Mogwai

Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall – Shirley Manson announced as guest curator for 2027

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Following the monumental success of the 2026 concert series curated by Robert Smith, Teenage Cancer Trust is proud to announce that Shirley Manson will take the helm as guest curator for the shows at the Royal Albert Hall from 15-21 March 2027.

To mark the announcement, a video has been released of Garbage’s extraordinary performance of The Cure’s ‘Lovesong’ at their 2026 Teenage Cancer Trust show.

Shirley Manson is the second guest curator of the legendary week-long Royal Albert Hall fundraising concert series, which was launched and curated by Teenage Cancer Trust Honorary Patron Sir Roger Daltrey from 2000 to 2025. 
For the 2026 events, as well as lining up an unbeatable Night Of Comedy, Robert Smith called up headliners Wolf Alice, Elbow, Manic Street Preachers, My Bloody Valentine, Mogwai and Garbage themselves, raising £1.4 million so far for the charity, providing vital support for young people with cancer across the UK.

Shirley Manson, who delivered a standout performance including classics such as ‘I’m Only Happy When It Rains’ and ‘Stupid Girl’, said: “To follow in the footsteps of the great Sir Roger Daltrey and most beloved Robert Smith by being invited to curate next year’s run of shows is one of the greatest honours that has ever been bestowed upon me. I consider it an immense privilege to continue helping raise funds and awareness for our all too often forgotten teenagers in the UK who are living with cancer and the struggle that this entails. I hope to curate a fine week of entertainment, calling upon some of my favourite artists to join the cause. I am so looking forward to seeing it all come together at the Royal Albert Hall next year and I hope to see you there.”

Robert Smith said: “Having played a few Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall shows with The Cure, it was a real honour to curate the series in 2026, bringing together so many of my favourite artists to perform for such a great cause. The response and support from the audience, in the hall itself and all around the world, was really incredible. Garbage were one of the highlights of a stellar week, and I am very sure Shirley, with her great energy, commitment and values, will do a fantastic job in 2027.” 

Roger Daltrey said: “To have a female musician with a great reputation for quality work is something that’s been at the top of my wishlist going forward. I will always be there for her if she needs any help with anything.”

Rob Ballantine, Promoter, SJM Concerts, said:
“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Robert Smith for working so hard and making our job as promoters so much easier this year. His vision resulted in one of the most memorable weeks in the history of these shows. We are equally grateful to Shirley for agreeing to curate 2027; we are already bowled over by her energy and enthusiasm, and the planning is already well underway for another landmark year.”

Jane Ashton, Head of Music & Entertainment at Teenage Cancer Trust said: “We are delighted to welcome Shirley as our curator for 2027.“Cancer kills more teenagers and young adults in the UK than any other disease, yet cancer care wasn’t made for young people. Shirley’s passion for our cause was electrifying to see during this year’s shows and we can’t wait to see who she invites to play next year.”

Jules Worrall, Interim Chief Executive of Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “I want to say a huge thank you to Robert Smith for the 2026 shows – together we have raised a phenomenal amount which will be truly life-changing for young people with cancer. And Garbage’s performance was a stand-out moment of the shows this year, so it’s incredibly exciting that Shirley Manson is taking up the baton of curating for 2027. Shirley spoke so emotionally at this year’s shows about how important teenagers are for the future of the country and the importance of supporting them – and we couldn’t agree more. We’re delighted to have her energy and passion on board.”

Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall was funded in 2000 by the charity’s Honorary Patron, Sir Roger Daltrey, and has raised over £36 million to date.


About Teenage Cancer Trust at The Royal Albert Hall

2026 marks the 24th year of Teenage Cancer Trust’s phenomenally successful flagship events at the Royal Albert Hall, which were started by the charity’s Honorary Patron and lead-singer of The Who, Sir Roger Daltrey. Some of the biggest names in entertainment have now raised more than £36 million for Teenage Cancer Trust which helps to fund specialist nurses, hospital units and support services right across the UK that help get young people through some unimaginably hard times.

Since 2000 audiences at Teenage Cancer Trust’s annual gigs have witnessed some extraordinary, once in a lifetime shows, from Noel Gallagher and Damon Albarn performing together for the first time ever in 2013, Sir Paul McCartney in 2012, plus the likes of Oasis, Muse, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Ed Sheeran, Florence + The Machine, Rudimental and many more.

There have been many legendary moments. Sir Paul McCartney was joined on stage in 2012 for the Beatles’ ‘Get Back’ by Sir Roger Daltrey, Ronnie Wood and Paul Weller – marking a Beatle, Rolling Stone and The Who joining forces.
Muse played in 2008, their only show in the UK that year apart from two sold out Wembley Stadiums. They called it, “one of the best gigs of our lives.” The Cure played a three-hour set on two consecutive nights in 2014, bringing the house down with 45 songs.

Some of the brightest lights in comedy have lit up the stage too, with an annual evening featuring the likes of Mo Gilligan, Kevin Bridges, Miranda Hart, Kerry Godliman, John Bishop, Frankie Boyle, Noel Fielding, Jon Richardson, Russell Howard, James Corden, Joel Dommett and many more. In 2026, the lineup featured Maisie Adam, Bridget Christie, Jack Dee, Andy Hamilton, Dom Joly, Miles Jupp, Athena Kugblenu, Stewart Lee and Dara Ó Briain.

In 2024 a special show was staged as an ovation for Sir Roger Daltrey’s years of service, with turns by the likes of Paul Weller, Kelly Jones, Eddie Vedder and Robert Plant. About Teenage Cancer Trust Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity providing specialised nursing care and support for young people with cancer. The charity funds specialist nurses, youth workers and hospital units within the NHS, and is there for anyone diagnosed with cancer aged 13-24, and their loved ones too.  

Teenage Cancer Trust is a registered charity: 1062559 (England & Wales), SC039757 (Scotland).

Latitude Festival announce 2018 lineup with The Killers, Solange, Alt J and more

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Latitude Festival have announced the line up for their 13th Edition, which takes place on Thursday 12th – Sunday 15th July 2018 in the stunning grounds of Henham Park, Suffolk. Recently awarded Best Major Festival by UK Festival Awards, Latitude returns with an all-new look for 2018 – a refreshed programme and emboldened vision retaining everything you loved about the festival, but also moving in an exciting new direction that looks to the future.  Tickets are available from here.

 

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter of A Seat at the Table fame Solange performs her first –ever festival headline slot at Latitude in a UK exclusive. It’s been over a year since she released the critically acclaimed album that she has called “a project on identity, empowerment, independence, grief, and healing”.  Since its release she has introduced the work to new audiences as dynamic and daring performance art. Bold, exciting and innovative with a creative energy like no other, Solange crosses and combines artistic genres in a way that most artists wouldn't dare and is the perfect Latitude headliner.

 

Latitude loves a success story, and is famed for breaking new talent and nurturing artists so it’s truly thrilling to host Alt-J as headliners once more. From performing on the Lake Stage in 2012 as an up and coming act, returning to headline the BBC Music Stage in 2013, and then closing the Friday night of Latitude’s 10th anniversary in 2015, we are delighted to welcome them “home” for what promises to be an exciting show – with the possible premiere of brand new material, this one is going to be unmissable.

 

 Alt-J said, “We are over the moon to be returning to Latitude for a fourth time. It's a festival that's nurtured us beyond any other, taking us from the Lake Stage to the 6music Stage and then to headlining in 2015. To do so again is a huge privilege. See you in Suffolk!”

 

The Killers, fresh from the success of chart-topping comeback album Wonderful Wonderful, headline Latitude for the first time. Part-rock show, part-art extravaganza, The Killers, led by charismatic frontman Brandon Flowers, are sure to bring something very special to this year’s line up with much loved hits ‘The Man’, ‘When You Were Young, and of course ‘Mr Brightside’.

 

Latitude has never been just about the music – it’s a culturally enriching experience and this year’s comedy, theatre and arts roster is set to be the festival’s most diverse and forward-thinking yet. Two exciting comedy headliners are both performing at Latitude for the first time, award-winning stand-up and star of BBC Radio 4’s Utopia, Bridget Christie makes a rare festival appearance, while national treasure Harry Hill brings a career’s worth of comedy gold to our stage. Elsewhere on the comedy bill, catch the only comedian co-signed by Drake and Stormzy, Mo Gilligan; Tim Key's new blend of poeticals, talking, spotlights, cables, old school wistfulness, Megadate; viral-video star and news satirist Jonathan Pie; brand new BBC Radio 4 panel show Where’s the F in News; Mock The Week regular James Acaster and rising star Lauren Pattison. There’s much more still to come, so watch this spotlight!

 

Harry Hill said, “I like latitude, I like longitude, but which is better? There’s only one way to find out – play the comedy arena at Latitude! I can’t wait!"

 

Latitude has a reputation for having one of the most eclectic line ups in the UK, and 2018 is no exception: Sadler’s Wells return to Henham Park presenting dance companies still to be revealed, whilst the first shows of the theatre bill include a spectacular headline performance by an international sensation: Recirquel Contemporary Circus: Paris de Nuit will transport the audience to the roaring 30s. Other highlights include Bryony Kimmings previewing her first solo show in 10 years, I’m A Phoenix, Bitch, Lyric Hammersmith presenting How To Fail At Being Perfect, their wise and witty look at through the eyes of forever children, with an all youth cast, and Scottish Dance Theatre, who present Fleur Darkin’s Velvet Petal. Among the very first speakers in The Speakeasy, BBC3 investigative journalist Stacey Dooley will talk about her new book, On the Front Line with the Women Who Fight Back.

 

There’s so much happening at Latitude in 2018, some serious refuelling will be in order, and the festival is upping the grub game. Latitude will become the first major festival to do away with ‘fast food’ with the Arena now catered entirely by Street Food organised by London’s Street Feast.  Explore buzzing street food arenas across the site where festivalgoers can re-fuel, wind down and eat the world without leaving Henham Park. Look out for Fundi’s mighty hand-built ovens for melty, wood-fired pizzas, then dig into crispy cornbread Arepas from Venezuelan street food heroes Petare – don’t forget to order a side of their Cassava Chips topped with fiery salsa. For a mighty, meat-free meal, say hello to Club Mexicana – their vegan To-Fish Tacos and BBQ-Pulled Jackfruit Burritos are NOT to be missed. Also new to Latitude is the Theatre of Food, a fully immersive essential for any foodie – or just your average keen eater – with wild cooking sessions, hilarious and inspiring food demos and, of course, the chance to sample the goods yourself. And if there’s a comedy set or a drum solo while it’s all happening, all the better to heighten your taste senses!

 

Families looking for quality time together need go no further than Latitude’s Enchanted Garden, where they’ll get the chance to make some magic of their own, including VR workshops with top industry creatives, screen printing T-shirts, trapeze and circus skills, and the brilliant Family Socials which pack weekend mornings with family-friendly comedy, live music, dance and theatre. There’s a parent pen for shattered parents who can’t keep up or yoga to unwind! Meanwhile the Kids Area has live shows including AnimAlphabet the Musical, West End Kids, and Comedy4Kids, alongside puppetry, live music, award-winning children’s authors and illustrators on hand to inspire, music tuition, bush-crafts, fun with food and the Wild Science tent. Teens who want to be among their own can head to the Inbetweeners Area with its music, digital, media and fashion workshops, the Access to Music Live Stage including industry Q&A’s, how-tos on gaming, coding and VR. Daredevils can brave the Greenpeace treetop adventures, zip wires and climbing nets. Guaranteed no teenage style will be cramped.

 

 

MUSIC

Æ MAK

Alfa Mist

Alt-J

Alvvays

Benjamin Clementine

Black Honey

Bomba Estéreo

Boy Azooga

Bruce

Clark performing Death Peak Live

Confidence Man

DJ Boring

Eclair Fifi

Fazerdaze

Fickle Friends

Gang of Youths

Hannah Peel with Tubular Brass

Hinds

Ibeyi

IDLES

Jacob Banks

Jade Bird

James

Japandroids

Jessie Ware

Jon Hopkins Live

Juanita Stein

Kalyde

La Femme

Marlon Williams

Meggie Brown

Mogwai

Naaz

Nabihah Iqbal

Object Blue

Octavian

OR:LA

Pangaea

Parquet Courts

Pip Blom

Preoccupations

Rag’n’Bone Man

Sam Fender

Sleeper

Solange

Sorry

Spinning Coin

Superorganism

The Breeders

The Charlatans

The Killers

The Vaccines

Trudy And The Romance

tUnE-yArDs

whenyoung

Wolf Alice

Yellow Days

 

COMEDY

Abigoliah Schamaun

Amusical

Angela Barnes

Bridget Christie

Chortle Student Comedy Awards Finalists

Chris Stokes

Chris Washington

Darren Harriott

David Morgan

David O'Doherty

Fern Brady

Glenn Moore

Gráinne Maguire

Harry Hill

Huge Davies

Jack Gleadow

James Acaster

Jarlath Regan

Jayde Adams

Joe Sutherland

Jon Pointing

Jonathan Pie

Kiri Pritchard-McLean

Lauren Pattison

Lazy Susan

Lloyd Griffith

Lolly Adefope

Lost Voice Guy

Lou Sanders

Luke Kempner

Masud Milas

Mat Ewins

Mawaan Rizwan

Mo Gilligan

Phoebe Walsh

Rhys Nicholson

Richard Todd

Sarah Keyworth

Shappi Khorsandi

Sisters

Steen Raskopoulos

Stevie Martin

Tessa Coates

Tim Key: Megadate

Where's The F In News

 

THEATRE                                                                                                                                                     

Bryony Kimmings: I'm A Phoenix, Bitch (preview)                                                         

David Rosenberg & Glenn Neath: Flight

Dom Coyote: We Can Time Travel

Femme Fatale                                                                                                                                       

Highrise: Lil.Miss.Lady

Lyric Hammersmith presents How To Fail At Being Perfect                                   

Lyric Hammersmith presents The Lost Disc

Mark And Marichka Marczyk: Balaklava Blues

Middle Child: One Life Stand

Nabokov presents Benin City: Last Night

Nele Needs A Holiday: The Musical

Push Things Forward Collective: Nabokov, Middle Child and Not Too Tame         

Recirquel Contemporary Circus: Paris De Nuit

Rosy Carrick: Passionate Machine

Scottish Dance Theatre presents Fleur Darkin: Velvet Petal

Theatre Ad Infinitum: No Kids (work in progress)

 

LITERARY AND POETRY

Hussain Manawer

Luke Wright

Modern Love: Panel discussion with Justin Myers & Dolly Alderton

Ross Sutherland

Stacey Dooley: On The Front Line With The Women Who Fight Back

 

THE CABARET THEATRE

Denim

 

MUSIC & FILM

Nadine Shah

 

WATERFRONT

Sadler’s Wells

House Gospel Choir

 

STREET FEAST

Babek

Club Mexicana

Fundi

Gyoza Guys

Ink

Petare

Up In My Grill

 

THEATRE OF FOOD

Breddos, Nud Dhusia

Yum Bun and Yumplings, Lisa Meyer

 

Latitude Festival 2014 Review

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The 9th Latitude Festival in Suffolk, England drummed up great interest after winning Best Line-up at the 2013 Festival awards.  Trying to live up to expectations this year, they enlisted big acts like Damon Albarn, the Black Keys, Robyn & Röyksopp, as well as up and coming bands like Jungle, Childhood, and Bondax. Aside from the comprehensive bill of musicians and bands, Latitude also had a wide variety of cultural offerings ranging from theatre, comedy, cabaret, to literature, poetry, and dance. 

Photo courtesy of Latitude Festival – Marc Sethi

Day 1

The festival opened with a huge surprise last Thursday but not exactly of the good kind.  Friday headliner and crowd favorites Two Door Cinema Club cancelled the very last minute leaving plenty of fans heavily disappointed. Vocalist Alex Trimble was reported to have collapsed at Seattle Airport en route to England due to stomach problems.  With many traveling from as far as Japan just to see the trio, the cancellation led to an uproar and a huge pile of heatbreaks.  TDCC was the first band to be announced to headline the festival– as early as December 2013. It was supposed to be their first festival headline after touring for 5 years and climbing up the ranks.   

Filling up that glorious headline slot, Lily Allen agreed to step up to do the job; but not without getting loads of backlash from disappointed festival goers.     One twitter user compared the change as paying to sleep with Keira Knightley and ending up with Susan Boyle.  Tired of the negative reaction the change elicited from fans, Allen wrote on twitter:  “If you’re going to be rude about my replacing @TDCinemaClub on here, can you just un @ me please ? I’m so exhausted by the nastiness”

Despite that, Lily Allen’s courage to still show up was commendable.  She paid tribute to the trio by wearing a Two Door Cinema Club shirt and doing a cover of ‘Something Good Can Work.’  This seems to be an olive branch offering to TDCC fans and it was gracefully received.  The main stage didn’t end up a disappointment and the night ended with the crowd chanting her name. 

At the BBC Radio 6 Stage,  festival goers were treated to some excellent show of guitar skills starting with Anna Calvi and Slowdive.  Calvi treated fans with some new songs from her album ‘One Breath’ and with classics such as ‘I’ll be Your Man’ and ‘Desire’.  There was a silence of deep awe during the last few songs, and the following band, Slowdive proved worthy of the momentum.  The band from Berkshire had their own strong following with their announcement of a comeback this year after more than a decade of absence.

Headlining on the same stage was Scotland’s well- respected guitar band Mogwai.   The set was expected to be an attack to the senses and they certainly lived up to expectations.  More than an attack to the senses though, it was also an attack to the ear drums, with Stuart Braithwaite cheekily saying “I hope any children in the audience are wearing earplugs” before playing 'Master Card.' 

Other acts to note on the first day was the surprise show by Rudimental on the main stage and the highly energized performance by the Editors.  

 

Day 2

The second day provided some dilemmas to festival goers as to which stage to go to.  It started early with Simon Amstell packing the Comedy stage with almost triple its capacity.  The Essex local gave fans a peek of the show he will be touring this coming autumn. It was slightly peppered with some past materials but it sure didn’t leave fans short of laughter. 

After that, all roads led to the BBC Radio 6 stage where the legendary duo Hall & Oates were welcomed with much gusto after almost 10 years of absence in the UK.  They started with ‘Maneater’ which got the audience and even the BBC cameramen up to their feet.  They followed it up with huge hits like ‘I Can’t Go For That’ which included a breathtaking 5-minute solo (forgive the pun)  by saxophone player Charles "Mr. Casual” DeChant.  They came back for an encore playing  ‘You Make my Dreams Come True’ which prompted mass sing alongs from the old and young alike. 

Photo courtesy of Latitude Festival

It was also a big day for Swedish musicians, with First Aid Kit bringing sunshine to the Oberlisk Arena with some delightful harmonies from their new album and a beautiful rendition of Simon and Garfunkel’s ‘America’.  Swedish singer Robyn & Norwegian electronic duo Röyksopp also fired up a party at the BBC Radio 6 stage.  The 2-hour set probably saw the most excitable crowd that day and they proved worthy of the adulation.  The audience danced along to  the long string of hits and went wild to ‘Dancing On My Own.’  The light show and production were far from bad too.

The night ended with some thunderstorms and with Damon Alborn capping the night by bringing Blur band mate Graham Coxon onto the stage, much to the delight of fans.  They played a captivating performance of the Blur song ‘Tender’ amidst all the lightning and heavy downpour.  Simply memorable. 

Photo courtesy of Latitude Festival

Day 3

The thunderstorms from the previous night didn’t seem to dampen the spirit of festival goers.  The last day of the festival saw the new chart-topper George Ezra croon fans at the BBC Radio 6 Tent.  The 21-year old seemed to be overwhelmed by the amount of people who came to see him, but managed to meet and beat all expectations with beautiful melodies from ‘Budapest’, ‘Cassy O’, and ‘Leaving It Up To You.’

Hardcore fans of American bands Phantogram and Tycho didn’t mind the muddy trek up to the iArena stage to watch the bands from New York and San Francisco do their take on synthpop music.  Sarah Brathel of Phantogram unleashed her inner beast and performed singles like ‘Falling In Love’ and crowd pleaser ‘Black Out Days.’  They were immediately followed by Tycho, aka Scott Hansen, which along with his band, brought his design works and projected them on the wall to accompany their music.  To say it was a hauntingly beautiful set was to say the least.

The big responsibility of closing up the festival was left up to The Black Keys.  The backdrop to this much-anticipated show was an elaborate set-up including multiple screens and painted theatre curtains.  The crowd which was eager for a great send-off sang along to hits like ‘Lonely Boy’, 'Howlin' For You' and ‘Fever’.  Although the set was mostly well-received, it was also noticeably lacking in energy compared to the previous nights’ headliners.  One festival goer quipped, “They don’t seem to have much chemistry between the two of them tonight.”

Overall, it was a successful festival. It had minor glitches and the wellies were certainly put to use, but what would be an English music festival without those? 

Final headliner announced for Latitude Festival 2014

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The Summer Festival Guide can reveal that the final headliner announced for this years Latitude Festival will be the American rock duo The Black Keys.  They join the previously announced headliners Damon Albarn and Two Door Cinema Club at this years summer festival.

Also added to the Obelisk Arena lineup are The Editors, James, Crystal Fighters and more.  Joining the BBC Radio 6 Music Stage is Mogwai, Lykke Li, Clean Bandit and more.

For the Comedy Arena, Irish comedian and TV presenter Dara O'Briain will head up proceedings and is joined by a massive cast including Milton Jones, Josh Widdicombe, Al Murray's Saloon Show.

See the full addtions here:

OBELISK ARENA

THE BLACK KEYS

EDITORS | JAMES |CRYSTAL FIGHTERS |KELIS | THE AFGHAN WHIGS | TINARIWEN
 

BBC RADIO 6 MUSIC STAGE

MOGWAI | LYKKE LI

JAMES VINCENT MCMORROW | CLEAN BANDIT | THE WAR ON DRUGS

SOHN | TEMPLES | HOZIER | PARQUET COURTS | GEORGE EZRA | CONOR OBERST

 

THE i ARENA

TOM VEK| TEEN | HISS GOLDEN MESSENGER | RY X | JOHN WIZARDS | DAWES

THE ACID | MIGHTY OAKS

 

COMEDY AT LATITUDE

DARA O’BRIAIN

MILTON JONES | AL MURRAY’S SALOON SHOW | JOSH WIDDICOMBE

 MARCUS BRIGSTOCKE & ANDREW MAXWELL | TIM KEY | JOSIE LONG | KATHERINE RYAN

TREVOR NOAH | SEANN WALSH | TOMMY TIERNAN | HENNING WEHN | JEREMY HARDY

MILES JUPP | DOC BROWN | CARDINAL BURNS | THE PAJAMA MEN | SARA PASCOE | NICK HELM

FELICITY WARD | ARTHUR SMITH | GLENN WOOL | KERRY GODLIMAN | JAMES ACASTER

HANNAH GADSBY | TIFFANY STEVENSON | JARED CHRISTMAS |ROB BECKETT

ROMESH RANGANATHAN| ROISIN CONATY | JOE LYCETT | MIKE WOZNIAK

JOHN KEARNS | LIAM WILLIAMS| TOM ROSENTHAL |AISLING BEA|JOHN ROBINS |NISH KUMAR ERIC LAMPAERT | CELIA PACQUOLA | SUZI RUFFELL | JAMIE DEMETRIOU | ALFIE BROWN

BOBBY MAIR | PAT CAHILL | ANGELA BARNES| PHIL WANG |IVO GRAHAM | TANIA EDWARDS KWAME ASANTE | JOSEPH MORPURGO | HARRIET KEMSLEY| DAVID MORGAN | JONNY PELHAM DANE BAPTISTE | GABBY BEST | SARAH CALLAGHAN|CHORTLE STUDENT COMEDY AWARDS

THE SUNDAY ASSEMBLY | WITTANK | MCNEIL & PAMPHILON |CLUB SOL | MAX AND IVAN

THE NOISE NEXT DOOR | THE ONLY WAY IS DOWNTON| PAPPY'S

CARIAD LLOYD & LOUISE FORD & HOLLY BURN CHARACTER COMEDY SHOW

PLUS FURTHER HEADLINERS TO BE ANNOUNCED

 

LITERATURE

SALON LONDON PRESENTS KERRY DAYNES, JO HEMMINGS, TRISTAN GOOLEY, LLOYD BRADLEY, PROFESSOR B SAHAKIAN, DAVID SPIEGELHALTER, DAVID TONG, ART MACABRE, JULIET RUSSELL

JON RONSON | LAUREN BEUKES | PATRICK BARKHAM | ALEXANDRA HEMINSLEY | DANIEL DAVIS

RACHEL COOKE | NAOMI WOOD | VIV GROSKOP | MARK ELLEN | JP BEAN | ROYAL SECRETS

ROB EVANS | JAMES BANNON | LAURA BATES | ZOE PILGER | JOHN OSBORNE

FESTIVAL OF THE SPOKEN NERD | THE READER ORGANISATION | DYLAN’S BOOKBUS

MALCOLM GLUCK WINETASTING

 

THEATRE AND DANCE

FORCED ENTERTAINMENT | RSC | ROYAL EXCHANGE MANCHESTER

SADLER’S WELLS PRESENT  NATIONAL YOUTH DANCE COMPANY, JAMES COUSINS COMPANY, ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET

DIRTY DANCING (HIGHLIGHTS)

BATTERSEA ARTS CENTRE PRESENTS JOHN BERKAVITCH ANDWILL DICKIE

LYRIC HAMMERSMITH, GREENWICH+DOCKLANDS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL, WATFORD PALACE THEATRE ANDLATITUDE PRESENT BUCKET CLUB, LIGHT THE FUSE, FLIPPING THE BIRDAND PAGE ONE THEATRE

MARK THOMAS | LUKE JERMAY | DRYWRITE | CLEAN BREAK

FOREST FRINGE PRESENT GREG WOHEAD, LOUISE ORWIN, BRIAN LOBEL, CHRISTOPHER BRETT BAILEY, CHRIS THORPE, ABIGAIL CONWAY, SARAH JANE NORMAN, VERITY STANDEN, JAMES STENHOUSE & SAM HALMARACK, TALES OF WHATEVER

GAGGLEBABBLE | THE LETTER ROOM | FLANAGAN COLLECTIVE | AWRC | DASH ARTS

PLUS MANY MORE COMPANIES TO BE ANNOUNCED

 

ARTISTS

BOB AND ROBERTA SMITH |FILM PREVIEW: THE ART PARTY!

THE WRONG CROWD | DAVID SHILLINGLAW

 

FILM AND MUSIC

ESBEN & THE WITCH SCORE LA ANTENA

PLUS MANY MORE ARTISTS TO BE ANNOUNCED

 

POETRY ARENA

LUKE WRIGHT | LEMN SISSAY | DIZRAELI | TIM CLARE

SABRINA MAHFOUZ | HANNAH JANE WALKER | SALENA GODDEN | KATIE BONNA

REBECCA GOSS | MOLLY NAYLOR | ROSY CARRICK | JOHN OSBORNE

 HELEN MORT | ALEXIS DUBUS | THE PRAM IN THE HALL

 

CABARET/LIVE ART

DUCKIE | MISS BEHAVE’S GAMESHOW | QUEENS OF POP

MARGARET THATCHER QUEEN OF SOHO | EASTEND CABARET | OPHELIA BITZ | THE GOLDEN BOYS

PLUS MORE NAMES TO BE ANNOUNCED

 

LATE NIGHT DJ’S

GUILTY PLEASURES | BUTTONED DOWN DISCO | DISCO SHED |JESS INDEEDY

 

ACROSS THE FESTIVAL

THE LAVISH BIG SCREEN | LATE JUNCTION | THE KIDS AREA | THE INBETWEENERS TEEN AREA

The National, Mogwai, Kendrick Lamar plus more for Optimus Primavera Sound

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We are pretty excited to let our Summer Festival Guide fans know that the Optimus Primavera Sound lineup is now complete with The National, Mogwai, Kendrick Lamar, Pixies and more announced today!

Among all the confirmed names, we reinforce the presence of American band The National, the Californian rapper Kendrick Lamar and the legendary and influential Brazilian singer Caetano Veloso.

The first festival shows for newly reformed British band Slowdive, New Yorkers Television with their master piece “Marquee Moon”, Spoon’s effervescent pop, who have a new record, the third reincarnation of Slint claiming their crucial role in the appearance of slowcore and the presentation of the new record by Scottish band Mogwai are also added to this edition’s line-up.
Current names arrive at Optimus Primavera Sound to showcase their more recent work: Nicolas Jaar’s new project, Darkside, Danish artist Trentemøller, with his melancholy fusion of indie and electronica, the Haim sisters with the recently acclaimed phenomenon “Days Are Gone”, and the fiery electronica of !!! (chk chk chk) and St. Vincent with a new self-titled album that proves, once again, that there is a great gap between conventional pop and the sonic fusion created and reinvented by the New Yorker.

A true heterogenic mix of musical styles is going to invade the city of Porto: the post-rock of the Canadian band Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Charles Bradley’s soul, the intimate sound of Rodrigo Amarante, or noisy British band Loop are some of the names that compose an eclectic and varied line-up.

Also, in the national landscape, we find bands with several musical references. Lisbon band You Can’t Win Charlie Brown will come to Optimus Primavera Sound with “Diffraction/Refraction”, a more challenging and sophisticated album than “Chromatics”, where vocal harmonies and the constant dialogue between folk and electronica are deepened. Also Os Da Cidade, a band that joins António Zambujo, Ricardo Cruz, João Salcedo and Miguel Araújo Jorge, promise to reinvent some of the traditional Portuguese sounds to cover them with a personal and delicate touch. HHY & The Macumbas, a project led by Jonathan Uliel Saldanha, will take their electrifying dub rhythms to the Parque da Cidade, for an extra sensorial experience, while Torto showcase, the hungry instrumental trio, in a fusion of guitar, bass and drums invites to a bold stroll outside each person’s “comfort bubble”.

Mogwai confirmed as final headliner for Green Man 2012

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We're also thrilled to announce that Dexys, Benjamin Francis Leftwich, Lower Dens, King Charles, Cate Le Bon and more also join the bill for this year's festival!

Formed in 1995 in Glasgow, Mogwai are famed for performing lengthy instrumentals with melodic bass lines, dynamic contrasts and heavy use of distortion and effects pedals. From classic debut Mogwai Young Team to supporting the Pixies and composing the soundtrack to a film about Zinedine Zidane, this is a band that never rests on its laurels. 
 
Mogwai’s 10th album – Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will – was released last year. Their headline set (the band's only UK show this summer) is sure to bring Friday night on the Mountain Stage to a suitably epic conclusion beneath the moonlit silhouette of the Sugar Loaf.
 
PLUS! Also newly-added to the ever expanding Green Man 2012 line up are:
 
Dexys Reformed incarnation of legendary ‘80s soul pop pioneers Dexys Midnight Runners, led by the great Kevin Rowland. With a new look inspired by 1940s noir and the excellent album One Day I’m Going To Soar, which is out on Monday, is a barnstorming return to form. Mojo have given it five stars, while Uncut have said 'It might just be the best record of the year and the best of Rowland's career'. If that wasn't enough to wet your appetite, a recent string of highly anticipated live dates that also featured classic Dexys hits have been receiving rave reviews across the board including full marks from The Guardian.  
 
Benjamin Francis Leftwich The Yorkshire-born singer/songwriter’s melancholic brand of acoustic folk-pop has drawn comparisons with the likes of Jose Gonzalez and Iron & Wine. Inspired by Elliott Smith and Bruce Springsteen, he taught himself to play the guitar aged 10. He made his Green Man debut in 2011 after releasing acclaimed first album Last Smoke Before the Snowstorm.
 
Lower Dens Swarming guitar fuzz, bass waves and insistent drum throbs from the Baltimore new wave drone pop outfit, fronted by Jana Hunter. 
 
King Charles Uniquely British psych-inflected pastoral whimsy from the dandy West Londoner currently promoting debut album Loveblood.
 
Cate le Bon Beguiling Welsh songstress currently residing in Cardiff's infamous French quarter – as befits a songwriter whose music is heady and highly personal Gallic stew inspired by the likes of Nico and Pavement.  Her new album Cryk is one of the highlights of 2012 so far, marrying the playfulness of Faust and Syd Barrett with the tropical melodies of Os Mutantes. 
 
Withered Hand Heartfelt acoustic loveliness from the Fence Records endorsed quartet, led by fragile-voiced Scottish songwriter Dan Willson.
 
Paul Thomas Saunders With influences such as Joe Meek and Leonard Cohen, Paul Thomas Saunders encapsulates both the psychedelic soundscape and intellectual sentimentality that the sixties graced us with, then wraps it up in a spiralling contemporary shell.
 
Crybaby Crybaby is the alias of Bristol singer/songwriter Danny Coughlan. The ten songs which make up his self-titled debut album are beautifully crafted and imbued with a sparse, timeless clarity. Neither a note nor a word is wasted. 
 
Stuff Three piece Manchester band who describe their sound as “Yoda Rock”. Currently recording their second album in their own purpose built studio.

I’ll Be Your Mirror Festival 2012 details

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Tickets are on sale now via ATPFestival.com.

Today ATP announce some fantastic new additions to all three days of the event – highlighted by the reformation of THE MAKE-UP who play on the Sunday…

On Friday 25th May the incomparable Slayer present their classic Reign In Blood LP live in it's entirety during their headline set to celebrate it's 25th anniversary. They're joined by a diverse bill of heavy music highlighted by the legendary Sleep and Melvins, black metal heroes Wolves In The Throne Room, Oregon doom metallers Yob and we can now also announce DEATH GRIPS – one of the most acclaimed new hip hop acts of the last year and an amazing live act. Friday day tickets are available for 39 pounds.

On Saturday 26th May Mogwai will headline and curate the rest of the day's line-up – this will be their only show in England in 2012. Alongside their previously announced choices of Mudhoney, reformed slow-core group Codeine, the amazing Dirty Three, cult alt rock band Chavez, Floor (feat. members of Torche) and Balam Acab, today we can add noise rock group HARVEY MILK, the fantastic BILL WELLS & AIDAN MOFFAT who released an amazing LP in 2011, and also San Francisco's post-punk influenced THE SOFT MOON and Berlin based composer/DJ ANTONI MAIOVVI with more to be confirmed. Saturday day tickets are available for 59 pounds.

On Sunday 27th May, as well as our being headlined by the first show in 13 years from Cincinnati's rock legends The Afghan Whigs, much loved and recently reformed American indie-rock group Archers Of Loaf, San Francisco's Thee Oh Sees, the mysterious Demdike Stare, Canadian psych-folk group Siskiyou and Yuck, today we are happy to announce an exclusive reformation…

THE MAKE-UP, signed to America's legendary Dischord records and made up of ex-members of the highly influential Nation Of Ulysses, were one of the most exciting indie/post-rock groups of the 1990s, blending soul, garage rock and gospel into an incomparable mix, and through their energetic and participatory shows quickly creating a reputation as an unmissable live act. Their bio describes their shows as "characterized by the freneticism, catharsis and spirituality of what can only be described as GOSPEL MUSIC. They are a total departure from the boring pantomime of rock 'n' roll as we know it, inflicting a sublime theatre on their audience which resembles a baptism, or perhaps an orgy." The band split in 2000 after just five years and a series of much loved albums – and return at the request of ATP for I'll Be Your Mirror London as a UK exclusive.

Another recently reformed group will also play the Sunday – led by the legendary Kool Keith and hailing from New York City's Bronx, ULTRAMAGNETIC MCs will play a rare UK exclusive show at this event playing from their classic LPs including 1988's amazing Critical Beatdown. Also added to the Sunday are cult UK producer FOREST SWORDS, California's SLEEPY SUN who return with their third album this Spring, Denver indie pop group TENNIS, and alt-folk duo TALL FIRS, with more to be confirmed.

Here is the current run-down of the line-up with far more to be confirmed, see below for more details on the event…

 

Friday 25th May – curated by ATP

SLAYER performing Reign In Blood
SLEEP
MELVINS
WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM
YOB
DEATH GRIPS

Saturday 26th May – curated by Mogwai

MOGWAI
DIRTY THREE
CODEINE
MUDHONEY
CHAVEZ
BILL WELLS & AIDAN MOFFAT
HARVEY MILK
FLOOR
THE SOFT MOON
BALAM ACAB
ANTONI MAIOVVI

+ more tbc

Sunday 27th May – curated by ATP

THE AFGHAN WHIGS
ULTRAMAGNETIC MCs
THE MAKE-UP
ARCHERS OF LOAF
THEE OH SEES
YUCK
SLEEPY SUN
TENNIS
TALL FIRS
FOREST SWORDS
DEMDIKE STARE
SISKIYOU

+ more tbc

First acts announced for OFF Festival

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OFF Festival is a way of life, one that flies in the face of current trends and stays true to itself, and the ethos of organiser Artur Rojek is firmly aimed at supporting art and music with the festival bringing many acts to Poland for the first time.
 
Growing in prominence year on year with this years event promising one of the strongest line-ups to date in line with Rojek’s forward-thinking, eclectic music policy. From the greatest alternative music stars from around the world to the increasingly strong Polish scene, OFF festival has inspiring music in abundance. This year’s edition will showcase over one hundred acts across four stages.
 
primal screamAmongst the first acts to be announced are; Primal Scream playing “Screamadelica”, Gang Of Four, Mogwai, Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Deerhoof, Low, Liars, Actress, Meshuggah, Kury playing “P.O.L.O.V.I.R.U.S.”, Czeslaw Spiewa Tesco Value, Abradab plays Kaliber 44, Lech Janerka, Bielizna plays Taniec lekkich goryli, L.Stadt, Omar Souleyman, Junior Boys, Kode9 & The Spaceape, Warpaint, Glasser, Xiu Xiu, Destroyer, Neon Indian, Ringo Deathstarr, Oneohtrix Point Never, Factory Floor, Twin Shadow, Matthew Dear, Male Bonding, Igor Boxx, Olivia Anna Livki, DVA, Liturgy, GaBLé and Barn Owl. Plus a special opening show with Current 93 + guest.
 
Artur Rojek likes to share his music.
Back in the day, before he became a celebrated music star of his own right, he would simply play his favourite records for his friends, or make them tapes, forcing them to listen to his latest discoveries. He went on to become one of the best-selling Polish artists of all time, regularly playing tracks that he found fascinating or had caught his attention on the radio. And he still does actually… But back in 2005 Rojek found a new, all-encompassing way to share good music with others. The perfect way to experience this music together with others and to share the emotions carried by the sound. And so it was that OFF Festival was created.
 
A true paradise for fans of great music.
Last year marked the 5th anniversary of Artur Rojek’s loud brainchild and an exciting development for the festival as it moved from it’s former home, the Skupna Water Park in Myslowice to a brand new location at Dolina Trzech Stawow, which translates to ‘Three Lake Valley’, in Katowice – a beautiful green oasis in the heart of industrial Silesia.
Over the years, the OFF Festival has amassed its own demanding yet appreciative audience as well as a well deserved reputation in Poland and abroad. Not without reason has it been said and written that OFF is the best alternative festival in this part of Europe and the only place east of Berlin where one can catch a glimpse of the boldest and electic acts on stages worldwide. This year, over 15,000 music fans are expected to flock to Three Lake Valley to witness Artur Rojek’s musical vision come to fruition once again.
 
More than just music
OFF Festival is about more than just music. It also features a number of accompanying events: film, art, performance and poetry. It’s also an event which keeps the environment in mind – all food and drinks come in environmentally-friendly packaging and there is a big emphasis on recycling. It’s a completely safe place, an event where diverse tastes and appearances are welcomed and where everyone is the same because everyone is different.
 
Tickets
3-DAY PASS*
* Allows entrance to all concerts taking place between the 5th and 7th of August in the area of Dolina Trzech Stawów (gate opens at 13:00)
35 EUR (45 EUR with camping included) – until April 30th
40 EUR (50 EUR with camping included) – May 1st until June 30th
45 EUR (55 EUR with camping included) – July 1st until August 4th
50 EUR – August 5th, on location

ONE DAY TICKET*?
*Allows entry to the concerts taking place in one chosen day of the festival
August 4th – Special opening show with Current 93 + guest (gate opens at 18:00)?22 EUR – pre-sale until August 3rd ?27 EUR – August 4th, on location
August 5th or 6th or 7th – Three Ponds Valley (gate opens at 13:00)?25 EUR – pre sale until August 4th?35 EUR– during the festival

CAMPING TICKETS?
Please note that camping (Festival Village) will not be sold this year separately – unless there is space available when the festival starts.?17 EUR – August 5th or 6th or 7th
buy tickets from:
http://www.seetickets.com/Event/OFF-FESTIVAL/Dolina-Trzech-Stawow/553022
www.ticketpro.pl
?www.eventim.pl
?www.ticketportal.pl

 
Travel and accommodation
There are regular cheap flights to from the UK and Europe to Katowice with Wizz Air, Ryan Air, Lufthansa and KLM.
Arriving at Katowice/Pyrzowice airport – take the bus marked “Lotnisko” to the Katowice train station (Dworzec PKP) and then transfer to one of the below lines.
Buses from Katowice train station (Dworzec PKP):
– to the Muchowiec airport (OFF Festival grounds) – lines 0 and 50.
– to the Trzy Stawy bus stop (shopping center, 500 meters from the
festival grounds) – lines 10, 110, 672, 674, and 910.
Katowice has a broad range of accommodation, from cheap hostels to luxury hotels, but you can also live the festival life 24 hours a day at the OFF Festival Village, providing you with a place to stay, take care of sanitary needs, and grab a bite to eat. The Festival Village at OFF Festival Katowice 2010 will open August 5 at noon, and close on August 9 at 3:00 pm. A stay at the Festival Village costs 4 € (16 PLN) per person, per day.
More information on all the travel and accommodation is available on the festival website
 
OFF Festival online
http://www.off-festival.pl

Kanye West, Lykke Li and more for Flow Festival 2011

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The eight edition of the festival sees the festival site expanding thanks to the new Kayam tent stage. The three-day Flow tickets will go on sale on April 11 at Tiketti outlets.

kanye westThe diverse cast of Flow artists thus far includes Kanye West, the king of new pop music, whose recent album “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy ranks among the most celebrated of the past couple of years.Q-Tip, the legendary MC from the pioneering hiphop group A Tribe Called Quest, makes his first appearance in Finland, the Swedish songstress Lykke Li showcases material from her career-boosting new album “Wounded Rhymes”, and the “Nordic Daft Punk”, Röyksopp, display their party-starting electro akin to last year’s successful release “Senior”.

Other Flow acts include post rock heroes Mogwai, sporting an audivisual stage spectacle, Iron & Wine, one of the most original acts in the contemporary folk/indie scene, futuristic pop wunderkind James Blake, and Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, authors of the Year’s Best list topping album “Before Today”.

The new wave of indie rock is well represented at Flow by the likes of The Pains of Being Pure at Heart,Midlake, Warpaint, Twin Shadow, The Dø and Destroyer. Janelle Monáe, Mayer Hawthorne & The County and The Budos Band keep the Afro-American musical tradition well in place, whereas Sly & Robbie with Junior Reid are one of the most legendary reggae combos around. The traditionally strong club lineup at Flow this year includes Matthew Dear, Hercules & Love Affair, Tensnake, Joy Orbison,Martyn, and Oni Ayhun, among others.

Finnish Flow acts include soul sensation Jo Stance, upcoming indie rock outfit French Films, electropop prospects Shine 2009, the internationally noted band Rubik, and solid Finnish jazz combo Jukka Eskola Quintet, debuting their expanded stage setup with strings. Teeth aka Matti Pentikäinen, gaining fast momentum in the UK club scene performs at the festival and has also composed the Flow Festival theme heard at radio spots.

The atmospheric Flow Festival area expands significantly with the new 5000 capacity Nokia Blue Tent. The total capacity of visitors, however, grows only slightly in order to make the Flow experience even more pleasant for the visitors. Another addition to the venues at Flow will be the centre for new circus hosting the experimental music bill to be announced later.

Flow Festival three-day tickets will go on sale on Monday 11 April at 9 am (GMT +2) at Tiketti outlets. More acts will be released in May, as will the tickets for individual days and two-day combinations.