Stereosonic 2011 Brisbane Review

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Stereosonic

With the likes of Armin Van Buuren, Carl Cox, Afrojack, The Bloody Beetroots, LMFAO and more, I knew I was in for a MASSIVE day. Stereosonic has a brilliant phone app (for iphones and android) that you can you use with event info, lineups, set times, maps and most importantly a planner. As there are multiple stages, this ensured that I saw everyone I wanted to.

We started off checking out what was on offer and easing into the day. We swanned between stages checking out the likes of Andy C and Bagraiders and the atmosphere was buzzing! I’ve got to say a definite highlight of my day was when the masked duo Bloody Beetroots played Warp. If you haven’t heard of this italian duo, they are definitely worth checking out.

Stereosonic is not just a day full of massive DJ’s and live acts, it is also a day where fashion takes on a whole new meaning. The costumes and getups were amazing but with most, it was a case of less is more. With most of the beautiful ladies opting to say no to material. Even though the event has a shirts on policy for the boys, by 5pm that policy went out the window. I have never been to an event with such little clothing on happy punters.

Now it was time to head to the mainstage. The sun was starting to set and as LMFAO hit the stage, the entire festival just went off! They started off with ‘Sorry For Party Rocking’ and of cause they were in their classic animal print and highlighter getups. They had the same backup dancers from their videos and they were amazing doing all the crazy moves that defy gravity. Sky Blu unfortunately wasn’t able to make the gig cause of a back injury but Redfoo was definitely capable of holding the gig by himself. The entire festival shuffled to I’m in Miami Bitch and Champagne Showers leaving their massive hits till last. I have never seen so many people shuffle, wiggle and and thrust their hips at one time when they encored with ‘Sexy and I Know It’.

When Armin van buuren hit the stage, it was pure brilliance. Even though tired after a day of dancing, you couldn’t help but stomp your feet with the massive tunes, pyro and fireworks, it was an awesome way to finish off the festival.

All in all, Stereosonic is always a super fun, super crowded day of dancing and good tunes. While it’s not an event for the faint of heart, it definitely came through with the goods this year.

Stereosonic

Photos courtesy of Rukes.com.

Jessie J, Calvin Harris & Labrinth added to Barclaycard Wireless 2012

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Barclaycard Wireless will be Rihanna’s only UK performance of 2012, and with these hot UK artists joining the bill it is certain to be a sensational day in the capital.
 
Jessie JJessie J will bring her unique ghetto-pop swagger to Hyde Park for her Barclaycard Wireless debut.  In less than a year, the singer, songwriter and self acclaimed show pony has become a bonafide UK superstar.  She topped the BBC Sound of 2011 poll, was announced the winner of the Critics Choice Awards at the 2011 Brits and her debut single ‘Do It Like A Dude” was awarded Best Song at the 2011 MOBO Awards. With her outrageous flair and undeniable coolness, Jessie will no doubt put on an explosive set.  
 
Calvin Harris will hit Hyde Park with his big, bold and colourful electro dance pop.  He boasts an incredible CV with over seven Top 10 singles, including two number one’s, and over 1.5 million tracks and 500,000 albums sales in the UK.  His recent collaboration with Barclaycard Wireless headliner and Barbardian superstar Rihanna propelled him into the charts once again, with the song hitting number one in the UK and on the Billboard Hot 100. 
 
Labrinth, the East London singer/ songwriter and highly sought after producer made his Barclaycard Wireless debut last year and is sure to give a dazzling performance in 2012.  He made his debut appearance on the UK chart in March 2010 when his collaboration with Tinie Tempah “Pass Out” reached number one, since then he’s gone from strength to strength.  His first solo single “Let The Sun Shine” reached number three last year and second single “Earthquake” hit number two upon its release in October, it has remained in the top ten ever since.

Barclaycard Wireless is a dazzling open-air live music experience in the heart of bustling London. It offers a chance to experience the excitement of watching the best in popular music right on your doorstep; with many more acts and details still to be unveiled, Barclaycard Wireless 2012 is certain to be the biggest and best event on the summer’s musical calendar.
 
Ticketing Information:

Tickets are priced at £52.50 plus booking fee.

Tickets & VIP Packages available at www.wirelessfestival.co.uk 

All Barclaycard customers who purchase via www.barclaycardunwind.com  have the chance to win a VIP upgrade.

Pearl Jam to headline Isle of Wight Festival 2012

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Also added to the bill are The Darkness, Feeder, Professor Green, Wretch 32, Loick Essien and Clement Marfo & The Frontline. Tickets are available NOW from www.isleofwightfestival.com for what is sure to be a weekend to remember.

Pearl Jam sold more than 15 million copies of their first two albums, leaping from obscurity to superstardom and will now take the headline slot on Saturday 23rd June at the Isle of Wight Festival2012. Responsible for popularising the Seattle grunge sound and style, Pearl Jam continue to combine guitar-heavy Led Zeppelin-influenced songs with Eddie Vedder's charismatic impassioned vocals. This will be a UK Festival exclusive and so make sure you’re there to witness what will be an unbelievable performance!

Pearl Jam

 The truly eclectic line up will see British glam rock band The Darkness take the headline slot in the Big Top on Sunday 24th June closing the Festival weekend. The band, who reformed this year are renowned for their elaborate stage performances, so expect a show you won’t forget in a hurry. 
 
Since they started releasing records fifteen years ago, Feeder have never been far from the charts or strangers to the stage. After a crowd pleasing performance in 2008 the band will open the Festival’s main stage on Friday 22nd June.
 
On Saturday 23rd June, Hackney boy Professor Green will bring his slick rap lyrics to the atmospheric Big Top. After recently celebrating success with the number one single ‘Read All About It’,Professor Green comes to the island for a not to be missed performance! Joining the Big Top bill is one of the biggest music success stories of 2011; Wretch 32. Sure to wow the crowd with tunes such as the chart topping, ‘Don’t Go’, Wretch 32 is the perfect addition to the Isle of Wight Festival line up.
 
Loick Essien came to music almost by accident and now brings his sophisticated, smooth, accessible British urban soul style to the Big Top  on Saturday 23rd June.  Next up is Clement Marfo & The Frontline, whose inimitable sound comes from their deft ability to fuse hip-hop, grime and rock and pop in a brilliantly idiosyncratic fashion.
 
John Giddings, the Festival’s promoter, says, ‘Pearl Jam completes our American trilogy for this year. They have been on our wish list for a long time and we are proud for them to come to the island for the first time. Meanwhile we intend to provide plenty of other entertainment in the Big Top and Garden Stage starting with contemporary urban entertainment of Professor Green and Wretch 32.’
The much-loved Isle of Wight Festival is one of the most important dates on the summer calendar and a truly remarkable weekend of music and fun. Taking place across three stages festivalgoers can expect unmissable performances from artists including; Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, Elbow, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Example,Noah & The Whale, The Vaccines, Madness, and The Christians.  More acts will be announced soon…

Beach Break Live to offer four slots to Live and Unsigned 2012 acts

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The popular student festival is a nationwide extravaganza set in the sublime setting of Pembry Country Park, Wales, that has gone from strength-to-strength since its victory on the popular BBC programme ‘Dragon’s Den’ to establish itself as THE event of the summer for the student masses!

Beach Break Live offers endless cups of tea, severe sleep deprivation, laughs, ridiculous ideas, whimsical anecdotes and a shed load of spreadsheets have all entered the mixing pot and we’ve finally cracked the perfect recipe… The 2011 line-up included Tinie Tempah, White Lies, Example, We Are Scientists, Mark Ronson, Katy B, Zane Lowe and a whole lot more!

2011 saw Beach Break Live into its fifth year and as for their fifth birthday, they thought they’d celebrate. With a corking location providing the most tantalising stretch of polished sandy beaches, more activities than you can shake a stick at, the latest selection of musical geniuses, a never ending supply of beer, tunes and memories, topped off with you lovely lot all bundled into one glorious country park!

Chris Grayston, Managing Director of Live and Unsigned said; ‘Beach Break Live has to be one of the premier events for students and music lovers nationwide. Our acts have always expressed their desire to play this massive festival and we’re delighted to announce that Live and Unsigned acts will now have a direct-line to play Beach Break Live 2012!’

Year-on-year Beach Break Live receives thousands of requests from unsigned acts from all over the UK applying to play at the festival, but spaces are always limited. So, for the first time, Beach Break Live has joined forces with Live and Unsigned to give festival slots to four acts to perform at the award winning festival!

Live & Unsigned is the biggest unsigned music competition for original unsigned bands and artists in the UK. It offers the winning act the chance to play at The O2 in London as part of Live Fest, London’s biggest indoor music festival, alongside some of the UK's best musicians as as well as £100,000 in prizes, including an additional new main cash prize of £10,000 for the winning act to spend on development.

Auditions will begin in January 2012 and all acts in the competition are auditioned live. Acts that make it through the audition stage will get to perform to industry judges, A & R associates and celebrity guests. Judging last year’s competition and hopefully set to join the panel again in 2012 include Radio 1 DJ’s Annie Nightingale, Ras Kwame, Tom Deacon and Daniel P Carter as well as Kerrang’s Alex Baker.

Glade Festival 2012 Earlybird Tickets on-sale now

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With a doubling of capacity from 5,000 to 10,000 on the same site at Houghton Hall, King’s Lynn, which will now be its permanent home, the Glade team are looking to bring together an incredible array of artists and genres for this premier electronic dance celebration.

As head of Glade HQ Ans puts it, ‘We have a secure site in a wonderful setting, which will be developed in 2012 to include the woodland area along with many other new stages, featuring a huge number and variety of artists and djs. This increase in capacity will allow us to be more adventurous; we are planning to take Glade up to a level never seen before. Happily we also have a very supportive landowner and local authority which is good news all round. Everyone at Glade HQ is buzzing and the line-up is shaping up brilliantly. We can’t wait. More news very soon.’

The Houghton Estate adds: “Glade Festival 2011 was the first music festival that has been held at Houghton. We were impressed with the organizers and enjoyed hosting it and look forward to welcoming the festival back in 2012 and beyond. Plans are well advanced for an even better festival in 2012 which incorporates some amazing features.”

Glade is also inviting artists and creative types to apply for involvement with next year’s event. All the information is available at www.gladefestival.com

Tickets go on sale Tuesday 6th December from www.gladefestival.com and are priced as follows:
Early Bird Weekend Admission £135 inc booking fee
Weekend Advance £143 inc booking fee
Camper Van pass £50 inc booking fee
Advance Deposit Scheme £50

Rhythmtree Festival dates and ticket details

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Three stages; Main-stage, The Didge Cafe (with lots of comfy sofas and unplugged music performances) and the RhumbaRumBar with family dance workshops during the day and world music DJ's late into the evening.

The festival brings together a diverse repertoire of music for those who want to experience something very different in the UK festival scene.
Not afraid to surprise and intrigue this event has developed its own unique atmosphere and style, which is already attracting a loyal following in only its third year.  
Afrobeat to swamp-rock, didgeridoo to beat boxing, throat singing to cajun, drums and dance, three days of music which is truly 'out of this world'.
 
Main stage acts including:-
Mose 'FanFan' Sengo, Afrik Bawantu , AIRTist, Acadian Driftwood, Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra, Congo Dia Ntotila , Elvis Fontenot and the Sugar Bees, Eugen 'Hideaway' Bridges, Harare, Hyperpotamus, Grupo Lokito, Johnny Cope, Kadialy Kouyate, Kagemusha Taiko, Moveable Feast, Pete Lockett, Phil Henry and Hannah Martin, TravelSickRick, The Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra, The Endless Journey, Whiskey River, Zalyshar
Also featuring local musicians and DJ's:-
Tickle me Elmo, Headfunk, Ric Harris Band, Martin Newnham, Chris Williams, Medina Ukulele Orchestra, The Ohmz
 
There is a dedicated CRB checked Children's area, Healing area, Market stalls and lots of high quality, Isle of Wight sourced, food concessions.
 
Tickets Available online from WeGotTickets and Red Funnel Ferries with local outlets listed on the website.
 
£75 adult three day camping
£40 13-17yrs three day camping
£30 Day tickets Saturday and Sunday only (no camping).
Under 12yrs free
Early Bird and Special Deals available on the website.
 
Dates – 20-22 July 2012
Location – 'Three Gates Farm' PO30 4NA, Isle of Wight
Cost – £75 Adult week-end camping
Website – www.rhythmtree.info

 

Radiohead announced for Bilbao BBK Live 2012

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As those already familiar with the Bilbao BBK Live festival would know, it's not unusual to see bands of the calibre of RADIOHEAD headlining an event that is increasingly well known for its strong line-ups. Previous editions of the event have included headliners such as Coldplay, Pearl Jam, Depeche Mode, Jane’s Addiction, RHCP and Suede.

Three Day Early Bird tickets to the festival, which include camping, will be available for just £73 from the 14th December and until the 24th of January on See Tickets, Ticketweb and Lastminute.com.

Bilbao BBK Live is a three day event that takes place on top of a hill surrounded by mountains offering spectacular views over the city of Bilbao. The privileged location of the festival site, its proximity to the city and beach and a late start of bands, allow festival goers to make the most of this unique event and setting. Bilbao is a modern city famous for its architecture, museums and gastronomy, and it’s just a stone’s throw away from some of the best waves in Europe.

Bilbao BBK Live is above all, a fuss free festival; with an uncomplicated layout, easy access from the city and airport, it has proven to be a huge success with national and international festival goers. The two main stages and the schedule, guarantees that acts never overlap, so you get everything you have paid for and much more!

More info

Festival: Bilbao BBK Live (www.bilbaobbklive.com/2012) 
Dates: July 12th-14th 2012 
Where: Kobetamendi, 10 min bus ride from Bilbao city centre 
Tickets: Early Bird Three Day Pass incl. camping – £73 (until the 24th January) available on See Tickets, Ticketweb and Lastminute. 
Line-up so far: Radiohead 
Schedule: TBC 
Doors Open: Thursday 9th July (16.30pm) 
Doors close: TBC

To get there: Two low cost airlines operate direct flights from London to Bilbao. Check Easyjet (from Stansted) and Vueling (from Heathrow). Easyjet also operates direct flights from Manchester to Bilbao during the summer.

Ryanair operates daily flights to Santander, just an hour bus ride to Bilbao.

From Bilbao airport there are regular public buses to central Bilbao. Once in central Bilbao the festival provides shuttle buses to the site.

Age Restrictions: Under 18-s will have to be accompanied by an adult.

 

Biffy Clyro, Elbow and more set for Isle of Wight Festival 2012

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These phenomenal live acts will take the Festival by storm, so don’t miss out on what will be one of THE hottest weekends of the year. Tickets are available now fromwww.isleofwightfestival.com. 
 
Noel GallagherSpecial Guests on Friday June 22nd are Elbow who have received huge critical acclaim throughout their career and will bring their award winning sound to the main stage at the Isle of Wight Festival 2012. 
 
Noel Gallagher captured the voices, hopes and dreams of millions with Oasis and now returns with his masterpiece Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds for a highly anticipated performance at the Isle of Wight Festival 2012. Noel will be appearing on the main stage as Special Guest to the legendary Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band who will take the headline slot onSunday June 24th. 
 
Scottish trio Biffy Clyro got the Festival crowd jumping in 2010 with an explosion of mammoth riffage and fizzing pop vocals. The band is now back having conquered the rock world for round two with a Special Guest appearance at the Isle of Wight Festival onSaturday June 23rd.
 
Example’s captivating performances and number one singles have seen him skyrocket to success as he fronts a new generation of dance acts. Expect an epic offering from the London artist as he lights up the main stage on Friday June 22nd. 
 
Making their Isle of Wight Festival main stage debut on Friday 22nd June are the highly talented Noah & The Whale, ensuring 2012 is another year of the best music around, in a truly magnificent setting.
 
The Vaccines have gone from strength to strength and following a impressive performance at the Festival in 2011, the band will be back, bigger than ever, on the main stage on Sunday June 24th.
 
Saturday June 23rd will also see Camden’s finest, Madness, heat up the main stage. The band are a bona fide British institution and their live performances keep fans coming back for more every time they play, so get ready for a monster party on the island.
 
Madness said, "At last, we've been wanting to play the Isle of Wight Festival for ages now, the perfect way to start our summer".

John Giddings, the Festival’s promoter, says …”We are very proud to bring the cream of British talent to the island next summer, it’s shaping up to be another bumper year!’.

If all that wasn’t enough, the Big Top stage will once again feature an exclusive performance for campers. On Thursday 21st June, soul legends The Christians whose album Colour reached the number one spot in 1990, start the weekend in true Isle of Wight Festival style. 

T in the Park 2012 Xmas Earlybirds onsale Friday

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Music lovers can grab their tickets on Friday and guarantee their place amongst the 85’000 per day strong crowd at T in the Park 2012.  With The Stone Roses already announced and a stellar bill made up of some of the best live acts in the world set to follow, T in the Park 2012 will undoubtedly boast the festival bill of the summer.

Festival Director Geoff Ellis said: “The Stone Roses were the first band I ever booked from only hearing their demo tape, but you could tell that they had something incredibly special.  Their sound was different from anything I had ever heard before.  I booked them for a gig at Middlesex Polytechnic, London in February 1989 – a gig that turned out to be a seminal moment in the band’s career (as the music press exploded after that show), as well as one of the most memorable in mine.  Having The Stone Roses headline T in the Park next year is a dream come true and a performance that will undoubtedly go down in history.”
 
Next year’s event will take place across the weekend of Friday 6th – Sunday 8th July.
 
Vodafone VIP customers can buy tickets 48 hours before they go on general sale from9.00am on Wednesday 30th November, simply go to www.vodafone.co.uk/vip 

T Lady subscribers can buy tickets from 9.00am Thursday 1st December – sign up to the T Lady at www.tinthepark.com

 
Boutique camping options are available in The Residence at T in the Park.  The Residence offers festival goers a bespoke, luxury experience where all their accommodation needs are taken care of – www.tinthepark.com/residence

Nova Festival of Arts and Music launches for 2012

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Early Bird Tickets on sale NOW www.ticketline.co.uk/nova-festival

The first ever Nova Festival is brought to you by two of The Big Chill’s co-creators – co-founder Katrina Larkin and creative producer Victoria Burns. Set in the stunning West Sussex countryside estate at Bignor Park, Nova is a small, intimate and independent arts and music festival built on consideration and care for the smallest details and with the biggest ideas. From 5th to 8th July, Nova will host inspiring artistic offerings to delight and captivate audiences plus a music programme featuring both established and up-and-coming acts expected to propel onto the music scene in 2012. Nova Festival is set to become the UK’s leading bijous festival for 2012.

Gates open on Thursday 5th July allowing visitors to stroll to the camping area, pitch up tents and be greeted with the festival’s very own pub, The Nova Arms, where afternoons can be spent watching a mad medley of pub entertainment, evenings filled with campsite campfire sessions plus a chance to see classic film screenings at the dedicated outdoor cinema.

Friday morning, Nova opens its gates to the enchanting Zen Gardens offering therapies and a hot tub experience beneath the trees and surrounded by the UK’s finest immersive and interactive outdoor art. By night the gardens take on a new dimension – bathed in artful illuminations and the perfect place for mischief amongst the woodland terrain. Throughout the day and into late evening there will be foraging, campfire cooking sessions, night walks and strange guided tours.

Friday sees the festival leap into life. The Valley Stage offers a line-up of brilliant, eclectic break-through new music alongside more established favourites. The Super-Nova DJ Bar will serve specially created cocktails to keep all moving to top class DJs spinning an array of dance floor styles. The Fearless Theatre plays host to wildly creative and fantastically eccentric comedy, cabaret and theatre. There will be opportunities to take part at The Public Art Studios and display works in the People’s Gallery or join the village choir. And when all that matters is a cup of tea, head to the Tea Dance for a cup of rosie lee and do a turn around the floor.

More music and curios will spring up among the trees and performers will take to the stage on the lake. Children will be enchanted at The Land of The Bumbley Boo and The Wordsmithy will engage minds and spark imaginations with lively debates, authors’ talks, readings and spoken word performances.

Every bar at Nova Festival will be fairly priced, well stocked with local liquor, ciders, ales and champagne, as well as everything needed to make generous cocktails. An array of handpicked stalls offering delicious food will be scattered across the beautiful site and there will be no shortage of beautiful places to picnic.
 
Nova Festival of Arts and Music takes place from Thursday 5th July till Sunday 8th July.

Line-up to be announced January 2012. 

Ticket Details:
Adult Tier One: £80 SOLD OUT
Adult Tier Two: £100
Adult Tier Three: £139
13-17 Tears: £60
Student: £100
Under 12s: FREE
Tickets include a camping pass