Comedians, Wrestlers and more announced for Sonisphere 2014

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Its not just music that is coming to Sonisphere UK, we have the latest details about comedians, wrestlers and more that will be on hand for your entertainment.

Hosting the Saturday is MAT REED. Born and Bred in Sunderland, the cheekily salacious Mackem charmer hosts a comedic cast that will ensure that most contagious of human functions fills the big blue tent during the comedy hours.

Tickling ribs on the Saturday are enemy of the righteous and champion of profanity FIN TAYLOR, ALFIE BROWN, purveyor of socio-political alternative comedy (or SPAC as he likes to call it), the lighting-quick wit of UK improve troupe NOISE NEXT DOOR, JOHN HASTINGS, whose jokes revolve around his world travels, love of metal and what it’s like to look racist but not actually be racist, ANDREW O NEIL – the world’s favourite vegan-transvestite-occultist-metalhead (but-not-goth) comedian and JOHN ROBERTSON – showman, writer, singer, dancer, YouTube manipulator and grinning anarchist extraordinaire.

Splitting sides on the Sunday and hosted by SONISPHERE veteran ANDREW O NEIL are Chortle Best Newcomer nominee MATT REES, the surreal and absurd comedy of PAT CAHILL, “Well produced bullshit” specialist (his words, not ours) MAT EWINS, the one man rock/pop extravaganza that is ROB DEERING and “heavily tattooed idiot” (again, his words, not ours) JIM SMALLMAN

Check out the full cast and a taste of what to expect here:
Saturday
 
MC – Mat Reed –
Fin Taylor – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpwvMTgzjSg
Alfie Brown – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FKGh1iy554
Noise Next Door – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfavepTzcH4
John Hastings – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xor9c72AURU
Andrew O’Neill – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo4-8dLb3iY
John Robertson – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBVL8SACjZQ
 
Sunday
MC – Andrew O’Neill – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo4-8dLb3iY
Matt Rees – http://youtu.be/dGyEdqHI0r4
Pat Cahill – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3osz4wgRtI4
Alfie Brown – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FKGh1iy554
Mat Ewins – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdrewMrpUeU
Rob Deering – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmCAdfvOaHQ
Jim Smallman – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMV_hToU26c

WRESTLING

Wrestlers To Choke Hold Knebworth
 
In honour of our Wrestling Fancy Dress Theme, we've invited some of the cream of British wrestling to perform at Sonisphere with the guys from professional wrestling outfit, Progress Wrestling, set to take to the ring at Knebworth. Prepare for a choke-slam as champions like Jimmy Havoc, Rhia O’Reilly, Rampage Brown and Tommy End, who is the current WXW champion, descend on Knebworth.
 
Think Powerslams, think Facebusters, think Piledrivers, think Flying Clotheslines, think about trying to catch Boston Crabs. So dust off your lycra, don a mask (or at least pay extra attention to your hair), create some witty signs, learn some wrestling chants and get ready to watch some men in tighter pants than some of those appearing on the Main Stage.
 
See you in the ring!!

SILENT DISCO

Sshh…Silent Disco Returns To Sonisphere
 
We are extremely pleased to announce the return of Silent Arena’s hugely popular Silent Disco to Sonisphere this summer as part of the late-night entertainment. The Silent Disco will run on every night of the festival, including the Thursday, and will feature the Silent Arena resident DJs.
It'll also be a Jäger-fuelled affair, with Jägermeister hosting the Silent Disco in the Jägermeister tent, which includes its own bar. So grab a pair of cans, knock back a pint or (or some ice-cold Jäger) and sing to your heart's content with the added luxury of not being able to hear anyone else singing – or yourself for that matter.

Phase 2 lineup announced for Ultra Europe

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Ultra Europe
The Summer Festival Guide is excited to announce the Phase 2 lineup for this years Ultra Europe which come hot off the last weekend at Ultra Music Festival in Miami.
 
Coming to this years mega party are EDC heavyweights, Steve Aoki, Knife Party, Above & Beyond, Alesso, Disclosure, Example and many more.  See below for more details:
 
Returning to Split for their second taste of the Ultra Europe experience will be Knife Party, Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano, Danny Avila and Marco Carola, while Dim Mak top dog Steve Aoki takes to the main stage for the first time having headlined last year’s final day on the wonderful island of Hvar. After insane sets from all at 2013’s inaugural event, you can guarantee they’ll be setting the standard from the word go and showing all first-timers what Ultra Europe is about.
 
In addition a number of debutants appear on 2014’s breathtaking billing, with the likes of The Chainsmokers, Showtek and Alesso looking to continue the amazing success they’ve each had individually over the last couple of years and deliver the colossal shows they’ve become famed for. At the deeper end of the spectrum, the icon that is Paul Kalkbrenner will be making his first ever Ultra Europe performance after producing an absolute master class at Ultra Music Festival in Miami just weeks ago. Super-producers and global sensations Disclosure will also make their Ultra Europe debut, a little over a year since the London-based brothers came to prominence on the worldwide stage, not least through two amazing shows last year at Ultra Music Festival XV.
 

An injection of pure euphoria also awaits the lucky revelers making their way to Croatia this July, as some of the finest trance DJs to be found on the planet will be coming together to fill the airwaves with sumptuous synths and non-stop energy. Check out the likes of Above & Beyond, Paul van Dyk, Aly & Fila and more as they unleash orchestras of synths, strings and pounding beats on Split.
 
What’s more, the live music element that has been such an unbelievable triumph over recent years at the Florida flagship festival will now be present in a major way at Ultra Europe. One of the UK’s hottest properties right now in the form of Example joins one of America’s brightest talents, Pretty Lights, on the line-up; each one set to bring their boundless ability and phenomenal stage shows to create some true magic in Croatia.

More acts announced for Wychwood Festival

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Wychwood Festival announces even more music acts for their very special 10th Anniversary event this May. World Vision UK Artist Ambassador and Downton Abbey actress Elizabeth McGovern will be performing with her band Sadie & The Hotheads on this year’s Main Stage, following the release of the band's highly anticipated third album ‘Still Waiting’. In addition to her on-screen success, Elizabeth McGovern’s ‘Sadie’ along with the ‘Hotheads’ have received acclaim in their own right for their charming personality and often-heartfelt lyrics that define the band’s idiosyncratic music. 

Elizabeth McGovern commented, 

"I am really looking forward to returning to Wychwood Festival with my band as well as continuing to support World Vision UK – we played last year and had such a blast!"

As one of Wychwood's two major partners of conscience for 2014, World Vision is a remarkable organisation the festival is proud to have and continue to work with over the last five years. Transforming the lives of millions of children throughout the world over 150 children have been sponsored by the generous Wychwood festival-goers, helping create sustainable change that has high impact. Sam Shrouder, Festival Organiser & Ambassador for World Vision comments, 

"We are thrilled to be working with World Vision for this year's Wychwood Festival, an organisation that transforms the lives of children who are deeply suffering in this world today. Celebrating ten year's this summer, we look forward to sharing a wonderful Wychwood with Sadie & The Hotheads, Paul Ewing and the incredible acts that will perform across the three day celebration and raise awareness for such fantastic organisations like World Vision and Toybox."

Keen to support local artists from Gloucestershire and the surrounding areas, Wychwood has confirmed a number of acts for some of their primetime Main Stage and Big Top slots. Amongst these are Uke Junkies, a duo from Cheltenham who use the ukulele, bass and voice to create a unique sound. Joining them are The Black Hats, hailing from musical city Oxford. Their debut  EPs including ‘Austerity for the Hoi Polloi’s’ plus their anticipated album set to drop this year, has made them a force to be reckoned with on the festival circuit. Meanwhile Robbie Boyd along with his band joins Saturday’s Big Top offering, with his alluring style of folk-pop and support from Radio 2 and artists such as The Kooks make him one not to be missed at this year’s Wychwood. Finally, other bands include KSH & The Going Goods and their alternative take on acoustic hip hop, Swindon newcomers A Way With Words, The Vinyls and Funky Jets.

Continuing the local theme will be the return of the hugely popular Pomme stage run by the University of Gloucestershire with the festival’s very own radio station, Wychwood 87.7FM. The Pomme Stage champions the best artists from across Gloucestershire and surrounding areas and presents very special, exclusive acoustic performances. This year sees bands such as alternative rockers All Ears Avow, Cornish trio Blue Horyzon, Beat Harlows, plus many more rock the Pomme Stage.

Finally, London promoters Smashing Blouse will be taking care of new music on the Big Top and have added 'Cut Your Teeth' singer Kyla la Grange and group Champs, made up of brothers Michael and David Champion from the Isle of White and who's melodic folk-pop has made them a hit in 2013. Also joining them is London duo and Bad Life artist Fe, plus soloist FTSE. 

These artists join previously announced headliners The Boomtown Rats, The Stranglers and The Levellers, plus The Real Thing, Craig Charles, Newton Faulkner, Reef and many more, making the 10thanniversary celebration the biggest and best yet. 

Chasing Cadence Interview at Takedown Festival

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I was at Takedown Festival and managed to get a few minutes to chat with singer Jack from Chasing Cadence. 

Where abouts are your from? We're all from Hertfordshire scattered around the place but all in that general area 

Did you guys grow up together? No we found each other online, when we were looking for new bands 

Do people back home support you guys? Yeah our friends and family are great but I guess a lot of bands say it but the music scene where we are is terrible but there are people are trying to build it up it just takes a long time 

What's the goal you wish to reach in say 5 years? We'd love to be touring, getting our music out there playing some cool venues and meeting new people. 

Claim to fame? We played with Taking Back Sunday what was awesome as we all really love there music 

Do you guys have any other activities outside the band? We all work a lot so that takes up a lot of our time but couple of us like football so we sometimes play bit of that here and there. 

Who's the biggest motivator or the group and keeps everyone in line? It's prob got to be Rob, he's been a bit grumpy last few days due to lack of sleep but he's normally the one who keeps up going. 

Does anyone have any bad habits? Alf snores really loudly, sometimes we have to put head phones in to get to sleep cause it's so loud. 

What do you miss most when on tour? Eating got food got lot of spots cause eating rubbish food, we always try to get accommodation when on tour as we're all really feminine and like to always be clean, baths as most places have showers and after show you ache so a bath would be nice. Home comforts we miss.

You can find the bands music and such at https://www.facebook.com/ChasingCadence

Black Futures Interview at Takedown Festival

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I sat down with Black Futures and spoke to Stu who plays double bass and sings and also Paul who plays guitars and shouts.

Where are you guys from? We pull from all over the place but at the moment were in Guilford where our studio is. 

Do you guys get to practice a lot? Yeah as were all very close we get together and lot and write, we practice when we've got live shows 

What's the biggest goal you want to achieve? To play big venues, festivals, play shows where everyone is enjoying it and making the whole place just move 

Claim to fame? Playing with the Prodigy that was pretty massive for us 

What's the band got planned this year? We're going to be finishing our album and got some festivals, we've got Alt Fest and some others but can't say what they are 

Black futures music and such can be found at https://www.facebook.com/BlackFutures

Saint the Sinner Interview at Takedown Festival

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Charlie sat down with James from Saint the Sinner at this years Takedown Festival to have a quick chat, check out what he had to say.  

How long have you known rest of your band? Known Pash since 2011, and rest from sort of around there, known Pash longest and I live with him

Biggest influences? Mines got to be like Blink 182, Black Dahlia Murder but it changes threw out the band really it's all very mixed. 

Do people back home support you guys? Yeah we get amazing support from all our friends, family. My mum will pretty much do anything for us. 

Who in group keeps everyone most motivated? It's got to be Pash, he's always writing, doing stuff on computer that sort of thing.

What is your guilty pleasure? Really cheesy pop music, Venga Boys, SClub7, Steps. 

What's have you got planned this year for shows? Got a big one with Local band called Griever that'll be fun, and it's Daves birthday for big old party, also we're recording and going to be touring at end of the year. 

Music and band can be found at www.facebook.com/SaintTheSinnerOfficial

Full lineup announced for Nottingham’s Everywhere Festival

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After selling out their inaugural event last year, dollop return with EVERYWHERE once again, taking place across a multitude of Nottingham's best venues on May 4th. Everywhere’s sister event in London (ELSEWHERE) takes place in various Hackney venues on May 2nd – May 3rd.

As with parent night dollop, EVERYWHERE's commitment to showcasing the upper ranks of cutting-edge club music holds firm. In amongst the currently announced acts, some names stand out as legitimate crossover acts: mainstream infiltrators and some of the most in-demand DJs working today.

Amongst them, 90s house kingpin and recent claimant of a first UK no.1 single MK will be making a very welcome trip back to the city he played twice last year: once as a special EVERYWHERE 001 guest, and again as a dollop headliner. Marc Kinchen will be joined by another unlikely chart topper in the form of 21-year-old Route 94, a producer sure to bring his love to EVERYWHERE this year. Dubstep-gone-disco wildchild Skream – arguably Croydon's finest export since Kate Moss – returns to Nottingham after a triumphant set ringing in 2014 at dollop's New Year's Eve spectacular; Artwork, his partner in festival conquering supergroup Magnetic Man, joins us for the ride too.

Hudson Mohawke first started playing for dollop back in 2010 – since then the eclectic Scot has ascended to the peak of the US hip-hop game, working closely with the likes of superstars Kanye West, Daft Punk and R.Kelly; he touches down at EVERYWHERE in advance of a feverishly-anticipated new album. Mike Skinner is yet another global superstar on the lineup, having performed Nottingham multiple times as millions-selling, Brit-winning, 00s-defining project The Streets – here he plays a rare DJ set, sure to showcase the classic UK Garage sound upon which he built his legacy.

A glut of similarly respected veterans give EVERYWHERE an unmatched authority when it comes to familiar faces of underground electronic music. Paul Woolford's run of tech house releases over the past decade marked him as an under-the-radar favourite, but 2013 proved a long-awaited breakout year: "Untitled" ran out song of the summer, and his breakbeat dalliances as Special Request kickstarted the jungle revival. Multiple dollop headliner Scuba's legacy is equally assured: first instrumental in forging middle-ground between London dubstep and Berlin techno, his decision to explore brighter house music brought a flash flood of colour back to dancefloors, pushing the Hotflush head honcho onto peak-time festival slots the world over. Enigmatic producers Floating Points and Leon Vynehall make their EVERYWHERE debuts; both will bring record bags stuffed with dusty soul, rare disco and leftfield house.

dollop's resolute dedication to showcasing upcoming talent is in full effect at EVERYWHERE 002, where the cream of the (bubbling) crop are due to play: Bass-heavy club champions Paleman and Mak & Pasteman will join up with the daddy Loefah, founder of scene-defining labels DMZ, Swamp 81, School, and a dollop mainstay. 2013's EVERYWHERE headliners Disclosure will be pitching in from the periphery this year, given that stars-in-waiting Tourist and Lxury are stablemates on the brothers' Method label. A whole glut more of dancefloor-focused house talents pad out the bill: wAFF, Richy Ahmed, Hannah Wants, Karma Kid, Isaac Tichauer and many, many more. It makes for a faintly dizzying read; and, come Sunday May 4th in Nottingham, will make for a thoroughly head-spinning run of DJ sets at the second EVERYWHERE Festival.

 

Latvia’s Positivus Festival first lineup announcement

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Positivus Festival is a hidden gem in the Baltic States located in the picturesque coastal town of Salacgriva in Latvia. Taking place from 18th to 20th of July 2014, the festival brings a rich diversity of international chart toppers and underground emerging talent to the idyllic holiday location surrounded by woodland offering festival goers a variety of activities and plenty to explore across the three-day event. This years line-up boasts acts including; Kraftwerk, Bastille, Ellie Goulding, Elbow, Daughter, Junip, AlunaGeorge, The Kooks, Of Montrea, The 1975, Laura Mvula and many more!

Besides the music program or while you favorite band isn’t playing, you can stop for a drink at a beautiful beachside bar overlooking the Baltic Sea, have a rest at one of many lounge areas located in festival site, chillout in a hammock in the woods or get busy in the entertainment zone, on the central street of the festival.

Positivus Festival is renowned for it’s chilled out and relaxed vibe and offers a variety of activities for festival goers in the beautiful woodland surroundings. The Fashion Market is brimming with a wide variety of modern designer and vintage clothing, footwear, original accessories, stylish headwear and other artsy items, made in Latvia or in the neighbouring countries. The Cinema Tent offers festival visitors an inspiring program with the best films from the Baltic states and abroad, showing a wide variety of life stories from all around the world.  The Food Court serves up a wide range of local and organic food. One of the new catering areas will be furnished as a cosy safe harbour, with a menu designed for raw and slow food enthusiasts, as well as vegetarians; the other area will be US trailer park themed, with speedy services and a vast variety of meals for every taste.  The festival is also child friendly with the Kids Island hosting a variety of fun and exciting activities professional caretakers and teachers will supply them with safe, friendly and exciting activities for each day.

It that isn’t enough the festival even has it’s own Post Office with it’s own postcode LV-4099, enabling visitors to send their belongings to the campsite before the festival and back home after, thus making travelling that much easier.

Positivus Festival was also recognised in the 2013 European Festival Awards being a finalist in the categories for ‘Best European Festival Line Up’ and ‘Best Medium Sized Festival’.  The 8th edition will take place from 18th to 20th of July 2014.

LINE-UP SO FAR

Kraftwerk, Bastille, Ellie Goulding, Elbow, The Kooks, The 1975, Daughter, Laura Mvula, Junip, Temples, Anna Calvi, Of Montreal, Mo, You Me At Six, Future islands, AlunaGeorge, NONONO, Chet Faker, Kid Karate, Birth Of Joy, King Charles, Pompeya, FM Belfast, And So I Watch From Afar

Introducing OnBlackheath featuring Massive Attack and Frank Turner

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The Summer Festival Guide is excited to reveal yet another new festival to London's summer season.  OnBlackheath in partnership with John Lewis is a brand new festival with a difference.  

An eclectic music line-up, immersive food experience, farmers market and much more will be on offer. OnBlackheath will be taking place over the weekend of Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September 2014 on the historic green space of London’s Blackheath Common SE3. Headlining the event, and what will be both their ONLY London festival shows this year, iconic music pioneers Massive Attack (Saturday) and punk folk rocker Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls (Sunday). All other Main Stage artists are due to be announced shortly, with the second stage being curated by national radio DJ Gilles Peterson on the Saturday and independent label Heavenly Recordings on the Sunday.

If that wasn’t enough to whet your appetite OnBlackheath are delighted to announce the unique addition of our special food stage host, pop-up chef and The Sunday Times Cook, Gizzi Erskine. ‘Gizzi’s Chef’s Club’ which will offer festival visitors a chance to sample the dishes demonstrated on the main food stage. The stage will provide an interactive experience for festivalgoers where 8 chefs a day will showcase their latest cooking skills and trends with fresh, sustainable and local produce. The chef line up will include Michelin starred chefs Simon Hulstone (The Elephant) & Richard Bainbridge (Morston Hall) and top chef Neil Rankin (Smokehouse).

Throughout the weekend festivalgoers will get the chance to see more world-class artists perform, with the addition of the second stage. National radio DJ Gilles Peterson will be bringing an array of live music and DJ sets to his Worldwide Stage on Saturday 13 September with the likes of Hiatus Kaiyote, BadBadNotGood, Swindle Live, Ibibio Sound Machine, Zara McFarlane, Anushka with DJ slots to be announced soon.

Leading independent label Heavenly Recordings will curate the second stage Heavenly & Friends on the Sunday with artists including Radiophonic Workshop, Stealing Sheep, Charlie Boyer and the Voyeurs, The Wytches, Kid Wave and a DJ set from Don Letts.

Nozstock adds Fun Lovin Criminals, Charli XCX and more

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Nozstock: The Hidden Valley Festival’s 2014 lineup is becoming fit to burst with giant additions for punters to get their claws into including altrock/hip-hop kings Fun Lovin’ Criminals, pop sensation Charli XCX and energetic ska-rockers Sonic Boom Six all taking on the Orchard Stage this August. They will be joined by legendary genre-crossing DJ/producer Eddy Temple-Morris and a techno lover’s dream collaboration in Dense & Pika over on the Garden Stage for what is proving to be a Nozstock lineup of monster proportions.

These additions will be welcomed to the prehistorically themed Jurassic Farm this summer alongside hip-hop legend Roots Manuva, funk-rock revolutionaries The Heavy, tech-house behemoth James Zabiela, dub-rockers The Skints and the legendary Andy C, who will be bringing his whole crew for a RAM Records takeover of the Cubicles on the Saturday night to get the fans roaring with excitement.

Further acts announced include dub/reggae mixers and Fun Lovin’ Criminals side project Radio Riddler, folk/hip-hop fusers Dizraeli and the Small Gods (trust us, the combination works), indelible nine-piece Manchester hip-hop tribe The Mouse Outfit ft. Dr. Syntax and Sparkz and eternal fun providers Tako Lako, returning after their outstanding set that brought out the sun at Nozstock last year, making everyone lose their inhibitions, caveman style.

This year, the Bandstand will be full of experimental musical discoveries from the likes of The Knights Project, Pip and the Polar Bears, The Mourning Suns, Immi Grant, Low Cost Life, and The Captain’s Daughter. Elsewhere,SIKA Studios will also be stomping their T-Rex sized footprints all over The Bullpen, bringing with them the best in fresh hip-hop talent including Split Prophets, showcases from High Focus and Off Me Nuts Records, RLD Records, Skuff and Inja, Devilman D.E.Velopment, Traumatik and Defenders of Style.

Music lineup announced so far

Fun Lovin’ Criminals/Roots Manuva/The Heavy/Craig Charles DJ Set/Charli XCX/Molotov Jukebox/Sonic Boom Six/The Skints/The Mouse Outfit ft. Dr. Syntax and Sparkz/By The Rivers/Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer/Too Many T’s/More Like Trees/Dizraeli and The Small Gods/Le Galaxie/Tako Lako/GAPS/Big Deal/Radio Riddler/New Town Kings/ASBO Disco/Benji Tranter/Typesun/Two Man Ting/ The Stiff Joints/The Remedy/Jess Morgan/Sketchbeat/Paper Tiger/Caolin Clay/Al and The Sorry Seaguls/Mat Envy/DJ Hampsta/Bwalya/The Twisted Burlesque DJs/Electric Swing Ballroom/Phat Tony/Jitterbug/Edd Tipton/Mr Bliss/Sketch/The Knights Project/Pip and The Polar Bears/The Mourning Suns/Immi Grant/Low Cost Life/The Captain’s Daughter

Dance Lineup announced so far

James Zabiela /Andy C & MC GQ/Friction ft. Linguistics/Calyx & Teebee/TC and A.D /Dense & Pika/Sonny Wharton/Eddy Temple-Morris /DC Breaks/Frankee/Jubei/High Focus/RLD Records/Split Prophets/Joe Ford/ Stealth/Devilman D.E.Velopment/Uncle Dugs/Skuff & Inja/Amoss/Ray Rampage/Octo Pi/ Traumatik/Defenders of Style/Despicable Youth/Scope/Koncept/Modify Perspective/Off Me Nuts Records/Remidy MC/Trafic MC