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!

Elton John, Snoop Dogg and more announced for Bestival 2013

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Commenting on his Sunday night Bestival Headlining set, Elton John said: “I haven’t played any of the major festivals in the UK in recent years, so when the opportunity to play Bestival came up I was very interested. I’ve heard that the Bestival audience comes in fancy dress and I can’t wait to see that, they must all look amazing from the stage. At various times I have worn enormous feathered head-dresses, cloaks, hot pants, jumpsuits, clown suits, Donald Duck, Minnie Mouse, French Maid, The Eiffel Tower and The Statue of Liberty onstage! Wearing fancy dress makes us all feel less inhibited so I think it’s a great way to enjoy live music.

Elton John

“2013 marks the 40th anniversary of the release of the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album, so you can expect to hear several tracks from that album. My shows always involve audience participation, singing and dancing, so make sure there is plenty of room for movement inside those fancy dress costumes!”

Taking time out from splicing the mainbrace, Rob da Bank said: “So here we are…our tenth birthday…like a small child proudly entering double figures…but here’s Bestival still wearing ill fitting shorts and running about with grazed knees giggling in the sunlight…Happy days! After 10 years of running our beloved festival, Bestival is still as psychedelically wondrous to us as the September day in 2004 when we first threw open the gates. 2013 will be a vintage year. No increase in capacity but more land, a raft of exciting changes around the site including some great new spaces and all dressed and made up in Bestival’s signature style.

“Band and DJ wise we’ve cast our net far and wide… as ever Bestival 2013 will be a magical mix of the old and the new, the vintage and classic rubbing shoulders with the ultra modern and leftfield. From one of the biggest selling artists of all time and certainly the best at fancy dress, Elton John, through the party blazing hip-hop of Snoop Dogg through amazing rare shows from the likes of The Knife,  to the newest of the new bands and acts that I’m so excited about like Jagwar Ma, Merchandise and Cashmere Cat plus literally the finest selection of house and techno DJs we've ever had from Richie Hawtinand Carl Cox to Besti stalwarts Erol Alkan and Annie Mac – this will be our best Bestival yet, so don't miss out!"

Well, what can we say? In a UK festival exclusive and playing his first major festival set on home soil in many years, we’re over the moon that Elton John and his band will be headlining Sunday night at Bestival! Very probably pop music’s most outrageous son, Sir Elton Hercules John’s reputation as an incendiary live act who pulls out all the stops to put on a scintillating show filled with glitz and glamour makes him, without any shadow of a doubt, the perfect megastar to bring the magic and mayhem of Bestival’s tenth birthday to a close. After partying at the original IOW festival as a young musician in the late 60s we’re very proud that Elton finally gets to perform on the Isle of Wight at Bestival. With more than 30 albums and over 60 UK chart hits to his name, Sunday night is guaranteed to be full-on sing-along good times. We’ve already started stockpiling the platform boots, feather boas and glitter. It’s going to be a proper party!

Snoopt DoggWith Sunday night well and truly taken care of, we are beside ourselves with joy to announce that the Doggfather himself Snoop Dogg will be wowing the Bestival main stage crowd as our Saturday night headliner! Hip-hop icon, pop culture phenomenon, izzle speak don and quite simply one of the most gifted spitters ever, Snoop Dogg’s live show takes no prisoners with his laidback flow capping an almost endless catalogue of super-fat beats. With a forthcoming album produced by Major Lazer and some of hip-hop’s biggest anthems under his belt, you can expect Saturday night at Bestival to blow you away.

We have, of course, got plenty more amazing live acts coming aboard including the mighty M.I.A with a UK festival exclusive set and anthemic Scottish four-piece Franz Ferdinand playing an English festival exclusive. We’re also very pleased to announce the welcome return of psychedelic bliss merchants The Flaming Lips playing a UK festival exclusive set, off the wall Swedish art-pop duo The Knife, rap music revolutionaries Wu-Tang Clan, the unpredictably chameleonic Bombay Bicycle Club playing an English festival exclusive set and neo-soulsters The Roots playing a UK Festival exclusive set.

Plus we’ll have knock-out appearances from majestic indie pop stalwarts Belle & Sebastian, beguiling chanteuse Jessie Ware, the deservingly hyped Disclosure, BBC Sound of 2013 winner Tom Odell, the incomparable Sinead O’Connor, disco overlords Chic featuring Nile Rodgers, Warp legend Squarepusher, a live set from dancefloor smashers Hot Natured, the hottest rapper in the world Angel Haze,kaleidoscopic choral collective The Polyphonic Spree, quite possibly the greatest guitarist of his generation, Johnny Marr and indie giants Bastille. In what are the first festival shows confirmed for both bands this year, we’ll have mind-bending riffs from Peace and blistering RnB from The Strypes, who have been getting everyone from Elton John to Noel Gallagher out on the town to check out their brilliant live show. We will also be welcoming next level drum n bass behemoth DJ Fresh, Dexys performing their acclaimed show “One Day I’m Going to Soar” plus a few Dexys favourites, chart bothering juggernautRudimental, woozy garage rockers The Walkmen and legendary Mancunian poet John Cooper Clarke.

And that’s not all as we will have live sets from Lissie, The Wonder Stuff, Caravan Palace, The Cuban Brothers, Matthew E White, While She Sleeps, Merchandise, Mikill Pane, True Tiger, Sexy Sushi, Is Tropical, Skaters, Lulu James, Swim Deep, Fleetwood Bac, Jaipur Brass Band, Kawa Circus, Lewis Watson, Jaws and J-Cats. And we’ve still got lots more live acts to announce! 

Stepping up to the ones and twos on a mission to move your dancing shoes are a whole host of groove controllers including the Plastikman himself Richie Hawtin, techno don Carl Cox, Bestival favouriteAnnie Mac Presents, Detroit via Berlin techy house hero Seth Troxler, Mark Ronson going back to back with Zane Lowe in their A-Yo guise, new beat tzar Julio Bashmore, house doyen Maya Jane Coles, omniscient eclecticist Erol Alkan, the sublime reggae of David Rodigan presents RAM JAM, fathomless fiend Dixon, legend of the deep Kerri Chandler, trailblazer Eats Everything, Numbers featuring Jackmaster, Spencer, Redinho, Sophie and special guest Rustie, the future funky dub love of Joy Orbison, the fabled Fabio + Grooverider and a full on Hospitality Bestival takeover, hosted byWrec & Dynamite and featuring High Contrast, Danny Byrd, Nu:Logic and Fred V & Grafix.

Plus we’ll have speaker splitting action from Marcel Dettman, DJ Yoda, The Daft Punk Tribute Night in The Hidden Disco, Redlight, Bondax, Heidi, Ed Rush, Fake Blood, Jesse Rose, Justin Robertson, Andrew Weatherall And Sean Johnston’s A Love From Outer Space, Ben UFO, Cyril Hahn, Daniel P Carter, Catz N Dogz, My Love Is Underground, Cashmere Cat, Krankbrother, Ben Pearce, Dollop DJs, Alexander Nut, Roska, Bodhi, Kry Wolf, Coley From Luv*Jam, Crispin J. Glover and Bad Zuke with many more still to come.

SunSplash Antalya Festival announces Giles Peterson and more!

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Renowned across Europe for its unrivalled beach side setting nestled on the stunning Turkish Riviera at the super chic five star Hillside Su Hotel, SunSplash seamlessly combines a music festival with style, travel and serious dance music in one, merging a heavyweight dance music line up with a luxury holiday destination which unfolds as an exclusive beach party by day and night. Far from the muddy fields and long queues of rainy and expensive UK festivals!

To retain its renowned intimate and exclusive vibe SunSplash welcomes only 400 international and local guests, guaranteeing a friendly atmosphere, along with a top-notch programme for music lovers, at SunSplash Antalya, everyone gets a VIP experience, sensational accommodation, beautiful Antalya sunshine and unrivalled hospitality!
 
Confirmed 2013 line up so far:
 
Norman Jay MBE with over two decades of Djing under his belt he is arguably one of the finest and most respected Dj’s in the world today and will be providing the Antalya Good Times with some of the finest sun beat tunes.Giles Peterson
 
Gilles Peterson a man who joins all the dots' between artists, producers and styles breathing fresh air on the dancefloors of the world with his unique selection of music rarely heard elsewhere.
 
Kirk Degiorgio a seriously heavyweight DJ and producer with a unique, individual sound, beautifully combining elements of jazz, soul, techno and funk into electronic tracks.
 
Koreless creates music that some spend a lifetime trying to achieve, throwing his beats against a beautifully woven tapestry of cascading ambiance.
 
Other acts also confirmed for 2013 are Phil Asher, Rainer Trueby, Zaf Chowdry, Martin ‘Atjazz’ Iveson. Lefto, Ahu, DjSoulprovyder, Kaan Durazat, more line up announcements to follow shortly.
 
Promoter Serkan Cetin says: "The 2013 edition of SunSplash Festival is the 5th edition and sees the coming of age of this boutique and intimate week of fine music in the sun. This is a truly unique experience, combining luxury travel, good living and fine cuisine with some of the best dance music in the world"
 
SunSplash Antalya is truly a festival with a difference – the venue offers guests spectacular sea-view rooms on the private beach front, along with daily Yoga classes, a top notch spa for all needs to leave SunSplash refreshed and invigorated, as well as having partied to some of the finest dance music around from the soulful side of the spectrum.
 
Accommodation inclusive packages start from £320 per person for 3 nights, and £500 per person for 7 nights accommodation – including breakfast and dinner each day, use of luxury spa, sauna, gym, Yoga lessons, and all SunSplash music seminars and workshops. Full list of onsite activities is below.
 
SUNSPLASH ONSITE ACTIVITIES:
 
Yoga
Start and finish your day with Yoga; sunrise and sunset sessions are on offer daily and included in the festival package fee. Classes are given by teachers from the excellent Cihangir Yoga School in Istanbul.
 
Spa Therapies and Treatments
For some serious pampering look no further, the Hillside Su hotel has one of the best spa centres in Turkey with massages and body treatments that include; Magic Hot Stones, Reflexology and, wait for it; Body Coffee Hydrating Body Wrap. 
 
Sports and Fitness Classes
The fitness centre has a modern gym and various studios for classes that include: Pilates, Tae-Bo, Circuit, Boot Camp, Power Yoga, Aero Step and Aqua Gym. Squash and tennis are also available.
 
Tennis
2 fantastic tennis courts await those in the mood to swing.
 
Trekking
The trek to the summit of Mount Tahtali is a thrilling way to spend half a day in Antalya Province. The walk takes around 4-6 hours or so from the starting point in the village of Beycik. For those who just fancy the view, a cable car which runs every 20 minutes or so.
 
Kids Club
There is a world of adventure waiting for younger guests. Aside from the kids club, crèche and amenities at Hillside Su, there is also a fantastic Aquapark directly next door with mega slides, pools and even dolphins!

Darwin Deez, Gaz Coombes and more for Deer Shed Festival

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The initial batch of artists consists of;  New York guitar and pop maestro Darwin Deez, one of 90s Brit pop leading lights Gaz Coombes, Massachusetts singer-song writer Willy Mason, the multi-award winning ethereal folk sounds of The Unthanks, Tubular Bells for Two’ – the antipodean take on Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells as reincarnated by Daniel Holdsworth and Aiden Roberts in their 2012 Edinburgh Festival hit show, and with The Milk bringing some funk and soul to the show for the Friday night warm-up entertainment, these, along with; Stealing Sheep, Public Service Broadcasting, To Kill A King, Zervas and Pepper, Kitty the Lion,Blue Rose Code and Marconi Union complete this first dollop of mouthwatering artists for the discerning music lover!

Darwin Deez took the airwaves by storm in 2010 with his debut single “Radar Collector” and subsequent self-titled album. Back with his second album released later in 2013, Darwin Deez is set to bring his mix of sunshine pop and indie attitude to drive Deer Shed Festivals’ audience crazy with his offbeat dance routines, which will be sure to set the Saturday night Main Stage alight!

Gaz Coombes will be swinging by Deer Shed Festival’s Lake stage on Friday evening to shake off the shackles of an era and delight Deer Shed Festival’s faithful with a showcase of his delectable individual stylings and multi-instrumentalist talents in the afterglow of his first solo album Here Comes the Bombs’. Released last year his solo style was a more reflective, darker and more experimental sound then in his Supergrass days but the album remains very colourful and live Gaz produces high-octane, premier league entertainment!

Fiction records golden boy, Willy Mason will be bringing his celebrated blend of acoustic folk and roots to delight festival goers. With his long awaited third album Carry On released at the end of 2012 after a five year hiatus since his last album, 2013 is set to see Willy return to the spotlight and Deer Shed are giddy with excitement to be able to welcome this incredibly talented musician to the festival.

The Unthanks will be continuing the strong family vibe from Deer Shed’s frolicking fields onto the stage with their much loved, award winning, highly acclaimed ethereal sounds as they present Songs from the Shipyard. They will be beautifully accompanying archive footage from the height of the Shipping industry through to its decline in the Thatcher era. Political, social, with stories of hardship, pride, war, tragedy and pints of mild; A critically acclaimed audio-visual treat in front of a large cinema screen in the Big Top on Sunday.

The Milk blend classic Motown and Northern soul with modern pop to create their soulful, party-ready sound. Pulling together elements of old school R&B sounds with hip-hop, dub, and rock influences to create a style of pop that delivered big fun on every track. Their debut album, Tales from the Thames Delta, arrived in the summer of 2012 to steely industry nods and a plethora of A&R attention, but more importantly, the crowd loved them and Deer Shed Festival fans will be taken back in time to kick start proceedings on the Friday night to really let their hair down and get the party started!

Tubular Bells for Two is the five star reviewed, sell-out Edinburgh show from Daniel Holdsworth and Aiden Roberts, with such a unanimous public and professional opinion of the show, the Deer Shed audience are pretty much guaranteed an unforgettable experience and are in for a real treat! Public Service Broadcasting does exactly what it says on the tin – taking a nostalgic look back over forgotten public service broadcasts and sewing them together to create fantastic tunes to accompany the priceless collection of antique footage, this audio-visual experience is set to entertain and enthrall! Along with Liverpudlian trio Stealing Sheep, five piece ‘rousing orch-folk’ To Kill a King, the summertime soul of Cardiff’s Zervas and Pepper, the chirpy folk-pop of Kitty The Lion, the Caledonian soul of Blue Rose Codeand the ever ambient Marconi Union completing the line-up for this first wave of announcements for Deer Shed Festival 4. The 2013 musical lineup is already taking shape and looking like the best Deer Shed Festival to date!

Stiff Little Fingers, New Model Army and more added to Bearded Theory Festival

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Other notable additions to the festival’s line up include Magical Sounds Dance Stage Headliners The Egg, A Guy Called Gerald and Subgiant.

Friday’s Main Stage now boasts a double headliner line-up, featuring headline performances from both cult rock heroes New Model Army AND Sheffield’s incendiary Reverend and the Makers. Also on the bill are Midlands heroes Ned’s Atomic Dustbin, Mercury Music Prize nominees The Hummingbirds, Scottish folk singer Karine Polwart. Derby’s very own indie chart toppers The Beekeepers will also play a rare live set.

Saturday’s billing is topped by the legendary Asian Dub Foundation. Joining them on bill is celebrated folkster Seth Lakeman, reggae legend Macka B, classic rockers Quireboys. A double billing of Ska & Punk from Ruts DC and Citizen Fish, up & coming folk band AHAB. Bearded Theory favourites Zombie Met Girl complete the day’s line up.

Levellers will close the festival in style on the Sunday night and are joined on the bill by legendary Punk Rockers Stiff Little Fingers, Liverpuddlians The Farm (performing a greatest hits set), BT favouritesGoldblade, acclaimed folk rock band Ezio, the heavily requested New Groove Formation, and The Lancashire Hotpots. Local success story, The Life & Times Of Brothers Hogg complete the bill.

Tornado Town is Bearded Theory’s 2nd stage, and much of their line up has now been confirmed. Highlights include cult punk band Far Cue, Maroon Town, Buster Shuffle, 18 Nightmares at the Lux, Left Step Band, Port Erin, The Membranes, Boot Hill All Stars, The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing and adrenaline filled rock n roll band Pusycat & Dirty Johnsons. The now legendary ‘Sunday Lunchtime’ slot features a performance from the acclaimed (and aptly named) Australian comedy-rock band, The Beards.

The Magical Sounds Dance Stage will once again be pumping out the heavy beats and they have produced another stunning line up in their now famous big top, featuring live headline performances from The Egg, A Guy Called Gerald and Subgiant.

Bearded Theory has also confirmed details of a number of exciting changes for 2013. These include a new late night Cabaret Tent located in the expanded Camping area, a new location and PA for The Waters Edge acoustic stage, which has been re-christened The Lock Inn, First acts announced include Will Kaufman’s innovative “live documentary” Woody Guthrie: Hard Times And Hard Travelin' and seven-piece bluegrass band Police Dog Hogan.

Of course, as an award winning Family Friendly Festival, the huge Angel Gardens Children’s Area will once again return, bigger and better than ever before. They will also be an even better family camping zone (with picnic tables for family evening meals), alongside a major investment in site art and the festival’s green spaces.

After hugely successful debut in 2013, Thornbridge Brewery in Bakewell, (located just 20 miles from the festival), will once again be run the on-site bars, bringing with them a wide selection of Ale’s and Ciders

Michael Eccleshall, spokesperson for Bearded Theory Festival says, “We are once again proud to announce a fabulous line up for Bearded Theory – we believe it is our best ever! 
We know how important it is in the current financial climate for Festival to provide both excellent value and a high quality event, and by keeping the cost of a full adult weekend ticket down to just £79, and actually reducing the price of Kids tickets from last year, you can join us and spend 3 magical days watching over 100 high quality bands for little more than the price of a major gig or sports event ticket. All of us at Bearded Theory HQ look forward to welcoming you all to Bearded Theory 6 next May”

Perfect Stranger, Plump DJs and more set for Noisily Festival

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FIRST WAVE OF ARTISTS ANNOUNCED!

Perfect Stranger // Plump DJs // Avalon // Mak & Pasteman // DEMS // Atomic Drop // Mt Wolf // Dale Howard // Hamish // Real Nice // Dirty Mother Phunkers // Moho Mynoki // Croz // Captain Flatcap // Cubiq // Daffadamm // Cash Back // Life Forms // Tom Real // Bahar Canca // Jasper // Croz // Captain Flatcap // Audley // Nick Duffy // Lizzle // Sampson // Rufus // Rollo // Christopher Boeing // Leckie & Shann // Fuzzy Logic // Fede // Miles From Anywhere // Pablo Vamoosh // Kearney Sound // Lucas Freeman // YoishPloish + More TBA.

Production by Bassline Productions

Stages hosted by: Real Nice // Soltek // Saints Don’t Sleep

Taking place over the second May Bank Holiday weekend marking the official start of summer, Noisily Festival will open its gates allowing revelers to pour into one of the most unique festival sites in the country – an ancient woodland playground – to be greeted by a haven for serious music lovers to party the weekend away in superb natural surroundings, mind-blowing installations and unique innovative arts program.

Noisily 2013 features two main music stages: The Tipi and The Tree House. The Tipi plays host to electro-house big-guns Plump DJsalongside a superb selection of electro and breaks acts on Friday. Saturday focuses on techno and if last years headliners Spektre and Matador are anything to go by, expect some great names! Sunday sees Bristol-based outfit Real Nice roll out fat and funky disco joints. Saturday and Sunday kick off with electronic live music from acts like DEMS and the superb Mt Wolf.

Heading over to The Tree House London promoters Saints Don’t Sleep, who’ll be bringing a selection of cool house guests alongside residents. Saturday sees another London-based promoter Soltek who specialize in bass-heavy beats featuring one of the hottest names in futue house Dale Howard (Noir) and Mak & Pasteman (Lobster Boy) Finally Sunday is aptly named ‘Psychedelic Sunday’ featuring one of the leading international progressive psychedelic performers on the planet Perfect Stranger headlining ensuring Noisily 2013 finish with a bang.

 Music stages are licensed until 6am all weekend with bars licensed until 5am.

 Although its heart is set in the pulsing rhythms of dance music, Noisily is also a place of artwork, performance and participation. We invite attendees to get involved – we want you to be part of Noisily, whether it be just by dazzling the crowds with your finest dance moves or designing and building an interactive art installation. We are merely Noisily’s curators. With multiple plans already flooding in that will amaze and hypnotize you, this years festival will be a place that takes your breath away. 

Jessie Ware, Bloc Party and more announced for Rock Werchter

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New on Thursday 4 July are Airbourne and Netsky (live) on the Main Stage, Jessie Ware in the Marquee and Bloc Party and Sigur Rós in The Barn. Volbeat and Green Day had already been announced for the Main Stage that day. On Friday 5 July Two Door Cinema Club, The Script and Phoenix will be joining the earlier announced Kings of Leon and Blur on the Main Stage.  C2C will build a party in the Marquee. And with Richard Hawley the tone is set immediately in The Barn. For Saturday 6 July so far only one name had been announced: Rammstein. Graveyard can now be added to the Main Stage, Disclosure to the Marquee and Django Django to The Barn. Depeche Mode and Editors will finish Rock Werchter 2013 in style on Sunday 7 July. But before we come to that, A Day To Remember, Band of Horses and Thirty Seconds to Mars will perform on the Main Stage. Passenger and Asaf Avidan have already been confirmed for the Marquee and Alt-J and Of Monsters and Men for The Barn. On www.rockwerchter.be, all names that have already been announced for the 39th edition of the festival can be found in a handy overview. The bill for Rock Werchter 2013 will be completed further in the weeks to come. Stay tuned!

Rock Werchter 2013 will take place in Werchter (Belgium) from Thursday 4 July until Sunday 7 July. For four days the festival grounds will enable you to see and hear the best on offer on three stages. Well-established names, heroes from past and present and the majors get – as usual – their spot on the Main Stage. The Marquee focuses on electronic music in all its danceable forms on Thursday and Friday. On Saturday and Sunday its line-up will be completed with up-and-coming talent, (more) intimate concerts and dance beats in the early hours.  In The Barn we welcome back familiar names, but it is also thé spot to discover tomorrow’s heroes. The better concert hall on a festival.

The Boomtown Rats reform for Isle of Wight Festival

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For your chance to be part of this epic weekend, head to www.isleofwightfestival.com for tickets NOW!

Formed in 1975 in Dublin The Boomtown Rats played their first UK shows with the Ramones and Talking Heads and fought the punk wars alongside the Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Jam and The Stranglers. They were one of the biggest bands of the late 70s/80s with a string of top ten hits and platinum albums, earning them Brit Awards, Ivor Novellos and Grammy Awards along the way.  Making history as the first Irish band to have a UK no 1 hit with Rat Trap, they went on to score another top single in 32 Countries with I Don't Like Mondays and racked up 6 chart topping albums. This June, The Boomtown Rats head to the Isle of Wight Festival’s Main Stage for a not to be missed exclusive performance.

Bob Geldof says: “Playing again with The Rats and doing those great songs again will be exciting afresh. We were an amazing band and I just feel it's the right time to re-Rat, to go back to Boomtown for a visit.  Also, I’ve always fancied playing the Isle of Wight Festival ever since I hitched there in the good/bad days when I was a kid. I saw The Who, Doors (I think) Hendrix and Leonard Cohen, who incidentally blew Hendrix off the stage, and Kris Kristofferson, who was also amazing – God, so many cool bands. I also told several very boring frog anarchist types to go and fuck themselves and then stayed for a night in Hawkwind’s tent. That's pretty IOW. Maybe Hawkwind are playing again this year. Maybe I could use the tent again. It will be a privilege to be on that stage especially with a killer band like The Boomtown Rats.”

John Giddings, the Festival’s promoter, says: “It’s great they have chosen the Isle of Wight Festival as their reunion. Our audience will love them, their catalogue is classic….”

Starting the summer in style, the iconic Isle of Wight Festival is steeped in history and recognised around the world for its eclectic & electric line-up, mixing legendary artists with the hottest up and coming acts.  This year the Festival’s Main Stage features headline performance from three of the biggest bands of today, The Stone Roses (UK Festival exclusive), The Killers and Bon Jovi (UK Festival excusive).  If that wasn't enough, also taking to the stage over the weekend are Paul Weller, Emeli Sande, Ke$ha, Ben Howard, Jake Bugg, The Script, Bloc Party, Paloma Faith, The Maccabees, Ellie Goulding, FUN, Blondie, Devlin and many more incredible acts still to be announced.

Bob Geldof

Ultra Music Festival adds colossal lineup additions

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"In celebration of Ultra Music Festival's double weekend and 15 year anniversary, what we've achieved with this edition's ocean of talent and stage production  is, we feel, unprecedented. As the industry we work in continues to explode, with so much talent emerging and the taste of our consumer changing in the process, diversity was key"says Russell Faibisch, Ultra Music Festival Founder, Executive Producer, CEO & President.

 
"We've never put so much time and effort into programming an event as we have for this year's Ultra Music Festival. We truly hope everybody attending this year will value and more importantly enjoy the unique experience we've worked so hard to create"Adam Russakoff Ultra Music Festival Executive Producer, Director of Business Affairs & Talent Buyer.
 
Set to annihilate the newly designed, never-before-seen ULTRA MAIN STAGE, the aptly titled MEGA STRUCTURE, the ULTRA WORLDWIDE ARENA and more, the Phase 2 DJ billing is quite simply out of this world. ALESSO, BENNY BENASSI, DIRTY SOUTH, DOG BLOOD (Boyz Noise & Skrillex), ERIC PRYDZ, FEDDE LE GRAND, HARDWELL, LOCO DICE, LUCIANO, LAIDBACK LUKE, MARTIN SOLVEIG, PRETTY LIGHTS, STEVE AOKI andSVEN VÄTH are among just some of the hoards of names to join the already eye-watering line-up delivered in Phase 1, including ABOVE & BEYOND, AFROJACK, ARMIN VAN BUUREN, AVICII, BASSNECTAR, CALVIN HARRIS, CARL COX, DAVID GUETTA, FATBOY SLIM, KASKADE, KNIFE PARTY, RICHIE HAWTIN, SWEDISH HOUSE MAFIA and TIËSTO. After 14 consecutive years of delivering the ultimate dance music experience, it was never in doubt that Ultra Music Festival would deliver for its 15thanniversary.
 
Looking certain to shake the revamped ‘LIVE STAGE’ to its very core – the next slew of LIVE acts confirmed includes AZELIA BANKS, FAITHLESS (Live DJ & PA Set), SLEIGH BELLS, SNOOP DOG, THE WEEKND and YEAH YEAH YEAHS. Joining the likes of THE BLOODY BEETROOTS, BOOKA SHADE, BOYS NOIZE, CRYSTAL CASTLES, DEADMAU5, DISCLOSURE, DJ FRESH, HOT CHIP, MAJOR LAZER, MATT & KIM, MODESTEP, RUDIMENTAL, THIEVERY CORPORATION and YEASAYER announced in Phase 1 at the beginning of the year, it’s safe to say that never before has an electronic music festival offered so much variety and such an array of top LIVE talent than this year’s 15TH edition of ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL.
 
ULTRA have also announced the incredible array of arenas set to appear over the two weekends this year; true to form, we’re in for quite a treat…
 
 
First up, OH YES OH YES! It wouldn’t be Ultra without the legend that is CARL COX! Bringing his titanic CARL COX & FRIENDS ARENA to Bayfront Park this March, he’ll be playing host to some of the finest names in house and techno, including SVEN VATH, RICHIE HAWTIN, JAMIE JONES, LOCO DICE, LUCIANO, FATBOY SLIM, JOHN DIGWEED, MAGDA, UMEK, CASSY, NICOLE MOUDABER and UTO KAREM. Expect seriously big things from this much-loved Ultra veteran and his merry following!
 
Once again, the world’s #1 DJ ARMIN VAN BUUREN delivers his breathtaking ASOT 600 stage, where ABOVE & BEYOND, ATB, COSMIC GATE, DASH BERLIN, FERRY CORSTEN MARKUS SCHULZ, TRITONAL and W&W, will all be joined by the legendaryPAUL VAN DYK who will be making his long-awaited return appearance to the world’s premiere dance music event.
 
The MEGA STRUCTURE serves up an all-star lineup of the world’s top acts, which includes main stage regulars ALESSO, CALVIN HARRIS, DAVID GUETTA, ERIC PRYDZand TIËSTO, just one example of what ULTRA meant by “2 Weekends, 2 Unique Experiences.” Fans will rejoice to see their favorite artists tackle both the Main Stage and the Mega Structure at ULTRA 15.
 
Keeping it going for underground fans, new to Ultra this year is SURFACE – a brand new concept arena held each Sunday at the Bayfront Stage. Reading like a ‘who’s who’ from the world of the underground scene, look forward to seeing the likes of ART DEPARTMENT, CLAUDE VONSTROKE, DAMIAN LAZARUS, DANNY DAZE, DROOG, FRANCESCA LOMBARDO, GUY GERBER, JUSTIN MARTIN, LEE FOSS, MACEO PLEX, MAYA JANE COLES, MIGUEL CAMPBELL, SETH TROXLER, SOUL CLAP, SUBB-AN, TOTALLY ENORMOUS EXTINCT DINOSAURS, WOLF & LAMB and more.
 
ULTRA is not only delivering the world’s greatest underground sounds each Sunday, but everyday of the festival. The Mixmag Stage will play host to performances by tech gurus CARLO LIO, DUBFIRE, ELIO RISO, JON RUNDELL, JOSH WINK, SHADED andYOUSEF on Friday of Weekend 1. The second Friday will boast additional techno sounds from AUDIOFLY, CARL CRAIG, KEVIN SAUNDERSON, NINA KRAVIZ, PAUL WOOLFORD, RADIO SLAVE and STACEY PULLEN. Each Saturday will also see a myriad of techno and deep house artists that include DAVID SQUILLACE, tINI + GUTI, MARTIN BUTTRICH, NIC FANCIULLI B2B JORIS VOORN, REMO, ROBERT DIETZ, SCUBA, STEVE LAWLER, TIGA and TIMO MAAS on Weekend 2, and an undisclosed arsenal of premier DJs to play on Weekend 1.
 
Space Ibiza (voted #1 Club in the world and winning multiple awards) plans a triumphant return on Saturday, March 23 to host the tech house and techno acts that they are known for.  Also hosting stages will be Skrillex’s formidable OWSLA label, Afrojack’s JACKED, Mark Knight’s TOOLROOM, with more to be announced in Phase 3. Completing the full house, the brand new ‘TRAPPED’ arena, featuring the likes ofBAAUER, BRO SAFARI, DJ CRAZE, DILLON FRANCIS, FLOSSTRADAMUS, NADASTROM and many more look more than adequate to cater to the new trap craze.
 
Finally, for the ninth consecutive year, ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL proudly welcomes back the “ECO Village”.  This area is dedicated to the exposure and understanding of numerous non-profit organizations and charities, and will run over both weekends of the festival.  You can find several interactive booths that provide an informative outlook on the world today. 

 

Chic feat. Nile Rodgers to headline Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Festival

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Chic are known for delivering such classics as 'Le Freak' 'Good Times' 'I Want Your Love' 'Everybody Dance' 'Dance Dance Dance' & 'Chic Cheer'

The driving force behind Chic’s worldwide success is their legendary Guitarist, Producer, Composer, Writer and Arranger Nile Rodgers (Pictured). Nile’s influence on music has not only spanned across generations but also genres with their US Number 1 (reached Number 5 in the UK) ‘Good Times’ becoming the most sampled track in music history (Daft Punk, The Sugarhill Gang, Queen, Beastie Boys).

He has also produced and worked with the likes of Madonna (Like A Virgin, Material Girl), David Bowie (China Girl, Let’s Dance, Modern Love), Diana Ross (I’m Coming Out, Upside Down), Sister Sledge (We Are Family, He’s The Greatest Dancer) and Duran Duran (Notorious). What’s more exciting? Chic featuring Nile Rodgers have been playing a majority of these tracks LIVE in recent years proving that the Sunday Night at Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Festival 2013 will be one not to be missed or forgotten!

Further acts for the entire weekend will be announced in the coming weeks…

Tickets are now on sale for this year's Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Festival with after-show party tickets going on sale later in the year once they have been announced. 

Tickets are available via the official Mostly Jazz, Funk & Soul Festival online shop which can be found at www.mostlyjazz.co.uk/tickets. They will also be available from various outlets throughout Birmingham. Details can be found www.mostlyjazz.co.uk/ticketinformation

JLS to perform at Osfest – Break for the Border

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Further Details:

  • Their first time in Shropshire performing LIVE:
  • Only 5000 tickets available
  • The first of many announcements for 2013 – This year will be BIG!
  • To get you in the mood for JLS at Osfest, make sure you catch their DJ SET at the Buttermarket, Shrewsbury
  • From only £29.50 for the day you can see JLS and a whole host of other bands and artists.
  • Remember we are under cover this year, so there is no need to worry about what the weather is going to be like.
  • Oswestry is 15 minutes from Shrewsbury, 20 minutes from Wrexham, 30 minutes from Chester and a drive or a train ride from anywhere else in the UK! Where ever you are… BREAK FOR THE BORDER!
  • BUY your tickets from www.osfest.co.uk / or call 01691 680468

The MULTI act line up is starting to take shape… with  massive names already confirmed for Saturday 25th May…. JLS !!!

JLS

Osfest – Break for the Border will be bringing you a multitude of acts over the 3 days starting Friday evening and delivering through till Sunday!
The list of acts for this year is looking superb and we will be releasing  updates over the next few weeks – we in the Osfest office are working tirelessly to bring the BIGGEST and BEST Osfest so far… BREAK FOR THE BORDER… be part of it – get your tickets today!