James Bay

Day tickets released for No Tomorrow Festival

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This weekend, 6th & 7th June in Nottingham’s Wollaton Park, music lovers at No Tomorrow festival will welcome in the summer to a soundtrack provided by headliners John Newman, Jessie Ware and many more including Bondax and Gorgon City. In the buzzing build up to the party, due to high demand, a batch of day tickets priced at £47.50 (including booking fee) have been released via notomorrowfestival.co.uk.
 
As well as the promise of some of the best electronic acts around, reports of a heat wave are adding to the excitement for No Tomorrow festival this weekend. A site map is now online to highlight where festival-goers can grab food, drink, join in workshops, grab a shuttle bus or duck into the festival photo booth for a selfie memento. Furthermore ticket holders will soon be able to plan ahead to catch chart-topping, and award-winning talent such as James Bay, SOAK, DJ Fresh and many more by heading to the No Tomorrow website where the all important set times will soon be published.
 
In addition to the new day tickets, the last few weekend (£65 + booking fee) and VIP tickets (£125 + booking fee) are also still available via notomorrowfestival.co.uk.
 
The clock is ticking, it’ll soon be time to party like there is No Tomorrow. 
 

BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend Norwich Sunday Review

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Despite the rain falling hard and fast onsite at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Norwich, the second day of the festival was one full of anticipation ahead of the arrival of Taylor Swift to Norwich. Perhaps perfectly timed by the universe, the clouds cleared and the sun emerged to beam down upon the incredibly large crowd just in time for Swift's performance that cemented her dominance as the biggest and best popstar in the world right now.

Having conquered the charts, Clean Bandit made sure everyone was dancing as if there were no tomorrow, playing tracks from their debut album 'New Eyes' as well as bringing out the incredibly talented Rae Morris to perform collaboration 'Up Again'. Violinist Neil Milan brought out his trademark dance moves as he bounded about the stage like he was headlining.

Rae Morris performing onstage with Clean Bandit at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend. Image from the BBC

Gaining exposure at such an early stage of an artists' career brings with it an incredible weight of exepctation, and Irish singer-songwriter SOAK showed signs of nerves as the usually chatty performer kept talking to a minimum as they delivered heartbreakingly beautiful odes that would have you think she was much older than her young years. Channelling the raw emotion of legends such as Tom Waits. 'Be A Nobody' and 'Blud' brought the In New Music We Trust stage to a stunned silence, as the audience became visibly introspective about what these songs that many had perhaps never heard before made them feel. 

SOAK bringing the In New Music We Trust Stage to a standstill 

As a self confessed pop music sceptic, it was with trepidation that Rita Ora's set was approached. But such scpeticism was unfounded, as Ora delivered one of the highlights of the weekend. However you may want to criticise artists who perhaps don't have total creative input when making music, there is no denying that Rita Ora can sing. Really sing. Her set was heavy with hits from across her already impressive career and tracks such as 'Doing It' and 'RIP' went down an absolute storm with the age spanning crowd. Pop music at it's finest.

As the sun peered out from behind the clouds, Jungle took to the In New Music We Trust Stage to kickstart the carnival atmosphere ready for the night ahead. 'Busy Earnin' 'Time' and 'Julia' amongst many others had the tent bursting at the seems with people dancing and partying their way through a set that felt very much like a victory lap for a band that experienced runaway success across last year's festival circuit.

How does one describe James Bay? Well according to more than a few people poised to see him, he falls somewhere between "the most beautiful man in the world" and "his face was carved by angels" which when coupled with his amazing voice and melodies shows exactly why he was deserving of this year's BRIT Awards Critics Choice Award. 'Hold Back The River' and 'Let It Go' erupt massive crowd singalongs that are almost loud enough to drown out Bay's own voice. 

One name has been synonomous with this year's Big Weekend. You might have heard of her before? She likes to shake it off with fellas with hella good hair and recently she unveiled an already iconic video seeing her army of powerful ladies do battle against the forces of evil. Still unsure who it is? It can only be Taylor Swift.

Introduced by a BBC Radio 1 listener who won the opportunity to welcome Swiftie to Norwich, Taylor was greeted by screams of 'TAYLOR! TAYLOR!' as she emerged in a decadent sparkly outfit to reminds us all what a star she is. Opening with 'We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together', the next 40 minutes passed like some sort of euphoric chorus direct from the heavens. There were lifelong Swifites rubbing shoulders with recent converts following the release of '1989'. Strangers became friends over a shared love of shaking it off and that is exactly the kind of slap in the face that any present music snobs needed because in case you didn't get the memo; life's too short to be hating on someone as perfectly brilliant aas Taylor Swift. Ya hear?!

The beauty of BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend, is that you don't get just one globe conquering act in a day. Oh no, you get TWO! Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters never thought he'd get to say Taylor Swift was his opening act which was greeted with thunderous cheers from a crowd who have grown up with his mighty powerhouse of a band.

Playing to a crowd of die hard Taylor Swift fans was never going to be an easy for a band who fall on the total opposite side of the music spectrum. But the appeal of the Foos is twofold – first you have the anthem after anthem back catologue of tracks such as 'Walk' and 'Congregation' and then secondly you have the heart warming personality of Dave Grohl that feels like you and he have been friends for decades. 

The euphoria washing over Earlham Park throughout 'Times Like These' induces a swelling of happiness and warmth in the heart of everybody onsite. Closing with a spectacular firework display, Big Weekend closed it's doors for another year and as the crowds poured away from the site in Norwich, there really was a collective consensus that this was without a doubt the biggest Big Weekend there has ever been.

 

 

James Bay, Jack Garratt and more for Barn on the Farm 2015

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Award winning Barn on the Farm returns with another show stopping line-up and additional third stage for what is set to be a stellar 2015. Today BOTF announces Brits Critics Choice winner, James Bay for his first ever worldwide and UK only headline festival performance. Also unveiled is Zane Lowe’s Future 15, Jack Garratt, highly tipped Rhodes and headlining the new stage, Nottingham five piece Amber Run. Artists also announced include, Foy Vance, Nothing But Thieves, JP Cooper, Alex Vargas, Chasing Grace, Flo Morrissey, Port Isla, Freddie Dickson & The Guard, The Academic, Osca and Louis Berry. BOTF continually delivers paramount artists to its cosy 1,500 capacity for one of the UK’s most intimate and true independent music festivals. Tickets start at £100 for Saturday and Sunday only.  For more information please visitwww.barnonthefarm.co.uk
 
Heavily renowned for a carefully tailored line-up predicting future success, BOTF once again displays some of the finest emerging and established folk, rock and indie. Revealed as the Saturday night headliner, Brit award winning James Bay will play his first ever worldwide and UK only festival headline performance. Following his critically acclaimed track, ‘hold back the river’ and heavily anticipated first album, it's already been an extremly exciting 2015 for James who mentions that,"Barn On The Farm has quickly become one of my favourites. An intimate festival, but with a crowd that always makes it feel massive!”
The announcment today also sees the multi-talented and frequently featured as one to watch, Jack Garratt who will bring his outstanding one man show to the farm, also the ever so mysterious Rhodes and soft folk-rock Amber Run, who will headline the new stage after their sell out tour. BOTF are extremly excited to announce Essex’s finest five piece, Nothing But Thieves who have been gaining huge respect after thier latest release, 'ban all the music'that has been working itself up the Radio One playlist, additionally the sensational Foy Vancewill headline the Wooden Barn Stage plus in true BOTF style, newbies but increasingly talked about Port Isla and Osca are set to impress.

Completing the first announcement are JP Cooper, Chasing Grace, Alex Vargas, Flo Morrissey, Freddie Dickson & The Guard, The Academic and Louis Berry plus many many more. There will also be an exceptionally special guest to headline Friday night that will only be revealed on the evening to limited full weekend ticket holders. 

With music at the heart of the festival 2015 is set to be another exciting year at BOTF that over the years has seen some of the biggest names including Ed Sheeran, Ben Howard, Bastile and Catfish and the Bottlemen all play at the farm. Set in the beautiful Gloucestershire countryside BOTF is the perfect setting for a weekend full of supreme performances from some of the most exciting up and coming artists. 

Calvin Harris & Kasabian lead V Festival 2015 lineup

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Global platinum-selling artist Calvin Harris and Iconic rockers Kasabian are today announced as the headliners for V Festival’s Virgin Media stage.

Taking place across the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd August 2015, the local lads from Leicester and the DJ from north of the border will be joined by a host of music heavyweights to ensure V Festival sees out its second decade in style.

Joining the headliners across the two festival sites in Hylands Park, Chelmsford and Weston Park, Staffordshire will be a supporting cast of Britain’s finest talent and biggest names. Music lovers with this summer’s hottest ticket will also see performances from recent four-time Grammy and 2015 Brit winner Sam Smith, Ellie Goulding, The Script, Hozier, George Ezra, Stereophonics, Brit winners Paloma Faith and James Bay, Olly Murs, Tom Jones, Clean Bandit, Kodaline, Ella Henderson, Nero and Courteeners plus many more to be announced across four stages at the two festival sites.

Making his debut on top of the bill, Calvin Harris said: 

“V Festival is always an incredible time and I can't wait to headline it this year. See you there!”

Kasabian’s Sergio Pizzorno, said: 

“V is for victory, V is for voodoo, V is for vacuum cloud, V is for very very very very excited. See you in the fields!”

The hugely popular Glee Club Comedy Tent also returns as the festival’s fifth stage this year, with a hilarious line-up that will be announced in the coming months.

Over the festival weekend there’ll also be sets from The Kooks, Marina & The Diamonds, The Proclaimers, Jess Glynne, Andy C, Imelda May, Gregory Porter, Fuse ODG, Clean Bandit, Duke Dumont, Jessie Ware, Ella Eyre, Hannah Wants, Reverend & the Makers, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five and Annie Mac.

The glamorous V Style camping will also return for its fifth year. V Style is now an established part of the V Festival family, giving music fans the chance to experience the best of both worlds – enjoying a mix of music and comedy and relaxing at pampering stations and in ready built bell tents, huts, and luxury yurts.

Tickets go on sale from March 6th at 9am with fans advised to visit www.vfestival.com, where all official outlets are detailed. V organisers again stress to fans that purchasing tickets from unofficial outlets could lead to disappointment.

The full line up includes: Kasabian, Calvin Harris, Sam Smith, Ellie Goulding, The Script, Hozier, George Ezra, Stereophonics, Paloma Faith, James Bay, Olly Murs, Chvrches, Imelda May, Kodaline, Ella Henderson, Nero, Reverend & the Makers, The Courteeners, Marina & The Diamonds, The Proclaimers, Tom Jones, Jess Glynne, Andy C, The Kooks, Gregory Porter, Fuse ODG, Clean Bandit, Duke Dumont, Jessie Ware, Ella Eyre, Hannah Wants, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five and Annie Mac.

Stevie Wonder at the Calling Festival Review

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Second day at Calling Festival. Festival goers traded yesterday's wellies, trek shoes and umbrellas for sunglasses, sun cream and hats in Clapham Common. Most of us are still getting over Aerosmith rocking performance but we are very impatient to listen sunday's amazing line up. 
 
Today's crowd is quite different from yesterday's: younger, we swapped the rock chick outfits for a more chilled and flower power look. By the time Calling Festival starts with performances from Jetta and JJ Rosa, we quickly realized that we should have brought the umbrella instead of the sun cream.
 
On the Pepsi Max Stage, Will Heard starts the show with a cover of Destiny's Child "Say my name" and engage with the crowd immediately asking to sing along. He shared his excitement to see Stevie Wonder as well as funny anecdotes. Will Heard is funny and seductive during and between songs. Despite fans begging for "the sun don't shine" he kept it for last! 
 
Running to Main Stage to see James Bay, a talented 23-year old singer-songwriter. He brings a new voice to music with a voice mixing warm tones, fragile high notes and folk twist. He was performing "If you ever want to be in love". Wearing a big hat hiding his face, holding his guitar, James Bay seduced the crowd with his humble and shy comments between songs as well as his great vocal range and delicate lyrics. He sang "let it go" giving an honest and emotional performance. 
 
Around the Main Stage, Stand Up to Cancer stand is pretty busy with a group of girls taking photos next to the Hoff's poster.Michael Kinawuka is arriving on stage back from Glastonbury with muddy trousers. His earthy voice warmed us from the start despite the rain. Outside his repertoire, he sang  his favorite song: Jimmy Hendrix "Waterfall". One of the last songs was "Home again", which really pleased the crowd. While waiting for Paloma Faith's to enter the stage, I meet James Bay near the Magnum Ice cream van. Surrounded by fans, he is shy and friendly, very grateful of all the postive comments from his performance earlier.
 
While looking around, a lot of families come to Calling Festival. However, there is no real space or activities for children. Except for the space in the dedicated Guest Area, it would be great to have activities for kids next year.
 
By 4pm, It's raining heavily in Clapham Common. No one is really discouraged but we are all impatient to see Paloma Faith. Blanckets on the floor become shelters and umbrellas pop up like mushrooms. Paola Faith's crew, wearing tartan outfits, arrives first. Then she makes her big entrance wearing a huge white feather hat, even bird nest like, tight rubber skirt and a lace crop top. She performed her biggest hits and got the crowd laughing, clapping and singing. 
 
Another act to watch: Norma Jean Martine. I remember her performance at Montreux Jazz Festival and am really looking forward seeing her at the Calling Festival. Her voice is like no other: powerful and broken, jazzy and blues. She is 21 from America but moved to London last year. Listening to her work, you can see her Nashville blues influence. She opens with "No more Alone" which makes her very emotional at the end. Her vulnerability and honesty about being homesick seduces the crowd who shares support and cheers. She then starts singing "Still in love with you" and puts the crowd at her feet until the end of the performance.
 
Jack Johnson arrives on stage and brings his Hawai cool vibe to Clapham Common. There's no rain and the crowd is mainly sitting in blanckets enjoying the show and clapping. Over to Pepsi Max, Flyte, new Indie Funk band from London,  is performing their last song "faithless". The lead singer, Will Taylor, is a charming performer, engaging with the crowd. 
 
The sun is back and Clapham Common seem completely packed. The queues to the loos are endless and water points and food stands are very busy. People are coming in mass for the 2 last acts: Gregory Porter and today's headliner Stevie Wonder. 
 
Gregory Porter is the last act at the Pepsi Max stage. Porter won the 2014 Grammy for best jazz vocal album with Liquid Spirit. The fans arrived early not to miss a thing. Gregory Porter is a powerful baritone – velvety voice mixing blues and jazz rich rich tones and delicate control in nuances. He performs mainly songs from his latest album such as "on my way to Harlem", "Be Good", or "Liquid Spirit". His charisma and stage presence wowed the audience immediately. There is a wisdom and kindness coming from him and the audience is very receptive. He is also surrounded by amazing musicians Chip Crawford on piano, Aaron James on bass, Emanuel Harrold on drums, and Yosuke Sato on alto sax. He engages with the audience naturally. 
 
by 7.30pm, Clapham Common is nearly full and it is getting hard to find a space to watch the show. After a long introduction setting the mood and presenting each member of the crew, Stevie Wonder comes in playing the keytar, wearing red glasses and matching trainers, an ethnic shirt and white trousers. The opening song is "How sweet it is (to be loved by you)". Asking the audience to be part of his choir and playing the piano, he starts the intro of "Jammin Master Blaster" which triggered a general scream of excitement.  The crowd is singing and dancing until the tables in the back near the Tuborg beer stand.
 
Photo courtesy of Calling Festival
 
Stevie Wonder is now playing the harpejji and asks the audience to clap following the drums. He is definitely keeping us involved and busy! Now it is time for "Don't worry bout a thing" with a Brasilian samba edge. The bongos are running the show and everybody is dancing. Stevie Wonder shows once again the strength of his vocals as well as his witty sense of humour between songs asking now the crowd to sing "like we mean it". We all start singing and clapping for " Just enough for the city" and finished A capella with "Ebony and Ivory". He then asks "what can we do for the fun of it ?". It's the beginning of "Part time lover" and Stevie Wonder leaves us amazed by his impressive vocal range from deep tones to high notes and gets us all on our feet. Follows a unanimous crowd pleaser "Signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours". Trumpets and Saxophone lead the intro of "Sir Duke" and the crowd is still dancing and singing. In order to slow things a bit, Stevie Wonder gives a very delicate performance of "you are the sunshine of my life" with a caribbean sound twist. He has a witty sense of humour and plays along with a delighted audience. After "My Cherie Amour" and "I just called to say I love you", he pays a tribute to the late Bobby Womack letting his longtime backing vocalist Keith John sing "if you think you're lonely now". It's time for a cover of the Shirelles' song "Will you still love me tomorrow" with a zouk arrangements. For the last song, Stevie Wonder is joined on stage by Richie Sambora, just back from Glastonbury who takes his guitar and performs with the band "Superstition". Thank you Stevie Wonder for your energy, amazing performance and generosity. It was a great end of a 2-day festival full of talented acts. See you next year, Calling Festival!