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!

Sunsplash Festival announces line up for 2014

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This year Sunsplash Festival moves to a new summer hotspot, the sun soaked shores of Bodrum in Turkey.

We have the first lineup announcement for this years festivals which includes Zara McFarlane, Gilles Peterson, Osunlade, Karizma, Lefto, Phil Asher, Rainer Trueby and many many more below.

ARTISTS CONFIRMED SO FAR:
 
Zara McFarlane
Zara McFarlane’s debut album, 2011’s Until Tomorrow, came garlanded with rave reviews and a MOBO award nomination heralding a major new talent in the world of British Jazz. SunSplash welcomes her with open arms. Read More
 
Osunlade
For the first time at SunSplash! Osunlade is an artist who personifies art. His music creates unified melodies manifested with balance, life and wisdom. Read More
 
Gilles Peterson
One of the residents of SunSplash, rocking it year after year and needing very little introduction. Read More
 
Karizma
One of the most in-demand DJs on the worldwide house circuit, his productions are a must-check for any self-respecting house lover, and his remix talents are sought out by some of the biggest names in the music business.Read More
 
Phil Asher
One of London’s finest. DJ, producer and a much loved SunSplash resident. Bringing good time boogie and deep club cuts. Read More
 
Rainer Trueby
The Root Down legend from Germany returns to grace the turntables. What can we say? The man is pure class. Read More
 
Patrick Forge
First time at SunSplash! A familiar name on the London DJ scene for the last 25 years, his radio show, The Cosmic Jam, ran for twenty one years on Kiss FM, the longest running programme in the station’s history! Read More
 
Alex Attias
A long established and well loved house, funk and disco and later ‘broken beat’ DJ who has produced some of the most memorable tracks of the movement, working with the likes of Dego, Mark De Clive Lowe, Bembé Segué, Vanessa Freeman and others. Read More 
 
Kev Beadle
DJ, radio presenter and producer Kev Beadle’s bio reads like a journey through the halcyon years of the jazz, jazz funk and soul scene in the UK from the late 70’s through to todays musical manifestations. Read More
 
Ruben Estevez (BrukBoogieKru)
Ruben started as a DJ in 1994 in Lausanne, Switzerland, spreading a selection of sounds from hip hop to soul funk and electronica, progressing to drum and bass and broken beat/nu jazz. Read More
 
FESTIVAL WORKSHOPS & ACTIVITES:
 
Yoga
Start and finish the day with Yoga; sunrise and sunset sessions are on offer daily and included in the package fee. 
 
Kate Magic – Raw Living
In keeping with the festival’s good music and good living concept, the scrumptious Kate Magic comes to SunSplash in 2014 with her workshops on Raw Food and Raw Living. There will also be a stool to buy delicious raw cakes and chocolates, so it’s not all talk! Read More
 
Phil Asher – Beats
One of London’s finest. DJ, producer and a much-loved SunSplash regular Phil Asher will take a music production seminar for ‘headz’, other interested parties and budding producers. Read More

Open’er Festival add Darkside, Haim, Interpol and more

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Addtions from the american continent for this years Open'er Festival include Interpol, Haim & Darkside.
 
Interpol

Fortunately, 2014 sees the return of this New York postpunk trio, creators of possibly the albums of the early 2000’s  – the highly acclaimed Turn On The Bright Lights and Antics. Powerful and affecting, their masterful command of pace, atmosphere, and reverb-drenched guitar mark them out as very special indeed. No-one does fragile aggression and melancholy quite as dramatically and their upcoming fifth album will cement Interpol’s status as one of the millennium’s best bands.

Haim
Hailing from the San Fernando Valley, HAIM consists of three sisters, like Tchekov's play. Music is truly a family affair for the band: the sisters, Este, Danielle, and Alana Haim, grew up playing classic rock songs with their parents in a family band, aptly called "Rockinhaim." Then the girls decided to strike out on their own and began writing their own material. In their music, critics often hear echoes of Fleetwood Mac and 90s all-female bands like En Vogue and TLC. Their debut full-length Days Are Gone charted at #1 in the UK, earning the record gold status. In 2013, the band performed at Glastonbury Festival and many more, also earning the title of BBC Sound of 2013.
 
Darkside
DARKSIDE is the collaborative duo of guitarist Dave Harrington and electronic producer Nicolas Jaar.  They summon a hybrid of electronic music and psychedelic rock with the kind of artistic depth and breadth for which the term “progressive” was coined. In the autumn of 2013 they unveiled their debut full length, Psychic, via Jaar’s own Other People label. DARKSIDE aren't dancefloor producers taking a stab at rock music; nor are they a rock band paying homage to their new favorite techno 12­inches. They're deep listeners and creators of both who see little need for distinction between their favorite sounds.

Wilderness Festival 2014 lineup announced!

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We are pretty excited to let you know that the lineup for this years Wilderness Festival has been announced.  This idyllic, eclectic and gloriously paradisiacal music and arts festival returns for its forth installment to the lovely surroundings of Cornbuy Park in Oxfordshire from 7th – 10th August 2014. 

Live Music & Dancing

Metronomy, Burt Bacharach, London Grammar, Jessie Ware with the Wilderness Orchestra, Sam Smith, Connan Mockasin, Gregory Porter, Submotion Orchestra, Mount Kimbie, Soak, Friends of the Earth Busking Stage

“BitterSuite” – A Sensory Concert

Travelling Folk Barn with Two for Joy , The Local and The English Folk Dance & Song Society

Feasts & Gastronomy

Long Table Banquets with Simon Rogan, Angela Hartnett, Russell Norman

The return of Sam & Sam Clark’s Moro Souk Tent, St. John Dining Room & Bakery, Wilderness Cookery School

Late Night Revelry from

Greg Wilson, Futureboogie, Horse Meat Disco, Zero 7 (DJ), The Quarry hosted by Rumpus, Artful Badger, Shangri La Superstar & Continental Drifts, The Astronomers Ball, Aircraft Circus’s Midnight Circus.

Spectacular Processions and Fire Shows inspired by the infamous Wychwood Forest Fayres created by Macnas And Now:

Tented Theatre, Art & Promenade Performances

Victoria and Albert Museum, Shakespeare’s Globe, Slung Low, Oxford Shakespeare Company presents “As You Like It”,

Bohemian Artists Studio, Son and Sons Productions, Petersham Playhouse

Talks, Debates and Literary Arts curated by Secret Forum, with support from The Huffington Post UK

Intelligence Squared, School of Life, the British Humanist Association, How To Academy, Project Wild Thing, Letters of Note, Royal Observatory Greenwich, the Odditorium, George Monbiot, HuffPost UK’s Mehdi Hasan, Tongue Fu, Guerilla Science, Book Slam, Guerilla Archaeology, Spark London, Chill Pill, Ugly Animal Preservation Society, Liars League,

Letters of Note, Sunday Papers Live

Outdoor Pursuits & Wellbeing

Lakeside Spa, The Sanctuary, Sunset Yoga Classes, Pilates, Massages and Facials, Hunter Gather Cook, Fly Fishing, Horse Riding, Long Bow Archery, Wild Swimming, Woodland Foraging Walks, Boating, Greencrafts, Forest Runs, Philosophy Walks, Tai Chi, Morning Meditation, Capoeira

Family Magic & Games

Storystock, Charles Dickens Museum, Roald Dahl Museum, Angel Gardens, Discover Children’s Story Centre, Hullabaloo Arts, Mortimer Nannies, Croquet, Bearded Kitten’s Cricket Match, Chap Olympics, Village Hall

 

Foster the People. John Newman and more added to Bilbao BBK Live lineup

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Nine new artists are added to this years BIlbao BBK Live lineup which takes place on top if a hill in the mountain regions of Bilbao Spain.

Joining the previously announced headliners are Foster the People. John Newman, Conor Oberst, Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls, Future of the Left, Kuroma, Allen Stone, Bleachers and Spanish heroes Vetusta Morla to the line-up of the festival.

J Cole, 2 Chainz, Knife Party and more added to Wireless Festival

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With the already announced headliners, Kanye West, Bruno Mars and Drake at this years dual located Wireless Festival, we can now let you know about even more incredible acts that will join them.

J. Cole, 2 Chainz, Knife Party, B.o.B, Bleachers, Giorgio Moroder, Foxes, A Great Big World, Joel Compass, Vic Mensa, Raleigh Ritchie, Kwabs, Jess Glynne, Becky Hill, G-Eazy, YG, Sage The Gemini and Dominique Young Unique have been announced this morning and will be performing in London's Finsbury Park and Birmingham's Perry Park this July.

Already previously announced were OutKast, Pharrell Williams, Rudimental, Basement Jaxx, Ellie Goulding, Wiz Khalifa, John Newman, Iggy Azalea, Azealia Banks, Pretty Lights, Chance The Rapper, Ella Eyre, Angel Haze, Salt-N-Pepa, Clean Bandit, Earl Sweatshirt, A$AP Ferg and Neon Jungle.

Keep an eye on the Summer Festival Guide for more Wireless Festivals news!

Above & Beyond to headline SW4 2014

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Headlining day one on Saturday 23rd August, South West Four welcomes Above & Beyond for their exclusive London appearance of 2014 and first major open air performance in their home city.

The trio of Jono Grant, Tony McGuinness and Paavo Siljamäki have enjoyed an unstoppable ascent to the summit of electronic music, filling arenas across the planet in the process. Their landmark events at Brixton Academy (in 2010 and 2012) and Alexandra Palace (in 2013), have been amongst the most significant electronic music events to have taken place in theCapital in recent years and their performance at SW4 will be no different.

Returning home at the very height of their career, South West Four will be A&B’s biggest ever London performance and their first headline appearance at a major UK festival.Unique video messaging and story-telling visuals will add to the Above & Beyond experience, whilst their emotive tracks will have never sounded better. Fans from all four corners of theglobe look set to make the pilgrimage for this pinnacle moment in their history, making SW4 2014 a must attend event for their hugely devoted fanbase. This will be Above & Beyond at their biggest, boldest and most electrifying.

The Cribs and White Lies to headline Truck Festival

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Truck Festival which takes place at Hill Farm, Steventon will host its biggest lineup to date with The Cribs and White Lies headlining over the weekend of July 18th – 19th.

Check out the lineup for the impressive Truck Festival for 2014 below:

WHITE LIES – Headliner
THE CRIBS – Headliner
Peace
Stornoway
Andrew W.K. (solo)
Los Campesinos!
Kids In Glass Houses
Swim Deep
Cerebral Ballzy
Itch
Eliza And The Bear
Lonely The Brave
Darlia
Circa Waves
Flyte
Nothing But Thieves
Nordic Giants
Black Moth

Festival organiser, James Goodall  said, "I think this could be the best Truck on record. We have just unleashed this brilliant line-up but we still have many more things ready to be announced, so watch out."

Truck will host six stages, spanning these music genres: rock / indie / hip hop / folk / dance / electronic / punk / blues / acoustic / reggae and roots.

This includes the brilliant and best in new talent – the festival dedicates a day's programming on its Veterans and Virgins Stage to Truck first timers, as well as numerous other slots throughout the festival. Applications to play here are managed and voted for through the Truck Facebook page. With 600 submissions already and 6,600 views, it's a really effective way of reaching new audiences and artists can (and do) bedazzle a legendary and discerning crowd.

The Stranglers and more added to Wychwood Festival lineup

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Heritage favourites The Stranglers have been announced for Wychwood 2014, joining The Boomtown Rats as the second headliner for the 10th Anniversary of the Gloucestershire Festival with one more yet to come. To kick off festivities on Friday evening, The Stranglers will no doubt delight audiences with their epic back catalogue of 23 top 40 UK singles, including acclaimed hits 'Golden Brown' and 'Peaches'. The British rock band first formed back in 1974 and will be celebrating 40 years in the music industry with a very special performance at Wychwood – a double reason to celebrate!

JJ Burnel, bass guitarist of the band commented, "As we are celebrating two Anniversaries, it's gonna be a hell of a party!"

In addition to The Stranglers, 10cc's co-founder Graham Gouldman will be bringing his fantasticHeart Full of Songs acoustic set to the festival. The 60 minute set will feature classics such as 'I'm Not in Love' and 'Dreadlock Holiday' with fellow 10cc bandmates, along with other Gouldman-composed hits including 'Bus Stop' and 'Look Through Any Window', written for The Hollies. Topped off with new material from his acclaimed new album along with a few surprises, the performance is one not to be missed at Wychwood.

A Wychwood Festival line-up would not be complete without an energetic Ska band to liven up a Saturday afternoon in the Prestbury Hills. This year it is the turn of popular 80's group Bad Manners, led by frontman Buster Bloodvessel and who's hits include 'My Girl Lollypop' and 'Lip Up Fatty'. Other new mainstage acts announced today include Cheltenham locals and Wychwood regulars, Thrill Collins, plus the unique sounds of Gaslight Troubadors who made an impact in 2013 with their debut album 'Clockwork Curiosities'.

The Big Top will once again play host to the UK's freshest and emerging talent courtesy of London promoters Smashing Blouse. Wolf Alice will close the weekend as Sunday night headliners; fresh from supporting The 1975 on their sell-out tour the band are already making waves in 2014 with hits such as 'Fluffy' and 'Blush'.

Other additions to this stage include London-based trio Benin City named after a Nigerian city the band are already boast a loyal following from the likes of BBC 6's Huey Morgan. More exciting new names added to the Big Top include groups Racing Glaciers and Pixel Fix.

With an innovative and pioneering programme to delight those that lust over indie, folk, rock and world music, an enviable extra-curricular timetable, plus an undeniably friendly atmosphere in a stunning location, Wychwood is incomparable to other family festivals – and the 10th anniversary celebration will be the biggest and best yet. As one of Britain’s most treasured events, Wychwood has seen a wealth of emerging and classic talents grace its stage over the last ten heroic years from the likes of Duffy, James, Happy Mondays and The Human League. All completed by an enlightening programme including the Children’s Literature Festival, chuckling comedy, a plethora of workshops and a Beer & Ale festival in association with Wychwood Brewery; making Wychwood a fantastic addition to any family’s calendar.

Laura Mvula, Soul II Soul and more for Love Supreme Jazz Festival

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The acclaimed 3-day event is back for a second year delivering a world-class programme that boasts the likes of multi-million-selling Grammy and Golden Globe winner Jamie Cullum, much feted soul star and double Brit Award nominee Laura Mvula, a special 25th anniversary show from legendary R&B outfit Soul II Soul featuring original vocalist Caron Wheeler, one of the most celebrated UK jazz musicians of all time Courtney Pine, and arguably the most soulful performer to have emerged in recent years, Grammy-winning Gregory Porter.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Glynde Place in East Sussex, Jazz FM’s Love Supreme is the UK’s only major green field jazz festival and presents a broad spectrum of music rooted in and influenced by jazz and soul. Taking place over the weekend of the 4th, 5th and 6th July 2014, the festival's line-up will also include multi-platinum-selling singer/songwriter Curtis Stigers, superstar bassist Christian McBride, inimitable US vocalist Jose James, the Grammy-winning instrumental fusion band Snarky Puppy, one of the most evocative bass players of the modern era Dave Holland, captivating Brighton-based soul singer Alice Russell (“Strikingly soulful… jaw dropping” Mojo), experimental post-jazz from Seb Rochford’s Polar Bear, who will perform music from their hotly-tipped new album, and the visionary Blue Note bassist Derrick Hodge.

Jamie Cullum: “I’m extremely proud to be part of this year’s Love Supreme Jazz Festival. I’ll be playing alongside some incredible artists and it's going to be a really special occasion”.

Jazz FM’s Executive Chairman Richard Wheatley: "Having so much live jazz and soul in a single place for an entire weekend is a great step forward in bringing this wonderful music to a wider UK audience.  We're thrilled to be back again this year with another exciting and diverse bill within the fantastic outdoor festival experience."

The festival will also feature an eclectic mix of homegrown bands and artists including accomplished young drummer Ollie Howell, captivating trumpet starlet Laura Jurd, emotive sounds from Hidden Orchestra and soulful rock n roll five-piece The Computers.

With over 50 acts performing across the weekend, as well as DJs, artist Q&As, a fairground, classic album playbacks and glamping, the Love Supreme Jazz Festival is the most exciting addition to the British jazz calendar for decades and provides music lovers of all ages with a magical summer festival experience like no other.

Additional artists will be announced in due course. The line-up as it stands is:

Jamie Cullum
Laura Mvula 
Gregory Porter 
Soul II Soul (feat. original vocalist Caron Wheeler)
Dave Holland's Prism 
Christian McBride Trio 
Courtney Pine (with guest vocalists) 
Curtis Stigers 
Snarky Puppy 
Alice Russell 
Jose James 
Polar Bear 
Derrick Hodge 
Cecilia Stalin 
Laura Jurd 
Chloe Charles 
Hidden Orchestra 
Ollie Howell Quintet 
The Computers 
Funky Sensation

 

Disclosure bring Wild Life concept to Exit Dance Arena

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The world-renowned EXIT Festival Dance Arena is the place to be this summer, presenting the most exclusive concepts in the electronic music scene. First up on Thursday, July 10th DISCLOSURE are bringing their special WILD LIFE show to Serbia. Also being announced is the first names of Part II of Exit’s fifteen years in Dance back to back specials. If you were there for the Decade of Dance in 2009 you will remember the groundbreaking performances. Get ready for another set of surprises!

Revealed to the world just a few days ago, WILD LIFE, is a conceptual night presented by Disclosure showcasing performers they love. Featuring alongside DISCLOSURE's LIVE set, will be exclusive b2b performances including; CARL CRAIG vs GREEN VELVET, DUSKY vs PAUL WOOLFORD and JACKMASTER & ONEMAN present Can U Dance!

Playing at EXIT for the first time will be the unstoppable British duo DISCLOSURE, who set new foundations when it comes to electronic music, proving that alternative electronic music can succeed in the commercial music world with no compromise whatsoever. Brothers Guy (22) and Howard (19) Lawrence already have a name to themselves, proven by sold-out performances and chart-topping tracks, as well as a significant change in the British electronic music scene which opens doors to many new underground talents. This year, they released their debut album Settle which has already reached number one at the UK Album Chart, and was also nominated for the Best Album at the Mercury Awards 2013 and Best Dance/Electronica Album at the Grammy Awards 2014. For the upcoming Brit Awards, Disclosure are nominated in four categories: MasterCard British Album of the Year, British Single, British Group, as well as British Breakthrough Act, also announcing a special performance at the awards featuring one of the hottest new names, the New Zealand singer Lorde. They are coming to EXIT Festival with their live set, which is praised as one of the best live performances in the world of electronic music.

Celebrating the 15th Edition in true EXIT style, the iconic Dance Arena will do the second part of their infamous back to back sets revered in 2009 for their 10th Edition. This year sees another selection of DJs performing in battle and it’s going to be another memorable year.

First up is Carl Craig vs Green Velvet. Electronic music visionary and the creative magnate, Carl Craig, owner of the eponymous label Planet E is going to shake the Dance Arena once again, and joined by Green Velvet will be here to elevate partying to the fullest! An eccentric Chicagoan, musician and producer best known for his cyberpunk hairstyles and numerous house music hits, going under the name Green Velvet, is already considered a favorite by Dance Arena’s visitors since his closing of the EXIT festival in 2009 together with Carl Cox. This year, in a special b2b session with Carl Craig, he is ready to pump up EXIT’s Dance Arena!

Next up is Dusky vs Paul Woolford. The London duo Dusky have proven very productive and imaginative when it comes to writing elegant orchestral grooves and piano themes, as well as creating heavier house and techno rhythms, and this is exactly what defines their genre – composing electronic music with a significant touch of depth, soul and originality. After several joint gigs, a special chemistry arose between them and Paul Woolford, also known as Special Request, a man who built his flourishing career as a DJ, producer, label owner, remixer, collaborator and experimentalist.

And finally introducing Jackmaster & Oneman presents Can U Dance, a new show being showcased at only a handful of shows this summer, which promises a great party on four turntables! Oneman is a synonym for Rinse FM, a very well known radio station, a brand and a subculture. Jackmaster not only is a co-founder of the highly influential label Numbers, but is also an amazing DJ – he simply lives to play people records, which is enormously felt in his eclectic sets, containing a wide span of music, from forgotten classics to some of the hottest dance floor hits. Together, they will present a concept that surpasses the idea of b2b without great manifesto or conceptual nonsense, no masks or go-go dancers, it's all about what comes out of those speakers. Yes, U Can Dance.

Joining the already announced Skrillex, Rudimental, Dub Fx And Koven the 15th edition of EXIT Festival will be marked with the sign of EXIT ADVENTURE, which will take us to EXIT, held from July 10th to 13th at the Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad, continuing at SEA DANCE FESTIVAL, held from July 15 to 17 at the beautiful Adriatic Jaz Beach in Montenegro. Get ready for an unforgettable road trip and enjoy a diverse range of artists, for seven unforgettable nights spent with your best mates in the sizzling hot Balkan sunshine. Sounds good? It’s time for EXIT ADVENTURE!