Fat Freddys Drop - Summer Festival Guide

Trench Town lineup announced for Boomtown

November 18, 2018March 5, 2016 by Summer Festival Guide

For its penultimate Chapter 8 district line-up announcement BoomTown steps into TrenchTown, one of the festival’s most popular districts and the city hub of all things reggae, dub, dancehall and jungle. At its heart is the Lion’s Den, an ancient temple towering 40ft into the sky and the UK’s largest dedicated reggae stage. Elsewhere in the district, the Hidden Woods stage is all about the beach party vibrations and deep into the woodland Tangled Roots celebrates sound system culture to the fullest, while all new stage The Windmill is the place to go to soak up laid-back folk, reggae, soul and funk sounds.

Topping Chapter 8’s monumental line-up are two acts who represent so much of BoomTown’s heritage and finally make their debuts at the festival; the legend that is Damian ‘Jr Gong’ Marley and New Zealand dub dons Fat Freddy’s Drop. Joining them is a collection of previously announced reggae and dub big hitters; Morgan Heritage, Inner Circle, Tarrus Riley, Junior Kelly, Channel One meets Mad Professor, Kabaka Pyramid & The Bebble Rockers, Little Roy and Mungo’s Hi Fi LIve, plus a fresh wave of additions that includes Pama International, Alaine and Dean Fraser with Blak Soil Band, Earl Gateshead, Kiko Bun, Hollie Cook andIQulah Rastafari.

Bashment fans will be getting their dutty whine on to dancehall queens Tanya Stephens and Soom T, The Heatwave alongside an explosive line-up of UK vocal talent including Big Narstie, Tippa Irie, General Levy, Flowdan, Rodney P, Demolition Man, Skibadee, Solo Banton, Serocee, Stush and Nadia Rose, plus Japanese soundsytem collective Part2Style and US producer6Blocc.

Repping the ragga junglists and dubwise DnB heads are the likes of Congo Natty feat Congo Dubz, Tenor Fly & Iron Dread, Benny Page vs Ed Solo, Aries, Dreadsquad & Blackout JA plus Uncle Dugs dropping a ‘Jungle Renaissance Rinse FM set’.

Full TrenchTown Line-Up:

Damian 'Jr Gong' Marley, Fat Freddy's DropMorgan Heritage, Inner Circle, Tarrus Riley, Junior Kelly, Tanya Stephens, Kabaka Pyramid & The Bebble Rockers, The Heatwave presents Showtime feat. Big Narstie, Tippa Irie, General Levy, Flowdan, Rodney P, Demolition Man, Skibadee, Solo Banton, Serocee, Stush + Nadia Rose, Congo Natty feat Congo Dubz, Tenor Fly & Iron Dread, Little Roy (Battle For Seattle), The Skints, Mungo's Hi-Fi Live Band feat. YT, Charlie P, Eva Lazarus + more, Channel One Meets Mad Professor,Benny Page Vs Ed Solo, Zion Train, Prince Fatty & Horseman, Soom T, Pama International, Alaine and Dean Fraser with Blak Soil Band, Earl Gateshead, Kiko Bun, Hollie Cook, Wrongtom & The Ragga Twins, Dreadsquad & Blackout JA, Aries, Laid Blak, IQulah Rastafari, ManuDigital, Part2Style, Uncle Dugs ‘Jungle Renaissance Rinse FM set’, 6Blocc, Sticky Joe & Cheshire Cat, Stagga & Ras Robbie, Baby Dub, Skitz, Joe Burn, Jinx in Dub, The Resonators, onlyjoe, Eva Lazarus, Backbeat Soundsystem, Illbilly Hitec ft. Longfingah, Kelvin 373 + Born On Road, Delhi Sultanate & Begum X, Unit 137 Sound System + Lionpulse Sound System AKA Lion Unit, Fleck, Dope Ammo, AAA Badboy, Amabadama, Donette Forte & Urban Lions, General Roots, General Skank, Samsara, Dubheart, Disorda, Danny T & Tradesman, Jam Jah feat. Lion Art, Leo Samson, J-Man Selecta, CHIEF ROCKAS, Daddy Nature, Escape Roots feat. Tom Spirals, Mattykore, Fat Stash, The Mr Bassie Band, Captain Accident, Arrival Sound, Steel City Rhythm, Rubberdub Soundsystem, Countryman Soundsystem, Titan Sound, Kaotik Kartel, Prank Dancehall, Shanti Squire & MC Little Tree

Madness, Damien Marley, Fat Freddys Drop and more added to Boomtown 2016 lineup

November 18, 2018February 4, 2016 by Summer Festival Guide

BoomTown Fair has announced the first batch of headline artists for Chapter 8 of the fully immersive, genre-spanning festival. The headliners include three acts who have been at the top of the BoomTown wish list since day one and represent the musical foundations of the trailblazing independent festival: UK ska powerhouse MADNESS, reggae royalty DAMIAN ‘JR GONG’ MARLEY and New Zealand 7-piece dub specialistsFAT FREDDY’S DROP.

Over the 11-14^th August, 50,000 citizens will descend on the Matterley Estate, Winchester amid a theatrical narrative of revolution, across nine individually themed city districts with a soundtrack covering all bases of the musical spectrum. Joining Madness in the Town Centre, prepare forFun Lovin’ Criminals’ block-rocking fusion of hip-hop, funk and punk, British electronic luminaries Leftfield and festival outlaws the Levellersdelivering their political brand of folk-rock. Back by popular demand are 2-tone ska heroes Bad Manners and California ska-punk legends Mad Caddies, keeping energy levels high alongside 10-piece French ska rockers Babylon Circus, Austrian electro-swing pioneer Parov Stelar and the superhuman mouth-driven music of Beardyman.

The Lion’s Den has cemented its reputation as the UK’s biggest reggae stage, and its Chapter 8 lineup features a suitably all-star cast of reggae, dub and dancehall VIPs. Entering the Den alongside Damian ‘Jr Gong’ Marley and Fat Freddy’s Drop is another of BoomTown’s most requested acts and one of the first ladies of dancehall; welcomed back to the festival with arms wide open, Tanya Stephens. Straight out of Jamaica, we proudly host prominent reggae artists and committed Rastafarian vocalists Junior Kelly and Tarrus Riley, plus Inner Circle andMorgan Heritage, iconic bands whose sounds resonate as strongly in 2016 as they have throughout their extensive careers.

Now firmly settled in its new location, The Old Mines stage will be showcasing the best in folk, world and roots music, headed up by the unique rockabilly-blues sounds of Irish vocalist Imelda May, UK folk favourite and 2005 Mercury Music Prize nominee Seth Lakeman and one of the most respected world fusion bands on the planet, Afro Celt Soundsystem. Reunited nine-piece Catalan collective Ojos de Brujo are guaranteed to turn the Mines inside out with their hip-hop tinged take on flamenco, and off the back of a number of sold out shows across the UK and Europe, US group Nahko And Medicine For The People bring their alchemy of folk, reggae and hip-hop.

BoomTown’s Latin district Barrio Loco will be in full-on carnival mode as ever, with the Poco Loco stage rocking to the sounds of New York hip-hop giant Pharaoh Monche and British genre-benders Foreign Beggars, back after smashing the BoomTown Winter Gathering to bits. The all-new Mi Casa stage caters for the house and techno heads, welcoming Detroit pioneers Derrick May and Octave One (live) and UK DJs du jourJackmaster, Skream and Shadow Child.

With the towering Bang Hai Palace on its frontline, DSTRKT 5 will blow minds even further in 2016. Causing mayhem on the Bang Hai stage are takeovers from some of the biggest brands in drum and bass; Critical Music and Ram Records, plus Full Cycle celebrating 20 years in the game with Roni Size and DJ Krust reuniting on the decks. More drum and bass legends feature in the form of DJ Hype b2b DJ Hazard, withCalyx and Teebee bringing their brain-melting six deck show. Representing the cream of the bass music crop on Bang Hai is Bristol boys-done-good My Nu Leng & Dread MC, and garage super-group TQD (Royal T, DJ Q and Flava D).

Elsewhere in DSTRKT 5, three brand new stages will be firing out signals from across the electronic music continuum. The dystopian android vibes of the Robotica stage will be soundtracked by supersonic beats and bass from Koan Sound and Nightmares on Wax, while the revolution HQ stage Sector 6, hosts innovators from both sides of the pond; DJ Craze and Derrick Carter fly in from the USA, and So Solid Crew,Newham Generals and a Deep Medi takeover fly the flag for UK homegrown sounds. Those craving harder and faster BPMs will find sanctuary in Muuti’s Scrapyard, where the likes of Angerfist, Dr. Peacock and Radium will unleash hardcore rave carnage.

After the huge success of the Psychedelic Forest in Chapter 7, the area returns with a lineup of scene-leading artists, with the likes of Gaudi,Neelix, Shpongle, Skazi and Hallucinogen showcasing the finest in psychedelic trance, techno, breakbeat and ambient.

Chemical Brothers to headline Sonar 2015 shows

November 18, 2018December 1, 2014 by Summer Festival Guide

Sónar 2015 announces its first names for Sónar Barcelona. The first artist announcement includes classic and revered names of electronic music and benchmarks for a new generation, together with new producers and bands outlining the future direction of electronica.

The Chemical Brothers (UK)

Autechre (UK)

Kindness (UK)

Evian Christ (UK)

Fat Freddy's Drop (NZ)

Daniel Avery (UK)

Ten Walls (LT)

Lee Gamble (UK)

Sophie (UK)

Holly Herndon (US)

PXXR GVNG (ES)

Kiasmos (IS)

Kate Tempest (UK)

Tourist (UK)

Vessel (UK)

Niño (ES)

Mans O (ES)

Helena Hauff (DE)

and many more to be confirmed…

Tom Rowlands of The Chemical Brothers, speaks for the first time exclusively for Sónar

Tom Rowlands of The Chemical Brothers, speaks for the first time exclusively for Sónar to provide the first details about the new show and new studio album in 2015:

“We're very excited to return to Sónar, one of the best crowds, in one of the greatest cities. We are still imagining the gig, both music and visual. We are working on the staging of the live gig at the moment. Adam (Smith) has some amazing ideas. The show will be an intense ride, hold tight. (About the new album) I guess the most important feature of the album is that it connects with us emotionally in some way. We hope for finding a new way to make you feel. We dream of new sounds and different frames. We have worked with some guest singers but mostly the album is pure Chemical Brothers.”

Keystones of electronica

For the past twenty years, The Chemical Brothers have redefined the idea of live electronic music. In that time, their live show has evolved from humble beginnings in dank London nightclubs into one of the most in demand festival headline sets in the world. All the while, it has adhered to the same basic idea: that the gig should create its own transcendent audio/visual space where the audience can lose themselves for the duration of the set. The Chemical Brothers on going relationship with director and visual artist Adam Smith continues to produce hallucinogenic results across the globe (as seen in 2012’s collaborative concert film Don’t Think). The band are due to release their eighth studio album in 2015.

Autechre are one of the most admired and respected duos in abstract and experimental electronica. The importance of the music and sound imagined by Rob Brown and Sean Booth cannot be underestimated. They have played an integral role in the development of abstract techno and IDM (intelligent dance music) over the past 25 years. One of their tracks "Flutter", is considered by critics as a historical zenith of IDM, and albums like "Incunabula", "Amber", "TriRepetae" or the more recent "Oversteps" and "EXAI" are all masterpieces of sonic deconstruction. Their live performances are rare and very exclusive, and in 2015 they will perform at Sónar by Day, nearly two decades after their first and only appearance at the festival in 1996.

New benchmarks

As always, the Sónar line-up is dominated by the huge presence of new producers and bands noted for their powerful artistic profile and sound that in many cases outline the future direction of electronica and cutting edge music.

This is certainly the case for Vessel and Evian Christ, two very young British producers with a distinct and identifiable sound based on techno, who are exploring more complex sonic territories in immersive shows with a potent sensorial impact; Lee Gamble, the respected and experienced aural adventurer will present his new live audiovisual concept in collaboration with the London designer Dave Gaskarth.

Sónar also recognises new dynamic female talent such as American songwriter Holly Herndon, creator of dystopian sound worlds with futuristic auditory aesthetics; and KateTempest, poet, performer and British playwright -winner of the Ted Hughes Award in 2013- who will present her first album "Everybody Down" on hip-hop label Big Dada; or German dj Helena Hauff, faithful disciple to the continuation of the most resonant techno and electro from her home base in Hamburg.

The festival will also host exciting dance music projects from:Kiasmos, whose emotive and dance friendly techno is produced by prodigious Icelandic pianist Ólafur Arnalds, together with Janus Rasmussen; electropop quartet Bloodgroup; and the luminescent and penetrating melodies of Lithuanians Ten Walls, whose career has just taken off. You will also be able to enjoy prestigious young DJs likeDaniel Avery, mentored by Erol Alkan and hailed by critics as the British Isles new master of tech-house; and producers like Sophie, creator of colourful melodies and contemporary rhythms, in keeping with the new PC Music trend, who recently collaborated with Madonna, Nicki Minaj and Diplo.

There will of course be room reserved for pop and other styles including celebrated New Zealand band Fat Freddy's Drop, who return to Sónar with their fantastic live show where they will intelligently mix dub, reggae and soul, with techno and house. Also appearing from the UK will be Tourist and Kindness, two key names in today’s synth pop sound, both of whom have newly released material. Tourist will present a tantalizing live audiovisual show where the piano takes centre stage, while Kindness will present a liberating and highly emotive concert experience.

First artists announced for this years WOMAD at Charlton Park

November 18, 2018March 1, 2014 by Summer Festival Guide

After she was forced to pull out from last year’s event, WOMAD are delighted to announce that Alice Russell, one of the UK’s greatest soul singers of this – or any other – time, will be treading the festival’s boards this summer, offering an excellent opportunity to witness a woman whose vocal range is matched by the gamut of emotions that underpin her performances. Also from these shores, Nitin Sawhney ONEZERO is the live incarnation of the polymath’s ONEZERO album, a cut-straight-to-vinyl retrospective that revisited key moments from his extensive back catalogue.

Jetting in from the other side of the planet are evergreen WOMAD favourites Fat Freddy’s Drop, the seven-piece New Zealand crew whose heady brew of dub and soul (plus a smidgeon of techno) never fails to fire the festival vibe. Another multi-membered band flying in – albeit from the somewhat closer Balkans – is Goran Bregovic whose Wedding & Funeral Orchestra marry their leader’s rock-star past with the exuberance of the gypsy brass band tradition.

Africa, of course, is always well represented at WOMAD – and Mali, in particular. Bassekou Kouyate and Ngoni ba represent the musically rich country this year. Having graduated from Toumani Diabate’s band to become a star in his own right, Bassekou is the world’s most celebrated player of the ngoni, the ancient harp lute of West Africa. From the other side of the continent comes the mighty Mulatu Astatke. If you’ve ever cupped an ear in the direction of the Ethiopiques reissue series (or to the soundtrack of Jim Jarmusch’s Broken Flowers), you’ll be familiar with this bandleader/composer’s lithe and sensual Ethio-jazz. Mulatu’s performance promises to be a very special one indeed.

Another venerable elder statesman from the top table of African music makes a hugely welcome return to the WOMAD stage when Oliver Mtukudzi – and his excellent band The Black Spirits – remind us of what a joyful sound those shimmering Zimbabwean guitars can be. Also returning to Charlton Park is the Norwegian singer Mari Boine who melds elements of folk, rock and jazz to joik, the traditional music of her Sami homeland. Mari’s records have previously been released on the Real World label, WOMAD’s sister organisation; new Real World signings The Gloaming are also Wiltshire-bound, a five-strong folk super-group that, in the words ofThe New Yorker, “moves the music of Ireland in captivating new directions”.

Once again, this summer’s festival includes some intriguing new, transnational collaborations. These include the mouthwatering partnership between Cuban pianist Roberto Fonseca and Malian songbirdFatoumata Diawara that aims to explore shared traditions, despite their respective homelands being divided by the Atlantic Ocean. Another attractive teaming-up features former Carolina Chocolate Drops songsterDom Flemons and Martin Simpson, one of the finest folk and blues guitarists these shores have ever produced. Both are impeccable players, making this collaboration a must-see.

Of course, WOMAD’s reputation isn’t just built on shipping over an unending stream of world-famous artists. Every WOMAD event is fuelled by the spirit of discovery, by encountering performers previously unknown and unheard. Accordingly, the headline acts of future years could be found among the likes of…

Kobo Town (Trinidad/Canada)
Delightful modern-day calypso from Port of Spain (via Toronto) and underpinned by roots-reggae rhythm and brass.

Mahsa & Marjan Vahdat (Iran)
Women singers from Iran are hen’s-teeth-rare, making the intertwining, undulating twin voices of these two sisters from Tehran an important inclusion on this year’s bill.

Anna Cinzia Villani & MacuranOrchestra (Italy)
From the heel of Italy – and performing in the pizzica pizzica style – comes this soulful singer who’s every inch the equal of your favourite fado singer.

Ibibio Sound Machine (UK/Nigeria)
Fronted by female singer Eno Williams, this project is a brilliant fusion of West African funk and disco and to-the-minute electro.

Magic Drum Orchestra (UK)
The drum is everything for this 20-piece percussion collective, delivering samba, Afrobeat, dubstep and almost everything in between.

Nuru Kane (Senegal)
Wide-reaching Senegalese troubadour whose one-world vibe is seasoned with plenty of strong North African flavours.

The Good Ones (Rwanda)
Genocide-surviving trio whose music is as powerful as their story. “The raw, emotional results are undeniably impressive,” says Mojo magazine.

Salim-Sulaiman with Karsh Kale (India)
Bollywood musical directors and siblings Salim and Sulaiman Merchant join forces with Asian Underground pioneer Karsh Kale to create an epic, widescreen soundscape.

Ethiopian jazz, British soul, Kiwi dub, Balkans brass…. This is just the start. Over the coming weeks, dozens more artists will be unveiled as the line-up of one of the red-letter weekends of the British summer takes shape. And, believe us, it promises to be a classic.

Croatia’s Soundwave Festival full lineup announced!

November 18, 2018January 29, 2014 by Summer Festival Guide

Set in one of Europe's most beautiful locations, Soundwave Croatia returns for 2014 with a lineup that includes New Zealand 7-piece outfit Fat Freddy's Drop, LA based DJ / Producer / Rapper Madlib and British music producer Mr Scruff.

FAT FREDDY'S DROP | MADLIB (DJ SET) | MR SCRUFF | GOLD PANDA | THE BUG

Soundwave Croatia Festival add Fat Freddys Drop and more

November 18, 2018December 19, 2013 by Summer Festival Guide

Fresh off the back of releasing their highly anticipated new album 'Blackbird', 7-piece New Zealand outfit Fat Freddy's Drop have been added to the first line up announcement, alongside Gold Panda who made headlines in 2013 after the release of his critically acclaimed 'Half Of Where You Live'. Gentleman's Dub Club and Huey Morgan also feature, alongside standout performers from last years festival; Om Unit, Eliphino, Riot Jazz and Andrew Ashong; Om Unit's 'Threads LP' looks set to fill many Best Of lists come the end of the year and Ashong's Theo Parrish produced hit 'Flowers' has already started reigning in accolades as 2013's stand-out track, as he approaches his debut album. Rounding up a typically diverse Soundwave line-up are Anushka and Dele Sossimi, the latter set to deliver a tribute to the legendary Fela Kuti.

Secret Garden Party 2014 first lineup announce

June 10, 2020December 12, 2013 by Summer Festival Guide

We can announce the initial lineup of artists that will bring musical entertainment to the masses at Secret Garden Party in 2014. They include favourites Little Dragon, Martha Reeves & Morcheeba as well as Fat Freddys Drop, Jagwar Ma and more!

Little Dragon – Fat Freddy's Drop

Martha Reeves and the Vandellas – Deap Vally – Morcheeba – Jagwar Ma – Clean Bandit

Max Raabe and Palast Orchestra (as previously announced) Fat White Family – Dub Pistols – Southern – Champs – Honeyblood – The Correspondents – Bat and Ball – MT

Boutique Camping now on sale…..

For those who desire a tranquil haven of luxury and convenience Boutique Camping will be on sale from today. http://store.secretgardenparty.com

An oasis of upper class values; Boutique offers you your own gate direct into the party, a private car park, busboys with barrows, and waiters and butlers to await your command.

With all of the exclusive and premium services you have grown to expect you will also find dedicated therapists to pamper you in every way; and, as if that weren’t enough, we are proud to announce that London’s premium cocktail bar, Quo Vadis, will be setting up shop in the middle of Boutique to ensure all you libations are legendary.

Applications for funding for Action Camps and Participation now open…

The Action Camps are the lifeblood of Secret Garden Party. A record number of applications were received in 2013. Action Camps can include: workshops for teaching, tents for talks, craft spaces, poetry corners, karaoke dens or something quite quite different. From penguin detective agencies to carving your own gravestone – we’ve had it all and said yes! So twist your creative noggins together and bring us what we’re missing; your ideas.

If you’d like to apply click here: http://www.secretgardenparty.com/2014/forms/SGP_Participation_2014.pdf

!!! (Chk Chk Chk), Crazy P and more added to Standon Calling 2012 lineup

November 18, 2018April 3, 2012 by Summer Festival Guide

!!! (CHK CHK CHK) / CRAZY P
WILLY MASON / GREG WILSON / TROJAN SOUND SYSTEM
THE NEXTMEN feat MC WREC / BIGKIDS / THE SKINTS / COSMO (Cosmodelica) / TURBOWOLF
FIGURES (live) / REVERE / BEANS ON TOAST / GOLDEN FABLE
BELAKISS / THE FABULOUS PENETRATORS

plus…

DEATH IN VEGAS / BEARDYMAN / FAT FREDDY’S DROP
CASIOKIDS / FIELD MUSIC / GABBY YOUNG AND OTHER ANIMALS / KING CHARLES / STEALING SHEEP YEARNERS / DUB PISTOLS / VADOINMESSICO / JENNY O. / special guests THE TIME AND SPACE MACHINE
and many more still to be announced…

Dance-punk’s finest, California’s !!! (Chk Chk Chk) come to the UK to play Standon Calling, their only UK festival show! Their live shows are about freedom of expression, unadulterated punk and pure escapism.

Crazy P bring one of the UK’s best dance music shows – a showcase punctuated with brilliant pop, eclectic disco and soulful rhythm funk that’s sure to get the crowd moving. A legend in his own right, Greg Wilson is a true DJs’ DJ – widely respected as one of the masters of the re-edit, and an exponent of disco and electro-funk sounds. Colleen ‘Cosmodelica’ Murphy is an eclectic, experimental DJ and producer and all-round purveyor of the psychedelic, the Balearic, and the cosmic.

Willy Mason’s headline performance on The Lordship stage promises to be special. Trojan Sound System are all about the reggae vibes, a collective of sound system legends like selector Earl Gateshead and Daddy Ad, and vocalists Superfour plus Chucky Banton who are considered some of the world’s best reggae party-makers. The Nextmen feat. MC Wrec bring the jump-about party to Standon. Expect anything from dancehall, drum’n’bass and dubstep to reggae, roots, UK funky, indie and leftfield. It will go off!

Turbowolf venture into psych-rock; hotly tipped lo-fi duo BIGkids promise samples, saxophones and sunshine singalongs; reggae and dub upstarts The Skints take the bull by the horns, with an all-singing, all-dancing party; and electronic production duo Figures bring live low-tempo electronic house music. Plus there’s seven-piece band Revere, folker Beans on Toast, psych-rockers Belakiss, who toured with Kasabian, Welsh chamber pop duo on-the-up Golden Fable, and slick rock’n’rollers The Fabulous Penetrators.

ALSO AT STANDON

This year’s headliners are Death in Vegas, Beardyman and Fat Freddy’s Drop. Rock meets electronica as Death in Vegas heads up Saturday night. Richard Fearless’s minimal beats meet psychedelic flamboyance and progressive rock stamina meets throbbing basslines. Beatbox, MC, musician and all-round vocal genius, Beardyman joins Standon Calling 2012, promising a non-stop show! And sliding in on Sunday, bringing with them their own brand of party-ready dub-funk-reggae-soul are Fat Freddy’s Drop.

The Time and Space Machine, Richard Norris’s latest – and trippiest – exploration of the psychedelic side of music, Norwegian synth-poppers CasioKids and engaging wonky electronic pop brothers Field Music are on the bill. Gabby Young and Other Animals returns, wilder, bolder and more irresistible than ever. MTV-tipped King Charles will thrill with his curious glam folk pop breezy sound, while ones to watch Stealing Sheep continue the psych-feel, with harmonic pop. Catch innovative three-piece folk band Yearners, see delicious ‘freak’-folkers Vadoinmessico or get lost in singer-songwriter Jenny O.’s infectious melodies.

THEME: JOURNEY TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH

Standon Calling’s theme is conveyed through the music, theatre, arts and fancy dress. And every year the costumes get more ornate. What will you come as? This year the theme is about adventure and the spirit of discovery: Journey to the Ends of the Earth.

The fields of Standon will be transformed into every unexplored corner of the world and your imagination. Watch acrobats swing from the Amazonian branches of the tree bar, discover creatures of the deep in the pool and dance late into the night with fantastical creatures in the Cowshed Club. The next morning take to the skies in a hot air balloon before crash landing at the feet of the giants of Gulliver’s Travels. Invent, create and discover yourself in the greatest adventure Standon has ever undertaken!

Heritage Arts Company presents the greatest treasure hunt Standon has ever seen: AN UNEARTHLY CHILD. Collaborating with Rolemop, Meet Alice, Circus Space performers and others to be announced, HAC create an interactive game for adults and children – with every part of the game an enjoyable performance for festival-goers… Nobody does interactive theatre like Standon!

There will be DJ outposts across the site to encourage late-night exploration. Dig It Soundsystem is a big, bad portable bike-pulled soundsystem that has become a favourite at Standon. The Groove Garden is a disco/chillout space centred around a customised garden shed, it creates a summer barbeque feel with a wide-open music policy, games, face-painting and lots more. The ever-popular Rockaoke returns to the Cowshed – indulge your fantasies of being a rock star. And, new this year, Beatbox Workshop comes from some of the UK’s most exciting emerging beatboxers – an opportunity to learn the basics, and discover your potential.

The UnderCovers Literary Lounge returns to Standon, this time at the Lordship Pub, with poets, authors and comedians to entertain you. And there will be more literary Twister! Brought to you by Clapton’s Ultra Large Format darkroom Analogue Photo Booth is an experiment in mobile portraiture where the sitters produce their own portraits. Pose resplendent in your costumes on the Saturday before the fancy dress competition, or capture that magical festival moment and develop your own prints.

Take to the Standon skies on your very own balloon adventure. Around the World in 80 seconds! Join Standon newcomers Salon present Fresh Perspectives of Science, Art & Philosophy – The Most Fun You Can Have Without Sex. It’s an experience like no other, where expert presenters – hand-picked from three disciplines: Psychology, Science and the Arts – share their skills and spill their secrets. If you crave something different, with a friendly crowd and some of the UK’s most interesting speakers, this is for you…

Autumn Shift: Performance, Cinema & Calm returns with massage, bellydancing lessons, jewellery-making, sock puppet workshops, a 48-hour film competition, lazy Sunday morning papers, open mic, discussions, nightly cinema, singing workshops, live film score, and many more intrepid happenings! Enjoy all manner of treatments, hairstyling and yoga by the river bank. Or attend the Clare Trenchard Sculpture Classes for some therapeutic art.

The Dog Show is back. This time no human contestants are allowed, although no doubt a few will slip through! There’s the swimming pool – Standon is the only UK festival with its own pool! Standon Calling’s homage to the Olympic Games will be just a little leftfield – with obstacle courses and fun on the lawn. And that’s not all – there’s still much more to be announced…

Death in Vegas, Beardyman and more set for Standon Calling 2012

November 18, 2018February 26, 2012 by Summer Festival Guide

STANDON CALLING 2012 ANNOUNCES…

DEATH IN VEGAS / BEARDYMAN / FAT FREDDY’S DROP

CASIOKIDS / FIELD MUSIC / GABBY YOUNG AND OTHER ANIMALS / KING CHARLES

STEALING SHEEP / YEARNERS / DUB PISTOLS / VADOINMESSICO / JENNY O.

Very Special Guests in The Cowshed – THE TIME AND SPACE MACHINE

Thought-provoking, charismatic and bursting with character, this year’s headliners Death in Vegas, Beardyman and Fat Freddy’s Drop are sure to bring the Main Stage to a standstill – but that’s not all, as Standon Calling announces a raft of supporting acts, as well as very special guests in The Cowshed The Time and Space Machine.

Rock meets electronica as Death in Vegas heads up Saturday night. Richard Fearless’s minimal beats meet psychedelic flamboyance and progressive rock stamina meets throbbing basslines.Since the project emerged with a 1997 debut, Death in Vegas has continued to grow, expand and experiment – and 2011‘s critically acclaimed ‘Trans-Love Energies’ album is testament to that. Expect an audio-visual treat, as Fearless’s imagination runs wild – this will be stunning!

Beatbox, MC, musician and all-round vocal genius, Beardyman joins Standon Calling 2012, promising a non-stop show that’ll be impossible to label. Just what IS Beardyman? Unpredictable, thoroughly entertaining and magic – that’s what! And sliding in on Sunday, bringing with them their own brand of dub-funk-reggae-soul are Fat Freddy’s Drop – the seven-piece outfit who’ve won fans around the world with their chilled out vibes.

Also announced to play Standon Calling 2012 is The Time and Space Machine, Richard Norris’s latest – and trippiest – exploration of the psychedelic side of music. There’s Moshi Moshi’s Norwegian synth-poppers CasioKids. Sunderland’s engaging wonky electronic pop brothers Field Music, whose latest album is receiving widespread acclaim and inspiring a new psychedelia. Long-time friend of Standon Calling, Gabby Young and Other Animals – whose new album is due this summer – returns, wilder, bolder and more irresistible than ever. Expect a brassy, bouncy, slinky and theatrical musical mystery tour punctuated with elements of burlesque and figments from Gabby Young’s rollercoaster imagination.

Recently voted MTV’s ‘Brand New for 2012’ one to watch, King Charles will thrill with his curious glam folk pop breezy sound. Stealing Sheep continue the psych-feel, with lo-fi harmonic pop. Innovative three-piece folk band Yearners join the party. London’s dub-punk-big-beat-reggae duo Dub Pistols are back, with a new album to show off. Join delicious ‘freak’-folkersVadoinmessico or get lost in singer-songwriter Jenny O.’s infectious melodies. Standon Calling 2012 is all about exploration – and with these acts you can really lose yourself in the music!

Two For Joy Music, The Green Note and Owlsworld present The Lordship – the folk stage – at Standon Calling 2012. Camden's The Green Note has gained a reputation as one of London's premier intimate live music venues, and has become renowned for hosting the cream of the crop of folk, blues, roots, Americana and world music. Two For Joy Music, hatched in The Magpie's Nest and Cut A Shine Hoedown Collective, provides the tools for the musical extended family to connect, expand and grow. Owlsworld work closely with a host of national and international touring folk and roots bands, from bluegrass to blues.

Standon Calling is a three-day party featuring musical icons, breakthrough acts, a swimming pool, themed fancy dress, an on-site nightclub, bars that never close, sprawling arts installations, roaming interactive theatre, the weird and the wonderful – and so much more besides. For a snapshot of what to expect this year from one of the UK’s most interactive – and creative – festivals take a look at this video from Standon Calling 2011: http://vimeo.com/31516076.

Standon Calling 2012 has some other exciting plans to unveil over the next couple of months – and they’re always interested in fans’ input and feedback on the Facebook page.

This year will be bigger, better and brighter… Come together!