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!

Final acts revealed to complete V Festival Lineup 2010

by

The latest name to join the V Festival billing is frontman of pioneering Madchester band Happy Mondays – Shaun William Ryder. Joining the legendary Mancunian will be electronic dance duo, Groove Armada, who will step up to headline the new Nissan Juke Arena stage.
 
Also performing in the Nissan Juke Arena is Aussie pop star and TV personality Peter Andre set to make his debut performance at V. Rising star Matthew P will also be performing at the festival alongside 100 other confirmed acts, including headliners Kings of Leon and Kasabian, plus Stereophonics and rock god Paul Weller.
 
Plus, replacing previously announced Virgin Media Union act Eli Paperboy Reed, will be roots reggae nine-piece, Gentleman’s Dub Club.
 
V Festival Director Bob Angus said,
“We’re chuffed to bits to be able to welcome a living legend like Shaun William Ryder to the line-up this summer. These final additions conclude our 2010 line-up and we hope fans are excited as we are about all the great music on offer. We wish all our visitors to V have a weekend to remember.”
 
Missed out on a ticket to this year’s festival? Don’t worry – you can now catch all of the action for the very first time via online streaming at www.vfestival.com thanks to Ovi by Nokia.
 

KINGS OF LEON • KASABIAN • STEREOPHONICS • FAITHLESS • DAVID GUETTA • THE PRODIGY• • PAUL WELLER • THE KOOKS • FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE • DOVES • PAULO NUTINI • THE CORAL • PET SHOP BOYS • GROOVE ARMADA • EDITORS • MADNESS • WHITE LIES • CALVIN HARRIS • CHASE AND STATUS • MIKA • SCOUTING FOR GIRLS • JAMIE T • GOLDFRAPP • ELLIE GOULDING • THE COURTEENERS • SEASICK STEVE • THE TEMPER TRAP • EELS • THE CHARLATANS • AIR • NEWTON FAULKNER • AMY MACDONALD • ROBYN • LA ROUX • PALMOA FAITH • SHED SEVEN • PLAN B • THE DIVINE COMEDY (SOLO) • JASON DERULO • SUGABABES • IMOGEN HEAP • TRICKY• PASSION PIT • SKUNK ANANSIE • THE MAGIC NUMBERS • THE SAW DOCTORS • TINIE TEMPAH • KATE NASH • FRIGHTENED RABBIT • MARK LANEGAN • PIXIE LOTT • FEEDER • SHAUN WILLIAM RYDER • CHIPMUNK • PAUL HEATON • CHERRY GHOST • PROFESSOR GREEN • DAISY DARES YOU • JOSHUA RADIN • DIANA VICKERS • GABRIELLA CILMI • EXAMPLE • THE PRETTY RECKLESS • MATTHEW P • MATT AND KIM • ROX • HURTS • PETER ANDRE • DIAGRAM OF THE HEART • TIFFANY PAGE • GENTLEMANS DUB CLUB • SARAH BLASKO • LISSIE • ELIZA DOOLITTLE • THE PARLOTONES • KIRSTY ALMEIDA • DETROIT SOCIAL CLUB • ALEX GARDNER • JACK MCMANUS • CHEW LIPS • JOE BROOKS • THE HIGH WIRE • THE BOY WHO TRAPPED THE SUN • WHITE BELT YELLOW TAG • RACHEL FURNER 

Alternative Stage for Reading and Leeds Festival finalised

by
Keep an eye out for our comperes at both sites, Huw Stephens will man the main stage at Reading and Colin Murray (Fri/Sat) and Gill Mills (Sunday) at Leeds. At Reading Bethan Elfin and the Vinyl Vendettas will be on the NME/Radio 1 stage and Mike Davies on the Lock Up. Gazz Snowden will be keeping the Lock Up Stage in check at Leeds where Cerebral Ballzy and Random Hand have been added to the bill (Reading Sat/Leeds Fri) replacing RX Bandits and Crime In Stereo.
 
Festival Republic are also proud to announce a FREE downloadable programme for the festivals will be available from 23rd August from www.readingfestival.com and www.leedsfestivals.com .
 
The line up for all stages has now been announced (Main, NME/Radio 1, Lock Up/Dance, Festival Republic, BBC Introducing and Alternative) and there’s not long to go. The READING & LEEDS FESTIVAL is held on 27th – 29th August 2010 at Little John’s Farm in Reading and Bramham Park in Leeds. Tickets for this event are now sold out.   The full line up and further information can be found at www.readingfestival.com and www.leedsfestival.com .
 
Continuing its commitment to reflect the most significant live music cultural events, the BBC will once again be broadcasting from Reading Festival. From Friday 27 August – Sunday 29 August, the BBC will bring audiences closer to the festival through the best music, including headliner sets, artist interviews, exclusive acoustics and special performances, across programming on BBC Three, BBC Red Button, BBC Radio 1 and BBC Online.
 
SILENTARENA at Reading and Leeds: Coming to Reading and Leeds for the first time SilentArena present the world’s largest concurrent silent disco featuring a total capacity of 9000 people across the festival.  Having travelled around the world this summer visiting some of the biggest festivals and events they plan to end the summer in style. The party will on go on into the small hours long after the headline acts have finished, featuring some of the UK’s top DJs competing head-to-head for the crowds attention. Don’t miss your chance to be part an unforgettable experience for you and thousands of others. Leeds will run from 11pm – 5am. Reading will be over two sites from 10.30pm – 4am with Steve Lamacq, Huw Stephens, Bethan Elfyn and the Vinyl Vendettas, My Ex Boyfriends Records and more names to be confirmed.
http://www.silentarena.com
 
The Salvation Army: If anybody has any problems, are worried about anything or just need a friendly chat the Salvation Army marquee is close to its usual location in Reading on G4 road, near the Green camping area and between the river and the main area and will also be in Leeds.   They will be serving hot drinks and can even help with blankets if anything gets lost.   Last year in Reading they initiated a ‘Food Drive’ where they collected any non perishable food they have left after the weekend.   This resulted in over a tonne of food being collected from the recycling areas and at the marquee which was then distributed for those in need in the Reading area. Save yourself from having to carry heavy tins home and drop them off here.
 
Free Tunes from Dance To The Radio: On Thursday night the lucky people at Leeds are treated to a night of entertainment from local label Dance To The Radio – and have now kindly made a free album download available for people wanting to check out the bands they’ll see on site. Visit:
http://dancetotheradio.bandcamp.com/album/dance-to-the-radio-stage-2010-digital-e-p
 
Get Fresh For The Weekend with SEAT:   While at this world famous festival make sure you check out the SEAT Human Car Wash.  Whether you’re mucky from the mosh-pit or just feel like a freshen-up, this free-to-use service will lather you up, hose you down and give you a thorough air drying – just like a real carwash! Check it out in the Village at each site.
 
One Water: One Water is the official water supplier for Reading and Leeds festivals and will be onsite to give away One Festival survival packs which can be won by entering the competition detailed on the One water bottles sold on site. 
 
Relentless Energy Stage at Leeds: This action kicks in between 10pm and 3am each night with DJs and live music. Check out Plastic Thumbs, Crystal Fighters (Live) Quemist Soundsystem, Goldierocks, Drums of Death (live) Dekker, Punks Jump up and the thrillingly titled Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs.
 
Gaymers – Lost In The Orchard at Leeds: Gaymers Cider will be hosting their own area at Leeds with live music, DJs and entertainment.   Lewis Floyd Henry, Connan Mockasin and Skinny Lister will all perform during the days and Cosmic Truth (DJs), Broken Hearts (DJs) and DJ Kobayashi (DJ) will be spinning the tunes. The ever popular Rockeoke encourages people up to sing their heart out, there will be a music quiz and a Gaymers Jukebox where everybody can be the superstar DJ until 3am each night.
 
ActionAid at Reading: ActionAid will be returning to Reading festival with their infamous tent just outside the main arena. With comfy seating, giant games and table football by day and feel good DJs until 3am, the friendly crew will keep you smiling all weekend. This year ActionAid are asking you to say Bollocks to Poverty by putting hunger back in the headlines. It’s outrageous that one billion people are hungry and politicians could end it if they put their minds to it, so the Reading crowd can help out by making hunger front page news. You and your mates will be able to put yourself on the cover of specially created magazine NMH by posing with hunger-busting headlines. Dress up, strike a rock star pose, and say bollocks to poverty by demanding a HungerFREE world.

ALTERNATIVE STAGE
 
Comedy on the Alternative Stage:
 
Best know for his hysterical appearances as burger van owner ANGELOS EPITHEMIOU on the TV series Shooting Stars; this is actually just one creation of the talented comedian Renton Skinner. He has appeared on radio, TV and film as a comedian and actor, performed stand up and written for various shows. We can only pray he brings along his ‘bag’ to show us what’s in it.
 
Described as the bad boy of comedy and nominated for Chortle’s Best Headliner category at this year’s awards, ANDREW LAWRENCE brings his sick and twisted humour to the festival. With previous shows titled “How to Butcher your Loved Ones” and “Social Leprosy For Beginners & Improvers”, don’t expect gentle humour, it would be gross if he wasn’t so funny.
 
As seen on Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and Mock The Week, TOM STADE brings his magnetic stage presence and distinctive laid back style to Reading and Leeds Festivals. In demand around the globe, this clever and controversial Canadian is not to be missed.
 
“King of the surreal one liners” MILTON JONES is a former Perrier Award winner at Edinburgh and constantly touring around the UK and had his own show on Radio 4. Don’t miss this respected and raved about set.
www.thebigfatcat.co.uk/MJ/(Reading only)
 
Recognisable as the face of BBC’s Switch, TOM DEACON is one of comedy’s bright new hopes. The 24 year old host of  a regular Radio 1 show on Sunday evenings made his solo debut at last year’s Edinburgh Festival having previously stared in the Fringe’s longest running group comedy show ‘The Comedy Zone’ and, despite his relative youth is already an award-winning stand up.
www.myspace.com/tomdeaconcomedy
 
Described as the “comedian’s comedian”, MARTIN MOR has been entertaining for years, first as multi talented performer in the circus until injury curtailed that path. Since when he has written and warmed up for anyone you’d care to mention. Oh, and his picture has adorned the Trivial Pursuit board game (!)
 
Nominated for last year’s Chortle Awards, heavy metal fan ANDREW O’NEILL has brought his own unique brand of occult comedy to the Edinburgh festival over the past six years and is a vegan to boot. He is not a Goth!
 
Famed as one half of the Eighties comedy duo Skint Video, STEVE GRIBBIN has established himself as one of the stalwarts on the comedy circuit and since going solo in the early nineties has performed almost annually at Reading/Leeds festivals.
www.stevegribbin.com/
 
Bristol based comedian MARK OLVER has not updated his website for a while as he’s too busy doing stand up around the country and his warm up acts on TV (including Deal or No Deal, so be sure to ask him to show you his box). When he’s not doing that he’s catching up on The Wire. 
http://markolver.com
 
Time Out Magazine once described STEPHEN GRANT as “Britain’s best comedy compere and odd job man” and he’s also been said to be the hardest working comedian in the country. A regular at the infamous Komedia clubs he’s been gaining fans wherever he goes for over a decade now.
 
Despite only being on the scene for just two years JOSH WIDDICOMBE has already made quite a name for himself and picked up some tasty reviews, award nominations and written for some cool TV such as 8 out of 10 Cats and Mock The Week.
www.offthekerb.co.uk/josh-widdicombe  (Leeds only)
 
Only a few years ago BRIAN GITTINS owned “the best roadside cafe in a 12-mile radius of Pyecombe” but he was determined to make it to the London Palladium. He’s luckily stopped off at Reading (or rather creator David Earl has) to bring his quirky and giggle-some set to us at the festival.
 
Comedian, actor and writer BARRY CASTAGNOLA has firmly established himself as an accomplished comic performer.   His easy-going (yet very physical) style, mixing personal anecdotes with some sharp topical and political comment has tickled fans all over the world and we are thrilled to welcome him back to Reading.
 
Music on the Alternative Stage:
 
MATT ABBOTT used to be better known as Skint and Demoralised but is now goes by his real name.   He is a spoken word/lyricist from Yorkshire who garnered great reviews and lots of national radio when he first broke through in 2009. His latest album is called ‘Love and Other Catastrophes’, make sure you catch him performing at Leeds this year.

www.myspace.com/iammattabbott   (Leeds only)

Weather Forecast for V Festival – Chelmsford & Staffordshire

by

We have got the latest weather forecast for V Festival, provided by the good people at www.metoffice.gov.uk

South West Four (SW4) Saturday SOLD OUT!

by

Tickets for the Saturday after-party with Pete Tong and Mark Knight at Ministry of Sound (only 5 tube stops away on the Northern Line from Clapham Common!) are now available priced £15+BF. Joint tickets for SW4 and the Sunday after-party, also at Ministry of Sound and headlined by Layo & Bushwacka, M.A.N.D.Y. and Matthew Dear, are priced £60+BF. Don’t hang around any longer if you want to be a part of SW4 2010.

Fatboy Slim SW4

FATBOY SLIM VISITS PINEWOOD STUDIOS FOR SW4!

Having been unable to unleash his brilliance on Brighton Beach this year, Fatboy Slim closes SW4 2010 in one of the most eagerly anticipated DJ sets of the festival season. His headline performance on the Kiss Main Stage, hosted by his very own Southern Fried Records, will feature the full Fatboy experience alongside many other mouth-watering performances. This includes Salt N Pepa (first London show in 15 years!), Armand van Helden (UK festival exclusive), Uffie, Hervé, Steve Aoki and Radio 1’s Zane Lowe, Kissy Sell Out and Jaymo & Andy George. Expect bangs, whistles, inflatable cows and electronic debauchery like you’ve never seen or heard before.

As part of his act Fatboy Slim has created boundary pushing visuals using high-tech motion capture techniques developed at Pinewood Studios. Pinewood are of course the world renowned film studios made famous for their spectacular animation on James Bond blockbusters and more recently Evian’s roller-skating babies. The visuals developed for Norman’s SW4 performance involves a 3D version of Norman’s head, synched to his audio mix and visuals. Norman will have full control of when to drop the 3D creation’s acapellas into his set mixing the two seamlessly for a visual master-class… a world’s first we ask?!?

CHECK OUT OUR BRAND NEW SW4 PROMO VIDEO HERE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q9gXaSgvS8

FATBOY SLIM AT SW4: EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!
We recently caught up with Fatboy Slim ahead of his South West Four headline performance this August Bank Holiday. Having prepared for SW4 after appearances at Glastonbury, Rockness and across South Africa for the World Cup this summer, expect Fatboy Slim to arrive on Clapham Common in trademark style. In other words expect the unexpected!

“I was going to use a vuvuzela in my set at Glastonbury but we left it in our tent. What we were trying to do, as we sometimes use airhorns on stage, was work out if we could put the gas from the air horns through the vuvuzela which would be pretty loud. I’m going to try and do that for Clapham so keep them peeled!” Fatboy Slim

READ FATBOY SLIM SW4 INTERVIEW IN FULL HERE:
http://www.southwestfour.com/interviews.aspx?interviewID=57

Be sure to catch the Summer Festival Guide crew walking through the crowd on both Saturday and Sunday at SW4 and get your photos taken for the website.

 

Creamfields 2010 Sold Out!

by

The team behind the festival which takes place in Cheshire on August Bank Holiday weekend have put together one of the biggest dance festival line up’s of the Summer, which will see performances from the likes of Tiёsto, David Guetta, Leftfield, Deadmau5, Calvin Harris, Paul van Dyk, Armin van Buuren and Swedish House Mafia to name a few.

For all those who have missed out on a ticket for this years show, then please get in early for next year or if you cant wait that long then head to L.E.D Festival in London on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th August, where you’ll get the chance to see some of the world’s biggest electronic acts perform before they head north to Creamfields! We’re offering a 10% discount on L.E.D Festival tickets for all Creamfields fans who missed out on this years show. To purchase call Ticketmaster on 08444 775 775 and quote ‘Creamfields’ or click here: http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/promo/6tgvhl. More Info: www.ledfestival.net

Camp Bestival – Early Bird Ticket Promotion

by
From Friday 6th August we’ll be rolling out a limited number of 2011 tickets at 2010 fixed rate prices  – we have a limited allocation so hurry. Next year’s Camp Bestival holiday spectacular will once again kick off on the first weekend of the school summer holidays on the 29th, 30th and 31st July 2011.
Expect a jam-packed jamboree of sensational music programmed by Rob da Bank, a new creative theme brought to life by Josie and fun for all ages brought to you by the team behind Bestival.
 
In the words of Camp Bestival head honcho Rob da Bank, “big Mr Tumble like applause for everyone who came to Camp Bestival’s third year and made it such a splendiferous weekend… we’re all shattered but happy that it was such a fine weekend of partying and dancing for young and old and are already into planning for 2011. Hope to see you all next year…watch this space for latest news from the Camp – Hi De Hi”
 
In light of last years early bird sales, these limited tickets are expected to sell out fast, so if you want to guarantee your place at our award winning family festival at early bird prices, call Ticketline on 0844 888 4410 or visit us at www.campbestival.net. Early bird tickets will also be available on the family payment plan with one initial payment to be made on purchase followed by 5 monthly instalments – full details and prices below.
 
Highlights from Camp Bestival 2010 included a cosmic headline spot from George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, a stonking headline slot and pure summer Madness from the Nutty Boys, two absorbing performances by The Gruffalo, CBeebies’s Mr Tumble cranking the crowds with nursery rhyme mania and leading the Fairytale Fancy Dress Parade. Other special moments came courtesy of Ellie Goulding‘s flawless performance, family favouritesThe Wurzels and Saturday night’s electrifying Silent Disco battle of Rob da Bank Vs Sombrero Soundsystem. And of course, the exquisite finale – Rob da Bank joined on stage by Suggs from Madness and surrounded by a rag tag of fairytale royalty as the mesmerisingGrand Fireworks Finale by Son Et Lumiere drenched the castle in sparkle and smoke over a crowd of ecstatic campers to a soundtrack of audio classics.
 
Remember it’s always the early bird who gets the worm so make sure you don’t miss out on this special offer and start planning for another spectacular family adventure next summer!
 
TICKET INFO:
CAMP BESTIVAL 2011 EARLY BIRD TICKET PRICES AND INFORMATION
 
Adult Weekend Ticket (inc. camping) – £155
Adult Tickets are for anyone aged 18 or over on 29/07/2011
 
Student Weekend Ticket (inc. camping) – £145
For full-time students only. Valid NUS or ISIC ID required at the box office – no other student ID accepted.
 
Age 11 to 17 Weekend Ticket (inc. camping) – £77.50
Age 11 to 17 Weekend Tickets are for anyone aged 11 to 17 on 29/07/2011. These ticket holders must be accompanied by a Ticket holding parent or guardian over the age of 21*
 
Age 10 and Under Weekend Ticket (inc. camping) – FREE (BUT YOU MUST OBTAIN A TICKET)**
Age 10 and Under Weekend Tickets are for anyone aged 10 and under on 29/07/2011. These ticket holders must be accompanied by a Ticket holding parent or guardian over the age of 21*
 
* One ticket holding parent or guardian can only accompany up to 4 people under the age of 18.
** All Children aged 10 and under will need a (free) ticket this year. No exceptions.
 
Car Parking – £10 (per car)
Campervan Ticket – £60 (per vehicle)
– Your Campervan (or Motorhome) must be specially adapted for people to stay in (which does not include transit vans with a mattress in the back or 4x4s with the seats folded down).
– You will be allocated 9 x 6 meters of space per campervan pitch to use for your campervan, awning and/or to accommodate a few of your friend’s tents. If you require more space you will need to buy more than one campervan ticket.
– Water and electricity hook ups will not be available.

– Cars will not be allowed into the Campervan area at any time so consequentially Caravans, Trailer Tents etc are not permitted.

 
All Tickets:
– will incur a booking fee.
– are non-transferable and cannot be re-sold.
 
Ticketline: www.ticketline.co.uk / 0844 888 4410
 
Camp Bestival 2011 Early Bird Payment Scheme:
Adult Weekend Ticket – Initial payment of £25.85 with 5 further payments of £25.83
Student Weekend Ticket – Initial payment of £24.20 with 5 further payments of £24.16
Age 11-17 Weekend Ticket – Initial payment of £12.95 with 5 further payments of £12.91
Campervan Ticket – Initial payment of £10.00 with 5 further payments of £10.00
Car Park Ticket – Initial payment of £1.70 with 5 further payments of £1.66           
 
Tickets available from 8am, Friday 6th August from:
Ticketline: www.ticketline.co.uk / 0844 888 4410

Professor Green joins the L.E.D Festival lineup

by

The inaugural L.E.D festival is taking place in London’s stunning Victoria Park and kicks off on Friday 27th August, headlined by the French house superstar DJ/ Producer David Guetta, who has chosen this as his only London show this Summer.  Joining him on the bill will be Soulwax, Calvin Harris, Sebastian Ingrosso, Tiga, Bloody Beetroots, Audio Bullys, Afrojack and Axwell who debuts his ‘Heart Show’ in the UK.  

On Saturday 28th August one of the world’s most influential names in dance music history, Leftfield, will be taking to the stage and headlining exclusively in London for the first time in over a decade. Festival goers will also see performances from the likes of Professor Green, Goldfrapp, Aphex Twin, Friendly Fires, Sub Focus, Boy Better Know Crew which includes Wiley & Skepta, and BBC Radio 1’s Annie Mac who hosts her own arena at the show.  
 
Tickets on sale now.  Check out www.ledfestival.net for more information.
 
Friday 27th August Bank Holiday Weekend
David Guetta
Soulwax
Calvin Harris
Axwell ‘Heart Show’
Sebastian Ingrosso
Tiga
Bloody Beetroots Death Crew 77
Audio Bullys
Afrojack
Zombie Nation (Live)
Kim Fai
AN21
Boy 8-Bit
Max Vangeli
Ocelot
Azari & III
Phil Faversham
Dean Rigg
Sarah Louise
Nathan Lee
Dean Oram on Percussion
Annie on Sax
 
Saturday 28th August Bank Holiday Weekend
Leftfield
Goldfrapp
Friendly Fires
Special Guest: Aphex Twin
Annie Mac
Sub Focus
Professor Green
Boy Better Know
Die Antwoord
Shy FX
Zinc
Pump up the Volume All Stars
 
L.E.D FESTIVAL 2010 TICKET PRICES AND INFORMATION:
Friday 27th & Saturday 28th August Bank Holiday Weekend
Victoria Park, London, Info: www.ledfestival.net
 
Tickets on sale NOW:
www.ticketmaster.co.uk / Tel: 08444 775 775
www.seetickets.com / Tel: 0871 230 1097
www.ticketline.co.uk / Tel: 0870 444 5556
 
Earlybird Tickets:
Friday – £37.50 +BF – SOLD OUT
Saturday Early Bird Tickets – SOLD OUT
2 Day – £65.00 +BF – SOLD OUT
 
Full Sale Tickets:
Friday – £40.00 +BF
Saturday – £40.00+BF
2 Day – £70.00 +BF
 
NUS Tickets: 
Friday – £32 +BF
Saturday – £32+BF
Weekend – £56+BF
 
VIP Tickets available through limited agents only please go to www.ledfestival.net for details:
Day VIP – £85.00 +BF
2 Day VIP – £150.00 +BF
 
Opening Times:
Friday – Doors 2pm – 10.45pm
Saturday – Doors 12pm – 10.45pm
Last Admittance – 9.30pm
 
There is a limit of six tickets per customer.
 
LED Festival is an 18 plus event.

Armand van Helden, Katy B, and Matthew Dear added to SW4

by
armand van heldenARMAND VAN HELDEN
Armand Van Helden, a New York City based Grammy Award nominated DJ, Producer and Remixer has produced multiple top 40 hits on the UK pop charts including the collaboration ‘Bonkers’ with Dizzee Rascal which reached number 1 in the UK charts last year. He’s also responsible for major hits like ‘U Don’t Know Me’, ‘Koochy’, ‘My My My’, ‘aNYway’, ‘I Want You Soul’, ‘NYC Beat’, and countless other hits! With six artist and five compilation albums under his belt, remixes for the Rolling Stones, P.Diddy, Janet Jackson, Britney Spears and Tori Amos, it’s no surprise that Armand van Helden is a globally acclaimed superstar. Ask Armand what the secret is to his success and he draws a complete blank. Ask him what makes Timbaland great or Madonna a pop juggernaut and he’ll come back with an answer that takes ten minutes to reach its conclusion. Ask him about the state of the music industry and the art of music-making and he’ll stand on his soapbox in Union Square for the best part of an hour. Having headlined clubs and festivals across the world and involved heavily in the continued success of Fatboy Slim’s record label, it’s seems only fitting that Armand will play alongside the label boss on Sunday’s Kiss main stage hosted by Southern Fried.
 
katy bKATY B
http://www.katybmusic.com
Katy B is a breath of fresh air to R&B who, through Rinse FM, encapsulates the sound and spirit of British youth culture. First introduced to the public with funky tracks ‘Tell Me’ and ‘As I’, Katy has since taken a break from the club circuit in order to record her debut album. Whilst the finishing touches are being put on her LP, Katy took some spare time out to record a trilogy of dance tunes for the summer. Production comes from her mates Geeneus, Zinc and Benga exuding the kind of fun and energy which only old camaraderie allows. Production on both, the trilogy and the LP is exclusively British and music which young Britain, more specifically young London, are following in 2010. Mirroring all that Rinse represents, Katy B is the flagship vocalist of the inextricably British, Rinse sound. We look forward to seeing Katy B at SW4 this summer where she’ll perform alongside Together Arena headliners, and dubstep stalwarts, Skream & Benga.
 
matthew dearMATTHEW DEAR

You could throw around generous descriptors and any number of genre-locking terms including electronic pop, minimal house and acid techno, but you’d still fail to get to the centre of Matthew Dear. Having produced music under aliases such as False, Jabberjaw and Audion, the Texan has earned international status by packing out venues across the world and releasing universally praised original productions. After meeting ‘Ghostly’ founder Sam Valenti at a house party in the late 90s, Dear eventually produced the A-Side for the labels first 12” release, ‘Hands Up for Detroit’. Since then, Dear issued his pop-infused debut album ‘Leave Luck to Heaven’ and its counterpart ‘Backstroke’, which caught mainstream attention, as well as a number of other releases under his club-oriented pseudonyms, including the omnipresent, chart-topping ‘Mouth to Mouth’ as Audion. Further accomplishments include requests from the Postal Service and Hot Chip for his remix skills and incessant touring with constantly evolving DJ sets and live performances. And with the release of his sophomore full-length, ‘Asa Breed’ and his live tour as Matthew Dear’s Big Hands, it’s clear that Dear has no intention of slowing down anytime soon. We are delighted to welcome Matthew Dear to our very special SW-MORE after party line-up alongside Layo & Bushwacka and sensational German duo M.A.N.D.Y. Taking place at the world famous Ministry of Sound, all roads lead to SW-MORE when the curtain comes down on another fantastic South West Four!

 

SW4 2010: THE ONLY TICKET YOU’LL NEED THIS SUMMER!
Already rammed to the rafters with dance’s biggest names, South West Four is the only festival ticket you’ll need this year. Join the mailing list at www.southwestfour.com to hear all the latest news and gossip first. Having sold out weeks prior to last year’s event, the demand for tickets is even greater this year with the festival stretching across two days. The last remaining Standard Saturday Tickets are now on sale priced £50 + booking fee with Sunday standard tickets £45 + booking fee and standard weekend tickets £90 + booking fee. This event will sell out in the coming weeks so don’t hang round any further to get your tickets. Miss this at your peril!
 
SATURDAY LINE-UP SO FAR…
KISS MAIN STAGE HOSTED BY MINISTRY OF SOUND CLUB:
ARMIN VAN BUUREN
 (ONLY LONDON SHOW OF 2010)
SASHA / ERICK MORILLO
PETE TONG (RADIO 1) / LAIDBACK LUKE
ALEX METRIC [LIVE] / CHRIS LAKE / TIMO GARCIA
DJ MAG ARENA HOSTED BY BEDROCK WORLDWIDE:
JOHN DIGWEED
JOSH WINK
(CELEBRATING 15 YEARS OF OVUM)
MUTANT CLAN FEAT.
TIMO MAAS & SANTOS
(UK FESTIVAL EXCLUSIVE)
CHRISTIAN SMITH / GUY J
NICOLE MOUDABER
+ VERY SPECIAL GUEST
JORIS VOORN [LIVE]
TIME OUT ARENA HOSTED BY THE GALLERY:
PAUL OAKENFOLD
SANDER VAN DOORN & MARCO V [BACK 2 BACK]
(WORLD EXCLUSIVE)
JUDGE JULES
GARETH EMERY
GIUSEPPE OTTAVIANI [LIVE]
(UK FESTIVAL EXCLUSIVE)
JEROME ISMA-AE
 
TOOLROOM KNIGHTS ARENA:
MARK KNIGHT
BENNY BENASSI [JUST ADDED!]
DIRTY SOUTH / FUNKAGENDA / DAVE SPOON
CONNECTED ALL STARS
+ VERY SPECIAL GUEST
JOACHIM GARRAUD
 
SW4 SATURDAY AFTER-PARTY AT MINISTRY OF SOUND:
PETE TONG / MARK KNIGHT
ROB MARMOT / PIRUPA / NICO DECEGLIA
JAMES HARWOOD & MANY MORE!
 
SUNDAY LINE-UP SO FAR…
KISS MAIN STAGE HOSTED BY SOUTHERN FRIED RECORDS:
FATBOY SLIM
 (ONLY LONDON SHOW OF 2010)
SALT N PEPA
(FIRST LONDON SHOW FOR 15 YEARS)
ARMAND VAN HELDEN [JUST ADDED!]
ZANE LOWE (RADIO 1) / STEVE AOKI / HERVÉ / UFFIE [LIVE]
KISSY SELL OUT (RADIO 1) / JAYMO & ANDY GEORGE
THOMAS GANDEY (CAGEDBABY)
DJ MAG ARENA HOSTED BY
CARL COX & FRIENDS:
CARL COX
VITALIC – V MIRROR [LIVE]
DUBFIRE
ADAM BEYER
LAYO & BUSHWACKA!
M.A.N.D.Y.
JON RUNDELL
TIME OUT ARENA HOSTED BY BOYS NOIZE RECORDS:
(UK FESTIVAL EXCLUSIVE)
BOYS NOIZE
EROL ALKAN
SWITCH / A-TRAK
HOUSEMEISTER DJEDJOTRONIC
 SHADOW DANCER [LIVE]
TOGETHER ARENA:
SKREAM & BENGA FEAT KATY B [LIVE PA] [JUST ADDED!]
ANDY C / MS DYNAMITE
CASPA & ROD AZLAN / JACK BEATS
PLASTICIAN / MARY ANNE HOBBS (RADIO 1)
MIXHELL / SBTRKT / UNION DJS
 
SW4 SUNDAY AFTER-PARTY AT MINISTRY OF SOUND:
LAYO & BUSHWACKA! / M.A.N.D.Y.
MATTHEW DEAR [JUST ADDED!]
EDU IMBERNON / LUKE POMPEY / DAN H / COOK & FIN

 

BBC Introducing Stage lineup announced for Reading and Leeds

by

 

The bands that play are chosen through a combination of the BBC’s countrywide Introducing shows, Leeds promoters Futuresound and festival promoters Festival Republic.   In the past the likes of Everything Everything, General Fiasco, Pulled Apart My Horses and Goldheart Assembly have made their debuts at Reading and Leeds on this stage and gone onto great things.
 
Several bands have gained their place at the festival through winning highly fought competitions including local boys Kasiuss who bring their intelligent modern rock to the Festival Republic Stage (Saturday 28th Leeds, Sunday 29th Reading). Kvelertak won their spot via a national TV search in their native Norway and Penguin were worthy champions of the Martin House Children’s Hospice battle of the bands – the Centre Stage competition.
 
We are very proud to also welcome the return of the DANCE TO THE RADIO STAGE which acts as the official warm up for the crowds at Leeds on the Thursday night.   Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. Chickenhawk, Bear In Heaven, Spectrals and The Neat (another act who started out on the BBC Introducing Stage last year) will kick things off at the greatest rock and roll event of the year.
 
With all stages now announced (Main, NME/Radio 1, Lock Up/Dance, Festival Republic and Alternative) the countdown begins with less than a month to go.   The READING & LEEDS FESTIVAL is held on 27th – 29th August 2010 at Little John’s Farm in Reading and Bramham Park in Leeds. Tickets for this event are now sold out.   The full line up and further information can be found at www.readingfestival.com and www.leedsfestival.com. 
 
BBC INTRODUCING STAGE
 
Friday 27th August at Reading Festival / Sunday 29th August at Leeds Festival
LITTLE FISH (headliners) www.myspace.com/littlefishmusic
ARCS AND TRAUMAwww.myspace.com/arcsandtrauma
END OF LEVEL BADDIEwww.myspace.com/eolb
MR FOGGwww.myspace.com/mrfoggisapopstar
STAGECOACHwww.myspace.com/stagecoachuk
THE MIGHTY STEFwww.myspace.com/themightystefband
SKETCHES
www.myspace.com/sketchesband
WILDERwww.myspace.com/wearewilder
WE’RE ONLY AFRAID OF NYCwww.myspace.com/wereonlyafraidofnyc
G.A.N.G.
www.myspace.com/growthandnotglory
AMYS GHOSTwww.myspace.com/amysghost
OUR FOLDwww.myspace.com/ourfold
WOT GORILLAwww.myspace.com/wotgorillaband

                                                                                  

Saturday 28th August at Reading Festival / Friday 27th August at Leeds Festival
 
THE LAW (headliners)
www.myspace.com/upthelaw
SHOCKPARADE
www.myspace.com/shockparadeuk
MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACKwww.myspace.com/mps
LOVE ENDS DISASTERwww.myspace.com/loveendsdisaster
MIDI MIDIS

www.myspace.com/midimidis
THE INVASION OF www.myspace.com/theinvasionof
MY FOREVERwww.myspace.com.myforeverofficial
LADY FORTUNEwww.myspace.com/ladyfortune
ROTATING LESLIE
www.myspace.com/rotatingleslie
PENGUINwww.myspace.com/3penguinsuk
SOUL CIRCUSwww.myspace.com/soulcircusmusic
CLUB SMITHwww.myspace.com/joinclubsmith

       

                                          Sunday 29th August at Reading Festival / Saturday 28th August at Leeds Festival
           
GALLOPS       (headliners) 
www.myspace.com/thegallopsband
REDTRACKwww.myspace.com/redtracktheband
LAFAROwww.myspace.com/lafaro
EXIT INTERNATIONAL
www.myspace.com/exitinternationalmusic
REAPER IN SICILY
www.myspace.com/reaperinsicily
THE BRILLIANT THINGSwww.myspace.com/thebrilliantthings
NERVESwww.myspace.com/nervessevren
PEERS
www.myspace.com/wearepeers
RUNAROUND KIDS
www.myspace.com/runaroundkids
KVERLERTAKwww.myspace.com/kvelertak
BLACKLISTERS
www.myspace.com/blacklisters
 
DANCE TO THE RADIO STAGE
(Leeds Only: 7pm – 11pm)
 
Leeds’ finest independent label are constantly seeking out the hottest bands around. They’ve brought
us names such as The Pigeon Detectives and Forward Russia and their Thursday night opening slot
at Leeds is the place to be for early birds.
 
Sam Duckworth is GET CAPE. WEAR CAPE. FLY, the Southend-born troubadour who named his solo project after a solution from an old Batman adventure game. He’s sure to be previewing tracks from his eagerly awaited eponymous 3rd album which is inspired by a new love for hip-hop and a rediscovered passion for drum’n’bass as well as playing tunes from debut ‘The Chronicles Of A Bohemian Teenager’ and 2008’s ‘Searching For The Hows And Whys’.
 
BEAR IN HEAVEN’s new album ‘Beast Rest Forth Mouth’ is a celebration of wide open spaces and not-quite-sounding-like-anyone-in-particular, it comes close to prog rock although frontman Jon Philpot insists, “We’re bigger fans of Krautrock”. An exceptional live act.
 
Leeds based CHICKENHAWK have been together since 2008, and have unleashed their unique brand of experimental metal with releases on Brew Records and Dance to the Radio. Definitely rock not to be missed. 
 
SPECTRALS is the creation of one young lad “L” from the north of England who decided to start something combining his love of doo wop, girl groups and then adding a little bit of rat pack flair with a punk rock vibe.
http://www.myspace.com/spectralspectral
 
Artrocker described THE NEAT as “Obscenely brilliant” and we agree. This Hull trio have whipped up a storm with their recent single and uk shows gaining lots of radio play in all the right places.

www.myspace.com/uptheneat

 

Benny Benassi added to SW4 Lineup

by

 

JUST ADDED…
BENNY BENASSI
 
It’s exciting times at SW4 HQ as the brand new South West Four Weekender is now just ONE MONTH AWAY! With London’s premier dance event on the horizon, we have been hard at work preparing an event that stands up as one of the best in the country. We are certain you won’t be disappointed when South West Four hits the glorious green grass of Clapham Common this August. As we enter the home straight we’re working round the clock in making sure all the right preparations are made. As we strive to make SW4 2010 one of the stand out events on this summer’s festival calendar, we have added another name to our already mouth-watering line-up.
 
Benny Benassi is one of the world’s leading house and electro DJs and producers. His first release was with the track ‘I feel so fine’ by KMC feat. Dhany, which went to number 1 in the UK club charts in 2001. The following year, working under the Benny Benassi presents The Biz moniker, he produced ‘Satisfaction’ and in one fell swoop ravaged the dancefloors and dominated sales charts round the world. The album ‘Hypnotica’ followed and Benny produced more melodic dance music with charts across the planet giving a huge thumbs up. Benny has remixed artists such as Outkast, David Guetta, Moby, Goldfrapp, Paul Oakenfold and Faithless, to name but a few as well as winning numerous prizes and awards around the world, including a Grammy Award for his remix of Public Enemy’s ‘Bring The Noise.’ On top of all his own projects, Benny talent scouts for his own brand new label, ‘Pump-kin’, designed to create space for young DJs and producers of electronic club music.
 

Replacing Sharam due to a scheduling conflict, Benny will join Mark Knight, Joachim Garraud, Dirty South, Funkagenda and Dave Spoon in his Toolroom Knights arena. No stranger to the biggest events across the globe such as Ultra festival, Pukkelpop, Electric Daisy Carnival and Electric Zoo we are delighted to bring Benny to SW4 for his only UK festival date this summer.

 

See Benny Benassi interview below!

 

SATURDAY LINE-UP SO FAR…
KISS MAIN STAGE HOSTED BY MINISTRY OF SOUND CLUB:
ARMIN VAN BUUREN
 (ONLY LONDON SHOW OF 2010)
SASHA / ERICK MORILLO
PETE TONG (RADIO 1) / LAIDBACK LUKE
ALEX METRIC [LIVE] / CHRIS LAKE / TIMO GARCIA
DJ MAG ARENA HOSTED BY BEDROCK WORLDWIDE:
JOHN DIGWEED
JOSH WINK
(CELEBRATING 15 YEARS OF OVUM)
MUTANT CLAN FEAT.
TIMO MAAS & SANTOS
(UK FESTIVAL EXCLUSIVE)
CHRISTIAN SMITH / GUY J
NICOLE MOUDABER
+ VERY SPECIAL GUEST
JORIS VOORN [LIVE]
TIME OUT ARENA HOSTED BY THE GALLERY:
PAUL OAKENFOLD
SANDER VAN DOORN & MARCO V [BACK 2 BACK]
(WORLD EXCLUSIVE)
JUDGE JULES
GARETH EMERY
GIUSEPPE OTTAVIANI [LIVE]
(UK FESTIVAL EXCLUSIVE)
JEROME ISMA-AE
 
TOOLROOM KNIGHTS ARENA:
MARK KNIGHT
BENNY BENASSI [JUST ADDED!]
DIRTY SOUTH / FUNKAGENDA / DAVE SPOON
CONNECTED ALL STARS
+ VERY SPECIAL GUEST
JOACHIM GARRAUD
 
 
SUNDAY LINE-UP SO FAR…
KISS MAIN STAGE HOSTED BY SOUTHERN FRIED RECORDS:
FATBOY SLIM
 (ONLY LONDON SHOW OF 2010)
ZANE LOWE (RADIO 1) / STEVE AOKI / HERVÉ / UFFIE [LIVE]
KISSY SELL OUT (RADIO 1) / JAYMO & ANDY GEORGE
THOMAS GANDEY (CAGEDBABY)
DJ MAG ARENA HOSTED BY
CARL COX & FRIENDS:
CARL COX
VITALIC – V MIRROR [LIVE]
DUBFIRE
ADAM BEYER
LAYO & BUSHWACKA!
M.A.N.D.Y.
JON RUNDELL
TIME OUT ARENA HOSTED BY BOYS NOIZE RECORDS:
(UK FESTIVAL EXCLUSIVE)
BOYS NOIZE
EROL ALKAN
SWITCH / A-TRAK
HOUSEMEISTER DJEDJOTRONIC
 SHADOW DANCER [LIVE]
TOGETHER ARENA:
SKREAM & BENGA
ANDY C / MS DYNAMITE
CASPA & ROD AZLAN / JACK BEATS
PLASTICIAN / MARY ANNE HOBBS (RADIO 1)
MIXHELL / SBTRKT / UNION DJS

 

 

BENNY BENASSI INTERVIEW
 
Benny, it’s a pleasure to welcome you to SW4. Are you looking forward to performing at the festival?
For sure…. it’s been ages since I played a London festival, can’t wait.
 
How would you describe the London club scene?
To be honest, I spend most of my time in U.S.A. these days. I’ve been playing parties at Ministry of Sound that have been really great. But I haven’t been to see other DJs in London clubs over the last couple of years, so I would be an impostor if I tried to answer.
 
What can we expect from Benny Benassi at SW4?
I’ll do my best to enchant you. I have a few surprises up my sleeve.
 
Last year you were also placed #26 in the DJMag Top 100 DJ Poll which is obviously a massive achievement for any DJ. How does it make you feel that so many people like your music?
I am a very lucky person.
 
What is your top 3 favourite tunes of all time?
I have my favourite 3 records right now which are different from my favourite 3 records yesterday… and so on. Right now I’m really enjoying the new Felix da Housecat track.
 
Also, do you have a tune that hasn’t left your records bag for a while?
Felix – Thee Anthem
 
Going back to the beginning of your music career, how did it all start for you?
As a kid I was really into Eighties electropop and disco…you know, Human League, Giorgio Moroder…I then started DJing in my local club. It was all vinyls back then, the golden age of twelve inches.
 
As House / Electro / Techno is ever changing, how would you describe your sound today to us?
A lot of critics say I’m electic. Actually I’m just confused.
 
We see you grew up in Reggio Emilia in Italy. What is the electronic music scene like there?
Amazing for such a small town, particularly on the production side. It’s the city that gave us Black Box and a host of pop-house hits like Whigfield, etc.
 
What can we expect from Benny Benassi in the next 12 months?
A new album and  me touring California in a bicycle.
 
You have collaborated with and remixed a very wide range of artists. Do you have any exciting collaborations in the pipeline that we can look forward to?
A lot of exciting stuff on the album with great singers and writers you wouldn’t naturally expect to hear perform over the Benassi sound.
 
What has been your favourite gig in the last 12 months?
There have been many. I really enjoyed playing at Pacha in Ibiza with the Swedes. They put on a great party. Beatpatrol in Austria was awesome.
 
Do you have any surprises in store for us at SW4?
Yes.
 
What’s the craziest thing that has ever happened to you whilst on the decks?

Some are not fit for publishing, but one of my favourites is my manager falling asleep in the booth (in Canada) while I was playing. He was perched on a stool, actually leaning against a 5000 watt stack, snoring.