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Adam Shelton / Andrew Ashong (Live + DJ) / Artwork / Brawther Craig Richards b2b Ben UFO / dBridge / FaltyDL / Frank & Tony Hunee / Leon Vynehall / Marcellus Pittman / Margaret Dygas
Maxxi Soundsystem / Midland / Motor City Drum Ensemble
Mouse Outfit (Live) / Move D / Om Unit / PBR Streetgang
Point G (Live) / Radioactive Man / Ralph Lawson / Subb-an
Tornado Wallace / Zenker Brothers / Zip
Plus:
2 Bad Mice / Al Dobson Jr / Alex Arnout / Alex Jones / Bad Passion
BEHR (Live) / Bell Towers / Blackhall & Bookless / Bradley Zero / Brinsley
Casino Times / Cassio Kohl / Cedric Maison / Chimpo / Cottam / Denney
Dom Chung / eLDOKO / Francis Inferno Orchestra / Futureboogie DJ's
General Roots (Live) / Hesseltime / Ishmael / Josh Tweak / Lee Coombs
Luv*Jam / Michael James / Morris Cowan (Live) / Nils Diezel / Prequel
Real Nice / Red Eye Hi-Fi (Live) / Romare / Ruf Dug / Sean Brosnan
Sisterhood / Soul Jazz Soundsystem / Sounds Of The Universe DJ's
Steevio (Live Modular) / Tenderlonious / Tristan Da Cunha
Wolf Music / Zoo Look
Amongst the delicate balance of DJs and live acts, there's upcoming talent and established names in equal measure. Gottwood favourite and host of this year's new 'The Nothing Special' stage, Fabric's Craig Richards will be joined by the returning Hessle Audio co-founder Ben UFO for a special back to back set.
Perlon head honcho Zip, pioneer of the microhouse and general minimalist sound is making a rare UK festival appearance alongside Panorama Bar bi-monthly resident Margaret Dygas. In addition to this Gottwood welcomes globally profiled DJ and producer Motor City Drum Ensemble, renowned for his eclectic taste in music and his technical production wizardry.
Germany's Move D will be bringing his own inimitable style to the forest, with the diverse live performance on par if not superior to his studio work. In addition to the house and techno mainstays Exit Records boss dBridge, NYC's genre hopping FaltyDL, live Mancunian hip-hop act Mouse Outfit and Metalheadz Om Unit are ensuring all corners of the musical spectrum are covered.
Gottwood is known not only for its ambitious and credible bookings, but also its carefully curated party vibes that are this year being delivered by Futureboogie's Maxxi Soundsystem, fast rising star Tornado Wallace and the Detroit veteran Marcellus Pitttman.
The now legendary London record store Sounds of the Universe are programming a day of live music next to the picturesque Gottwood Lake, the Gilles Peterson favourite and Theo Parrish collaborator Andrew Ashong is closing affairs with the 22a and Rhythm Section regular Al Dobson Jr providing an eclectic afternoon soundtrack. Acts returning to Gottwood following the Festival's 5th Birthday earlier this year include Futureboogie label regulars PBR Streetgang, Artwork, Ilian Tapes co-founders Zenker Brothers and 2020 Vision records owner Ralph Lawson.
Other names on the bill include One Records stage hosts Subb-an and Adam Shelton, Rush Hour Record's Hunee, AUS's Midland, Boilerroom host Bradley Zero, France's Point G and the highly regarded Leon Vynehall.
Determined to bring the finest of underground talent to their coastal woodland location, Gottwood will host stages from – Back To Basics, Bad Passion, Bade Records, Brotherhood Soundsystem, Butterside Up, Dog Eat Dog, Future Disco, Futureboogie, Fresh Out The Box, Hit & Run, Hypercolour, Jaunt, Jigsaw Presents, Louche, Nixwax, One Records, Percolate, Real Nice Presents, Rhythm Section, Road To Nowhere, Sounds Of The Universe, Studio 89, The Nothing Special, Tief, Waxxx, Wigflex, Wolf Music.
Jungle, the celebrated London funk collective, and probably the hottest band in the UK right now, are set to join the Secret Garden Party 2015 line-up. Described by Time Out as a band who ‘make electronic music with a human heart, marry underground cool with main-stage appeal, and do it with vision and conviction,’ they released their self-titled debut album through XL Recordings in the summer to widespread acclaim.
Kate Tempest, who really needs no introduction, is officially added to the line-up this time round having busked at the Secret Garden Party a few years ago. Winner of the Ted Hughes Poetry Award for her narrative poem, ‘Brand New Ancients,’ she was also nominated for the Mercury Prize for her album ‘ Everybody Down.’ She will be performing her new poetry collection ‘Hold Your Own’ along with the current album.
French ensemble extraordinaire and long-time Garden Party favourites also join this first wave of bands. Renowned for their outstanding live shows Caravan Palace bring together elements of jazz, gypsy and dance music in a vibrant, upbeat and exhilarating fashion.
Rising stars Jack Garratt and Marika Hackman are also confirmed along with Flyte,Iyes, Jagaara, Elder Island and Menace Beach. New artists, who all possess excitingly unorthodox and distinctive styles.
Sónar 2015 announces its first names for Sónar Barcelona. The first artist announcement includes classic and revered names of electronic music and benchmarks for a new generation, together with new producers and bands outlining the futuredirection of electronica.
The Chemical Brothers (UK)
Autechre (UK)
Kindness (UK)
Evian Christ (UK)
Fat Freddy's Drop (NZ)
Daniel Avery (UK)
Ten Walls (LT)
Lee Gamble (UK)
Sophie (UK)
Holly Herndon (US)
PXXR GVNG (ES)
Kiasmos (IS)
Kate Tempest (UK)
Tourist (UK)
Vessel (UK)
Niño (ES)
Mans O (ES)
Helena Hauff (DE)
and many more to be confirmed…
Tom Rowlands of The Chemical Brothers, speaks for the first time exclusively for Sónar
Tom Rowlands of The Chemical Brothers, speaks for the first time exclusively for Sónar to provide the first details about the new show and new studio album in 2015:
“We're very excited to return to Sónar, one of the best crowds, in one of the greatest cities. We are still imagining the gig, both music and visual. We are working on the staging of the live gig at the moment. Adam (Smith) has some amazing ideas. The show will be an intense ride, hold tight. (About the new album) I guess the most important feature of the album is that it connects with us emotionally in some way. We hope for finding a new way to make you feel. We dream of new sounds and different frames. We have worked with some guest singers but mostly the album is pure Chemical Brothers.”
Keystones of electronica
For the past twenty years, The Chemical Brothers have redefined the idea of live electronic music. In that time, their live show has evolved from humble beginnings in dank London nightclubs into one of the most in demand festival headline sets in the world. All the while, it has adhered to the same basic idea: that the gig should create its own transcendent audio/visual space where the audience can lose themselves for the duration of the set. The Chemical Brothers on going relationship with director and visual artist Adam Smith continues to produce hallucinogenic results across the globe (as seen in 2012’s collaborative concert film Don’t Think). The band are due to release their eighth studio album in 2015.
Autechre are one of the most admired and respected duos in abstract and experimental electronica. The importance of the music and sound imagined by Rob Brown and Sean Booth cannot be underestimated. They have played an integral role in the development of abstract techno and IDM (intelligent dance music) over the past 25 years. One of their tracks "Flutter", is considered by critics as a historical zenith of IDM, and albums like "Incunabula", "Amber", "TriRepetae" or the more recent "Oversteps" and "EXAI" are all masterpieces of sonic deconstruction. Their live performances are rare and very exclusive, and in 2015 they will perform at Sónar by Day, nearly two decades after their first and only appearance at the festival in 1996.
New benchmarks
As always, the Sónar line-up is dominated by the huge presence of new producers and bands noted for their powerful artistic profile and sound that in many cases outline the future direction of electronica and cutting edge music.
This is certainly the case for Vessel and Evian Christ, two very young British producers with a distinct and identifiable sound based on techno, who are exploring more complex sonic territories in immersive shows with a potent sensorial impact; Lee Gamble, the respected and experienced aural adventurer will present his new live audiovisual concept in collaboration with the London designer Dave Gaskarth.
Sónar also recognises new dynamic female talent such as American songwriter Holly Herndon, creator of dystopian sound worlds with futuristic auditory aesthetics; and KateTempest, poet, performer and British playwright -winner of the Ted Hughes Award in 2013- who will present her first album "Everybody Down" on hip-hop label Big Dada; or German dj Helena Hauff, faithful disciple to the continuation of the most resonant techno and electro from her home base in Hamburg.
The festival will also host exciting dance music projects from:Kiasmos, whose emotive and dance friendly techno is produced by prodigious Icelandic pianist Ólafur Arnalds, together with Janus Rasmussen; electropop quartet Bloodgroup; and the luminescent and penetrating melodies of Lithuanians Ten Walls, whose career has just taken off. You will also be able to enjoy prestigious young DJs likeDaniel Avery, mentored by Erol Alkan and hailed by critics as the British Isles new master of tech-house; and producers like Sophie, creator of colourful melodies and contemporary rhythms, in keeping with the new PC Music trend, who recently collaborated with Madonna, Nicki Minaj and Diplo.
There will of course be room reserved for pop and other styles including celebrated New Zealand band Fat Freddy's Drop, who return to Sónar with their fantastic live show where they will intelligently mix dub, reggae and soul, with techno and house. Also appearing from the UK will be Tourist and Kindness, two key names in today’s synth pop sound, both of whom have newly released material. Tourist will present a tantalizing live audiovisual show where the piano takes centre stage, while Kindness will present a liberating and highly emotive concert experience.
The first announcement from Takedown organisers is that Mallory Knox will headline the 2015 event.
4 years in and Takedown has become an essential date in the UK indie alternative summer festival diary. Except it's in March. Which is where we like it.
Taking place in the heart of the thriving live music metropolis that is Southampton, Takedown Festival has proven itself year after year as the perfect appetiser for the whirlwind that is the UK festival season, and judging by the last 3 years it's a date definitely not to be missed!
More bands announced soon!
Early Bird tickets are available for just £30 from www.takedownfestival.co.uk
Global superstar and seven-time Grammy Award winner TAYLOR SWIFT was the first headliner announced for Barclaycard presents British Summer Time Hyde Park2015 bringing The 1989 World Tour to the Great Oak Stage in London’s iconic park on Saturday 27 June
Joining the most talked about artist in the world will be very special guests ELLIE GOULDING and JOHN NEWMAN.
BRIT and MTV Europe awards winner ELLIE GOULDING is one the UK’s best selling female artist having sold almost 20 million records worldwide. Her last album ‘Halcyon/Halcyon Days’ topped the UK chart, went top ten in the US and she has just had a UK top ten single ‘Outside’ with Calvin Harris. Ellie was one of the special guests Taylor Swift brought onstage in Los Angeles during her RED tour; the pair duetted on Ellie’s hit ‘Anything Could Happen’ and also her UK #1 ‘Burn’.
British soul sensation JOHN NEWMAN is currently working on the follow up to his UK #1 album ‘Tribute’ which featured the number 1 single ‘Love Me Again’ and was a top ten hit all over the world. Like Ellie, John has also worked with Calvin Harris scoring a UK chart topper with ‘Blame’ earlier this year.
Taylor Swift is the essential pop star headlining the essential event of 2015. Her critically acclaimed sell out 2014 RED worldwide tour saw her play five sold out shows at London’s The O2. With career record sales in excess of 30 million albums and almost 80 million song downloads, Taylor is the only artist in history to have an album hit 1 million plus first-week sales in the US three times (with 2010's Speak Now, 2012's RED and 2014's 1989).
As Blissfields enters the halfway point of its second decade, the festival takes a weekend to look back over its 15-year history, gaze into the curious future of the universe and permits your imagination to run free. We invite you, and all tourists from the future, to the ultimate journey in traveling across the ages with Blissfields 2015… “Somewhere In Time.”
You’ll be able to explore Blissfields four-dimensional world featuring brand new and bespoke installations and artwork, plunge yourself into living, breathing and interactive festival scenery, bathe under the stars, join themed games and get a clear perception of humanity; where we've been, where we're going, the pitfalls, the possibilities, the perils and the promise. All realised in Blissfields own vision of inclusivity, of family, of art and wonder, of music discovery and hazy inconsequentiality.
Road To Blissfields
Before then, Blissfields is pleased to announce 2015’s Road To Blissfields shows where emerging acts will compete across the country to play a slot on the main event bill.
This year the emphasis is on quality more than ever, streamlining the heats into just three shows happening in Hampshire, the Midlands and London, with just those three acts going on to play for the festival next summer.
Confirmed dates for the shows are;
The Kings Theatre, Portsmouth: 9th April.
A turn of the 20th Century jaunt held in a secret room in the rafters of the venue.
The Monarch, Camden, London: 18th April.
A jovial step back in time to a simpler idea of summer – when the coconut shy was king. Followed by Soundtracks club night until 2:30am.
The Sugarmill, Stoke-On-Trent: 25th April.
All bets are off as you’re exposed to the inexplicable future.
Judges on each night will consist of the festival’s organisers and representatives, music writers and journalists, radio presenters, promoters and industry-heads. Winners will be decided on the night, and applications are open to any artist or band wanting to register athttp://bit.ly/RTBapply15.
Having announced seminal band Ride’s long-awaited return last week, we are delighted to release the first set of acts for Field Day Saturday 6th June and Sunday 7th June 2015.
We are extremely honoured to announce that the iconic Patti Smithand her band will be joining headliners Ride on the Field Day Sunday line up. Her ground breaking 1975 debut ‘Horses’ was a landmark album whose influence grows with every year that passes. 2015 will mark the 40th anniversary of the album, and Patti, together with her band, will be performing it in its entirety on the Field Day main stage, alongside some other classics we all know and love.
Also on board for Field Day Sunday are atmospheric Brooklyn four-piece DIIV, who, lead by musical provocateur Zachary Cole Smith will be making their first London appearance in two years at Field Day – with brand new music. They will be joined by New Jersey band Ducktails, the increasingly less ‘solo’ endeavour of Matt Mondanile (of Real Estate); as well as Liverpudlian synth poppers Outfit, and conceptual pop artist Jane Weaver, who will bring her beautiful synth psych-pop and Stereolab-esque sounds to Field Day.
To headline the main Eat Your Own Ears stage on the Saturday, Field Day will be warmly welcoming back Caribou. A regular Field Day favourite since the very first edition in 2007, Dan Snaith released his sublime and critically acclaimed sixth album ‘Our Love’ earlier this autumn. We literally can’t wait to have him and his band at Field Day again – this time as the well-deserved headliner!
Caribou will be joined by an eclectic line up which includes the anticipated comeback of 2012 Mercury Prize nominees Django Django. Their closing set at FD2013 has been one of our fondest Field Day memories and we are very excited to see what 2015 will bring.
Also on board is Melbourne producer Chet Faker with his nebulous intersection of R&B and soul-influenced electronic music, as well as Kindness’ Adam Bainbridge, who will bring his sensual experimental soul grooves of his latest brilliant release ‘Otherness’ to Victoria Park.
We are very excited to welcome composer, violinist, and vocalist Owen Pallet; who is also known for his previous violin-looping live project Final Fantasy and his work with everyone from Arcade Fire, The National and Beirut, to The Brooklyn Philharmonic, The National Ballet of Canada and The Barbican Centre.
World music has always played a significant part in Field Day’s line up and we are delighted to have the brilliant Ethiopian keyboardist Hailu Mergia with us this year, joined by Tony Buck and Mike Majkowski. Mergia’s ground breaking 1977 record with the Walias (Ethiopiques) “Tche Belew”, a collection of instrumental jazz and groove recordings, has just been re-released last month by Awesome Tapes from Africa.
We are thrilled to announce that Russian techno DJ Nina Kraviz, one of dance music’s breakthrough names of the last five years, will be headlining the Bugged Out tent at Field Day 2015 with her signature raw blend of house and techno. Listening to her productions and DJ sets more than proves the acclaim she has received and we can’t wait for her to bring her acid infused sound to Field Day.
Also confirmed are rapper and multi-instrumentalist Madlib (DJ), The Guardian’s 2014 break-through actSOPHIE, a live set from the esteemed producer Clark, who just released his self-titled seventh album via Warp earlier this month; as well as Lithuanian Berlin-based Ten Walls, who shot to prominence with the anthemic brilliance of ‘Walking With Elephants’, one of the biggest tracks of last year.
Stunning Brooklyn-based Colombian Tei Shi (aka Valerie Teicher), the dazzling exponent of celestial R&B and pop electronica is also on board; as well as sister trio Jagaara, known for their soaring powerful vocals and beautifully arranged, atmospheric instrumentation. Erol Alkan’s Phantasy Sound label has a knack of picking up true talents and the acquisition of Ghost Culture is no different – we are very pleased to see him added to the Field Day line up.
We are excited to announce two very special exclusive b2b sets at Field Day 2015: Expect an epic b2b set from Berghain residents and techno mammoths Ben Klock and MarcelDettman and a one-off exclusive b2b set from the brilliant and Field Day favourite Daniel Avery and Andrew Weatherall.
After a hugely successful and unforgettable weekend event last summer, the 9th edition of Field Day will be held on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th June 2015 at its home in Victoria Park in the heart of East London.
Tom Baker, President of Field Day: "After a dream-come-true last week and Ride coming back after 20 years to headline Field Day Sunday, I’m really thrilled that Caribou (someone I’ve worked with for many, many, years), will close the main EYOE stage on Saturday. It’s of course amazing to have Patti Smith and her band performing the incredible Horses, alongside so many other exciting acts over the weekend: everyone from Ethiopiques legend Hailu Mergia to Django Django, DIIV and Ducktails all back with brand new music… just so many… Bring on June 2015!”
As with years gone by, Field Day will be providing ample entertainment for those looking for respite from the music in the Village Mentality area on The Village Green. Expect traditional side stalls inspired by country pastimes and weird and wonderful fete games such as sack racing, tug-o-war, tea bag tossing, winkle picking competition and last year’s highlight: the Nettle Eating Competition.
A particularly commanding lady will again make her appearance at Werchter next summer. Florence + the Machine will perform in the Festival Park on Thursday 25 June. Other names already confirmed for Rock Werchter 2015 are Foo Fighters, Muse, Pharrell Williams and alt-J. More to follow shortly.
Florence Welch is a young woman of pedigree who has always dreamed of a musical career, full of creative twists and turns, just like that of Björk, Kate Bush and PJ Harvey. And she created a dream team to make sure it happened. The key figure is keyboard player Isabella Summers, who is nicknamed 'Isabella Machine' because of her electronic music talents. Instantly the band is much loved by the British critics and dominating the radio over here with 'Dog Days Are Over' and 'You Got The Love', a fine cover of an old soul number. In 2010 the debut album 'Lungs' (2009) led to a memorable concert at the festival's former Pyramid Marquee. The tent should have been three times bigger and was rocked so hard by the fiery Welch that it left a rip in Florence's long black dress. Two years later on the Main Stage she says 'Let's hope that happens again'. She captures the hearts of the audience with ease. It's onwards and upwards from here.
Reading & Leeds Festivals are excited to announce undisputed global superstars Metallica as the first headliners for 2015 in a UK Festival Exclusive performance. James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich and Rob Trujillo will take to the Main Stage next August Bank Holiday Weekend to provide a defining moment of the 2015 festival season.
Returning to the prestigious headline spot for a record fourth time in 2015, the band have a rich history at the Festivals, having first headlined Reading Festival 18 years ago. With a career spanning over three decades and more than 110 million records sold across the world, Metallica are undoubtedly one of the biggest and best live acts on the planet. Their critically acclaimed film ‘Some Kind of Monster’ will be re-released on December 15th, available for the first time digitally and on Blu-ray, and including ‘Metallica: This Monster Lives’, a brand new 25-minute feature following up on the last decade with the band.
Lars Ulrich from Metallica says:
“We are obviously beyond thrilled to be returning to headline the magnificent and mighty double shot at Reading & Leeds for the fourth time. We are practically the house band. Bring it!”
Festival boss Melvin Benn comments:
“I’m excited to be able to announce Metallica as the first headliner for Reading & Leeds 2015. Their amazing live show promises to be a favourite with rock, metal and genuine music fans at the UK's most important music festival, perfectly topping a bill of brilliant acts from across the genres. I’m looking forward to revealing the rest of the Festival line up, which will feature the absolute best of rock, indie, dance and hip hop and will only add to the amazing atmosphere that make Reading & Leeds so special.”
Following this year’s explosive secret set at Reading, Jamie T will make the trip to both Festival sites in 2015. Fresh from a hugely successful sold out UK tour and the release of third album ‘Carry On The Grudge’ this autumn, Jamie T is one of the hottest acts of the moment and an exciting addition to the Festival line-up.
Fresh from their highly anticipated fourth studio album, Californian post-hardcore favourites Pierce The Veil will be making their long-awaited Reading & Leeds debut in 2015.
Vic Fuentes from the band comments:
"We've been dying to do these Festivals ever since we started touring in the UK! It's such an honour to be a part of something that people wait all year round to see.”
With his set this year proving to be one of the defining moments on the BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage, drum ‘n’ bass maestro Wilkinson is no stranger to Reading & Leeds. Stepping up his live show yet another notch following his ‘Lazers Not Included’ tour, he will be returning to the Festival in 2015.
Headlining The Pit Stage, Refused have become one of the most influential heavy bands of a generation. The Swedish punk band’s now legendary album ‘The Shape Of Punk To Come’ fused noisy hardcore, post-punk, techno and jazz to create an entirely original sound. Since reforming for shows in 2012, the band have returned stronger than ever with a live set that shows the true scope of their musical legacy.
With two critically acclaimed albums released in the last two years, Run The Jewels are arguably the hottest hip-hop act on the planet. Making their Reading & Leeds debut next year, rap veterans Killer Mike and El-P’s performance will be essential Festival viewing.
Manchester Orchestra will make their third trip to Reading & Leeds in 2015. Following the release of fourth album ‘Cope’ and this year’s stripped down alternate version ‘Hope’, their appearances at the Festivals will be a summer highlight for indie-rock fans.
