Isle of Wight Festival 2016 Review

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Bags ready tent purchased and we were ready to hit the road for an epic weekend of random antics, filled with laughter, good friends and live music, a line-up so large, that no one could contain their excitement.

Thursday evening has arrived tents up and its time to see what the Isle of Wight Festival 2016 has to offer. The 'Big Top' stage opens up with performances from 'The dolls', 'Maxi Jazz and the E-Type Boys' and 'The Cast',  who were getting the audience ready for the headliners of the evening 'Status Quo'. 

'Status Quo' hit the stage at 9:30 to perform to the festival goers, filling out the 'Big Top', and leaving fans to listen from the sidelines, filling the area around the Big top, creating some members of the audience to suggest they should have opened up on the main stage as the sound was distorted by the carnival in the background. 'Status Quo' performed songs such as ‘Down, Down’, ‘Caroline’, 'In the army now’ and 'Rocking all over the world’ Starting the festive antics with a powerful and electric performance, the audience roared in excitement  which created a great atmosphere that thrived over the weekend at Isle of Wight Festival 2016; lining the stomach for the acts that will be hitting the stage in the days to come.

Friday was the first official opening of the main stage with performances from bands such as 'Reverend and the makers', 'Busted' and 'Everything Everything'. Just many of a great line up.

  

Photo courtesy of Isle of Wight Festival

Charlie Simpson and Matt Willis share a joke as Busted perform on the main stage on Friday 'Busted' took us back the noughties performing hits such as ‘what I go to school for’, 'Air hostess’, 'Crashed the wedding’, and ending the performance with ‘Year 3000’. This was a nostalgic performance, creating a great atmosphere through the field as people interacted with the band and danced like no one was watching.

They were followed by 'Jess Glynne' a British female artist, Who took the crowd on a powerful journey opening up with ‘don’t be so hard on yourself’, and performing hits from her latest album such as ‘Hold my hand’, 'Real love' and ‘Take me home’ her vocals were flawless and her performance created a stamp on how the evening would continue. 

Photo courtesy of Isle of Wight Festival

For me the performers of the night were ‘Stereophonics', the crowd were waiting in anticipation as the welsh boys were getting ready to come on and perform to thousands of fans across the isle of wight, the weather was holding out and the sky was drawing in and they arrived, the crowd went wild and the anticipation was over, 'Kelly Jones' has such stage presence that captured and got the crowd to their feet, performing songs such as ‘Handbags and Gladrags’, 'Have a nice day’, 'local boy in a photograph’ and ‘A thousand trees’ hit after hit just blaring from the stage, getting better and better and each song bringing the audience to life. They ended with 'Dakota' getting the crowd to join in and get crazy for one last hit of the night before introducing their co-headliners 'Faithless'. 

'Faithless' closed the night with and electric performance, performing hit such as ‘God is a DJ', ‘insomnia’ and ‘Fatty Boo’ just closing the night in the right way, Lights, good music and dancing all you needed was the glow sticks and you were set, this got the crowd ready for the rest of the weekend, for the acts to follow.

Photo courtesy of Isle of Wight Festival

Saturday brought many artists to ‘The Big Top’ and ‘The Main Stage’ the festival was picking up and the bands were getting ready to perform for the many crowds surrounding them today. 

The ‘Big Top’ seen many artists such as the ‘Simon Townsend’, ‘The Damned’ and ‘Pendulum’ perform throughout the day, Two artists stood out for me the most ‘Bang Bang Romeo’ and ‘Adam Ant’.  'Bang Bang Romeo’ performed at the Isle of wight 2015 on the 'Jack Rocks Stage', they were invited back and given a space on the 'Big Top'stage for 2016, they gave a dynamic and creative performance, the Vocals were powerful and edgy, which created the atmosphere of their music and got the audience supporting the Yorkshire based band, performing songs such as ‘Chemical’, ‘Johannesburg’ and their new release ‘Invitation’.

The legendary ‘Adam Ant’ gave an eccentric performance, performing songs such as ‘Kings or the wild frontier’, ‘Dog eat Dog’, ‘Stand and Deliver’  and ‘Goody two shoes’. He bought the eighties to the festival, giving the crowd quirky and stand alone performance.  To Help bring awareness Spandau Ballets 'Gary Kemp' and The Corrs 'Andrea Corr',  performed 'Starman’ in a touching tribute to the late 'David Bowie’ for Stand up for cancer who are raising awareness and supporting those who have been affected by cancer. At 3:45 there was a short video celebrating 'David Bowie's’ Life and capturing hundreds of fans, bringing awareness for the course, by wearing 'David Bowie’ masks and posing for a picture on the MainStage.

Photo courtesy of Isle of Wight Festival

The MainStage gave the crowd artists from ‘The Kills’,‘Turin Brakes’, ‘Alabama 3’ and ‘Polly Money’ warming up the audience for the headliners of the evening ‘The Who”.  Before 'The Who’ we had some amazing acts perform ‘Iggy Pop’ hit the stage his character larger than life and his movements creating an interesting view as he performed hits such as 'Wild Thing’, ‘Sweet 16’ and ‘Passenger’ the audience joined through the performance creating an atmosphere that leads on to the next performer to grace us with his presenc 'Richard Ashcroft’ performed songs from his album ‘Urban Hymns’ performing songs such as ‘Out of my body’, ‘Breaking the night with colour’ and two new ones ‘Hold on’ and ‘This is how it feels’ whilst performing classic such as ‘The drugs don’t work' and ending with the classic ‘Bittersweet Symphony’ the audience went crazy for this and it was an amazing way to introduce ‘The Who’.

'The Who’ headlined the isle of wight on Saturday night performing to a verity of individuals, people who have been following them since the sixties and the younger generation who has been influenced by their music from their parents of even their grandparents. ‘Peter Townsend’ and 'Roger Daltery’ performed for over 2 hours, performing hits such as ‘My generation’, ‘Behind blue eyes’, ‘The Kids are alright’ and ‘Pinball Wizard’. They opened up the show with “who are you’ getting the crowd worked up and ready for the night ahead.  After 5 decades of being together they still can put together a great live performance, even though at times there were moments of strain In ‘Roger Daltery’s’ voice but this overcame by the commitment to the performance, by showing that he still could hit those high notes in the song 'love reign O'er me’, put those moments of strain behind the crowd the ended a night with a high. 

Photo courtesy of Isle of Wight Festival

Sunday was the Day to celebrate the Queens 90th Birthday but not only celebrate one 'Queen', but to celebrate legend we know as ‘Queen’ the one and only 'Freddie Mercury’. With 'Queen with Adam Lambert' Headlining the final show of the weekend. The show everyone has been waiting for. 

Photo courtesy of Isle of Wight Festival

On the Sunday 'The big Top’ welcomed artists such as ‘The Novatones’, ‘The Carnaby's’, ‘Reef' and ‘The Second Sons’.  The Big Top was closed by the Welsh band known as  ‘Feeder' after 'Queen' had closed the MainStage, ‘Feeder' performed songs such as ‘Buck Rogers’, ‘Just the way I am feeling’ and ‘Just a day’ bringing the audience that was  already buzzing to their feet, dancing and bouncing around the tent intertwining and celebrating the end of an amazing festival. Their performance was electrifying, loud and on point. A fab close to a fantastic day.  The Main Stage was warming up and bring the sunshine out, acts such as ‘Twin Atlantic’, ‘Half Moon Run’  and ‘The Cribs’ performed alongside Former ‘Genesis' 'Mike Rutherford’ 

With the band ‘Mike and the Mechanics’ performing some of the classics from ‘Genesis’ ‘I can’t dance’ and 'Land of confusion’ bringing the sun out with every song, the crowd building up and joining the band on a sunny but yet cloudy day. This was a great way to start the Sunday line up for me. 'Ocean Colour Scene’ set of the evening with ‘Hundred Mile  High City’ bringing the audience to their feet, one hit after another ‘The RiverboatSong’, ‘The day we caught the train’ and ‘You’ve got it bad’ this got people pumping and ready, even with the rain this did not stop the crowd  from jumping up and down and enjoying themselves at the Isle of wight festival. 

Now that we were warmed up, rained on and waiting in anticipation…. 'Queen' was about to come on, the music starts and the crowd roars, the field was packed to the edges, from everyone finding their perfect spot, so they could enjoy the celebrate the life and legend of 'Freddie Mercury'captured through the Vocals of 'Adam Lambert'. This is the closest we will ever get to seeing Queen as a whole, 'Brian May', 'Roger Taylor' and the flamboyant singer 'Mr Lambert'.  'Lambert' from the start made it known that he was not there to replace 'Freddie Mercury' as no-one could, but to bring the songs that were once created and performed by a legend to life, and to honour and celebrate his life. With Rock Legends 'May' and 'Taylor'.  'Lambert' captivated the audience with his outgoing and eccentric performance, starting the night off with ‘One Vision’ and from their belting out hit after hit such as, ‘Fat Bottom Girls’, ‘Another One bites the dust’, ‘I want to break free’ ‘Don’t stop me now’ and ‘Somebody to Love’.  Whilst Performing ‘Lambert’ dedicated a song to the Victims of the Orlando shooting and anyone affected by acts of terrorism, he performed a beautiful and heart warming version of ‘Who wants to live forever’.  'Brian May’ Performs ‘Love of my life’ asking the audience to join in, dedicating this song to the late 'Freddie Mercury', at the end of the performance a video Clip of ‘Freddie Mercury’ finishing the song to the audience is introduced. This is closest that we would come to witnessing the Legend Perform. This was used in one more song ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ using ‘Lambert’ and Clips of ‘Mercury’ to perform parts of the song to the crowd. This was done just right, not overdone but capturing the man that helped to build such great Anthems.  The crowd joined in for every song and captured every moment together ‘Radio Ga Ga’ was a highlight of my evening everyone in the audience clapping and creating that moment When they sing “Radio Ga Ga ( Two Claps) Radio Go Go" and the audience clap in the middle , that for me was epic and immense, it is something I have always wanted to be involved in and now I can tick this moment of my bucket list.   They Finished the show with such power and energy that we were still buzzing even when they were no longer on, They performed ‘We Will Rock you’ and ‘We are the Champions’ Everyone joined in sang their hearts out and enjoyed the show-stopping, breathtaking band of the weekend, they truly finished with a Bang. 

A Show turning event for the Isle of Wight festival 2016!

Iron Maiden – Download 2016 Review

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Well, the arena is awash with the kind of sludge you dream up monsters emerging from and everyone we pass is in varying states of ‘fuck-it’ at this point. Little has been done to calm the quagmire overnight it seems and as the rain poured steadily throughout the day (and then horrifically during Nightwish’s set) there are actual rivers becoming moats between the stages. If you were the guy throwing yourself down the hill with wild abandon after the first falling-over incident, because why the hell not – you sir, I salute you.

However, it is with sheer luck that we stand here tonight waiting for Iron Maiden and only a tiny speckle of rain is upon us… obviously the weather-gods knew that we’d need to ditch our umbrellas to properly rock out for this. As the sky begins to darken and the thousands upon thousands of bodies cram the main stage area, a Mayan temple backdrop and stage set are unveiled which look rather like a section of The Crystal Maze. Bruce materializes from the centre stage gangway for If Eternity Should Fail and below him Nikko takes to his drum nook to begin the show. Seriously – a drum nook. It sounds like something I should have at home.

Yelling “England, how the fuck are you?” was probably only going to incite sarcasm at this juncture, as the soggy crowd snark back “fucking wet”, but Bruce has probably spent his afternoon in a cushy hotel following his flight over on Ed Force One. With visuals of the plane being hurled out of jungle vines by Eddie and a raft of fire cannons going off, it’s clear Maiden are going to put on the kind of show we were hoping for and as the notes ring out for Children of the Damned it’s pretty much a given that Bruce has lost none of the power or range after his surgery for throat cancer.

Dubbing it ‘Downpour festival’ Bruce seems to be keen on interacting with the crowd more this tour, quipping “I usually have a go at people texting in the pit… and I look down and it's our fucking manager! What a cunt! He has a hotline to the weather… we said please stop the rain for Maiden”. Though we are British and used to a rain-lashing at Download, it is pretty nice to not watch through the crackle of a crap poncho.

Next up is Tears of a Clown – a song written about and dedicated to the late Robin Williams, a song Bruce says the band “never thought they’d play live”, followed by The Red and The Black. I mean, I know it’s a stop on The Book of Souls tour, but they really are going heavy on the new album songs. It seems a shame that anyone new to Maiden here won’t get to fully experience the complete rush of hearing 85 thousand people singing along to every single word of every single song. The new tracks just haven’t sunk in yet.

Not to worry too much though, as The Trooper – with Bruce in his red jacket racing around the stage with his flag, is absolutely brilliant as always, leading into heavy Powerslave. Hallowed Be Thy Name is shouted into the night by everyone in the arena and Fear Of the Dark is accompanied by the traditional ‘ooohs’ and what once were lighters held aloft is now a sea of phone screens.

Some joking about monkeys, a very unstable Eddie (on stilts) and many “Scream for me Donington”’s aside, it’s been a non-stop show, and as a flipping GIANT Eddie head emerges from the back of the stage to stare his red eyes out into the crowd, we know that we still have twenty minutes and an epic encore to go.

Joining the band on stage for Number Of The Beast is… well, the beast. Sporting a sometimes crooked set of horns and a countenance reminiscent of battle-worn teachers during ofsted, the giant bust oversees a rampage of fire from the stage and sound tent. There’s something cathartic about screaming “666” into the sky with thousands of other people, maybe it’s the teenage rebel inside.

Bruce tells us “We’ve done this six times… frankly it’s got to stop.” to a rousing ‘boooo’ from everyone in the arena, but a promise of a giant stadium show next year for 80 thousand people (it’s definitely Wembley then…) raises a roar of appreciation. Going on to talk about the fresh news of the awful mass shooting in Orlando this weekend as “Senseless and stupid” Bruce assures us that “Maiden is one big musical family…. I don’t care what gender, what colour, what creed, what religion…” which gets the biggest applause of the night from this crowd many of whom are on the margins of society in everyday life themselves. Bruce also speaks of the Bataclan attack and urges everyone to not be like that and retaliate but to spread “music and love” instead, saying “…my friends, we are all Blood Brothers” bringing them around to one of Maiden’s grandest showpiece songs. The magnitude of the meaning is not lost on anyone, after the horrific reports we have seen on the internet today.

With a starry night backdrop and a circle of stars around Eddie’s head (which could be mistaken for an EU reference if we were looking for one…) Maiden finish up with Wasted Years which also seems especially poignant. “It’s more of a heavy metal waltz this one” jokes Bruce, but it does seem odd to end on such a sombre note, without fanfare or fireworks, just a quick “We will be back next year” and the standard Monty Python Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life, to usher us from the arena. Traipsing through the sticky mess of swamp and chair-graveyards towards the exits, we are leaving with a sense of elation that always comes with Maiden shows – you know you’ve just seen something extraordinary, and that is worth all the mud you could have thrown at us.

All photographs © A. Hyams, please do not use without permission.

Black Sabbath – Download 2016 Review

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Well what can you say about the finality of one of the most prolific bands in history’s last ever show at their spiritual home of Donington Park? The band have played here time and time again, Monsters of Rock, Ozzfest, Download – Donington in all it’s incarnations. Black Sabbath are sewn into the fabric here and the arena is awash with black shirts in all shapes and sizes, from a tour history spanning decades and generations. Families making sure their kids get to experience this once in their lifetime, the younger crowd who may not be die-hard Sabbath lovers but are here nevertheless, and those original fans with a tear for the end of an era. Everyone feels the gravity of tonight’s performance, and that’s a pretty big weight to put on any band’s shoulders.

As the sky darkens ominously and the purple Black Sabbath logo lights up the big screens, there is a hush of anticipation for the Birmingham band, one city over from where they were formed – this always feels like a homecoming. With visuals depicting the birth of Satan from an Aliens-esque egg the band alight the stage to an almighty roar and thousands upon thousands of hands thrust into the air in horns.

Starting off with namesake Black Sabbath (we really enjoy it when artists sing about themselves… well, maybe not Craig David…) it’s clear that Ozzy’s voice is ahem, off. The difference between this show and their last Donington stint is pretty noticeable and there’s a lot of chatter in the crowd to that effect. It also seems like they’ve purposefully slowed down their already trademark slow heavy metal, to accommodate Ozzy’s vocals, but hey, we’ve been listening to upbeat bands all day… that must be it… right?

Yelling his standard “I can’t fuckin’ hear you” there’s a little nostalgic twinge as someone nearby retorts an unheard “That’s cause you’re fuckin’ deaf”, I think I’ve heard that every single time I’ve seen Ozzy live and this will be the last time. Fairies Wear Boots is a fan favourite and everyone is singing along but the wind and rain have notched up and the 4 speaker stacks in the middle of the arena just aren’t good enough to travel it up the hill. Every year the same argument – it’s fine for the earlier bands when the crowd is split, but for the headliners it leaves at least half the arena with shockingly poor audio.

Into The Void and Snowblind are fantastic, with Iommi shredding the hell out of his guitar in his nonplussed style, and despite the constant rain (maybe there was a market for changing the name to Rainblind…), the swishing of ponchos and smack of wet hair on cheeks says that everyone is having a headbangingly excellent time. Sabbath anthem War Pigs however is absolutely epic, due to the thousands strong crowd singing every bit of it at the maximum capacity of their lungs.

We get a traditional gratuitous drum solo and then everything we wanted to hear; N.I.B, Hand of Doom, the heart-stoppingly good Iron Man (complete with flaming pyrotechnics on the stage and sound tent) and Children Of The Grave.

With an encore of Sabbath’s biggest hit Paranoid, and a tear-jerking ‘The End’ plastered on the big screens, it’s time to say goodbye to arguably the most important band in heavy metal, the forefathers of everything you see here. Though it might not have been the best we’ve ever seen Black Sabbath, there is an overwhelming sense of importance, that we were there, the very last time the godfathers of heavy metal played the most iconic location in heavy metal. It almost makes you want to get a commemorative tattoo. Or, you could go snatch up a ticket for their final UK tour dates EVER. Whimper. Sniff. Sabbath – we will miss you, always.

Photo Credit (Ozzy): Ben Gibson

Photo Credit (Stage): Jen O'Neill

All photos courtesy of Download Festival

Rammstein – Download 2016 Review

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Despite a day of heavy downpours over a now very boggy Donington Park (yes yes, we’ve heard the monikers… Drownload… Downpour Festival…), thousands of expectant faces are turned towards the main stage for tonight’s headliner – German heavy metal powerhouse, Rammstein. There’s nothing quite like a side of S&M or pyrotechnics alongside learning how to count to vier whilst headbanging, and Rammstein promise a whole lot more than just their stage show.

As a cinematic countdown begins, video screens send a message “Enjoy the show, please do not be preoccupied with recording it” and instantly Go-Pro’s are thrust into the air on ridiculous, view-ruining monopods. I mean come on, what the hell are you actually going to do with that footage man?

Regardless of the moronathon, Rammstein smash their way onstage as only they can – with giant showoff billowing clouds of pink smoke, which when combined with the ongoing drizzle turns quickly into a spatter of blood on anyone wearing lighter than black outfits. First up new song Ramm 4 sees giant firework laden platforms lowering guitarists Kruspe and Landers onto the stage and the always enigmatic frontman Till Lindemann emerges in a childcatcher-esque outfit and his patent white painted face.

The stage look for Rammstein has always been industrial but this time steps over into the cyborg realm with giant stage-high light bars which respond to the band’s instruments. Reise, Reise is absolutely gut churningly heavy, and Till sports a very fetching duffel coat over his flash-bang adorned waistcoat which explodes, quite obviously right in his face. How this band have not sustained more serious pyrotechnic related injuries I’ll never know.

The electronic intro bleeps for Feuer Frei raise an enormouse guttural roar from the crowd, and there is no shortage of actual fire alongside the music, their signature flamethrowing face cages are everything Batman’s Bane wishes he was. Keyboardist/freak on a leash Lorenz is hastily shoved into a box after being dragged around the floor, emerging later in an extremely spangly sequined suit to walk off his horrors on a treadmill whilst Till wields a giant flaming arc that sort of looks like a crossbow. You really couldn’t make it up. A crackly speaker on the right side of the stage threatens to dull Mein Hertz Brennt but as Till’s heart (flare) lights up, every single person in the arena is singing their lungs raw. Following up with Links 2, 3, 4 this is shaping up to be a stellar performance from Rammstein.

Guitar flamethrowers, fireballs erupting from the sound tent in the middle of the crowd and zip-wire fireworks streaking back and forth – every time you think you’ve seen it all, Rammstein amp it up a little more. Ich Will has everyone yelling back the required replies ‘Wir hören dich’ and so on, Du Hast is heavier than a heavy thing and Depeche Mode cover Stripped just couldn’t sound more seedy than in a German accent.

For the Encore, we are treated to the completely epic Sonne followed by an acoustic Ohne Dich but it’s Till’s ascension into angel-dom that is the real icing on this weird and wonderful cake. Giant metal wings loaded with white sparking fireworks lift Till into the air above the stage floor for Engel and it is motherlovin’ glorious. Leaving us with a brief “Thank you. Danke schoen, you’re amazing” the stage erupts in a backdrop of massive rocket fireworks and the arena is engulfed in smoke. There’s nothing more to say except that Rammstein are arguably one of the best metal acts of our time and here’s hoping they don’t leave it too long before returning with even more incredible shows.

Found Festival 2016 Review

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Staying south for its second year, Found brings the daytime party alive with a spectacular line up. Arriving early has its benefits, stumbling across some up and coming talent is always a bonus.

Walking through the site I headed towards what can only be described as a secret garden, enclosed by trees was Feelings, a glitter ball decorated van. Playing disco and soulful house to an intimate audience was Daniel Wang, interacting with his crowd for most part of his set and ending with Sunshine After The Rain by Salsoul Orchestra, appropriately timed as the sun began to shine through the trees and lifted the spirit of the revellers.

As I moved across the site the crowds began to flood in, whilst the sounds of deep house waved through Brockwell Park. Theo Parish took to the renowned Secret Sundaze tent playing an array of nu disco with a mellowed out undertone. Whilst the main stage pulled in a decent crowd as Dyed Soundorom electrified the crowd with garage infused deep house shortly followed by British duo Paranoid London and their sleazy mix of up tempo acid house.

Dipping in and out of both the Find Me In The Dark and Friends Of Found, both tents were skewered for the techno fans, with the likes of Zenker Brothers, Yume Records, Flux Showcase, Kassem Mosse and Legowelt closing to a good turnout, however the atmosphere lacked soul in both these tents.

Heading back through the trees and consistently good throughout the day my favourite glitter ball van. Mood II Swing played soulful house including a live PA towards the end of the set, which got everyone in the mood for their finale seminal remix with Ultra Nate's Free, the track that launched them into popularity.

As the day progressed revellers made their way to main stage for the two favourites of the night Derrick May and his sound of balearic prepped the crowd for headlining act Keri Chandler who opened his set with Rain as the heavens opened on Brockwell Park.  Whilst over in the Secret Sundaze tent Secretsundaze played homage to Prince with I Want To Be Your Lover. Overall the sound could have been improved across all tents however the lack of volume didn't deter fans from making the most of it. Found packed in 40 DJ's and with all festivals, clashing set times that will have you moving across a manageable but rainy Brockwell Park.

 

Photo Credit: Marc Sethi

Latitude announce Literary Arena and Wellcome Trust Hub

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Latitude are thrilled to welcome political economist, writer, columnist and former editor-in-chief of The Observer, Will Hutton to the Literary Arena, where he will be discussing how a fundamental social change is required to defeat the anxiety epidemic gripping society today.
 
Bestselling author Ben MacIntyre will be sharing his research behind A Spy Amongst Friends, the definitive biography of Kim Philby, the most notorious British defector and Soviet mole in history. MacIntyre was given unprecedented access to newly released MI5 files, previously unseen family papers, and cooperation of former officers of MI6 and the CIA – unlocking what is perhaps the last great secret of the Cold War.
 
The Victoria & Albert Museum will present a preview of their forthcoming major exhibition You Say You Want a Revolution? Records and Rebels 1966 – 70. Assistant Curator Elisa Bailey will explore the era-defining significance and impact of the late 1960s, expressed through some of the greatest music and performances of the 20th century alongside fashion, film, design and political activism.
 
In a talk entitled From Prince to Punk, Deirdre Murphy, Senior Curator at the Historic Royal Palaces, will talk about fashion’s tribes: each day we dress ourselves, our clothes a marker expressing both our individuality and the group we identify with. Deirdre will explore these ideas across history; the look, the individuals and the idols that have epitomised fashion’s most recognisable tribes.
 
The team behind critical tongue-attractors like Young Avengers and PHONOGRAM, Jamie McKelvie and Kieron Gillen, will be interviewed by journalist Emily Mackay on the inspiration behind their acclaimed contemporary fantasy comic book series The Wicked & The Divine, winner of Best Comic at the 2014 British Comic Awards.
 
Ewen MacAskill, the Guardian’s Defence and Security Correspondent, involved in preparing the Edward Snowden revelations concerning the National Security Agency for publication, will be talking to the Latitude audience about secrets, lies and Edward Snowden.
 
Robin Ince presents The Magick of Art – The Wizardry of Thin White Dukes with Daisy Campbell, Andrew O'Neilland John Constable – a discussion of David Bowie’s final piece of work looking at it both visually and aurally, and how it was the most potent of his career further highlighted by his death three days after the release of Blackstar. His favourite books contained many on art, the occult and magick – are the great creators shamanic? Is art a spell?
 
Stand-up comedian, actress and author Sara Pascoe will be sharing her debut book, Animal: How a Woman is Made, which combines autobiography and evolutionary history to explore how the female body has been oppressed, fetishized and misunderstood throughout history. Another of this year’s multi-talented stand-up comedians joining the Literary Arena is Mark Watson – a familiar face from his appearances on Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Mock the Week – showcasing his latest highly acclaimed thriller, The Place That Didn’t Exist. 
 
In conversation with Sarfraz Manzoor, highly talented scriptwriter, broadcast and comedy writer David Quantickpresents his new comic thriller The Mule, a novel about sex, Paris, murder and an imaginary world.
 
Showcasing her debut cookbook Get the Glow!, nutritional health coach to the stars Madeleine Shaw will demonstrate how eating well can easily become a way of life, resulting in the hottest, healthiest and happiest you. Madeleine's philosophy is simple: ditch the junk and eat foods that heal your gut, so you can shine from head to toe and really get the glow.
 
Latitude also invites Helen Pearson to present her acclaimed book The Life Project: what makes some people happy, healthy and successful – and others not? The factors that most affect our life chances are revealed as the first group of British babies followed in a remarkable cradle-to-grave study turns 70.
 
Standard Issue is bringing some of its smart, funny and brilliant writers to Latitude for a very special event. Join editor Mickey Noonan, deputy editor Hannah Dunleavy, comedians Angela Barnes and Felicity Ward, plus a special guest for a smart and funny hour of chat about comedy, feminism and being a woman in the modern world.  
 
Latitude is thrilled to welcome the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction to the festival for the first time, presenting three exciting events hosted by novelist and BWPFF co-founder Kate Mosse. Now in its twenty first year, the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction is the UK’s most prestigious annual book award for fiction written by a woman. Set up in 1996 to celebrate and promote international fiction by women throughout the world to the widest range of readers possible, the Prize is awarded for the best novel of the year written by a woman. Any woman writing in English – whatever her nationality, country of residence, age or subject matter – is eligible.
 
The Baileys Prize events at Latitude include: Forgotten Authors – an inspiring panel including former BWPFF longlisted author Emma Healey put forward their favourite forgotten literary treasures – the female authors they feel have fallen out of fashion and should be returned to the spotlight; Women and Power – author Naomi Alderman, comedian and writer Sara Pascoe, award-winning campaigner Leyla Hussein and  Amy Annette (editor of I call myself a Feminist) discuss the new feminism and issues around women and power; and back by popular demand following their appearance at the Baileys Prize Pop-Up Book Bar earlier this year, actors James Rastall and Tori Allen-Martin read from the six books shortlisted for the 2016 Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction in their own inimitable style. 
 
The Literary Arena also hosts Ruth and Martin’s Album Club, that will see an invited guest choose an album they’ve never listened to, laying out any potential prejudice the guest will listen to the album at least three times, leading to a discussion: was it worth it or not?
 
Radio 4’s Viv Groskop brings her hilarious new work-in-progress Be More Margo to Latitude, taking a look at snobbery, class, Britishness and The Good Life, fuelled entirely by gin. Should we be classless now that we're "all in it together"? Or is it time to assert our inner reactionary and Be More Margo?
 
Also in the Literary Arena, Latitude will present a series of talks supported by the Wellcome Trust – a global charitable foundation dedicated to improving health by supporting bright minds in science, the humanities and social sciences, and public engagement.
 
In a discussion spanning devastating brain trauma, psychogenic disease and mental illness, hear from Wellcome Book Prize 2016’s winner and shortlisted authors talking to 2016 judge and writer, Sathnam Sanghera. In a  discussion spanning devastating brain trauma, psychogenic disease and mental illness, hear from 2016 Winner Suzanne O’Sullivan, on It’s All in Your Head, a compassionate study of the real suffering caused by psychosomatic illness; Cathy Rentzenbrink on her powerful memoir about the death of her brother, The Last Act of Love; and Alex Pheby on Playthings, a fictional take on one of Freud’s most influential psychological case studies: Daniel Schreber.
 
This year Salon London, with support from the Wellcome Trust, present four Salon London events in the Literary Arena:
 
In Salon London: Love Thy Neighbour: Feast of Strangers showcases Prof Theodore Zeldin (Oxford) on the ways in which conversation with a stranger might contribute to radical social change, inviting the Latitude audience to take part in his Feast of Strangers and have a structured conversation with someone they don’t know; and theRefugee Choir will perform a new piece by leading UK vocal coach, Juliet Russell.
 
Salon London: Love Thy Neighbour: The Rewards will feature Dr Molly Crockett (Oxford) on the advanced altruism of Festival Goers; neurobiologist Dr Carsten De Dreu (Amsterdam) on the brain’s response to competitive vs cooperative ways of thinking; and Prof Tim Lewens (Cambridge) on the science behind a big question: is human nature fundamentally good?
 
Salon London: Love Thy Neighbour: The Dark Side presents Prof Christopher French (Goldsmiths) on how we use the paranormal to understand others; Salon London & Redstone Press’s Psycho Games will bring an interactive tour of the scientific games used in 20th Century psychological evaluation; and Dr Gustav Kuhn(Goldsmiths) on the psychology of magic and why we are so easily deceived.
 
Salon London: Social Standing and Your Health will feature Sir Prof Michael Marmot (UCL), whose 40 years of research on health inequalities has the potential to radically change the way we think about health equity and society, and Prof Danny Dorling (Oxford) on how the way the all-so-powerful 1% live affects us all, and how, and why, we can redress the balance between us.
 
The Porn Perspective panel explores the ways we interact with and our consumption of pornography: neuroscientist and broadcaster Dr Jack Lewis is joined by former editor of Loaded and teen educator on the potential dangers of online pornography Martin Daubney, plus Christopher Green, a performer whose work has explored sex and addiction, all chaired by Dr Suzi Gage (Bristol), who has provided a counter point to Dr Philip Zimbardo's work theorising a crisis in masculinity caused by a cyberspace of video games and pornography.
 
Also joining the line up in the Literary Arena is author of NHS foundation’s Be Mindful report Ed Halliwell. Ed will be introducing his new book Into the Heart of Mindfulness: Finding a Way of Well-being, in which he takes the reader on a journey into the heart of mindfulness. With practical advice, taster exercises and a refreshing honesty, Ed will explore how opening to and working with the realities of our minds, bodies and day-to-day existence – rather than striving for positive results – can, paradoxically, help us rediscover a richly nourishing, deeply textured life.
 
Festival of Spoken Nerd – the science comedy phenomenon that will feed your brain, tickle your ribs and light your Bunsen burner will be engaging the Latitude audience in the Literary  Arena. Full Frontal Nerdity guaranteed! The trio of stand-up mathematician Matt Parker, experiments maestro Steve Mould and geek songstress Helen Arney, will be mixing astonishing science with statistically significant comedy, plus experiments that will electrify the Latitude audience – sometimes literally!
 
We will also host a live podcast recording of Level Up Human – a Wellcome supported podcast with a unique mission – to make humans better. The podcast will be led by Simon Watt: biologist, comedian and TV presenter, best known for the BAFTA winning Inside Nature’s Giants and Channel 4's The Elephant: Life After Death. Simon will be joined by comic Elf Lyons, QI researcher and author Stevyn Colgan.
 
The Wellcome Trust Hub, supported by Wellcome Trust, will once again host a variety of incredible discussions, debates and performances this year, exploring the neurosciences that affect your health, happiness and interactions with those around you.
 
Does happiness affect our health? Are the cells of your body aware of your mood swings and nagging doubts? It turns out that the immune system are surprisingly sensitive to our emotions. In The Immune System, Health and Happiness, find out more from Dr. Pippa Kennedy, a research scientist from the Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research.
 
What is fun? How is it distinct from happiness or pleasure? How do we know when we are having it? In TheSociology & Psychology of Fun, Dr Bree Macdonald (Chartered Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist) and Dr Ben Fincham, author of The Sociology of Fun, will be discussing how we want to have fun and who determines the fun we have.
 
In his new book, The Idiot Brain, Guardian science blogger and neuroscientist Dr Dean Burnett explores the most inefficient, bizarre and irrational workings of the human brain. Join him and Infinite Monkey Cage host Robin Incefor a light-hearted look at the how the illogical workings of our brains can affect our everyday world, including the psychology of superstition, the neuroscience of sleep, how tall people are more intelligent and why a glass of wine might improve our memory. In The Science of the Self/ie, artist Meg Mosley (aka Megastar) teams up with Dr James Kilner, Head of Neuroscience at UCL, to further explore the psychology behind the selfie.
 
In Keeping Up With the Joneses, the panel will discuss social behaviours that might be caused by our perception of those around us, and crucially, how we believe they perceive us. Dr Valerie Voon (Wellcome Trust Intermediate Clinical Fellow, University of Cambridge) will talk about impulsive control disorder, with more panellists to be announced.

Editor of The Psychologist, Professor Jon Sutton will be in conversation with Professor Elizabeth Stokoe,discussing How To Talk So People Listen. We live our lives through talk. We build, maintain and end relationships. We buy and sell. We are excited, embarrassed and consoled in response to things others say. By collecting thousands of recordings ‘in the wild’ – from first dates to neighbour disputes – Professor Elizabeth Stokoe has found that talk is highly organised. In conversation with Dr Jon Sutton, she draws on this evidence to show how to talk so people listen.
 
The Wellcome Trust Hub also presents Loneliness with Prof Carsten De Dreu (Amsterdam), on the social and neurobiological mechanisms we have, designed to work and co-operate with others, and what happens to us psychologically when we have no one with whom to co-operate, along with Stuart Evers, author of the acclaimedTen Stories about Smoking and new book, Your Father Sends His Love, chaired by Jo Griffin, journalist and author of the acclaimed The Lonely Society for The Mental Health Foundation.
 
Your Food, Your Mood: Real Food & Gut Health will feature professor of Genetic Epidemiology Prof Tim Spector (KCL), who conducted the biggest ever experiment in to gut health and its effect on health and mental health: it turns out your biome (the microbes in your stomach) could hold all the keys. In Cure: A Journey into the Science of Mind over Body, science writer Jo Marchant will provide a rigorous, sceptical, deeply reported discussion of the new science behind the mind's surprising ability to heal the body. 
 
The Biology of Morality will provide an in depth look at the human’s relationship with altruism with psychotherapistDr Molly Crockett who studies the neuroscience and psychology of altruism, morality and self-control, in conversation with Dr Tim Lewens, Professor of Philosophy of Science at the University of Cambridge, where he is also Deputy Director of CRASSH – the Centre for Research in Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities.
 
Science Gallery London’s No Pain, No Gain? invites scientists to explore pain, what it is and how we perceive it, and also how our relationship with pain shapes our experiences (for better or worse!). In The Science of Snogging, Science Gallery London invite the Latitude audience to open wide, to delve into the orifice and think about what is really involved in a kiss. Rosie Wilby and Amie Taylor take their audiences through a series of short comedic, fun and fast paced performance lectures exploring the science, history and anthropology behind kissing, with help from Dr Rebecca Babb. You’ll never think about a kiss in the same way again!
 
Latitude is extremely proud to announce that Scotland’s new national poet Jackie Kay – who was awarded an MBE for her services to literature in 2006 – will be joining the stellar line-up already announced in this year’s Poetry Arena. The highly acclaimed Kay draws upon her unconventional upbringing in her work, documenting her own struggles with selfhood in her writing.
 
Poet in the City will also be joining this year’s Poetry line-up. An arts organisation which promotes a love of poetry to their audiences, Poet in the City will provide a dynamic platform to contemporary poets, curate imaginative and exciting themed events as well as bringing classic poetry to life for a 21st century audience. At Latitude they will present a programme of poets and the links between poetry & activism with guest Jack Monroe.
 
Further poetry acts announced today include rapper, multi-instrumentalist and sometime singer Dizraeli, who has taken hip-hop to new terrains, and will be thrilling the Latitude crowd along with Nigerian poet, English teacher and a member of the SXWKS collective Caleb Femi, whose work is often described as vivid, honest and delivered with an essence of musicality whilst touching on issues involving assimilation, memory, displacement, education, gang culture and its treatment in the media. Andy Bennett has been performing stand up poetry for half a decade, and  will be delighting audiences with his wilfully shambolic style that belies a cerebral and acerbic wit, and an honest and celebratory approach to life and performance.
 
Hosted by award winning children’s poet Laura Mucha, join us for some fantastic characters, stories and rhymes in new writing inspired by Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes, in celebration of 100 years since his birth. Dahl re-interpreted well-known fairy tales, replacing the traditional happily-ever-after with his own alternative endings, and now, some of Latitude’s best-loved poets – Rosie Carrick, Jemima Foxtrot and Andy Bennett – will do the same, turning well known stories on their head.
 
And finally, writer for Sunday Times, Telegraph, Elle, Red, Tank, The Numinous and more, Lisa Luxx will also be joining the Poetry Arena line up performing her work based on the existential crisis of the net generation, politics of queerdom, female sexuality, psychedelic philosophy and explorations of mental health.
 
Home Live Art returns to The Faraway Forest with the ever-changing and unexpected Home Live Art Exchange. Pop by and you may find a utopian world of your own making, an opportunity to swap woes with a friend or even the rare chance to truly understand your neighbours. What happens here depends on what you bring – whether it’s sharing thoughts, dreaming of the future, partaking in games, songs, conversations or meaningful quests, whatever happens it’s on your terms. Come and go, or stay and play. Twice Shy Theatre will also appear in The Faraway Forest this year, using their challenging and innovative theatre and live art to bring creative minds together in support and discussion.
 
Latitude are also delighted that The Reading Agency will be returning to Latitude, a charity whose mission is to inspire more people to read, encourage the enjoyment of reading, and celebrating the difference that it makes to all our lives.
 
Dylan’s Mobile Bookstore will once again return to Pandora’s Playground, promising to feed your need to read. The words on wheels experience, specialising in books associated with Wales and Dylan Thomas, has been quite literally spreading the words. Selling a wide range of books, including used, rare, fine and antiquarian they offer a space on the bus for mini readings and signing sessions with performers from the festival, and welcome people aboard to browse, hang out, chat, listen to poetry and appreciate the simple pleasures of reading.
 
The Shed of Stories will again play host to a heady mix of exciting authors, ground-breaking artists and important voices, including Commute Blog who will reveal the true identities of London commuters one photo at a time, touching upon this year’s theme ‘Love Thy Neighbour’.
 
Award-winning short story writer and novelist Lisa Blower will present her novel Sitting Ducks, which follows the intransigent, courageous Minton family’s battle against the predatory landlord during the 2010 General Election – a novel that will have you laughing out loud then raging at the page. The Shed of Stories also welcomes the highly acclaimed John Osborne, performing from Birthdays!
 
Esses & DeMesa will be bringing their contemporary theatre game about immigration, art and democracy Dis Placeto the Shed of Stories, asking: Who can stay? Are you ready to play? It’s London, 2021. Post EU Referendum and the British People have voted to stay out of Europe and deport most immigrants. Ten foreign artists squat in the basement of The Glory, only one will be allowed to stay in the country. The choice is in the hands of you – the Latitude audience – and your leaders.

And finally, following their performance in the Little House, the Young Vic presents a workshop with Gbolahan Obisesan, Director of Cuttin’ It, the incredibly emotive play from award-winning playwright Charlene James, tackling the urgent issue of FGM in Britain and the price some girls pay to become a woman. It’s a piece that encourages the audience to look more closely at the lives of those around them and to raise awareness of a deeply affecting procedure, and the discussion and workshop offers a rare chance for the audience to engage directly with the theatre maker.

LITERARY
WILL HUTTON | BEN MACINTYRE
VICTORIA & ALBERT MUSEUM PRESENTS YOU SAY YOU WANT A REVOLUTION?
 HISTORIC ROYAL PALACES: FROM PRINCE TO PUNK HOSTED BY DEIRDRE MURPHY 
EWEN MACASKILL
JAMIE McKELVIE & KIERON GILLEN INTERVIEWED BY EMILY MACKAY 
ROBIN INCE: THE MAGICK OF ART – THE WIZARDRY OF THIN WHITE DUKES
WITH DAISY CAMPBELL, ANDREW O'NEILL & JOHN CONSTABLE 
 SARA PASCOE | STANDARD ISSUE | BAILEYS WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR FICTION
HELEN PEARSON: THE LIFE PROJECT | MADELEINE SHAW | MARK WATSON
DAVID QUANTICK ICW SARFRAZ MANZOOR
 RUTH & MARTIN'S ALBUM CLUB | VIV GROSKOP
 
WELLCOME BOOK PRIZE 2016 WITH SUZANNE O’SULLIVAN, CATHY RENTZENBRINK AND
ALEX PHEBY ICW SATHNAM SANGHERA
 
WELLCOME TRUST WITH SALON LONDON PRESENT
LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR: FEAST OF STRANGERS WITH PROF THEODORE ZELDIN AND THEREFUGEE CHOIR
LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR: THE REWARDS WITH DR MOLLY CROCKETT, DR CARSTEN DE DREU ANDPROF TIM LEWENS
LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR: THE DARK SIDE WITH PROF CHRISTOPHER FRENCH 
SALON LONDON & REDSTONE PRESS’S PSYCHO GAMES AND DR GUSTAV KUHN
SOCIAL STANDING AND YOUR HEALTH WITH SIR PROF MICHAEL MARMOT AND PROF DANNY DORLING
 
WELLCOME TRUST 
THE PORN PERSPECTIVE WITH DR JACK LEWIS, CHRISTOPHER GREEN 
AND MARTIN DAUBNEY CHAIRED BY DR SUZI GAGE
DR ARTHUR I MILLER ICW DR ROBERT E SMITH: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE – BRAVE NEW WORLD
ED HALLIWELL ON MINDFULLNESS | FESTIVAL OF THE SPOKEN NERD
PHILIPPA KENNEDY | DR BEN FINCHAM & DR BREE MACDONALD  ON  FUN
DR DEAN BURNETT & ROBIN INCE ON THE IDIOT BRAIN | DR JAMES KILNER & MEG MOSLEY  ON SELFIES
DR VALERIE VOON ON KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES
THE PSYCHOLOGIST PRESENTS DR JON SUTTON  ICW.  PROFESSOR ELIZABETH STOKOE PROF CARSTEN DE DREU, STUART EVERS AND JO GRIFFIN ON LONELINESS
YOUR FOOD, YOUR MOOD: REAL FOOD & GUT HEALTH WITH  PROF TIM SPECTOR
CURE: A JOURNEY INTO THE SCIENCE OF MIND OVER BODY  WITH  JO MARCHANT
THE BIOLOGY OF MORALITY WITH  DR MOLLY CROCKETT  AND  DR TIM LEWENS
SCIENCE GALLERY LONDON: NO PAIN, NO GAIN?
SCIENCE GALLERY LONDON: THE SCIENCE OF SNOGGING
LEVEL UP HUMAN: LIVE PODCAST RECORDING  WITH  SIMON WATT, ELF LYONS  AND  STEVYN COLGAN
 
POETRY
JACKIE KAY | POET IN THE CITY | DIZRAELI | CALEB FEMI 
ANDY BENNETT | LISA LUXX
RIPPED OFF REVOLTING RHYMES HOSTED BY LAURA MUCHA WITH JEMIMA FOXTROT,
ROSY CARRICK AND ANDY BENNETT
 
THE FARAWAY FOREST
HOME LIVE ART | TWICE SHY THEATRE | THE READING AGENCY
 
PANDORA’S PLAYGROUND
DYLAN'S MOBILE BOOKSTORE
 
SHED OF STORIES
COMMUTE BLOG | LISA BLOWER | JOHN OSBORNE | ESSES & DE MESA 
YOUNG VIC PRESENT CUTTIN' IT DISCUSSION / WORKSHOP
WITH GBOLAHAN OBISESAN

Boundary Brighton, Second wave of Artists announced!

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Working with tireless passion and meticulous detail the team behind brand new music festival Boundary Brighton add a star-studded cast of acts to their debut show. With the bar set high, new acts includeCraig David, Groove Armada, Jackmaster, Richy Ahmed, Jaguar Skills and many more, to dance-out the summer at Stanmer Park on Saturday 17th September 2016.
 
Craig David has taken 2016 by storm and will headline the festival with TS5; expect a forward-thinking trip to nostalgia; with a heavy emphasis on party. Expect an eclectic mix of bangers from old school anthems and future classics. Commenting on the show, Craig David said "I can't wait to bring 'TS5' to Boundary Brighton! Trust me it's going to go off big time!"
 
Groove Armada will bring one of their famous DJ sets to the first event. Constantly moving and evolving you can expect a set that goes through the very best In house music.
 
Jackmaster has a mercurial ear for making people dance, breaking down the barriers between fun, underground and commercial, he'll always leave you with a smile on your face.
 
When Richy Ahmed is on a lineup, you know the party is going to have some heavy heat. Having earnt his stripes curating some of the DC-10 lineups in Ibiza, he's become a trusted ear within house and techno.
 
One of the most naturally gifted DJs on the planet, Jaguar Skills is insane to watch when he's in full flow. Tweaking every single knob on the mixer, his technical wizardry puts others to shame. From rock to rave, hip-hop to rap; he'll be mixing it all up with ninja skills.
 
Iron Dread, the righteous rhyming Lioness will bring her junglist flow to Congo Natty's set. A proper party starter she'll bring a touch of carnival to Stanmer Park.
 
Boundary is all about doing things a little differently, so we've called on the eccentricity of Bob Kerr and his Whoopee Band, a mad cap jazz outfit formed in 1967. They're as brilliant as they are utterly insane. They are joined by Mr Wilson's Second Liners – A New Orleans band are bubbling over with serotonin infused 90's rave classics. An anarchic extravaganza, bursting with colour and sound, rallying impromptu raves at every turn.
 
Toni Varga has built a career on connecting with the audience, which has made him a staple on the Elrow lineups globally. He'll be bringing his experiential electronic rhythms to the Elrow stage.
 
With previously announced acts including Seth Troxler, Wilkinson, Bondax, Jungle, Snake Hips, Toddla T, Tom Trago, Gentleman't Dub Club, Submotion Orchestra and Congo Natty, Boundary Brighton's debut show will offer a vibrant array of music to keep festival-goers on their toes and dancing throughout the day. 
 
With further surprises yet to come, presale and first release have completely sold out with second release tickets running low.
 
 

Bloodstock’s first M2TM Finals winners announced

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There’s a wealth of exciting news from BLOODSTOCK HQ in regard to their grass-roots-metal-supporting ‘Metal 2 The Masses’ scheme!  Coming on board as a premier sponsor is the newly resurrected, iconic metal label, MUSIC FOR NATIONS!  Also two more exciting prizes have been thrown into the hat for one of the lucky bands on the Hobgoblin New Blood bill.  

All those winning a slot on the Hobgoblin New Blood stage via the ‘Metal 2 The Masses’ initiative will already be in the running for the chance to receive endorsement deals from gear manufacturers and professional PR advice, but are also now eligible for these additional prizes.  One winner will get recording time with renowned producer, Jaime Gomez Arellano (Ghost, Angel Witch, Cathedral & many more) at his residential Orgone Studios in Woburn, Beds.  Metal Hammer have also pledged to support one winning band with exposure on Metal Hammer’s website and invite them to the magazine offices for a feature photoshoot and interview, plus a radio interview for Team Rock Radio.

Meantime, the ‘M2TM’ finals are already under way and continue through to 10th July (remaining dates below).  BLOODSTOCK’s ‘Metal 2 The Masses’ judging squad have been clocking up the miles (1800 to date!) and many lucky bands have won slots on the Hobgoblin New Blood stage!  Check out this lot for starters.  

 

Joining Friday’s bill are;

SEED OF SORROW (www.facebook.com/seedofsorrow), melodic death metallers from the Inverness final.  Five piece from the Scottish highlands, dedicated to producing the angriest metal possible!  

HUSK (www.facebook.com/HUSKUKMETAL), death metal from the Wolverhampton final.  With many of their dark, groove based tracks being built around bass player/vocalist Bob Taylor’s infectious bass playing, introducing elements of slap bass in death metal shouldn’t even be a thing …. But it really is.

BURNING THE DREAM (www.facebook.com/burningthedream), progressive death metal from Glasgow’s final.  Venomous groove-laden death with hooks galore!  

VEHEMENT (www.facebook.com/officialvehement), extreme/black metal from Brighton’s final.  Black clothes?  Black face masks?!  Check!  An unrelenting smoke machine and a bone fide MMA fighter on drums?!  Check, check!!  Extreme metal with real strength!  

TRIVERSE MASSACRE (www.facebook.com/triversemassacre), groove/thrash metal from Carlisle’s final.  “…like standing naked in a hurricane, or diving head-first into a nest of pissed-off hornets!”  Heavy as fuck!!

THE CRAWLING (https://www.facebook.com/thecrawlingband), down-tempo death from Belfast’s final.  When a band has the ability to set a scene in a mere 30mins, you’re on to a winner.  The Crawling say little between tracks allowing the sample of flies to draw the audience into an uneasy feeling of melancholy.  A grim blend of doom and death that’ll hve you scratching and questioning your own mortality.

TEN TON SLUG (www.facebook.com/tentonslug), stoner sludge doom from Dublin’s final.  Like being reverse kicked in the knackers by a disgruntled rhino!  These lads are not for those of a weak disposition.

 

Winning a Saturday slot:

BEARFIST (www.facebook.com/bearfistuk), metal from London!  It’s all about the riffs and these guys have ‘em in spades.  So much so, the guitarist won the handmade custom guitar from local sponsors, Empire Guitars!  Congrats lads!

RAMAGE INC (www.facebook.com/ramageinc), ambient prog metal from Glasgow’s final.  Already well established with prog/tech metal fans, these guys deliver with comparisons to the Devin Townsend writing style but with the Ramage stamp.  Tech bliss.

FAMYNE (www.facebook.com/famyneuk), doom from Kent’s final.  A young band with an old school sound, remiscent of Chronicles’-era Hawkwind mixed up with the epic sound of Candlemass.  An obligatory oversized gong and a rolling smoke machine were in full effect!

 

And the first one for Sunday:

ART OF DECEPTION (www.facebook.com/ArtofDeceptionofficial), melodic death from Norway’s final.  With frontman Sindre Johnsen having direct family ties to Kvelertak, his pedigree points to his ferocious vocal delivery and no shortage of notable twin lead skills.  These guys were a stand out choice.

As well as the fresh blood, sliding in to a Sophie stage slot are BEHOLDER (www.facebook.com/beholderuk)!  Fronted by M2TM Head Honcho, Simon Hall, he’ll be leading the way where many of his charges will hope to follow.  With a recently lauded new album…

There’s also a chance for punters at each event to win weekend tickets to BLOODSTOCK, a case of Hobgoblin Ale to take home, or various other BLOODSTOCK related prizes.  You can even shake hands with BLOODSTOCK’s ‘M2TM’ mainman, Simon Hall.  Remaining finals run as follows so get out, support and win those festival tickets for yourself!

 

17th Jun – NEWCASTLE – The Cluny

18th Jun – SOUTH WALES / CARDIFF – Fuel Club

19th Jun – MANCHESTER – Grand Central

24th Jun – SWINDON – The Victoria

24th Jun – DEWSBURY – The Old Turk

25th Jun – MERSEYSIDE / LIVERPOOL – Bumper

1st Jul – LINCOLNSHIRE / LINCOLN – The Lincoln Imp

2nd Jul – READING – Facebar

9th Jul – BURNLEY – Sanctuary

9th Jul – BOURNEMOUTH – The Anvil

9th Jul – POLAND / BIELSKO-BIALA – The Rude Boy Club

10th Jul – BIRMINGHAM – The Roadhouse

 

Already announced for 2016 are our three headliners, TWISTED SISTER (in their last ever UK show), MASTODON and SLAYER, plus special guests BEHEMOTH, GOJIRA and ANTHRAX.  Also on the bill are FEAR FACTORY, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, SYMPHONY X, SATYRICON, PARADISE LOST, DRAGONFORCE, METAL ALLEGIANCE, STUCK MOJO, ROTTING CHRIST, MISERY LOVES CO, GHOST BATH, VENOM, UNEARTH, DIAMOND HEAD, GOATWHORE, ACID REIGN and many more.  Additional bands are still to be announced.

Bestival Announces Amphitheatre Line Up

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Cloaked among luxuriant trees in Bestival’s Ambient Forest lies The Amphitheatre, an enchanted world of arch amusements. Featuring a provocative feast of curious follies by day, and an unmissable whiff of penetrating, tongue in cheek fun by night, this is just one glimpse of The Future at our anthology of the absurd this September on the Isle of Wight.

Rob da Bank says: “We like to think we’re pretty open-minded and uninhibited at Bestival… and it certainly feels like that in the middle of the night down by the Amphitheatre. It might be off the beaten track but it’s definitely one to search out if you’re looking to have your mind blown by all manner of crazy things. From our mates Sink the Pink, Jodie Harsh and Scottee to madcap theatre, spellbinding poetry and brilliant comedy you won’t know what’s hit you”.

Resplendent below its verdant canopy, The Amphitheatre is a treasure trove of off-the-wall entertainment by day, including electrifying gig-theatre from My Beautiful Black Dog, a celebration of the Bard on booze with Shitfaced Shakespeare, sketch comedy from Beasts Presents Mr Bestival, anxiety comedy from Morbid Abnormal Me, the final part of Sleeping Trees’ live movie trilogy, Sci-Fi, dance-theatre from Scary Shit, sketches, songs and super-good jokes from Shelf Comedy Duo, absurd comedy from Simon Slack – The Fantastic and an enlightening look at drug policy with Leap – Good Cop Bad War. 

We’ll also have music from London Contemporary Voices Choir, beatboxing heavyweight and artist Reeps One will be turning up the heat for Nando’s Music Exchange, there will be fx pedal mania with Dawson Loop Station and the Sounds Familiar Quiz, plus versification with The Satin Lizard Lounge curated by Scroobius Pip, our Island Poetry Competition winner Kestrell and the amazing Roundhouse Poetry Collective, all hosted by Jack Rooke.

As day time turns to night we discover exactly what lurks beneath the belly of the Bestival beast… fizzing with gay abandon, The Amphitheatre will transform into a glitter-strewn arcadia where our number one drag slags Sink the Pink await you on Friday and Saturday night. We’ll also have bottle-blonde-bombshell beats with Dystopia Presented by Jodie Harsh, limp-wristed future weirdness from Scottee's Camp, Hacienda legend Greg Wilson's Super Weird in the Woods, with The Reynolds and Blind Arcade, Backstreet bacchanalia with Figs in Wigs, homo-hip-hop from Hard Cock Life, and the chance to unleash your hidden diva with Gospeloke. Plus, there will be Two Total Losers and the Fabbo Future Quiz, and it’s all hosted by Aoife Hanna.

There are still plenty of treats to be revealed for our Future paradise, including our Sunday night main stage headliners and much more, so head to www.Bestival.net, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram / Tumblr

#Bestival16

Reading and Leeds Festival announce fifteen more acts

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One of the most entertaining figures in British culture today, Big Narstie has become a true superstar of the internet age. The BDL figurehead has helped usher in the new era of Grime dominance with his punchy vocal flow and unmistakable presence, dropping by mainstream TV and chart features with ease. Catching a viral sensation in the flesh, Big Narstie’s appearances on the BBC Radio 1Xtra Stage are set to be a true highlight of a legend in the making at this year’s festivals.
 
Californian heroes Third Eye Blind are set to return to British shores with a hugely anticipated set on the Festival Republic Stage. Following the sold out London & Manchester shows last November, American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind return to the UK for Reading and Leeds. Expect the classics and fan favourites from the first 4 albums, along with songs from their recently released ‘Dopamine’ album.
 
The favourites of today and the future reign supreme at Reading and Leeds 2016, as seen by the return of Deaf Havana take to the stage armed with a catalogue of unifying rock tales and new material from an upcoming fourth studio album that’s sure to see airplay at their NME/Radio 1 Stage appearance. Rising pop-soul queen Låpsley has drawn vast plaudits for her recently released debut LP ‘Long Way Home’ and her mercurial sound is sure to create a unique and bewitching spectacle on the Festival Republic Stage, whilst Arcane Roots and their heavy-hitting onslaught is sure to be a massive hit over at the Lock Up Stage.
 
Across a spectrum of stages, Reading and Leeds provides a true platter of game-changing music with a variety of names added to the line up today.

MAIN STAGE

Joining a mammoth line up on the Main Stage that already boasts appearances from the biggest names in modern music are American groove-benders Clutch, celebrating 25 years and 11 studio albums of forward-thinking alternative rock. They are joined today by Macclesfield trio The Virginmarys whose set of riotous punk comes fresh off the back of sophomore album ‘Divides’. Providing an opportunity to seize the biggest stage of the summer, the Main Stage is lined up to provide festival moment after festival moment at Reading and Leeds 2016.

NME / RADIO 1 STAGE

With Deaf Havana announced for their return to Reading and Leeds, the NME/Radio 1 Stage is also set to host the hotly-tipped six-piece Whitney who’s deftly Americana sound has seen them rise into a bonafide force of their own. Formed for just over a year, their debut appearance at Reading and Leeds Festival is sure to be a riveting affair. Joining them are Fickle Friends who have been on the tongues of new music fans for over 18 months, steadily building a reputation for dazzling tropical indie and delectable pop hooks that are sure to bring the sunshine to Reading and Leeds this summer.
 
THE PIT/LOCK UP STAGE
Alongside Arcane Roots being announced today is the distorted scuzz sound of Ghost Town. Infusing electronic dance music with dank heavy vibrations to form a true hybrid spectacle, Ghost Town will be coming to The Pit with sheer ferocious intent fresh from having spent the entire summer on the Warped Tour in America. Also on the Lock Up stage, rising favourites Greywind will touch down for a hotly anticipated performance, as the Irish brother-sister duo unleash a wave of sound that cements just why they remain one of the hottest properties in rock today. Full of originality and sensational live spectacles, The Pit/Lock Up Stage once again boasts the best in the heavy rock sphere.

FESTIVAL REPUBLIC STAGE

Full of the headliners and the anthemic sounds of tomorrow, the Festival Republic Stage has added even more of the hottest names in ground-breaking new sounds. Psychedelic Australian rockers King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard will be launching into dense technicolour, whilst ethereal sound-scapers Palace will continue their rise with an emphatic and moon-lit set this summer. With further appearances announced for pop groover Will Joseph Cook, Austrian ‘stoner-rock’ duo White Miles and the alternative neo-indie of Gnash, the Festival Republic Stage is once again the place to be.

1XTRA STAGE

With Big Narstie announced today, the BBC 1XTRA Stage packs the biggest urban festival line up of the summer, with new additions including radio icon Charlie Sloth; arguably the voice of British urban music and a true champion of innovative and fresh hip-hop from around the globe. He’ll take to the decks alongside names including established South London MC Sneakbo, Jay Z collaborator Baauer, US underground starlet Mick Jenkins, Kiko Bun and his modern take on classic reggae and admired producer Troyboi. With The Range and Rude Kid also confirmed for moments across the weekend, the BBC 1XTRA Stage will provide an exciting soundtrack to the bank holiday weekend.

Stuffed full of incredible music and festival memories, Reading and Leeds 2016 will break new ground with 5 Headliners Over 3 Days, with Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foals, Biffy Clyro, Disclosure and Fall Out Boy all commanding euphoric celebrations for landmark headlining performances. They head up a bill that includes the leading names in rock, indie, dance, hip-hop, RnB and everything in-between featuring Jack U, The 1975, Two Door Cinema Club, Boy Better Know, Chvrches, Imagine Dragons, The Vaccines, A$AP Rocky, HAIM, Nas, Good Charlotte, Asking Alexandria, Fetty Wap and over 200 more. The epicentre of alternative music, Reading and Leeds is once again destined to cement the next generation of musical legends.

 
PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED
Biffy Clyro (Co-headline) (UK Festival Exclusive)
Fall Out Boy (Co-headline) (UK Festival Exclusive)
Red Hot Chili Peppers (Headline)
Foals (Co-Headline)
Disclosure (Co-Headline)
Imagine Dragons (European Festival Exclusive)
Jack Ü                  
Two Door Cinema Club                 
The 1975
Courteeners                     
Boy Better Know
Chvrches
The Vaccines (UK Festival Exclusive)
A$AP Rocky (UK Festival Exclusive)
HAIM (UK Festival Exclusive)
Jack Garratt
Nas (UK Festival Exclusive)
Frank Turner
Kano
Good Charlotte (UK Festival Exclusive)
Coheed and Cambria
Mastodon
Tonight Alive (UK Festival Exclusive)
The Wombats
Twenty One Pilots (UK Festival Exclusive)                                                       
Crystal Castles (UK Festival Exclusive)    
Fetty Wap (UK Festival Exclusive)                     
Eagles Of Death Metal (UK Festival Exclusive)
Slaves  
Parkway Drive (UK Festival Exclusive)
Nothing But Thieves     
The Internet (UK Festival Exclusive)
Rat Boy
Hinds
Lower Than Atlantis (UK Festival Exclusive)
Asking Alexandria (UK Festival Exclusive)
The Dillinger Escape Plan (UK Festival Exclusive)
Travi$ Scott (UK Festival Exclusive)
G-Eazy (UK Festival Exclusive)
Skindred        
Five Finger Death Punch (UK Festival Exclusive)                     
Sleeping With Sirens (UK Festival Exclusive)
The Neighbourhood (UK Festival Exclusive)
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes         
State Champs
Savages
Die Antwoord (UK Festival Exclusive)
Cage The Elephant (UK Festival Exclusive)
Krept & Konan
Sigma
Half Moon Run
Basement
Blossoms
Mura Masa
Spring King
Sunset Sons
Haelos
Black Foxxes
The Temper Trap
Brian Fallon And The Crowes
BØRNS
Eagulls
Clean Cut Kid
Pulled Apart By Horses
Ezra Furman
VANT
The Magic Gang
Blaenavon
The Hunna
LANY
The Sherlocks
DMA’s
Rationale
Beach Baby
Transviolet
Isaac Gracie
Giggs
Netsky
Highly Suspect (UK Festival Exclusive)
Sundara Karma
Lewis Del Mar
LUH
Otherkin
Anteros
The Beach
The Vryll Society
Area 52
Tibet
Thrice
Hacktivist
DMAs
LUH
Nothing More
Milk Teeth
Giraffe Tongue Orchestra
MGK
Heck
ROAM
Beach Slang
SWMRS
Superheaven
Big Spring
Waterparks
Yung Lean
Hoodie Allen
Maverick Sabre
Metro Boomin
Little Simz
Fekky
Geko
Bugzy Malone
Logic
K.Flay
Franko Fraize
Clara Amfo
SOPHIE
Danny L Harle
Rag’n’Bone Man
Friction
Fred V & Grafix
Delta Heavy
The Japanese House
99 Souls
Redlight
Lion Babe
AlunaGeorge
Duke Dumont
David Rodigan MBE
Disciples                              
My Nu Leng B2B Oneman + Dread MC (Reading) / Oneman B2B My Nu Leng + Dread MC (Leeds)                          
MistaJam
Philip George                    
Riton                    
Birdy Nam Nam                               
Oliver Heldens   
DJ EZ
Hannah Wants
Crossfaith
Kurupt FM Presents: Champagne Steam Rooms
Cassetteboy vs DJ Rubbish
The King Blues
Kvelertak
FVK                                                          
Modern Baseball
Dead!         
Creeper             
Citizen                                      
Maxïmo Park
Raleigh Ritchie                                                                                                     
INHEAVEN                        
Banners                                                                                                                     
Tuff Love                                              
Seratones       
Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals                         
Section Boyz                     
Protoje                                                              
Lady Leshurr
DJ Semtex (Reading)
Yungen    
Jauz  
Zack Samuel
Tkay Maidza
Hermitude
Lemaitre
Low Steppa
Draper
James Organ