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!

Kendal Calling Chai Wallahs lineup revealed

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‘Chai Wallahs’ is the largest independent music venue touring the UK festival circuit, consistently creating a spectacular and energising environment that provides the perfect back drop for programming and production partner ‘Diplomats of Sound’. The Chai Wallahs stage in the Kaylied area will be a melting pot of genres purveying sounds from across the globe bringing extra layers to one of the North’s most diverse festival line-ups. Chai Wallahs in the Kaylied lays on the best in folk, balkan beats, hip hop, jazz, live dubstep, funk and ska!

Landing into the Kaylied area with their beautifully crafted marquee, shisha lounge and famed festival stage; Chai Wallahs and Arts Council funded project Global Local will revamp the Kaylied stage and serve up exotic flavours. Produced by Continental Drifts and its partners, Global Local is a ground breaking project that consistently brings some of the world’s best music to festival stages.

Dance outfit Dreadzone will be setting the night alight with their arresting sound and catalogue of hits. On the flip side are the calming sounds of Benjamin Francis Leftwich who has been making waves on the acoustic folk scene and will also take to the stage with his acclaimed sound.

6-piece Yes Sir Boss are an unstoppable force. Hailing from Bristol the outfit are original and distinctive with off beat rhythms, singalong choruses and epic riff and horn sections!

Edinburgh based band, Hidden Orchestra combine drummers, samples and dub basslines to create cinematic soundscapes, which is truly music to be experienced.

Festival favourites King Porter Stomp are also joining the bill along with folk extraordinaire Lucy Rose who has been receiving lots of national attention of late, and Jesca Hoop who returns to Kendal following the release of her third album “The House That Jack Built” this Summer.

One act not to be missed are 10-piece live band Slamboree, who waltz aboard complete with circus performers, brass sections, carnivalesque guitars and more to create an immersive audio-visual experience, incorporating electronic music with live instruments, acrobatics, pyrotechnics and fire! 

Other artist highlights include Kendal Calling favourite and much-loved BBC Radio DJ Craig Charles who returns to close the festival with his acclaimed Funk and Soul Show which is sure to get those wellies deep down on the dancefloor for his extra special extended set at this year’s festival.

The music and activities in the Kendal Calling meadow span 14 diverse stages and areas, situated in a close-knit site that means you’re never far from your friends; areas include Mainstage, GLoW dance tent,

Calling Out new music stage, Chai Wallahs in the Kaylied area, Soapbox, Kids Area, Kendal Calling Real Ale Festival tent, Garden of Eden, Village Green, New Woodland area (details tba), Happy Slap boutique, Riot Jazz, Houseparty, Sailor Jerry’s, Songsmith Solar stage, and new for 2012; Kopparberg Kube and Tim Peak’s Diner brought to you by Tim Burgess of the Charlatans!

See you in the fields…

www.kendalcalling.com 

FULL LINE UP INCLUDES:

DIZZEE RASCAL / JAMES / MAXIMO PARK / DAN LE SAC VS SCOOBIUS PIP / SHED SEVEN / WE ARE SCIENTISTS / THE VIEW / FEEDER / INSPIRAL CARPETS  / SPECTOR / VINTAGE TROUBLE / TRIBES / WHISKYCATS / DJ YODA & THE TRANSIBERIAN MARCH BAND / LITTLE ROY / TO KILL A KING / DODGY/ BOMBSKARE / GHOSTPOET / TWISTED WHEEL / JUAN ZELADA / THE LANCASHIRE HOTPOTS / MONSTER CEILIDH / VARIOUS CRUELTIES / ISLET / LUCY ROSE / TOY / STEVE SMYTH / MAX RAPTOR / HYDE & BEAST / RAE MORRIS / RYAN KEEN / PETE ROE / KING CHARLES / JACK MARTELLO / SPRING OFFENSIVE / JAKE EVANS (BAD LIEUTENANT) / EXTRA CURRICULAR / BEANS ON TOAST / RANDOM IMPULSE / WONDER VILLIANS / POLICE DOG HOGAN

DANCE TENT: BENGA / ANDY C / SHY FX / JACK BEATS (DJ set) / MOSCA / MS DYNAMITE / TODDLA T /  A.SKILLZ / OLUGBENGA (METRONOMY) / UTAH SAINTS / 16-BIT  /  THE CORRESPONDENTS / PHAELEH / DUB PISTOLS (DJ set) / JAYMO & ANDY GEORGE / D/R/U/G/S + MANY MORE

KAYLEID TENT: DREADZONE / BENJAMIN FRANCES LEFTWICH / HIDDEN ORCHESTRA / LAZY HABITS / YES SIR BOSS / LUCY ROSE  / DIZRAELI AND THE SMALL GODS/ LOUIS BARABBAS & THE BEDLAM SIX JESCA HOOP / DJ SWITCH / KING PORTER STOMP / TAKO LAKO / JUAN ZELADA / SLAMBOREE  DJ MONEYSHOT / EXTRA CURRICULAR /  BOMBSKARE /  RAE MORRIS / DEXTER DEXTROUS & THE FINGER SMITHS / CUT A SHINE / THE MONSTER CEILIDH BAND / JACK MARTELLO / CODA / RYAN KEEN / POLICE DOG HOGAN / HEYMOONSHAKER / PAT DAM SMYTH / PETER ROE / KIDNAP ALICE / THE LOOSE MOOSE STRING BAND / THE MEKKITS

Download Festival 2012 SOLD OUT

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Fans looking for accommodation can still purchase a very limited number of RIP options including the new RIP Metal Hotel. Both day tickets and RIP packages are available at www.downloadfestival.co.uk/tickets
 
This year’s Download Village entertainment is set to be better than ever in celebration of the 10th Anniversary. The Doghouse returns with a full weekend line-up of DJs, Rockeoke and its infamous “Fancy Dress Friday”. This year’s theme is ‘Download Legends’ and everyone is encouraged to get involved by paying homage to theirs.
 
The comedy tent returns to raise more laughs, with some popular names from years past as well as fresh faces; and if fans want to escape the crowds after the main arena closes they can kick back at the Download Cinema

To commemorate Download’s 10th anniversary there will also be a range of vintage merchandise & limited edition t-shirts that fans can purchase.
 
Download Festival are also excited to announce the return of the ever rocking Download Radio powered by Team Rock, broadcasting on 87.7FM across the Donington site, and online at www.DownloadFM.co.uk, providing a weekend of tunes alongside a pint of Official Download 2012 beer, Tuborg – a match made in heaven.  Download FM is on air 9am Wednesday 6 June and finishing 12pm Monday 11 June. Requests can be made via twitter @DOWNLOADFM & by email to [email protected]. 
 
Zippo is back and ready to rock with you at Download Festival for a second year! Check out your favourite bands on the Zippo Encore stage and then come chill out in Zippo’s Encore zone. There’ll be lots of surprises for you including the return of the hugely popular ‘Design My Zippo Lighter’ competition, face painting and other exciting activities. You will also be able to purchase Zippo lighters on-site, including Download  Festival limited editions. We look forward to seeing you there, make sure you stop by. Those that rock, roll with Zippo!
 
Max it with your mates this year with Pepsi Max, join us at the Pepsi Max Stage and rock out to all your favourite acts. Max out on music.www.pepsi.co.uk. 

This year, acts from The Red Bull Bedroom Jam have entered by 
uploading a video to www.redbullbedroomjam.com. Entrants are in the running to appear in an online show recorded straight from their home, have a professional music video recorded for them by the Bedroom Jam pro's ANDsupport the UK tour of a major artist. On top of all that the top 8 bands of 2012 will join previous success stories play the Red Bull Bedroom Jam stage at Download!
 
Jägermeister will bring their monolithic metal beasts – two specially converted ex-military 25 tonne vehicles converted into a cool, sub zero ice bar known as the JägerIce Truck and an awesome acoustic stage known as the JägerRock Truck. The JägerIce Truck comes with a 21 meter bar, serving Ice Cold Jäger shots from tap machines that chill the Jägermeister to an icy zero degrees. Download the app “Jägermeister Ice Cold”, check in when you visit their Ice Truck and stand the chance to win amazing prizes.

http://www.facebook.com/JagermeisterUK

Kraak and Smaak, System 7 and more for Beat-Herder Festival

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Heading to Lancashire’s Ribble Valley for a UK festival exclusive will be The Netherlands’ finest electronic live act Kraak & Smaak. The Dutch trio will be headlining the coveted Beat-Herder Sunday evening slot along with their full live band. XFM’s Eddy Temple Morris will be entertaining the Friday evening crowds with the Sugarbeat Club in the woods along with Lancashire born DMC champion DJ Woody. Ambient techno outfit System 7 have also been added to the Saturday line- up with Jalapeno Sound System providing the funky beats on Sunday evening in the woods.

The aptly name Rajazzle Tent will see additions of Stealing Sheep , Mr Woodnote and Lil Rhys and Middleman and venue Trailer Trash will see additions Drum Machine (as featured on Britain’s Got Talent), The 59ers and Dub Smugglers. STUMBLEFUNK have added Skittles’n’that and Extra Love plus there will be DJ sets from Steve Thorpe and Ken Evil Vs Compa. Venues Smokey Tenticles and The Perfumed Garden Stage will welcome a host of DJs and live acts and the Bushrocker Hifi will play home to a plethora of DJs spinning roots, reggae and dub including Asher G- The Rocksteady Daddy who will be a sure fire hit with his blend of rare, raw and hardcore ja music.

These additions join the previously announced Saturday headliners, British electronic pioneers Orbital, dub king Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, legendary French house producer Etienne de Crecy and Euro pop perfection Black Lace who will be performing in the Working Men’s Club. Making their UK festival debut will be The Parov Stelar Band who will be entertaining the crowds with a full six piece band. Psychedelic rock, electronica and techno will come courtesy of Death In Vegas , ska kings The Beat, Drum and Bass legend Goldie, Border Community founder James Holden, label mate Nathan Fake, and Ninja Tune’s finest export Mr Scruff further make up The Beat-Herder’s varied and carefully considered line up, which can be read in its entirety below.

Complete Line- Up

Aeroplane

Barry Ashworth

Black Lace

Captain Hotknives

CODA

D/R/U/G/S

Death In Vegas

Delorean Drivers

Discopolis

DJ Sneak Beats

Dooks

Drum Machine

Drymbago

Dub Jazz Sound System

Dub Smugglers

Earthdoctor

Eddie Earthquake & The Tremors

Electric Swing Circus

Ellen & The Escapades

Ennio Maccaroni

Etienne De Crecy

Extra Love

Fake Blood

Freestylers (DJ Set)

Frisky & Mannish

Girl Unit

Goldie

Grinny Grandad Live

Ivan Campo

Jake Bugg

Jalapeno Sound System

James Holden

Japenese Popstars Dj Set

Jinx in Dub

Johnny Powell

Kajamor Family

Kate Fear

Keep the Drummer Happy

Ken Evil Vs Compa

Kiki deVille & The Cadillacs

King Charles

Kitten & The Hip

Kora Fula

Kraak & Smaak

Krysko

Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry

Middleman

Mooqee (Bombstrikes)

Mr Cottonhouse

Mr Woodnote and Lil Rhys

Mrs Cakehead

Nathan Fake

Nubiyan Twist

Orbital

Pariah

Parov Stelar Live

Phil Smith

Pilooski

Ponies

Red Tin Dave

Rudimental

Rumour Has It

Shantytown Junction

Shepdog (NICE UP!)

Skittles’n’that

Slamboree

Smerins Anti Social Club

Spiral Scouts

Stealing Sheep

Steve Thorpe

STUMBLEFUNK- live

Sunday Afternoon Toil Trees session with Mr Scruff & MC Kwasi

System 7

The 59ers

The Banana Sessions

The Beat

The Drop

The Orb Sound System

The Other Tribe

The Whip

The Wonderful Sound of the Cinema Organ

Tidal Beats drum workshop

Toni Jarvis (Toolroom)

Undercover Hippy

United Vibrations

Utah Saints

Yes Sir Boss

Music Legend Chaka Khan Joins Grace Jones & Chic at Lovebox!

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The Queen of Funk will take to the main stage and belt out her feel-good grooves across Victoria Park which include the classic worldwide hits: “I Feel For You”, ‘Through The Wire”, ‘I’m Every Woman’ and the 80’s number one ‘Ain’t Nobody’.
 
Chaka now completes the ultimate disco line up alongside headliner Grace Jones and special guest Chic ‘Le Freak’ for the hottest disco inferno to hit London. These US megastars are set to take the Lovebox crowd on a musical journey back to the worldwide early 80s disco phenomenon, firmly cementing Sunday Lovebox as the best disco of this decade of love.
 
Chaka Khan
 
Across the three-day weekend, Victoria Park, Hackney will come to life as Lovebox celebrates its 10th birthday with a multitude of the world’s best artists and DJs that will be taking to the many stages and arenas in June. Festivalgoers are in for an unforgettable experience.

Stephen K Amos Completes Comedy Bill at Larmer Tree Festival

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Plus, Norwegian newcomer and YouTube sensation, Daniel Simonsen has also been confirmed, and for the first time there’ll also be a daily slot of funny, clean comedy dedicated to children in The Social with Comedy Club 4 Kids. 

Providing a sure-fire night of laughter on Saturday, audiences will be charmed by Stephen’s almost child-like joy and exuberance, and his ability to find the funny side of things in even the most unexpected places!  Having entertained audiences all over the world, he has numerous TV credits under his belt, including his own TV series The Stephen K Amos Show. 

Larmer Tree Festival Co-Director and comedy programmer, Julia Safe, said:  “Each year it seems a daunting task to improve on the previous year’s amazing comedy line-up, but I’m very pleased to say we undoubtedly have in 2012!”

Stephen joins a stellar line-up of comedians ready to take to the mic and bring rapturous laughter to the enchanted gardens this year.  Top of the bill is comedy genius, Tim Minchin, who’ll be given the great accolade of being the first comedian ever to grace the festival’s Main Stage.  Rock superstar, Tim and his grand piano will be wowing audiences on Thursday night with a unique blend of musical comedy.

Heading up the ARC’s Comedy Club on Thursday evening will be Greg Davies.  Possibly best known for playing the psychotic Head of Sixth Form Mr Gilbert in Channel 4’s The Inbetweeners, Greg’s also appeared on numerous TV shows.  Next up it’s the multi-award winning comedian, Milton Jones, who’ll be drawing the Comedy Club to a side-splittingly funny close when he headlines Sunday.  Festival-goers will have seen Milton on Mock the Week (BBC2), and more recently on Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow (BBC1).  He’s also had his ninth radio series commissioned for BBC Radio 4.

Bringing their indomitable late night festival fanfare to Friday evening is the fifth and final comedy headliner, The Horne Section.  Gathering together the UK’s finest jazz musicians and throwing them on stage with the world’s most exciting comics – Alex Horne has created a truly unique brand of jazz-infused comedy. 

Plus, the Larmer Tree team is very pleased to welcome Comedy Club 4 Kids to the festival.  Tailored for anyone over the age of eight, it features the best comedians on the circuit doing what they do best… but without the rude bits!  Families can now enjoy the funniest acts, swear-free at lunchtimes in The Social.

It’s not just about the comedy, there’ll be more than 70 eclectic artists performing over the five day festival. Joining firm favouriteJools Holland, other not to be missed headliners include Paloma Faith, Amadou & Mariam, Levellers and Roots Manuva.

Tickets include all entertainment, free parking and camping for tents, caravans and campervans, so there are no additional costs.  A three day ticket costs £140 per adult but festival-goers can enjoy a four or five day weekend for only an extra £25 or £50 respectively.

For more information on what’s going on, line-up news and to book tickets visit www.larmertreefestival.co.uk.

COMEDY LINE-UP:

Tim Minchin • Greg Davies • Milton Jones • Stephen K Amos • The Horne Section • Terry Alderton • Zoe Lyons • Alun Cochrane • Carl Donnelly • Nick Helm • Roisin Conaty • Marcel Lucont • Naz Osmanoglu • Jimmy McGhie • Tom Craine • Paul McCaffrey • Daniel Simonsen • Comedy Club 4 Kids

RockNess stage lineup + more acts announced

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Getting the party started on day one of the Most Beautiful Festival In The World – is the quite excellent MUMFORD & SONS who along with NOAH & THE WHALE, THE DRUMS, MYSTERY JETS and ADMIRAL FALLOWcharge the MAIN STAGE, whilst Breakthrough Star ED SHEERAN, WRETCH 32 and ETIENNE DE CRECY head up the GOLDEN VOICE ARENA. The first class electro for which RockNess is famed commences in awesome form with EATS EVERYTHING and HUDSON MOHAWKE headlining the mighty CLASH presents SUB CLUB SOUND SYSTEM, with Baron of Techno DAVE CLARKE and CLAUDE VONSTROKE assuming control of the new ARCADIA UFO presented by SOMA RECORDS. The HOWARDS END ARENA in association with SOUND CITY presents the finest new music including THEOPHILUS LONDON and STARBOY NATHAN, topped with the much lovedROCKNESS CEILIDH ALL STARS.

Day two of RockNess – NME award winning ‘Best Small Festival’ for two consecutive years running – promises to be a moment of quite simply epic proportions as two of the world’s biggest names in dance head to Scotland.  With what is arguably the most spectacular show out of all the major electronic headliners right now, Californian superstar DJ and producer DEADMAU5 on the MAIN STAGE precluded by ANNIE MAC and DJ FRESHwill be truly unmissable.  And in a double whammy, there is no bigger act to headline the GOLDEN VOICE ARENA on Saturday night than French electro Gods JUSTICE!  Not since Daft Punk played RockNess – a moment so iconic and mind bogglingly awesome that it is now widely acknowledged as one of the most seminal moments in Scottish music history – has there been an act that so frequently tops the wishlist of fans. With an all-French support of BUSY P, JACQUES LU CONT and MADEON, the GOLDEN VOICE roof will without any shadow of doubt be blown off.

International comedy superstar TIM MINCHIN heads up a first class comedy proposition at this year’s festival and is guaranteed a full house in Saturday afternoon’s GOLDEN VOICE ARENA with fast rising Scottish star DANIEL SLOSS and a host of other supremely talented funnymen (and ladies!) on the weekend bill too.  Saturday’s CLASH ARENA welcomes Special Guests THE VIEW to what is sure to be an ecstatic home crowd welcome. THE PIGEON DETECTIVES and GUILLEMOTS precede the Dundee rockers in the CLASH ARENA.  And as day becomes night, the CLASH ARENA transforms into the hedonistic clubbing utopia of the SUB CLUB SOUND SYSTEM with HARRI & DOMENIC headlining alongside LEVON VINCENT, IVAN SMAGGHE and SENSU. Over on the ARCADIA UFO, in a techno treat of cosmic proportions, BEN SIMS, JAMES HOLDEN and SILICONE SOUL are joined by ANDREW WEATHERALL and SEAN JOHNSTON who present ‘A Love From Outer Space’.

New music is well represented in Saturday’s HOWARDS END ARENA with BASTILLE, SAINT SAVIOUR and others, plus fun and games from BEARDED KITTEN (who also get the RockNess Express party antics going!).

RockNess lineup

From start to finish, day three of RockNess 2012 is simply heaving with quality.  Last time they played, the response was thunderous. This time they’re back and bringing the festival to an almighty close on the Sunday. Get set for the biggest finale you’ve ever seen as Scotland’s rock superstars BIFFY CLYRO bring the MAIN STAGE to a close!  Joining BIFFY CLYRO on Sunday’s MAIN STAGE is ZANE LOWE whipping the crowd into a frenzy as only he does best, the brilliant FRIENDLY FIRES, and the legend that is NILE RODGERS who along with CHIC will deliver a set of back to back all time disco classics.

Sunday’s GOLDEN VOICE ARENA is a stormer as THE KNIFE, METRONOMY and ROB DA BANK get the party well and truly rocking, while the CLASH ARENA sees ASH headline with a very special 20th Anniversary set alongside RIFLES and ERRORS.  Changing over into the SUB CLUB SOUND SYSTEM once dusk falls over Loch Ness, the arena goes into full effect with an exclusive 3 hour set from Detroit legend JEFF MILLS.  Over on the ARCADIA UFO, MYLO brings his famed EPP Party to Dores in another amazing exclusive with YUKSEK and TIGER and WOODS joining the Skye born maestro. Sunday’s new music proposition includes FOXES, CHARLOTTE O’CONNOR and STEALING SHEEP.

Plus there’s more! As one of Scotland’s premier destinations for DJs and clubbers, RockNess is delighted to welcome back Aberdeen’s CLUB SNAFU for more exemplary beats and good times to the new intimate Kopparberg Kube. Epitomising the sublime music policy of CLUB SNAFU, the boutique space will be headlined by Hot Creation’s funk and disco groovemeisters WiLDKATS, with the outstanding BIGFOOT’S TEA PARTY back to tear up the dancefloor again after last year’s exhilarating performance. CLUB SNAFU resident (and inaugural RockNess DJ Competition Winner) FUAD is one of the most hotly tipped producers on the scene, packing out the club on a Saturday night and we’re really happy to say he too is Dores bound along with fellow CLUB SNAFU resident KRAZZY MARTIN. A key member of Aberdeen’s clubbing community, KRAZZY MARTIN has staged some of the North’s most legendary parties in recent years. So he’ll be right at home at RockNess!  

It is with much excitement we can announce our friends at the sublime LUCKY ME collective will take control of the decks in the Kopparberg Kube on Sunday. Firmly at the fore of new hip hop, RnB, house and all things musically experimental, besides releasing vinyl and clothing, LUCKY ME direct in music and fashion. Founded in Glasgow by Mike Slott, Dominic Sum Flannigan, Martyn Flyn, and Ross Birchard (aka previously announced Sub Club Sound System penultimate headliner HUDSON MOHAWKE), LUCKY ME present a triple whammy of outstanding talent with S-TYPE, THE BLESSINGS and DEMA.  

Endorsed by Paul Weller, cult cockney mods THE RIFLES are packing out venues across the land and scooping rave reviews as they go with their no nonsense, no frills approach. Recently released album ‘Freedom Run’, the Chingford band’s third, offers tracks that burst into life with the brightest of harmonies. Catch them at RockNess for as good a guitar pop set as you’re likely to hear in 2012.
 
Multi-national, multi-instrumentalist and multi-talented. GUILLEMOTS don’t do understatement. Mercury Prize and Brit nominated, their music is a lesson in modern brilliance. Ambitious arrangements, expansive beauty and some seriously large-scale emotion, the quartet make music that is, according to charismatic frontman Fyfe Dangerfield “to be heard across the night sky". And where more seductive than Loch Ness. Unmissable.
 
The most recent spinoff of the Wu Tang-like Odd Future collective, THE INTERNET is a hip hop soul duo consisting of female DJ, singer and producer SYD THA KYD and producer MATT MARTIANS of LA skateboarding hip hop collective OFWGKTA (Wolf Gang Kill Them All).  The brilliant young duo’s skeletal beats and smoothed out cooing hit the internet a few months back and RockNess is extremely pleased to be welcoming THE INTERNET to Scotland for the first time.
 
Arriving with her Neon Gold Records debut ‘Youth’ late last year, the resplendent synths, industrial percussion and soaring vocals of FOXES (Louisa Rose Allen) were the talk of the town.  Now the 22 year old from Southampton returns with eagerly awaited follow up EP, ‘Warrior’ on 1st July, with RockNess the perfect precursor to showcase the new material live.
 
The exquisite STEALING SHEEP have had an impressive rise over the last twelve months. Show stealing performances across the UK and a nod from Sir Paul McCartney has seen the all-female Liverpool trio gain a growing audience. Far from just another folk clone, the influence of 60's psychedelic rock and pop can be clearly heard across their beautifully crafted songs and unusual instrumentation.
 
Folky and soulful, CHARLOTTE O’CONNOR admits her musical influences are far reaching. Growing up in Blackburn with a half-Malawian/half-Indian mum and an Irish father, she was exposed to all kinds of sounds. And for that we should be thankful. Debut album ‘For Kenny’ released in March was “romantic and fun with a lot of energy” and is set to be swiftly followed up with an as yet untitled EP late summer.
 
Last but certainly by no means least, Inverness’ KOBI aka Steve Robertson, Gary Thain and Dave Smith have a big vision for 2012. Having spent several years honing their multifaceted, voyeuristic sound on the live circuit, which most notably included a support slot to Shaun Ryder, the recording of the trio’s debut album is soon to commence in Spain.  Catch them this summer at Dores and hear the new material in full effect.

WOWfest features 2012 winner of Live and Unsigned

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Live and Unsigned auditions started in January leading up to the National Finals at the UK’s Largest indoor music festival, Live Fest (14th July, 02 Arena). The competition will be judged by a panel of music industry gurus from National Radio 1, Kerrang, BBC Introducing, Regional Press & record labels including Radio 1’s Annie Knightingale MBE, Kerrang! Radio’s Alex Baker, former Stone Roses guitarist Aziz Ibrahim and many more to be announced!

The overall winner of Live and Unsigned 2012 will receive the exclusive opportunity to play WOWfest’s main stage on Friday 17th August. Sharing the main stage over the weekend are the likes of Norman Jay MBE, The Selecter and Aswad, with more still to be announced. In addition the winner of Live and Unsigned’s acoustic music sub category will play WOWfest’s new and local talent stage, Shaved Fish.

Only in its first year, WOWfest’s features an electric mix of House, Reggae, Ska, Jazz, World, Disco, Dance, Dubstep and Drum and Bass music including House legends Paul Oakenfold and Danny Rampling, Reggae stars UB40, Junior Marvin of Bob Marley's Wailers and Maxi Priest as well as Ska originals The Selecter and The Beat to name a few. On top of a spectacular line up the festival features Ubuntu, WOWfest’s African Village, as well as a vintage fun fair, workshops, theatre performances and afterhours comedy club and swirling burlesque.

The Live and Unsigned 2012 winner will also play Relentless Energy Drink Boardmasters, Sundown, Strawberry Fields Festival, Cloud 9 Festival, Glass Butter Beach, Bingley Music Live, Cockermouth Rock Festival, Brownstock, WOWFest, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Just So Festival, Stockton Weekender, London Summer Jam and Lancaster Music Festival as well as receive a cash prize of £10,000.

To enter Live and Unsigned visit http://www.liveandunsigned.uk.com/enter-now

Live and Unsigned Grand Final 14th July 2012 , The O2 London

http://www.liveandunsigned.uk.com/music-showcase

Charlotte Church to play special performance at Blissfields 2012

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With a capacity of just 2,500 and boasting a line-up that consistently features every buzz indie band of the moment, Blissfields Festival will be Charlotte's most intimate festival performance ever, and a chance for her to showcase a raft of new material with a full band in a truly unique environment.
 
Having won a Classical BRIT Award for Artist of the Year, a British Comedy Award for Best Female Newcomer, a GQ Award for Woman of the Year, and following six acclaimed, top 40 albums as well as a career in television – it’s safe to say that the 26 year old Church is as big a household name as Stephen Fry or cucumber sandwiches. Organizers have said they are“delighted when Charlotte approached us to preview new material at the event. We’ve always upheld the belief that Blissfields should be a place for all kinds of music, both emerging and established, and we know she’ll put on a quality show that everybody will enjoy. We’ve already confirmed pretty much all of our bill, but found a way to make this work – and of course we’re really excited by the announcement”.
 
Also announced is 12 year old Lauren Thalia. A local to the festival, she stole the judge’s heart in the audition stages of the competition, and performed at the live semi-final to a television audience of 7 million people with her own version of ‘Earthquake’.
 
Blissfields Festivalare proud to add Charlotte and Lauren to a bill that already includesPatrick Wolf (playing a special grand piano acoustic set), The Noisettes, Guillemots,Toddla T, Spector, Toy, Theme Park, Clock Opera, Charli XCX, Bastille, King Charles, and a wealth of other acclaimed acts to it’s 12th year line-up. Full line-up below.

Florence and The Machine to headline Friday at Bestival 2012

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Rob da Bank says: “The first time I met Flo she was whirling around like a spinning top to a Paul Simon track at a party I was DJing at. I hadn't even heard her open her mouth but she had this alluring vibe already. Once I heard her scratchy demo I was sold and when she did her first radio session for me at Radio 1 I couldn’t believe this flame-haired eccentric young lady had such a stunning voice. Her shows for us at Bestival and Camp Bestival over the last few years have always been highlights for many and I’m glad we can finally seal the deal with a headline show on the Friday of Bestival and with The xx on before her this promises to go down in the Best of Bestival yearbook!”

Florence & The Machine

A longstanding Bestival buddy, Florence Welch and her trusty Machine have wowed Bestivalites across the years. From her mesmerising performance in the Club Dada tent to a handful of those in the know, to her all-conquering main stage set in 2009, her epic vocals, quirky melodies and self-contained musical world have created some utterly jaw-dropping moments that will live long in Bestival lore. Her second album ‘Ceremonials’, released at the end of last year, has cemented her reputation as one of the biggest stars on the planet and gained her accolades by the bucket-load, so we really are honoured to have her back with us again!

Florence Welch says: “This year we are headlining the one and only Bestival on the main stage on the Friday night after the amazing The xx, we hope we'll find you there in the wilderness with us! Lots of love, Florence + The Machine.”

To celebrate the fact that Florence + the Machine will be headlining on Friday night, they have put together a spectacular video message for us rejoicing in our Wildlife theme, which you can check out on our website, www.bestival.net!

Never ones to do things by halves, we’re also over the moon to announce that Swedish indie-pop doyens Miike Snow will be getting on the ferry across the Solent to join us at Bestival. Lauded for their eponymous debut album that brought them to worldwide attention, the band’s recent sophomore outing, ‘Happy To You’, has upped the infectious factor, as they effortlessly cross genres with their uniquely orchatronic sound. Their live show is a theatrical joy and one not to be missed and we can’t wait to see them!

The band told us: “We of Miike Snow are very happy to be playing Bestival this year, on the fantastical Isle Of Wight. We are looking forward to making sure everyone has a delightful time, and visiting Shanklin Chine. See you all very soon.”

Don’t forget about the recently announced Bestival Blocos either and our, frankly, off the hook carnival-esque Wildlife parade. More info on that can be found here.

We will be announcing our Friday night headliner on Monday 21st May, so keep your eyes peeled for the details and in the meantime make sure you keep on checking in at  www.bestival.net, and our Facebook page and Twitter for all the latest behaviour.

All The Acts Announced So far: 

Live Performances From: Stevie Wonder  / Florence + The Machine / New Order  / The xx  / Sigur Rós / Friendly Fires / Nero / 2manydjs – Live / Soulwax  / Justice  / Two Door Cinema Club / Hot Chip / Miike Snow / Bat For Lashes / Emeli Sandé / Orbital / Frank Ocean / SBTRKT / Warpaint / De La Soul / Roots Manuva / Major Lazer / Sister Sledge / Gary Numan / The Horrors / Spiritualized / Death In Vegas / Doom / Ben Howard / Michael Kiwanuka / Sub Focus / Azealia Banks / Alabama Shakes  / Kevin Saunderson Feat. Inner City Live  / John Foxx And The Maths / Gallows / Rizzle Kicks / Buraka Som Sistema / Sage Francis / Grimes / Bellowhead / Earth Wind & Fire Experience Feat Al Mckay / Django Django / Little Dragon / Gold Panda / Adam Ant & The Good, The Mad And The Lovely Posse / The Cuban Brothers / Top Cat Featuring Sir Coxsone Outernational / Chairlift / Iceage / Ren Harvieu / John Talabot / Lianne La Havas / Delilah / First Aid Kit / Gesaffelstein / Daughter / Zulu Winter / Ane Brun / Friends / Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs / King Khan And The Shrines / The Japanese Popstars / Chas & Dave / Dub Pistols  / Factory Floor  / Charli XCX / Errors  / Lucy Rose / Skepta / Alunageorge / Sunless 97 / Congo Natty / King Krule / Toy / Kindness / Dirty Beaches / Drums Of Death / Jessie Ware / Jeffrey Lewis & The Junkyard / General Levy / Slagsmålsklubben / Jaipur Kawa Brass Band  / Field Music / Jinja Safari  / Kawa Circus / B.Dolan's Church Of Love & Ruin / 02:54 / Evian Christ / Frankie Rose / Porcelain Raft / Milagres / Three Bonzos & A Piano / Prince Fatty / Liz Green  / Trailer Trash Tracys / Forest Swords / Willis Earl Beal  / Murkage / Alt-J / The Staves / Skinny Lister / Josh Kumra / Ryan Keen  / Stay+ / Jamie N Commons / Nina Nesbitt / Bigkids / Gabrielle Aplin / Kwes / Diagrams  / Fiction  / Turbowolf  / Mary Epworth / Wet Nuns  / Misty's Big Adventure / This Is The Kit  / Stealing Sheep / Clock Opera  / Young British Artists /  Patterns / Ghost Outfit  / L.A. Salami  / To Kill A King / Dingus Khan /  Crowns / Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo / Parma Violets / Gorgeous George / Subgiant / Heath:Ward / Laurel Collective  /Jake Bugg /Ahab / Gecko / Model Society / Tom Williams And The Boat / The Other Tribe / Daytona Lights / Biederbeck / Valentine Gray / Charley Macaulay / Sky Sphere / Blackhouse Crow / The Lovely Eggs /  St Spirit  / Charming / Alonestar / Shepherds / Cherishport / Seán Mcgowan / A Way Of Life / This Way Up / The Widowmaker

DJs Sets From Rob da Bank and Friends: Annie Mac Presents / Skream & Benga / Four Tet B2B Caribou / The 2 Bears / David Rodigan MBE Presents Ram Jam / Jamie xx /  Dirtybird Showcase Feat. Claude Vonstroke, Justin Martin & Eats Everything  / François K / Moodymann / Gilles Peterson / Redlight / DJ Yoda / Maya Jane Coles / Brodinski / Scuba / Kavinsky  / Julio Bashmore  / LTJ Bukem /Shy FX / Plastician / Matador / Greg Wilson / Adamski / Doctor P / The Nextmen / MC Wrec / Pearson Sound / Borgore  / Flux Pavilion / Mark Jones (BTTP) / Max Cooper  / Gemini  / Krystal Klear  / Pangaea / Reggae Roast /  Billy Daniel Bunter / Pariah / Trolley Snatcha / Krafty Kuts / Warm & Electric Minds / Scratch Perverts  / Koan Sound  / Camo & Krooked / Giles Smith & James Priestley (Secretsundaze) / Mosca / Numbers Showcase: Oneman B2B Jackmaster, Deadboy, Spencer, Redinho  / B Traits / Dismantle  / Killaflaw / Gutterslut / Ben UFO / Melé / PBR Streetgang / Jaguar Skills & His Amazing Friends / Drums Of Death / Blawan / Frank Tope / Leo Zero / Evian Christ  / Girl Unit / Zomboy / Luv*Jam / Dr Alex Paterson / Chris Coco / Pete Gooding  / Phil Mison / Duff Disco / Sonnyji Presents Bang Bhang / Danny Whitehead / Mixmaster Morris / Rev Milo Speedwagon  / Graeme Fisher (Balearic)  / DJ Cable / Foamo / Shepdog / The Shellac Collective / Flying White Dots / DJ Charge / Hip Hop Karaoke / DJ@War / Pathaan / Mojo Filter / Fear Of Theydon / Tythe / Sink The Pink / George B / Kaf-Tan / Ben Hoo

Mr Motivator
 
Brainfeeder Presents Thundercat, The Gaslamp Killer, Teebs, Lapalux, Jeremiah Jae, DJ Kutmah
 
Channel One Sound System

James Zabiela, Jaguar Skills and more added to Jersey Live Festival

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The Dance Arena line up is nearing completion, with Saturday night to be headlined by tech house starlet JAMES ZABIELA whose turntable skills and pioneering use of loops and effects have made him one of the most sought after producer-DJs in the business, with the likes of Royksopp and Ladytron calling upon his remixing services. The legendary Sasha, who signed him to his Excession agency, refers to him as ‘the guv’nor.’ Given the stratospheric trajectory of his career and his superhuman ability on the decks, it’s not hard to see why. 

Jaguar SkillsHe’ll be joined in the Dance Arena on the Saturday by one of the busiest and most influential producers in electronic music, Joshua Harvey, akaHERVE. A mainstay on the UK festival scene in recent years, his sets make for the ultimate rave: with big bass lines aplenty the Jersey Live audience can expect an explosion of electro, dubstep, fidget-house, drum & bass and grime. Having remixed Bloc Party and Calvin Harris amongst innumerous other indie and dance acts, he’s a producer with a big reputation and the talent to back it up. The masked man of mystery JAGUAR SKILLS makes a welcome return to Jersey Live, having performed at the festival in 2010. One of the most exciting scratch and mash-up DJs around, Jag is yet to reveal his true identity to the public, but we’re happy for him to let the music do the talking. 

Since becoming the youngest ever DJs to record a live Essential Mix for Radio One, JAYMO & ANDY GEORGE have gone from strength to strength, regularly co-hosting with the likes of Annie Mac and Zane Lowe and enjoying huge success with their infamous Moda parties, taking place in clubs, warehouses, theatres and even boats across the globe. Their sets are a mash-up of electro, techno, disco and indie, and will be a welcome addition to the Dance Arena bill. Confirmed for the Sunday in the Dance Arena is Ram Records’ much-lauded drum & bass duo DELTA HEAVY. With radio airplay and DJN support from such diverse DJs as Zane Lowe, Huw Stephens, Andy C and Friction, it’s clear that their cross-over appeal is set to make them ones to watch. Completing the first wave of Dance Arena announcements is FEED ME. Signed to Deadmau5’s Mau5trap label, the British electro-house/dubstep producer has remixed Muse, Chase & Status and Gorillaz, and with a debut album due out this year, he’s set for very big things indeed.

Also joining our second wave of announcements are a number of acts that will be performing on the Main Stage, JT Stage and Tease Stage over the weekend, starting with BBC Sound of 2012-listed indie outfit FRIENDS, described by the Guardian as ‘Brooklyn’s sassiest girl-fronted group” and whose third single ‘Mind Control’ was recently named as Huw Stephens’ Hottest Record in the World on Radio One. Manchester reggae-funk party-starters THE JANICE GRAHAM BAND perform twice over the weekend, and come with the approval of none other than Stone Roses bassist Mani, who describes them as “so unique in an age where it’s so easy to copy what has gone before.” Scottish afrobeat quartet BWANI JUNCTION appear on the JT stage at the festival, after having earned themselves a legion of fans headlining the BBC Introducing Stage at T in the Park in 2011. Their compatriot NINA NESBITT will perform on the Tease Stage, having enjoyed a meteoric rise to become one of the most talked-about new acoustic indie-folk artists of 2012. The precociously talented 17 year-old has collaborated extensively with her other half, Ed Sheeran and is on the cusp of joining him on the British musical A-list. The final artist to be announced is another much talked-about and super-talented youngster JAKE BUGG. Since appearing on the BBC Introducing Stage at Glastonbury last year, the 18 year-old singer-songwriter has enjoyed extensive Radio One airplay and been signed to recording giants Universal, and with artists such as Donovan and Johnny Cash influencing his country-tinged folk music, he’s sure to be one of the highlights of this year’s festival.

The festival boasts five stages in total: The Main Stage, where the big guns go head to head; The Dance Arena, which will host some of the world’s hottest DJs and producers. Previous artists have included Calvin Harris, Annie Mac, Mr Oizo and Boys Noize; The Tease Stage is a themed stage featuring a mix of local and international artists, as well as a fancy dress stall (very much recommended to all that visit it) and games galore; The JT Stage hosts an array of local and international artists, and provides a more chilled-out area to recharge your batteries before heading out for more Main Stage action; The Hospitality Stage is available to Hospitality ticket-holders (see below for details) and features exclusive DJ sets throughout the weekend.

With plenty of bars, an entire food village, arts and crafts stalls and its own funfair, yet a capacity of just 10,000 daily, Jersey Live has all the action of a major festival but all the friendliness and intimacy that its boutique status would suggest.

Jersey Live is heading towards a decade of unforgettable parties, and with many more acts to be announced soon, this one might just top the lot.