Rod Stewart to headline Isle of Wight Festival 2017

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Today the Isle of Wight Festival 2017 have announced Rod Stewart to headline on Sunday 11th June in his only UK festival appearance next year. He has been delighting fans at sold out concerts up and down the UK as part of his ‘From Gasoline Alley to Another Country Hits’ arena tour.

Rod Stewart will bring his spectacular live show to the festival for the first time, performing a set of both classics and new hits in his dazzling signature style. As one of the best-selling artists in the history of recorded music, with over 200 million records sold worldwide his performance will include show-stopping classics spanning five decades including ‘Maggie May, Da Ya Think I’m Sexy, Baby Jane, the First Cut is the Deepest and I Don’t Want to Talk About It’. Festival-goers will also be treated to tracks from his recently released critically acclaimed platinum album ‘Another Country’, which debuted at Number Two last year.

Rod Stewart said: ‘I have been very lucky to have played many of the world's finest venues and festivals – but never played the legendary IOW Festival. I am so excited to put that right. June can't come round soon enough.’

Isle of Wight Festival Promoter, John Giddings said: ‘I’ve wanted Rod Stewart to play at the festival for a number of years – he’s an incredible icon with a career that’s spanned over five decades so it’s impossible to not be a fan. On Sunday night he’ll bring an incredible energy to create an unforgettable moment.’

Topping the bill on Sunday night, Rod Stewart joins the previously announced Saturday headliners Arcade Fire at the festival which takes place from 8th-11th June at Seaclose Park, Newport. Early bird tickets are currently on sale as well as day tickets for the festival – www.isleofwightfestival.com

For a VIP festival experience, exclusive glamping options are also on sale. Camp Kerala Mademoiselle provide Luxury Glamping backstage with room service and VIP transport.

Eve’s Tipis offer a luxury stay with a cocktail bar and hot breakfast options to kickstart your day. The much loved colourful Podpads will also be returning which include a power point to keep your phone charged throughout the weekend. Love Your Tent, Tangerine Fields and Pink Moon Camping also offer unique camping experiences for a weekend in style.

2017 will be the 16th Isle of Wight Festival since it was successfully relaunched in 2002 to become one of the most exciting weekends of the summer, and Sir Rod will take his place alongside a proud heritage of show-stopping headliners such as Foo Fighters, The Rolling Stones, The Killers, Paul McCartney, Coldplay, Blur and Fleetwood Mac.

T in the Park will NOT return in 2017

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Unfortunately for those looking forward to T in the Park 2017, we have just been informed that it will not be taking place.  Please see the offical statement from the organisers below.
 
T in the Park festival organisers DF Concerts and founding partner Tennent’s Lager today announced the news that the Scottish festival will be taking a break in 2017. The partners of 23 years released a statement, which can be read below in full, to music fans across the world, paying homage to their passion and dedication to T in the Park.
 
EVENT STATEMENT
 
“To the best audience in the world,
 
For over 23 years, T in the Park has been at the heart of Scotland’s music scene – with you, by our side. But for now, sadly, we need to take a break.
 
We launched T in the Park with one aim: to give Scottish music fans an unforgettable weekend with their friends enjoying the best acts from around the globe. And to say we achieved this together is an understatement. T in the Park has become one of the best known, biggest and most loved festivals in the world. When we launched back in 1994 there were only two music festivals in the UK – now there are many and T in the Park paved the way for all that have come and gone in Scotland since.  We created more than just a festival; we created a family and decades of wonderful memories.
 
However, the last couple of years have had their challenges. Against our will, and despite a prolonged fight, we were forced to move from Balado, Kinross in 2015.  This move was a mammoth task for the event and one that was compounded by a series of onerous site restrictions placed upon us as preparations for the event in 2015 took place. 
 
As the build up to the festival was well underway we were informed by Scottish Government Ministers that we would have to apply for full Planning Permission due to the presence of an unregistered, but protected in law, osprey's nest. The constraints – logistically and financially – that the resulting planning conditions put upon us are simply not workable. We tried our best to work with the pressures placed upon the site by bringing in an additional team and fixing the first year traffic issues, but ultimately we’re not in control of the overall site layout and the continued restrictions means that the negative impact on our fans and the limitations placed on their experience is too great. We now need to take stock and take a year out to try to resolve the issues so that we can once again deliver the kind of camping festival you are used to and deserve."
 
 
Until the next time…

Slam Dunk Festival 2017 Announce First Set Of Acts

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Slam Dunk Festival have alredy annouced thier headliner this year will be Enter Shikari, but who else will be joining the festival this year?

 

The first set of bands have been annouced, First up, Bedford Rockers DON BROCO, who will be making it their only UK festival of 2016. Now if you remeber back in 2011 SDF brought  you the first UK Less Than Jake and Reel Big Fish double bill. Well they're doing that again, and on top of of that making their Slam Dunk debut will be the Texas Rockers Bowling For Soup it's going to be one hell of a party!

 

Tickets on sale now, details at www.slamdunkmusic.com

BLOODSTOCK unveils first 2017 bands

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BLOODSTOCK is thrilled to announce a bumper batch of Ronnie James Dio main stage bands for 2017, including their Friday night headliner!

Prepare your drinking horns!! Swedish overlords, AMON AMARTH will be sailing their Viking longboat on to the Catton Park shore as Friday night’s headline band!  Chief berzerker Johan Hegg declares, "What's up UK!  On August 11th 2017, we are invading BLOODSTOCK!  It's going to be a fucking awesome party, with immense bloodshed and you better be there!"  Get ready for battle and raise your horns with us via their latest video at https://youtu.be/Ndu33Uv7Aco.

Landing the special guest slot on Friday are power metal kingpins, BLIND GUARDIAN.  Their set will be a UK exclusive for 2017. BLOODSTOCK prides itself on being by the fans, for the fans, and are pleased to welcome one of the fans most requested acts to the lineup. If you’re not familiar, you’ve three decades of music to investigate, but why not start with the more recent ‘Twlight Of The Gods’, at: https://youtu.be/Ep1B_aIFPDE.

Bay Area thrash beasts, TESTAMENT are set for a Friday slot.  With their crushing brand new album, ‘Brotherhood Of The Snake’, released just a week ago by Nuclear Blast, check out the awesome video for new song ‘The Pale King’ at https://youtu.be/wkHT86Ei7DY.

Hardcore kings, HATEBREED make a welcome return to Catton Park on Saturday. Check out their video for ‘Looking Down The Barrel of Today’ from current album, ‘The Concrete Confessional’ here.  Expect firebrand frontman, Jamey Jasta to play ringmaster to some epic circle pit activity, so get your pit skills honed in preparation!

Also landing a spot on the Ronnie James Dio main stage over the weekend are Tennessee deathcore beasts, WHITECHAPEL, seminal death metallers, POSSESSED and flying the flag for English heavy metal, BLOODSTOCK favourites, HELL.

Slam Dunk Festival 2017 Headliner Announcement

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Slam Dunk Festival announce thier headliner for 2017;  Enter Shikari will be headliner at the festival with an exclusive celebration of 10 years since the release of their groundbreaking debut album "Take To The Skies".

Tickets now on sale so make sure you grab yours.
Ticket links will be listed at www.slamdunkmusic.com

Secret Garden Party announce theme for 2017

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Fame, celebrity, a media that obsesses over both and huge business that sells us access to, and relics of, them: the one thing that’s clear is we have ourselves a new religion…  of sorts. But this is a doctrine that offers us a troubling vision of Heaven on Earth; a room, full of our idols, guarded behind doors, with a strict entry criteria…

 

So, in this Strictly X Factor Love Island I’m a Kardashian #get-me-out-of-here social, instant, online world; what should we do?  How much do we embrace this idea of the universal right to fame and, if we do, should we all start immediately baking, blogging, dancing, cooking, singing and redecorating our little hearts out, to get 'there’?  You know that place down the red carpet and behind the velvet rope…

 

Well this summer the Secret Garden Party invites you to join it ‘there’ and finally find out if it’s anywhere we want to be.

In the tradition of the bacchanals, we will satiate this worldly distraction to the point we can break free from it – to finally gain a true perspective.  And in doing so, set a new, true precedent. So we’re donning our finest threads and polishing up like never before for the biggest VIP LOL-off you’ve ever seen. Where everyone likes / follows / adores you, the bouncers all know your name and the Sweet Dreams are made by You…

 

AIF Conference, Cardiff last night….SGP wins award for ‘Act of Independence’.

Whether channelled through its distinctive themes or its confrontation of social issues, Secret Garden Party’s ethos and spirit of independence has always been to encourage a free-thinking and forward-thinking community. So organisers are genuinely gratified to receive recognition for this pioneering work on drug testing – the first public testing facility in the UK.

 

Freddie Fellowes founder of Secret Garden Party, along with Steve Rolles from the Transform Drug Policy Foundation and Fiona Measham, Professor of Criminology at Durham University and director of The Loop ( a not-for-profit service for drug and alcohol harm reduction) last night were  presented with the Association of Independent Festivals’ ‘Act of Independence’ gong at the AIF awards ceremony for spearheading the first UK public drug-testing scheme at last summer’s Secret Garden Party  – a  service approved by Cambridge Police and local health authorities  – where people could have their drugs tested for safety on site.

 

Paul Reed, General Manager of the AIF said:

“There was a very strong shortlist for the inaugural ‘Act of Independence’ award and the result is some well -deserved recognition for an initiative that was both preventative and proactive, focusing on harm reduction, promoting safer drug use and helping people to make informed choices. It was achieved following years of hard work behind the scenes engaging the various agencies involved so congratulation to Secret Garden Party and The Loop for their perseverance and pioneering work in this area. We hope to see MAST testing become rapidly widespread at festivals, and AIF are working closely with The Loop and the organisers of Secret Garden Party to develop best practice and national guidelines for drug use and health and safety services at festivals”

 

Art Applications now open:

SGP is calling out for next year’s creative wonders. Since launching the Grants Programme in the Garden, there’s been an explosion of creative work adorning the site with imaginative installations year on year.  Now SGP is on the hunt for the new and spectacular, theme-inspired pieces for 2017. Artists, Designers & the wildly creative, be a part of this credible arts collective. With commissions, grants and development funds available contact: [email protected]

 

HG’s Theme Playlist:

http://bit.ly/SGP17spotify

Tickets for Secret Garden Party 2017 are now on sale at: tkt.to/sgp2017 

 

Arcade Fire to headline Isle of Wight Festival 2017

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After a phenomenal 2016 that saw Queen + Adam Lambert and The Who grace the iconic main stage, the Isle of Wight Festival is today excited to announce music giants, Arcade Fire, as the first headline act for 2017. The much-coveted appearance will be their only UK festival of the Summer and their first UK festival performance since 2014.

The Canadian band released their fourth studio album ‘Reflektor’ in October 2013 to widespread critical acclaim, debuting at #1 in both the U.K. and U.S. and topping the iTunes charts in 40 countries. 'Reflektor' was hailed as one of the Top 10 albums of 2013 by NME, Rolling Stone, Stereogum, Pitchfork among others, and received two Grammy Award nominations as well as a nomination for the prestigious Polaris Music Prize. After a nod at the Academy Awards for their work on the score of the Spike Jonze film, 'Her' (2013), the band went on to release their first film 'The Reflektor Tapes' combining concert footage and personal moments captured during the making of the album and subsequent tour. Acknowledged as one of the best live acts in the world, known for their thrilling live shows and high-energy performances, Arcade Fire have sold out venues across the globe.

Isle of Wight Festival Promoter, John Giddings, said: After a phenomenal 2016 that saw Queen + Adam Lambert and The Who grace the iconic main stage, the Isle of Wight Festival is today excited to announce music giants, Arcade Fire, as the first headline act for 2017. The much-coveted appearance will be their only UK festival of the Summer and their first UK festival performance since 2014.

The Canadian band released their fourth studio album ‘Reflektor’ in October 2013 to widespread critical acclaim, debuting at #1 in both the U.K. and U.S. and topping the iTunes charts in 40 countries. 'Reflektor' was hailed as one of the Top 10 albums of 2013 by NME, Rolling Stone, Stereogum, Pitchfork among others, and received two Grammy Award nominations as well as a nomination for the prestigious Polaris Music Prize. After a nod at the Academy Awards for their work on the score of the Spike Jonze film, 'Her' (2013), the band went on to release their first film 'The Reflektor Tapes' combining concert footage and personal moments captured during the making of the album and subsequent tour. Acknowledged as one of the best live acts in the world, known for their thrilling live shows and high-energy performances, Arcade Fire have sold out venues across the globe.

Isle of Wight Festival Promoter, John Giddings, said: “I’m so happy to have secured Arcade Fire as our first headliner. David Bowie recommended them and I’ve been a fan ever since. Last year was an incredible year and I’m ready for us to come back even better in 2017.”

The Isle of Wight Festival takes place from 8th – 11th June at Seaclose Park, Newport with Early Bird Tickets on sale from today.  Due to popular demand, 2017 sees the return of Day Tickets in addition to Weekend Tickets. 

For a VIP festival experience exclusive glamping options are also on sale. Eve’s Tipis offer a luxury stay with a cocktail bar and hot breakfast options to kickstart your day. The much loved colourful Podpads will also be returning which include a power point to keep your phone charged throughout the weekend. Love Your Tent and Pink Moon Camping also offer unique camping experiences for a weekend in style.

2017 will be the 16th Isle of Wight Festival since it was successfully relaunched in 2002 to become one of the most exciting weekends of the summer, with a proud heritage of show-stopping headliners such as Foo Fighters, The Rolling Stones, The Killers, Paul McCartney, Coldplay, Blur and Fleetwood Mac.

A full range of ticket, travel and camping / accommodation options are available for The Isle of Wight Festival from www.isleofwightfestival.com.

Early Bird Tickets* (for a limited period only):

  • Weekend with / without Camping – £175
  • Day Ticket: Friday – £60 / Saturday and Sunday – £80
  • Student – £155
  • Teen – £125
  • Children Under 12: Free
  • *Prices subject to a booking fee

Disabled Access – must be purchased via the Ticketmaster Special Access Number 0800 998 440

Camping options:

  • Camp Kerala Mademoiselle provide Luxury Glamping backstage with room service and VIP transport
  • Eve's Tipis – Try something different and stay in a tipi, plus enjoy cocktails or champagne from the bar or some hot breakfast options to start your day right
  • Podpads – Bunk down in the colourful Podpads with solid wood or canvas options
  • Love Your Tent – enjoy an ethical camping experience plus hot showers and a Poodle Parlour!
  • Pink Moon Camping – Choose from a colourful collection of accommodation and enjoy your weekend with a unique camping experience

Download Festival announces 2017 Headliners – love or loathe?

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With the summer a distant memory and even the Autumn racked with stormy skies this week, you could be forgiven for wanting nothing more than to hunker down, ignore the world and eat your bodyweight in cheese. However, even in your internest you surely haven’t missed summer 2017’s first big band announcement – Download Festival.

Friday headliners System of a Down, having not been seen at Donington since 2011 are definitely due a triumphant return, whilst the somewhat niche Biffy Clyro headline slot for Saturday seems to have created a bit of forum-controversy already. Topping the bill on Sunday is a farewell op for Aerosmith, who last played the festival in 2014 and are sure to go out with a bang.

Though the day splits won’t be confirmed for many months, a whole raft of other bands have been announced for Download including:  Slayer, Prophets of Rage, Rob Zombie, Five Finger Death Punch, AFI, Of Mice & Men, Sleeping With Sirens, Motionless in White, Simple Plan, Every Time I Die, The Story So Far and Fozzy.

So is it love or loathe? What do you think of the first Download announcements for 2017?

BASS Festival returns to Birmingham this November

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BASS festival returns to Birmingham for its 11th year this November, with a theme dedicated to Hip Hop 360. Featuring legendary artists past and present who have shaped the sound of a generation, Hip Hop 360 celebrates every aspect of street level Black Music culture. DJ Jazzy Jeff, Rodney P, Slick Rick, Robert Glasper, Diamond D, Large Professor, DJ Bobbito & Stretch Armstrong DJ Semtex and Ty will perform on stages throughout the city of Birmingham over the two week festival period. BASS Festival runs from the 10th – 28th November with tickets available here, priced from free to £25.

BASS Festival is the brainchild of Punch Records, the UK's leading music development agency, based in Birmingham with an impressive fifteen year history of delivering groundbreaking public programmes, events and special one off shows. Now in its 11th year BASS has established itself as one of the UK's most innovative boutique festivals with an annual theme running throughout the events, this year being Hip Hop 360 – celebrating Black music culture. BASS Festival will run across a two week period at venues throughout the city.

BASS Festival have gone all out for 2016, booking legendary artists to celebrate the Hip Hop 360 theme. Hip Hop pioneer and multi award winning producer and DJ Jazzy Jeff will be showing off his flawless turntable skills and musical versatility, whilst Slick Rick – arguably one of the most successful British-American rappers in history will be bring his inimitable flows to the Birmingham crowds. Riding high off the success of his critically acclaimed book 'Hip Hop Raised Me', DJ Semtex will be hosting a live Q & A with UK Hop Hop stalwarts Rodney P and Ty also flying the flag high for the UK scene. US Hip Hop Radio legends DJ Bobbitoand Stretch Armstrong will be premiering their film biopic 'Stretch And Bobbito: Radio That Changed Lives', directed by Bobbito himself, plus many more special events happening over the course of the two weeks.

PUNCH’s CEO AMMO TALWAR said; “HIP HOP is a beautifully complex culture of music and language, art and fashion which is in every way the voice of the youth & accessible to ordinary people. HIP HOP 360 will allow people to explore this culture from every angle.”

BASS Festival is the UK's only Black Arts festival, running from 10th to the 28th November. Tickets for each event available here – www.bass2016.co.uk.

 
LISTINGS
Jazzy Jeff 
Friday 10th November
9:30pm – 2:30am
Lab 11
Tickets here 
Price: £10 Early Bird – £15 Standard

Diamond D Vs Large Professor 
Friday 18th November
11pm – 3am
Spotlight
Tickets here
Price: £5

Robert Glasper Live 
Sunday 20th November
8pm – 11pm
Town Hall Birmingham
Tickets here
Price £25

Bobbito Garcia & Stretch Armstrong Film / Q&A 
Tuesday 22nd November
7pm – 11pm
Birmingham Imax
Tickets here
Price – Earlybird £7 – Standard £10

Rodney P presents Yesterday, Today and Forever Ft Ty, Iman Rootz formerly Durrty Goodz & Children of Zeus
Thursday 24th November
7pm – 11pm
Hare & Hounds
Tickets here
Price: Earlybird £7 – Standard £10

DJ Semtex Q&A 
Monday 28th November
2pm – 4pm
6/8 Kafé
Tickets here
Price: Free

Slick Rick Live
Monday 28th November
7pm – 11pm
Birmingham O2 Institute
Tickets here
Price: £28.25

 

The first Boundary Festival crossed some serious borders. Review 2016.

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Pushing the parameters of what is jovially known amongst us music journalists as ‘festival season’ lies Boundary Brighton. Boasting an impressive line-up for its inaugural year, this one-day dance music extravaganza definitely made its mark. Exhibiting an impressive list of DJ’s and acts across four stages, the festival collaborated with clubs and venues across Brighton alongside party innovators Elrow, music publication Mixmag and the infamous LWE to curate something pretty brilliant to witness.

 

 

The main stage combined one of Brighton’s most beloved venues, Concorde, with the go-to publication for all things clubbing and dance music; Mixmag. Artists such as Bondax and Groove Armada (DJ set) took to the stage, as well as the energetic Gentleman's Dub Club, a delightful surprise, whose combination of ska and dubstep, suited appearance and Yorkshire accents over reggae vocals, brought an incredible live show. A DJ set by Wilkinson closed the stage down with an immense stamina and an energetic collection of tunes.  

 

 

Notorious party-starters Elrow teamed up with Brighton’s The Arch – formerly known as Digital – to create a colourful psychedelic stage. If you haven't yet heard of Elrow, that's about to change, as the Barcelonian party enthusiasts have been putting on nights left right and centre; most notably the Ibiza classic Space. The Vibrant tent hosted the likes of Solardo, Seth Troxler, and Richy Ahmed all cocooned in a tent trying to be Woodstock, yet sounding pretty far from it.

 

One of London’s biggest underground events organisers LWE teamed up with Brighton club Patterns; still relatively new on the club scene since the death of Audio not too long ago (may it rest in peace) and I must say, whoever had the idea to build a fake London Warehouse as the set up for an inside stage was a genius. Entering the ‘building’ transported you into a club-like arena, where the likes of Jackmaster, Joy Orbison wowed the crowd, as well as sets from Patterns residents themselves. Last but not least, Boundary also set it’s very own bandstand. The smallest stage but still able to attract a crowd, the masked man Jaguar Skills played a hit-heavy set, albeit sounding a little rusty.

 

The man of the hour award definitely goes to Craig David and his new DJ project TS5. After the build up of one of the biggest revivals in garage history, Craig David’s comeback is definitely going strong. Though rumours of TS5 being a little rusty are still floating around, by the time the headliner hit the stage you could tell he’s cleaned up his act and his setlist was selectively fine tuned to please everyone from the 90’s kids in the crowd to old school garage fanatics. Being a fan as I am, I must say I’m probably a little biased but listening to Fill Me In and Seven Days live was enough to complete my summer of festivalling and if the attitude of my fellow punters in that crowd was anything to go by, I’m guessing they’d agree with me.

 

Craig David/ TS5 headlining the main stage.

 

This being said you can tell Boundary is still finding its feet. Though it’s had some great ideas and, in my opinion, had a pretty successful launch, it could do with a few tweaks. There’s no specific wristband system so punters are let in with no chance of re-entry if they leave, which would be fine if it didn’t make for a very confusing entry, there are no maps or clear labels as to which stage is which and punters have to check paper set times to make sure they catch who they want to see, It’s also pretty small. Though it held a 20,000 capacity, the festival site felt similar to a village fete making the four stages feel pretty squashed together. Nevertheless, in a way, this worked as a positive, as it promised big, energetic yet friendly crowds for each stage.

 

 

The acts themselves put on a great show, but with the renowned names on the bill and the brand of Brighton nightlife surpassing the name of the festival itself, this is hardly surprising. Though despite each stage’s own collaboration, all the music did feel a bit samey, samey. DJ’s and dance music aren’t always all too different and you come to appreciate the skills of each act you see, as well as their ability to captivate a crowd, but maybe next year it would be good to focus on a specific subgenre for each stage instead of mixing it up across the board. Do this, and Boundary could quite possibly become the next dance/club pilgrimage of the summer.

 
All images provided by www.visionseven.co.uk for Boundary Brighton.