turn will probably get wheelups from EZ as his Nike cap bobs into view over the DJ booth. And I know it’s possible that people that are into all of that will probably be digging holes in the turf to Ibiza favourites like Jamie Jones and Joseph Capriati, Patrick Topping, Martinez Brothers, Elrow and Joris Voorn. It won’t just be Mancunians at North Base, Levelz or Solardo. And of course there are even crossovers to that first ever lineup. I’ve had tape packs in my youth featuring both Nicky Blackmarket and Andy C. I’ve seen Congo Natty at Iration Steppas’ Subdub and I’m sure David Rodigan will have a Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry tune for us (I’ve not even checked if Rodigan’s on the lineup because that’d be like no Attenborough on Planet Earth). Chaka Khan Chaka Khan Chaka Chaka Chaka Khan.
We’ll be going a bit more in depth in our weekly updates, focus on a couple of artists each time to build the hype before the big day. Browse the lineup at your leisure, if there’s anyone in particular you’d like us to look at, drop a comment below (inbox me). Weekend and Sunday tickets are still on sale, all the earlybirds have obviously flocked the nest, and from what I can gather Saturday tickets have sold out. Saturday 10 to Sunday 11 of June. Shit that’s soon!
The Secret Garden Party’s patron saint Eddy Temple Morris is bringing back the spirit of The Remix tent and the much loved Temple Of Boom to the last ever Party in The Colosillyum.
Taking place Friday and Saturday, 6pm to 6am, The Colosillyum is the perfect venue for the high octane artists that Eddy always pulls in. This year, the line-up will be both spectacular and ground-breaking, with several acts who've played blistering sets in the past, coming back to send SGP off in style.
Friday night sees an eclectic bill of friends old and new: Utah Saints,Hervé and two very special surprise superstar artists are coming back (to be announced nearer the time), plus Eddy's Producer Of The Year, the brilliant (Chase & Status signed), 1991, along with Document One and hotly-tipped bassline/mash up duo,Shapes, who made such waves in 2016, join the Party for the very first time.
"I wanted to strike a balance between history and nowism" says Eddy, "to have sets by people who've both had and given such good times in the past, and for a few newer producers to come and see why this is the best party on planet earth."
Thenroll up roll up for Saturday’s gladiatorial exclusive, an unprecedented union of the two biggest brands in Drum & Bass:
Temple Of Boom presents: Hospitality Vs Ram
Saturday Night! The Colosillyum! Never done before, never to be repeated, this is a special present for all those attending the last Party ever.
Line-up is as follows:
Sub Focus Vs Metrik
Camo Vs Krooked
SPY Vs Rene LaVice
Fred V & Grafix Vs Culture Shock
Nu:Logic Vs DC Breaks
Keeno Vs Chords
Frankee Vs Krakota
HOSTED BY
Daxta, Ruthless ID & Carasel!
"Without question the two most titanic labels in this genre, and most played on my Remix radio show, are Ram Records and Hospital Records. To have them collaborating on an event for the first, and probably last time in history is a dream come true and a reflection on how profoundly SGP is loved by the electronic music community.
I cannot thank both Ram and Hospital enough and all the artists who've supported us over the years. I'm truly honoured to be a part of SGP and to be hosting such an incredible line up this year."
This years Slam Dunk see’s hordes of new and returning acts, picking out the artists to watch is a task and obviously every band are ones to watch, however, there isn’t enough time in the day and as with all festivals, there are bound to be clashes so we’ve come up with some of our main ones we think you should go and see
Madina Lake’s reformation and first performances in the UK since the reformation, Enter Shikari’s headline set, the pop-punk kings of the old generation Bowling For Soup are definitely acts you should be going over to the stages to see.
WE ARE THE OCEAN
Sadly, this year’s Slam Dunk festival will see We Are The Ocean take to the main stage for their last ever performance before parting ways. Although the band have pulled out of the Hatfield date, those of you attending the North and The Midlands dates are in for a treat; as the band have said ‘this is one last chance to celebrate the past, the present and the future’. So, if you want to scream your lungs out to songs from Cutting Our Teeth, Go Now And Live, Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow, Ark and the Self-Titled EP one last time and celebrate their farewell you know where you need to be.
VUKOVI
This year’s line-up is full of pop-rock heavyweights and it’d be easy to forget about the exciting new acts gracing the smaller stages around the venue and one of those being Vukovi. Who have made themselves unavoidable after dropping their riotous debut album earlier this year!. The Glasgow bunch have been making quite a racket on and off the record. Armed with their heavy riffs, super-charged tempo and front woman Janine Shilstone’s sizzling vocals, the four-piece have been tearing up the UK’s live scene, setting a precedent for their first ever Slam Dunk set so make sure you’re there to witness it.
DEAF HAVANA
Deaf Havana have had it rough in the last few years. In the wake of their Old Souls record, the band were dropped from their record label, fell into debt, and even fell out of love with their craft.
Miraculously, the band have made their return with an momentous new album, All These Countless Nights, which was unveiled earlier this year. If their recent headline shows across the UK are anything to go by its proved the band have found a new lease of life both in their material, and in their live show.
With just 100 days to go, BLOODSTOCK is delighted to welcome Manchester bruisers BROKEN TEETH, as Sunday’s Ronnie James Dio main stage opener. Signed to Nuclear Blast last year, the hardcore youngbloods are set to wake everyone up and pummel your hangover into submission! Check out ‘Show No Mercy’ from their debut full-length ‘At Peace Amongst Chaos’ at https://youtu.be/Cppa15f4sFw.
Four more talented bands are joining the Last.fm-sponsored Sophie Lancaster stage bill. Maryland, USA rockers LIONIZE (www.facebook.com/LIONIZEMUSIC/) bring the groove & funk to the party, and have been hard at work on their next record for new label The End (out this Summer), so expect a few new tunes! Are you familiar with BLACK MOTH (www.facebook.com/themothpit/) yet? If not, you soon will be! Hailing from Leeds, Kerrang! describes them, “like Electric Wizard meets Band Of Skulls, in a dungeon.” Finnish metal outfit WOLFHEART (www.facebook.com/WolfheartRealm/) swoop in to showcase their new album ‘Tyhjyys’, released in March via Spinefarm. And if black metal blended with doom and punk catches your interest, don’t miss Nuclear Blast’s brutal German duo MANTAR (www.facebook.com/MantarBand/).
After last year’s huge success, the 100%CA strongmen competition returns to the arena even bigger and better, and 2017 adds the women getting involved too! Friday sees the ladies battling it out for England’s Strongest Woman, boasting an impressive line up of 8 Arnold's and 5 World's competitors as well as Jenny Todd (the reigning middleweight Arnold's champion) and Donna Moore (the current open weight Arnold's champion and World's Strongest Woman)! Sponsored by XPLOSIVEAPE, there’s a £1200 prize up for grabs, a first for the women's sport. Saturday brings the return of Europe’s Strongest Man u90kg. Will reigning champ Rob Ward keep his hands on the title or will Tom Hibbert, Calum Evans, or Davy Wallace knock him off his throne? Sunday’s finale offers a tiered prize pot of £2500 for the top 5 in XPLOSIVEAPE’s Strongest Man. See some of the UK’s best athletes, including Graham Hick (current British log press holder, World's Strongest Man competitor, and third at Britain's), fast-rising demon Mark Steele, and current England's Strongest Man, Paul Smith. Come along, cheer, and snap a photo with the strongest men and women in the country!
If that leaves you in need of refreshment, head over to KRAKEN’s Freaky Tiki black spiced rum bar, where you can indulge in dastardly concoctions amongst black palm trees, tiki torches, and shrunken heads. Adorn yourself with a black lei and keep an eye out for the KRAKEN Hunters patrolling the arena. Look for the totem pole, you won’t be able to miss it.
BLOODSTOCK’s also pleased to announce the return of the very popular JAGERMEISTER Stage, showcasing some of the hottest up’n’comers in heavy music. Bands performing will be revealed in the coming weeks!
If bourbon revs your engine, you’ll be thrilled to hear that BULLEIT are cruising in with their classic Studebaker truck bar, offering their infamous frontier whiskey, along with a host of other BULLEIT goodies! They might have a hair-raisin’ surprise up their sleeve too…
Prepare to be dazzled! Bringing their full production, BLOODSTOCK's three headliners for 2017 are AMON AMARTH, GHOST, and MEGADETH. Also already announced are ARCH ENEMY, KREATOR, BLIND GUARDIAN, HATEBREED, TESTAMENT, OBITUARY, KING 810, BRUJERIA, WHITECHAPEL, SKINDRED, POSSESSED, ANNIHILATOR, MUNICIPAL WASTE, HELL, DECAPITATED, SOILWORK, CHELSEA GRIN, MACABRE, INQUISITION, KING PARROT, SCARAB, WINTERSUN, ONI, DENDERA, KROH, ABHORRENT DECIMATION, COURTESANS, WRETCHED SOUL, BOSSK, WINTERFYLLETH, GODS, BLIND HAZE, ARTHEMIS, SEASON’S END, BLIND RIVER, ENDEAVOUR, BLAAKYUM, DAKESIS, NORDJEVEL, and TORQUED. Many more are still to come! Stay tuned to BLOODSTOCK’s social media at https://www.facebook.com/bloodstock and https://twitter.com/bloodstockfest for the latest!
If blistering bands, raucous rock and dreamy folk music is what you want at Bestival, then the Invaders of the Future are what you need. A glimpse of our musical destiny these are the most exciting up-and-coming acts around. So, if you’re seeking an earful of discovery be sure to head to the Lulworth Estate in Dorset this 7-10 September.
Arbiter of aural adventuring Rob da Bank says: “This is one of my favourite things about Bestival. I spend ages thinking about who the most exciting new bands are and what underground sounds will blow everyone away. From Honeyblood and Black Foxxes to TRAAMS and Dead!, there’s a ton of acts who will be on the bigger stages next year. I promise you, this lot will be blasting from your headphones for years to come, so try not to miss them before they start playing enormo-domes!”
Turning the excitement up to 11, there will be must-see sets from sugar-coated riff monsters Honeyblood, doom-popsters Black Foxxes, chap-hop superstar Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer, indie kids Chastity Belt, Brighton’s The Magic Gang, folk troubadour Sean McGowan, DIY Punks The Tuts, feedback fuelled rockers TRAAMS, a band who have not yet ceased to be, Dead!, and stomping bluesy solo artiste Barns Courtney.
There will also be appearances from The Showhawk Duo, Swan Levitt, Upstarts, Coco and the Butterfields, Vistas, The Du-Rell Family, Lewis Bootle, Fours and Wild Front.
And even more live music from the likes of Jodie Abacus, Shama Rahman, Ecurbrekal, Nakamarra, Compton White, Brandon Rivers, Graceland, Route2Roots, Freazy and Eton Girls Choir.
BLOODSTOCK has six more bands lined up for the Sophie Lancaster stage and four lucky bands win slots on the New Blood stage to celebrate the start of the ‘Metal To The Masses’ finals.
Landing slots on the Sophie Lancaster stage are Leeds metal trio BLIND HAZE (www.facebook.com/Blindhazeband), Italian power/classic metal outfit, ARTHEMIS (www.facebook.com/arthemis.official/), sludgy groove beasts GODS (www.facebook.com/therealgods), symphonic goth outfit SEASON’S END (www.facebook.com/seasons.end), Bristol progressive rockers ENDEAVOUR (www.facebook.com/EndeavourMetal) and classic rock n’ rollers, BLIND RIVER (www.facebook.com/pg/BlindRiverUK).
We’re also thrilled to welcome back Last.fm as sponsors of the Sophie Lancaster stage for 2017. Check out their Spotify playlist of bands on the Sophie stage and get excited for August! https://play.spotify.com/user/lastfmofficial/playlist/2mbVU7viKYgRh5CPhhOwl8.
BLOODSTOCK’s ever tenacious search for the best breaking bands culminates soon with the kick off of the ‘Metal 2 The Masses’ finals on 22nd April. The festival’s incentive to give up-and-coming acts a break by offering slots on the bill at Catton Park has helped give many acts a career launchpad and the finals see the M2TM team narrowing it down and picking their winners for 2017. This year, M2TM ran in 29 UK regions, plus events in Ireland and Norway to find bands for the New Blood Stage. Attendees at the finals can also win weekend festival tickets or prizes from our sponsors, Kraken rum and Hobgoblin ale. The lucky bands winning a slot on the New Blood stage will also be in with a chance of landing extra goodies from our friends at Gibson Guitars, Studiomaster & Carlsbro or recording time with Russ Russell at his Parlour Studios in Northampton (http://www.parlourstudios.co.uk/).
Having won a slot on BLOODSTOCK’s New Blood stage in 2016, the Northern Irish band, THE CRAWLING are announced as winners of Metal 2 The Masses’ prize of a slot at the Slovenian festival, Metaldays. Congratulations to them!
BLOODSTOCK is also proud to announce the first bands landing a slot on the Hobgoblin New Blood stage, hand picked from CD and online applications. Hailing from Beirut, Lebanon are BLAAKYUM (www.facebook.com/blaakyum). The band’s blend of thrash & groove metal is infused with crushing Middle Eastern percussion and oriental guitars. Check out ‘Baal Adon’ live – https://youtu.be/6KwsoLIHKVE. British power-proggers DAKESIS (www.facebook.com/dakesis) also land a slot. The band’s sound ranges from powerful metal anthems to expansive, progressive instrumental and orchestral soundscapes. Check out ‘The Great Insurrection’ here – https://youtu.be/a_rcIORrxFo. Norway’s NORDJEVEL (www.facebook.com/nordjevelofficial) will bring some black metal to the New Blood bill. Featuring ex-Ragnarok and Marduk members in their ranks, their pedigree is second to none. Check out their video for ‘Djevelen I Nord’ here – https://youtu.be/zS1YAM7KdvQ. Lastly, British groove metal animals, TORQUED (www.facebook.com/Torquedband) also win a slot. They claim they’re here to ‘rip faces and blow gauges’. Decide for yourself by checking out their set at in August!
Bands still wanting to throw their hat in the ring for a New Blood slot can apply via the Hobgoblin video upload platform – https://www.wychwood.co.uk, or by contacting [email protected] for further details.
Already announced for 2017 are our three headliners AMON AMARTH, GHOST, and MEGADETH, plus ARCH ENEMY, KREATOR, BLIND GUARDIAN, HATEBREED, TESTAMENT, OBITUARY, KING 810, BRUJERIA, WHITECHAPEL, SKINDRED, POSSESSED, ANNIHILATOR, MUNICIPAL WASTE, HELL, DECAPITATED, SOILWORK, CHELSEA GRIN, MACABRE, INQUISITION, KING PARROT, SCARAB, WINTERSUN, ONI, DENDERA, KROH, ABHORRENT DECIMATION, COURTESANS, WRETCHED SOUL, BOSSK, and WINTERFYLLETH. Many more are still be announced! Stay tuned to BLOODSTOCK’s social media at https://www.facebook.com/bloodstock and https://twitter.com/bloodstockfest for the latest!
Already boasting a phenomenal line-up of indisputable headliners and the hottest voices in modern music, Reading & Leeds has announced even more names for this year’s festivals, taking place between 25 – 27 August 2017 at Richfield Avenue, Reading and Bramham Park, Leeds. Tickets are available here.
Rock ‘n’ roll legend and an unmistakable icon of music history, Liam Gallagher will be bringing his highly anticipated solo performance to Reading and Leeds in a UK Festival Exclusive. One of the most recognised figures in British music, his show will be an attitude filled performance fuelled with Oasis classics and tracks from his debut solo record; announcing the next huge step for the nation’s most unmissable frontman.
Undeniable alt-rock sensations PVRIS will be laying out their marker for the year ahead at Reading and Leeds, as they return to the stage ahead of their long-awaited sophomore record. After becoming the hottest name in emerging rock with the release of debut album White Noise in 2014, their electro-infused anthems have continued to resonate with an audience of devoted fans eager for their next chapter.
Long Beach trailblazer and Def Jam star, Vince Staples has become the definitive voice of rising hip-hop. Earning the respect of influential musical figures such as Odd Future, Earl Sweatshirt, Mac Miller, and Gorillaz following his debut album Summertime 06, his eagerly awaited appearance at Reading and Leeds this summer is sure to be an unmissable coronation of future rap royalty.
From one generation to another, timeless drum and bass titan Goldie will make a very special stop at this year’s Reading & Leeds festivals. A true innovator for a genre and a movement, Goldie transcends British culture, with classic LP Timeless still sounding as raw and captivating as it first did upon release in 1995. With a new album set for release, 2017 is the year Goldie returns with a bang, laid out in full colour at Reading & Leeds this summer.
With an incredible variety of genres and styles spread across the festival's six stages, Reading & Leeds is bursting with exciting names and defining sounds for 2017 and beyond.
MAIN STAGE
With huge headline performances set from the likes of Kasabian, Eminem and Muse, even more names have been confirmed for their standout moment in the sun on that iconic Reading & Leeds Main Stage. Along with the unmissable returns of Liam Gallagher and PVRIS, politically-charged garage rockers VANT will be making the step-up, following on from a festival-stopping set on last year’s Festival Republic Stage. With debut album Dumb Blood radiating unstoppable hits, expect their performance at this year’s festival to be a journey into unfiltered riffs in full glory. Grunge-tinged indie-pop pair Honeyblood will lay out tracks from second studio album Babes Never Die at the festivals, with LA blues rock duo Deap Vally will be bringing Femejism to both sites, and frenetic London quartet Judas heading back to the Main Stage after their sensational last-minute slot at Leeds last year.
Lynn Gunn, PVRIS:
“We are incredibly grateful to be performing again at Reading & Leeds. Our first experience at the festival was phenomenal and took us completely by surprise. We are excited to see what comes from it this time around and perhaps even play some new tunes *wink wink*
Deap Vally; "We can't wait to return to the R & L stage and show everyone how it's done”!
Judas;
"We feel totally honoured and privileged to be asked to open the main stage this year. We have been working so hard for so long and it's amazing to be rewarded with the chance to play the main stage at the best music festival in the U.K. Thank you to everyone who has supported us, see you in August! Let's have it"
Honeyblood
“Mega excited to be playing Reading and Leeds this year! It's such a legendary festival and it's an absolute dream come true be on the main stage.”
NME / RADIO ONE STAGE
Spilling with big names and rising favourites, including previously announced headliners You Me At Six, Flume and Haim, the NME/Radio One Stage has announced even more stand-out sets over the weekend. Monumental live performances will come from Mura Masa, the electronic maestro behind hits ‘Love$ick’ and ‘Firefly’. The highly acclaimed producer and multi-instrumentalist will reign over Reading and Leeds with thundering beats and a set that promises to point towards one of the most exciting artists in the world. Bass-giant Sub Focus is set to up the ante with an unmissable live set of eclectic dance, having released new material Lingua earlier this year.
Having made a name for herself through collaborations with Rudimental, Sean Paul and Clean Bandit, Anne-Marie is set to bring her mellifluous melodies and infectious synth lines to the festival. Teenage singer-songwriter extraordinaire Declan McKenna is another new name on the bill who is most definitely primed for big things over the year ahead. Possessing a live show that lights up packed venues and TV screens wherever he goes, and with a debut album out this summer, Declan McKenna’s moment is here and Reading and Leeds is the place to be to witness it all.
Chicago’s The Orwells will be packing out their muscular riffs and catchy refrains for an unpredictable appearance this year, along with Marika Hackman, whose hotly tipped new album I’m Not Your Man is set to drop this summer, full of distinct melodies and a bolder new sound. Expect it to go down a treat when Marika Hackman steps up to the Reading & Leeds stage this summer.
Brighton geek-rockers The Magic Gang, melancholy indie scuzz three piece Blaenavon and Australia's psych-pop groovers Pond are also lined up for stunning moments over the weekend, while further additions King No-One, SG Lewis, Mutemath and X Ambassadors all add to making the NME/Radio One Stage a not to be missed musical destination throughout the festival.
Declan McKenna;
“Reading & Leeds is definitely going to be a highlight of the year for me. Am so excited to finally be playing at a festival I love so much and have been to so many times.”
Zach Lount, King No One; "Reading and Leeds is such an amazing platform to spread who we are and drive our message of equality to more and more people. We can't wait to share our biggest moment”
FESTIVAL REPUBLIC STAGE
With headliners Bear’s Den, The Black Lips and The Hunna already primed for rapturous sets – the Festival Republic Stage is once again overflowing with future stars and acts possessing that special something that’ll take them to a whole new level. These include renowned garage rock heroes Japandroids, who returned earlier this year with acclaimed new album Near To The Wild Heart Of Life packed full of the shout-along hooks that have packed venues across the globe. 90s guitar riffers Ash are primed for a return to the festivals with a catalogue of indisputable hits at their disposal, while the transcendent grooves of US ambient-electro force Cigarettes After Sex are sure to be a highlight of the festival weekend.
Dazzling with a who’s who of names destined to burst into record collections over the next 12 months, the stage will play host to the likes of Aussie dance-psych kings Jagwar Ma with their infectious cuts from latest LP Every Now & Then, trailblazing indie-noir heroes Black Honey, glacial electro swooner The Japanese House, all-encompassing cinematic dreamers Pumarosa, modern pop tilter Bishop Briggs and Danish eruptive-pop trio Off Bloom amongst others.
After releasing their acclaimed debut About U, MUNA will make their first appearance at the festivals – promising a powerhouse show full of lush harmonies and potent pop perfection. They’ll be joined across the weekend by vibrant guitar-pop gang The Big Moon, sun-soaked pop prince Will Joseph Cook, US garage rock kickers The Districts, Dirty Hit two piece Superfood, Sydney duo Vallis Alps, distinct bassline pointer Cosima, blistering indie upstarts Paris Youth Foundation and the blues-fuelled highs of Ten Tonnes for landmark moments at every turn.
With further sets confirmed from Barns Courtney (Reading Only), LA creator Mondo Cozmo and electric pop swaggers OUTLYA – the Festival Republic Stage is a must-see look at the future of music and the world’s next favourite acts.
Tim Wheeler, Ash;
"We’re very proud to announce an historic 10th appearance for Ash at the Reading festival. We first performed there in 1995 and our shows at the festival stand among our favourite shows that we’ve ever played, it’s always been a highlight of each year we’ve done it. Somewhere along the way we were promised a statue upon reaching our 10th appearance, so we’re looking forward to the grand unveiling in August!"
Black Honey; "We've been going to Reading and Leeds since we were little, it's where I crowd surfed for the first time and fell in love with music, it feels so fucking good to be back on the other side of the barrier again this year"
Barns Courtney;
“Looking forward to making my debut appearance at one of my fave UK festivals which was the 1st one I ever a went to as a kid! Looking forward to rocking your little socks off Reading and thanks for the invite”
MUNA;
"We love the U.K. and are beyond thrilled and excited to be able to finally play a festival there!”
THE PIT/LOCK-UP STAGE
Bringing together the hottest names from every inch of the rock world, The Pit/Lock-Up Stage is set to play host to the most genre-defining sets of the weekend as Japanese leaders ONE OK ROCK, riotous live favourites Gnarwolves, riff masters Arcane Roots, high-octane lo-fi duo PWR BTTM and American heavyweights Breaking Benjamin will storm the coveted rock spotlight.
French electro-doom bringer Carpenter Brut, bass-heavy Bristol natives Turbowolf, and grime-punk new bloods Astroid Boys promise to redefine the very meaning of blistering festival performances, whilst Boston Manor, Defeater, VUKOVI, God Damn, WSTR, and Viagra Boys are destined to steal the stage with their raw punk behaviour.
In a seismic billing of alternative power, critically acclaimed Zeal & Ardor are set to bring anthemic black metal to the stage as hotly tipped acts Palisades and Casey reinforce the unapologetic intensity of The Pit/Lock-Up Stage. A monumental mix of fierce acts including Tigers Jaw, Big Jesus, Tired Lion, Culture Abuse, Muncie Girls, TIGERCUB, SLØTFACE, RavenEye, Freak and LIFE promise to take 2017 to another level.
Andrew Groves, Arcane Roots;
Playing the esteemed Reading & Leeds Festival last year was one of the highlights of our career, so to be asked to play again this year, with a new album on the way and an ambitious new sound, is both an honour and a opportunity to unveil what we've only teased at so far. Reading & Leeds has always felt like a proving ground to us, and we'll be certain to bring something special with the likes of Billy Talent shortly after us.
Thom Weeks, Gnarwolves;
"We're very excited to be playing Reading and Leeds this year. It'll be our 4th time at Reading and we get to play on the stage we first played on 4 years ago! I spent my teenage years at Reading, watching bands like Thursday and Sick Of It All, so getting to play is like living out a teenage fantasy…4 times!"
Ben Hopkins, PWR BTTM;
"My mind is completely blown that we are going to be playing Reading and Leeds where so many incredible bands have played for so many years. I just hope my outfit looks good!!!”
Lande Hekt, Muncie Girls:
“We're so exciting to go back to Reading and Leeds this year. Last time Eminem played, Dido made a surprise appearance and amongst the thousands of shocked fans, there wasn't a dry eye to be seen. We can only hope for the same this year. Also the Lock Up stage is amazing. What a way to end our summer!”
Sløtface;
"Just thinking of the fact that we'll be on the same poster as Kasabian, Charli XCX, At The Drive In and Eminem is really exciting. We love the festival life in the UK and this is the biggest UK festival we've ever done, so this has to be amazing.”
BBC 1XTRA STAGE
Promising to be one of the most exciting stages of the weekend, the BBC 1Xtra Stage welcomes Manchester’s finest Bugzy Malone. The northern Grime wordsmith’s credentials remain unchallenged with genre-defining E.P’s Walk With Me and Facing Time entering the UK Album Chart Top Ten. With videos of his flawless freestyles and music videos racking up over 90 million views; it’s no surprise he returns to Reading and Leeds as the stage’s final headliner.
New additions today include London’s grime queen, Stefflon Don, explosive American rapper Vince Staples, the hotly tipped West London MC AJ Tracey, MOBO Award Winner Abra Cadabra, and one of America’s most exciting hip-hop artists and producers, Russ.
Lord of The Mics legend, P Money will take to the BBC 1Xtra Stage, whilst Dante Jones and Drew Love appear as R&B success story, THEY. Critically acclaimed Canadian DJ Lunice will be bringing his highly anticipated mix of hip-hop, breakbeat and trap to the festival alongside hip-hop polymath Akala, freestyle master Big Tobz and grime young blood Jaykae. In addition to these incredible names, DJ Semtex (Reading only), Not3s, Bossman Birdie, A2, and Monster Florence also join the line-up, making for the most exciting BBC 1Xtra Stage billing to date.
Bugzy Malone; "I cannot wait to get back on stage at Reading and Leeds. It will be my third year in a row and I'm so gassed to be headlining the BBC 1Xtra stage. I've got a few surprises planned, so make sure you get there early."
P Money;
"Glad to be back! Third time is always the best time! Grime in full effect"
DJ Semtex
"The raw energy and excitement of the crowd that Reading and Leeds festival attracts is unrivalled. They demand the hardest, pounding abrasive sounds, and I love that. For me this is the event of the year."
BBC RADIO 1 DANCE STAGE
With Goldie announced today, the BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage packs the biggest electro line up of the summer, with new additions today including radio icon and contemporary tastemaker Mistajam. A gatekeeper to the most exciting music of the present day, he’ll take to the coveted stage alongside Brentford’s finest pirate radio DJ crew Kurupt FM, live beat-maker and multi-instrumentalist Jax Jones, and garage sound-system stars Heartless Crew. With Delta Heavy, Monki, and Hospital Records’ own Metrik also confirmed for moments across the weekend, the BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage will once again provide an exciting soundtrack to the bank holiday weekend.
Already soaked in unmistakable dance royalty, the BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage will be full of electronic boundary-pushers throughout the weekend, including seismic blending from South London’s prodigal beat maker Jacob Plant, garage pioneers Dreem Teem, homegrown house producer Kideko and a Fabric favourites B2B set from Loadstar and Matrix & Futurebound. Also added today and set to provide a fitting summer soundtrack is LANY, the alt-pop trio known for their sunset haze sound, Alma, who will be on hand with her tropical house beats and powerhouse vocals, and indie-pop charmers HAUS.
Jacob Plant;
"I can't wait to play R&L this year! It's hands down my favourite festival to play in the world. This will be my 4th time playing and every year gets bigger and better!"
Loadstar;
'We are delighted to be playing at Reading & Leeds festival this year, its definitely one of those festival's we've always dreamt of playing and to be part of the massive line up for the R1 dance stage is huge honour…see you there!'
LANY;
"Reading and Leeds is muddy and weird and perfect. I can't wait to be back."
