Headliners announced for NASS 2020

The UK’s biggest celebration of music, street art, skate and BMX, NASS festival has today announced two legendary British acts will headline the 30,000 cap festival this July. On Friday Chase & Status RTRN II Jungle DJ Set will perform a blistering set that’s been 17 years in the making, while The Streets will deliver an electric finale to Saturday, with a set full of anthems spanning their incredible career. Building up the hype throughout the weekend are some of the biggest names in the game right now including Andy C & Tonn Piper, SHY FX, Ocean Wisdom, Mahalia, Jeremy Loops, Miraa May, Greentea Peng and Ms Banks.

Chase and Status

In 2020, Chase & Status will celebrate 17 years together and with their awesome new project RTRN II Jungle the electronic heavyweights go back to where it all began, diving headfirst into their roots and resurfacing with a blast of nineties jungle. With hits like ‘Blind Faith and ‘End credits’ featuring Plan B and an impressive collection of Gold and double platinum albums, Chase & Status confirmed their status as one of the most successful British acts of the past decade. The Streets arguably changed the face of British rap music with their debut album ‘Original Pirate Material’ and created some of the most important music of the millennium in the process, with hits like “Dry Your Eyes” and “Blinded By The Lights”. Mike Skinner and his phenomenal touring band have an incredible bank of classics to deliver an unforgettable NASS performance. 

For the expected 30,000 festivalgoers, the big hitters continue, with the likes of iconic British drum and bass DJ, Andy C & Tonn Piper, and the legendary SHY FX adding DnB and jungle vibes to the weekend. NASS also welcomes London rapper Ocean Wisdom and the soulful Mahalia. As always, NASS delivers a wealth of flavour, with South Africa’s Jeremy Loops and his fusion of booming city rhythms and lilting folk, sitting alongside the Soulful R&B tones of Miraa May. Taking things up a notch will be hotly tipped rising hip-hop starlet Ms Banks.

Across the four-day festival over 11 stages are billed an enviable line up of global drum and bass, welcoming the likes of Clipz, Crissy Criss, Macky Gee, Black Sun Empire, Benny L B2B Bladerunner, DJ Guv, Shadow Demon Coalition vs TNA, LTJ Bukem, Watch The Ride and Critical Soundsystem.

Beyond the music, NASS will return with epic skate and BMX competitions, with the biggest names on the international scene battling it out. Street art also continues to play a huge part in the festival with various dedicated pieces to be showcased on site. More details to be revealed in 2020. Bristol-based artists The Hass and Kin-Dose have already set the tone, creating two incredible murals to unveil Chase & Status and The Streets today. 

In 2019, NASS welcomed 30,000 festivalgoers to the Bath & West Showground, delivering a sold out, epic weekend of music, street art, skate and BMX. To relive the best of NASS 2019, check out the official festival aftermovie here. HUCK declared it as “The best grime, old school hip-hop and electronic goodness” while the Metro lauded the “High-octane music meets super-urban sports” offering. GRM Daily said ”the atmosphere was electric” and Wordplay Magazine summed it up perfectly, pronouncing NASS as “an essential festival for bass heads and skaters alike”.

 

2020 line up so far: 

CHASE & STATUS RTRN II Jungle DJ Set | THE STREETS 

ANDY C & TONN PIPER | SHY FX 

OCEAN WISDOM | MAHALIA | JEREMY LOOPS | MS BANKS | GREENTEA PENG | MIRAA MAY

(A-Z) 

CRITICAL SOUNDSYSTEM | DJ GUV | LTJ BUKEM | MACKY GEE | WATCH THE RIDE 

(A-Z)

A.M.C | BASSLAYERZ | BENNY L B2B BLADERUNNER | BLACK SUN EMPIRE | BOU B2B SERUM | CLIPZ | CRISSY CRISS | DJ FLIGHT | DJ RAP | DLR | GRAFIX | GROOVERIDER | K MOTIONZ | KENNY KEN | KYRIST | LOWQUI | MICKY FINN & APHRODITE (30 YEARS) |  MAKOTO | NU:LOGIC | SEBA | SIKA STUDIOS | SHADOW DEMON COALITION VS TNA | THE UPBEATS 

BBC Radio 1 stage lineup confirmed for V Festival 2017

Virgin V Festival 2017 today unveils two incredible line ups on the BBC Radio 1 stage, with some of the hottest dance acts on the planet featuring across both Chelmsford and Staffordshire sites.

 

STAFFORDSHIRE, WESTON PARK, FRIDAY 18TH AUGUST:

CHASE AND STATUS DJ SET, DANNY HOWARD, DUKE DUMONT, DISCIPLES, MISTAJAM, ANNIE MAC

 

CHELMSFORD, HYLANDS PARK, FRIDAY 18TH AUGUST:

ANNIE MAC, WILKINSON LIVE, NETSKY LIVE, RITON, ICARUS

 

FULL LINE UP ANNOUNCED SO FAR, 19th – 20th AUGUST:

JAY Z, P!NK, ELLIE GOULDING, STORMZY, CRAIG DAVID,

JASON DERULO, RUDIMENTAL, SEAN PAUL, PETE TONG, AND MANY MORE!

 

With the success of last year’s BBC Radio 1 stage, which opened the music proceedings Friday night, the much-hyped dance music line up is back once again to kick start what’s set to be one of the biggest weekends of the summer.

 

Friday 18th August is a night not to be missed as BBC Radio 1 DJs; Annie Mac, Danny Howard and MistaJam hit the stage. The trio will be joined at Staffordshire, Weston Park by a host of Britain’s biggest and best DJs – Chase and Status (DJ Set)Duke Dumont and Disciples.

 

 

One of the world’s most well-known drum ‘n’ bass duos, Chase and Status will be heading to Virgin V Festival fresh from an action-packed summer touring the globe.

 

Grammy nominated Duke Dumont will also step up to the decks in Staffordshire with his huge chart smashes, ‘Need U (100%)’, ‘I Got U’ and ‘Won’t Look Back’ which will set the pace for the huge evening ahead.

 

Rounding off a jam-packed night of live dance music is South London trio Disciples who soared to the top of the charts in February 2015 with ‘They Don’t Know’. The deep house act followed it up with their Calvin Harris collaboration on ‘How Deep Is Your Love’ and just last month released ‘On My Mind’ which MistaJam featured as his hottest record in the world.

 

In Chelmsford, Annie Mac will be overseeing the night to ensure that everyone is raving in Hylands Park. After electrifying Staffordshire crowds last year on the BBC Radio 1 stage, Wilkinson is back and this time playing to Chelmsford. With some of UK dance music’s most hypnotic tracks under his belt – this is not a set to be missed.

 

Also joining the incredible bill is Bristol based drum ‘n’ bass duo, Icarus. After blasting on to the scene in 2013, the brothers have continued to magnetise crowds with their sleek and unique sound. They’ll be bringing fresh new material, including the recently released ‘King Kong’.

 

Netsky will also be taking to the BBC Radio 1 stage, bringing his stream of dance floor beats to Chelmsford. Riton also stars, known for mixing some of music’s most notorious dance floor fillers from ‘Rinse & Repeat’ to ‘Betta Riddim’.

 

BBC Radio 1 will be live broadcasting the evening from Weston Park, Staffordshire to ensure that no one misses out on this incredible line up of chart topping anthems.

Dance Stage lineup announced for T in the Park 2016

In what will be the act’s fourth appearance at T in the Park, drum and bass heavyweights Chase & Status return to T in the Park for the first time since 2013. Consisting of dance DJs, multi-platinum artists, and record-label owners Saul Milton and Will Kennard, Chase & Status have collected Brit Award gongs, festival headline slots and top 5 chart positions along the way. The acts’hits are floor fillers and their rocketing set is sure to be a highlight of T in the Park in 2016. 
  
Regularly playing to huge crowds around the globe, DJ and dance producer Alesso is set to bring his well-crafted party vibe to Strathallan Castle this summer joining the T in the Park bill. Alesso’s remixes of the Tiësto and Swedish House Mafia saw the DJ gain mainstream recognition debuting in DJ Mag’s top 100 back in 2012. Working with international stars One Republic, Craig David, David Guetta and Sebastian Ingrosso during his career, Alesso shot to success when he achieved a U.K. chart number one with his collaborative single Under Control alongside Calvin Harris and Hurts. Expect slamming beats and euphoric moments during his performance at T in the Park 2016.
  
Dutch electronic music star Oliver Heldens has perfected deep house beats with mainstream appeal, most notably his 2013 song, "Gecko", which caught the attention of Tiësto, who signed him to his label and released that track with vocals from Becky Hill. Capturing a summer party vibe in his sets, Oliver Heldens is sure to be a big hit at T in the Park this July.
  
Crowned the winner of BBC’s Sound of 2016 and The Brit’s Critics Choice winner, Jack Garratt is riding the huge wave of success after releasing his debut album this month to rave reviews. The London-based singer/producer/multi-instrumentalist combines electric guitar, drum machines, keyboards, and an R&B-friendly falsetto to fashion smooth, club-ready electro-pop. Becoming a viral success with single Breathe Life, Garratt’s experimental style is both innovative and inspirational. Expect a set packed full of sing-a-long moments when he makes his debut at T in the Park this summer.
  
Making her T in the Park debut at Strathallan Castle in 2015, Hannah Wants is known for a tireless determination and down-to-earth attitude making her one of the most world-renowned DJs on the scene. Packing some serious credentials, Hannah Wants has picked up Best Breakthrough DJ title at the DJ Mag awards and became Mixmag’s Best Breakthrough DJ and Star Of The Year in her short career.
  
Making serious waves in the rock ‘n’ roll scene with their punk-infused sound, two-pieceSlaves released their debut record Are You Satisfied in 2015, picking up a Mercury Music Prize nomination along the way. In what will be their third appearance at T in the Park, expect a raw energy and infectious vitality during their epic set.
  
Announced so far for T in the Park 2016 are:
  
FRIDAY 8TH JULY: The Stone Roses, Disclosure, Courteeners, Alesso, Jamie xx, James Morrison, Frightened Rabbit, Oliver Heldens, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Hannah Wants, Bear’s Den, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Krept & Konan, The Coral, The Temperance Movement, Oh Wonder 
  
SATURDAY 9TH JULY: Calvin Harris, Bastille, The 1975, The Last Shadow Puppets, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Jess Glynne, Kaiser Chiefs, Travis, Tinie Tempah, Tom Odell, Jack Garratt, Stiff Little Fingers, Shed Seven, Disciples, Rat Boy, Maxi Jazz & The E-Type Boys
 
SUNDAY 10TH JULY: Red Hot Chili Peppers, LCD Soundsystem, Chase & Status, Faithless, Major Lazer, James Bay, Jake Bugg, Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls, Craig David’s TS5, Slaves, Maximo Park, John Grant, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, FIDLAR, Blossoms

Creamfields announce lineup for 2015

Building on their winning formula they have delivered the biggest electronic line up you’ll see this year with an array of exclusive performances to boot, 4 Friday headliners2 colossal outdoor stages, a 14,000 capacity mega arena never before seen at Creamfields, 22 arenas across the weekend including Cream, Size, All Gone Pete Tong, Mistajam Presents Speakerbox, Pryda, Revealed, Goodgreef and Tidy as well as introducing 7 new arena hosts including Rebel Sound, Paradise, MK Area 10, Fatboy Slim Presents Smile High Club, Armada, ANTS, Nation and Pepsi Max.  

With far too many headliners to mention, we’ll let the full line up do the talking.  

Tickets on sale 10am Friday 27th February 2015.

CREAMFIELDS UK 2015

FRIDAY 28th AUGUST

REBEL SOUND ARENA

Rebel Sound:-

–       Chase & Status

–       David Rodigan

–       Shy FX     

Sub Focus      

Sigma ft. Justyce       

Maverick Sabre         

Tempa T

Craze 

Dimension B2B Kove

+ More to be announced

           

ARMADA

Armin van Buuren        

Andrew Rayel              

Cosmic Gate   

Ørjan Nilsen     

MarRLo            

Mark Sixma     

Jochen Miller               

           

REVEALED   

Hardwell         

W&W  

Headhunterz 

Dannic            

Dyro   

Sick Individuals          

Thomas Newson        

Kill The Buzz 

Julian Calor    

           

PARADISE

Jamie Jones                

The Martinez Brothers           

Eats Everything           

Richy Ahmed  

Mark Jenkyns B2B Russ Yallop

           

PEPSI MAX ARENA (SILENT DISCO)      

Danny Avila   

Deniz Koyo    

Tujamo

+ More to be announced       

           

CREAM HOSPITALITY (SILENT DISCO) 

George Kafetzis

Rob Casson

Adam Wilson

Paul Nunn & James Glover

Aaron Amihere

Ricochet Musica

           

SATURDAY 29TH AUGUST          

SOUTH STAGE       

Avicii  

Armin van Buuren      

Martin Garrix  

Cazzette

Arty 

John Dahlbäck & Albin Myers (Myback)

NORTH STAGE       

The Chemical Brothers          

Above & Beyond        

Annie Mac

+

It’s about to get Tropical on the North Stage….line up to be announced!

           

CREAM         

Knife Party     

Alesso

Laidback Luke             

Tommy Trash

Dillon Francis

Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano    

Danny Howard

Kryder              

Anton Powers              

           

SIZE   

Steve Angello

Don Diablo

AN21

Max Vangeli

Dimitri Vangelis & Wyman

Third Party

Sebjak 
Grum

Promise Land

Adrian Hour

+ more to be announced

 

ALL GONE PETE TONG

Gorgon City     

Pete Tong      

Hot Since 82    

Joris Voorn

Skream          

Andhim

Ejeca

Disciples           

Icarus  

Special Guest:  Ten Walls (Live)         

           

ANTS 

Seth Troxler     

Maya Jane Coles         

George Fitzgerald        

Kölsch (DJ Set)

Jackmaster

Ben Pearce    

Los Suruba       

Special Guest:  Andrea Oliva              

           

MISTAJAM PRESENTS SPEAKERBOX  

Andy C

High Contrast

Shift K3Y

Blonde

MistaJam

Preditah 

Logan Sama B2B Slimzee ft. Riko, Flowdan, P Money & Stormzy

Kurupt FM

99 Souls

WiDE AWAKE

Apexape

Special Guest: Chris Lorenzo

 

PEPSI MAX ARENA

Wilkinson        

Philip George

Mike Mago     

Redondo        

CamelPhat     

TCTS 

DJ SKT

LilRockit         

           

TIDY 

Tidy Boys       

Signum           

Andy Whitby  

Andy Farley   

Maddox & Townend  

Rob Tissera    

Cally Gage

Trap Two

Max Mozart

           

CREAM HOSPITALITY       

Jemmy

Sean Hughes

James Dutton

Josh Demello

Ed Mackie

Alan Hartley

Sean Dougherty

Gussy 

           

SUNDAY 30TH AUGUST

SOUTH STAGE       

Tiësto 

Afrojack

DVBBS          

Oliver Heldens             

MOTi  

Dzeko & Torres          

           

NORTH STAGE       

Hardwell         

Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike     

NERVO

Carnage         

R3hab

Gareth Wyn

Special Guest: Steve Aoki 

           

CREAM

Axwell Λ Ingrosso      

Robin Schulz    

Otto Knows    

NEW_ID         

Sam Feldt      

Tobtok

+ More to be announced

 

FATBOY SLIM PRESENTS SMILE HIGH CLUB 

Fatboy Slim    

Duke Dumont

Breach B2B Paul Woolford   

The Magician 

Destructo       

Alex Adair      

           

MK AREA 10            

MK     

Cajmere vs Oliver Dollar       

Hannah Wants             

Kevin Saunderson     

Shadow child  

Toyboy & Robin           

Dantiez Saunderson  

Beckwith

+ more to be announced       

           

PRYDA          

Eric Prydz

Maceo Plex    

Adam Beyer   

Claude VonStroke     

Jeremy Olander         

Special Guest: Sasha            

NATION

Paul van Dyk 

Ferry Corsten 

Aly & Fila        

John O'Callaghan        

Simon Patterson

Bryan Kearney             

Rob Harnetty  

Special Guest:  Paul Oakenfold        

           

PEPSI MAX ARENA

Blasterjaxx     

Sander van Doorn     

Ummet Ozcan           

Firebeatz        

Julian Jordan

Hardman & Deavall   

+ More to be announced

 

GOODGREEF XTRA HARD

Lab 4 Live      

Audiofreq vs Kutski

Audiofreq

Kutski

Mark E.G       

Joey Riot        

JP & Jukesy

Argy   

Energy Syndicate

Shaun T B2B Tone    

Phil Mackintosh         

Unit 13

 

CREAM HOSPITALITY

Andy Mac

Junior J

Sam Rice

Adam Cartwright

Bernie Lee

Paul Dolphin

ADE completes its lineup for 2014

Amsterdam becomes the centre of the global dance music scene for five days showcasing over 2000 international artists

With just three weeks to go, the preparations are in full swing for the nineteenth edition of the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE), the world's biggest club festival and leading conference for electronic music. Today the organization has finalized the already impressive festival line-up with the addition of new names. The five-day ADE Festival, which takes place from 15 to 19 October, will showcase a record number of 2,224 national and international artists from 57 countries.

More than 400 journalists, 5000 conference delegates and an expected 350,000 festival visitors are set to travel from all over the world to the city of Amsterdam, as the ADE, an initiative of Buma, puts the international spotlight on Amsterdam for five full days.

Unique locations across every part of the city
The ADE Festival offers a hugely varied program, taking place across 85 of the cities most diverse locations. From traditional clubs and music venues like Melkweg, Studio 80, Paradiso, Trouw and Escape, to post-industrial sheds in the NDSM shipyard and the Westergasterrein, as well as rather more unusual venues like the Concertgebouw, the Compagnietheater and the Amsterdam Arena, alongside newly incorporated venues like the Volkshotel and the Tolhuistuin, the ADE Festival is truly the biggest club festival in world.

New acts revealed today:
Anja Schneider (DE), Antal (NL), Armin van Buuren (NL), Bassjackers (NL), Ben Klock (DE), Ben UFO (GB), Black Coffee (ZA), Buraka Som Sistema (PT), Carl Craig (US), Chuckie (NL), Dash Berlin (NL), Detroit Swindle (NL), DJ Harvey (GB), DJ Jazzy Jeff (US), DVS1 (US), Falco Benz (NL), FKA Twigs (GB), Floating Points (GB), Four Tet (GB), François K (FR), GAIA (NL), Goldfish (ZA), Heidi (DE), Hieroglyphic Being (US), Hunee (DE), Interstellar Funk (NL), Jackmaster (GB), Jamie Jones (GB), Job Jobse (NL), John Dahlbäck (US), Jon Hopkins (GB), Joy Orbison (GB), Julio Bashmore (GB), Kevin Saunderson (US), Knarsetand (NL), Legowelt (NL), Magda (Poland), Mano Le Tough (IE), Marcel Dettmann (DE), Martin Garrix (NL), Martyn (NL), Mathew Jonson (CA), Matthew Dear (US), Max Cooper (GB), Michel de Hey (NL), Mike Mago (NL), Mind Against (IT), MR Probz (NL), Osunlade (US), Outbreak (AU), Paul Oakenfold (GB), Pete Tong (GB), Prosumer (GB), Robert Hood (US), Ron Morelli (US), Ron Trent (US), Secret Cinema (NL), Seth Troxler (US), Seven Davis Jr (US), Skream (GB), Soul Clap (US), Steve Rachmad (NL), Subp Yao (NL), Surgeon (GB), Talaboman (ES & SE), Tale Of Us (IT), Tama Sumo (DE), The Prophet (NL), tINI (DE), Tommie Sunshine (US), Tommy, Four Seven (DE), Traxx (US), Tripeo (NL), Voices From The Lake (IT), Wildstylez (NL), William Kouam Djoko (NL), Young Marco (NL)

These acts join a total of 2,224 acts performing at this years event, including: 
A Made Up Sound (NL), Adam Beyer (SE), Adana Twins (DE), Afrojack (NL), Alan Fitzpatrick (GB), Alex Bau (DE), Andy Moor (GB), Axel Boman (SE), Ben Sims (GB), Benny Rodrigues (NL), Black Asteroid (US), Black Sun Empire (NL), Blacknecks (GB), Blawan (GB), Bugge Wesseltoft (NO), Butch (DE), Camo & Krooked (AT), Catz 'N Dogz (PL), Chase & Status (GB), Chris Liebing (DE), Christian Smith (SE), Danny Daze (US), Dave Clarke (GB), David August (DE), Davide Squillace (IT), De Sluwe Vos (NL), Deep Dish (US), Derrick May (US), DJ Koze (DE), DJ Pierre (US), DJ Rush (US), DJ Stingray 313 (US), DJ W!LD (FR), Dollkraut (NL), Dominik Eulberg (DE), Dubfire (US), DVS1 (US), Eats Everything (GB), Extrawelt (DE), Funkinevil (Kyle Hall & Funkineven) (US & GB), Gaiser (US), Gary Beck (GB), Green Velvet (US), Gregor Tresher (DE), Gui Boratto (BR), Guti (AR), Guy Gerber (IL), H.O.S.H. (DE), Hardwell (NL), Henrik Schwarz (DE), Hot Since 82 (GB), Joey Beltram (US), John Digweed (GB), Joris Voorn (NL), Joseph Capriati (IT), Julian Jeweil (FR), Karenn (GB), Karotte (DE), KiNK (BG), Kollektiv Turmstrasse (DE), Kölsch (DK), Kryder (GB), Laurent Garnier (FR), Loco Dice (DE), Lunice (CA), Maceo Plex (US), Maetrik (US), Marcel Vogel (NL), Marcellus Pittman (US), Martin Buttrich (DE), Matador (IE), Max Graef (AU), Maya Jane Coles (GB), Michael Mayer (DE), Monika Kruse (DE), Mount Kimbie (GB), Nic Fanciulli (GB), Nicky Romero (NL), Nicole Moudaber (GB), Nina Kraviz (RU), Noisia (NL), Nuno dos Santos (NL), Oscar Mulero (ES), Pan-Pot (DE), Pleasurekraft (US), Popof (FR), Rebekah (GB), Recondite (DE), Ricardo Villalobos (CL), Robag Wruhme (DE), Rødhåd (DE), Rustie (GB), Sasha (GB), Scuba (GB), Shadow Child (GB), Solomun (DE), Speedy J (NL), Stefano Noferini (IT), Stephan Bodzin (DE), Super8 & Tab (FI), Ten Walls (LT), The Magician (BE), Tom Trago (NL), Truss (GB), Zoot Woman (GB) and many more.

The full list of confirmed acts can be found at www.a-d-e.nl

Buy festival tickets here: http://www.amsterdam-dance-event.nl/tickets/festival/
Read the new ADE Magazine here: http://issuu.com/amsterdamdanceevent/docs/djb64_ade_special_issuu
More information here: http://www.amsterdam-dance-event.nl

Sundown Festival 2014 Review

Now in its fourth year, Sundown festival has played host to many of the biggest names in music, and this year was no exception. Returning as headliners for the second time, Chase & Status closed the Saturday night, while Ellie Goulding closed the festival on Sunday.

FRIDAY

But all the fun actually begun on Friday night. After waiting nearly 2 hours in the queue for my friends to get their wristbands, we eventually made it to the campsite, with aching bodies from carrying everything for so long.

We weren’t going to let that stop us though, as the Big Top opening party proved to be one of the highlights of Sundown. New to 2014, the action kicked off at 5pm, but after a few drinking games, we joined the growing crowd of energetic teenage ravers a few hours later. Commercial house tracks and big room EDM bass drops were the soundtrack to the party, consisting of ‘Backstreet’s Back’ being mixed into Martin Garrix ‘Tremor’ – certainly not something you hear every day, a dubious Nirvana remix and some old classics in ‘You’ve Got The Love’. It all made for a great night, with an impressive laser light show shining up the packed tent.

We also checked out some of the stools selling funky sunglasses, hipster shirts, bum-bags galore and the festivals best-seller, judging from all the lads wearing them, – black printed bandanna’s.

SATURDAY

The morning after, the campsite looked like a bomb had hit it – especially the far from sanitary toilets located at the bottom of the campsite. But that’s all to be expected, in fairness there was the option to pay an extra £25 to get some brilliantly titled and much cleaner VIPee toilets for the weekend if you wished.

Entering Sundown’s main site just in time to see Disclosure and Tinie Tempah collaborator Sasha Keable perform on the main stage, it was a nice ease back into the party spirit to cure our near-hangovers. Sasha Keable’s sound is mainly synth led electronica with an impressive vocal laid over the top of each track. Performing tracks from her debut ‘Lemongrass and Limeleaves’ E.P, ‘Living Without You’ showcases her powerful vocal range and ‘Sweetest Talk’ takes influence from Jessie Ware’s soulful R&B sound. ‘Careless Over You’ creates the first sing-a-long moment with Sasha’s voice climbing over the rolling drum and synth beats. It’s the collaborations with Zinc and Disclosure which get the biggest cheers and sing-alongs. ‘Only For Tonight’ pumps up the party atmosphere with air-horn sounds just in time for set closer ‘Voices’, with the crowd jumping and singing back every word. Already signed to Tinie Tempah’s Disturbing London label, a few more releases and Sasha Keable will soon be a household name.

Also on Tinie’s label are All About She, who perform next. The London based UK garage three-piece are made up of record producers James Tadgell and Jon Clare and singer Vanya Taylor. It’s Vanya who grabs everyone’s attention though, with a similar stylish appearance and voice to Estelle, she wastes no time in showing off her vocals. ‘I Can’t Wait’ is a highlight, while new feel good track ‘Beyond Heaven’ hears Vanya work the crowd singing “Sundown you take me there” before asking “where are all the lovers at, put your hands in the air.” ‘Like That’ sees Vanya dedicate the track to a birthday girl on the front row before the trio end their set with the song everyone’s been waiting for. ‘Higher (Free)’ still sounds as fresh as when it was released last November and reached the top 20 in the UK. Sung a capella for the first chorus, it’s given an emotive re-work before the garage beats kick in which return ‘Higher’ to its original club-ready state.

Before Foxes takes to the stage, there is an unwilling yet entertaining twerk off to Nicki Minaj’s new single ‘Anaconda’ between Kiss FM DJ’s Michael and Tania, who introduce each act and deserve praise for building the hype effortlessly. Foxes bounces onstage, looking ever the pop star, in a dress and massive sunglasses. Aside from the music, Louisa is loved by, females who want to be her, and males who want to be with her. The whole set is a highlight. Performing the main singles from her debut album ‘Glorious’, including ‘Youth’, ‘Let Go For Tonight’ and ‘Holding On To Heaven’, each song receives mass sing-a-longs with fans arms waving in the air. She’s not bothered by the worsening weather either, which she has experienced the worst of after a storm engulfed her set at Nottingham’s Splendour festival in July. Instead she shouts to the crowd, “fuck the rain”, and they oblige, continuing to jump with her. ‘Clarity’, her massive Grammy award winning collaboration with Zedd goes down a treat and proves one of the weekend’s biggest sing-a-longs.

Meanwhile, over at the Big Top tent, house music lovers are being treated to the best in the business, with the whole day hosted by Defected Records! Earlier in the day Copyright and Cristoph have bass heavy sets before Food music label boss Shadow Child. But it was Second City and Mark Kinchen who provided the best sets of the day. Second City aka 27-year-old producer Rowan Harrington took the crowd on a journey of commercial to more underground house hits including a remix of Breach’s ‘Jack’ (who would play the same stage later), his collaboration with Route 94 ‘Freak’ and his own track ‘I Enter’, but sadly his brilliant new collaboration with Ali Love ‘What Can I Do’ doesn’t get played. Ending with his recent number one piano-house smash ‘I Wanna Feel’, everyone’s hands wave while their lungs are given a full workout much to Harrington’s happiness.

Later, Marc Kinchen, whose set is swapped with Sam Devine’s, draws a massive crowd to the tent. Opening with a dub of ‘My Head Is a Jungle’ before recent single ‘Always’, MK is joined by four less than covered dancers waving fans in front of their face, creating the Ibiza atmosphere, when in reality we’re inside a sweaty tent.

Chase and Status, who headlined Sundown festival back in 2011 returned to close proceedings on Saturday night. And what a show it was. An intense laser light show, a number of unexpected special guests and some insanely heavy drum & bass, dubstep and everything in between made it the show-stealer of the weekend. Performing tracks from all three of their albums and some older material, it was a career spanning set with each track sending the crowd absolutely crazy. I’ve actually never seen more mosh pits throughout a set. And it just gets even more out of control when Tempa T pounces onstage to rap his part in ‘Hypest Hype.’ Later, British singer Jacob Banks is welcomed onstage to provide his soulful sing-a-long vocals to ‘Alive’. Moko appears large as life in the background video appearing to jump out of the screen during ‘Count On Me’, similarly with Plan B seeming to smash the screen during ‘End Credits’ and ‘Pieces’. Set closer ‘Smash TV’ from the duo’s 2008 debut album ‘More Than Alot’ made for the perfect end to their genre defying set!

SUNDAY

Sunday hosted a far more pop orientated line up on the main stage while well respected drum & bass label Ram Records took over the Big Top. On the main stage, three-piece M.O, who are receiving regular plays on Radio One from the likes of Mistajam, are bringing the 90’s girl band back! They’ve toured with Little Mix and recently signed with Universal in the US – and it’s not hard to understand why. Arriving just in time to catch the last two songs of their set, the first is an impressive cover of Beyonce’s ‘Drunk in Love’, made completely their own. The second is new single ‘Dance On My Own’ with a garage beat which samples Sweet Female Attitudes ‘Flowers’ – one of the biggest UK garage hits from the 90’s.

Ex-The Voice contestant, Becky Hill, bounces onstage in a white crop top and sparkling Aztec skirt, making the most of the British sunshine. She described her sound recently as “leftfield, alternative, cool pop” and that seems fitting. Two Inch Punch-produced opener ‘Caution to the Wind’ is the perfect solo introduction to the world for Becky who I have been a fan of ever since she appeared on The Voice. Since then, she has achieved two number one singles in the form of drum & bass Wilkinson collaboration ‘Afterglow’ and recent house hit with Oliver Heldens ‘Gecko (Overdrive)’ – both of which receive mass sing-a-longs during her set. You can’t help but love how down to earth she is, there are no airs and graces as she admits “my onstage chat is rubbish” after she cracks a joke about the sun being up for Sundown. She later tells the crowd “I’ve got a bottle of vodka in my room so I’m going to the RAM tent to rave it up” – she comes across as a typical partying teenager. Becky’s rise to the top has been stratospheric but she’s still the same loveable singer, as she tells the crowd, “I was recently working in LA and I got a call from my manager and he said, ‘Becky you’re number one”. She proves that she’s a real pop-star in the making during her next disco infused single, the MNEK-produced ‘Losing’ which she says is out in a few weeks. It’s safe to say that she gave the best live vocal performance of the weekend and I’ve already bought tickets to see her again!

Looking like Annie Mac and sounding similar to Katy B, Jess Glynne is the next rising female vocalist to perform. With two backing singers, a drummer, guitarist and keyboardist, Jess performs a set full of catchy pop hits in waiting. She asks the crowd, “did you enjoy my fellow husky, Becky?” much to the crowd’s applause. Jess gets straight into her recent number one with Route 94 in ‘My Love’ before it’s mixed into her second worldwide number one with Clean Bandit ‘Rather Be’, with both attracting mass sing-a-longs and smiling faces. “This is the last festival for us, so let’s go out with a bang”, exclaims Jess. Gorgon City-produced Set closer ‘Right Here’ which reached the top-ten saw the crowd swaying their arms and dancing along to the house beat.

John Newman appears like a young Elvis with slicked back hair and perfected dance routines from the start of his penultimate set of the weekend. Backed by a seven piece band made up including three female singers. The longtime Rudimental collaborator performs the majority of his debut number one album ‘Tribute’, taking the ever-growing crowd on a journey of soulful pop. Each track comes complete with John showcasing his beyond impressive footwork throughout set opener ‘All For You’, ‘Try’, and ‘Cheating’. It’s obvious that he’s a real showman with plenty of onstage confidence, treating the gig like a real show, saying “welcome to this evening’s entertainment”. During ‘Losing Sleep’ he throws himself and the mic around the stage before he pauses the song to shame a member of the crowd. “This guy’s trying to start a fight during my set. We’re not here to start a fight, we’re here to enjoy the music. Let’s put our middle finger up to him” – and everybody does. Back to proceedings and John gushes about his girlfriend, asking, “Did anyone see Ella Eyre earlier? That’s my other half” – of course everybody cheers. Later, John thanks the crowd for getting him where he is now, “We’ve done 38 festivals this season. It all started for me with Rudimental and it’s taught us that we’re ‘Not Givin In’”. The Rudimental collaboration sees John and the backing vocalists sing their heart out with John running along the front row of the audience to the lucky fans delight. Set closer, and number one single, ‘Love Me Again’, sees him fall to his knees at the end. John’s energy and showmanship far exceeded my expectations and I’d definitely recommend anyone to go and see him.

Ending the weekend was Ellie Goulding, who barraged through tracks from both albums ‘Lights’ and ‘Halycon’. Songs like ‘Figure 8’ and recent single ‘Goodness Gracious’ showcase Ellie’s unique breathy vocals. ‘Starry Eyed’ is dedicated to all of Ellie’s fans who have been with her from the beginning. Madeon-produced track ‘Stay Awake’ pushes Ellie’s vocal range to its highest and most impressive point. After a quick costume change, Ellie performs a chilled electronic cover of Alt J’s ‘Tesselate’ before switching to James Blake’s ‘Life Round Here’ – two breathtaking, somewhat haunting renditions. Picking up the guitar for an acoustic version of ‘Guns and Horses’, Ellie shows off her unmistakable vocal capabilities. Laughing she says, “It’s about the time where I like to do some voluntary movements which some people may call dancing” before pop hit ‘Anything Can Happen’. Teasing the crowd she jumps down to run across the front like John Newman did during ‘I Need Your Love’. Then comes the sad news, “This is my last show for quite a while and I’m not sure when I’m going to be back on tour”, Ellie genuinely seems upset but powers on through ‘Lights’ which sees everyone light up their camera phones, creating a special memory for everyone there. Finishing with ‘Burn’, Ellie signs off hinting at a return for the following year.

Ellie certainly won’t be the only one coming back to Sundown festival if this year’s brilliant event is anything to go by!

Lovebox 2014 – Friday Review

Mosh pits, glitter and bum cheeks!

Sizzling on the hottest day of the year, Victoria Park played host to the biggest eclectic music festival in the capital! 

Glitter ridden festival-goers came into their element with outlandish headgear, countless Levi cut offs and a whole lot of bum cheek.

Set up with an air carousel, jelly coconuts and VIP doughnuts, LoveBox brought festival magic and a distinct Coachella vibe to East London.

Kicking off the excitement was an energetic performance from reggae legend David Rodigan MBE. Festival-goers were treated to the classics as well as some new material and modern mix-ups. With coconut water, 30-degree heat and some of the best reggae in the world, Lovebox oozed Jamaican vibe.

Katy B followed with a pop performance to both her loyal fans and new comers alike. Complete with an army of powerful dancers, she owned the stage boosting the festivals artistic reputation with her quirky talent. 

London truly showed itself off as the creative capital of the universe with an irrefutably enchanting performance from Chase and Status. The duo came back to their city roots to take on the insatiable British crowds and did not disappoint with a two hour set featuring their most famous hits including Blind Faith and Time with Delilah making an unexpected appearance. 

Famous for their spectacular visual performance, they left no heart unmoved by the sheer power of their music, completely dominating the line up. 

The night ended in a shower of confetti and fireworks as the grounds were cleared for another day of unforgettable moments!

 

Photos by Paul Taylor

Chase & Status and MIA lead the Lovebox 2014 lineup

The hotly anticipated return of Lovebox in 2014 will see some massive changes as it is joined by Secret Productions of Secret Garden Party fame to chorograph a new vision.

Headling the 2014 edition will is the fearless queen of rap M.I.A. and drum and bass kings Chase and Status.  They are joined rappers A$AP Rocky and Joey Bada$$, electronic producer Sub Focus, chart topping ladies Katy B and Banks and many many more!

See the complete details below:

Headlining Lovebox 2014 will be fearless queen of rap M.I.A. The Matangi warrior we know as Maya, will unleash her musical explosion of light and heat on our main stage this year. An embodiment of worldly pop, M.I.A.’s celebration of music and freedom of speech will be perfectly placed in what is our most colorful Lovebox to date.

Also headlining this year’s Lovebox are drum’n’bass duo Chase and Status. Touching down in their home city, London boys Saul Milton and Will Kennard’s storming and riotous live show and will set our main stage alight with their dusty trip-hop grooves and jungle infused garage- the duo said “we’re excited to be headlining Lovebox this year, we both come from London so to play this festival in our hometown will be great. Plus you can always count on London crowds to bring it”.

Landing in Victoria Park this summer will be Harlem rapper Rakim Mayers, A$AP Rocky. A$AP’s magnetic live show of East Coast rhymes and dreamy hip-hop anthems will run alongside Brooklyn’s lyrical dynamo Joey Bada$$ who we welcome to the show. Rapper experimentalist Madlib and London born Knytro will also grace proceedings.

Cutting-edge electronic producer Sub Focus will be hyping up crowds with his storming sub-bass laden stage show, along with Crystal Fighters whose unique blend of Basque influences and electro-pop will get the party going.

Chart-topping R&B girls of the moment Katy B and BANKS are out in force as is hotly tipped songtress Elli Ingram, while electronic experimentalists Mount Kimbie and long-renowned UK producer Bonobo will be wowing crowds. We welcome critically revered institution The Horrrors, who over the course of four albums have come to the fore of the most progressive British bands of our time. Moderat’s gloriously compelling live show will be one of Lovebox’s many atmospheric gems, along with the ambient electronica of Submotion Orchestra.

Back after his hugely successful Ram Jam at last year’s Lovebox will be master selector and British institution Sir David Rodigan. Shy FX and Stamina MC will be hyping up crowds along with Joy Orbison, Gaslamp Killer and Cyril Hahn.

We’re hugely excited to welcome back Red Bull Music Academy for their second year at Lovebox. A world-travelling series of music workshops and festivals, RBMA is a platform for those who make a difference in today’s musical landscape. This year the 2014 Academy will be touching down in Tokyo, but not before we enlist RBMA to take up their rightful position in their arena to host another monumental party at Lovebox.

Also back to Lovebox this year with her fail-proof party formula will be arena hostess Annie Mac in addition to her hotly-tipped acts chart-topping Duke Dumont, Joey Badass and Cyril Hahn.

The house and techno heads can enjoy Hotflush head-honcho Scuba along with the label’s duo of the moment Dense and Pika. House and techno boss Paul Woolford will play as well as performing under his critically lauded alias Special Request. Bronx boys The Martinez Brothers’ tribal house and techno will bring the party, and be sure not to miss Visionquest, one of the most successful dance collaborations of our time.

Purveyors of electro-boogie and nu-disco producer Tensnake and the Horsemeat Disco guys will be spinning for us in the sun, along with Huxley who’s unique and British take on house will be sure to set off Lovebox crowds alongside Birmingham bass-lover Hannah Wants.

This year’s monumentally discerning line-up is only one element of the Lovebox experience. Secret Productions have joined forces with MAMA to carefully curate one of the most jaw-droppingly impressive parties in the UK. We are extremely proud to welcome to Victoria Park, infamous Burning Man camp DISTRIKT. Known for throwing furious & fierce parties deep in the desert, the DISTRIKT penchant for benevolent mischief resonates deep in the heart of the Lovebox ethos.

Also on-site will be outrageous collective Bearded Kitten who are creating their own house party experience, home for the weekend to some of the finest DJs in the game. Lovebox welcomes the funkiest boxing-ring on the festival circuit, The Dance Off to this year’s party. The Dance Off have enlisted Breakin' Convention and East London Dance to ensure Lovebox 2014 will play host to some of the best special guest dancers in the land.

LINE UP SO FAR: 

ANNIE MAC PRESENTS, A$AP ROCKY, BANKS, BEN PEARCE, BONDAX (LIVE), BONOBO, CHASE & STATUS (LIVE), CRYSTAL FIGHTERS, CYRIL HAHN, DAVID RODIGAN, DENSE & PIKA, DUKE DUMONT, ELLI INGRAM, GASLAMP KILLER, HANNAH WANTS, HORSE MEAT DISCO, HUXLEY, JOEY BADA$$, JOY ORBISON, KALEIDA, KATY B, KIESZA, KLANGKARUSSELL (LIVE), KNYTRO, MADLIB, M.I.A., MNEK, MODERAT (LIVE), MOUNT KIMBIE, PAUL WOOLFORD, ROOSEVELT, SCUBA, SHY FX & STAMINA MC, SPECIAL REQUEST, SUB FOCUS, SUBMOTION ORCHESTRA, TENSNAKE, THE HORRORS, THE MARTINEZ BROTHERS, VISIONQUEST

Justin Timberlake & The Killers headline V Festival 2014

We have the full lineup for this years V Festival and it is massive!  Headlining the 19th edition year is megastar Justin Timberlake along with Las Vegas band The Killers.

Joining them a a first class set of musical artists including: Ed Sheeran, Paolo Nutini, Example, Lily Allen, Elbow, Axwell ^ Ingrosso, 2014 BRIT Award winners Bastilleand Rudimental, Chase & Status, Alesso, Kaiser Chiefs, Manic Street Preachers, Above & Beyond, Tom Odell, Sub Focus, Train, Blondie, Jason Derulo, Rizzle Kicks, John Newman, Sam Smith, Katy B, Embrace, Janelle Monae, Kodaline, Miles Kane, The Human League, Newton Faulkner, Starsailor, Aloe Blacc, Alex Clare, Nina Nesbitt, The Strypes, Birdy, Foxes, Ella Eyre, The Stranglers, The Magic Numbers, Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbot, George Ezra, The Wailers, M People, All Saints, The Wonder Stuff, The Rifles and very special guests Chic featuring Nile Rodgers. 

Tickets go on sale at 9am on the 7th March 2014.

Katy B and Neon Jungle added to Sundown Festival lineup

More top artists have been confirmed for Sundown Festival 2014, which is fast becoming one of the UK’s best live-music events to end the summer festival season, from Friday 29 to Sunday 31 August  

Dubstep diva and NME Award winner Katy B has just been confirmed as joining the line-up to perform Saturday’s main stage, like the previously announced Zane Lowe, before headliners Chase & Status and Tinie Tempah top the Sundown billing.

Top ten singles chart new-comers and Braveheart singers Neon Jungle have also been confirmed. The British four-piece girl group will take to Sunday’s main stage, performing ahead of Clean Bandit and Brit Award Nominees John Newman and headliner Ellie Goulding.

Elsewhere, details of Sundown’s dance-orientated Stage 2 have emerged, with House specialists Defected Records hosting the Saturday night, with DJs MK, Breach and Sam Divine already confirmed, while drum and bass label RAM Records take over for the Sunday, with Andy C, Wilkinson and Calyx & Teebee confirmed so far.

Sundown Festival 2014 will play host to more acts, across more stages, to be announced soon and tickets are expected to be in high demand after Sundown audiences grew from 15,000 people at the 2011 event to 38,000 people in 2013, when all camping tickets sold-out months before the festival kicked off.

Sundown Festival spokesperson, Dion Clements comments: “After announcing the headliners last week and following Sundown Festival’s rapid growth into one of the UK’s best live music events to end the summer season, we promised more big artists would join the line-up, so we’re very pleased to welcome Katy B and Neon Jungle. Along with Chase & Status, Tinie Tempah, Ellie Goulding, John Newman, Zane Lowe and Clean Bandit, the initial line-up on offer to Sundown festivalites is shaping up very nicely”.

Dion adds “With our unique mixed offering of the top urban, pop and dance acts, Sundown caters for a range of tastes in the music spectrum, bringing together a diverse music audience for one huge weekend”.