Festivals

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

Standon Calling reveal the off stage fun for 2015

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Known as much more than just a music festival, Standon Calling's tenth year as one of the UK's best-loved festivals will offer its widest array of activities yet for all the family. For the wranglers amongst us pony rides will be on offer at The Wagon Park whilst cowboys and cowgirls can tame their own wild animal at thebuild a grizzly bear workshop. If revellers plan to run away and join the circus the Full of Fire team will be on hand to teach festival-goers the art of juggling, diablo, hooping and (quite literally) clowning around.The Wagon Park will house many of the workshops and activities throughout the weekend. Whether you're on the hunt for gold in Standon's huge sand pit, woodcraft classes, costume making, cake decorating, jewellery design and much more the adventure will not stop throughout the whole weekend. 

While this year will see the return of the much loved trapeze masterclasses, dog show and the outdoor heated open air swimming pool the Standon grounds will be transformed into a world where all is not as it seems. Returning for its 5th year, Autumn Shift who will bring for the first time Dr Jekyll's Hideout  & Dr Franken's Mine to the woodlands of Standon which, much like the Victorian legend, will house two very different personalities. By day the frontier town will house the wildest steam and brass-powered bands, stand-up comedy from the likes of Robin Ince, spoken word and folk acts from the likes of super-talented Grace Petrie, dance, poetry and much more in amongst the Victorian-themed music hall. As day turns to night this is when the figures from beyond the woods descend on the town as many of the performers throughout the day will undergo a dark and mysterious transformation…

Ukelele supergroup The Grand Old Ukes of Yorkshire will bring their u(ke)nique take on classic anthems to the fields of Standon while a classic wild west showdown will take place at the centre of the town square as The Dance Off presents: The Hillbilly Hoedown. For those feeling inspired by the main stage acts then the Rockaoke will be on hand alongside creepy crawlie enthusiasts at The Travelling Menagerie, a place to get up close and personal with wild west wildlife, still life drawing workshop Art Macabre and the high-octane Pandemonium Drummers. Plus the opportunity to tame those tresses at the bespoke on-site pop up hair salon provided by the fashion driven hairdressing brand Blue Tit brining their raw and luxurious independent boutique salon experience to the festival fields.

Fuelling the adventure across the three-day festival will be a selection of the most appetising street food vendors from London and beyond. Whether you're looking for warming pie and mash from Barnaby Sykes, award winning crepes at The Creperie, freshly cooked Neopolitan pizzas at Made of Dough or simply a little pick me up at Carnival Coffee Standon Calling caters for every taste. For the meat lovers American style BBQ'd pulled pork will also be on offer alongside vegan and vegetarian offerings from the Bhangra Bus and Goodness Gracious. Craft beer, cider and spirit enthusiasts are also well catered for with the esteemed Meantime brewery on hand alongside the acclaimed Old Mout Cider and master distillersSipsmith.

As a longstanding friend of the festival the breast cancer awareness charity CoppaFeel! will be partnering up with the Standon Calling once again. Dedicated to eradicating the late detection of breast cancer the Boob Team will be on hand all weekend, teaching people how to check their boobs in their bright pink boob cube. Worried they won't be spotted them at the festival? Look out for gang dressed as giant boobs…

Gibraltar Music Festival add James Bay, Ella Henderson and more

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With a lineup already fit to burst with huge names including headliners Kings Of Leon and Duran Duran alongside the likes of Kaiser Chiefs, Paloma Faith, Madness and Tom Odell Gibraltar Music Festival 2015 are now adding even more names to this year’s lineup. Providing a fitting and appropriately huge end to the summer festival season, GMF provides sun and music in abundance all within the picturesque surroundings of the Rock of Gibraltar.

Heading up this announcement is British singer-songwriter James Bay. Having won this year’s BRIT Awards Critics Choice Award and also as runner up in the BBC Sound of 2015 list his is a talent that is utterly undeniable and not least showcased on this year’s breakthrough album ‘Chaos and the Calm’. His set is not to be missed.

Since gracing the nation’s TV screens on the X Factor back in 2012 Ella Henderson has proven herself to be a true superstar. With both her debut single ‘Ghost’ and debut album ‘Chapter One’ charting at number one; she is undoubtedly one of the UK’s finest pop exports.

It’s been two years since Union J went from talented unknowns to overnight sensations on the 2012 series of The X Factor, andthey have been on quite a journey. Their army of young fans will be delighted to hear the boys' next stop on their path to boy band greatness will be at GMF this September.

Also joining the lineup are Gibraltar via Manchester sibling trio This Side Up who come to the festival hot on the heels of their summer UK tour as well as Dead City Radio and Kharma 13.

Easily accessible, affordable and suitable for the whole family, GMF rolls a holiday and some of the world’s biggest acts into one incredible weekend.

Tickets available at: http://www.gibraltarmusicfestival.com/tickets-and-packages/

Full Lineup So Far:

Kings Of Leon

Duran Duran

Paloma Faith

Madness

Kaiser Chiefs

Estopa

Tom Odell

The Feeling

Lawson

James Bay

Ella Henderson

Rae Morris

Third World

Hudson Taylor

Dub Colossus

Reach

Guy Valarino

Kristian Vinales (DJ Set)

Headwires

Paddy Taylor

Strange Brew

Tim Garcia ft Afterhours

Jeremy Perez with Tom Stott

This Side Up

Dead City Radio

Kharma 13

Best Kept Secret 2015: What we’re looking forward to this year.

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It might be monday, but no need to fret because this weekend is one of the most widely anticipated european festivals of the year. Best Kept Secret is still in its youth, in fact this year will only be it’s third birthday! But that doesn’t stop it from being one of the festival heavyweights. With headliners such as the Libertines, Alt-J and Noel Gallaghers High Flying Birds, and set in Hilvarenbeek, in the middle of the Netherlands, the dutch really know how to put on a show. So with the days creeping ever closer, here are some of the acts we’re most looking forward to seeing this weekend. 




Libertines


Now that they’re done making the reunion rounds, they’ve got their hearts set on reclaiming the rock and roll throne. Rumours of a new album leaving fans gripping the edge of their seat, and if their history of stage antics and cult following has anything to go by, we can tell the friday night headliners are not one to be missed. You never know, we might even get some sneak peeks of a new track or two. 
 
A$AP Rocky


Bound to be one of the best shows of the weekend after the much anticipated release of AT.LONG.LAST, A$AP Rocky aka Rakim Meyers is on top form. Not your average hip hop star, the young kid from Harlem continues to break the mould with his interest in fashion, his discontent with his own hype and passion for the art behind the music. The two year gap between his debut LONG.LIVE.A$AP and his new release had some of us reeling with frustration but now that it’s here, we could not have asked for more. Watch him on the main stage saturday night, he won’t disappoint. 


Royal Blood


One of the hottest new acts of the past year, Brighton duo Royal Blood are continuing to blow up, despite still being on their debut. Don’t let their youthfulness deter you, because the matching of heavy drums and perfectly executed riffs in their blues infused rock is enough to make your hair stand on end. Spend a few minutes with them on sunday and you’ll be the newest heir to the royal blood throne. 


Wolf Alice


Often called the ‘lovechild of grunge and folk’, Wolf Alice are kicking off the sunday at the second stage. Originally a duo that hit up the London Open Mic scene, they’ve now beefed up their sound and gained a cult following, making them one of the UK’s ones to watch over the coming year. Bearing in mind they don’t even have an official album yet, they’re doing pretty well for themselves and we can’t see what their show has to offer. 


Vaccines


Gracing the main stage on Saturday is the return of the Vaccines, having matured slightly from their 2011 grunge-rock, strokes inspired anthems, their awaiting release English Graffiti shows their stature and is sure to cement their place in the halls of pop-rock fame. 


Balthazar


One of Belgium’s hidden gems, Balthazar are back with their third album Thin Walls, and believe me it doesn’t disappoint. Chucked full of witty lyrics, dreamy guitar and a feeling of blues, if you haven’t heard them yet take some time to listen - they’re sure to become your new favourite band. 


Though these are just a few of the bands gracing the stages of Beekse Bergen, but the lineup is even better. It’s sure to be a great weekend ahead.

Relentless Kerrang Awards 2015

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In an awards show with no actual musical performances, Marilyn Manson still managed to steal the show.  The headline from the night has to be not his Lifetime Achievement award but that he actually arrived in person to collect his gong. Such a presence instantly dwarfed the rest of the rock great and good that filled the Troxy for yesterday’s Relentless Kerrang Awards. Even reducing Alice Cooper’s appearance to collect his Legend award to that of a cameo role.

 

This black carpet event tied with a Zombie theme was certainly a resounding success; Relentless cocktails and un-dead bar staff made for a spectacular evening but it’s the attention to the small details that make you realise you’re somewhere special. Zombie hands leap out and grab you from the scenery (presumably from actors hidden behind the scenes), and smoke machines billow out scary Silent Hill mists giving everyone the Heavy Metal chills.

 

Alcohol ran free and everyone was raising a charged glass to the winners, with Bring Me The Horizon getting all the plaudits they deserved for their Best British Band award. I should imagine both their table and Royal Blood’s (Best British Newcomer) will be nursing a sore head this morning but a well deserved one.

 

The only question is, after a night to remember like this, just how will the event organisers top it next year?

 

Tobin James

 

 

Top Artists to see at this years Isle of Wight Festival 2015

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Okay, so it's officially that time of year again the Isle of wight festival 2015 begins. Hope you've got your camping gear and your dancing shoes on to rock out with some of the top artists from around the globe. I can say I am officially exited and looking forward to all the acts this year. If you're starting early and camping on Thursday I recommend you go and check out the one and only Billy Idol, he will be getting you ready and in the mood for what is to come, over this epic weekend. He will be followed up by UB40'S Ali Campbell, Astro and Micky Virtue, so get dancing and ready to party. 

From the 12-14th June 2015 there are going to be some great performerances coming your way, here are my top 10 to look out for at the Isle of Wight Festival this year. 

1. Fleetwood Mac Bringing you Classics such as Dreams, Go your own way, Songbird and Don't stop, performing with Christine McVie after taking 16 years out, but now back to perform on their current tour, check them out on the "Electric Church" stage on Sunday 

2. Blur Bringing their indie-pop music and the original four line up performing classic that rocked the 90's such as Park life, Boys and Girls and Song 2 and songs from their current number 1 album The Magic Whip, performing on the "Electric Church" stage on Saturday

3. Pharrell Williams Who last performed at the Isle of Wight in 2008 performing with his band N.E.R.D, but now soloing with many hits under his belt such as Happy, Get Lucky and GIRL, performing on the "Electric Church" stage on Saturday 

4. Paolo Nutini This Scottish smooth artist will performing songs such as New Shoes, Jenny don't be hasty and Better Man, bringing his soulful rendition and vocals to the "Electric Church" stage on Sunday

5. James Bay This is guy is one to look out for, this guys has been going from strength to strength, bringing his unique and soulful voice and capturing his fans with his individuality, See him performing on the "Electric Church" stage on Saturday.

6. Counting Crows Who last performed at the Isle of Wight Festival in 2003, are back bringing their Californian vibe, These guys will be performing on the 'Electric Church' stage on Friday 

7. Jessie Ware This London sensation, will be bringing her electronic soulful sound to the stage gracing you with songs such as Champaign Kisses, Say you love me and Wildest Moments, she will be performing on the "Electric Stage" on Saturday

8. Prodigy Will be opening the festival bringing their electronic, industrial rave music to you via the "Electronic Church" stage Friday get ready to rave like it's the 1990s 

9. Ash Bringing their alternative rock to the stage with songs such as Shining light, Girls from mars and A life less ordinary you can check these guys out on the "Big Top" stage on Sunday 

10. James Bringing classics such as don't sit down, she's a star and sometimes, bringing the 90's to the stage taking you back to those dancing days he will be performing on the "Electric Church" stage on Saturday

So guys can't wait to see you all there, not long now. Isle of Wight Festival 2015, enjoy and bring your dancing shoes and check out the Isle of Wight lineup and see who will be on your list to see. 

Calling Festival announce flash ticket sale

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Calling Festival, the Capital’s premier festival for music lovers, today announced a one-off flash sale to celebrate the tenth successful year of the event. As a thank you to its loyal fans and in celebration of ten years of Calling, a limited amount of tickets will be sold at special rates, starting with a price band of just £21 with no booking fee. The tickets will then incrementally rise up through ten price brackets until they again reach normal 2015 pricing. These tickets are sold on a strictly first come first serve basis, so get in early to grab yourself a bargain! Calling Festival takes place in Clapham Common on Saturday 4 July and is headlined by Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. The flash sale starts at 6pm on Tuesday 9 Juneand is available at www.livenation.co.uk (all tickets are subject to an order processing fee).

This year’s Calling Festival will see huge names and the hottest up-and-coming acts descend upon Clapham Common. Headlined by Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, alongside Ryan Adams and the Shining, Modest Mouse, Echo and the Bunnymen and festival favourites The Hives. Calling Festival will also play host to a stellar range of the hottest new talent, including Wolf Alice who headline the second stage, Bleachers, led by Jack Antonoff of Grammy-Award winners ‘Fun’,Sunset Sons, nominees of BBC Sound of 2015, Deaf Havana frontman James Veck Gillodi, Sundara Karma, Osca, White Room and Vant have been announced to electrify the stage at this year’s event.

This one-off flash sale is only available from 6pm on Tuesday 9 June. It will kick-off with a limited run of tickets sold at £21 with no booking fee. The ten price tiers to celebrate the 10th Calling Festival, a price drop for each year, include the following prices:  £21, £25, £29, £33, £37, £41, £45, £49, £53 and £57 (all tickets are subject to an order processing fee). There will be a strictly limited amount of tickets available at each price, so the quicker you buy the cheaper the ticket! 

Barn on the Farm 2015 lineup complete

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Selling out in record time, award-winning Barn on the Farm festival today makes its final announcement to this years unstoppable line up. Championing the best in emerging and up-coming artists BOTF’s carefully tailored additions include, for the main stage Saturday, Lake District duo, Aquilo, hotly tipped Charlotte OC and folk singer song writer, Marcus Foster. They are also joined by Cash & David, Apostle Thomas, Ava Lily and Jasper in the Company of Others plus many more. BOTF maintain their strong line up announcements as one of the best independent music festivals in the UK for discovering new talents in their unique intimate space.
 
Heavily renowned for their carefully created line-ups predicating future success, this year’s announcement have been on par, with the final additions as no exception. Leading the additions include the hugely talked about Aquilo who after their sold out show in London and their beautiful second EP, ‘Human’ have received solid support form the likes of Radio One’s Huw Stephens’s, Annie Mac and Zane Lowe.

Joining the line up include Marcus Foster who's tracks have been featured in Twlight and Five Dollar a Day plus the extremely talented Charlotte OC who released her sensational EP ‘Colour my Heart’ earlier this year which has seen her go from strength to strength.

Also revealed today is one of The Guardian’s New Band’s to watch, Cash & David who comprise of an all female-fronted electronic pop trio, London based four piece Apostle Thomas,euphoric folk-pop Jasper in the Company of Others and Ava Lily.
 
The intimate Friday sees additions alongside the very special secret headliner who will be revealed on the night. Line up consists of Mike Dignam that recently supported Lawson on their sell out tour, Ady Suleiman who caught the ears of 1Xtra's Mistajam with his sensational track 'Serious', duo Bright Sparks plus newly emerging Ella Walker, Harry Mundy, Declan Donovan and Lily Rendle- Moore. 

The announcement today joins the already stellar line-up including Brit Award Winning James Bay’s only UK headline performance, The Staves, Jack Garratt, Prides, Rhodes, Amber Run, Little Comets, Foy Vance plus many, many more for what is turning into one of the most exciting Barn on the Farm line ups to date. 
 

Full Weekend Line Up

James Bay / The Staves

 Jack Garratt / Prides / Aqulio / Amber Run / Rhodes

 Little Comets / Foy Vance / Lauren Aquilina / Sunset Sons / Marcus Foster / Rag 'N' Bone Man

Charlotte OC / JP Cooper / Seafret / Chasing Grace / Alex Vargas / Fickle Friends / Port Isla 

The Intermission Project / Meadowlark / Racing Glaciers / Jake Isaac / Kimberly Anne 

Cash & David / Ruen Brothers / Model Aeroplanes / Dan Owen / Freddie Dickson & The Guard 

Martin Luke Brown / Chloe Black / Billie Marten / Hannah Grace / Samm Henshaw 

Matt Woods / Jasper in the Company of Others / Osca / Flo Morrisey / Louis Berry / Nathan Ball 

The Amazons / Prose / HAUS / Apostle Thomas / Ava Lily / Declan Mckenna

 Rothwell / George Cobsy / Amy Yon 

Intimate Friday Line-Up

Secret Headliner

MIke Dignam / Ady Suleiman / Samm Henshaw / Bright Sparks

 Ella Walker / Harry Mundy / Declan Donovan / Lily Rendle-Moore

More additions to this years The Big Feastival

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The summer’s ultimate music, food and family festival, The Big Feastival, has announced two exclusive dining experiences for this year.  The Friday Night Supper Club will take place on Friday 28 August and The Art of Dining’s ‘Gone Camping’ will host daily feasts at the festival.

This year’s Friday Night Supper Club in aid of The Jamie Oliver Food Foundation will be curated by the fantastic team at The Modern Pantry.  The restaurant was opened in 2008 by Anna Hansen MBE, it has won numerous awards including two AA rosettes, and has been listed as a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide.  Head Chef Rob Mcleary is a proud supporter of The Jamie Oliver Food Foundation’s Fifteen Apprenticeship Programme and the restaurant currently employs two former Fifteen Graduates, Joe Kerswell and John Emmerson. Joe and John have designed the mouth-watering Supper Club menu and alongside Rob, will be in charge of service on the night.

The Modern Pantry’s Friday Night Supper Club will take place under the canopy of the AEG Big Kitchen, which will be transformed into an al fresco dining experience from 8 – 10pm.  As the Official Champagne Partner of the festival, Champagne Laurent-Perrier will treat guests to a glass of Champagne Laurent-Perrier NV Brut on arrival and they will also enjoy a specially matched glass of Champagne Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé with dessert.  All food and drink is included, with all profits from the evening going to The Jamie Oliver Food Foundation.  Tickets are priced at £75.

The Art of Dining is the brainchild of Moro trained Chef Ellen Parr and accomplished Set Designer Alice Hodge, who have received rave reviews for their incredible pop-up dining experiences since they launched four years ago.  As a UK summer festival exclusive, Ellen and Alice will be inviting visitors to put on their walking boots, pack their torches, fill up their hip flasks and come on an adventure with the The Art of Dining’s ‘Gone Camping’dining experience.  Each of the five courses will encapsulate the fun, experimental, sometimes charcoaled flavours of camping, taking visitors back in time to family holidays of yesteryear.  Tickets are priced at £65.

The Modern Pantry’s Friday Night Supper Club menu is as follows:

Aperitif

A glass of Champagne Laurent-Perrier NV Brut

A selection of breads

Sumac lavosh, Potato & rosemary focaccia, Smoked paprika flat bread 

Canapés

Truffled edamame, lemon roast fennel & marinated feta filo tart 

‘Bulgogi’ – garlic, soy & sesame marinated beef sirloin, shredded carrot, crispy shallots

To Start

Cola marinated Denham Estate mutton chops, pineapple ketchup 

Beetroot & liquorice cured H Forman & Son’s salmon

Aubergine dengaku, pickled shimeji mushrooms, Thai basil cress 

Served with fennel, pomegranate & English wasabi slaw

From the BBQ

Char Siu Paddock Farm pork belly, fennel kimchee

Salads

Asparagus, peas, broad beans, marinated feta, mint, quinoa, toasted amchur pumpkin seeds, mustard greens, lemon & manuka honey dressing

Heritage tomato, grilled red & yellow peppers, basil, caraway & hazelnut crumbs, red endive, lemongrass & ginger dressing

Grilled corn on the cob, smoked chilli sambal butter 

Dessert

Passionfruit & yuzu curd tart, tonka bean cream, summer berries

 Served with a glass of Champagne Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé

The Art of Dining’s ‘Gone Camping’ menu is as follows: 

Welcome

A glass of Champagne Laurent-Perrier NV Brut 

Snack

Slow braised beef Khao Soi with crispy noodles and pickles

 Breakfast

Moroccan style eggs with date and cumin flat breads

 Lunch

Flageolet bean, sweet herb and avocado salad with Mojama 

Dinner

Thai style BBQ with potato and aubergine salad and grilled gem 

Bedtime

Hazelnut marshmallow and caramelised banana with hot chocolate

The Big Feastival returns with its best line-up yet from 28 – 30 August.  Boasting three days of all round entertainment with music guests includingPaloma Faith, Dizzee Rascal and Groove Armada and top chefs including Raymond Blanc, Ashley Palmer-Watts, Nathan Outlaw and MonicaGaletti all taking to the stage.  This year also marks the debut of The Big Feastival’s Healthy Living Zone, dedicated to healthy eating and well-being, with Deliciously Ella and the Hemsley Sisters heading up a specially curated programme of events. There’s fun for all ages with Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park making a welcome return to the festival and live performances from CBeebies Superstar Justin Fletcher, Swashbuckle’s Cook and Line and Peppa Pig.

Kendal Calling announce family entertainment and cinema lineup

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With the summer on our doorstep and festival season fast approaching, it’s nearly time for festival goers to descend on Lowther Deer Park in the beautiful Lake District for the sold out Kendal Calling 2015!

With the huge music lineup including headliners Elbow, Snoop Dogg, Kaiser Chiefs, The Vaccines and James, the festival is pleased to announce its family and kids programme for the year. With an ever-present focus on fun for all ages this year there is plenty to do for the whole family.

Kids Calling 2015 presents The Little Bugs Hub! The 2015 kid's theme is BUGS and Kendal is buzzing to bring festival goers the biggest and best kid's offering for Kendal Calling's 10th birthday. Kendal kids are invited to the BUG BIRTHDAY BASH and all festival long families can expect a hive of activity including games, creative performance, madcap mayhem, chill out zones and critter craft activities to decorate your little bugs and The Little Bugs Hub!

A huge array of other performance art, theatre and entertainment will be happening over the weekend. Marie Celestial is a very special commissioned performance including a mixture of aerial, circus, acrobatics, dance and theatre where you can explore curiosity with child like wonder. Walkabout pirate crew and all round loveable rogues Desperate Men will also be thrilling festival goers as will the interactive puppetry of Flying Buttresses Present: Hodman Dodmariott and Sally Forth.

Although jam-packed with entertainment, Kids Calling is a welcoming beautiful area for families with children from 0 – 10, shaded by lovely teepees and activity bell-tents for under 3's, where parents and little ones can relax and take time out from the crowds.

Kids’ TV favourite Alex Winters from CBeebies will be hosting the ever-popular kids’ version of Tim Burgess’ on site café, Tiny Tim Peaks. Full of hula hoops, temporary tattoos, giant jenga and face painting too. Other activities include a cartoon workshop with Tony Husband, incredible crafts class ‘Hey Ho, Let’s Sew’ and Andy Hunt’s DJ;ing masterclass for the teenage future DJs on site.

This year the cinema returns by popular demand with its own all day venue for any festival goers looking for a breather or just to enjoy one of their favourites in great company. Film fans of all ages can enjoy music docs, blockbusters, kids favourites and cult classics like Levellers: A Curious Life, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Happy Gilmour, Big Hero 6, The Big Lebowski, Ghostbusters, Mr Nice, Indiana Jones, Aliens, Terminator 2  and The Thing.

Other activities on offer include:

  • Big Fish Little Fish – Kendal Calling's first ever Kids rave.
  • Bug Training
  • Insect Olympics
  • Birthday Cupcake Decorating
  • The Bugs Birthday Bash Party 
  • Fancy Dress Parade
  • Early Evening Family Cabaret Featuring Kids Comedian James Campbell
  • Parkour (the art of freerunning)
  • Mufti Does Games – Huge boardgames including Battleships and Hangman.

Bestival announces Invaders of the Future stage lineup

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The very lifeblood of Bestival is new music. A passion that runs deep within the entire Bestival team, our head honcho Rob da Bank’s knack for spotting the most exciting new bands known to humanity is legendary, and has seen Bestival history littered with debut, or very early, festival appearances by some of what are now the world’s biggest acts. These days cunningly entitled the Invaders of the Future Stage, our new music mecca is where you need to be this September 10-13 at Robin Hill, if you want to see the next big thing before they become stadium-filling mega-stars.

A very modern Rob da Bank says: “OK, so this has to be my favourite stage at Bestival. It’s the beating heart of what Bestival is about – breaking new talent and exposing the undercard. It takes me about six months to book, on and off, wondering who the next wave of breaking bands are going to be, and trying to get the right mix of electronic, folk, soul and indie, dub and grime… and already I can see loads of these acts being on much bigger stages next year. Everyone from Ed Sheeran and Alt-J to Kate Tempest have played early gigs on this stage. So, from the wildly different sounds of Ratboy and Lion Babe, to The Skints, Clarence Clarity and the Island’s very own Plastic Mermaids, I promise you, this is the sound of the future”.

 

 

Currently causing a stir for those in the know there will be music from West London’s forward thinking alt. rockers All This Noise, our BBC Introducing twin Bearcubs, quirky funkers Boxed In, Ventnor duo Champs, singer-songwriter Clarence Clarity, Leeds five-piece Eagulls, folky grunger Eaves, gothabillys Eighteen Nightmares at the Lux, funk-inspired twosome Ekkah and sibling double act Formation.

We’ll also have punk rockers Girlpool, Norwich’s own Graceland, Glasgow pair Honeyblood, future-soulsters Honne, North London sisterly trio Jagaara, Manchester folky JJ Hodari, synth classicists Kate Simko & London Electronic Orchestra, rude boy Kiko Bun, BRIT school alumni Kimberly Anne and erstwhile Late of the Pier dude LA Priest.

Don’t miss out on fiery electro-ravers LIA:Life Imitates Art, singing cellist Laura Moody, Pharrell Williams collaborators Lion Babe, beat slayer Mura Musa, the woozy, bluesy Palace, Isle of Wight sons Plastic Mermaids, and Polar Maps, NYCs Ratboy, soulful popsters Real Lies, the super-seductive Secaina Hudson and intricately melodic people Shelter Point.

And be sure to catch those down-to-Mars girls Skinny Girl Diet, Bridie Monds-Watson AKA SOAK, Grime MC Stormzy, ambitious rockers The Bohicas, reggae-ska-dub-punk-hip-hoppers The Skints, indie troubadours The Slow Show, alt. popster Thomston, stratospheric-folk five-piece To Kill A King, Irish pop-rockers Walking on Cars and south coast psyche-surfers Wild Smiles. Giving a leg-up to the stars of tomorrow, the Invaders of the Future stage is where you might just discover your new favourite band.