Festivals

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The Horrors, John Grant and many more set for Blissfields 2015

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Blissfields are proud to unveil the first wave of musical guests for 2015. The bill includes The Horrors, John Grant, Simian Mobile Disco (Live), Glass Animals, Public Service Broadcasting, Grandmaster Flash, Ibibio Sound Machine, The Correspondents, Songhoy Blues, Novelist, and Melé. Many more acts also confirmed, with a second wave still to be announced.

From a singularity in 2001, Blissfields has reached out into the cosmos inviting sold-outs crowds to its small but perfectly formed, 5,000 capacity, tree-lined mini wilderness in the Hampshire countryside. Music at Blissfields runs until around 4am each day, crafted to take its audience from clear afternoons of discovery and frivolity, through lofty main stage sets, into the heady wee small hours of the Blisscotheque and Hidden Hedge.

Eight years after The Horrors first appeared on the cover of NME, their fourth studio album Luminous marked them as one of the country’s leading, most consistent guitar acts. From their defiant early days of gothic garage-punk, they join Blissfields now as an internationally acclaimed headline act, with a truly unique sound and stage show, bringing a sense of the unreal to proceedings.

Following a string of sold out shows, including The Royal Festival Hall in London,John Grant will also bring his raw, emotional and frank take on music to Blissfields for the first time. Grant’s music has been met with universal critical acclaim, with his latest solo album, Pale Green Ghosts, garnering five star reviews and the accolade of ‘Album Of The Year’ by Rough Trade. His honest portrayal of life’s struggles have connected with listeners and even lead to Grant partaking in side projects, such as 2014 Blissfields alumni Hercules and Love Affair’s latest record.

Simian Mobile Disco will see in a late night LIVE slot on the main stage this year, their formidable set possibly including some of the remixes which bear their name – from the likes of Muse and Nine Inch Nails, to Bjork. Outside of the band, SMD’s James Ford has produced such records as Klaxon’s Mercury Prize-winning Myths Of The Near Future, Florence And The Machine’s Ceremonials, Arctic Monkeys last four ground-breaking records, and 2014’s gargantuan Jessie Ware album Tough Love.

In such a short space of time, Oxford’s Glass Animals have accosted the ear of St Vincent and Radiohead, landed a top-20 album release in Australia for their debut offering Zeba, and decorated some of the biggest stages in London including James Lavelle (UNKLE)’s curated Meltdown. Their hyper-intelligent take on guitar music has undoubtedly positioned them as one of the most sought after live acts of 2015.

Blissfields are pleased to welcome back Public Service Broadcasting. The duo’s original mix of electronica and indie with vocals hijacked from public information films has pioneered a new breed of dance-punk. Their stage show, complete with blinking TV sets, live strings and vintage suits, will beautifully join eras and attitudes together, fittingly into the festival’s 2015 “Somewhere In Time” theme suspiciously well.

Elsewhere and Bona fide DJ pioneer Grandmaster Flash will be serving his lessons in the lost art of hip-hop and turntable technique, bringing some legacy to the beats in 2015, while Eton Messy return in the slot previously occupied by the likes of Snakehips, Bondax, Alunageorge.

After seeing Eclair Fifi and Monki tear the festival apart in 2014, the Blisscotheque is once again looking at the brightest young stars, this year securing Novelist andMelé to headline the stage. Novelist has been riding high on a wave of success since being nominated for the BBC Sound of 2015 and will take the Friday slot with his own inimitable grimy sound whilst the Annie Mac endorsed Melé will close the stage on Saturday.

With a long history of welcoming emerging talent, from Bastille in 2012, Sam Smith in 2013, and Years & Years in 2014, attention will once again be on the festival to highlight the best in new music. Palace, Flo Morrissey, Gengahr, Loyle Carner, Kiko Bun, Alex Adair, Ekkah and Songhoy Blues are just some of the names already twitching the curtain of the internet in that respect.

Of course it wouldn’t be Blissfields without festival favourites Dub Pistols, returning this year to the main stage. Along with The Correspondents, who headline the Thursday night of the event, Ibibio Sound Machine and Hidden Hedge headliners Missill, they form a hazy heart of the festival – a mix of world influences and cross-genre infusions for the times when it’s okay to be lost in a field in England.

THE HORRORS / JOHN GRANT
SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO
GLASS ANIMALS / PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING 
GRANDMASTER FLASH / IBIBIO SOUND MACHINE
SONGHOY BLUES / MELÉ / THE CORRESPONDENTS 
NOVELIST / MISSILL / COSMO SHELDRAKE / GENGAHR
LOYLE CARNER / KIKO BUN / WE HAVE BAND / DUB PISTOLS
ALEX ADAIR / ETON MESSY / SUBGIANT / THE MISPERS
FLO MORRISSEY / PALACE / SPRING KING / EKKAH / MATTHEW AND ME
ANDY COMLEY / BIG CHILD MAN CHILD / BITR8 / BLACK FEATHER / CHOLOMBIAN
DAN MUNRO / DEADPROUD / ECHOTAPE / ESPAI / FABLE / FLOELLA GRACE
GYPSY DISCO / HEADSESSIONS SOUNDSYSTEM / JOHNNY BOXCARS / JOLTA
JOSH SAVAGE / K1R3Y / LIONFACE / MARY MISS FAIRY / MILLY UPTON / MINI DA MINX
MORGAN HISLOP / NOVATONES / ONE STEP TOO LATE / ØNLY / PACHANGO
POPOBAWA / RATZI / SCIENCE OF 8 LIMBS
SHUDDERVISION PRESENTS DIGITS MCPHEE & GUESTS
SOUL & FIRE / THE KINGS PARADE / THE SUBGIANT SOUNDSYSTEM
THIS CITY LIMITS / TRANSEND / WINTERHOURS 

+ MANY MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED

Faithless headline SW4 2015 with Eric Prydz and more!

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And with two main stages set to welcome your favourite headline DJs and live electronic acts, our lineup will hit the three figure mark for the first time, as we welcome over one hundred artists to the Capital.
 
The message here is simple; Twelve years in and South West Four continues to push the envelope. As we move into a new era in the development of the event we’re in no mood to hold back. SW4 2015 will be our most ambitious instalment to date and look to top last year’s weekend which was widely regarded as our best ever, resulting in us winning the coveted 'Best British Festival' award at the DJ Magazine awards. This is South West Four 2015…
 
YOUR SW4 2014 SATURDAY HEADLINER IS…
 
FAITHLESS
 
[EXCLUSIVE HOMECOMING PERFORMANCE]
 
"This summer we play South London's SW4, the only festival date in the city where it all began for us. It'll be a very special homecoming show, see you there!" Sister Bliss
 
It’s not every day that one of the world’s greatest electronic live acts decides to reunite in celebration of their 20th Anniversary. However the recent news that the legendary Faithless will come together one more time has sent shockwaves through the music industry and been met with a rapturous response. The fact that this will take place at South West Four makes this, without question, the most anticipated booking in our history. Thousands of fans from all over the world will make the pilgrimage to Clapham Common to witness this exclusive homecoming performance, set to be one of the highlights of the British summer. With an unparalleled back catalogue spread across seven albums (two of which went #1), numerous top 10 singles such as ‘Insomnia’, ‘God is a DJ’ and ‘We Come One’, as well as over fifteen million records sold worldwide, it’s no wonder why Faithless are considered dance music royalty. With a headline slot at South West Four on Saturday 29th August beckoning, Faithless are back to prove precisely why. Special ain’t the word…
 

 

 
 
ERIC PRYDZ, LUCIANO, DUBFIRE: LIVE HYBRID, BAKERMAT, FRITZ KALKBRENNER + MORE ALSO ANNOUNCED
 
Many artists have become synonymous with South West Four over the years. However one act more than any other stands tall as ‘Mr SW4’. That man is Eric Prydz. From naming one of his finest productions after the festival, to delivering performances that are consistently regarded amongst the weekend’s greatest highlights, Eric is the SW4 favourite. Returning this August for the sixth time in seven years, his main stage set alongside Faithless will again illustrate his pedigree, as will his new artist album which is set to take the airwaves by storm this summer. We cannot wait…
 
As one of the most influential and ground breaking DJs of all time, Luciano makes his long awaited SW4 debut this summer. A storming 2014 witnessed the Swiss-Chilean maestro return to his brilliant best with an outstanding residency at Amnesia, resulting in him being crowned ‘Best Tech House DJ’ at the Ibiza DJ Awards. The past twelve months has also seen Luciano return to the studio to produce the 100th release on his seminal Cadenza Records, whilst this year has started just as frantically. Representing his first London performance in over two years, Luciano’s inaugural SW4 appearance promises to be one of the standout highlights of the entire weekend.
 
Dubfire is another long term favourite amongst the SW4 faithful who has chosen our event for the London debut of his new live show titled dubfire: live HYBRID. In what is his most ambitious achievement to date, the techno titan weaves together 2D and 3D animation with live audio and lighting, resulting in show that will blow the minds of all those in attendance.
 
As one of the biggest rising stars of the past year, Bakermat debuts at SW4 2015 in a UK festival exclusive. Having hosted his own stage at Tomorrowland over the past two years and headlined Brixton Academy last September, Bakermat will bring his melodic take on house music and preview tracks from his new album 'Another Man.'
 
Fritz Kalkbrenner also brings his beautifully crafted sound to SW4 in a UK festival exclusive. Having sold out his upcoming Electric Brixton event a month in advance, Fritz has been busy touring Europe in support of his superb third studio album ‘Ways Over Water.’ His blend of heart-warming harmonies and soulful beats will work beautifully on our hallowed turf, as Fritz’s sound simmers in the sunshine.
 
Having been on our radar for several years now, we are delighted to welcome the killer grooves of Hot Since 82 to SW4 for the first time. With a career trajectory that has been nothing short of incredible during that time including four ‘Essential New Tunes’, two ‘Essential Mixes’ and a Mixmag cover, he shows no signs of slowing down. SW4 will be his biggest London show to date. Do not miss it.
 
Recent years has seen Saved Records label boss Nic Fanciulli consolidate his position as one of the UK’s finest DJs, whilst his imprint celebrated its 100th release in 2014. With a hugely successful residency alongside Joris Voorn taking Ibiza by storm last summer, Nic will bring the sound of the White Isle to Clapham Common and make SW4 2015 his stand-out performance of the year.
 
Hot on the heels of his UK #1 track ‘I Wanna Feel’, SecondCity made his SW4 debut last summer. We have been working hard to bring him back ever since. 2015 has seen SecondCity establish himself further as one of the most talked about newcomers in electronic music. Be sure to keep an eye on this one as he’ll be even hotter property come August…
 
A national icon and cultural phenomenon in South Africa, Black Coffee takes time out from performing in stadiums in his home country for a rare UK performance. Make sure you check out Black Coffee’s unique afro-house sound on the Common and see for yourself why the meteoric rise of this SW4 debutant is fully justified.
 
With an outstanding upcoming release schedule and a hugely successful quarterly residency at The Gallery at Ministry of Sound, now is the right time for Anjunabeat’s first label showcase at a London festival. The finest names from Above & Beyond’s owned and A&R'ed imprint will be showcased, as the labels fans make a welcome return to Clapham Common

Introducing Southern Soul Festival Montenegro 2015

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Fatima and The Eglo Live Band, Romare, Matthew Halsall Quintent, Dorian Concept feat. Cid Rim & The Clonoious and The Elliptics feat. Vanessa Freeman are just some of the names confirmed for this year’s Southern Soul Festival which takes place over four days, June 25-28th, on one of the most beautiful stretches of sandy beach on the Adriatic Coast.

Additional live DJ acts include Jeremy Underground, Jamie 3:26, Max Graef, Mr Mendel, Alexander Nut, Lay-Far, Patrick Forge, Perry Louis and Philie P. With very special live acts and DJs still to be announced, the limited Early Bird tickets at ?55 are soon to be snapped up.

As Croatia’s cluttered festival circuit continues to saturate, 2015 is all about Montenegro and the intimate delights of Southern Soul Festival, as discerning travellers and music lovers alike discover an idyllic summer paradise. Immersed across two stages at The Dolcinium Kite Club on Copacabana Beach, this is hands down the most affordable, inclusive sun-drenched beach festival of the year in the stunning surroundings of a world famous kite surfing mecca, with regular pros on display.

The action stays on site across the four day festival until the early hours each morning, as guests take full advantage of this magnificent 13km beach and the many delights on offer. From yoga to volleyball, beach football and table football and of course the best in blissed out soul, jazz, funk, house and disco. With everything to play for there’s no stress about missing the boat or having enough money for must- attend after parties. Southern Soul is the ultimate after party. As attendees to last year’s festival raved, “Two stages on the beach and a third musical outlet via the beach bar all make the experience that extra bit special with only the abundance of scantily clad people and athletic kite surfers to distract you from the music. This festival ticks so many boxes we can’t wait for 2015!”

Festival organiser Petar Lazovic explains,

“You can dance or chill all day long and then enjoy one of the most amazing sunsets you have ever seen. And then pick it up and carry on into the night. You are also more than likely to be staying next to some of your favourite artists and DJ’s as the artist village is generally home to all for the duration of the festival. It’s a truly unique and wonderful experience with even more surprises in store this year so we’re all really very excited for 2015.”

 

Björk, Ben Howard & George Clinton announced for Wilderness 2015

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Wilderness festival's fifth season awaits us this year, proving their ambition to reignite the arts with the lineup announcement. Rare and innovative musician Björk will attend as one of 2015s headliners with Wilderness expressing how blessed they are to host such an inspiring atrist:

"A true original, the breadth and richness of her art is breath-taking. She opens her heart in the name of art."

With the release of Vulnicura in January and her international portfolio of breathtaking performances, crowds at the main stage will be sure not the forget Wilderness 2015.

 

Joining Björk this year will be the wonderful folk singer-songwriter Ben Howard and R&B revolutionary George Clinton, Parliament & Funkadelic performing Return to the Mothership.

Other acts appearing are: Roisin Murphy, Nick Mulvey, Nils Frahm, Caravan Palace, Hercules & Love Affair, Brandt Bauer Frick Ensemble, Benjamin Clementine, Ibibio Sound Machine, Will & The People, The Travelling Folk Barn with Front Room Songs, Woodburner Music, Two for Joy, The Local & The English Folk Dance & Song Society, The Wilderness Orchestra, Karaorchestra, The Wilderness Choir, plus many more.

Grace Jones & Belle & Sebastian to headline Festival No 6

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Award winning Festival No.6 has today announced the first two headliners for this year’s festival – Grace Jones and Belle & Sebastian.

Headlining Saturday night are indie pop darlings Belle & Sebastian. Currently enjoying rave reviews for their ninth studio album ‘Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance’, their set promises to be an upbeat and eclectic journey through their 19 year career.

Belle & Sebastian said: “We’re very excited to be headlining No.6 on the Saturday night. We’ve always loved playing unusual, special places and Portmeirion definitely fits the bill.”

Also topping the bill is singer, songwriter, model, actor, enigma and legend Grace Jones. Her live sets are duly renowned as nothing short of incredible jinking from disco to funk, pop to punk wrapped in a visual spectacular as stunning as the musical artistry. It will certainly not be a performance to miss.

Also appearing on the bill are 2014 Mercury Prize Winners Young Fathers and feted Mercury nominated poet and spoken word artist Kate Tempest.

Other confirmed live acts include Rae Morris, Shura, Stornoway, The Bohicas and Fryars. The festival will be announcing a second wave of artists including the final headliner in the coming months.

Equally renowned for its electronic bill No.6 is proud to unveil it’s first DJ line-up including headliners DJ Harvey and a UK festival exclusive from The 2 Bears with a live set.  A third headline DJ will be announced in the next wave. Other confirmed DJs include Bicep, Motor City Drum Ensemble, Gerd Janson, Andrew Weatherall, Optimo, Ralph Lawson, Justin Robertson, Maurice Fulton and Mark E. 

BoomTown Fair’s Barrio Loco District Line up Announced

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We’ve reached the midway point of BoomTown’s eight district announcements and now it’s time for the bass heavy district of Barrio Loco. Headliners for garage and house in Circo Baile stage include: DJ EZ, Toddla T & DRS, Swamp 81 Presents  Loefah, Paleman, Benton ft. Chunky, The Bug & Flowdan, Phil Hartnoll (Orbital) DJ Set, Critical Soundsystem (Kasra x Enei x Foreign Concept), Kurupt FM, Sherwood & Pinch, Cause & Affect. Whilst Poco Loco venue will be representing Hip-Hop with Kate Tempest, Jungle Brothers, Goldie Lookin Chain, High Focus Takeover, The Four Owls, Fliptrix & Verb T, Leaf Dog & BVA, Dead Players. See below for full Barrio Loco line up and all acts announced so far district by district.

As with all of BoomTown’s districts, Barrio Loco’s has a running storyline:

The vibrant community of Barrio Loco and current ruling district of BoomTown, love nothing more than to fiesta ‘til dawn!! That was, until Burrita turned her back on them and channelled all public funds into an outrageously ginormous Palace to prove her dominance and power… Unrest is stirring, the people are rising, what does Chapter 7 hold for the streets of Barrio Loco??

Snoop Dogg, Primal Scream & Basement Jaxx to headline Y Not Festival 2015

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Hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg, Scottish alternative rockers Primal Scream and electronic duo extraordinaire Basement Jaxx are the first headliners announced for Y Not festival, 31st July – 2ndAugust, Pikehall Derbyshire. From singer-songwriter Saint Raymond to garage punk duo Slaves, a diverse feast of genre-hopping artists is confirmed for the event. Summer is sure to sound stunning in the Peak District countryside when Y Not rolls in to town. Tickets at £89.50 are available now via ynotfestivals.co.uk.

Whether you know him as Snoop “Doggy” Dogg, Snoop Dogg or Snoop Lion, the Westcoast rapper is a hip-hop legend and his hits such as ‘Gin and Juice’ and ‘Drop It Like it’s Hot’ are regarded as classics. Here’s hoping he brings the Californian sunshine with him for his headline set at Y Not festival. Air guitars at the ready for cult 80's band Primal Scream who will be performing hits such as 'Moving on Up Now' and 'Country Girl' to fans and crowds alike. Finally to top the bill of the Derbyshire bash are Basement Jaxx, a duo who have rocketed from their beginnings in the Brixton club scene to top charts internationally plus bag an acclaimed BRIT Award for Best Dance Act No doubt dancing shoes will be essential for this set.

For guaranteed festival vibes folk and acoustic singer-songwriters Saint Raymond and Nick Mulvey take to the stage, whilst rock quartets We Are the Ocean and Pulled Apart By Horses both perform. Finally Lancashire lass Rae Morris and sharply attired two-piece Slaves, plus Glasgow’s indie-pop duo Honeyblood, Gengahr, Jagaara, The Academics, Ruen Brothers, Fearless Vampire Killers, Allusondrugs and King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys complete the first announcement.

Bestival Announces Toronto Event

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Bestival curator Rob da Bank has announced that the festival, until now exlusively held in the south of England, will host an inaugural international event in Toronto, Canada this summer, with a two day event in Hanlan's Point Beach Toronto Islands scheduled for June.

"We have waited 12 years to decide to launch another Bestival outside of the UK and our beloved Bestival, on the Isle of Wight, which has grown into one of the most important festivals on the global calendar." says da Bank. "It took a really special city and an even more exciting site, with Toronto and Toronto Island, to make us take the leap.

"So the waiting is over and we are so excited to be launching in North America in June, with a classic Bestival line-up waiting to thrill, intrigue and party."

I'd like to thank all of our partners, friends, new and old, and supporters in Toronto for making this happen. We cannot wait!"  

Bestival Toronto will take place on June 12th and 13th, further details to be announced soon.

Ben Howard and Bombay Bicycle Club lead Citadel 2015 linup

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From the creators of some of the UK’s most acclaimed concerts, shows and summer spectaculars comes a new one-day festival for London. The inaugural Citadel will take place in Victoria Park on Sunday 19th July, with two of the most auspicious contemporary artists topping the bill.

Ben Howard, hot on the heels of selling out theatres and arenas worldwide, will return once more to London in 2015. With a stunning new show performing tracks from 'I Forget Where We Were’, his critically acclaimed number 1 album, the follow-up to the best selling 'Every Kingdom’.

Joining Ben are a clutch of close friends – Bombay Bicycle Club, who will play their only London performance of 2015 following their triumphant Earls Court curtain-closer back in December with ‘So Long, See You Tomorrow’, their much-lauded fourth album released earlier last year.

Conceived and created by the award-winning Wilderness Festival and Superfly, co-creators of Bonnaroo and Outside Lands, two of America’s most prestigious festivals – Citadel will also showcase a breadth of musical programming.

Alongside a thrilling main stage line-up of support artists soon to be an-nounced, Citadel will also include the curating talents across other stages of acclaimed London-based promoter and indie label Communion, and Sound-crash, one of the UK’s most respected independent promoters.

Away from the live music programme, the festival will host some of the city's gastronomic leaders crafting a series of long table Sunday dining experiences whilst Secret Productions' Sunday Papers Live team will host a tent of captivating literary talks, spoken word and debates.

From markets and expos showcasing East London’s cutting-edge designers and craftsmanship to stages and spaces offering a unique mix of live musicianship and theatre, Citadel will be Victoria Park’s 2015 summer crescendo which celebrates the Sunday pleasures of music, performance, ideas and dining.

Ben Howard said:
“We're so excited about this one – great to have Bombay Bicycle Club along-side us and we're booking some of our personal favourites to join us on the bill. Going to be a special day.”

Jamie MacColl, lead guitarist of Bombay Bicycle Club said:
“We’re really looking forward to hosting a day of brilliant music (and hopefully sunshine!) with our friend Ben Howard.”