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Henley Festival 2018 brings Grace Jones, Rita Ora, Nile Rodgers & Chic plus more

November 18, 2018January 24, 2018 by Nainesh Mehta

As the UK’s only black-tie boutique festival, Henley Festival is glamour personified, offering Michelin starred food, award winning comedians, Turner Prize nominated artists and the biggest names in popular, world, jazz and classical music. Many festival goers arrive by boat, and 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.

2018 Lineup

RITA ORA
GRACE JONES
NILE RODGERS & CHIC

CURTIS STIGERS AND THE RONNIE SCOTTS BIG BAND PRESENT ‘SINATRA AT THE SANDS’
ENGLISH NATIONAL OPERA

JAZZ & SWING

RAY GELATO AND THE GIANTS | MISS KIDDY AND THE CADS

STAKS BAND | KING PLEASURE AND THE BISCUIT BOYS | PURDY

WORLD & FOLK

BBC MUSIC INTRODUCING
ALEX GREEN | WOLF NOTE | LORNE | CECIL | PEARL TN

VISUAL ARTS
DAVID MACH | CHARLIE WAITE | ROSAMOND LLOYD

FOOD

CHARITIES

CHARLIE WALLER MEMORIAL TRUST
THE TEENAGE WILDERNESS TRUST

Established 36 years ago as a classical music charity event, Henley Festival continues to be run on a not for profit basis supporting charitable projects at both a national and local level. This year proceeds from the festival will go to two charities. Dedicated to supporting young people with depression, and encouraging discussions around mental health, the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust was set up in memory of a young man who took his own life whilst suffering from depression. The Teenage Wilderness Trust supports students who find it difficult to engage with mainstream education by offering reengagement courses using bush craft, wilderness learning techniques and practical life skills to encourage students to get back into learning.

THE FLOATING STAGE
Following the release of her long awaited album in Spring 2018, Rita Ora will open Henley Festival 2018 on the Wednesday night. The global pop star, with four No.1 hit songs to her name, including Radioactive and I Will Never Let You Down, will get the UK’s most glamourous festival off to an explosive start with her 2017 hit singles Kiss Me, Your Song and Anywhere.

A lifelong provocateur Grace Jones will light up Henley Festival with her energetic headline set that is guaranteed to include a string of costume changes and dance-club hits including her acclaimed reinvention of Piaf’s classic “La Vie En Rose”. One of the world’s most iconic women, singers, songwriters, supermodels, actresses and infamous Bond Girl, Grace Jones’ daring and original headline set will be one of the highlights of the festival.

Among music legends, Nile Rodgers is truly exceptional. He amplifies his legacy as a multi-Grammy-winning composer, producer, arranger and guitarist by constantly traversing new musical terrain and successfully expanding the boundaries of popular music. As the co-founder of CHIC, Rodgers pioneered a musical language that generated chart-topping pop hits like "Le Freak," sparked the advent of hip-hop with "Good Times,” and won CHIC eleven Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominations. More recently he has worked with Daft Punk, Avicii, Disclosure, and Sam Smith.

Saturday night at Henley Festival will see Curtis Stigers and The Ronnie Scott’s Big Band present ‘Sinatra At The Sands.’ Internationally acclaimed American jazz vocalist Curtis Stigers will channel the hip, swinging chemistry of Frank Sinatra and the Count Basie Orchestra for a brilliant night which will fly the Henley audience to the moon.

Henley Festival will close in true style on the Sunday night with one of the UK’s foremost opera companies the English National Opera performing with soloists, full orchestra and chorus and under the baton of ENO Music Director Martyn Brabbins. Their repertoire is taken from many of the greatest operas including Carmen, The Marriage of Figaro, Madam Butterfly, Turandot and La Traviata as well as a little Gilbert & Sullivan to top the night off.

A STELLAR COMEDY LINE-UP
The 2018 comedy line-up is set to be bigger and better than ever, with the likes of Paul Merton, Lee Nelson, Lucy Porter, Mark Watson and Dominic Holland among the biggest names of the 25 comedians performing at this year’s Festival. The comedy line up will also include a very special evening of unscripted, unrehearsed and spontaneous comedy from Dead Ringers’ impressionists Jon Culshaw and legendary comedy producer Bill Dare in their sell-out show The Great British Take Off. In addition, up and coming comics including Suzi Ruffell, Pierre Novellie, Rhys James, Flo & Joan, Alfie Brown and Adam Rowe will also be keeping audiences entertained as well as jaw-achingly funny cabaret from Tina C and Vellma Celli.

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. Credited for helping kick off the Swing revival in the early '80s Ray Gelato and the Giants will open Henley’s Jazz Club on Wednesday night. On the Thursday Pop Noir songstress Purdy will be performing, local to Henley, Purdy has supported Lana Del Ray and Jools Holland. Friday Night will see the high-energy Soul/R'n'B band The Staks Band comprised of virtuoso players working with some of the music world’s biggest artists, the band have a lineage that defies easy description. Saturday night will see performances from King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys whose dazzling musicianship and riveting stage performances will get the crowd jiving stomping and swinging, finally on Sunday Miss Kiddy and the Cads, will provide sensational live jazz, swinging beats, toe-tapping finesse and a lot of laughter to transport you straight to 1945s swing town, bringing Henley Festival’s Jazz Club to a high octane close.

BBC MUSIC INTRODUCING
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 Introducing discovering breaking acts from the region, all of whom have featured across the BBC network before.

Pearl, TN is a British country band with bittersweet songs of love and regret featuring Harriet James on vocals that are pure as a mountain stream. Inspired by American country artists including Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings this is one country band you don’t want to miss. Lorne is a singer, songwriter and pianist from Berkshire who released his debut EP Maze on 24th November 2017. With a sound that is a cross between Bon Iver, Brandon Flowers and Damien Rice, his gentle melodic pop and soft rock is a beauty to behold. Alex Green is a songwriter from Reading, previously the front man of the band Attention Thieves. He takes inspiration from artists within such genres as folk, country, blues and rock. Cecil is an alternate indie pop artist from Berkshire. Her debut E.P was released in April 2017 and received support from BBC Introducing, BBC Radio 2 and several other radio stations. Her debut album is due out this summer and with her music being compared to somewhere between Lana Del Rey and Kate Bush she is definitely a one to watch in 2018! WolfNote is a new acoustic folk and roots quartet from Berkshire comprising multi-instrumentalist Mike with his gammy leg, violinist and vocalist Ceri with her dodgy back, guitarist and vocalist Gill, also falling to bits and cellist and vocalist Bex, a crazy cat lady.

WORLD MUSIC IN THE BEDOUIN TENT
Enter The Bedouin Tent for a taste of global world music as well as home spun British folk at its best. World Music comes from Senegalese band The Coute Diomboulou Band led by Cissokh use traditional instruments including the kora, tamma and djembe expect an extraordinary mix of mbalax and afrobeat grounded in African traditions. Son Yambu play authentic Cuban son, the intoxicating fusion of Spanish and African rhythms that gave rise to salsa. They give this irresistible music a contemporary edge, bringing their audiences a truly, sensational, authentic Latin music experience. The Bikini Beach Band begins with one man – Jesus C. Escovedo – guitarist, revolutionary, ladies' man and 1956 All-Mexico Surfing Champion (for real). Expect rockin surf sound and chilled 1950s Mexican beach vibes. Trovador is a flamenco fusion trio with influences from Brazilian and classical music based in UK, providing a performance full of rhythm, passion and grace. Powerful and uplifting music from the virtuoso duo of guitarist Matt Sullivan and percussionist Jo May; Against the Grain will dazzle you with their stunning musical skills and exciting performances. Stirring the styles of West Africa, South America and Spain, Jo and Matt create an original blend of musical flavours.

FOLK MUSIC IN THE BEDOUIN TENT
Henley will be presenting up and coming folk music names in the Bedouin Tent including “alt-bluegrass” act The Coal Porters who demonstrate the foot stomping power of fiddle, mandolin, banjo, acoustic guitar and doghouse bass when matched with four-part harmonies. Winner of the 2009 BBC Young Folk Awards, Megan Henwood began writing songs in her early teens including her poignant song about relationship/abuse “White Lies”, from her debut album “Making Waves”. Firmly established in the roots scene, Maz O'Connor is a folk force to be reckoned with, the simplicity of her music recalls the starkly beautiful Cumbrian landscape of her childhood. Solasta are an outstanding folk ensemble known for their inventive arrangements, unique sound and exhilarating live performances. Comprised of award winning fiddler Elisabeth Flett, cellist Hannah Thomas, and guitarist Jamie Leeming, their dynamic interpretations of Celtic based material are rooted firmly in tradition. Art Deco Band Le Bistrotet was formed as the result of recordings made for the soundtrack of the Oscar winning movie, The Theory of Everything, expect classic Vaudeville and European café-bar music.

FOODIE FESTIVAL
For the 2018 festival, Michelin starred chef Angela Hartnett MBE will be taking the reins of 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. Angela Hartnett commented: “I am absolutely delighted to be working closely with the Henley Festival for the first time and to serve the food that I love at such a great and iconic event.” 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 Crooked Billet, The Spice Merchant, and Brasserie @ Jazz Club in the Speigltent, alongside street food from BBQ club, Snob Lobster, Jessecco Prosecco, Pizza Express and Audacious Crispy Squid, and champagne and cocktails from Moët Champagne Bar, Black Cab Coffee & Cocktails, Hotel du Vin and many more.

VISUAL ARTS
Henley Festival is one of the very few festivals to showcase art work from some of Britain’s most talented artists photographers and galleries. Henley is hugely excited to announce that this year, the festival will be showcasing work from the Turner Prize nominated artist and Royal Acamadician David Mach, Britain’s father of landscape photographer and founder of the Landscape Photographer of the Year Awards, Charlie Waite, award winning sculptures Rosamond Lloyd and will also be collaborating with the contemporary art curator and aboriginal art collector Jennifer Guerrini Maraldi. More artists, galleries and curators will be announced later in the year.

FAMILY SUNDAY
And while the festival is an adult only event, Sunday daytime sees the festival turned into a huge playground for families and kids of all ages, with activities and entertainers, who captivate and enchant. 2018’s Family Sunday offers balloon making, glitter tattoos, music lessons, comedy for kids, toddler disco, choir performances as well as fantastic entertainment from TV favourites Mr Bloom, Mr Danger and Fun & Gamz.

FIREWORKS
Henley Festival is topped off each night by a jaw dropping overhead firework display. In 2018 the fireworks display will be designed by Titanium Fireworks, the team who have put on some of the UK’s biggest firework shows in the last decade including the 2012 London Olympics, the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, the London New Year’s Eve Fireworks display and Hogmany in Edinburgh, as well as pyrotechnics for some of the biggest names in music including Adele, Will Smith, Coldplay and Take That. Henley Festival is currently the only music Festival which Titanium work with.

The UK’s BIGGEST Country Music Festival C2C returns to the O2 for its sixth year

November 25, 2018January 23, 2018 by Hannah Compton

2018 brings C2C Festival into their sixth year at the O2 Arena London in March for a three day event. With Country Music on the rise, C2C is THE place to be. If you think country music is just Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers then think again – modern country music has some of the most talented musicians in the industry who are really starting to make a name for themselves across all genres. Grammy winning artists such Maren Morris prove that country music is fresh, modern and infectious bridging the gap between country and pop.

C2C has played host to a high calibre of country artists over the years such as Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Zac Brown Band, Luke Bryan, previously mentioned Maren Morris, Brad Paisley, Reba, Eric Church and many many more.

This year C2C can boast one of the most sought after live acts across the genre in Friday Headliners Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. An opportunity to see the married power couple perform together is a rarity, especially within the UK. Tim McGraw played the first ever C2C back in 2013 and we are delighted to welcome him back with his wife Faith Hill who had huge success in the UK with her hit single This Kiss back in 1998.

Also on Fridays bill is country pop singer/songwriter Kelsea Ballerini. Kelsea has released two successful albums – The First Time (2015) and Unapologetically (2017). Kelsea has brown from strength to strength over the years receiving multiple award wins and nominations including a nod from the Grammys when she was nominated for best new artist in 2017. Kelsea had a hit number single with her self penned ballad Peter Pan and has continued to gain success with each single thereafter. Kelsea recently married Australian Country newcomer Morgan Evans who joins Kelsea at C2C as part of the Spotlight Stage which is held at the back of the O2 Arena between main stage acts and is always a very successful and much loved platform by fans.

Fridays main stage line up also brings us country band Old Dominion. Old Dominion are one of the funnest bands in country music – with quirky, well crafted, catchy songs, Old Dominion are some of the best songwriters in Nashville. A band who could easily cross over to mainstream success with songs such as Break Up With Him, Song For Another Time and Snapback from their debut album Meat and Candy and more recently with songs No Such Thing As A Broken Heart, Shoe Shopping and Written In The Sand from album Happy Endings.. Old Dominion were rated one of the best live acts of last year amongst UK country fans and will undoubtedly deliver a show stopping set at C2C.

Saturdays Main Stage line up starts with the late Glen Campbell’s daughter Ashley Campbell. Already having quite the fan base in the UK, Ashley will be playing a tribute to her late father, singing his music to a 20,000 strong audience who miss him terribly – her performance is set to be emotional for sure but beautiful. Ashley has recently released her single A New Year which is a stunning pop country ballad.

Relatively newcomer Luke Combs will make his UK debut on the O2 Arena Stage with his country rock sound. The North Carolina native released his debut album This One’s For You via Columbia Nashville. Combs first single Hurricane reached No. 1 on the Country Radio airplay charts and The album reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart and No. 5 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums. Combs then released his second single, When It Rains It Pours which also reached number one on the Country Airplay . This month Luke released One Number Away as his latest single. Luke is one of the artists fans are looking forward to the most as has been named an artist to watch via several publications and his fan base continues to grow daily.

UK favourite Kip Moore returns to the C2C stage after being a favourite in 2015. Kip Moore is quite simply one of the best and most underrated acts in country music. Kip’s strong southern rock sound and high energy performance’s will set the bar at C2C as his charming and rocking stage presence will shake the O2 Arena. Kip is on his third studio release Slowheart and he is without a doubt an artist not to be missed and an act you must listen to.

Reunited and it feels so good…..Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush went their separate ways releasing solo material for the last couple of years after years of playing together as one of country musics most successful duos Sugarland. Both Jennifer and Kristian have performed at C2C before but as solo acts so to have them reunite on the O2 stage is cooked up to be something very special indeed. Releasing their first single in years Still The Same, fans are excited to get to see Sugarland perform their biggest hits such as Stuck Like Glue, Stay, All I Want To Do and much more.

Headlining the Saturday will be Kacey Musgraves who has had a very successful career in the UK. Kacey being one of Country Music’s daring artists with controversial songs Follow Your Arrow and loved tracks such as Biscuits, Merry Go Round and Dime Store Cowgirl will have the audience in the palm if her hand singing along to every song. Kacey is currently working on her third studio release so hopefully we will get to hear some of those at C2C.

Sunday brings us the most talked about country band right now Midland. Midland have been the talk of the town with their traditional yet modern sound and notable fashion. Midland will make their UK debut at C2C and will leave fans with more than a Drinkin’ Problem after their set.

After Midland Americana artist Margo Price will take to the stage. Having played Glastonbury last year, Margo’s popularity within the UK has become even bigger and her current album All American Made has been included as one of the best albums of 2017 across numerous publications.

Legend EmmyLou Harris also makes her C2C debut and with the career she has had and the back catalogue that she can boast, C2C fans are certainly in for a treat. EmmyLou has been praised by the likes of Bob Harris for years and we are delighted that she will be joining the C2C line up.

Closing the London portion of C2C Festival is much loved vocal group Little Big Town. With some of the best voices in music in general, Karen, Kimberley, Philip and Jimmy always give an unforgettable performance which is always on fire. With a very impressive back catalogue of highly successful hits including Pontoon, Little White Church, Boondocks, Girl Crush and the award winning Better Man penned by Taylor Swift, Little Big Town will leave fans with a lasting memory of this years C2C Festival and will leave them craving more.

Not only will there be phenomenal acts on the main stage but the O2 Arena will also bring back the Spotlight Stage which is set up at the back of the arena in between main stage acts. This year we will get to see well established acts such as Morgan Evans, Brett Young, Jillian Jacqueline, Lukas Nelson & Promise of The Real, Lindsay Ell, Russell Dickerson, Walker Hayes and Ashley McBryde. Each act is worth checking out individually as all bring something very special to the table.

As if that wasn’t enough, the party doesn’t stop there. When the main stage acts finish, fans can go to after parties which are separately ticketed to see exclusive performances by Brett Young and Morgan Evans on Friday, Lukas Nelson and Promise of The Real Saturday and Walker Hayes on the Sunday. Each show will be followed by DJ Hish who will be playing music into the early hours of the morning.

During the daytime, there will be various pop up acts across numerous pop up stages, the acts haven’t been announced as of yet but you can be sure there will be a high calibre of artists as there are every year.

Other ticketed events during the day will be The Bluebird Sessions. Nashville comes to C2C with the infamous Bluebird Café with artists Ryan Hurd, Mo Pitney and Jillian Jacqueline sharing their stories behind the songs on Saturday and Ashley McBryde, Leslie Satcher and Walker Hayes sharing their stories on the Sunday. Acoustic songwriters rounds such as these are a treat and often the highlight for fans.

More will be announced over the coming weeks but C2C have proven year after year to why they are not just one of the best country music festivals but one of the best music festivals full stop. You will be hard pressed to find a better, more warming atmosphere than C2C and if the thought of country music still makes you cringe? Why not come down and check out some of the free stuff in the daytime but until then, check out some of the artists music and be a part of a genre that is so incredibly special and feels like family.

http://c2c-countrytocountry.com/london/buy-tickets/

THE HUMAN CANNONBALL COMES TO BESTIVAL!

June 10, 2020January 14, 2018 by Anna Hyams

Circus and immersive theatre have always been at the heart of Bestival, and this year the most colourful show on Earth is raising the high wire to bring you a circus-themed spectacular to blow your minds. Celebrating 250 years of a world where only the most courageous and audacious need apply, we are ridiculously excited to reveal that Human Cannonball, Rodrigo Pérez will be joining us, among a host of incredible performers, sideshows and curiosities on the Lulworth Estate this 2-5 August 2018*.

Bestival ringmaster Rob da Bank says: “in my other life as Ringmaster Robby I’m pretty darn excited about having a Human Cannonball flying across the Lulworth Estate in August. Rodrigo is the best in the business and will not disappoint. Watch ya heads!”

The Human Cannonball, Rodrigo Pérez says: “Firing yourself out of an enormous cannon takes a man of a high calibre. Luckily, I’m a cannonball kind of guy. Come and be amazed as I shoot through the sky, flying over your crazy, smiling faces.”

Today (January 9th) marks the 250th anniversary of Philip Astley’s first circus performance at Westminster Bridge. The Bestival crew always aims to please, so what better way to keep the tradition alive and well and to celebrate that landmark than by announcing that, rather than mere glitter, we are shooting an actual person from a cannon?! One of the most daring and dangerous acts ever to grace the circus, the Human Cannonball, is guaranteed to dazzle crowds this August at Bestival.

Following his family tradition, Rodrigo Pérez is one of the world’s most acclaimed proponents of the art. Fired from the barrel of a custom-built cannon, Rodrigo will fly up to 25 metres through the air as the crowds go ballistic! It’s trigger happy fun and a truly astonishing sight that must be seen to be believed. Do not miss out, come and witness the circus.

There are many more delights to be unveiled in the coming weeks including an all-embracing music line-up, jaw-dropping circus feats, bearded ladies, sword swallowers, sideshow shenanigans and more, so come one, come all, grab your tickets while you can, for the circus is about to begin.

NEW YEAR, NEW BANDS FOR BLOODSTOCK 2018

June 10, 2020January 14, 2018 by Anna Hyams

BLOODSTOCK are excited to make their first band announcement of 2018!

Tickets for 2018 are flying out the door, with less than 50 VIP tickets remaining. Do not delay if you’re planning on joining us in the Serpent’s Lair! Standard tickets, as well as the very popular Deposit Scheme and the last few camper van pitches are all currently available in the ticket store. So, about those band announcements…

JASTA & FRIENDS are set for a Ronnie James Dio main stage slot on Sunday! As a great friend of BLOODSTOCK, we’re thrilled to welcome Jamey Jasta, frontman of Hatebreed, Kingdom of Sorrow and Icepick, back to the festival with his solo band, JASTA. However, this is not just JASTA, this is JASTA & FRIENDS, so expect some special guests to jump on stage for various songs, just for the BOA faithful at BLOODSTOCK 2018! Guests will be revealed in due course, but we can tell you that the mighty Kirk Windstein (Crowbar, Down, Kingdom of Sorrow) will be one of them! Jamey says, “I’m beyond excited and honoured to have my first UK show with JASTA be at the mighty Bloodstock Festival! So many legends have graced the Bloodstock stages, we will channel their energy and give the fans a killer set with some special surprise guests!” Check out JASTA’s recent video for ‘The Same Flame’ here – https://youtu.be/P7PnbooaTOE.

VENOM INC also join Saturday’s main stage bill! With new album, ‘Avé’ released via Nuclear Blast last year, the seminal British metal icons will be bringing both classic tracks and new to BLOODSTOCK next August. Check out the lyric video for ‘Avé Satanas’, taken from that album here – https://youtu.be/Xt_yGt0ET0U and get ready to welcome The Demolition Man, Mantas and Abaddon to Catton Park!

Our Saturday night Sophie Lancaster stage headliner will be ORPHANED LAND! The ground-breaking band’s new album, ‘Unsung Prophets And Dead Messiahs’ is set for release later this month via Century Media and features guest appearances from Blind Guardian’s Hansi Kürsch, Tomas Lindberg from At The Gates and Steve Hackett. Check out the epic album teaser here – https://youtu.be/GNm20DFCO7Y.

Also joining the bill are the hotly tipped Danish prog metal outfit VOLA, who join the Sophie stage bill on Saturday. The band are hard at work on their new studio album, set for release through Mascot Records this year. Get a taster of their sound via the video for ‘Stray The Skies’ taken from 2016’s debut album, ‘InMazes’ – https://youtu.be/EipdyUZfrG0.

If you haven’t grabbed your ticket yet and are a bit stretched post-Christmas, BLOODSTOCK’s payment plan helps ease the ‘lump sum’ shock of paying for your ticket by breaking it into five smaller, more manageable amounts. Sign up in the ticket store any time before 28th Feb for an initial deposit of £36.00. Thereafter, four additional instalments of £29.00 will debit your bank account on 3rd April, 1st May, 1st June and 2nd July respectively. Find out full details and sign up over at https://bloodstock.seetickets.com.

If you already know you can only attend for one day, sign up for a day ticket reminder email as day tickets will not go on sale until next summer. Register your day ticket interest here – https://www.seetickets.com/register/bloodstock.

With Friday night headliners, JUDAS PRIEST, Saturday headliners, GOJIRA and Sunday’s bil toppers, NIGHTWISH already announced, as well as EMPEROR, DEVILDRIVER, WATAIN, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, WEDNESDAY 13, FOZZY, COMBICHRIST, BLOODBATH, MR BIG, KAMELOT, DORO, ORDEN OGAN, SEPTICFLESH and MEMORIAM so far, 2018 is shaping up to be another stellar year for BLOODSTOCK.

DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES NEXT ACTS FOR 2018

June 10, 2020December 20, 2017 by Anna Hyams

Download Festival, the world’s premier rock event, has announced some of the biggest rock acts in the world including Marilyn Manson, Parkway Drive, Rise Against, BODY COUNT ft. ICE T and more. The three-day festival takes place 8-10 June 2018 at the spiritual home of rock in Donington Park, Leicestershire. Tickets are on sale now at downloadfestival.co.uk/tickets.

Download is proud to welcome back the Antichrist Superstar himself Marilyn Manson, fresh off the release of critically acclaimed new album Heaven Upside Down. The goth rock veteran is more energised than ever and set to bring his renowned live show to Donington next year.

Since 2003 Aussie rock titans Parkway Drive have gone from strength-to-strength, pushing boundaries with their epic live performances. Having ascended to the forefront of modern metal with their latest critically acclaimed album Ire, their ferocious crushing breakdowns and stadium-sized choruses have them high on people’s lists for future headliner contenders.

Parkway Drive said:

“Parkway Drive are super stoked to be returning to Download for 2018. It's always a highlight for us to play Download and this time around we're aiming to top it all. We can't wait!”

British modern metal institution Bullet for My Valentine have also been confirmed to perform at Download Festival next year. The Welsh powerhouse have conquered the heights of Wembley Arena along with fellow UK torchbearers Asking Alexandria who will be taking to the stage with a hero’s return of their original infamous vocalist Danny Worsnop.

Matt Tuck of Bullet For My Valentine said:

“We're so excited to be playing next year's Download Festival!! It's been 5 long years now since we last performed at Donington Park, so we're more than ready to get back on that legendary stage and do what we do best. See you there!”

Ben Bruce of Asking Alexandria said:

“We have been waiting for half a decade to say this again, “DOWNLOAD WE ARE COMING FOR YA!”. Download festival is hands down one of the most exciting festivals in the world to play and so we have decided to bring our biggest show to date over with us. We cannot wait to see you all there. In the words of this year’s legendary headliner, Mama I’m coming home”

Pivotal punk rock heroes Rise Against will have fists thrown in the air, with their ferocious socio-political rock. Expect a high energy, kinetic performance from one of the world’s biggest authentic punk bands, who’ve proved their lasting worth to the genre. Joining the line up are LA Glam Rockers Black Veil Brides, Swedish extreme tech-metal trail blazers Meshuggah, and post hardcore legends Alexisonfire whose performance will be a long-awaited return to Download Festival.

Mind-blowing “metal phenomenon on a mission” BABYMETAL are confirmed to make their second official Download performance. This UK exclusive appearance will see the return of their thunderous metal, mixed with infectious J-pop that’s taken the world by storm. With figurehead Ice T at the helm, Body Count’s mix of harsh political messages and powerful hard-core sensibilities have made the rap metal icons unmissable, as well as In This Moment who are led by the entrancing Maria Brink and ready to bring a gothic, industrial, metal spectacle to make Download proud.

BABYMETAL said:

“We are so happy to announce that we will be playing at Download UK!! We were last there in 2016 and it is an absolute honour to be returning to this prestigious festival next year. Can’t wait to go back and see everyone there!”

Purveyors of garage-punk noise The Hives are confirmed, with frontman Howlin' Pelle Almqvist guaranteed to leave no stone unturned with a set of frantic non-stop rock n’ roll. Making their Download Festival debut are pop punks scousers WSTR who have propelled themselves throughout the last year, as well as emo pop favourites Mayday Parade who are hot off the back of a successful ten-year anniversary tour.

Selling out Brixton Academy and making massive waves as the break out luminaries of UK pop-punk, Wrexham five-piece Neck Deep are returning to Download Festival along with Seattle’s The Pink Slips with their fusion of “synth-pop, punk, dance and vintage rock ‘n’ roll”, fronted by the ferocious GRAVE, daughter of Guns N’ Roses’ Duff McKagan. Last but no means least are rising stars Dream State with their no-nonsense, melodic emo rock which has earned them their debut Download appearance.

Download Festival is the home of rock music and takes place on the sacred grounds of Donington Park, which have been associated with rock since the eighties. The festival attracts icons of rock to its main stage, plus some of the best and hottest new acts in the world. AC/DC, KISS, Metallica, Black Sabbath, The Prodigy, Rage Against The Machine, Slipknot, Linkin Park and many more have all headlined its main stage.

Slam Dunk 2018 – Second Act Announcement

November 25, 2018December 12, 2017 by Sophie Jones

Slam Dunk Festival have announce that there will be a joint headliner for #SDF18 and it will be none other then the legends that are Good Charlotte accompanying previously announced headliner Jimmy Eat World.

Also Joining them on the line-up will be: PVRIS, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Thursday, Creeper, Every Time I Die, Real Friends, Knuckle Puck & Crown The Empire.

And incase you missed it these bands have already been announced: Taking Back Sunday, Sleeping With Sirens, STATE CHAMPS, Four Year Strong & Trash Boat.

Get your tickets and download the #SDF18 app now @ http://slamdunkmusic.com

Slam Dunk 2018 – First Annoucement

November 18, 2018November 15, 2017 by Sophie Jones

Slam Dunk Festival 2018! have announce the first 6 bands covering the festival.

The headliners will be Jimmy Eat World with their debut Slam Dunk Performance, performing alongside Taking Back Sunday for the first time at a festival in the UK!

Also joining them will be Sleeping With Sirens, STATE CHAMPS, Four Year Strong and Trash Boat! This is the first of many announcements so stay tuned! for updates.

Tickets on sale from Friday 17th November 9am from: http://slamdunkmusic.com/tickets

Slam Dunk 2018 – Bigger and Better

June 10, 2020November 13, 2017 by Sophie Jones

SLAM DUNK FESTIVAL SOUTH TO CHANGE SITES!

THE UK’S BIGGEST INDEPENDENT ROCK FESTIVAL TO TAKE PLACE AT HATFIELD PARK

OVER 60 ACTS TO BE ANNOUNCED ACROSS 8 STAGES

SLAM DUNK FESTIVAL NORTH – SATURDAY 26TH MAY – LEEDS CITY CENTRE

SLAM DUNK FESTIVAL SOUTH – SUNDAY 27TH MAY – HATFIELD PARK

SLAM DUNK FESTIVAL MIDLANDS – BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY 28TH MAY – BIRMINGHAM NEC

http://slamdunkmusic.com/festival/

Slam Dunk Festival is set to return for it’s biggest year to date and is delighted to announce that Slam Dunk South will now take place at Hatfield Park, having outgrown its former home in Hatfield, the University of Hertfordshire.

Over double the size of the previous location, Hatfield Park is located in the grounds of Hatfield House and situated directly opposite Hatfield train station, making it even more accessible and accommodating for festival goers wishing to revel in Slam Dunk Festival’s alternative extravaganza.

Festival Director, Ben Ray comments:
‘Slam Dunk Festival South has been taking place in Hatfield since 2010 so the town has truly become our home. Therefore, I am extremely happy we managed to find a new site still within the town. We are sad to leave the University however the event was selling out months in advance so we knew we had to move it and make it bigger due to demand from the fans.’

In 2018, Slam Dunk Festival will begin in it’s spiritual home of Leeds, Millennium Square, before travelling to the new location of Hatfield Park, and finishing at the beloved Birmingham NEC. The first set of artists will be announced on Wednesday 15th November.

TICKET INFORMATION:

Tickets on sale at 9am, Friday 17th November from http://slamdunkmusic.com/

Cost £49 or £55 including the infamous afterparty. All subject to booking fees.

New for 2018 will be an installment scheme. Customers will be able to reserve their ticket for a small cost and pay the rest in installments up to the event

New dates and theme for BESTIVAL 2018!

June 10, 2020November 3, 2017 by Anna Hyams

Roll up, roll up, step this way and be amazed as we reveal our theme for 2018. Bestival, the most colourful show on earth, will celebrate 250 years of Circus, on the Lulworth Estate at a brand-new showtime – 2-5 August 2018.

Ringmaster extraordinaire Rob da Bank says: “Yes fellow Bestivalites it’s time to run away and join the Circus, Bestival style! Bearded freaks, insane acrobats, high wire daredevils, mutant jugglers and an out of control ringmaster all eager for you to join the most colourful show on earth await! And what makes this show even more unmissable is we have moved into peak season August style and will be open a month earlier than usual… so what are you waiting for?”

Featuring the miracles of miracle makers from across the globe, be dazzled and delighted by Art Car Night Circus Parade, Caravanserai flying trapeze, fire eating, knife throwing, bearded ladies (and men!), the Insect Circus Museum, sword swallowing, our hall of mirrors, circus workshops and free haircuts. Plus, be astonished and astounded by all the brilliant Bestival stages and sideshows that you can’t see anywhere else in the world.

But that’s not all. We have a new showtime, too. In response to festivalgoers’ feedback we’ll be opening the gates to Bestival a whole month earlier in 2018. Moving to the heart of the summer, our circus-themed arcadia of discovery will now be held from the 2nd to the 5th of August*. Do not miss out.

BLOODSTOCK add four more for Halloween

June 10, 2020November 3, 2017 by Anna Hyams

BLOODSTOCK is excited to announce four more spooktacular bands and add the 2018 Rock Society tickets to the ticket store.

We’re excited to announce that WATAIN will bring their black metal ritual to headline Sunday’s Sophie Lancaster stage in a UK festival exclusive. Frontman Erik Danielsson tells us, "Our last performance at BLOODSTOCK in 2012 was also the final date on the ‘Lawless Darkness’ tour. The sun was setting while we played and the crowd was getting louder and wilder the darker it became. A very charged atmosphere. Eager now to return and see what the eventful years that have passed and the force accumulated since then has done to both us and the BLOODSTOCK crowd. Furthermore, England is of course sacred ground when it comes to Metal in general, so when performing there, the stakes are always high. May all those that doubt be impaled upon them." Look out for the band’s long awaited sixth studio album arriving on 5th January 2018!

German power metallers, ORDEN OGAN also land a Ronnie James Dio main stage slot on Saturday. The band released ‘Gunmen’, their fifth studio album, this summer via AFM Records. Check out the video for ‘Gunman’ here and get a taster of what’s in store for their set in 2018 – https://youtu.be/JPm46Qgyn24.

Atlanta aggrotech outfit, COMBICHRIST also join the main stage bill for an early slot on Friday. The band have been working on new music after the release of their eighth studio album, ‘This Is Where Death Begins’ which landed in 2016. Check out the new track, ‘Broken:United’ at the following link – https://Combichrist.lnk.to/BrokenUnited.

Also landing an early main stage slot on Friday are British death/grind four-piece, MEMORIAM. Combining ex-members of Bolt Thrower and Benediction, MEMORIAM’s pedigree is high. The band of scene veterans are hard at work on the follow up to their debut, ‘For The Fallen’ released via Nuclear Blast earlier this year. Check out ‘Reduced To Zero’ taken from that opus here – https://youtu.be/Nmucoieg2Lc.

BLOODSTOCK’s Rock Society tickets become available in the store on Halloween morning, 31st October at 9.00am! The ‘Rock Society’ is effectively the festival’s ‘Members Club’, offering not only a 10% discount on your weekend ticket (on top of the early bird discount if you purchase the Rock Society membership + ticket bundle option), but all sorts of other cool benefits like priority signing tent access, a Rock Society laminate, access to the VIP Serpents Lair bar, a tour of the backstage & production areas to see ‘behind the scenes’, the chance to meet with the festival organisers, a dedicated hangout area in the Rock Society tent on site, a Rock Society Facebook community where you can make friends and get to know your fellow RockSoc members and plenty more besides. Full details can be found at http://www.bloodstock.uk.com/pages/rock-society. Memberships are priced at £75, limited to 300 and sell out almost immediately, so don’t delay if you want to pick one up.

Also now in the store are tickets for our new VANAHEIM campervan field. Due to increasing demand each year, we've made some site adjustments to allow for more pitches. As such, the new VANAHEIM site is located across the road, directly adjacent to Serpents Lair VIP parking, allowing an increase in size to accommodate 240 campervans, as opposed to just 130. Campervan pitches always sold through very rapidly, so this allows for more of our metal brethren to join the campervan club. Tickets for campervan pitches will remain at this year's price of £60.

With Friday night headliners, JUDAS PRIEST, Saturday night headliners, GOJIRA and Sunday headliners, NIGHTWISH already announced, along with EMPEROR, DEVILDRIVER and NAILS, 2018 is shaping up to be another stellar year for BLOODSTOCK.

2018 Lineup

RITA ORA GRACE JONES NILE RODGERS & CHIC

JAZZ & SWING

CHARITIES

RITA ORA
GRACE JONES
NILE RODGERS & CHIC