I dressed for rain and lightening as i left my house for Victoria Park. Field Day would be my first taste of festival. The sun burned down on my super cool VIP wrist band as i rushed through the park to the Crack Magazine stage to catch the last few songs of Thursten Moore, the sonic youth God.
This was the beginning of a long day, of walking to and throw. Of losing friends and meeting nice Irish men who buy you sambuca shots. I feasted my eyes on stalls of food from every cuisine; animal carcuses next to The Buddah Bowl which served and absolutely divine bowl of rice and something. With no money in my pocket, i had to resign myself to the spoonful i was offered from the bottom of my pals bowl. I walked past fair ground rides and adults playing tug of war surrounded by hay bails. There was so much going on that i became overwhelmed, and as time flew by me i couldnt even recall what i had been doing since i arrived. The sun began to set as i sat on a plastic covered ground to hear Metronomy play out over their zillion fans. It was soon to be the set that i had been waiting for.
The summer ale had gone to my headm as i stumbled through the darkness to find the stage. Red light shone through clouds of of smoke over a sea of figures and the band above. Tailored black trousers and a temporary shirtm towered above me and sung what i’d been waiting to hear. Fat White Family were before me, I had been waiting to see them perform and their presence on stage was surreal. Shrouded beneath the huge tent, encroached by darkness and a chanting croud. It had the feeling of a cult, a gathering of of believers waiting to hear the voice of their leader in the hope of hearing something divine. A skinny half naked preacher stood before them through war-like red smoke, his convulsing body moving back and forth while belting out the words of his heart.
The set ended to screams of encore, to no availm as the band were to later play at The Shacklewell Arms. The first day ended as part of a slow walking mass, silhuettes passing out of the gates and into the empty night. Victoria Park lit up ahead like beams from the stars, over a scattered sea of noise and sweat covered flesh.
S U N D AY
Sunday played host to some amazing up and coming artists, with The Pixies bringing home with their headline slot at 9.30pm. The day begain with Brighton based band The Wytches opening on the Main stage. Their performance was raw and unpretentious, a beautiful screaching voice through parted brown locks and striped tee. Looking backm they were my favourite set of the day. Temples followed with glittered face and psych sounds that flowed in waves over the heat stroke croud. I rushed across to catch the end of Telegram, a London based band who i caught their first few gigs at the Shacklewell and the Old Blue Last in mid 2013. They have been doing super well, releasing their amazing single ‘Follow’ as well as touring with numerous well known bands throughout the Uk. Their set was really great, vocalist Matt Saunders filled the tent with his deep, powerful voice that bellowed over drums pounded by the fierce, fragile frame of drummer Jordan.
The Horrors had the main stage before The Pixies. Playing Field Day as the first in a string of european gigs and festival dates this year, touring their recently released album ‘Luminous’. The croud filed in to see and hold their spots, the glare of the sun bouncing of pale shoulders, beer cans and lost on the grass beneath thousands of feet. Their performance was great as expected of these boys.
The atmosphere throughout the weekend was a sweet light-hearted daze of sweat and sunshine. There were all the staples of an amazing time, all gathered together in a safe but lax environment. Situated in an access with such easy access from the centre of London, in the middle of the beautiful Victoria Gardens. Having a platform for presenting emerging UK bands as well as such significant international bands like The Pixies, and dishing it out in such a beautiful part of london is amazing. I look forward to the line up for next year.
Temperamental wet weather didn’t dampen the spirits of 70,000 festival goers at last weekend’s sold-out Parklife Festival, which now in its fourth year, saw Snoop Dogg, A$AP Rocky, Disclosure and Sam Smith prove to be essential highlights.
Arriving at around 1pm, SFG headed straight to the Hospitality tent for some early afternoon drum & bass with flashing strobes, courtesy of Logistics and later, Camo & Krooked.
Heading to the main stage for Kiesza, who is accompanied by two male dancers, her 90’s influenced choreography and funk tracks prove an early treat. Giant In My Heart fuses disco and funk perfectly, before the Canadian ex-navy recruit takes to the piano for a stripped down cover of Haddaway’s, What Is Love, showcasing her powerful vocal range. Ending with number one track, Hideaway, she lifts everyone’s spirits despite the grey clouds looming up above. Catchy “ooh’s” and “ahh’s” and house-y beats provide the first sing-a-long of the weekend (with many more to come), before the track is mixed into Gorgon City’s deep-house edit. Now recording her debut album, expect another catchy chart-bothering track to go viral in the coming months.
Spending around 20 minutes struggling to find the Colonnade presents: Drop the Mustard stage, where the majority of the main house draws performed, SFG caught some of Hot Natured’s, Lee Foss’ Ibiza-cum-Manchester house set at the hilltop Kaluki stage. Eventually, finding the Greek coliseum-like Colonnade stage, SFG caught house duo Waze & Odyssey’s set, including their now infamous house remix of R Kelly’s timeless classic, Bump & Grind as well as a remix of Robin S’, Show Me Love. Later at the Colonnade, it was Route 94’s turn on the decks. Performing a mostly obscure but impressive house set, with the exception of Defected Records releases, Fly 4 Life and Tell You Why, the young London-based producer drew a large crowd, with one fan feeling the need to scale a tree, receiving a smile from the producer and applause from the audience below. But it was number one house crossover hit, My Love, which saw everyone take out their iPhone’s to record the sing-a-long moment before 94 imminently takes his sound to Ibiza for the summer.
Pacing back to the opposite end of the site, to the Red Bull Academy Presents stage, Gold Panda’s hotly-anticipated set proved essential for the eyes and ears. Synth-led electronics impressed the large crowd during cutting-edge debut album offerings, Vanilla Sky, Snow & Taxis and early track Marriage before a chopped up reinvention of fan favorite, You, with its pitch-shifted vocals circling around the tent.
Back at the main stage, Grammy –winner, Foxes, attracted a large crowd with tracks from her debut album Glorious, including Youth and recent single, Let Go For Tonight, while another Hot Natured label-mate, Richy Ahmed, continued the Amnesia Ibiza-ready house vibe with 808 hi-hats and drum machines aplenty during his mid-afternoon Kaluki stage set.
Later, the sun shined while Radio One DJ Annie Mac drew the biggest crowd so far with a house orientated set including Ten Walls’ new track, Walking With Elephants and Gorgon City’s collaboration with Laura Welsh, Here For You as well as Second Citys’ I Wanna Feel which rocketed to number one two weeks ago. Later, before Sigma’s, Nobody To Love, she tells the crowd to, “grab your friend, boyfriend, or a total stranger”. Its sets like these, demonstrating which tunes to play to get thousands of people dancing, which stand testament to why she is such a hot DJ commodity.
Rudimental, who, trumpets included, perform album tracks, Spoons and Baby, show a softer side to the Black Butter Records collective. Dedicating Not Givin’ In, to his son, DJ Locksmith pulls on the crowds heartstrings before the drum & bass beats kick in, but are soon cut off due to a technical problem. It’s all back to normal though after the crowd chant “Rudimental, Rudimental, Rudimental” to give them the support to carry on, which they do oh so professionally, continuing with album tracks, Free, and later, Feel The Love.
It’s A$AP Rocky however, who delivers the best and most charismatic performance of the weekend, as a more than deserving replacement to Kendrick Lamar, who cancelled his slot. Weed promotion, referring to women as “hoes” and a whole lot of swearing, but what else would you expect from song’s titled, Hella Hoes and Fuckin’ Problems which are performed with a fifteen-man-strong A$AP Mob watching him from the side of the stage. Bassier and rowdier than on record, Palace and Wassup take the Now Wave tent to Rocky’s hometown, Harlem, New York City. “Put your hands up if you smoke fucking weed ‘cos that’s what I stand for”, demands Rocky, real name Rakim Mayers, before Purple Swag where he toys with the crowd saying, “are you people ready to get turnt up or what?” New A$AP Mob track, Hella Hoes, results in a mosh pit before taking it to a “whole new mother fucking level” during Skrillex-produced Wild For The Night and Lana Del Rey-featuring Hands On The Wheel. Thanking the audience for getting him so far, he exclaims, “I can’t wait to get on them rides tonight” before a quick run through of his part in final track, Fuckin’ Problems. If you ever get the chance to see A$AP Rocky live, TAKE IT. You won’t be disappointed.
Weaving back into the middle of the main stage crowd for Saturday headliner, SFG didn’t know what to expect from the legendary Snoop Dogg’s headline set. “Who’s getting blazed in the house tonight?” asks Snoop’s DJ during a ten minute prelude to the iconic rapper coming onstage. Dressed in a USA stars and stripes jumper and yellow shades, Snoop stalks the stage with everyone taking his picture. He dedicates Supa Dupa Fly to “all the girls in the house” before rapping his part on Justin Timberlake collaboration, Signs, and his brief part on Katy Perry’s, California Girls. The only thing he could be blamed for, is looking relatively bored and indifferent, but it is Snoop Dogg after all, why should he be bothered?
Ending the night back at Kaluki in Marc Kinchen provided early evening house, in his number one remix of Storm Queens, Look Right Through, which is quickly followed by his Medicine remix of Shadow Child's, Friday and his edit of Hot Natured’s, Reverse Skydiving.
Sunday would prove to be better weather on the whole, aside from one insane downpour during Warpaint’s set which saw everyone flock to the nearest tent.
Opening the Disclosure Presents: Wildlife stage, Kanye West-collaborator Pusha T, performed tracks from his acclaimed debut album, My Name Is My Name as well as his part on the aforementioned Kanye hit, Mercy. Stalking the stage, which looks like brown lego bricks stacked high, Pusha runs through the trap beats of King Push and Nostalgia. Promising a new album in the not-so-distant-future, he continues with Numbers on the Board, seeing arms in the air pulling back and forward – an impressive debut at Parklife for the hotly-tipped ex-Clipse rapper.
Next up, are classical-cum-electronic Cambridge graduates Clean Bandit, who remained at the top of the charts for a month earlier this year with their single Rather Be. An early afternoon set time doesn’t seem to affect the eager crowd, growing by the minute. Arriving onstage to classical music alongside two guest vocalists, the quartet open with older track, A&E, before Dust Clears, with Jack Patterson leading the vocals over a synth-y beat. Tracks from their debut album New Eyes soon follow. Up Again, begins as a hand-swaying, blissed-out production before drum beats and classical chords intrude, culminating in a full on drum and bass climax while Come Over hears cellist Grace Chatto’s sweet vocals soar over a Caribbean, almost reggae beat. Mid-set, it’s clear that new single Extraordinary could become their second number one judging from the crowd’s reaction. Heart on Fire, featuring vocals from Elizabeth Troy is dedicated to “all the garage heads” before the lyrics of Mozart’s House ask, “so you think electronic music is boring?” Following this genre-crossing set, they’ve proved that that their sound is far from boring. Nightingale is then mixed into Gorgon City’s deep-house edit before feel-good festival anthem, Rather Be, which stayed at number one for a month, ends their set with the crowd on each other’s shoulders singing along word perfect.
Unexpected pop star Sam Smith, arrives for his 5pm slot to screams of excitement. Opening with Nirvana, he shows his powerful voice off straight away before Disclosure collaboration Together, complete with Chic-esque funky bass guitar lines. Leave Your Lover slows the set to a mellower, emotional halt, with some female fans starting to tear up, before further winning them over by telling the crowd that Manchester is his favorite place. Before new track, Restart, Smith informs the audience that he’s filming the music video right now, and of course everyone is more than happy to clap and sing-a-long for it. An unexpected cover of Arctic Monkey’s track, Do I Wanna Know breaks up the set with a unique take on the indie hit. Money On My Mind and Lay Me Down follow with emotional lyrics, while the heavens fittingly starting to open, before ending with recent number one single, Stay With Me. It’s obvious that Smith is providing the definitive sound of 2014, after his vocal talent was first discovered by the mainstream on another Disclosure collaboration, Latch, which is given a flawless acoustic rendition.
Later, over in the Heidi Presents: The Jackathon tent, Hot Since 82 brings deep house and techno beats to a sweaty strobe light flashing tent, delivering arguably the best bass orientated set of the weekend.
Over in the Sounds of the Near Future tent, SBTRKT gives an astonishing live set. Opener, Pharaos, gets the packed tent going before the masked man says, "It's so good to be back. It's been like two years since we've been here.” New lasers and synths track Temporary View, which went up on Soundcloud just two days ago, receives a great reaction as a taster of what to expect from the impending second album. Debut album tracks, Never Ever, Trials of the Past and Wildfire follow with tribal drum beats and feature Drake-collaborating, Sampha’s recorded vocals and Little Dragon’s in the latter, which echo around the at-capacity tent.
Pacing back to the Wildlife stage to catch headliners Disclosure, it was shockingly easy for SFG to get near the front – probably because Oxford indie-types, Foals, were headlining over on the main stage. The wunderkind production duo of house revivalists, Guy and Howard, open with synth led F For You featuring on record vocals courtesy of Mary J Blige. Preacher lyrics and simplistic house beats follow in When a Fire Starts to Burn and newer Friend Within collaboration, The Mechanism, with the background screens showing the duo playing in real time while Guy picks up the bass guitar to play the funky chords in the former, while pyrotechnics shoot from the top of the stage. Checking with the crowd that they are okay to play some older material, they bounce into older E.P tracks, Boiling, Tenderly and Flow before inviting guest vocalist, Sasha Keable, onstage during album track Voices and later Sam Smith to join them for the song which started it all off, Latch.
It’s only in its fourth year, but soon enough Blur’s iconic single won’t be the only thing which comes to mind when thinking of Parklife. Providing a great line up, the organisers delivered great variety at an affordable price, SFG cannot wait until next year!
Set in amongst the beautiful surroundings of the isle of Gozo-Malta, Sunscape today unveil over 20 new acts who represent some of the most infamous names in electronic music. As one of the most revered and iconic clubs of all time, Watergate will make its way to the shores of Gozo for a rare opportunity to see the likes of Marco Resmann, La Fleur and Lee Jones outside of their Berlin home. Having recently been inaugurated into the illustrious Resident Advisor podcast series, Dana Ruh plays alongside Ilario Alicante and already announced Pig & Dan under the Cocoon Records banner. While Mobilee Showcase includes Lee Van Dowksi and Dean Demanuele, and Valentino Kanzyani of Cadenza will perform at the week-long celebrations. The festival opens its doors to an intimate crowd of 3000 like-minded revellers from 3-10 September and have announced yet more exciting adventures taking including Why Not? Dome's eclectic and empowering workshop programme featuring drum lessons, fire dancing, astrology, permaculture and conscious living, whilst also playing host to an Electroswing Day Festival, Full Moon Party and fire dancing tournament making it an incredible finale to the summer.
As one of Europe's most famous clubs, Berlin's Watergate has welcomed through it's doors some of the biggest names in house and techno and is appropriately recognised as the home of modern house music with an unchallengeable reputation. Featuring a mix of residents past and present, the showcase will firstly welcome Berlin native Marco Resmann, a regular fixture of the city's club scene for over 20 years. As head honcho of Power Plant Records, La Fleur blurs the line between soulful house, techno and electronica, and will take to the decks under the Watergate banner alongside Aus Music's Lee Jones.
When it comes to electronic music there are few names bigger than Cocoon. Since it's creation by the legendary Sven Vath at the turn of the millennium, Cocoon has grown to become a haven for electronic music the world over. Taking their residency on the Mediterranean isle, Sunscape welcome three of the biggest acts ever to adopt the Cocoon name. Joining the previously announced electro-duo Pig & Dan, Ilario Alicante will perform having achieved great success with his first track 'Vacaciones En Chile' and gaining the attentions of Richie Hawtin and Ricardo Villalobos, he has grown to become one of the most in-demand producers and label figureheads in electronic music. Dana Ruh, who has seen releases on Ostgut Ton as well as her own Brouqade imprint, will also take to the stage for what will be one of the most memorable events of the summer.
While Sunscape delivers one of the most exciting line-ups of the summer, the festival will also host yet more activities taking place over the week-long celebration. Catering for every kind of adventurer the Why Not? Dome programme presents a number of eclectic and empowering workshops, talks and meditations throughout the festival. Fresh, invigorating and transformative, the programme is designed to inform and host a wealth of ideas that aims to change the way people think. Topics include astrology, sound & energy healing, conscious living, working with energy, permaculture, scuba Diving in the Med and much more.
In addition Sunscape unveils an Electroswing Day Festival, a dedicated Fire dancing tournament, Fire jamming and an infamous Full Moon Party celebration for revellers to enjoy. More than just a music festival, the programme ambitions are to provide a truly one-off and unique experience that captures the mystical island of Gozo in all its glory.
Adding to line-up will be Defected Records regular Noir, who will be performing alongside Sankeys resident The Element, Loco Dice heralded Camiel Daamen and Mobilee Music's Dean Demanuele. As founder of Zombie Soundsystem, Shane Watcha brings his unique style to the Mediterranean while Cesare vs Disorder showcases his new side-project 'Azimute' at the festival, which is becoming a hot ticket for music fans across the globe.
The opening ceremony of the 15th edition of the best European festival, will be held by the Pet Shop Boys who are coming to EXIT’s Main Stage with an exquisite blend of unique stage set, lasers, extraordinary costume changes, original dance choreography and a plethora of hits.
The prodigious pop duo Pet Shop Boys, with over 50 million records sold, are entrenched in the Guinness book of records as the most successful duo in the history of British music. Their colossal career entails 12 studio albums, six Grammy nominations, over 20 music awards three of which are sacred Brit awards. Their stunning hits “It's a Sin", “West End Girls”, “Heart”, "Paninaro", "Domino Dancing" and "Se A Vida E" influenced a host of generations of music fans and gave pop music a distinct shade it exhibits today.
Reputable British Newspapers, The Telegraph and The Guardian wrote smashing five-star reviews of the duo’s show and album Electric, citing their “theatrical pop” performance. Neil McCormick even wrote for The Telegraph “Pet Shop Boys are moving forwards, taking their retro synths into a brave new digital age.”
The critically acclaimed “Electric” album is graced by almost unanimously favourable reviews worldwide and represents PSB’s return to dance music, as well as the best possible message to young bands playing electric music today – it’s not just about beats! Their melodies carry an almost haunting beauty, their lyrics are bustling with humour and subtle notes of nobility, and their entire show is set as an impeccable celebration of the ceremonious victory of spirit and mind over life’s not-so-pretty moments. These are the same values that EXIT has, and continues to, uphold and promote all these years.
Pet Shop Boys' show is designed by Es Devlin, a multi-award-winning artist, with extensive experience and projects under her belt in theatre, dance, film, opera, television, and concert. She has also worked with pop, rock, and rap artists – her lengthy list of performing artists includes, apart from Pet Shop Boys, stars such as Kanye West, Muse, Lady Gaga, Shakira, Miley Cyrus, Lenny Kravitz, Goldfrapp, Take That…The collaboration between Pet Shop Boys and Devlin will provide EXIT this year with an incredulously one-of-a-kind, novel and epoch-making opening performance!
The Brooklyn hip-hop artist will perform on Friday 8th August on the atmospheric Balloon 360° Stage, which will also host jazz artists such as the U.S-based Roy Hargrove Quintet, along with Finnish groups Mopo and Antti Lötjönen Quartet East.
Mos Def, born Dante Terrell Smith, appeared in his early career on De La Soul's ‘Stakes Is High’, before cementing his name in the mainstream with hip-hop giants Black Star. Since then, he has forged a successful solo career and sold millions of albums, with his record ‘Black on Both Sides’ certified Gold in U.S. sales and latest album, 2009’s ‘The Ecstatic’, earning a Grammy Award nomination. Mos Def has also enjoyed Emmy and Golden Globe nominations from his successful acting career.
Jazz is well-represented in the Balloon 360° line-up, whose audiences can enjoy gigs in an intimate setting around the full 360 degrees of the platform. On Friday, the stage will be set for Roy Hargrove Quintet, led by Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Roy Hargrove. Having started his career in the 90s, where he played a major role in crafting the sounds of the likes of D’Angelo and Erykah Badu, Hargrove’s time has been recently devoted to developing his own jazz style, which combines Afro-Cuban rhythms and hard bop.
On Saturday the stage will be graced by Mopo, the hottest trio on the Finnish jazz scene, who take their inspiration from jazz, 70s punk and the Finnish nature. Sunday’s stage will then present Antti Lötjönen Quartet East, led by double bass player Antti Lötjönen: the only person to have played every single Flow Festival from 2004 until 2014. This summer he will bring his fresh new jazz quartet to the festival to perform his own compositions along with carefully selected covers and some solo bass improvisation.
We are excited to reveal that Hoodie Allan, James Arthur, Neon Trees, Kiesza, Fuse ODG, Neon Jungle, Sheppard and James Bay are confirmed to perform at this year’s festival, which takes place 16-17 August in Hylands Park, Chelmsford and Weston Park, Staffordshire.
With over 30 Number One selling artists on the bill, these exciting acts join headliners Justin Timberlake and The Killers, plus Paolo Nutini, Ed Sheeran, Bastille, Foxes, Sam Smith, Tinie Tempah, Blondie, Lily Allen and more for one incredible weekend of live music.
Joining Alan Carr and Adam Hills in the Glee Club comedy bill, Boothby Graffoe, Dana Alexander, Mark Oliver and Allyson Smith are all announced for one of the most acclaimed comedy line ups to date.
No circus is truly complete without a touch of magical miscellany, curious attractions and inexplicable distractions. And so, Camp Bestival’s most aberrant roustabouts have not only created an inspiring world of discovery with Oberon’s Observatory, the LEGO Imagination Factory and the Science Tent, but they’ve also brought together a breathtaking collection of oddities like Caravan of Lost Souls and Britain’s Not Got Talent that will enthral the whole family at Lulworth Castle this July 31-August 3.
Rob da Bank says: “We’ve got all sorts of incredible curiosities coming to Camp Bestival this year. From off the wall circus treats in the Caravan of Lost Souls, LEGO and their brilliant Imagination Factory, and surveying the site with a camp-bestiscope in Oberon’s Observatory to the mayhem of Britain’s Not Got Talent and amazing experiments in the Science Tent, there’s loads of ace stuff for all the family to discover. See you at Lulworth Castle!”
Starting with some curious circus fun, we have a true delight for the ears and eyes. Igor Rasputin’s Caravan of Lost Souls is an incredible ape-powered pop-up circus providing wondrous entertainment for your delectation and appreciation. Witness magic, contortion, hula hoop, mime, an amazing array of circus skills and more from this cabaret of curiosity, popping up in all four corners of Camp Bestival!
Entering a world of discovery, we are extremely excited to announce that LEGO will be joining us to kick off the summer holidays in style, with the Imagination Factory. A celebration of ‘free build’, this magical environment will immerse you in the LEGO belief in the power of each individual’s imagination. Doubters might see a pile of bricks and accessories but ‘we’ see a jet fighter, a beautiful flower, an alien monster, our dog called Spike or the skyline of New York. The golden rule of The Imagination Factory is that there are no rules – no rights or wrongs – just inspiration to let LEGO enable you to build anything that your imagination can conjure up.
In 2014, the year that modern man will try and harpoon a comet, Camp Bestival is proud to present Oberon's Observatory. A ramshackle but beautiful edifice with a stargazer's viewing platform, there will be camp-bestiscopes for studying the curiosities happening across the festival and searching for the stars. Hidden in the heart of Oberon's Observatory is an old projection room where Camp Bestival will screen 21st century windows into other worlds, space and art. For the period of one lunation only, Camp Bestival invites you to come and explore this extraordinary building.
Leaping headlong into the truly odd, the Showmany Calliope is mixture of traditional fairground showman heritage, pyrotechnics, a full independently powered 4K sound system and a bowtop caravan themed stage, that will play host to the devilish Mosschops and Sidewicket’s Britain’s Not Got Talent. So, do you want to perform on the craziest stage of all time? Have you got a talent? Have you not got talent? We don't care, because we haven't; so anything goes! From Dutch didgeridoo dancing to skateboarding budgerigars; panpipe duets to five-year-old Frank Carson impersonators (keep it clean please), we need you! Terms and Conditions do not apply.
And combining amazing discovery with the downright bizarre, the Science Tent is certainly not for boffins only and is definitely not to be missed! It’s a glorious mix of science-based performances like now>press>play and Rock Guitar in 11 Dimensions, timetabled science including programming robots, 3D printing your favourite Minecraft designs, being amazed by a Rapsberry Pi and lots, lots more and drop in sessions where you can make video games with Play-doh, power an alarm clock with fruit, pre-programme a robot arm and so much more. There’s tons to stimulate and fascinate every age group! And that includes you mums and dads!
Taking place in The Scottish Sun Big Top across the weekend. With big names, rap battles and the best in upcoming Scottish comedy talent, the laughs will ring out across the festival site.
Russell Kane is a multi-talented writer and performer who has firmly established himself as one of the best comics in the UK today, winning The Edinburgh Comedy Award and Australia's prestigious Barry Award. Currently touring the UK with his brand new live show “Smallness”, which poses the question “What is it with us and smallness?” he’s sure to delight the T in the Park crowd.
Lee Nelson’s Well Good Festival Hangover Cure takes to the stage on Sunday inThe Scottish Sun Big Top tent – the household name has hosted Live at the Apollo, sold out his three times extended live tour, had over two million people watching BBC Three’s Lee Nelson’s Well Good Show and is now heading to T in the Park with quality jokes, games and banter.
Award-nominee and star of the Edinburgh Fringe, Andrew Maxwell makes his way toT in the Park with a fantastic new show of mischievous charm and boundary-nudging wit. As seen on BBC’s Live at The Apollo, Mock The Week and Have I Got News For You, plus ITV’s Celebrity Juice, RTE’s The Panel and so much more he’s bringing his cutting edge comedy and intrepid social commentary to the fields of Kinross.
Catch the host of Scotland's Capital Breakfast Show, Des Clarke, as he stops by The Scottish Sun Big Top tent for an unmissable set. As well as being a familiar voice on the radio, Des is also a familiar face on TV from his STV hosting days and charity appeals. One of Scotland’s best and sure-fire punchline makers!
The world’s only stand up/improv/chat tattoo comedy show, Show Me Your Tattoo, returns re-inked and ready to run down the hilarious Highway of Human Graffiti in one of the most unique comedy shows ever. Host Billy Kirkwood invites audiences to share and chat about their tattoos in a show jam-packed with blisteringly funny stand up and audience interaction, as well as taking a good hard look at the weird, silly, dirty, sexy, brilliant, bad and often awesome world of tattoos from all around the world.
Fans can experience Comedy Rap Battles on Friday night, a concept show which garnered 5 star reviews, where comedy and hip-hop clash and street cred is put on the line as some of the country's best comedians compete to see who exhibits the most swag when it comes to hip-hop wits. MC’d by Neil ‘The Weeman’ Bratchpiece it’s filled with comedic verbal jousting and, with street cred on the line, who'll choke and who'll gain respect?
Also featuring over the festival weekend will be John Cooper Clarke, The Ginge, The Geordie and The Geek, Gary Little, Iain Stirling, Mark Nelson, The Wee Man, Keir McAllister, Scott Gibson, Ray Bradshaw, Gus Lymburn, Liam Withnail and Jellybean Martinez.
Originally booked to perform for the 2012 event, HUNDRED REASONSreformed in November that year to celebrate the decade anniversary of their 2002 “Ideas Above Our Station” album. Such was the demand that a second show had to be added in London, Manchester was upgraded, and every ticket was snapped up.
Roll on two years, to a chance meeting between Team Sonisphere’s Alan Day and HR guitarist Larry Hibbitt in a bar, who politely enquired why they weren’t on the 2014 Sonisphere line up after the cancellation two years previously. With no valid answer to provide, Alan offered them the final slot on the Saturn stage, where they will finally perform “Ideas Above Our Station” in full on the Saturday. Larry explains:
"We said we'd never do it again, but the cancelled Sonisphere of 2012 left a big hole in that summer for us. So when our shorts-wearing, crowd-surfing, festival-promoting comrade Alan Day came up with a slot for us this year we just couldn't say no. And we didn't. Don't get used to this. We say no A LOT so this is not going to happen often, if ever. But when it makes sense it makes sense and we're there. Like we will be on 5th July. See you at the front".
Featuring chart topping singles including “If I Could”, Silver” and “Falter”,HUNDRED REASONS date with destiny at SONISPHERE will be truly unmissable.
Ex-The Wildhearts bassist Danny McCormack brings his rock’n’roll band THE YOYOS to SONISPHERE for a very special one-off appearance. “Cant wait to catch up with some old friends and see some new faces.” Says the four-stringer. “It’s a great line up this year and I’m counting the days. It’s an honour to be a part of it all. See you down the front”
Taking over BOHEMIA late on the Friday night will be Rocktronica trioMIXHELL. Boasting live percussion from ex Sepultura sticksman Iggor Cavalera, MIXHELL will do whatever it takes to make you dance, combining elements of dance, electronica, electroclash, hip hop and rock’n’roll, and mixing a live drum and bass section with samples and loops to unique effect.
Recently seen out on the road with Katatonia, London’s own MESSENGER join the SONISPHERE 2014 line up to mesmerize and captivate the uninitiated. Dwelling equally in the earthy realm of folk music and the celestial void of progressive psychedelia, the five piece never fail to drop jaws – expect many wide open mouths at the Satellite stage on Friday.
"We're extremely excited to have the opportunity to perform at this amazing festival.” States drummer Jaime Gomez. “We look forward to playing to some new people and hopefully seeing some familiar faces there as well."
London loud-louts DRIPBACK make their SONISPHERE debut, with their only UK festival appearance this summer. Recently seen touring with Crowbar,DRIPBACK specialise in loud, aggressive noise and highly energetic live shows.
“This is gonna be immense, we can’t wait.” says bassist Adam Da Rat.“Metallica and Maiden together for the first time, dozens of the most awesome bands ever, Chas & Dave, a World War 1 Dog Fight… I was wondering how this could get any better, and now we get to play too. Safe!”
Melbourne rock trio CALLING ALL CARS join the festivities hot off the back of some recent UK shows including Camden Rocks. Enjoying regular rotation on huge Aussie radio station Triple J, the band have recently relocated to the UK, and are gearing up for the release of their new album “Raise The People” via Cooking Vinyl on July 28th.
"Holy fuck we are playing Sonisphere” they exclaim. “Before we were booked to play we were so stoked on the line up. It's a real honour to be included in that company."
Industrial punks PROTAFIELD come to work up the crowd on the Jagermeister stage. With an album out next week via Caroline/Universal that boasts guest appearances from Queen’s Roger Taylor and fellow Sonisphere artist Gary Numan, this new band are clearly already moving in high circles. Singer Jayce Lewis states:
“Sonisphere being back with a line up like this is testament to its quality, We are so excited to be a part of it this year. Gonna be LOUD!”
Heavy Metal marching band BLAAS OF GLORY will also be doing the rounds at Knebworth this July. A regular fixture on the international festival scene, this hilarious mobile act surprise unsuspecting metalheads with classic hits such as Running With The Devil, The Final Countdown and Highway To Hell, armed with sousaphone, saxophone, flute, glockenspiel, banjo, accordion, acoustic guitars, snare and bass drums.
The return of the hugely popular Temple Island at this years Bestival will be powered by SBTV and they have an almightly lineup to boot.
Temple Island curator, and director of The Physical Network, Liam Negus-Fancey says “We’re really excited to be back at Bestival with Temple Island after its phenomenal debut last year. The acts reflect our audience, they go above and beyond what others expect, constantly evolving to produce the best environment possible. We’re teaming up with the Bestival creative crew to build a brand new venue to host this exciting pool of fresh, boundary pushing talent to ensure you’re partying late into the night!”
Temple Island host and SBTV founder Jamal Edwards says: “I’m a massive fan of Bestival, it was one of the very first festivals I went to, and the experience was unreal. So partnering up with them this year is an honour for me. I'm a big supporter of the electronic dance scene, so I'm really happy that Bestival has given me an opportunity to put on an area that has got such great names like Kidnap Kid, T Williams, Preditah & many more”.
Out of the traps and ready to spank the dancefloor from the word go, Temple Island goes big from the off with a Thursday night line-up that includes Austrian chart-botherers Klangkarussell, epic house purveyor Kidnap Kid, bass heavy Bristolian Woz, Bestival’s top castaway Rob da Bank going up against Robin Hill regular Tayo for a touch of Purple Rave and the Monkeylove Stunt Team.
Friday’s dancefloor indulgences include jacking action from T Williams, monstrous manoeuvres from Shadow Child, gigantic grimey garage finesse from Preditah, cut-up vocal comforts from Lxury, divine duo Maribou State going b2b with audio-chisellerPedestrian, triple trouble on the double from Spoils And Monkey Wrench and siblings on a mission Star One.
Saturday’s look goes for chart-toppers Sigma dropping the big hitters, garage vibes from Shift K3Y, heavyweight attitude from Ed Solo, genre-mashing deeds from My Nu Leng, rave behaviour from Friend Within, London Grammar’s Dot Major, predestined vibrations from Karma and a live set from sultry soul chanteuse Purple Ferdinand.
And, bringing Temple Island’s second Bestival outing to a triumphant close will be Sunday servings from the Eton Messy crew who are back for another takeover, with their top boys’ own Blonde, fast rising Lancashire duo Bondax, Leeds twosome Wayward, Electric Minds’ skipper Dolan Bergin and Southern Fried’s own Kashii.
