Eminem set to headline Reading and Leeds 2017!

Reading and Leeds have confirmed Eminem as the final headliner for this year’s festivals, taking place on 25 – 27 August 2017 at Richfield Avenue, Reading and Bramham Park, Leeds. Tickets are available here.
 
Consistently seen as one of the greatest rappers of all time, Eminem is not only a titan in hip-hop but in modern culture itself. One of the biggest selling artists of the 21st century, his razor-sharp wit and impeccable larger than life anthems continue to defy boundaries, with the likes of ‘Lose Yourself’, ‘My Name Is’, ’Not Afraid' and ‘The Monster’ all storming charts and record collections around the world. His return to Reading and Leeds marks an extremely rare opportunity to witness an icon in the flesh, with a set that’ll add another legendary chapter to the story of Eminem.
Melvin Benn commented: “Eminem returning to Reading and Leeds is beyond exciting. His 2013 headline performance was incredible and I can’t wait to have him back. In addition to our third and final headliner (joining Kasabian and Muse) we’ve announced over 70 additional acts to this year’s line up – it’s looking stronger than ever.”
 
‘Bad and Boujee’ hip-hop superstars Migos will return to the UK this summer, with a huge appearance lined up at Reading & Leeds. One of the most talked-about groups of the year; the trio have become global symbols of a new wave of modern rap following the release of their latest album C U L T U R E. Expect a swagger-filled performance as Migos make their way to Reading & Leeds.
South London rapper Giggs will continue his march to the top with an unparalleled set at this year’s festivals, bringing the gritty sounds of latest album Landlord to the fields, in a crowning moment for one of the genre’s most defiant voices.
One of the most hotly anticipated returns of the year, HAIM are set to land at Reading and Leeds this summer with a sun-soaked guitar-pop filled performance. Delving into classics from their 2013 debut Days Are Gone and sure-to-be hits from their upcoming new record, it’ll be unforgettable set as rock’s beloved sensations take to the Reading and Leeds stage.
 
British arena-rock kings You Me At Six will continue their rich history at Reading and Leeds, packing in anthems from their career along with the heavy kicks of latest album Night People. A band born for the biggest stages, Reading and Leeds is set to bear witness to a landmark step from a band that stand head and shoulders above the rest.
 
A standout success story of 2016, Blossoms have established themselves as national treasures with the release of their self-titled debut, storming to number 1 in the charts and leading to sold-out venues and huge stages wherever they go. Stockport’s finest are set to bring their pop-laden anthems to Reading and Leeds this summer in a performance that marks the next generation of arena-sized icons.
 
Stand-out alternative pop performances will reign supreme at Reading and Leeds this summer, with Halsey set to bring her powerful electro-tinged hits to the festivals, marking a rise that has seen her become a vital voice for an entire generation. Pop will be in abundance as the voices behind many of the biggest club anthems in the past year, Becky Hill and Charli XCX, head to Reading and Leeds, delivering in-your-face performances that blend cutting-edge electro beats with singalong favourites.
 
One of the most indisputable voices in British rock, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes will continue their incredible rise with another festival-stealing slot at Reading and Leeds this summer. After turning the Main Stage into a crowd-surfing punk masterclass at last year’s festivals, Frank Carter arrives loaded with the runaway success of latest album Modern Ruin, packing even more stadium-sized moments into the Bank Holiday weekend.
 
Lead by the unmistakable voice of Taylor Momsen, The Pretty Reckless will return to the festivals this year, armed with heavy blues-laden anthems of latest album Who You Selling For. Joining them in triggering mass singalongs at Reading and Leeds this summer are Blush emo-soarers Moose Blood, melodic-rock five-piece Mallory Knox, and punk smashers Marmozets who are set to unveil their invigorating new era after the riotous success of debut album The Weird and Wonderful Marmozets.
 
The always-seismic presence of explosive Canadians Billy Talent will leave their mark on this year’s festivals, bringing an acclaimed live show that has seen them remain at the top of their game for nearly 25 years. Blistering punk risers Counterfeit will perform at Reading and Leeds this summer, fresh from the release of their hotly anticipated debut album Together We Are Stronger, which sees frontman Jamie Campbell Bower in full voice. They’ll be joined by London trio Puppy, who are set for a true standout moment at this year’s festivals.
 
Joining them at Reading and Leeds 2017, and set to define an entire summer with anthems are Mancunian art-rockers Everything Everything who will deliver a captivating set of electronic ground-shakers from across their stunning career. Reading hometown heroes Sundara Karma will be bringing indie tales of youthful abandon to the festivals this summer, with Oh Wonder geared to stun the Reading and Leeds crowds with tracks from their mesmerising self-titled debut album. Sheffield’s finest indie upstarts The Sherlocks will continue their journey from packed stage to packed stage with a huge set at Reading and Leeds this summer. Watford squad The Hunna will heat things up on their return to the festivals, and riotous Cabbage will deliver another onslaught that confirms why they’re seen as one of the most exciting new bands in the country. Mesmeric indie-pop groovers Fickle Friends will return to the festivals with their sun-laden anthems, with breakthrough festival moments to come when genre-morphers Inheaven, German ‘Stolen Dance’ songwriters Milky Chance, Ed Nash of Bombay Bicycle Club’s new project Toothless, and stripped-bare electro wizard Tom Misch all take to the Reading and Leeds stage across the weekend.
 
The explosion of grime and hip-hop will continue to flow through Reading and Leeds, as the festivals once again play host to legendary favourites and the ground breaking voices of the future. Brooklyn’s Flatbush Zombies channel the best of the 90’s East Coast rap era and are set to take on the festival this summer, with hits from last year’s debut album A Laced Odyssey. ‘Pow’ don Lethal Bizzle is set to send festival-goers into a rapturous spin with an explosive set of London grime, while the chilled vibes of Rejjie Snow and BBC Sound Of winner Ray BLK will be dousing the crowds with electric and soulful R&B.
 
From the down-to-earth freestyle sounds of Dave to the home grown swagger of MIST, the vibrant voices and future favourites in grime, rap and hip-hop can all be found at Reading and Leeds this summer. Avelino, Cadet, MoStack,
J Hus, Angel, Mic Righteous, Geovarn, The Manor, Young T & Bugsey and The Heatwave will all make their unforgettable appearances at the festivals over the Bank Holiday weekend.
 
Punchy and gritty in everything they do, Black Lips are set to deliver their distinct brand of punk for a stage show that has to be seen to be believed whilst folk-rock duo Bear’s Den promise panoramic-sized grooves from last year’s Red, Earth & Pouring Rain along with classic favourites from their wistful debut Islands. Ferocious live shows will also come from Tom Grennan, Shame, Phantogram, The Amazons, Louis Berry, Grouplove, King Nun, IDLES, Yonaka, Eden, Prose and Picture This, as they all leave their own stamp on the weekend.
 
The most talked-about names in current electronic dance music will be heading to Reading and Leeds this summer. International sensation Marshmello, who’s huge remixes of Jack Ü and Zedd, along with sun-kissed anthem ‘Summer’ will make for an electrifying performance. Unmissable beats and sets are also guaranteed from drum ‘n’ bass titan High Contrast, masked heavyweight Jaguar Skills, London jungle king Shy FX with Stamina MC and Katy B who’ll be delivering a storming DJ set. Dillon Francis, Sam Divine, Majestic, Claptone, CamelPhat, TOKiMONSTA, James Organ, Chris Lorenzo, Mullally, Klose One and Star.One will all bring big room DJ sets, alongside a very special performance from acclaimed Dutch trio Noisia and their Outer Edges concept show also confirmed, the latest and greatest are set to take Reading and Leeds as their own this summer.
 
These names join a stellar bill already confirmed for Reading and Leeds 2017, joining previously announced headliners Muse and Kasabian, with Major Lazer, Bastille, Two Door Cinema Club, Flume, Fatboy Slim, Wiley, At The Drive In, Architects, Korn, While She Sleeps, Tory Lanez, Glass Animals, Circa Waves, Against The Current, Danny Brown and many more set for a weekend that brings together the most exciting sounds and artists from across the musical spectrum, capturing a year in music like no other.
 
 
CONFIRMED TODAY
Angel
Avelino
Bear’s Den
Becky Hill
Billy Talent
Black Lips
Blossoms
Cabbage
Cadet
CamelPhat
Charli XCX
Chris Lorenzo
Claptone
Counterfeit
Dave
Dillon Francis
Eden
Eminem
Everything Everything
Fickle Friends
Flatbush Zombies
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes
Geovarn
Giggs
Grouplove
HAIM
Halsey
High Contrast
IDLES
Inheaven
J Hus
Jaguar Skills
James Organ
Katy B (DJ Set)
King Nun
Klose One
Lethal Bizzle
Louis Berry
Majestic
Mallory Knox
Marmozets
Marshmello
Mic Righteous
Migos
Milky Chance
MIST
Moose Blood
MoStack
Mullally
Noisia ‘Outer Edges’
Oh Wonder
Phantogram
Picture This
Prose
Puppy
Ray BLK
Rejjie Snow
Rex Orange County
Sam Divine
Shame
Shy FX
Star.One
Sundara Karma
The Amazons
The Heatwave
The Hunna
The Manor
The Pretty Reckless
The Sherlocks
TOKiMONSTA
Tom Grennan
Tom Misch
Toothless
Yonaka
You Me At Six
Young T & Bugsey
 
PREVIOUSLY CONFIRMED
Against The Current
Andy C
Architects
At The Drive In
Bastille
Circa Waves
Danny Brown
Fatboy Slim
Flume
Glass Animals
Jimmy Eat World
Kasabian
Korn
Major Lazer
Muse
Rat Boy
The Amity Affliction
Torey Lanez
Two Door Cinema Club
While She Sleeps
Wiley

Slam Dunk 2016 Midlands Review

On 29th May the Genting Arena in Birmingham opened up the doors for Slam Dunk Festival. Each year the SDF team promises to make the event bigger and better than before and with the Midlands venue being shifted from Wolverhampton Civic Halls following their refurbishment, to the far larger Genting Arena it’s set to be bigger and better for their 10th Anniversary.   

Initially, when entering the main arena it is jam-packed full of fans, various traders, band merchandise stalls and eateries. Once you finally managed to gather your bearings, there’s lots of talent on offer across the eight stages. 

Early starters Coldrain were set to take to the stage at 1:20pm but after waiting around it was announced that they wouldn’t be performing due to technical issues beyond their control so they had to cancel their performance and quite a crowd had gather to watch the band open up the Atlas stage.  

Next up on the Atlas stage were the boys in The Word Alive

Set list: 
Dreamer
Face To Face
Made This Way
Lighthouse
Grunge
Trapped
Life Cycles

 

Then it was a mad dash over to the Main Stage for Young Guns lucky enough I made it with five minutes to spare before they took to the stage.  They kicked things off with “ Daughter Of The Sea” followed by “Speaking In Tongues” which had the arena in one massive sing-a-long. Their set was full of high energy and you could see why they were part of the main stage bill.

Set list: 
Daughter Of The Sea
Speaking In Tongues
Bulletproof
Rising Up
Winter Kiss
Brother In Arms
Bones
I Want Out

Next were indie rockers Mayday Parade, their set offered uplifting speeches and infectious energy contrasting with the songs we all had featured on our MySpace pages back in the day. The band set nostalgic memories across the room as the fans dance and sang along to every word. 

Set list:

One Of Them Will Destroy The Other
Jamie All Over
When You See My Friends
Keep In Mind, Transmogrification Is A New Technology
Three Cheers For Five Years
Hallow
Oh Well, Oh Well
Black Cat
Jersey

We Came As Romans came out strong on to the Atlas stage with heavy riffs and even seen Kyle Pavone get in with the crowd to mix things up abit.
Once again another mad dash over to The Key Club Stage to see As It Is. I’ve seen this band previously and they never fail to put on a good performance with high energy and antics. The room was full and so was the photo pit, it was all very tight squeeze. From the word GO! The room was bouncing and people were crowd surfing their little pop-punk hearts out, we even got to see Alex Costello of Roam join the lads on stage for “Cheap Shots & Set Backs”.

Set list: 

Concrete
Cheap Shots & Set Backs (with Alex Costello of Roam)
Can’t Save Myself
Horoscopes
Silence (Pretending’s So Comfortable)
Winter’s Weather
Speak Soft
Sorry
Dial Tones

Another nostalgic moment was up next on the Main Stage with Yellowcard playing their album Ocean Avenue in full but not with minor set backs with equipment not working, it seemed a few bands were having technical difficulties over the weekend but lucky enough stand in drummer Rib Chianelli from We Are The In Crowd managed to fix the issue and get the show on the road with the crowd erupting from start to finish while the band bounces from side to side like ping pong balls on stage.

The Amity Affliction

Set list:
I Bring The Weather With Me (Live Debut)
Open Letter
Lost & Fading 
The Weigh Down
Death’s Hand
Pittsburgh
Don’t Lean On Me

Mallory Knox never seen to disappoint their fans. The stage lighting was dark tonal shades of blue and green, highlighted with the well know MK logo creating atmospheric silhouettes.

Set list: 

Beggars
Wolves
Wake Up
Hello
1949
Ghost In The Mirror
Death Rattle
Creeper / Oceans
Lighthouse

New Found Glory were set to take to the main stage next and I’ve got to say no matter what venue they play they always get the crowd hyped up with there influential back catalogue showcasing that Pop-Punk is not dead. 

Set list:

Hit Or Miss
Understatement
Selfless
All Downhill from here
Truth Of My Youth
Resurrection
Listen To Your Friends
Ready, Aim, Fire!
Ready & Willing
Kiss Me (cover)
Situations
Dressed To Kill
Vicious Love
The Promise – (requested by a fan)
Forget My Name
Head On Collision
Sonny
My Friend’s Over You

Finally the one of the main bands people were waiting to see where finally about to take to the stage. Panic! At The Disco for me stole the show, being easily the best of the night. You wouldn’t of thought that the band had already played a show earlier that day in Exeter with the amount of energy and showmanship on display even though Brendan announced to the room he was “totally fucked” before lying down on the floor. Urie is one of the world’s true showmen as he changes his attitude, persona throughout the set to fit the tracks he’s playing. He also showed off his vocal range and high-notes with a mind-blowing cover of Bohemian Rhapsody and fire erupts from cannons and a confetti explosion ends the event in style.

Happy 10th Anniversary to Slam Dunk Festival"

Takedown Festival 2015 Review

Takedown Festival now in its 3rd year has grown with serious momentum, previous bands have moved up the line up as of this year as they’ve gone from strength to strength and this year is no exception, in the heart of Southampton University today (7/3/15) see’s some of the finest talent from goth rock, punk, hardcore and straight up alt rock.

First up on the main stage is Zoax, poised with a lacking crowd and having that difficult challenge of being the first band of the day front man Adam Carroll took no prisoners with moments only spent on the stage before joining the crowd, it’s safe to say he made a lasting impression on the people who were there to experience them. 

Photo

Adam Carroll – Zoax

EMP!RE are up next which fall a bit short, it’s not that they are a bad band but it all feels like a rehashed version of Skin Dread, that being said they are a good band, within a few more years they will hit their stride and settle into a sound of their own.

Dave McPherson – INME

When you consider some of the songs from INME’s debut album Overgrown Eden haven't been played for nearly ten years it seems like a daring feat to bring such a set to a festival crowd, however these songs still sound as fresh as they did all those years ago, Dave McPherson’s vocals matured and made for one of the stand out moments from the whole event.

Rolo Tomassi hit the stage like a punch to the gut, front woman Eva Spence bounds across the stage like a pocket rocket, with a growl to match, it is clear to see that they are in a league of their own tonight and that certainly isn't a bad thing.

The Blackout’s set has to be met with an air of sadness, tonight not only see’s the guys play their last South Coast show but their last festival slot too, tonight like every time The Blackout play boasts a band who not only put everything they’ve got into a set but love every minute of it, it is also a full circle as they playedon one of their first tours with Charlie Simpson (FightStar) and are ending things playing along side him tonight.

Charlie Simpson a far cry from his Busted days or FightStar projects Charlie’s solo stuff is more tinged with a country vibe, this unfortunately falls short after such a electric line up which isn't the shift in momentum that was to be expected this close to the headline slot. 

Tonights Headliners Mallory Knox cut their festival teeth at Takedown 2012, so this festival holds a special place in the hearts of these guys, having just got back from their US tour with Pierce The Veil and Sleeping With Sirens jet lag certainly didn't stop them putting everything they had into closing the proceedings tonight, coming on to the boys are back in town, it is safe to say in light of their last album Asymmetry Mallory Knox have established themselves as one of the best of British in 2015. Whatever this year has in store for them it is clear that we will all be waiting with bated breath. 

Gavin Butler/Sean Smith – The Blackout

Over all Takedown has something for everyone, even the fashion conscious boasting several stalls including merch and clothing lines, food halls and plenty of bars across the whole of the stages to keep everyones thirst suitably quenched, It is an exciting time for Takedown as it has established itself well and truly as one of the best small festivals to showcase the vast talent we really have here in the alternative UK scene. 


Created with flickr slideshow.

More added to Takedown 2015 lineup

Joining already announced Mallory Knox and Charlie Simpson we have some ambient post hardcore courtesy of Reading's Devil Sold His Soul, guitar fuelled rock in the guise of Leeds boys Allusondrugs, electronic alt rock from The One Hundred, stomping anthems from Emp!re, some bruising metal from local boys Dendera, some hardcore from Essex crew Confessions of a Traitor, and some melodic deathcore from Plymouth boys Refuge of the Fallen.

Mallory Knox set to headline Takedown 2015

The first announcement from Takedown organisers is that Mallory Knox will headline the 2015 event.

4 years in and Takedown has become an essential date in the UK indie alternative summer festival diary. Except it's in March. Which is where we like it.

Taking place in the heart of the thriving live music metropolis that is Southampton, Takedown Festival has proven itself year after year as the perfect appetiser for the whirlwind that is the UK festival season, and judging by the last 3 years it's a date definitely not to be missed!

More bands announced soon!

Early Bird tickets are available for just £30 from www.takedownfestival.co.uk

Another massive fifty acts added to Reading and Leeds Festival lineup

The Summer Festival Guide is excited to announce a mammoth addition of fifty artists to the Reading and Leeds lineup for this summer.

This year sees one of the most spectacular Main Stage line-ups ever! Undisputed modern rock godsQueens Of The Stone Age and pop-rock superstars Paramore share headline duties alongside the completely inimitable Arctic Monkeys and pop-punk legends Blink-182.

With a supporting cast including Vampire WeekendMacklemore & Ryan LewisYou Me At SixJake BuggImagine DragonsFoster The People and Deaf Havana there are now even more names set to tear up the Main Stage. Completing the line-up for the Main Stage are Brighton indie-punk duo Blood Red Shoes, Japanese metallers CrossfaithDry the River, Leeds boys Pulled Apart By Horses, punk trioGnarwolves, nu-metal luminaries Papa Roach, UK rock kings Young Guns and pop punk champions Tonight Alive and The Story So Far.

Over on the NME/Radio 1 Stage alongside headliners CourteenersBombay Bicycle Club and Disclosure will be UK anthemic rockers Twin Atlantic and last year’s Main Stage openers Mallory Knox. Also appearing are fellow newcomers Lonely The Brave, shoegazer, post punk festival veterans The Horrors, multidirectional The Kooks and Brooklyn based musician Twin Shadow.

Reading & Leeds continue to bring the best in electronic music and dance to the BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage with an exclusive performance from special guest Duke Dumont LiveAlunaGeorge,GesaffelsteinThe Glitch Mob, BorgoreAdventure ClubSnakehips and Electric Youth taking to the stage along with headliners Netsky LivePendulum DJ Set and Flume.

The unique sounds of Gypsy-punks Gogol Bordello and emotional rock heroes Jimmy Eat World will act as the perfect Lock Up Stage headliners, along with Brody DalleMöngöl Hörde and Architects.

Elsewhere, the headliners have been revealed for the Festival Republic Stage and they will be the riff-heavy Southampton group Band Of Skulls, garage rockers Palma Violets and the energetic Augustines.

Also appearing across the Festivals’ stages over the weekend will be A Wilhelm Scream, Baby Godzilla, Bear Hands,Bipolar SunshineCatfish And The Bottlemen, DarliaDave Hause, Every Time I Die,Hudson Taylor, Marika HackmanMayday Parade, Meridian DanP Money,PUP,SlavesThe DistrictsThe FlatlinersThe Front BottomsThe OrwellsThe Skints, The Wonder Years, Touché Amoré and Wovenwar.

T in the Park add Lower than Atlantis, Mallory Knox and more!

With less than 8 weeks to go until T in the Park’s 20th year celebrations, festival organisers DF Concerts and founding partner Tennent's Lager have today announced yet more acts for the festival, with Lower than Atlantis, Mallory Knox and Vigo Thieves all heading to Kinross over 12th – 14th July.
 
With their infectiously melodic, high octane hardcore, Lower than Atlantis are one of the hottest properties to emerge from the UK’s rock scene in recent years. After releasing their debut EPBretton in 2008, plus two more self-funded albums (2010's Far Q and 2011's World Record), the Watford rockers steadily developed a reputation as an incredible live act, capturing the attention of fans, media and major labels alike. Their self-released single If The World Was To End premiered on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 Show at the start of 2012, and went on to be voted number 11 in the DJ’s Hottest 100 Records of 2012. After inking a deal with Island Records, they released their third album Changing Tune to major critical acclaim last October, and played to loyal fans across the country last month with their UK tour. They’ll bring their massive tunes to Kinross this summer when they make their T in the Park debut.  
 
After quickly establishing a loyal fan base, Mallory Knox released their debut EP Pilot in 2011. The release of their first video Oceans saw the band reach number 2 in the most requested Scuzz chart, and since then they’ve gone from strength to strength. The Cambridge rockers have already notched up a Top 40 record this year with the release of their debut album Signals in January, and are sure to go down a storm at T in the Park.
 
Within the past year, Vigo Thieves have packed out the BBC Introducing Tent at T in the Park, opened for The View, played to sell-out crowds in Glasgow, and been named as Ones to Watch in 2013 by the Scottish Sun. The hotly tipped five-piece make a welcome return to Kinross this July.
 
Over 85,000 festival-goers per day will descend on Kinross over 12th – 14th July for the 20th year ofT in the Park, which will feature performances by some of the hottest acts on the planet, including headliners Mumford & Sons, Rihanna and The Killers, plus The Script, Stereophonics, Beady Eye, Kraftwerk, alt-J, Foals, The Lumineers, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Phoenix, My Bloody Valentine, Two Door Cinema Club, The Courteeners, Frightened Rabbit, Jake Bugg, Of Monsters and Men, Twin Atlantic, Editors, Hurts, Travis, Frank Turner, The View, Noah and the Whale, Ocean Colour Scene, Haim, Imagine Dragons, The Fratellis, Johnny Marr, James Skelly & the Intenders, Modest Mouse, Villagers, Local Natives, Chvrches, Tribes, FIDLAR, Palma Violets, Kodaline, The 1975, Peace, The Strypes, British Sea Power, The Heavy, Deap Vally, Swim Deep, Trash Talk, Brooke Candy, The Virginmarys and Josephine, plus many more still to be announced.

Benga, Redlight, Fenech-Soler and more added to Boardmasters

Add to this years lineup is: Benga, Redlight, Fenech-Soler, Mallory Knox, Nina Nesbitt, Hawk Eyes, Brothers & Bones, Ben Caplan, Swim Deep,The Struts, Dexters, The Dedicated Nothing, Tall Ships, The PJP Band, Wet Nuns, The Physics House Band, Marc O'Reilly, Roo Panes, Joel Baker, Lily & Meg, India Bourne, Submental. Jello. Snatch The Wax

Boardmasters Lineup