Miles and Erica and more set for Watchet Live Music Festival

Mad Dog Mcrea are one of the Westcountry’s hottest bands, having recently won Best Album at the South West Music Awards. The Wurzels return to their favourite festival, for what is, due to popular demand, now a regular booking.

Watchet LIVE 2012 is set to build on the success of the 2012 event which saw nearly 5,000 people from Somerset and beyond attend the festival. Efestivals.co.uk declared that, “Watchet is a lovely little festival” and neonfiller.com described it as, “One of the UK's most eclectic boutique festivals

With a host of internationally renowned artists performing, a friendly 'small festival' vibe, stunning views across the West Somerset coastline, and a full range of tickets and camping options, WATCHET LIVE is a fantastic festival and a perfect place to spend August Bank Holiday weekend.

Highlights of WATCHET LIVE FESTIVAL 2012 include:

•           3 live music stages featuring over 40 live music acts

•           3 distinct days: Tribute Night (Friday), Original Music (Saturday), Fancy Dress (Sunday)

•           Glastonbury Festival’s very own Croissant Neuf Tent featuring live acts all weekend.

•           Festival-owned ale bar selling a wide range of drinks at "cheaper than pub prices"

•           Cider Island and Food Court

•           The legendary Something Else Tea Tent

•           Kids Corner

•           Festival Market

•           Showers in the campsite and flushing toilets in the newly expanded camping area!

This year’s festival charity is The Children’s Hospice South West

Weekend Tickets with camping are £50 (Adults), £30 (Youths 13-17), Under 12’s are free. A Family Weekend Ticket for 2 Adults & 2 Youths is just £110.

Weekend Tickets without camping are priced at just £40 (Adults), £20 (Youths 13-17), Under 12’s are free. A Family Ticket for 2 Adults & 2 Youths is £ 90.  Day Tickets also available (£15/10)

Tickets are available from www.watchetfestival.co.uk

More acts announced for Hampton Court Palace Festival

Van Morrison will make a welcome return to the Festival with classics such as Have I Told You Lately That I Love You and Brown Eyed Girl. Squeeze will also perform and delight fans with old favourites including Cool for Cats and Up the Junction as well as new material. In addition, the incredible Marc Almond will join Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra as a special guest, alongside Gilson Lavis and guest vocalists Ruby Turner and Louise Marshall.

They join Liza Minnelli, the legendary worldwide universally loved superstar who will provide the opening for the Festival’s 20th Anniversary on Thursday 14th June. The concert will include many of Liza’s showstoppers such as Cabaret, Maybe This Time, New York New York – arguably her very own signature tune – all written especially for her by the legendary song writing partnership of John Kander and Fred Ebb (Chicago, Cabaret) – and a selection of her best loved songs. 

The Festival will also host play host to Katie Melua, one of Britain’s most successful artists of the last decade who’s sold more than 11 million albums, who will delight festival-goers with familiar favourites such as Closest Thing To Crazy and Nine Million Bicycles, as well as performing songs from her new album Secret Symphony, out on 5th March. Legendary Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons will perform their first concert in the UK for 18 years at the Festival. This eagerly awaited concert will give fans the chance to hear many of the classic hit songs played live, such as: Big Girls Don’t Cry, Walk Like A Man, Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You, Bye, Bye, Baby (Baby Goodbye), December 1963 (Oh What A Night) and Grease.

Brit Award Winner James Morrison is also confirmed to perform in the stunning open-air courtyard of King Henry VIII’s Palace and will treat fans to his hit songs You Give Me Something, Wonderful World and I Won’t Let You Go as well as new tracks from his current album The Awakening. Caro Emerald, who recently appeared on Jools Holland’s Annual Hootenanny, will make her Festival debut this year with her eclectic style of ballroom jazz, cinematic tangos, groovin' jazz and infectious mambos with songs from her platinum-selling album Deleted Scenes From The Cutting Room Floor.

To mark the Festival’s milestone, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will perform a special 20th Anniversary Gala, which will be followed by spectacular fireworks over the Palace. Conducted by Gavin Sutherland, he will be joined by tenor James Edwards, soprano Laura Wright and violinist Clio Gould. The evening will have a long interval so that Festival-goers can enjoy their picnics and Champagne in the Palace Gardens as the sun sets on the summer’s evening.

 

In addition to the music, Hampton Court Palace Festival is renowned for creating a truly unforgettable experience. Artists perform in the historic main courtyard of the magnificent Tudor Palace providing an intimate atmosphere for an audience of 3,000. Corporate hospitality is available in the State Apartments and Festival-goers can also arrive early (Palace Gardens open at 1730) and enjoy a delicious picnic courtesy of Jamie Oliver’s Fabulous Feasts, in the stunning Palace gardens.

Cheltenham Jazz Festival details

Held over the May Bank Holiday, the Festival will welcome musical stars including Jamie Cullum, Paloma Faith, Imelda May, The Puppini Sisters, Marcus Miller, Candi Staton and Gregory Porter.

Plus, with a brand new Big Top venue, free outdoor stage, boutique cinema, interactive Music Lab – full of the latest musical gadgetry – and a host of bars and cafes, the gardens will offer the perfect backdrop to the world’s greatest jazz performers.

Tickets are on-sale now. Visit cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz to sign up for alerts and to buy tickets.

Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2-7 May 2012

Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham, GL50 1UW

Deer Shed Festival announce more acts

The Deer Shed Festival music line-up has expanded from the format of the first two years – year three will see the Main Stage now in action each day instead of just Saturday and there is the new Lake Stage. The festival team are very excited about the whole thing which is quite understandable.

The first ever Friday night Main Stage headliner to be announced for Deer Shed Festival is, drum roll please, Saint Etienne. These titans of pristine pop moments release their first album for seven years in May, ‘Words and Music By Saint Etienne’, restoring everyone’s faith in a genre that Saturday night telly has done its best to ruin over the last decade. The Main Stage bill on Friday is completed by the dreamy, US west coast via Belfast, shimmers of Cashier No 9 and Club Smith who have just finished touring with Kaiser Chiefs.

Janice Graham Band are reclaiming ska for a new generation.  Sharp lyrics about love, life and murder, this unpredictable band of four lads from Manchester are on the cusp of greatness and play the In The Dock Stage on Friday. Opening the stage ahead of them are Moody Gowns, a quintessentially British band in the vein of Ian Dury and The Blockheads. Previously announced Dutch Uncles complete the In The Dock Stage line-up for Friday – clearly the place to be for lovers of unconventional Brit-indie greatness at Deer Shed Festival 3.

The final band to be announced today for Friday’s bill is The Glendale Family. Returning to Baldersby Park for the third year, it’s fair to say they are the Deer Shed Festival house band. Playing the new Lake Stage on the first day of the festival, they’ll also be found in charge of the late night good times, curating and playing in the After Hours Lounge Bar.

Saturday’s Main Stage line up is completed by a trio of distinctive bands. Los Campesinos! bring their glockenspiels, big beats and boundless energy to North Yorkshire for the first time, playing before headliners Villagers.  The Staves will serenade the Main Stage crowd mid-afternoon with their sibling harmonic perfection and Washington Irving open up with beautiful Scottish indie-folk-pop.

Further acts for Saturday include the ethereal singer-songwriter Paul Thomas Saunders who will play his sublimely haunting and reverb sodden songs on the In The Dock Stage. The Lake Stage line-up will be headlined on Saturday by Leeds folk quintet Ellen and the Escapades. Joining them will be the Buddy Holly-esque The Lost Brothers, the beautiful and soothing Pale Seas and North Yorkshire lass and BBC Introducing darling Pip Mountjoy.

There was a lot of whooping in the Deer Shed Festival office when the next act was confirmed. Human Don’t Be Angry is the newest project from the obscenely talented Malcolm Middleton and this noodling guitar, looped lyric offering continues the high level of brilliance we’ve come to expect. Middleton plays before Main Stage headliner Cherry Ghost on Sunday. Also taking to this stage will be singer-songwriter Rae Morris with her distinctive voice and piano talent. 

That’s it for now. The final third of the music bill will be announced soon plus details of cabaret, comedy, cinema, theatre, workshops and the all-important theme for Deer Shed Festival 3. It’s going to be a BIG (clue alert!) one this year.

Creamfields 2012 Lineup announced!

First up is Canadian electro pioneer deadmau5 – this stadium selling artist has well and truly transcended the superstar DJ frontier and he returns to Creamfields for his last UK festival performance of the year on Sunday’s North Stage.  Headlining the South Stage on Saturday will be Avicii, Some things are worth the wait and as one of the most requested acts over recent years this Creamfields debut will undoubtedly be one that goes down in festival history.  Having attracted over 25,000 people for his performance in 2011 we’re pleased to welcome back Tiësto who returns to host his own Clublife stage and having secured the No.1 spot in the DJ Mag Top 100 and two Grammy nominations the mighty David Guetta takes the helm of Saturday’s North Stage.   It’s undoubtedly been an apocalyptic year for Creamfields regulars the Swedish House Mafia who this year are focusing on their 65,000 capacity show at Milton Keynes Bowl, however, fear ye not as Creamfields has snared them back, this time Axwell, Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso return to the fields of Cream to perform solo.   Grammy award winning breakout star Skrillex performs under canvas this year as headliner of the BBC Radio 1Xtra arena, with his unique brand of dub-step, electro and glitch which has caught the imaginations of the planet’s dance-floors over the last 12 months it’s with great pleasure we welcome him back. 

deadmau5

Other highlights come from the Grammy nominated and globally acclaimed Paul van Dyk who jets in from his Cream Ibiza residency just for the occasion, along with one of the most discerning trance outfits in the business Above & Beyond and the mighty Ferry Corsten.  We see the return of everyone’s favourite flying Scotsman Calvin Harris who joins deadmau5 on the North stage plus a live performance from singer / rapper / musician / producer extraordinaire Example.Example

This of course is just the tip of the iceberg as we also introduce four new arenas for 2012.  Internationally renowned techno god Richie Hawtin presents his brand new concept in the form of the M-nus presents Enter. Arena, curated by the man himself he brings together some of the most exciting artists from the scene including Loco Dice, Seth Troxler, Gaiser and Paco Osuna.  Everyone’s favourite superstylers Groove Armada return to DJ as hosts of their very own arena, expect carnivalesque, ass shaking mayhem from the funk battalion who will be joined by BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix star A-Trak plus the highly anticipated return from DJ/Producer Stuart Price aka Jacques Lu Cont, not to mention performances from the likes of Fake Blood, Jaguar Skills, Alex Metric and Burns.   BBC Radio 1Xtra’s Mistajam has curated his own Speakerbox arena featuring performances from the likes of Sub Focus Live, Knife Party, Borgore, Shy FX feat Stamina MC and Redlight.   Creamfields favourite and international superstar DJ Mr Eddie Halliwell returns as host as he debuts the all new Fire It Up Arena – there are people who play records and there are DJ’s who blow minds – Eddie is the latter, expect a wagon load of production and SFX too, as this arena will be full throttle from start to finish as he’s joined by the likes of Sander van Doorn, Mark Knight, Funkagenda and Michael Woods to name a few.  

Laidback LukeFollowing last year’s superhero success Laidback Luke returns with his Super You&Me arena once again, and to celebrate we welcome a debut performance from American DJ/Producer and Dim Mak Records boss Steve Aoki (expect the odd stage dive!), Wolfgang Gartner, Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano – what superhero outfit will you be wearing?

Renowned for fusing legends with rising stars, the Pryda Friends arena is back, Eric Prydz heads up another eclectic line-up featuring a welcome return from John Digweed,  debut appearances from Mixmag’s ‘Breakthrough Producer Of The Year’ Maya Jane Coles and Hotflush boss Scuba.  Completing the bill for what will be one of the festivals most exciting arenas is Joris Voorn, Sébastien Léger and Jeremy Olander.

The trance continues in the Cream Arena with performances from Above and Beyond, Gareth Emery, Markus Schulz, Judge Jules and Mat Zo.  Mafia don Steve Angello returns with his Size Matters arena featuring a special guest performance from Benny Benassi, Pete Tong, younger sibling AN21, Max Vangeli and Third Party.  

Other acts include a Creamfields debut from BBC Radio 1 supremo Zane Lowe, Dirty South, Sebastian Ingrosso protégé and label peer Alesso, John O’Callaghan, Feed Me, Hardwell, Simon Patterson, Ørjan Nilsen, Adam Sheridan, Cazzette, Norman Doray, Syn Cole, Guetta collaborator Nicky Romero, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Australian lovelies NERVO and a debut performance from one of the most talked about and in-demand DJ/Remixer/Producer’s Porter Robinson.

They smashed it in 2011 so it’s with great pleasure we welcome back the 1Xtra crew for a second year, only this time they’ve moved to bigger capacity premises to accommodate the genres ever growing fan base, Skrillex is at the helm, along with Andy C feat MC GQ, Caspa, Flux Pavilion, Friction, Koan Sound, Doctor P, Loadstar feat MC Texas and Ikay whilst 1Xtra stable mates Skream feat. Sgt Pokes, Benga feat. Youngman and Mistajam keep the bass alive.       

Queen of the mash up Annie Mac has pulled together a salivating line up for her Annie Mac presents arena, expect bass, electro, disco, house and dub-step from one of the most diverse tents on site with performances from dancehall duo Major Lazer, Erol Alkan, Crookers, Melé and rising star Madeon and if that wasn’t enough Brodinski joins Gesaffelstein for a special back to back set. 

As well as being the name of Mixmag’s rag-tag bunch of in-house DJs, the Mixmag Allstars arena will feature a mix of the best up and coming DJ’s they’ve discovered in the past 12 months alongside some recognisable big name house DJ’s in the form of James Zabiela, Creamfields South America DJ legend Hernan Cattaneo, Nick Curly and Paul Woolford, combined they will be mixing a perfect Sunday session for those who have still got it in them!

Back to flaunt its ever-growing fabulousness is Hed Kandi who return as hosts of the Hospitality Arena.  Last year sold out nearly 3 months in advance and this year we expect even greater demand as word spreads of this exclusive luxurious oasis on site…you have been warned!

And let’s not forget Friday night’s Silent Disco Arenas brought to you from That Mixmag Thing, UNION and Riva Starr’s label Snatch!  

Creamfields welcomes back BBC Radio 1 & BBC Radio 1Xtra as this year’s exclusive radio partners; you can hear highlights from the event on both stations – www.bbc.co.uk/radio1 / www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra

The countdown begins….

CREAMFIELDS 2012 LINE UP

SATURDAY 25TH AUGUST

South Stage

Avicii
Sebastian Ingrosso
Alesso
Cazzette
Norman Doray
Syn Cole

North Stage

David Guetta
Example
Nicky Romero
NERVO
Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike

Cream in Association with Mixmag

Above & Beyond
Gareth Emery
Markus Schulz
Judge Jules
Mat Zo
Gareth Wyn
Ben Gold
Rob Harnetty

Size Matters

Steve Angello
Pete Tong
AN21 & Max Vangeli
Third Party
Tim Mason
Qulinez
Special Guest: Benny Benassi

Pryda Friends

Eric Prydz
John Digweed
Joris Voorn
Maya Jane Coles
Sébastien Léger
Scuba
Jeremy Olander

BBC Radio 1Xtra

Skrillex
Skream feat. Sgt Pokes
Benga feat. Youngman
Andy C feat. MC GQ
Caspa
Flux Pavilion
Friction
Mistajam
Doctor P
Loadstar feat. MC Texas and Ikay
Koan Sound
Rudimental

Annie Mac Presents

Annie Mac
Major Lazer
Erol Alkan
Crookers
Madeon
Brodinski vs Gesaffelstein
Melé

Fire It Up

Eddie Halliwell
Sander van Doorn
Mark Knight
Funkagenda
Michael Woods
Thomas Gold
Kryder
D.O.D

Hed Kandi Hospitality

Phil Faversham
Sam Cannon
DJ Eibhlin
Sarah Louise
Steve Lewis (Percussion)
Aimee Jay (Saxophone)

SUNDAY 26TH AUGUST

North Stage

deadmau5
Calvin Harris
Zane Lowe
Feed Me
Porter Robinson

Clublife South Stage

Tiësto
Axwell
Dirty South
Hardwell
Tommy Trash

Cream

Paul van Dyk
Ferry Corsten
John O’Callaghan
Simon Patterson
Ørjan Nilsen
Adam Sheridan

Super You&Me

Laidback Luke
Steve Aoki
Wolfgang Gartner
Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano
Zedd
Swanky Tunes

Groove Armada Presents

Groove Armada (DJ Set)
A-Trak
Fake Blood
Jaguar Skills
Alex Metric
Burns
Special Guest:  Jacques Lu Cont

Mistajam Presents Speakerbox

Sub Focus Live
Knife Party
Borgore
Shy FX (Stamina MC)
Redlight
16bit
North Base

M-Nus Presents Enter

Richie Hawtin
Loco Dice
Seth Troxler
Gaiser
Paco Osuna

Mixmag Allstars

James Zabiela
Hernan Cattaneo
Nick Curly
Paul Woolford
George Fitzgerald
Mar-T
Anthony Probyn

Hed Kandi Hospitality

Carl Hanaghan
Stephanie Jay
Dave Silcox
Matt Nash
Steve Lewis  (Percussion)
Aimee Jay (Saxophone)

FRIDAY 24TH AUGUST (Silent Disco)

That Mixmag Thing

Brookes Brothers
True Tiger
The Prototypes
Mixmag Allstars

UNION

Kissy Sell Out
UNION
Engine-Earz Experiment

Snatch!

Riva Starr
Kim Fai
The Japanese Popstars
Jet Project

EVENT INFO

Creamfields UK 2012

Daresbury, Cheshire

Friday 24th / Saturday 25th / Sunday 26th August Bank Holiday weekend www.creamfields.com / Tel: +44 (0) 151 707 1309 / [email protected]

TICKETS

3 Day Tickets

Standard 3 day with camping:-

£135+BF (Limited Ticket Offer )

£120+BF (Early Bird) *** SOLD OUT  ***

Hospitality 3 day camping: £250+BF

2 Day Tickets

Standard 2 day with camping:-

£115+BF (Limited Ticket offer)

£100+BF (Early Bird) *** SOLD OUT ***

Standard 2 day ticket without camping – £115+BF (Limited Ticket offer)

Hospitality 2 day with camping – £220+BF

1 Day Tickets

Saturday: £65+BF

Sunday: £60+BF

Saturday Hospitality: £110+BF

Sunday Hospitality:  £110+BF

Friendly Fires, The View and more added to Rockness 2012 lineup

FRIENDLY FIRES * DAVE CLARKE * THE DRUMS * JACQUES LU CONT * THE RAPTURE * ANNIE MAC * MYLO * ZANE LOWE *  KNIFE PARTY  * KASSIDY * ADMIRAL FALLOW * MYSTERY JETS * JAKWOB * CLAUDE VON STROKE * ANIMAL FARM * JAPANESE POPSTARS * LITTLE COMETS * LUCY ROSE * PORTER ROBINSON * BASTILLE * TO KILL A KING * THE DRAYMIN

SPECIAL GUESTS
THE VIEW

PLUS FIRST COMEDY ANNOUNCEMENT
TIM MINCHIN

Fresh from winning ‘BEST SMALL FESTIVAL’ for the second consecutive year at this week’s star studded NME Awards, and hot on the heels of MUMFORD & SONS, DEADMAU5, BIFFY CLYRO, ED SHEERAN, JUSTICE plus many more already having been announced, the good times keep on rolling as RockNess today confirm the latest names for the award winning line up.

The ViewFirst up and with tunes that say ‘party’ in a way this year’s RockNess audience will find hard to resist, FRIENDLY FIRES bring together a sound coated in melody with nods to nu- and old rave, the right measure of poppy brevity and slick vocals by disco dancing frontman Ed MacFarlane. Like a bringing together of all the great parts of an indie disco in one place, expect the perfect Loch-side soundtrack.

Joining the RockNess bill as special guests, THE VIEW are one of the most exciting young rock bands of their generation.  A debut album that blasted straight into number one, multi million sales and two excellent follow up albums, massive radio and media coverage, Mercury Music Prize nominations…and a level of notoriety that only adds to their authentic bona fide star status. With a hugely anticipated fourth album set for release this summer – rumoured to be their finest yet and recorded in Nashvile with Angelo Petraglia (Kings of Leon) and Mike Crossey (Arctic Monkeys) – Loch Ness is officially on standby as THE VIEW prepare to unleash their electrifying sound to a guaranteed rapturous response.

Tim MinchinTIM MINCHIN is a comedy rock superstar whose sell out live performances are a juggernaut of potent, grandiose showmanship. As one of the most commanding figures on the global comedy circuit, Minchin’s unique signature of intellectually provocative wit set against a sweeping musical backdrop, led by the barefoot balladeer on his grand piano, is irresistible. Expect a suitably huge affair at Dores as RockNess continues to offer outstanding comedy across the weekend.

Known as The Baron Of Techno, a moniker given to him by the late great John Peel, DAVE CLARKE is a bonafide veteran of electro and the first headliner announced for this year’s much anticipated SOMA RECORDS proposition at RockNess. With peerless sets that straddle tracks from the dawn of house through to gothic punk, the man in black’s gritty rock n roll anarchist energy is second to none. Revered by techno connoisseurs the world over for his sonic integrity, as Clarke says, “I may be established but I’ll never be establishment”.

Glistening tunes and insanely catchy riffs have made New York indie rockers THE DRUMS one of the most brilliant breakthrough bands of recent times, largely due to excellent second album Portamento. Fronted by Jonathan Pierce, and with a sound of carefully constructed gems that draw influence from a gamut of artists most notably The Smiths, 2012 promises to see the band’s career trajectory continue.

JACQUES LU CONT (aka Les Rythmes Digitales, Man With Guitar, Thin White Duke, Pour Homme, Zoot Woman, Paper Faces…and Stuart Price) is a three-time Grammy-winning electronic maestro who counts New Order, Madonna, Missy Elliot, Scissor Sisters and The Killers as fans who have enlisted his sublime production expertise. He is also one of the most respected names in electro, devoid of pretension but never failing to deliver killer beats. LU CONT’s contribution to the Fabriclive series is widely regarded as one of the finest ever, and awesome new track ‘Church’ – the first we’ve heard in a long time – marks a stunning return to form.

THE RAPTURE were forerunners of the early 2000s post-punk revival, mixing influences from acid house, disco, electronic and punk rock.  A stream of excellent releases and high profile tours followed  – most notably as the support for Daft Punk’s wildly successful North American assault. Now, after a five year hiatus, the New York trio are back and in rude health.  Recent fourth album In the Grace of Your Love sees the band underpin their art-rock credentials but still with ample funky slabs of synth to keep the RockNess crowd dancing.

Zane LoweAlways guaranteed to deliver the very best parties, RockNess is delighted to welcome BBC Radio 1’s ANNIE MAC and ZANE LOWE back to Dores. As two of the nation’s foremost exponents of cutting edge new music – Annie with her magnificent ‘official start to the weekend’ Friday night dance show and Zane with his fast paced nightly unleashing of the freshest new sounds – both are sure to be given a rousing welcome when they hit up the festival.

It is with huge excitement that RockNess can announce the appearance this June of an artist who will without any doubt be one of the festival’s highlights, MYLO.  In a very special treat, MYLO will, for one night only, be bringing his famed EPP party to The Highlands. With a host of guest DJ friends to be revealed, expect a full scale hip wiggling, nu disco inferno mixed up with trademark genius throwbacks from the beat loving electro wizard.

KNIFE PARTY – the side project of Pendulum’s Rob Swire and Gareth McGrillem – has been touring and tearing up dancefloors in clubs across the world for the last year playing remixes of Swedish House Mafia, Nero, Porter Robinson as well as a load of their own heavy hitting material with Skrillex and Mistajam.  Recently released EP No Modern Talking is a smash, brimming with energy-packed madness and the wackiest beats you’re likely to hear. RockNess kids get ready!

Also confirmed are Glasgow rockers KASSIDY. The guitar wielding, four piece’s joyous harmonies draw on a range of influences most notably Crosby, Stills and Nash and the Grateful Dead, and their part folk, part hippie sensibility, captured to gorgeous effect on debut album Hope St unashamedly spans evocative and rousing Americana in equal measure.

Scotland’s ADMIRAL FALLOW know what they’re doing. Songs that are heartfelt, honest and as pure as the Scottish snow, harmonies that can’t help but raise a smile, melodies that blossom into glorious anthemic hooks, debut album Boots Met My Face, recorded at Glasgow’s famed Chem 19 studio with Paul Savage (former Delgados drummer) is probably the best example of orchestral indie folk-pop as you’re likely to hear. Magnificent.

Mystery JetsInheritors of Britpop and exponents of what could be loosely termed British guitar indie, London’s MYSTERY JETS are that…and so much more. Their inventiveness and output of ideas means they operate on a plateau far above most of the competition, with their most obvious peers being Super Furry Animals and British Sea Power. Three albums in, culminating in the triumphant third Serotonin, and a much anticipated fourth due for an April 2012 release, RockNess awaits their Highland arrival with fervour.  

Minimalist and menacingly reggaetronic, JAKWOB transcends the genres of dubstep, electro, ghetto-tech and breakbeat and is one of the hottest new producers and DJs around. Aged 22, he is already one of the go-to guys in remixing – Lana Del Rey, Little Boots, Empire of the Sun, Frankmusik, Lily Allen, Coco Sumner, Temper Trap and Ellie Goulding have all received the JAKWOB magic. However it is for his forthcoming album that expectations are high. Using his multi instrumentalist skills (he plays nine), and collaborating with writing and vocal partner Rocky, a sound rich with variety and inspired by flavours from his life so far is anticipated.

On the party trip CLAUDE VON STROKE is a name synonymous with good times, and is announced as the second SOMA RECORDS act for 2012. Expect genre busting grooves, wonky beats and gear changing brilliance from this San Francisco-based maestro as he asserts control of the sensory extravaganza that is the ARCADIA AFTERBURNER.

ANIMAL FARM are four friends Darren Quail, Chris Lamb, Charlie Turtle and Ronin Vallelly. Influenced by early Detroit and Chicago techno, the boys have spent the last seven years perfecting their sound as residents at one of the planet’s most revered clubs, the SUB CLUB.  The boys have brought many of their electronic heroes to Glasgow including Ben Klock, Marcel Dettmann, Regis, Sandwell District, Ryan Elliott, Marcel Fengler and Mark Henning to name a few…plus a host Glasgow’s young talent including Harvey McKay, Gary Beck, BCR Boys, Mr. Copy and Simon Stokes. ANIMAL FARM also broadcast weekly on the city’s lead student radio station, Sub City.

Championed by Zane Lowe and Huw Stephens amongst many others, LITTLE COMETS are an indie-pop troupe to behold. Hailing from the North East of England, marvellous debut album In Search of Elusive Little Comets was a joyful collection of some of the catchiest tunes of 2011 and shining follow up EP Worry should see this excellent young band move into well deserved regular playlist territory.

Hailed by VOGUE as one of indie’s breakthrough stars of 2012, LUCY ROSE is an English singer songwriter whose full capacity, live performances are fast commanding a proper sense of occasion. Likened to Joni Mitchell and tipped as an English Suzanne Vega, ROSE, who has contributed vocals on Bombay Bicycle Club’s two most recent albums, exudes a quiet determination with a clutch of deceptively sweet songs that make her appearance at RockNess well worth the effort to check out.

Often called a prodigy of the electro genre, PORTER ROBINSON is a 19 year old producer who has rapidly ascended the ranks of the international electronic music scene, captivating audiences with his ability to skilfully blend genres into his own unique sound that's complex yet catchy, and classic yet cutting edge. He’s performed with Deadmau5, Moby, Afrojack and A-Trak. Check him out at RockNess to see why.

By all rights, BASTILLE should have a record deal and chart success such is the beautiful potency of their material. Festival slots at Isle of Wight, Glastonbury, Glade and Great Escape aside, the four piece from London have been marching on and growing their fanbase. Through this steady promotion, and the recent release of a thoroughly decent EP containing notable gems Icarus and Flaws.it now finally looks like BASTILLE’s moment could be arriving.

With a one off single released on the Communion label of Ben Mumford of RockNess headliners MUMFORD & SONS, and a well received EP My Crooked Saint, rousing folk rockers TO KILL A KING are an exciting new five piece whose poetic lyrics and gritty music has them as ‘ones to watch’ this year.

Lana Del Rey joins Lovebox 2012 lineup

Across the three-day weekend, Victoria Park, Hackney will come to life as a hat trick of NYC’s finest exports, Lana Del Rey, Azealia Banks and Kelis perform tracks from some of the most notable records in recent times. 

Lana Del Rey         

Skream and Benji B add to an already explosive Friday line up of British DJ’s currently dominating some of the scene’s most hyped sets whilst Blondes unleashes a volley of electro beats reminiscent of the 90’s rave scene cementing Victoria Park’s status as the capital’s most enviable dance floor. The Rinse 106.8 FM Arena looks set to burst with the addition of Redlight featuring Dread MC and North London’s favourite female, Ms. Dynamite.

Saturday’s “Music Safari” will submerge itself in a sea of hip hop drum beats and rhythmic basslines as the outdoor stage casts Nextmen into the mix whilst Booka Shade’s addition will guarantee to keep revelers dancing long after the gates have closed.  

Lovebox Festival will take place on June 15th, 16th and 17th June 2012.

Line Up/Stages (New Additions)

Friday (Bang the Box)

The NYC Downlow Stage

Benji B

Blondes

Big Top (Hosted by Rinse 106.8FM)

Ms Dynamite

Skream

Redlight feat Dread MC

Saturday (Music Safari)

Second Stage

Nextmen

Booka Shade

Sunday (Out & Out Fierce)

Second Stage

Lana Del Rey

TICKET PRICES

One Day

Friday – £29.50

Saturday – £49.50

Sunday – £49.50

Multi Day

Fri/Sat 2 Day – £65

Sat/Sun 2 Day – £87.50

3 Day Weekend – £99

V Festival 2012 Tickets SOLD OUT

Tickets for sites in Hylands Park, Chelmsford, and Weston Park, Staffordshire, went on sale at 10am on Friday 2nd March and by 12pm they had all been snapped up.

This year’s line up has proven to be one of the most popular in V Festival's seventeen year history, with the recently reunited Stone Roses and fellow rockers from across the pond The Killers promising to give fans a weekend to remember. Joining them on the bill is aplethora of music royalty including Snow Patrol, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, the first lady of American hip-hop Nicki Minaj, David Guetta, Tinie Tempah and the Brit Award winning Ed Sheeran.

Festival Director, Simon Moran commented:

“Each year the festival goes from strength to strength and that’s credit to the outstanding artists that take to the stages across the weekend, and the fans that attend year-on-year creating a uniqueatmosphere.”

Also making a welcome return to the festival this year is the Glee Club Comedy Tent, with a line up that will include the comedy genius of Edinburgh favourite Tim Minchin.

For those fans that missed out on V Festival 2012 tickets during today’s general sale, there are still a limited amount of coach packages available through the music travel company Big Green Coach at https://vfestival.biggreencoach.co.uk. 

The line up so far:

STONE ROSES – THE KILLERS – SNOW PATROL – NOEL GALLAGHER’S HIGH FLYING BIRDS – NICKI MINAJ- DAVID GUETTA – TINIE TEMPAH – EXAMPLE – ED SHEERAN –TOM JONES – KEANE – MADNESS – JAMES MORRISON – FRIENDLY FIRES – HAPPY MONDAYS – EMELI SANDÉ – PROFESSOR GREEN – NERO – OLLY MURS – NOAH & THE WHALE – BEN HOWARD – LMFAO – RIZZLE KICKS – FRANK TURNER – LABRINTH – THE ENEMY- MAVERICK SABRE – MILES KANE – RODRIGO Y GABRIELA – PIXIE LOTT – LISSIE – DAPPY – SHED SEVEN – THE TING TINGS – THE HUMAN LEAGUE – FRANK OCEAN – THE PROCLAIMERS – THE STRANGLERS – REVEREND AND THE MAKERS – INSPIRAL CARPETS – DJ FRESH LIVE

KT Tunstall to headline Lady Rock Festival

Tunstall shot to fame in 2005 with single ‘Black Horse and the Cherry Tree’ and has charted across the UK, Europe and the United States, with a nod to her chart-topping hit ‘Suddenly I See’ in Hollywood film ‘The Devil Wears Prada’.
 
KT TunstallThe event still has some “major surprises” down the line for its main stage line-up to stay tuned for.
 
In addition to KT, XFM favourites New Young Pony Club will be at LadyRock Festival 2012. The Brit band, fronted by sassy trio Tahita, Sarah and Remy, are known for their effortlessly cool look and unique and enticing post-punk approach to pop and dance music. The group’s biggest hits ‘Ice Cream’ and ‘The Bomb’ are still club favourites today.
 
Singer and actress Heather Peace (Lip Service, Waterloo Road, London’s Burning) will also be present at LadyRock Festival 2012. Heather will be the festival’s official host for the day and, in addition to this, will be giving LadyRock an exclusive set on the main stage. This is a part of Peace’s 2012 UK tour.
 
Also coming to the festival in May is the up-and-coming and acclaimed Ronika, predicted for industry domination in 2012 by countless critics, publications and music bloggers. In the midst of her UK tour and before taking the stage later in the year at Lovebox Festival, Ronika’s take and twist on disco and dance music is something you won’t want to miss at LadyRock 2012. She’ll be the artist you’re glad you found out about.
 
Other acts performing across the festival includes include Manchester favourites Second Hand Wings, Irena D, DJ Rivca and Taylor and The Mason, Swedish sensation the Glass Child, Brides of Comedy, Little Miss Natalie and many more.
 
Founder and Director Jackie Crozier said: “we could not be more proud of our line-up. Not only is LadyRock putting on an event for the girls and by the girls but – in a particularly appropriate year – we are celebrating all things British with our performers. This year is a year especially to be proud, with Euro 2012, the London Olympics and the Queen’s Jubilee, who we will pay special homage to on the day – but you will have to wait to find out how. Britain, and more importantly ladies and all supporting RockerBoys – are you ready to rock?”
 
LadyRock Festival will take place across a number of stages and areas, with designated spots for acoustic sessions, comedy and alternative entertainment.
 
To purchase tickets online, and for full information on the event, please see: www.ladyrockfestival.com . Tickets can also be purchased by calling Quay Tickets on 0843 208 0500.

Maximo Park, Booka Shade and more for The Great Escape

The full list of new artist confirmations is as follows:

MAXIMO PARK** (Brighton Dome show)

Maximo Park


Core Programme; MYSTERY JETS / BOOKA SHADE / ALABAMA SHAKES / NATTY / LIANNE LA HAVAS / EMA / FOREST SWORDS / MADEON / ERRORS / WILLY MASON / ROLO TOMASSI / FOY VANCE / BETH JEANS HOUGHTON & THE HOOVES OF DESTINY / MICACHU & THE SHAPES / GAZ COOMBES / YAGHT / MAXXI SOUNDSYSTEM / WE HAVE BAND / PORCELAIN RAFT / LONEY DEAR / TANLINES / NEW LOOK / KORELESS / SHABAZZ PALACES / TOY / LOWER THAN ATLANTIS / KWES / GROSS MAGIC / DISCLOSURE / DUOLOGUE / JONQUIL / EXITMUSIC / SPOEK MATHAMBO / HAIM / PALE SEAS / FOXES / SWIM DEEP / THE COMPUTERS / THE SKINTS / ANTLERED MAN / CHEW LIPS / HOODED FANG / PETS WITH PETS / TALL SHIPS / HOLY STATE / WIM / RICH AUCOIN / VONDELPARK / MILAGRES / MESPARROW / NZCA/LINES / DILLON / DON BROCO / BOY / ODONIS ODONIS / EIGHT AND A HALF / WET NUNS / MIKILL PANE / THE NIGHT / CUT RIBBONS / PAWS / BEN CAPLAN & THE CASUAL SMOKERS / I CHING / OLIVER TANK / GOLD & YOUTH / PSYCHOLOGIST / HOT PANDA / FICTION / STEP-PANTHER / PIKACHUNES / BEN SALTER / BOXES / ALUNAGEORGE / FLIP GRATER / GRASS HOUSE / HUSKY / JD MCPHERSON / JOSH KUMRA / LULU JAMES / MY BEST FIEND / SEASFIRE / SHIELDS / 22 / JAGUAR SHARK / VIOLET / LAST DINOSAURS / JORDAN COOK aka REIGNWOLF / JACKSON FIREBIRD / MASSMATIKS / MARTHA PATON / CHEVUE / DEAF CLUB / MAX RAPTOR / STREET CHANT / CHET FAKER

This new list of exciting artists will be joining the host of previously announced artists:

AFRICA EXPRESS SOUND SYSTEM** (Brighton Dome show)

Core Programme; DRY THE RIVER / SPECTOR / WE ARE THE OCEAN / FRIENDS / HOWLER / ZULU WINTER / GRIMES / DZ DEATHRAYS / NILS FRAHM / A WINGED VICTORY FOR THE SULLEN / JAMIE N COMMONS / DJANGO DJANGO / EAGULLS / PERFUME GENIUS / COM TRUISE / (ALT-J) / WHEN SAINTS GO MACHINE / SONIC BOOM SIX / FRANOIS AND THE ATLAS MOUNTAINS / BOS ANGELES / YOUNG DREAMS / DOLDRUMS / WEIRD DREAMS / YOUNG MAGIC / THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE / MAX COOPER / JINJA SAFARI / COLLEGE, GRAPHICS / SLOW DOWN, MOLASSES / MOJO FURY / MALLORY KNOX / HAWK EYES / PEACE / YUKON BLONDE / EMMA LOUISE / JUVENILES / BINARY / SING TANK /THE SOFT / KARLMARX / INLAND SEA / HALF MOON RUN / OWLLE / PRINCESS CHELSEA / MESPARROW / STRANDED HORSE / AVALANCHE CITY / TRUST / THE DARCYS / JORDAN COOK / MUJERES / ME AND THE BEES / SEWARD / FURGUSON