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!
BLOODSTOCK is excited to kick off the New Year by announcing MEGADETH as their Sunday night headliner!
MEGADETH’s mainman, Dave Mustaine tells us “We kick off 2017 by announcing we'll be headlining Sunday night at Bloodstock, one of my favourite, purely metal, British festivals! Megadeth had a blast last time and I can't wait to bring the Dystopia World Tour to Bloodstock this Summer. See ya at Catton Park in August!"
MEGADETH were recently nominated for a Grammy in the ‘Best Metal Performance’ category for the title track of their current critically acclaimed ‘Dystopia’ album. Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK95lWHl7js and grab a copy of ‘Dystopia’ here
Also available now is the very popular ticket deposit scheme! The payment plan helps ease the ‘big lump’ shock of paying for your standard weekend ticket by breaking it up into five smaller, more manageable sums. You can sign up in the ticket store at any time from now until 28th Feb, with an initial payment of £34.80 payable on sign-up. Thereafter, four additional instalments of £27.80 will debit your bank account on 1st April, May, June and July respectively. Get full details over at http://bloodstock.seetickets.com/content/ticket-options.
If you have Scuzz TV, check out GOJIRA's incredible full set from BLOODSTOCK 2016 which is being broadcast regularly on the channel! Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/yLZT5Ao7o8M. The show will be repeated on the channel all through January.
Already announced for 2017 are Friday’s headliners AMON AMARTH, plus BLIND GUARDIAN, HATEBREED, TESTAMENT, OBITUARY, BRUJERIA, WHITECHAPEL, SKINDRED, POSSESSED, ANNIHILATOR, MUNICIPAL WASTE, HELL and DECAPITATED. Many more are still to come! Stay tuned to BLOODSTOCK’s social media for the latest!
The Isle of Wight Festival today reveals world superstar DJ, David Guetta and legendary New York hip hop group Run DMC will co-headline the Main Stage on Friday 9th June, They join Arcade Fire and Rod Stewart who will top the bill on Saturday and Sunday night. In addition, chart favourites George Ezra, Rag’n’Bone Man, Bastille and Jack Savoretti add to the most exciting line-up of the summer.
Giving the festival a massive injection of memorable hip-hop beats and electrifying electronic dance anthems, the two world famous acts will ensure a spectacular start to what is the first festival of the summer, ahead of a full weekend of live music and entertainment.
Run DMC’s Joseph Simmons said: “We absolutely love playing in the UK, it’s always such a great reception. You guys rock! To be given the chance to play such an iconic UK festival is huge and we’re really looking forward to it!”
Festival promoter John Giddings said: “The Isle of Wight Festival has always been known for its variety in music and this year is no different. To have the world’s first and most inspiring hip hop group headlining alongside one of the world's biggest electronic DJ’s is fantastic. I’m also really excited about George Ezra, Rag ‘N’ Bone Man, Bastille and Jack Savoretti. Again there’s something for everyone. I know the crowds at the festival are going wild for all the acts, not just the headliners.”
Run DMC are widely known as one of the most influential acts in the history of hip hop culture. They were the first rap group to be certified gold, to be certified platinum, to have a Top 10 single and feature on the cover of The Rolling Stone magazine. This year they also become the first rap group to receive a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. The Queens-bred group, comprised of Darryl "DMC" McDaniels, Joseph "Reverend Run" Simmons and the late Jason "Jam Master Jay" Mizell. Formed in 1981, the group have spent over three decades performing with the likes of the Beastie Boys and Aerosmith, and have gone on to sell over 230 million records worldwide.
David Guetta has played a pivotal role in turning dance music into the chart-topping juggernaut it is today. His impact has been impossible to ignore, or to underestimate. He can be considered among the elite group of super-producers whose sound is synonymous with an era – such as Trevor Horn, Rick Rubin or Dr Dre. Guetta has sold over nine million albums and 30 million singles worldwide and has collaborated with some of the biggest names in music including; Sia, Akon, Kelly Rowland, Flo Rida, Rihanna, Usher, Nicki Minaj, Jessie J and Chris Brown.
George Ezra is an acclaimed English singer-songwriter and musician. His debut album, ‘Wanted On Voyage’, was released in June 2014 and featured the global hit single ‘Budapest’, which achieved platinum status in both the UK and the US, and a second UK top 10 single ‘Blame It On Me’. It was the third best-selling UK album of 2014, and in the top 20 best-selling UK albums of the decade so far, selling a total of 3 million albums worldwide. George Ezra has been nominated for four BRIT Awards, MTV Music Awards, Q Awards and the Ivor Novello Awards.
Neo-blues & soul singer Rory Graham, Rag‘n’Bone Man, is signed to Columbia Records. His debut single for Columbia, ‘Human’ dropped in July 2016 and was a huge hit in several European countries, topping the charts in Germany. Rag’n’Bone Man received this year’s BRITs Critics’ Choice Award, the award has continued to successfully highlight and identify future British recording talent before it happens.
Founded by singer-songwriter Dan Smith in 2010, British band Bastille topped the Official Albums Chart in 2013 with their debut LP ‘Bad Blood’, which includes the hit singles ‘Flaws’, ‘Pompeii’ and ‘Of The Night’. Their second album ‘Wild World’ repeated the former's success, also reaching Number One in the charts.
Former poet-turned-acoustic singer-songwriter Jack Savoretti, released his first single in 2006. Savoretti has gone on to release five studio albums, ‘Between The Minds’, ‘Harder Than Easy’, ‘Before The Storm’, ‘Written in Scars’ and ‘Sleep no more’
The 2017 edition of ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL will see its RESISTANCE concept dominate not one, but two huge stages at Bayfront Park as it grows into a festival within the festival. In addition to welcoming back Arcadia Spectacular’s imposing ‘Spider’ structure across all three days of the event, RESISTANCE will now team up with its recently announced global ambassador Carl Cox to take over the Megastructure on Friday, March 24 and Saturday, March 25. Following thirteen consecutive years of ‘Carl Cox & Friends’ inside the vaunted arena, the legend himself now introduces a brand new era as a driving force behind ULTRA’s burgeoning RESISTANCE concept.
Having unveiled a select few RESISTANCE performers in its Phase One lineup announcement on November 17 (including the U.S. return of Sasha & John Digweed together for the first time since 2010), the World’s Premier Electronic Music Festival now drops the names of thirty-one RESISTANCE acts set to descend upon Downtown Miami in just a few months time.
Arcadia’s fire-breathing Spider will welcome house and techno heavyweights including (in alphabetical order) ANNA, Chris Liebing, Dosem, Dubfire, Eats Everything, Hector, Hot Since 82, Jamie Jones, Kölsch, Maceo Plex, The Martinez Brothers, Matador, Matthias Tanzmann, Nic Fanciulli, Reboot, Seth Troxler, Technasia and wAFF. Support comes in the form of Elio Riso, Josefin Rosen and RioTGeaR.
As mentioned previously, Carl Cox will helm RESISTANCE’s debut outing in the Megastructure across both Friday and Saturday, where he will be joined by (in alphabetical order) Black Coffee, Joseph Capriati, Marco Carola, The Martinez Brothers, Sasha & John Digweed and Tale of Us, among others. Support comes from B. Traits, Eli & Fur, Jon Rundell and Saeed Younan.
Reading & Leeds Festivals announce Muse, in a UK Festival exclusive, as the first headliners for next year’s festival, taking place 25-27 August 2017.
Stadium rock royalty, Muse are one of the most influential and revered live bands of modern times. Led by the commanding presence of frontman Matt Bellamy, the trio have taken to the biggest stages around the world with their interstellar anthems for over 22 years, and their return to Reading & Leeds promises to be yet another landmark moment in their storied career.
Muse commented:
"We’re very excited to be playing Reading and Leeds again. More news about our plans for 2017 coming in the new year."
Also confirmed for Reading & Leeds 2017 in a UK Festival Exclusive, are dancehall-rejuvenators Major Lazer. Diplo, Jillionaire and Walshy Fire have become the soundtrack of modern dance, claiming No.1 records, chart-dominating tracks such as ‘Lean On’ and ‘Cold Water’ as well as live shows packed with genre-mashing moments promising an unrivalled party atmosphere.
With a worldwide legion of fans and a catalogue of defining pop anthems, Bastille stand as one of the biggest acts on the planet. Their storming breakout album Bad Blood saw the band catapulted onto playlists, sell out venues, scooping BRIT Awards and selling over 7 million albums. With latest LP Wild World once again dominating the charts on both sides of the Atlantic, expect to witness a crowning moment as true modern titans return to Reading & Leeds.
At The Drive-In are set to bring their high-octane and powerful live show to Reading & Leeds this year, returning to the festival after their sold out world tour in 2016. Establishing an entire genre with their seminal 2000 LP Relationship Of Command, their unpredictable live shows bring a timely reminder as to why they remain such an influential powerhouse in alternative music.
Having released one of the most critically revered hip hop records of the year, Danny Brown will be bringing his world renowned individuality to the stage at Reading & Leeds Festival. Throughout his musical career he’s remained daring and distinctive when delivering his personal message, resulting in an atmospheric and emotional performance that’s not to be missed.
In terms of celebrated post-hardcore British bands, none may be as vital and influential as Architects. Through a career with numerous defiant moments, Brighton’s very own have forged a path of their own such as recently headlining a mammoth evening at London’s Brixton Academy fresh from the release of acclaimed album All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us. Expect an emotionally charged return to Reading & Leeds for a UK Festival Exclusive performance of immeasurable significance.
Glass Animalscontinue to demonstrate why they are set to be one of the true global breakthrough artists of 2016. How To Be A Human Being was released at the end of August via Caroline International / Wolf Tone to rave album reviews, and Radio 1 and 6 music A-listed singles ‘Life Itself’ and ‘Youth’. The band have had a phenomenal live year, selling out their entire UK, EU and US tours and amassing well over 200 million Spotify streams. 2017 will see the band continue their anomalous rise, starting with Singapore, Australia and New Zealand in January, followed by the band's biggest UK tour to date, including Brixton Academy on March 16th.
One of the most recognisable voices of the past 12 months, Tory Lanez will be making an appearance at Reading & Leeds 2017. With standout single ‘LUV’ heralded as an indisputable late-night party anthem, the Canadian breakout star is on the cusp of world domination.
Powered by catchy, upbeat melodies and the strong voice of frontwoman Chrissy Costanza, Against The Current will dominate their first ever Reading & Leeds performance with tracks from this year’s debut album In Our Bones. They’ll be joined on the bill by drum and bass icon Andy C. His incredible career has seen him headline some of the biggest stages and moments in the genre’s history, most recently including his sell out shows at Brixton Academy and Alexandra Palace. Equally as momentous will be the return of While She Sleeps, British metalcore’s undeniable DIY heroes who’ll be back in 2017 with their anticipated third album You Are We.
With hundreds of acts set to play across eight stages, Reading & Leeds is once again the unmissable festival weekend of the summer – defining and celebrating the who’s who of modern ground breaking music.
CONFIRMED TODAY
Against The Current | Andy C | Architects (UK Festival Exclusive) | At The Drive-In | Bastille | Danny Brown | Glass Animals | Major Lazer (UK Festival Exclusive) | Muse | Tory Lanez | While She Sleeps
Today the Isle of Wight Festival 2017 have announced Rod Stewart to headline on Sunday 11th June in his only UK festival appearance next year. He has been delighting fans at sold out concerts up and down the UK as part of his ‘From Gasoline Alley to Another Country Hits’ arena tour.
Rod Stewart will bring his spectacular live show to the festival for the first time, performing a set of both classics and new hits in his dazzling signature style. As one of the best-selling artists in the history of recorded music, with over 200 million records sold worldwide his performance will include show-stopping classics spanning five decades including ‘Maggie May, Da Ya Think I’m Sexy, Baby Jane, the First Cut is the Deepest and I Don’t Want to Talk About It’. Festival-goers will also be treated to tracks from his recently released critically acclaimed platinum album ‘Another Country’, which debuted at Number Two last year.
Rod Stewart said: ‘I have been very lucky to have played many of the world's finest venues and festivals – but never played the legendary IOW Festival. I am so excited to put that right. June can't come round soon enough.’
Isle of Wight Festival Promoter, John Giddings said: ‘I’ve wanted Rod Stewart to play at the festival for a number of years – he’s an incredible icon with a career that’s spanned over five decades so it’s impossible to not be a fan. On Sunday night he’ll bring an incredible energy to create an unforgettable moment.’
Topping the bill on Sunday night, Rod Stewart joins the previously announced Saturday headliners Arcade Fire at the festival which takes place from 8th-11th June at Seaclose Park, Newport. Early bird tickets are currently on sale as well as day tickets for the festival – www.isleofwightfestival.com
For a VIP festival experience, exclusive glamping options are also on sale. Camp Kerala Mademoiselle provide Luxury Glamping backstage with room service and VIP transport.
Eve’s Tipis offer a luxury stay with a cocktail bar and hot breakfast options to kickstart your day. The much loved colourful Podpads will also be returning which include a power point to keep your phone charged throughout the weekend. Love Your Tent, Tangerine Fields and Pink Moon Camping also offer unique camping experiences for a weekend in style.
2017 will be the 16th Isle of Wight Festival since it was successfully relaunched in 2002 to become one of the most exciting weekends of the summer, and Sir Rod will take his place alongside a proud heritage of show-stopping headliners such as Foo Fighters, The Rolling Stones, The Killers, Paul McCartney, Coldplay, Blur and Fleetwood Mac.
Unfortunately for those looking forward to T in the Park 2017, we have just been informed that it will not be taking place. Please see the offical statement from the organisers below.
T in the Park festival organisers DF Concerts and founding partner Tennent’s Lager today announced the news that the Scottish festival will be taking a break in 2017. The partners of 23 years released a statement, which can be read below in full, to music fans across the world, paying homage to their passion and dedication to T in the Park.
EVENT STATEMENT
“To the best audience in the world,
For over 23 years, T in the Park has been at the heart of Scotland’s music scene – with you, by our side. But for now, sadly, we need to take a break.
We launched T in the Park with one aim: to give Scottish music fans an unforgettable weekend with their friends enjoying the best acts from around the globe. And to say we achieved this together is an understatement. T in the Park has become one of the best known, biggest and most loved festivals in the world. When we launched back in 1994 there were only two music festivals in the UK – now there are many and T in the Park paved the way for all that have come and gone in Scotland since. We created more than just a festival; we created a family and decades of wonderful memories.
However, the last couple of years have had their challenges. Against our will, and despite a prolonged fight, we were forced to move from Balado, Kinross in 2015. This move was a mammoth task for the event and one that was compounded by a series of onerous site restrictions placed upon us as preparations for the event in 2015 took place.
As the build up to the festival was well underway we were informed by Scottish Government Ministers that we would have to apply for full Planning Permission due to the presence of an unregistered, but protected in law, osprey's nest. The constraints – logistically and financially – that the resulting planning conditions put upon us are simply not workable. We tried our best to work with the pressures placed upon the site by bringing in an additional team and fixing the first year traffic issues, but ultimately we’re not in control of the overall site layout and the continued restrictions means that the negative impact on our fans and the limitations placed on their experience is too great. We now need to take stock and take a year out to try to resolve the issues so that we can once again deliver the kind of camping festival you are used to and deserve."
Slam Dunk Festival have alredy annouced thier headliner this year will be Enter Shikari, but who else will be joining the festival this year?
The first set of bands have been annouced, First up, Bedford Rockers DON BROCO, who will be making it their only UK festival of 2016. Now if you remeber back in 2011 SDF brought you the first UK Less Than Jake and Reel Big Fish double bill. Well they're doing that again, and on top of of that making their Slam Dunk debut will be the Texas Rockers Bowling For Soup it's going to be one hell of a party!
BLOODSTOCK is thrilled to announce a bumper batch of Ronnie James Dio main stage bands for 2017, including their Friday night headliner!
Prepare your drinking horns!! Swedish overlords, AMON AMARTH will be sailing their Viking longboat on to the Catton Park shore as Friday night’s headline band! Chief berzerker Johan Hegg declares, "What's up UK! On August 11th 2017, we are invading BLOODSTOCK! It's going to be a fucking awesome party, with immense bloodshed and you better be there!" Get ready for battle and raise your horns with us via their latest video at https://youtu.be/Ndu33Uv7Aco.
Landing the special guest slot on Friday are power metal kingpins, BLIND GUARDIAN. Their set will be a UK exclusive for 2017. BLOODSTOCK prides itself on being by the fans, for the fans, and are pleased to welcome one of the fans most requested acts to the lineup. If you’re not familiar, you’ve three decades of music to investigate, but why not start with the more recent ‘Twlight Of The Gods’, at: https://youtu.be/Ep1B_aIFPDE.
Bay Area thrash beasts, TESTAMENT are set for a Friday slot. With their crushing brand new album, ‘Brotherhood Of The Snake’, released just a week ago by Nuclear Blast, check out the awesome video for new song ‘The Pale King’ at https://youtu.be/wkHT86Ei7DY.
Hardcore kings, HATEBREED make a welcome return to Catton Park on Saturday. Check out their video for ‘Looking Down The Barrel of Today’ from current album, ‘The Concrete Confessional’ here. Expect firebrand frontman, Jamey Jasta to play ringmaster to some epic circle pit activity, so get your pit skills honed in preparation!
Also landing a spot on the Ronnie James Dio main stage over the weekend are Tennessee deathcore beasts, WHITECHAPEL, seminal death metallers, POSSESSED and flying the flag for English heavy metal, BLOODSTOCK favourites, HELL.
Slam Dunk Festival announce thier headliner for 2017; Enter Shikari will be headliner at the festival with an exclusive celebration of 10 years since the release of their groundbreaking debut album "Take To The Skies".
Tickets now on sale so make sure you grab yours. Ticket links will be listed at www.slamdunkmusic.com
Fame, celebrity, a media that obsesses over both and huge business that sells us access to, and relics of, them: the one thing that’s clear is we have ourselves a new religion… of sorts. But this is a doctrine that offers us a troubling vision of Heaven on Earth; a room, full of our idols, guarded behind doors, with a strict entry criteria…
So, in this Strictly X Factor Love Island I’m a Kardashian #get-me-out-of-here social, instant, online world; what should we do? How much do we embrace this idea of the universal right to fame and, if we do, should we all start immediately baking, blogging, dancing, cooking, singing and redecorating our little hearts out, to get 'there’? You know that place down the red carpet and behind the velvet rope…
Well this summer the Secret Garden Party invites you to join it ‘there’ and finally find out if it’s anywhere we want to be.
In the tradition of the bacchanals, we will satiate this worldly distraction to the point we can break free from it – to finally gain a true perspective. And in doing so, set a new, true precedent. So we’re donning our finest threads and polishing up like never before for the biggest VIP LOL-off you’ve ever seen. Where everyone likes / follows / adores you, the bouncers all know your name and the Sweet Dreams are made by You…
AIF Conference, Cardiff last night….SGP wins award for ‘Act of Independence’.
Whether channelled through its distinctive themes or its confrontation of social issues, Secret Garden Party’s ethos and spirit of independence has always been to encourage a free-thinking and forward-thinking community. So organisers are genuinely gratified to receive recognition for this pioneering work on drug testing – the first public testing facility in the UK.
Freddie Fellowes founder of Secret Garden Party, along with Steve Rolles from the Transform Drug Policy Foundation and Fiona Measham, Professor of Criminology at Durham University and director of The Loop ( a not-for-profit service for drug and alcohol harm reduction) last night were presented with the Association of Independent Festivals’ ‘Act of Independence’ gong at the AIF awards ceremony for spearheading the first UK public drug-testing scheme at last summer’s Secret Garden Party – a service approved by Cambridge Police and local health authorities – where people could have their drugs tested for safety on site.
Paul Reed, General Manager of the AIF said:
“There was a very strong shortlist for the inaugural ‘Act of Independence’ award and the result is some well -deserved recognition for an initiative that was both preventative and proactive, focusing on harm reduction, promoting safer drug use and helping people to make informed choices. It was achieved following years of hard work behind the scenes engaging the various agencies involved so congratulation to Secret Garden Party and The Loop for their perseverance and pioneering work in this area. We hope to see MAST testing become rapidly widespread at festivals, and AIF are working closely with The Loop and the organisers of Secret Garden Party to develop best practice and national guidelines for drug use and health and safety services at festivals”
Art Applications now open:
SGP is calling out for next year’s creative wonders. Since launching the Grants Programme in the Garden, there’s been an explosion of creative work adorning the site with imaginative installations year on year. Now SGP is on the hunt for the new and spectacular, theme-inspired pieces for 2017. Artists, Designers & the wildly creative, be a part of this credible arts collective. With commissions, grants and development funds available contact: [email protected]
