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!
Steve Blount from Bearded Theory says, "We are delighted to be welcoming Adam Ant & the Good, the Mad & the Lovely Posseto headline Bearded Theory Festival. To find a high-quality replacement headline act with just four weeks before the festival was a tall order, so we are incredibly excited to have secured a performance from such an iconic artist as Adam Ant at this short notice. We wish Jon from the Levellers a speedy recovery and look forward to them hosting them at Bearded Theory at a future date.
Since returning to live performance in 2010, the legendary Adam Ant has enjoyed a massive resurgence in his career. With his groupAdam and the Ants he was one of the pioneers of the new wave/post-punk movement, enjoying considerable success including Number 1 singles Stand and Deliver and Prince Charming. Going solo, he gave way to a more glam-pop musical direction that once again brought him UK chart-topping success, including the single Goody Two Shoes from the iconic album, Friend or Foe. Though he stepped away from the limelight for a number of years, Adam Ant returned to regular live performance in 2010 to critical acclaim. His headline performance at Bearded Theory festival will be one of his biggest UK live dates since his return.
Taking place between 18th and 20th May 2012, Bearded Theory has firmly entrenched itself as the first 'proper' music festival of the season. 2012 will be Bearded Theory's fifth birthday and is a celebration of the music and musicians who either inspired the festival's inception, or who have become fan favourites over the years.
On Saturday night, Captain Sensible's Gothic Punk legends The Damned are top of the bill and founding favourites Dreadzone return to close the festival on Sunday night.
Other major acts also confirmed include The Selecter, Show of Hands, The Popes, Terrorvision, Back To The Planet, Dr & The Medics, Credit To The Nation and of course, perennial Bearded Theory favourites, 3 Daft Monkeys. The fabulous Wheatus will be performing the now-legendary Sunday lunchtime slot, and word is they will wear custom made false beards for their entire performance!
Bearded Theory has also confirmed details of a number of exciting changes for 2012. These include a creation of two entirely new areas; Tornado Town (a festival within a festival), and The Water's Edge. Underlining their commitment to supporting local businesses, the festival have appointed Thornbridge Brewery in Bakwell, (located just 20 miles from the festival), to run their on-site bars.
Steve Blount from Bearded Theory Festival says, "We are delighted to have be named UK's Best Independent Festival at the prestigious AIM Music Awards in recognition of last year's fabulous event. Everyone involved in Bearded Theory is already working hard to try and deliver an even better one for next year. With two totally revamped areas and a whole range of new activities planned, 2012 is shaping up to be a vintage year for Bearded Theory Festival.
The Tallest Man On Earth were absolutely phenomenal at Green Man 2010 so it gives us great pleasure to welcome them back this year! Keep an eye out for their new album 'There's No Leaving No' that's due to be released in June.
Good times are guaranteed as The Bees, one of Britain’s best bands, bring their gigantic tunes to the Black Mountains.
With unique vocals and haunting melodies that are capable of plunging an audience into awed silence, The Staves are fast becoming a must-see act in 2012
Also confirmed for this year’s festival are…
AHAB – John Leckie-produced alternative country/folk five-piece from London.
Pen Pastwn – Acoustic Welsh loveliness from former Gorky’s man Richard James.
David McCaffrey – Startlingly mature 17-year-old singer/songwriter from York.
One Sixth Of Tommy – Prodigiously young all-girl trio with luscious harmonies.
Full line-up so far: Van Morrison / Feist / The Walkmen / Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks / The Tallest Man On Earth / Jonathan Richman / tUnE-yArDs / of Montreal / Michael Kiwanuka / Yann Tiersen / The Felice Brothers / King Creosote & Jon Hopkins / The Bees / Scritti Politti / Junior Boys / Time & Space Machine / Damien Jurado / Field Music / C.W. Stoneking / Friends / Bowerbirds / Ghostpoet / Slow Club / Cass McCombs / Beth Jeans Houghton & The Hooves of Destiny / Dark Dark Dark / Three Trapped Tigers / Willy Mason / Daughter / Trembling Bells / Joe Pug / Lucy Rose / Peaking Lights / Islet / Megafaun / Cashier No.9 / TOY / ∆ Alt-J / The Wave Pictures / Kwes / The Staves / Steve Smyth / Laura J Martin / Jamie N Commons / Gang Colours / Stealing Sheep / Vadoinmessico / Rocketnumbernine / Psychemagik (DJ set) / The Pictish Trail / Teeth of the Sea / Treetop Flyers / Richard Norris (DJ set) / Sweet Baboo / Tiny Ruins / Ahab / Pen Pastwn / Mowbird / Seamus Fogerty / RM Hubbert / Pete Paphides – Vinyl Revival / Richard Warren / The Perch Creek Family Jug Band / No Thee No Ess / Goodnight Lenin / Chailo Sim / Georgia Ruth / David McCaffrey / Alaska / Joanna Gruesome / Sen Segur / Greta Isaac / One Sixth Of Tommy
You won’t find anything quite like Einstein’s Garden at any other UK festival!
Fire your imagination and cultivate your curiosity with over 60 eye-opening performances fusing science and nature in a fun and informative way. We’ve got three packed stages of theatre, music, art and crafts – here’s just a smidgeon:
Simon Watt: Dissections Uncut – Channel 4′s “Inside Nature’s Giants” gets under the skin of massive animals (including an elephant, a giraffe and a whale) to figure out what makes them tick. Join presenter Simon Watt to take a look at some of the fascinating science that didn’t make the final cut.
Rosie Wilby: The Science Of Sex – Rosie Wilby reprises her Fringe Report award winning show investigating the science of attraction, sexual chemistry and sexual identity
MJ Hibbett & the Validators: Dinosaur Planet – science fiction rock opera "Dinosaur Planet" that tells you exactly what happened when the Dinosaurs disappeared 65 million years ago… and why they've now returned. It features songs, jokes, giant robots, explosions, the hornpipe, and the total obliteration of Peterborough.
Lori Campbell – glorious singer-songwriter who has taken her guitar and her songs about pigeons, rainbows, the English Riviera and such like on the road to support Ben Howard, Seasick Steve and Benjamin Francis Leftwich.
Bronze Medallists – The North London-based four-piece formed two years, their multi-layered twisted pop songs have been championed by the likes of John Kennedy and Bethan Elfyn. The band are currently working on 'Hippodomania' an ambitious four-track concept EP about mankind's yearning for chaos and order at once, named after Hippodamus, the progenitor of modern town planning.
Bright Club – a comedy event, starring real scientists involving a cast of professional comedians and specially-trained scientists that will leave you knowing more about everything!
A Supercollider For The Family – described by The Times as “the world’s best feel-good movie that never got made” and “the beautiful funny child of Wim Wenders and Thomas Pynchon”, Ben Moor’s revived solo show from 1997 mixes particle physics with romance in an absorbing tale of tightrope walking, international espionage and ludicrous puns. Traversing the world, the subatomic landscape and the geography of the heart, this is a story like no other. As a treat for Green Man, the original score will be played live by members of Suns of the Tundra.
Green Man just wouldn’t be the same without our party-hard partners-in-crime Chai Wallahs! Kick back or freak out in a giant Bedouin marquee serving a feast of food and drink, as over 40 bands and DJs play the very best in reggae, rap, blues, jazz, hip hop, dub and dance daily until 5am. Here’s a tantalising taster:
Yes Sir Boss – A truly original, distinct and indefinable sound that has elements of everything from a brooding Balkan blues band to a horn injected indie rock outfit
Gabby Young & Other Animals – Young uses her stunning voice and global influences to fuel her beautifully haunting songs.
Dizraeli & The Small Gods – Fusing harmony singing, turntablism, heavy beats and delicate instrumentation to create a melodic, unashamedly heartfelt reinvention of hiphop
Urban Folk Orchestra – Electrifying acoustic music that has been taking the European folk scene by storm
Hidden Orchestra – two live drummers, organic samples and deep dub basslines
Nuru Kane – Foot-stomping Afrobeat dance party from Senegal via Paris
Tako Lako – Psychedelic Balkan beat and gypsy trash tunes from Copenhagen
Chai Wallahs line-up so far: Cate Ferris / Cheeba / Cocos Lovers / Dizraeli and the Small Gods / Dom James and His Dixie Ticklers / Gabby Young and Other Animals / Hidden Orchestra / Joe Driscoll & Sekou Kouyate / King Porter Stomp / Lund Quartet / Mankala / Nuala Honan / Nuru Kane / Parker / Pat Dam Smyth / Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin / Rodney Branigan / Sheelanagig / Smerins Anti Social Club / Tako Lako / The Urban Folk Quartet / Yes Sir Boss + more tbc soon!
Friday 24th August at Reading Festival / Saturday 25th August at Leeds Festival
THE MACCABEES’ third album ‘Given To The Wild’ was released earlier this year to massive critical acclaim and soared into the UK charts at Number Four. The South London five-piece are enjoying a hugely successful year so far, and with a sold out Brixton Academy under their belts The Maccabees are further cementing their status as one of the most exciting British bands of our time. We welcome them for their first headline appearance on the NME/Radio 1 Stage.
FOSTER THE PEOPLE have garnered a huge amount of critical acclaim and public adoration on both sides of the Atlantic since the release of their debut album ‘Torches’. With last year’s feel-good hit of the summer ‘Pumped Up Kicks’, word of their music spread in a manner that was shockingly quick, even in the age of endless internet churn with everyone agreeing on one thing: this was a band on the cusp of an undeniable breakthrough and Foster The People show no sign of slowing down.
Band of the people, THE COURTEENERS, head to Reading & Leeds Festival ahead of the release of their third studio album, the follow up to 2010’s ‘Falcon’. With the Manchester four-piece eager to road test new material, head honcho Liam Fray recently declared their new sound as “industrial Motown”. An incredible live band, this could be one of the years most talked about performances.
Hot on the heels of his eighth album ‘A + E’, erstwhile Blur guitarist GRAHAM COXON returns to solo business with a hotly anticipated appearance on the NME / Radio 1 stage. The critics have been positively slavering over this latest outing and will undoubtedly see this appearance over-subscribed.
With the follow up to 2009’s critically acclaimed ‘Manners’ under construction, we welcome PASSIONPIT to this year’s Reading & Leeds Festival. Hailing from Massachusetts, expect a blend of new electro dance tunes and old favourites.
Alternative rock band, THEBLACKOUT are Sean Smith, Gavin Butler, Matthew Davies, James Davies , Rhys Lewis and Gareth Lawrence. With a new album scheduled for release in August, these very special shows at Reading & Leeds will give fans a unique preview.
Always a favourite at festivals THEHIVES are sure to get things jumping with their infectious, thrilling garage rock hits. With new single ‘Go Right Ahead’, a sax-laden, glam-rock stomp hitting the airways now and previewing new album ‘Lex Hives’ due in the summer, Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist, Nicholaus Arson, Chris Dangerous, Dr. Matt Destruction, and Vigilante Carlstroem will bring the sound of the summer to the NME/Radio 1 Stage.
This year sees SPECTOR graduate from their BBC Introducing Stage debut at last year’s festival with a well merited position on this year’s NME/Radio 1 stage. Nominated for the BBC Sound Of 2012 the band, fronted by one Fred Macpherson, were formed in 2010 and have released a trilogy of singles through Luv Luv Luv. With a debut album slated for later in the year this East London based five-piece bring their melancholic widescreen pop to the stage at Reading & Leeds.
Following inclusion on the BBC’s Sound Of Poll, Brooklyn’s FRIENDS are taking 2012 by storm. Armed with one of the singles of the year, ‘I’m His Girl’, and the captivating follow up ‘Friend Crush’, expect these shows to be the talk of both sites come the August Bank Holiday weekend.
With debut album ‘Breakfast’ unleashed last month, CHIDDY BANG are ready to step into the limelight. You’ll have heard their MGMT sampling breakthrough track ‘Opposite Of Adults’, and with time spent touring with Tinie Tempah, are sure to be ready to deliver one of the shows of the year.
www.chiddybang.net
Brooklyn’s HERE WE GO MAGIC make their first foray to Reading & Leeds this year. The band who came to the attention of Nigel Godrich with their 2010 album ‘Pigeons’ have just released the fruits of those joint labours – ‘A Different Ship’ which had Spin Magazine saying “…this is the sort of music that would happen if Paul Simon had made ‘Dark Side Of The Moon’. Yes it’s that good”. Get there early and see what the fuss is all about.
Saturday 25th August at Reading Festival / Sunday 26th August at Leeds Festival
Hailing from El Paso, Texas AT THE DRIVE-IN came, conquered and released three albums: ‘Acrobatic Tenement’, ‘In/Casino/Out’, the EP ‘Vaya’, and their ultimate swansong ‘The Relationship of Command’ which is now cited in dispatches as one the most important albums of its genre. Then they split. Now it looks like the many who were never able to see this incendiary live act back in the day will have their dreams fulfilled with this NME/Radio1 stage headline show. This band are name checked and revered by fellow musicians and fans alike and this, their ONLY UK FESTIVAL APPEARANCE will definitely be unmissable.
On the eve of their fifth album ‘In The Belly Of The Brazen Bull’ THE CRIBS make a return to the scene of one (or two) of their best ever shows. Recently reverting back to their near legendary three-piece status the band continues to evoke passion amongst their fiercely dedicated and ever growing fanbase. The Jarmans – brothers Gary, Ryan and Ross have always been fiercely independent, proud of their DIY ethos and from their early days adept at writing great songs leaving a catalogue of classic punk rock brilliance, battle scars and memories. The Cribs will once again be thrilling, spilling, entertaining and engaging.
MASTODON have never really done anything the ‘conventional’ way. The Atlanta-based band formulated their own brand of highly-skilled hard rock over a decade ago when others were rehashing 80’s metal, and went on to mastermind a string of complex concept albums. With new album ‘The Hunter’ hitting the Top 10 in the US last year the band are picking up more and more fans – head-banging will be compulsory at this scorching show.
Canadian punks BILLY TALENT come to Reading & Leeds Festival with expectations for their upcoming fourth album riding high. The band, led by vocalist Ben Kowalewicz had been playing together for almost a decade before a name change lead to a record deal and their debut eponymous album was released in 2003. “A sh*t-hot, world-dominating hard-rock band has grown out of these four former Mississauga teenagers' shared high-school dreams of … well … growing into a sh*t-hot, world-dominating hard-rock band” is how they describe themselves. Check it out for yourself at the NME/Radio 1 Stage.
MIIKE SNOW are back and return with their new album ‘Happy To You’ later this month. The hugely talented Stockholm-based three-piece have previously dabbled in the DJ scene and in punk bands, alongside electro and new wave, which lead to writing and production stints with the likes of Madonna and Britney Spears. Now ready to step out of the studio again, these shows are a must see for all music fans.
Anticipation is high for the return of SANTIGOLD and her new album ‘Master of My Make-Believe’ and this show will be the perfect opportunity to see this high-rising artist. Last year’s collaboration ‘Go’ with Karen O of the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs was described as a "brittle and brilliant brawler of a track" by the NME and ‘Disparate Youth’ the first track released from the new album is also picking up plaudits. Citing Aretha Franklin, Devo, James Brown and Siouxsie and the Banshees as influences, this is an eclectic and exciting singer not to be missed.
Set to tear up the festival season this summer, DRY THE RIVER are one of the most talked about artists of the year. With three years and over 250 shows already under their belts, they released their debut album ‘Shallow Bed’ to rave reviews last month, with NME declaring they’ve made an “accomplished, luxuriant, expertly crafted” record. Get down to the front early for these sets.
Glasgow’s TWIN ATLANTIC follow a successful 2011 with the release of their Gil Norton produced ‘Free’ album. The quartet cut their collective teeth with slots supporting the likes of Gaslight Anthem, Angels And Airwaves and Taking Back Sunday and as singer Sam McTrusty says “…we’re giving people something to believe in again.” Catch them and believe too…
www.free.twinatlantic.com
Formed by ex. Gallows frontman Frank Carter and ex. Hope Conspiracy and Suicide File guitarist Jim Carroll, PURE LOVE’s debut single ‘Bury My Bones’ has just been previewed on BBC Radio 1. Currently working on their debut album due later this year with producer Gil Norton (Foo Fighters, Pixies), Carter commented "Rock might not have been as popular in recent years, but that's definitely going to change because we haven't released our album yet. I want to make music that's timeless and classic."
www.therealpurelove.com
Sunday 26th August at Reading Festival / Friday 24th August at Leeds Festival
Ed Banger’s JUSTICE make electronic music that everyone can rock to. With riffs now as heavy as their beats, the Grammy-nominated Parisian pair head for Reading & Leeds armed with new album ‘Audio, Video, Disco’. The record has established them as an international force who are equally at home blaring from a dance club sound system or performing in an arena. Expect a powerful and mesmerising headline performance from a truly unique group.
Since releasing their debut album ‘Tourist History’ in March 2010, TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB have rapidly become one of the biggest new success stories in UK music. After selling out headline tours in the UK, US, Europe, Australia, Asia, Japan and South America, playing two successive sold out nights at Shepherds Bush Empire and selling out Brixton Academy in under four hours, the band have deservedly earned both a devoted word-of-mouth live following and huge critical acclaim. The Times have called them “the band of the moment” and NME declared that they have “quietly become one of the UK’s best loved bands".
The release of THE HORRORS’ third album ‘Skying’ saw the band’s already impeccable credentials soar even higher. The record was celebrated across the board by fans new and old as their finest yet and recently won the NME ‘Album of the Year’ accolade. Not that their debut ‘Strange House’ and follow up ‘Primary Colours’ hadn’t already cemented their reputation as one of the most original and ground breaking groups around. Both dense and expansive, insidiously poppy and stubbornly arty, The Horrors are one of the bands you must see at the festival.
SBTRKT returns to Reading & Leeds Festival after last year's triumphant DJ set on the Dance Stage at both sites and live performance on the Alternative Stage in Leeds. This time round, fans will be treated to his famous live show at both sites. His self-titled debut album propelled towards the top of DJ’s playlists around the world with his combination of funk, soul, synths and bass. Fresh from releasing single ‘Hold On’ with Sampha, SBTRKT now has his sights firmly set on the August Bank Holiday weekend.
The legendary vocalist fronting the MARK LANEGAN BAND has sung with some of the greatest bands of the last two decades. Lanegan formed the Screaming Trees in the 80’s and made some of the finest albums of the grunge scene. He’s worked with the coolest names around since and his distinct baritone voice has been described as "as scratchy as a three-day beard yet as supple and pliable as moccasin leather”.
Having wowed the Main Stage last year, THE JOY FORMIDABLE return at the personal request of Foo Fighters to play a very special set. Currently mixing their second album in New York with Andy Wallace, the trio made waves on both sides of the Atlantic with their debut album ‘The Big Roar’ in 2011, NME declaring that ‘its big but it’s certainly clever’ and Rolling Stone thrilling to ‘multi orgasmic crescendoes’. Having recently sold out New York’s Terminal 5, this return to UK shores promises to be a perfect preview of the band’s second album, due later in the year.
Having evolved from various outfits, Camden-based quartet TRIBES came to the fore at the start of 2011 and has seen the band accrue plenty of support both in print and on the airwaves. The band’s debut album ‘Baby’ was unleashed earlier this year reaching Top 30 status en route, further embellishing the plaudits already bestowed upon them. If last year’s appearance is anything to go by the tent will be filled to the gills for those to see on of the UK’s finest live acts of recent years.
www.tribesband.com
On its release earlier this year, the self-titled debut album from DJANGO DJANGO was succinctly hailed thus: "It's a dream of the psychedelic tropics, a heady explosion of colours, an album that takes what it means to be in an indie band and gives it a good shake…" This art pop quartet first emerged back in 2009 doing things their way whilst releasing selected tracks, mainlining into the nation's psyche and producing what has been one of the year's highlights.
Young Minneapolis five-piece HOWLER marked their arrival on this side of the Atlantic last year in a barrage of hysteria. Having rapidly signed to Rough Trade Records, they consequently released the ‘This One’s Different’ EP and supported The Vaccines on their Autumn UK tour. Earlier this year saw the arrival of their debut album ‘America Give Up’ with the band showing few signs of slowing up. This summer’s shows mark their debut at Reading & Leeds and will see further clamoring down the front as they play their biggest shows to date.
OF MONSTERS AND MEN’s debut album ‘My Head Is An Animal’ went to Number One on its release in Iceland from where the band hail. Describing themselves as “an amiable group of day dreamers who craft folkie pop songs” they turned into local heroes after winning a yearly battle of the bands competition. This will be one of the first chances to see this highly tipped six-piece.
First up on the Main Stage is Erykah Badu, the undisputed queen of R'n'B and Neosoul, who will performon Saturday, 14th July. A four-time Grammy winner, this inspiring American singer defined the pages of Soul music history with her outstanding voice, atypical styling and hits which include Love Of My Life, On & On, Bag Lady, Window Seat, Tyrone and Honey, and many more. From her debut, Baduizm, released in 1997, godine, to the latest album named New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) from 2010, her musical opus has been woven through with African beats, American Blues, Jazz, and Funk.
Also on the Main Stage will be New York-based band Hercules & Love Affair who will perform on Friday 13th July. A musical project led by DJ Andy Butler is a perfect combination of disco, nu-disco and house sound. With hits such as Blind and You Belong, which featured Antony Hegarty, the leader of Antony & The Johnsons, as well as the exotic Nomi Ruiz, they have enchanted the masses. After an extremely successful debut album, released in 2008, Andrew Butler returned last year with an album named Blue Songs, carrying out his original idea of rotating cast of performers and musicians. Therefore, current members of the band include DJ Kim Ann Foxman Aerea Negrot, Shaun Wright and Mark Pistel. Polish your shoes to the maximum, these indie heroes have prepared a spectacular disco experience!
On Friday 13th July the Fusion Stage welcomes the hot British five-piece actCitizens! Their talent was first recognized by Franz Ferdinand's Alex Kapranos, who is producing their debut album, Here We Are, due for release through Kitsuné on, 28th May 2012. Implementing key elements of a good pop song, melodic vocals and music which will make your shoes dance themselves out, Citizens! have firmed their place in the music world with singles such as True Romance and Reptile. Bravely treading the untrodden paths of the genre, alone against the world, they claim not to be as serious as we could expect. Since “pop is not a dirty word“, as they often proclaim about their aesthetics in music, the only thing left is to believe them and have fun during their set!
The renowned Kapela Ze Wsi Warszawa and Cool Kids of Death will present their new releases, UL/KR, Pablopavo andPraczas bring their debuts to Gdynia.
Yeasayer are the surprise announcement of this turn. Although their next release comes out in a bit, the Polish audience will have a chance to listen to the new material before the official date. A few months ago, the New Yorkers announced working on a "demented" record, described as "an Aaliyah album if you played it backwards and slowed it down". Has the direction taken in the studio changed, or maybe was enhanced by other shades, is to be determined on July 4th.
Joining Open’er are The Ting Tings “Sounds From Nowheresville”, the follow-up to ultra-catchy “We Started Nothing” took long to be made. Allegedly, the album was inspired by Berlin electro scene. However, two months ago, the band delivered a semi-acoustic, semi-electronic LP, setting boundaries from the successful debut. Katie White and Jules De Martino now focus on promoting their album, and we are waiting for their next concert at Open'er. This one to remember, from 2009, was a perfect combination of both the band and the public in their best of moods. We're counting to see it again in a dozen weeks.
Soldiers Of Jah Army are one of the most popular American reggae bands. Their success in Europe, much later than in their home country, was achieved thanks to Gentleman, who invited the band to tour along him. They gained notoriety with ”Peace In a Time of War” in 2002, but their breakthrough came with “Get Wiser”, where they defined their style and commitment to the roots of the genre, presented with freshness. The last one, “Strenght to Survive”, was released earlier this year. – The musicians truly understand the Jah philosophy, tackling the subjects ever-present in reggae: peace, love and humanity.
Also added to the line-up are the cream of the crop of the Polish scene.Fisz Emade Tworzywo are Open’er’s regular guests. This time, Bartek and Piotr Waglewski will appear onstage to enliven the songs from their first three records and the material somewhat reaching back to their beginnings, and surely to their youth fascinations with a special MEDLEY project. Kapela Ze Wsi Warszawa (Warsaw Village Band)who have crossed both musical and national their return to Gdynia are Cool Kids of Death. Ten years in the field, they were able to withstand all storms of Polish music market. Although dubstep duo Pablopavo and Praczas appeared previously at Open’er in different line-ups, this will be their first appearance together. Two talents of urban music on one of the most important albums of last year live at World Stage! UL/KR’seponymous debut is one of the most commented debuts of last months. A little over 20 minutes of music with no counterparts made UL/KR the darlings of local blogosphere. If it was reviewed by Pitchfork, Best New Music would be a formality. There are things in their music so new you didn’t even know they existed.
Rita Ora, Newton Faulkner, Wretch 32, Gossip, Beverley Knight, Childish Gambino, Sub Focus, The Feeling, Stooshe, Cover Drive, The Rifles and Angel all confirmed to appear over the festival weekend.
Additionally, fans who weren’t lucky enough to snap up general admission tickets the first time around are being given another chance to head to the festival, with additional tickets to both Hylands Park, Chelmsford and Weston Park, Stafford going on sale at 9am on Friday 27th April.
Fans are encouraged to visit www.vfestival.com for all ticket options available, including coach and ticket packages available through the Big Green Coach company and V Style for those looking for a luxury festival experience. V organisers once again stress that fans should only purchase tickets through official outlets listed on the V Festival website and that purchasing from unofficial outlets could lead to disappointment.
Ahead of his appearance at V Festival, Wretch 32 says, "I'm buzzing to be back at V Festival again this year. Last year was big, and I'll be looking to top it this year by performing my new tracks to the V crowd. I will also be looking to get a little meet with Nicki Minaj…if I'm lucky!"
BeverleyKnight comments, "It has been a while so I am chuffed to be back on stage at V this year. I have spent the last few years enjoying all the action as a punter. This year it's time to do what I do best – and that's rocking a crowd!”
The Stooshe girls comment, "Really looking forward to V Festival this year. We attended last year so to be performing this year is amazing! The line up iswicked and it feels great to be a part of it. So excited!”
Taking place across the weekend of the 18th and 19th August, music fanswill be treated to an exciting line up of legends old and new with the StoneRoses, The Killers, Nicki Minaj, Snow Patrol, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Tom Jones and Ed Sheeran also on the bill.
These latest additions come as V Festival also reveals which artists will be performing on which day and location over the festival weekend.
V FESTIVAL 2012
Saturday 18th August, Hylands Park, Chelmsford Sunday 19th August, Weston Park, Staffordshire
Saturday 18th August, Weston Park, Staffordshire Sunday 19th August, Hylands Park, Chelmsford
And if that’s still not enough, the American electropop duo High Places, the British producer/visionary Andy Stott, and Beneficjenci Splendoru (who are not robots, despite rumors) invite you to the Radio 3 Stage.
Metronomy An electropop machine designed to get you on your feet. Patented in the English town of Devon in 1999 and led by mulitinstrumentalist and showman Joseph Mount. Their third and latest album, The English Riviera, serves up a handful of club hits that no proper party can do without, and has also garnered critical acclaim, culminating in a nomination to the prestigious Mercury Prize. But their live performances are where Metronomy truly shine. The group has become a hot item for remixes as well, collaborating with such artists as Gorillaz, Franz Ferdinand, Goldfrapp, and Lady Gaga.
The Antlers
“Our goal was to bring people with us as we navigate different waters of sound. To invite people into this world that we were working on as a group of three people enjoying what we were discovering about music and about songwriting and about making a record,” said The Antlers leader Peter Silberman about the premiere of last year’s album Burst Apart. This Brooklyn-based indie rock outfit has managed to win over festival audiences at Primavera and Lollapalooza, as well as the critics at Pitchfork, who awarded Burst Apart the “Best New Music Label,” and Drowned in Sound, who proclaimed it 2011’s best record (“albums are rarely as unashamedly, gut-wrenchingly, genuinely emotional as this”.)
Bardo Pond
Founded in 1989 by the guitar-wielding Gibbons brothers, the American group Bardo Pond is one of those bands that has cultivated and developed its own form of psychedelic, exploratory rock. Rightly considered the leading representatives of a space rock movement known as Psychedelphia, Bardo Pond have released eight official albums along with countless EPs and limited-edition jam session recordings. Reviewers have pointed out echoes of early Pinky Floyd in their music, as well as the influence of cold krautrock and noise rock. It’s hard not to give in to the hypnotic qualities of this music at live performances.
Shangaan Electro
Dog, whose real name is Richard “Nozinja” Mthethwa, was a cell phone repairman up until recently. Now he’s a publisher, producer, and the shining star behind a new style of music whose popularity has spread across Africa and the entire world. What launched Shangaan Electro from Limpopo in South Africa to trendy Western clubs was its explosive combination of ethnic elements and dance music played at breakneck tempos. If the prospect of dancing to a marimba at 180 bpm sounds enticing, then this concert just might be the highlight of your OFF Festival experience!
Mikołaj Trzaska plays Rose
Mikołaj Trzaska, co-founder and sax player for the band Miłosc, and later the leader of Łoskot, is one of the most significant figures on the yass scene, responsible for the last important revolution in Polish independent music. He has worked with such artists as Tymon Tymański, Marcin Swietlicki and Andrzej Stasiuk, Yuri Andrukhovych and Ken Vandermark, and has boldly crossed boundaries in genre and culture. His performance at the OFF Festival will feature the beautiful soundtrack to Wojciech Smarzowski’s stirring film Rose, live for the first time ever. The concert will be a continuation and development of a project that starts off with the OFF Club (Katowice, May 11-13), where Barn Owl, A Hawk And A Hacksaw, and Tim Hecker will perform the music to movies by Anka and Wilhelm Sasnal, Sergei Parajanov, and Werner Herzog.
Apteka
Apteka may be Polish for "pharmacy", but this is one drugstore that isn’t going to leave you feeling any better. Despite his 30 years on the rock scene, Jędrzej “Kodym” Kodymowski – the frontman of this Tri-City band – has lost none of his former radicalism. The band’s excellent new album, Od pacyfizmu do ludobójstwa, is not only Apteka’s most furious release since their cult album Menda, but also their most artistically accomplished record since. Supporting Kodym in the studio were Agim Dzeljilji of Oszibarack (production) and James Morton, who performs with Portishead. But there will be no room for nuance on stage: Apteka live is a consistently psychedelic and punk rock punch in the jaw.
High Places
Mix a handful of intelligent 80s electronic music with a dash of contemporary indie-psychedelica: that’s the recipe for artistic success used by the NYC-founded but California-based duo High Places. The tracks served up by Mary Pearson and Rob Barber might bear faint echoes of the The Knife and Xiu Xiu (with whom they even shared a split record), but these original sounds are much brighter, more open, and fun. Just check out their latest album, Original Colors, released last fall on the legendary Thrill Jockey label, and see for yourself.
Andy Stott
Though small, the Manchester label Modern Love has already earned a following among fans of new electronic music. No wonder they decided to open their doors to Andy Stott — a producer with quite a reputation already — who breathed new life into dub techno with his 2011 release Passed Me By. We’ve already featured Actress at the OFF Festival, and now it’s time to meet the guy who threw the gauntlet down before him.
Beneficjenci Splendoru
Until recently, it seemed that Beneficjenci Splendoru would never step outside the home fortress of musician and journalist Marcin Staniszewski, remaining an exclusively studio-based project, albeit one praised universally for their debut Trendywaty chłopiec and their sophomore release Tęczy wybielacz, both of which garnered enthusiastic reviews. Luckily, it turns out that Beneficjenci Splendoru’s hermetic avant-pop will have a live incarnation, reinforced by vocalist and multiinstrumentalist Iza Lamik, drummer Robert Alabrudziński (Daktari, Strange Brew), and guitarist Wojtek Bubak (Lachowicz, Sensorry). This is one concert you just can’t miss.
Due to circumstances beyond the events control, the band Swietliki will not be performing at the OFF Festival.
Line up so far
Africa HiTech, AfroKolektyw, Akron/Family, Alva Noto, annb: alva noto & blixa bargeld, Andy Scott, Apteka, Atari Teenage Riot, Bardo Pond, Baroness, Battles, Baxter Dury, Beneficjenci Splendoru, Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaires, Colin Stetson, Connan Mockasin, Container, Converge, Das Racist, Death in Vegas, Dominique Young Unique, Fennesz & Lillevan, Forest Swords, Henry Rollins, Iceage, Iggy and The Stooges, Jacaszek, Josh T. Pearson, Kanal Audytywny, Kim Gordon & Ikue Mori, King Creosote & Jon Hopkins, kIRk, Kurt Vile and the Violators, Matthew Herbert, Megafaun, Metronomy, Mikolaj Trzaska gra ‘Roze’, Mordy, Nerwowe Wakacje, Nils Frahm, Nosowska, Other Lives, Papa M, Pietnastka, Retro Stefson, Shabazz Palaces, Shangaan Electro, Sleep Party People, Spectrum, Suicide, Swans, The Antlers, The House of Love, Thurston Moore, Ty Segall.
For the third year, Kendal Calling reveal a fancy dress theme that has been a huge success in previous years with revellers showing incredible innovation and imagination in designing and donning costumes.
Getting dressed up for a festival is all about becoming another version of you, an exaggerated, bold and colourful character. So this year we are transforming the Deer Park into another world with our theme Fairy Tales & Comic Books.
With the backdrop of the stunning Lake District, Kendal Calling expects to see everyone from the pied piper to Wolverine, Little Red Riding Hood to Catwoman, the Gingerbread to Tin Tin all partying together and this years theme will make the event even more of a surreal wonderland of fun and frolics than ever before.
The fun and frolics continues at Kendal Calling in the crazy world of the Happy Slap Boutique. This area will be like no other and is where anything goes, and is the home of electro swing and eclectic music. A haven to transform into creatures and characters, the Happy Slap face-painting boutique will get revelers ready to be immersed in magical worlds, dazzled by spectacular cabaret shows, wowed by our travelling circus and entertained in ways you never thought possible.
Happy Slap Boutique present a world of fairy tales and mischief full of secrets to explore and discover, keeping the entertainment going all weekend. Bump into Jack Sprat, a narcoleptic sleeping beauty or climb up Rapunzel's hair and witness their take on your classic fairy tales. Performers will be traveling around the festival doing walk-about performance where it’s least expected with music, song, dance and ridiculousness.
As night falls, Happy Slap Boutique transforms into a plethora of circus, fire and glow performances alongside clowning, grotesque burlesque, world famous 'Rave Aerobics' and surprise acts that keep buzzing all night. DJs Ocelus, Tom Excell, Dan The Hat, Wolfie Rassmatazz, Magic Lantern, Vinyl Rights Experience, Mikey J & very special guests will spin a genre defying mix of electro swing, jungle, balkan, breakbeat, house & electro. The only music we can guarantee are upbeat party tunes. Check out Happy Slap Radio for exclusive mixes.
Tickets have been getting snapped up for this years Kendal Calling festival and a full to bursting line up has already been unveiled that includes Dizzee Rascal, James, Maximo Park, Dan le Sac vs Scroobius Pip, We Are Scientists, The View and many more.
The music and activities in the Kendal Calling meadow span 11 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 musicstage, Kaylied tent, 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 and new for 2012; Tim Peak’s Diner brought to you by Tim Burgess of the Charlatans! See you in the fields…
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 / BENJAMIN FRANCIS LEFTWICH / WHISKYCATS / DJ YODA & THE TRANSIBERIAN MARCH BAND / /DREADZONE / 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
The Parlotones,Dog is Dead, Blood Red Shoes, Ren Harvieu, Mull Historical Society, Stooshe, Here We Go Magic, The Minutes and Lonsdale Boys Club joining summer’s most finely tuned festival bill.
T in the Park secures the biggest bands from across the globe whilst consistently promoting the best new and breakthrough talent and providing the ultimate platform for all to appear as part of the festival. This year is no exception with an array of 'ones to watch' in 2012 set to wow the 85,000 strong crowd per day over the weekend of 6th – 8th July.
Hip-hop trio, Hilltop Hoods are one of Australia’s leading live acts and the most significant hip-hop group to ever emerge from this territory. Six studio albums in (including three No.1’s), the band’s sound has been embraced far beyond hip hop’s underground and their fearless and innovative ethos has guaranteed their place at the top of the Australian music industry and now beyond.
New York indie-pop band Fun. achieved massive success when their hit single We Are Young (featuring Janelle Monáe) hit the top of U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming the first rock/alternative song to do so since Coldplay's Viva la Vida. Their acclaimed second album Some Nights is crammed with catchy pop gems with a hip-hop twist, and is produced by legendary Grammy-winning producer Jeff Bhasker (Beyoncé, Kanye West).
West London indie-pop singer-songwriter King Charles became the first ever Brit to win Nashville’s International Songwriting Competition in 2010 after wowing a prestigious judging panel including Tom Waits, Jeff Beck and Kings of Leon. Having supported Mumford & Sons on their sold-out US tour, his hotly anticipated debut album Lovebloodis set for release next month, and he is fast emerging as one of the UK’s most exciting young lyricists.
South Africa’s multi-platinum selling The Parlotones are musical heroes at home and are set to make their mark on the rest of the world with their fresh and stylish take on African doo-wop and folk. They wowed the crowds with a sensational performance at the FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert, sharing a bill with the likes of The Black Eyed Peas and Alicia Keys. Their album A World Next Door To Yours is South Africa’s biggest selling rock album of this decade, and the band are set to release their latest record Journey Through the Shadows next month.
The Nottingham art-pop five-piece Dog Is Dead have been tipped for big things. Following widespread acclaim for their recent gigs, which have included touring with Bombay Bicycle Club, the band earned a new following when they performed in the final episode of Skins Series 5. Harmonious indie-pop with jazz and disco influences, their hotly anticipated debut album is scheduled for release this autumn.
Blood Red Shoes are back with their third album In Time to Voices, an edgy, hook-laden record which has seen the band enter into ambitious new territory and is being hailed as their most mature and thrilling release to date. The Brighton punk-rock duo made their T in the Park debut in 2008 and are sure to receive a warm welcome back.
Ren Harvieu’s stunning voice evokes some of the great divas of bygone years. Discovered after posting a song on Myspace, her cool contemporary take on vintage blues sound and old-fashioned swing has caught the attention of industry tastemakers, and she was named in the BBC’s Sound of 2012 poll.
Hailed by Rolling Stone for his “tuneful and plaintive pop gems”, Mull Historical Society, aka Colin MacIntyre, made a big impact when his single Barcode Bypass was crowned “Debut Single of the Year” by NME. Now firmly established as a major British song-writing force, Mull Historical Society is back in 2012 with a new album City Awakenings, and ready to showcase their sparkling, whimsical new tunes to the T in the Park crowd.
London ladies Stooshe have stormed onto the music scene and into the charts this year with smash hit single Love Me, featuring US rapper Travie McCoy. Nominated in the BBC's Sound of 2012 poll, there’s sure to be many more hits to come from their forthcoming debut album Swings and Roundabouts.
As well as the talent, New York four-piece Here We Go Magic have quite the tale to tell. During a particularly difficult show last year they spotted two men in the front row who, in their words, were ‘dancing around like maniacs’. These two ‘maniacs’ turned out to be none other than Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and legendary producer Nigel Godrich, resulting in Godrich’s decision to produce the band’s third album, A Different Ship – the band’s most remarkable and captivating album yet.
Dublin trio The Minutes’ debut album Marcata is packed with raucous anthems, melding primal garage rock ‘n’ roll with elements of blues and gospel. Renowned for their exuberant energy, it’s sure to be a high octane set at T in the Park, as they wow the crowd with their sing-along tunes.
Featuring reggae club promoter Charlie, New Zealand export Topher, and DJ Loz, together the Lonsdale Boys Club deliver a new wave of beat-driven guitar greatness. With nods to Gorillaz, Outkast and old school disco, they’ll bring the funk to the festival fans at T in the Park.
There’s a lot to see at T in the Park this summer and fans can expect to discover some hidden gems amongst the well-known music maestros. With 3 amazing days (Fri 6th-Sun 8th July) filled with the best live talent, the Slam Tent open for Friday night fun for the very first time, and the opportunity for fans to start their T in the Park journey by checking into the campsite on the Thursday, T in the Park 2012 is all set up to be the ultimate festival four-day weekend, on a massive scale.
As always, Ibiza Rocks will also present the best DJ’s, including a welcome return from Radio 1 DJ and Bestival head-honcho Rob da Bank who has a long history with ‘Rocks’ having played at the first ever gig at the opening of the Ibiza Rocks Hotel in 2008 and then at the 5th Birthday with The Prodigy. Rob da Bank is back and joins the line up with Ibiza boy Ben Howard (04/07). On top of that there’s the brilliant breaking talent throughout the season and organisers are pleased to announce that Spector,Fenech-Soler, The Milk and Theme Park and are amongst the first set of supreme support bands to be added to summer’s best bill.
Rob da Bank said:‘I’ve been playing at Ibiza Rocks since it started and injected a much needed different vibe into Ibiza party life. I’ve loved playing many times since and can’t wait to get back to that crazy Ibiza Rocks Hotel and warm it up for the brilliant Ben Howard. Ibiza Rocks bloody well rocks!’
Following a phenomenal headline performance by Plan B at the ‘Rocks’ opening parties last year, organisers are delighted to welcome back the multi award-winning, multi-talented star to the main stage at Mallorca Rocks (03/07) and Ibiza Rocks (25/07). A truly maverick figure in the world of music, Ben Drew’s diverse creativity is inexhaustible. Awards, accolades, acclaim and multi-platinum album sales are just the tip of his artistic ambitions. Following his quadruple- platinum No.1 second album, The Defamation of Strickland Banks, a BRIT, three Ivor Novello’s and sold out headline tours, Drew, AKA Plan B, has just completed his self-penned directorial debut film and album, iLL Manors – a stark, often brutal and provocative depiction of Forest Gate, east London, where Drew was born and raised.
Once again, Plan B will wow the crowds with chart-topping favourites form Defamation of Strickland Banks along with the promise of new material including iLL Manors, which will be a must buy, featuring production from Labrinth (Tinie Tempah), Chase & Status (Rihanna) and Al Shux (Jay-Z) – the soundscape is as bold and brilliant as its namesake. Bass-heavy, there’s references to the music Ben is listening to now (Rocks acts Azealia Banks and Maverick Sabre to name two) as well as the dubstep, bass, hip hop and D&B that have shaped him sonically over the years. In Ibiza, Plan B will be joined by Ibiza Rocks Music Director and the UK’s most influential tastemaker, Zane Lowe – two of music’s biggest champions united on one incredible Balearic bill.
It’s fair to say that The Maccabees got off to a very good start in 2012, with the release of their third studio album Given to the Wild storming into the Top 5, receiving mass critical acclaim and being hailed by The Sunday Times as ‘One of the albums of 2012.’ As well as a masterpiece of an album, the South London five-piece can boast sold out UK tours including their momentous homecoming show at Brixton Academy (their third headline sold out show at the London venue to date) and they still have their biggest headline gig to come (Alexandra Palace, 08/06). It is with huge excitement that Ibiza Rocks bring The Maccabees to the famous, open-air ‘Rocks’ stage for a truly unmissable gig that’s sure to be one of many crowning moments for the ‘must see’ band this year (20/06).
The Maccabees said:'This will be our first time at Ibiza Rocks. It's a pleasure to be involved in such a strong line-up of shows this year. Thanks for having us!'
Also freshly announced is Swedish House Mafia’s own Axwell who will headline one of the summer’s hottest gigs, with British electro-poppers Fenech-Soler playing live in support (24/07). Given that Swedish House Mafia are now a fully bonifide stadium selling act and have just headlined Coachella, this is quite a statement to have one of the main men making their way to Mallorca Rocks for this intimate, electric, outdoor show.
Ibiza Rocks has consistently provided a platform for new and breakthrough talent, offering support slots to those they believe have what it takes to go all the way. Tinie Tempah, Bombay Bicycle Club and Example are just a few previous support acts who have returned to headline in their own right. This year will see another brilliant batch of breaking bands start their ‘Rocks’ journey.
BBC’s Sound of 2012 nominees Spector have been impressively labeled as ‘somewhere between Roxy Music and the Strokes, the Killers and Kanye West, Pulp, R&B and Frank Sinatra’ (The Guardian). Spector are currently touring Europe with Florence and the Machine and have just made their first US appearance to the masses at California’s Coachella festival. Safe to say these boys don’t mess about! They are sure to be on their finest form when they support Kaiser Chiefs at Mallorca and Ibiza Rocks in June, with Zane Lowe also added to the bill to make these shows a triple triumph.
British electro pop giants Fenech-Soler’s single Stop and Stare brought a little bit of the Balearics to the UK and Demons brought a dark mix of dancey beats to the charts. They also co-wrote and featured on Paper Romance by Groove Armada and the band is firmly at the top of the nu rave pile. They are sure to put on a show to remember for fans when they play Mallorca Rocks in July, joining Axwell on the bill.
The Milk will be supporting Ed Sheeran at both ‘Rock’s opening parties in June. These young soul rebels promise to bring something different to the Balearics, with their irresistibly infectious mix of classic northern soul, punk and reggae – a combination so favourable that NME have labeled them ‘the next band you all should be paying attention to’ and The Guardian say they are ‘the band you’ve been waiting for.’
Highly touted London four-piece Theme Park have been releasing demos online and dominating the charts on internet Radio before now finally starting to catch the attention of the mainstream, with standout tracks such as the insanely catchy Milk. They’ve been compared to the likes of Vampire Weekend and Metronomy and hailed as “fine and worthy successors to the funk-rock mantle previously held by Talking Heads.” Having toured recently with the likes of Florence and the Machine and Bombay Bicycle Club and with their debut album due out next month, Theme Park are ‘one to watch’ at ‘Rocks’ 2012 and will support The Maccabees.
The Ibiza Rocks brand consistently boasts a bill crammed with the biggest international artists and breakthrough talent live under the Balearic stars and offers a choice of quality accommodation options in Mallorca and Ibiza at exceptional value. Summer 2012 will see 32 ‘Rocks’ gigs across 16 consecutive weeks. Mallorca Rocks every Tuesday from 05 June – 18 September. Ibiza Rocks every Wednesday from 06 June to 19 September.
Tickets and hotel packages available now at www.ibizarocks.com andwww.mallorcarocks.com (Gig Tickets priced from £28.50 plus booking fee) *Special Opening & Closing Party Short Breaks from €104 (approx. £89) per person (see: Notes to Editors for full list of options and prices).
