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!

Rihanna and Jay-Z to headline this years BBC Radio 1’s Hackney Weekender

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Rihanna

She joins an incredible line-up which has already been announced, including Jay-Z, who will headline the event on Saturday 23 June. Together they join an impressive list of artists such as Tine Tempah, Jessie J, Ed Sheeran, Florence + the Machine, Professor Green, Leona Lewis, DJ Fresh, Plan B, Flo Rida and Will.i.am.

BBC Radio 1's Hackney Weekend 2012 will be staged across two days, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 June 2012, in East London's Hackney Marshes. The event forms part of the London 2012 Festival and will feature over 100 UK and international artists performing on six BBC stages including the Radio 1 Main Stage, Radio 1Xtra Stage, Dance Stage, In New Music We Trust Stage and the BBC Introducing Stage..

Radio 1 have made 100,000 free* tickets available for the weekend. Ticket registration has now closed. For those who have their registration number, there will be two opportunities to apply for a ticket – 11am on Sunday 25 March and 4pm on Monday 26 March, online at bbc.co.uk/radio1. The majority of tickets will be reserved for those from Hackney and the other five Olympic boroughs, with allocation on a first-come, first-served basis.

Other acts confirmed for the live event include:

Andy C, Azealia Banks, Bombay Bicycle Club, Boy Better Know Feat Skepta & JME, Calvin Harris, Chase & Status, Chip, Dappy, David Guetta, D'banj, Deadmau5, Devlin, DJ Fresh, Ed Sheeran, Emeli Sande, Eric Prydz, Flo Rida, Flux Pavilion & Doctor P, Florence & the Machine , Jack White, Jay-Z, Jessie J, Labrinth, Lana Del Rey, Leona Lewis, Magnetic Man, Maverick Sabre, Michael Kiwanuka, Mindless Behaviour, Nero, Plan B, Professor Green, Rihanna, Rizzle Kicks, Sean Paul, Sub Focus, Swedish House Mafia, Taio Cruz, The Maccabees, The Ting Tings, Tinchy Stryder, Tinie Tempah, Will.i.am, Wretch 32.

BBC Three has been confirmed as Radio 1's television partner and will be the only channel where viewers can see the whole event.

BBC Three will also produce an exciting range of additional programming in the run up to the weekend, details of which will be announced in the coming months.

A truly multiplatform experience, the event will be broadcast on Radio 1 and BBC Radio 1Xtra with a major interactive presence online and many live performances able to watch on demand.

There are some more huge names to be added to the line-up in the coming weeks – keep listening to Radio 1 and 1Xtra for details.

This special event is being produced in partnership with Hackney Council.

Radio 1 will also be embarking on a month of outreach activity in East London ahead of the main event, including the Radio 1 & 1Xtra Academy that opens on June 1st, keep listening to Radio 1 and 1Xtra to find out how to get tickets to the Academy.

Gareth Emery, Mark Knight, 2 Many DJs, Eric Prydz, Sasha & More for SW4

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Hence no surprise that ticket sales for both days have soared to record breaking levels. Further affirming the thrill enticed by these announcements so far, Saturday 'super saver' tickets have now completely sold out and increased in price, with Sunday not far behind.

With the next round of artist additions set to commence ‘Phase 2’ of the SW4 2012 lineup, tickets will soon be in even more demand. For if ‘Phase 1’ was the Clapham hors d’oeuvre, ‘Phase 2’ is the sumptuous SW4 main course. August Bank Holiday will never be the same again; Bon appétit!

ADDED TO SW4 DAY ONE: SAT 25TH AUGUST

BENNY BENASSI · GARETH EMERY · MARK KNIGHT
JORIS VOORN · FUNKAGENDA

Benny BenassiFirst up for the Saturday is the brilliant Benny Benassi. Since he gave the world ‘Satisfaction’ with his immortal anthem, the iconic Italian has added more strings to his musical bow –moving away from the misconceptions of many. Only the most creative could transform a hip hop rite of passage, into an electro house monster.  Exactly the case with Public Enemy’s ‘Bring The Noise,’ bagging a coveted Grammy award for ‘Best Dance Remix.’ A permanent fixture in the upper echelons of DJ Mag’s Top 100, Benassi’s cheeky re-work of Marshall Jefferson’s classic ‘Move Your Body’, is odds on to be the 2012 summer scorcher.    

Expect a host of fresh new music from Gareth Emery, the Garuda God who needs no introduction amongst the SW4 fraternity. Charting at #13, Gareth is another of the leading artists in the Top 100 and returns this year for the first time since his storming debut in 2010. Poignant new track ‘Concrete Falls’ looks set to eclipse the landmark success of the sacred ‘Sanctuary’ and will no doubt entice all arms aloft on Clapham Common.  Ever since the lush chords of ‘Mistral’ announced him to the world, an unwavering, uplifting outlook earmarks this as a truly standout performance.

Mark Knight’s mercurial sound has not only propelled his revered imprint to world domination but represented a pioneering electronic sound. Blurring the boundaries between the mainstream and underground, it never fails to tantalise an ever increasing fan base.  It’s why the packed global itinerary of Toolroom’s top dog sells out each pulsating party weeks in advance. His headline slot at Toolroom Knight’s 5th Birthday at O₂ Academy Brixton proved one of the performances of last year, whilst Toolroom’s Miami showcase quickly became THE talk of WMC 2012. After a year’s SW4 hiatus, the Toolroom Knight is just what Clapham’s house heads have yearned for.

Also true of Funkagenda. A home grown vivacious talent, whose unchartered rise to fame has been no less impressive. That ‘Man With The Red Face’ collaboration with Knight scooped every award going, enhancing Laurent Garnier’s classic with a captivating production nous. Achieving the delicate balance between tough and melodic, this acquired skill led to specific remix requests from Basement Jaxx and Fatboy Slim amongst others. Harnessing the experience from being signed to Toolroom meant Funkagenda was able to fly the nest with supersonic speed! Culminating in his acclaimed ‘Funk Farm’ label, earning a sought after Ministry Of Sound residency. He is certainly at the front of our minds when it comes to quality house music at South West Four.

Finally for Saturday it’s Dutch trailblazer Joris Voorn. Commended for his ever evolving ethos, a host of radical releases have crafted a lasting legacy. A prolific producer who always strives to engulf the senses, look no further than his outstanding edit of Nalin and Kane’s summer smash ‘Beachball.’ Joris has prospered where others have failed, by enhancing the original into an underground spell of wizardry.  Also possessing magical properties, Voorn’s now legendary ‘Balance 014’ compilation eloquently combined 100 tracks into a double CD. This demonstrated a rare talent responsible for securing headline slots at We Love at Space Ibiza and Awakenings.

ADDED TO SW4 DAY TWO: SUN 26TH AUGUST

2 MANY DJS (DJ SET) · ERIC PRYDZ · SASHA
SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO (DJ SET) · EROL ALKAN

Deep breath, moving onto Sunday. You can never have too much of 2 Many DJs, the DJ manifestation of sensational production duo Soulwax.  With an inherent eclectic nature, it’s this ‘expect the unexpected’ prophecy that has wowed their devout fans.  Count Zane Lowe as one, after playing their Arcade Fire remix of ‘Sprawl II’ on his Radio 1 show. A brilliant realisation of the ‘2 Many’ concept, it re-vitalised this indie rock original with vintage disco and electro-glitch galore. It is by this ethos that the Belgian musicians headline the world’s leading festivals and club nights and with which we are delighted to present their SW4 debut this year.

Eric PrydzCrashing SW4 last year as the enigmatic Cirez D, Eric Prydz prides himself in all things house. His ground breaking ‘Mouseville’ imprint caters for those darker productions, such as the infectious hook from ‘On Off’, whereas the ‘Pryda’ label and namesake tracks encompass the more melodic side, but no less compelling. Hence with this wide ranging spectrum the Swede’s polished performances were always one of club land’s great wonders. Then ‘Eric Prydz In Concert’ came along, superseding all before in EPIC fashion. After selling out the mammoth Brixton Academy, Alexandra Palace and Amnesia Ibiza last year, it’s a privilege for SW4 to welcome Eric Prydz raw and in the flesh.

The mighty Sasha returns also, to sweep Sunday off its feet. The DJ powerhouse, whose illustrious twenty five year career incorporates some of the most memorable moments in SW4 history, is now fully entrenched into Clapham folklore. An undying thirst for innovation has meant that Sasha has always dictated the pace, since establishing himself with pioneering Renaissance and Global Underground associations. Utilising the latest technology enables Sasha to connect with the dancefloor like no other. His inimitable atmospheric sound captivated last summer’s ‘Never Say Never’ Ibiza parties, attracting four thousand connoisseurs each week!  Sasha’s transcendental synths are set to mesmerise SW4 once again.

Erol Alkan’s lasting impact on London’s club scene makes him a huge draw at SW4. As founder of trend setting night Trash at The End (RIP) and its anything goes policy, Erol has received worldwide adulation for his unique fusion of tech, electro, pop and rock. Anything that holds a beat is well within the Alkan domain, yielding classics which are sure to be SW4 favourites! Ask the loyal pilgrims who flock to Bugged Out! and Fabric on each momentous occasion.  As the immortal saying goes, Erol Alkan ‘keeps kids dancing.’

Having worked with Florence and the Machine and The Arctic Monkeys, Simian Mobile Disco are another devastating dance act joining us at SW4 2012. SMD’s spin on unconventional genres, equates to a defining festival experience. SW4 will be a perfect platform to tease exclusive material from their new ‘Delicacies’ label, best summed up by delicious new track ‘Seraphim.’ Simian Mobile Disco make their eagerly anticipated return to London, after last year’s breathtaking SW4 and Together Winter Music Festival appearances. With both occasions cultivating a riotous atmosphere, the duo are tailor made for Clapham debauchery.

Simple Plan and Röyksopp at VOLT!

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VOLT celebrates its 20th edition in 2012 and this gives the possibility to include some great acts in the program. Grammy winner Skrillex, Snow Patrol, Iggy & The Stooges, Lostprophets, Hadouken!, Katy B, Chase & Status, Enter Shikari and Mac Miller were already confirmed earlier and the list of international stars got even longer with the two current additions.

Simple Plan had a top position on the festival’s wishmachine list (voted by fans), no wonder the VOLT programmers did everything they could in the last few weeks to bring them here. The followers of the Canadian rock band are true fanatics also in Hungary, even operating an informative fansite, following every step of their heroes. In fact 28 June, the day of the VOLT gig, was planned as a rest day for the band between the Swedish and Czech show of their European tour, but they just couldn’t resist the huge demand from Hungary, so a private jet will bring them to Sopron – just in time for a great party.

On the next day the main stage will host Scandinavia’s most characteristic e-music production. Röyksopp are known and truly acknowledged for the refined and inward atmosphere of their electro-pop tunes, but they are also no strangers to the higher bpm ranges of dance. The combo of Svein Berge and Torbjørn Brundtland already reached great success with singles like Happy Up Here, Eple, Remind Me, or The Girl and the Robot. Pleased to meet them in Sopron.

The Cure, Lana del Rey and more for Eurockéennes 2012

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After re-inventing the word Rocknroll with The White Stripes at the beginning of the 2000s’, Mr JACK WHITE is now playing a solo project. The Lana del Reyphenomenon of the year and pop-princess LANA DEL REY is preparing an amazing show for her first festival, an event that she used to enjoy as a spectator when she was a teenage girl; watching rock bands such as Nirvana or the heavy hip hop rappers CYPRESS HILL, back in the line-up of Eurockéennes this year.

Great American artists will play at Eurockéennes this summer, the intelligent metal of MASTODON, smoke-filled rap of WIZ KHALIFA and the Celtic punk of DROPKICK MURPHYS.

There are also two frenchies who bring the house down all over the world, they are called JUSTICE, and they are the most popular electronic music duo “French Touch 2.0”!

We also have various young rap artists from France, ORELSAN and the young collective 1995, all fed by the best French rappers. Native artist, the rocker HUBERT-FELIX THIEFAINE, is coming back to Eurockéennes where he feels like home. Everybody is crazy about their electro-rock and hip-hop show and you won’t miss that this summer: meet SHAKAPONK at Eurockéennes.

From CHARLIE WINSTON’s bohemian folk to the purely pop music of THE KOOKS, without forgetting the legend of THE CURE, the United Kingdom will be well represented during the festival. We will also welcome the come back of the hardcore punks from Sweden: REFUSED (after more than a decade off the stage!)

New band announcements will be made every Tuesday, stay tunned to our website:http://www.eurockeennes.fr/index.php/englishpage. Three Day tickets including camping are currently available on the Eurockéennes website and See Tickets for just 99 euros + booking fee

EUROCKEENNES: ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

Eurockéennes is an open-air festival that takes place in Belfort, north east France, attracting over 95.000 festival goers across 3 days each year. You can enjoy over 60 acts including international stars across 4 different stages. Previous editions have seen bands of the calibre of Depeche Mode, Arcade Fire, Jay-Z, Daft Punk or David Bowie performing at the event. The festival takes place at beautiful peninsula of Malsaucy, surrounded by lakes and hills. Visitors from other countries and regions can pitch their tent or sleep in the tepee village at the free campsite.

Dates: 29th June – 1st July 
Where: Malsaucy peninsula – Belfort (France) 
Website: http://www.eurockeennes.fr/index.php/englishpage

Line-up so far: The Cure, Jack White, Lana Del Rey, Cypress Hill, Mastodon, Wiz Khalifa, Dropkick Murphys, Justice, Orelsan, 1995, Hubert-Felix Thiefaine, Shakaponk, Charlie Winston, The Kooks, Refused. 
Tickets: From 44 euro currently available on the Eurockéennes website and See Tickets 
How to get there: Belfort is located in the North East of France, close to Swiss border. The Basel / Mulhouse Euroairport (Easyjet) is 70 km away from the festival and very easily reachable by highway (40 minutes). 
Belfort is also easily reachable by train (voyage sncf). From Belfort station, you may take the free shuttles especially provided to reach the festival site and the camping area.

Monster plans for Deer Shed Festival

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Following on from Deer Shed Festival 2’s Sky At Night theme, in 2012 Deer Shed Festival is all about going BIG for scary, mythological, fairy tale, imaginary (or are they?), cuddly, extraordinary MONSTERS.

Theatre comes to Baldersby Park for the first time. The Flanagan Collective will basically mess with festival goers minds with a real/unreal narrative that runs throughout the whole weekend. Spoken word also stops at Deer Shed Festival for its debut – authorsDave Simpson ('The Last Champions: Leeds United & The Year Football Changed Forever') and Anthony Clavane ('Promised Land') chat football and whether it has lost its soul while Dorian Lynskey ('33 Revolutions Per Minute: a History Of Protest Music) andBoff Whalley (Chumbawamba) talk pop and whether it still has a political voice.  James Priestman leads the festival’s first foray into poetry running family workshops including Monster themed pieces and Twitter poems.

Partnering up with the National Media Museum, there’s some seriously scary cinema lined up. The silent classic Nosferatu will be accompanied by Darius Battiwalla on piano in the finest tradition of the silent film era. Guerrilla film making at its best, Monsters was filmed on location in South America with a crew of four or five, just two actors and a bunch of locals. A family classic, Monsters Inc will be followed by a workshop from Deer Shed Festival’s pals at Teeside University showing how Pixar make the critters. Lecturers and students from the uni will be running lots of lovely workshops and demonstrations throughout the weekend including stop frame animation, green screen video production and 3D modelling. All involving monsters. Obviously.

Also returning to Topcliffe in 2012 are the following Deer Shed Festival regulars – Best Joined Up graffiti artists mixing classic street styles with fine art, Matt Pattinson's Doodle Walls with four towering sentinels of festival-goer scribbles along with his own distinctive take on the monsters theme, Jon Reed’s Comedy Workshop, artist blacksmith David Stephenson creating bespoke jewellery in front of festival goers eyes for just a couple of quid and Spike & Sponge’s Sunday Market in the Big Top full of arts, crafts and vintage wares all from local Yorkshire artists. The Greentop Circus Cabaret will also be back to host the Friday night family show in the Big Top. Some kick-ass aerial acrobatics plus comedy, circus, cabaret, variety and dance from one of the UK's leading circus venues and training centres.

Monsters – done. Arts – done. Kids stuff – next…

Only two years in and the Deer Shed Festival is already known for the lengths it reaches to keep family members of all ages occupied. In 2010 they face painted half the audience and then last year there was the entire field full of swing balls. In 2012 the festival team are taking the monster theme quite literally and are super sizing what’s on offer. Customised swing balls made out of heavy-duty steel, giant sea monster creations which will be built by kids and then floated on the lake, BIG paintball art guns and over 40 exotic animals to meet on the Sunday (snakes, spiders, lizards, massive toads and some furry things). The festival team will also be scouting for human guinea pigs to take part in Dr Frankenstein’s DIY Monster Project from Eureka! The National Children's Museum. All in addition to the regulars of organised sports, arts sessions, modelling workshops and play areas. Taking place at the beginning of the school holidays, Deer Shed Festival is the perfect break from everyday life for all the family and all for less than £200 for a family of four.

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Deer Shed Festival = the vibe of a lazy Sunday afternoon in the perfect pub beer garden, sound-tracked by a bill that resembles the 6 Music playlist. Shortlisted for the Best Family-Festival at the UK Festival Awards 2011, this is an independent festival run by a family for the family. The Deer Shed Festival team book bands they love, work with like-minded people, keep it chilled, don’t squeeze a thousand tents into a field the size of a postage stamp and don’t charge a fortune. Good old-fashioned hospitality and great bands.

*** MUSIC BILL ***

Saint Etienne, Villagers, Cherry Ghost, Los Campesinos!, Beth Jeans Houghton & The Hooves of Destiny, Dutch Uncles, Human Don’t Be Angry, Cashier No 9, Janice Graham Band, Treetop Flyers, Club Smith, Moody Gowns, The Staves, Paul Thomas Saunders, Washington Irving, The Glendale Family, Tupelo, Rachel Sermanni, We Were Evergreen, Ellen and the Escapades, The Lost Brothers, Rae Morris, Pale Seas and Pip Mountjoy

Tickets are available now through http://www.deershedfestival.com/tickets/ or Ticketline on 0844 888 9991.

Adult Saturday & Sunday only ticket (16+)                                            £59

Adult weekend ticket (16+)                                                                         £69

Child weekend ticket (6+)                                                                            £20

Child weekend ticket (5 and under)                                                         FREE*
Weekend campervan/caravan/trailer pass                                           £15

Nitin Sawhney, The Proclaimers and more for Greenbelt Festival

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Greenbelt is also proud to announce this year's festival programme will feature talks from prolific campaigner Peter Tatchell and Israeli journalist Gideon Levy, BBC Radio 4's hit show Any Questions to broadcast live plus much, much more. Greenbelt Festival takes place from 24th-27th August at Cheltenham Racecourse. Tickets are on sale now and available from the festival website.

MUSIC
Greenbelt is thrilled to announce Nitin Sawhney will join revelers to perform his distinctive, versatile and spectacular sounds that have solidified his reputation as one of the most talented practitioners of his generation. Firmly established as a world-class producer, songwriter, DJ, multi-instrumentalist, orchestral composer and cultural pioneer and having collaborated and written for the likes of Sting, Sir Paul McCartney, Sinead O'Connor, Ellie Goulding, Cirque Du Soleil, Sawhney will be an unmissable festival experience for 2012.
 
Legendary Scottish rockers The Proclaimers will be bringing a mixture of classic hits including iconic tracks "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" and "I'm On My Way" and brand new material from their next studio album Like Comedy, due for release on Cooking Vinyl this May. 
 
The Leisure Society will tantalise crowds with their bouncing bass, flurries of flute and jazz drums that have earned them considerable critical acclaim, including an Ivor Novello nomination. Other confirmed acts include new British female artist Jose Vanders who has been dubbed as the new Regina Spektor; American soloist Abigail Washburn; alternative rock band In Case of Fire, "Nu'folk" duo Megson; effortless folk sensation and recent supporting act for Mumford & Sons, Rachel Sermanni; talented pianist Luke Leighfield plus Brighton-based band Tom & Olly. 
 
COMEDY
Greenbelt welcomes back Robin Ince with his razor-sharp analysis of human endeavor, scientific discovery and dreadful literature. James Acaster brings his anecdotal, interactive and brilliantly funny stand-up. Having recently appeared on Russell Howard's Good News and a tour with Milton Jones, Greenbelt festival-goers are in for a comedic treat this year.

 
LITERATURE

Greenbelt presents a diverse offering of literary figures speaking at this year's festival includingJenn Ashworth who lept into the spotlight as one of the BBC Culture Show's Best New Novelists; bona fide rocket scientist and prolific writer Dr. Simon Morden and distinctly-British-in-style-but-US-born writer Kate Charles. Poetic performances will be brought to Greenbelt by the likes of Harry Baker who won a Poetry Slam at the Edinburgh Fringe festival and TS Elliot Prize winner, Philip Gross. 

 
TALKS

Greenbelt is thrilled to announce a plethora of the most remarkable speakers from the UK and beyond creating what is fast becoming the most exciting and rich programme to be found under the folds of a festival tent. Cultural thinker and faculty member of The School of Life, Roman Krznaric will offer instruction and inspiration on the important questions of everyday life. Campaigns Director of 38 Degrees, Hannah Lansborough will also be sharing her perspective on campaigning (particularly online) in a democracy. As part of the festival's focus on criminal justice Guardian columnist and writer Erwin James, will speak about his experiences of serving a life sentence and his tireless work on prison reform. 

For the first time, BBC Radio 4's hugely popular panelist programme Any Questions will be hosted at this year's Greenbelt festival featuring personalities from the worlds of politics, media and elsewhere, to be aired live on Friday 24th August.
Prolific campaigner for human rights, democracy, LGBT freedom and global justice Peter Tatchell, will be appearing at this year's festival. Tatchell is a member of the queer human rights group OutRage!, the Green Party’s spokesperson on human rights plus campaigns for human rights in Britain and beyond through his own Peter Tatchell Foundation. 
 
Further additions include Israeli journalist Gideon Levy, contributing editor at Q-News Abdul-Rehman Malik and former bishop of Durham Tom Wright.
 
FILM
Today Greenbelt announces a number of carefully selected films, both new and classic to be screened at the festival. Confirmed titles include Terrence Malick's cult American independent film The Tree of Life starring Sean Penn and Brad Pitt; 1972 environmentally themed science film classic Silent Running; and Gore Verbinski's 2011 American animated feature Rango, which won Best Animated Feature at the Oscars last year and stars Johnny Depp as the voice of Rango. Greenbelt will also host its very own Greenbelt Oscars with further announcements soon to come plus Tipping Point Film Productions will present challenging, truth-telling cinema documentaries that combine the popular appeal of film with ambitious international campaigns.
 
Tickets are now available from the Greenbelt festival websiteor via 020 7374 2760. Prices are fixed until 30th April 2012 and adult weekend tickets are £99.00; adult concession weekend tickets are £68.00; under 18 weekend tickets (5 to 17 years) are £55.00; family weekend tickets (2 Adults, 2 Under 18s) are £259.00; single parent family weekend tickets (1 Adult, 2 Under 18s) are £165.00 and infants (0-4 years) go for free.

The Temper Trap, Kids In Glass Houses and more added to Liverpool Sound City lineup

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Australian guitar band The Temper Trap have recently expanded to a five piece, ensuring a much bigger and more rounded sound for their second album ‘The Temper Trap’, which is released in May.  The release of their first album propelled them to international acclaim and their much anticipated return will see celebrated frontman Dougy Mandagi back in the north west for a must see show.

Temper Trap
Kids In Glass House’s infectious, hook laden rock has ensured a wildly devoted and rapturous young following and their huge riffs and choruses has led to widespread mainstream success.  This hot and sweaty show will be a Sound Cityhighlight.  Of a more gentle leaning is Irish singer songwriter, James Vincent McMorrow whose captivating songs sound both fresh and as if they’ve been in your head forever.  His live shows are simply spellbinding and James will be playing tracks from his debut album ‘Extracts From A Conversation’ as well as premiering new material.
 
One of the most talked about artists of the past 12 months, Django Django’s recently released debut album has more than justified the hype.  Their ultra modern strain of psychadelia has marked them out as a very special band indeed and attendance at this show is a must!  Canadian Tim Hecker plays a rare UK show at Sound City.  A favourite of Pitchfork and Wired magazine,
Tim’s cathedral electronic music explores the intersection of noise, dissonance and melody, mixing sub bass and static to mesmerizing effect.
 
One of Liverpool’s favourite acts, Space, have reformed and will be reminding everyone why they spent the mid nineties singing along to such distinctive anthems as ‘Female Of The Species’, ‘Neighbourhood’, ‘Avenging Angels’ and ‘The Ballad Of Tom Jones’.  Another act that have always refused to conform are The Wedding Present who have spent the last 25 years making bittersweet, breathtakingly honest, love songs that are immersed in whirlwind guitars.  Something of a national treasure, David Gedge will be performing tracks with the band from classic albums such as ‘George Best’, ‘Seahorses’, ‘Bizarro’ alongside more recent material.
 
Lower Than Atlantis have graduated from their early post melodic, hardcore to embrace a much grungier sound and have developed in one of the countries best live rock acts whilst Domino Records singer songwriter Eugene McGuinness will perform his angsty, carefree, hormone fuelled tracks that captivate audiences. 
 
Other acts confirmed to play at Liverpool Sound City include The Big Sleep, Willis Earl Beal, Thunderbird Gerard, Still Corners, Mugstar, Stealing Sheep, Stephen Langstaff, Sissy & The Blisters, The Kill Van Kulls, Electric Guest, White Arrows, The Night, Lulu James, EJ, Said The Whale, Don Broco, Futures, Dan Croll, Capac and Ex Easter Island Head.
 
Liverpool Sound City is much acclaimed for working with partner countries to identify the best of their emerging talent and provide a platform for exposure in the UK and 2012 sees some fantastic acts landing at John Lennon airport to perform in this historic music city.  New Zealand bring Pikachunes, Princess Chelsea and Midnight Youth to Merseyside whilst Australia are represented by Step Panther, Millions, Inland Sea, Ben Salter, Bonfire Nights, Oliver Tank, Wim, Jackson Firebird, The Bowers and Sietta.  Canadian acts are Jordan Cook, Kestrels, Ben Caplan and Slow Down Moasses whilst Denmark and Italy complete the international flavour with Strangers On A Train and The Second Grace respectively.
 
Further announcements will be made shortly about the Sound City convention, Expo and UK Music Student Awards, all parts of this multi faceted 3 day international music, media and technology event.  Liverpool Sound City continues to focus on the future, intent on bringing the best new music, film, art and more from all over the world to Liverpool. 
 
Last week’s inaugural New York Sound City was a resounding success, marking a significant move forward in Sound City’s international events calendar.  Established as a pre curser to SXSW, New York Sound City sold out a week in advance and was attended by a number of exceptional music industry talents – many of whom made rare appearances. 
 
The night time gig at Webster Hall featured a guest appearance from Jetlag, the new band of Andy Rourke from The Smiths, as well as performances from Paula I Karol, Tyburn Saints and the surely soon to be huge Dutch Uncles, whose irresistible shimmery songs captivated the audience. 
 
The date of New York Sound City 2013 will be Monday, March 11th, 2013.
 
Liverpool Sound City tickets are on sale at the following prices.
 
Sound City Live Festival Wristband – £30 – Price rise Monday April 2nd at midday
Sound City Delegate Pass – £120 – Price rise Monday April 2nd at midday

Happy Days Festival details

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Families, friends and local businesses are all welcome to this two day open air festival, which will whisk you back in time with an eclectic blend of three decades of amazing music. Performances by Level 42, Billy Ocean, Soul II Soul, Jocelyn Brown, Joyce Sims, Maxi Priest, Gwen McCrae, D-Train, Colonel Abrams, Modern Romance,

Light Of The World and Heatwave will be combined with other entertainments including themed bars and eateries, pyrotechnics, children’s disco, games area, family fun activities and exclusive After Parties.

Matthew Podd, one of the founder members of the Happy Days Festival team and successful, professional sound and lighting businessman, said “we want our festival goers to have a weekend of fun, as well as a chance to enjoy live music by a variety of established artists, with each set being over an hour long! We want to provide the best entertainment at a price that is affordable and represents true value for money. Let our festival take you back in time to celebrate and remember those Happy Days!”

The Happy Days Festival team are able to provide a large variety of bespoke 'hospitality packages', including exclusive areas with private bars, private catering, hotel accommodation and executive travel, suitable for both private and corporate entertaining.

The event takes place on Saturday 2nd and 3rd June 2012 from 14:00 – 22:00. Children under 12 are free with a full paying adult. The After Party (over 18s) on each evening commences at 22:00 through to 02:00.

General Sale Prices:

One Day £35.00

VIP One Day £55.00*

Two Day £68.00

VIP Two Day £100.00*

After Party £15.00

*(The VIP area includes entry into the Gold Circle located in from of the stage with exclusive access to the VIP bars, eateries & facilities)

David Guetta returns to Heineken Balaton Sound 2012

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Meet the line-up:

David GuettaThere’s no other festival in the world where David Guetta feels more at home like at Heineken Balaton Sound. No wonder, he already played stunning shows at the event for the last 4 years and is more than happy to return.

Berlin Calling star Paul Kalkbrenner is never short of creative energies – unlike the character he plays in the famous movie). He has been already headlining the biggest parties of Germany and Europe, so it’s high time for him to come and play at the lakeside event.

Sander van Doorn has always dealt with a wide range of electronic styles and already earned many awards with his powerful trance productions – clearly regarded as anthems of the scene.

You love family reunions? Not really? Just check out how the Kalkbrenners do it at this year’s Heineken Balaton Sound. You have the chance to listen to the live version of the biggest techno hit of the last few months, Sky & Sand, thanks to Paul Kalkbrenner and his younger brother. Fritz Kalkbrenner has always been involved in the German e-music scene and created his own sound, a style that’s close to his brother’s productions, but mixed with hip-hop, house and even soul elements.

Another great performer of the Balaton event will be Gareth Emery, a world famous trance DJ and producer and a regular at the biggest international e-music parties. Also in the line-up Maceo Plex, the American musician and producer, who nowadays lives in Spain and is mainly experimenting with deep house elements. You might know his earlier works as well, as he produced tech house and techno tracks under the names Meatrik and Mariel Ito.

Besides Björk we are happy to host another Icelandic super production at this year’s Sound, namely Gus Gus, playing a sophisticated and welcoming style of electronic music. And let’s not forget about Feed Me, a truly entertaining, fresh and eye-catching side project of Jon Gooch, aka Spor, representing the British drum’n’bass, dubstep and electro house scene.

Nina Kraviz is a remixer, singer-songwriter and a resident DJ of Moscow’s most popular club, the Propaganda. She is surely used to play for full houses and most probably experience the same this summer in Zamárdi. Crazy P is another great asset in the line-up, an electronic production, also using live instruments (drums, guitars) as a key part of the show. They will arrive to Lake Balaton, presenting their new album, When We On.

Tensnake, aka Marco Niemerski is a true messenger of disco’s rebirth. The Hamburg-based DJ-producer is very popular in the German underground electronic scene, inspired by house, the disco era and the 80’s electro-funk craze. Last but surely not least, we are pleased to announce Dapayk Solo, aka Niklas Worgt, representing the Berlin club scene and experimenting with many styles (like drum’n’bass, house) before arriving to the world of minimal techno in the mid-2000’s. And rightly so, as Groove magazine awarded his debut album with ‘the best of the year’ title, while Niklas became the producer of the year.

If you like what you’ve just read, please don’t forget that early bird tickets are only available until 15 April. Of course you can also buy your ticket afterwards, but it surely makes sense the think ahead.

More information and tickets: www.balatonsound.com

Twisted Sound System set for Glade Festival

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Headlining the Friday night on the Origin Stage Twisted Sound System are, between them, responsible for ground-breaking music including Shpongle, Hallucinogen, Younger Brother, Prometheus and many other musically defining projects. We’re pleased to announce that they are currently locked in the studio preparing this special one off set featuring synths, laptops, drum machines and much more for a psychedelic journey as never seen or heard before.

Simon Posford is one of the most influential artists in the psychedelic scene. Under the name Hallucinogen, he defined the Goa trance sound with the track LSD, taken from the 1995 album Twisted. In 1996, Simon launched Twisted Records, which is one of the most important trance imprints in the world. After releasing his second album The Lone Deranger in 1997 Simon began collaborating with Raja on Shpongle and went on to produce a trilogy of genre defining downtempo albums. Simon also performed in live outfit Younger Brother with the third member of the Twisted Records Sound System, Benji Vaughan.

From blazing the hippie trail in the sixties through Goa and beyond, founding psychedelic rock band Quintessence and performing at the first two Glastonbury Festivals, Australian-born Raja Ram is known as one of the founding fathers of the psychedelic trance movement. After a brief hiatus, he returned to the music scene at the birth of acid house and alongside Graham Wood and Ian St Paul,  launched TIP Records which later became TIP World, one of the most well-known psy-trance labels in the world. Raja Ram is one half of Shpongle alongside Simon Posford. He is also part of 1200 Mics alongside Ibiza-trance legends Riktam & Bansi AKA Growling Mad Scientists.

Benji Vaughan is most well known for his solo project Prometheus which is signed to Twisted Records. As Prometheus he has released three killer albums: Robot O Chan, Corridor Of Mirrors and Spike

A word from Shpongle ringmaster Raja Ram:

The set will be like three madmen sailing off in the middle of the night in a small boat without a compass, semi dangerous, not for the faint hearted or incontinent, a bare knuckle flight to unreality and back, super turbo charged, size thirteen shoes and an attitude to match

The Secret Garden Party production team have given the digital arts on site at the festival a new lease of life, with artists such as Polyphant (http://www.polyphant.tv/) commissioned to design a bespoke immersive environment where he will be blurring the boundaries between architecture, light and space. More bespoke installations will be announced soon.

The original independent dance music festival, The Glade, is a totally immersive experience the beautiful countryside meets beautiful beats, where you can party until dawn without disturbance and without a care. Houghton Hall in Norfolk is one of the few places in the UK where such an experience can be had. No matter which community or tribe, all are invited to come together and participate in this never-to-be-forgotten four-day celebration. It is your very own electric Eden. So what are you waiting for…

With an incredible rural site, burning stages, woodland parties 3D Funktion-one sound system, and pioneering collectives & labels representing every electronic genre over 14 stages showcasing hundreds of DJs and live acts from around the globe, Glade 2012 is set to become the must-go-to festival for all lovers of underground electronic music.

With our incredible 24hr venues, you can party hard until 8am and then chill out in the Inspiral lounge 24hrs a day.