Cypress Hill to headline NASS 2014

CYPRESS HILL! That's right!!! We've got the CYPRESS HILL taking on the Main Stage at NASS. It's their ONLY show in the UK in 2014, so if you want to see the gods of hip hop performing live, better buy your tickets now and get your asses down to the Showground in July. KEEEEEN!

You're insane in the brain if you thought for a second we'd miss out some D+B big dogs in the first announcement, NETSKY LIVE – with his entire live band – and NOISIA are both in.

We've also got… MISTAJAM, KREPT & KONAN, DJ EZ, BLACK SUN EMPIRE, TC, HANNAH WANTS, MY NU LENG and NICKY BLACKMARKET confirmed!

That's just the first announcement for NASS 2014, and there's a ton more on the way.

Arctic Monkeys to headline Reading and Leeds Festivala

It’s shaping up to be a big summer for Reading & Leeds Festivals. Having already announced headliners Blink-182 in their only UK shows of 2014, as well as Jake BuggDisclosureMetronomyOf Mice & MenWilkinson and I Am Legion, even more names have now been revealed! Just announced to join the line-up are headliners Arctic Monkeys with an exclusive Festival headline set in England and WalesCourteeners, The 1975, You Me At Six, SBTRKT, Warpaint, Netsky, Annie Mac, Royal BloodHozier,ArchitectsIssues, Pusha Tand Krept & Konanacross the weekend.
 
Reading & Leeds are thrilled to welcome global superstars and bonafide rock heroes Arctic Monkeys back to headline the Festivals this summer. Nominated for ‘Best British Band’ at the upcoming BRIT Awards and ‘Best Live Band’ at the NME Awards, they need no introduction to the Reading & Leeds audience. First performing on one of the smaller stages in 2005 prior to the release of their debut album ‘Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not’, they took their rightful place on the Main Stage in 2006, returning to headline the Festivals with an electrifying set in 2009. Voted as NME’s ‘Album of The Year’ in 2013, ‘AM’ saw the band return more confident than ever, with hits including debut single and instant classic ‘Do I Wanna Know?’, ‘Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High’ and ‘R U Mine?’. One if the most important bands of our time, and with Zane Lowe citing the band as ‘the last defining moment in rock and roll’, this summer the Arctic Monkeys return to Reading & Leeds for an unmissable exclusive Festival headline set in England and Wales.
 
Arctic Monkeys
 
Speaking to NME about Reading & Leeds, Matt Helders said: “We’ve got a lot of history with the festival. It’s the first festival I ever went to – we all went together as kids, with Nick as well. We were 15 or 16 and it was a big deal going to a festival like that on your own”.
 
After announcing a brief hiatus back in December, Manchester’s Courteeners will be heading to this year’s Reading & Leeds for an exclusive festival performance in England and Wales. Having first burst onto the scene with 2007’s ‘St Jude’, last year saw the band release their third Top Ten album ‘ANNA’ to their devoted throng of fans, as well as selling over 100,000 tickets. Their Reading & Leeds performances in 2009 and 2012 were highlights, with the crowd going mad for hits including ‘Not Nineteen Forever’ and ‘Lose Control’, and festival goers can expect even more from their sets this year.
 
One of the breakout acts of 2013, The 1975 will return to this year's Reading & Leeds Festivals. Following their huge success last year with a string of hits – ‘Chocolate’ voted ‘Number One Hottest Record of 2013’ by BBC Radio 1 listeners, ‘The City’, ‘Sex’ and ‘Girls’ – and a Number One debut album, the band are set to continue their ascendancy throughout 2014. Having sold out every UK gig put on sale to date, The 1975 will be a firm favourite on the bill this summer. 
 
The band comment: "We grew up going to Reading & Leeds Festival. It's so humbling knowing we are going to play such a prestigious slot there this year. Cannot wait!"
 
With their incredible newly released fourth album ‘Cavalier Youth’, Surrey born rock quintet and Reading & Leeds veterans You Me At Sixhave catapulted in at Number One in the UK Album Charts this week. It would be no exaggeration to state that the band has done some growing up at Reading & Leeds over the years. 2014 marks their fourth appearance at Reading & Leeds, and this year their show will be anexclusive festival appearance in England and Wales. With three gold records full of undeniable anthems in tow, the UK's brightest young rock band may well make this their year.
 
SBTRKT is an alias used to support the concept of anonymity and has explained that he would prefer the music to speak for itself. To further support his anonymity, SBTRKT wears modern interpretations of native society ceremonial masks designed by Hidden Place. His music pulls off a series of impressive feats: it's bursting with fresh ideas, and yet sounds immediately familiar. Its influences are incorporated with subtlety and sophistication: dense enough to interpret, light enough to dance to. 
 
From their much-loved 2010 debut ‘The Fool’ through to their recently released Top Ten self-titled full length, produced by Flood and mixed by Nigel Godrich, female quartet Warpaint have positioned themselves as one of the most highly regarded indie-rock bands on the planet. The LA group create a deeply personal and ambitious mix of reverb-soaked pop and shimmering post-punk that makes them a truly exciting live prospect, a perfect addition for the Reading & Leeds audiences. 
 
One of the hottest acts in electronic music today, Belgian super producer and DJ Netsky brings his blend of uplifting melodies and potent dancefloor beats to the Festivals this summer. Netsky has risen through the ranks of drum & bass at a stratospheric pace, with his second full length record reaching No.24 in the UK Albums Chart in 2012 and a third highly anticipated album due out later this year.  Don’t miss the chance to see him transform Reading & Leeds into a rave with his summer-and-festival-ready tracks this August bank holiday weekend as he headlines the Dance Stage.
 
Netsky
 
One of the most in-demand DJ’s currently on the festival and club circuit, BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac is a globally renowned name in the world of dance music. With her finger held firmly on the pulse she is a genuine champion of true underground electronic music and her Friday night BBC Radio 1 show is a testament to that. Annie is a welcome addition to the Dance line-up at Reading & Leeds Festivals; she is sure to play to packed out crowds and will no doubt be one of the highlights of the weekend!
 
Annie adds: “Reading & Leeds Festival is close to my heart and I went religiously back before I was a DJ.  It's been a dream to play there and I'm really looking forward to it.”
 
Brighton duo Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher make up the two halves of Royal Blood. Despite their minimal line-up of drums, bass and vocals the pair create melodic, riff-heavy power rock that has, since their recent 2013 inception, seen them championed by the likes of BBC Radio 1 & included in the BBC Sound of 2014 longlist. Expect this to be one of the most anticipated sets of the weekend.
 
Hozier was raised on the building blocks of popular music: rhythm and blues, soul, jazz and the deep dark stuff stretching from Chicago to the Delta. He joined his first band when he was 15 years old, fronting a soul band with some older heads. Having taught himself to play guitar and piano, he went to Trinity College to study music, but dropped out to concentrate his talents on the creative process full time. Hozier would go on to forge a musical identity he could call his own. A place where Stevie Wonder and Billie Holiday are revered alongside James Joyce and Oscar Wilde. Singer of songs, teller of tales, Hozier’s new EP is expected this spring. It all begins here.
 
Having recently announced that Daniel P Carter, host of BBC Radio 1’s Rock Show, will curate the dedicated rock stage in 2014, fans were given the chance to make Reading & Leeds history by suggesting a new name for this stage. Three fan nominated names made the shortlist – The Pit, The Lockdown and The Meltdown Stage, in addition to Daniel’s suggestion The Riff Haus and headliners Of Mice & Men’s The Hyphy Stage. With over 5000 votes cast, the winning name chosen by you is The Pit. Congratulations to the winners who were the first to submit the name, who will not only receive VIP upgrades for themselves and a friend, but will also get amazing side of stage access to watch a band on their newly named stage! 
 
Reading & Leeds are proud to welcome Brighton metalcore titans Architects to The Pit and back to the Festivals this summer. Following their signing to Epitaph, the band release their hotly anticipated sixth full-length album ‘Lost Forever // Lost Together’ this March, and will bring their ferocious vocals and complex guitar riffs to Reading & Leeds for one of the most exciting sets of the weekend.
 
Lead vocalist of Architects, Sam Carter, says: "We’re delighted to be playing Reading & Leeds again this year! Reading festival was a huge part of our musical upbringing and it was the first festival that any of us attended. It’s an honour to be part of such a huge and prestigious festival – August can’t come soon enough!"
 
Rise Records six-piece Issues will this year make their inaugural trip to Reading & Leeds. Fusing crushing metal with pop sensibilities, the band release their self-titled debut album later this month and are a truly exciting addition to the Reading & Leeds line-up.
 
Rising to prominence as one-half of preeminent hip-hop duo Clipse, GOOD Music signee Pusha T has carved a rap career all of his own. Following his astounding appearances alongside mentor Kanye West on 2012’s label record ‘Cruel Summer’, 2013 saw the ferocious Virginia MC destroy the competition with the release of his long-awaited solo album. With the release of singles ‘Nosetalgia’ featuring Kendrick Lamar and 'Numbers on the Board', Pusha T has placed himself at the forefront of real hip-hop and this summer will bring his uniquely tense delivery to Reading & Leeds. 
 
Championed by BBC Radio 1Xtra, MOBO award winning South London MC’s Krept & Konan have been making waves on the UK rap scene. Turning heads last year when their ‘Young Kingz’ mixtape entered the UK Top 20 independently with only limited promotion, the duo have been giving established commercial acts a run for their money. Be sure to catch their uniquely evocative brand of hip-hop at the Festivals.

Ultra Music Festival 2014 announce first phase lineup

Ultra Music Festival
Rounding off what has been a hugely successful year for Ultra Music Festival, one that saw it roll out a memorable double weekender for its fifteenth anniversary in Miami, international editions in Argentina, Chile, Ibiza, Korea and Croatia, and announce new Ultra destinations in South Africa and Japan for 2014, focus for now turns to the prized flagship!
 
ABOVE & BEYOND, AFROJACK, ALESSO, ARMIN VAN BUUREN, AVICII, CARL COX, CIREZ D, DAVID GUETTA, DIPLO, HARDWELL, KASKADE, KREWELLA, LOCO DICE, LUCIANO, MARCO CAROLA, NEW WORLD PUNX, NICKY ROMERO, SOLOMUN, STEVE ANGELLO, TIËSTO and ZEDD are just some of the incredible headline acts that will lead the annual pilgrimage to Bayfront Park, downtown Miami, as Ultra continues to demonstrate its commitment to delivering the very biggest DJs combined with the most technically advanced stage production.
 
Tiesto @ Ultra Music Festival 2014
 
Gracing the mighty LIVE stage, which gets upgraded focus from the Miami juggernaut every year, will be front runners including 2 MANY DJS LIVE, BASEMENT JAXX LIVE, CHASE AND STATUS, CUT/COPY, DIZZEE RASCAL, EMPIRE OF THE SUN, ERIC PRYDZ PRESENTS ‘HOLO,’ EXAMPLE, GESAFFELSTEIN LIVE, THE GLITCH MOB, MGMT, M.I.A., NETSKY LIVE, PAUL KALKBRENNER, PUSHA T, TRENTEMØLLER and SUB FOCUS LIVE.
 
Empire of the Sun @ Ultra Music Festival 2014
 
In a bid to ensure the freshest, most original lineup to date, over 40 acts from the phase one billing are those making their highly anticipated Ultra debut appearances! DJ headliners descending upon Ultra’s unique ocean front location for the first time ever will be NEW WORLD PUNX and SOLOMUN, as well as a large proportion of the LIVE headline billing such as BASEMENT JAXX LIVE, DIZZEE RASCAL, ERIC PRYDZ PRESENTS ‘HOLO,’ EXAMPLE, GESAFFELSTEIN LIVE, MGMT, M.I.A., MONIKA KRUSE, PAUL KALKBRENNER and PUSHA T. Support debut acts include 3LAU, ADRIATIQUE, ANDREW RAYEL, BEEN TRILL, BLASTERJAXX, BLOND:ISH, CYRIL HAHN, DJ SNAKE, GAIA, GOLDROOM, GTA, H.O.S.H, ISAAC TICHAUER, JONAS RATHSMAN, JUST BLAZE, MARTIN GARRIX, I SEE MONSTAS, MOON BOOTS, OLIVER, PERSEUS, ØRJAN NILSEN, RAC, RIFF RAFF, TALE OF US, TJR, TOURIST, WACKA FLACKA and ZOMBOY.
 
As ever, Ultra favourite CARL COX will return to the Ultra Megastructure once again, where the lord of techno will celebrate the 10th anniversary of his legendary CARL COX & FRIENDS ARENA.  Trance superstarARMIN VAN BUUREN meanwhile, will be hosting his inimitable A STATE OF TRANCE 650 NEW HORIZONS STAGE. Further details on each of these and more will be revealed in the coming weeks.
 
Carl Cox @ Ultra Music Festival 2014
 
Whilst VIP tickets have now completely SOLD OUT, limited GA tickets for the event are still on sale from $399.95. Each ticketholder will not only get all the same incredible performances, world-class production and electric atmosphere that Ultra delivers each year, but also ‘A New Level’ and ‘A New Experience’ that will make 2014’s festival the most impressive and enjoyable experience to date.
 
For up-to-the-minute information, stay connected to the official Ultra Music Festival Website, Facebook, Instagramand Twitter pages.
 
PHASE 1
 
DJ HEADLINERS
ABOVE & BEYOND
AFROJACK
ALESSO
ARMIN VAN BUUREN
AVICII
CARL COX
CIREZ D
DAVID GUETTA
DIPLO
HARDWELL
KASKADE
KREWELLA
LOCO DICE
LUCIANO
MARCO CAROLA
NEW WORLD PUNX
NICKY ROMERO
SOLOMUN
STEVE ANGELLO
TIËSTO
ZEDD
 
LIVE HEADLINERS
2MANYDJS LIVE
BASEMENT JAXX LIVE
CHASE AND STATUS
CUT/COPY
DIZZEE RASCAL
EMPIRE OF THE SUN
ERIC PRYDZ PRESENTS HOLO
EXAMPLE
GESAFFELSTEIN LIVE
THE GLITCH MOB
MGMT
M.I.A.
NETSKY LIVE
PAUL KALKBRENNER
PUSHA T
TRENTEMØLLER
SUB FOCUS LIVE
 
SUPPORT
12TH PLANET
3LAU
ADRIATIQUE
ADVENTURE CLUB
ANDY C
ANDREW RAYEL
ART DEPARTMENT
BABY ANNE
BEEN TRILL
BLASTERJAXX
BLOND:ISH
BORGORE
CAJMERE
CARNAGE
CAZZETTE
CLAUDE VONSTROKE
CYRIL HAHN
DAMIAN LAZARUS
DANNY AVILA
DATSIK
DILLON FRANCIS
DJ ICEY
DJ SNAKE
DUBFIRE
FLOSSTRADAMUS
FUR COAT
GAIA
GARETH EMERY
GOLDROOM
GTA
H.O.S.H
ISAAC TICHAUER
J.PHLIP
JAMIE JONES
JON RUNDELL
JONAS RATHSMAN
JUST BLAZE
JUSTIN MARTIN
KILL THE NOISE
LEE BURRIDGE
LEE FOSS
MACEO PLEX
MARTIN GARRIX
MONIKA KRUSE
I SEE MONSTAS
MOON BOOTS
NERVO
NIC FANCIULLI
OLIVER
PAUL VAN DYK
PERSEUS
PETE TONG
ØRJAN NILSEN
RAC
RIFF RAFF
RIOTGEAR
SANDER VAN DOORN
SHOWTEK
SOUL CLAP
STANTON WARRIORS
SUNNERY JAMES & RYAN MARCIANO
TALE OF US
TJR
TOURIST
UMEK
W&W
WAKA FLOCKA
ZOMBOY 

Global Gathering reveal brand new Main Stage setup

2013 has been an unprecedented year for GlobalGathering with a bigger, better and bassier lineup of world-class artists, production concepts and more tickets sold than ever before!

This year at Global we’ve overhauled the site at Long Marston Airfield to create the ultimate immersive EDM experience. 2013 sees the unveiling of an all new Main Stage arena stripped down and supped up by production supremos 250K. With one of the biggest Main Stage line-up’s at any UK festival this summer including performances from Plan B, Example, Nero, Disclosure, Annie Mac, Katy B, Rudimental, Netsky and Modestep this is sure to be a truly unforgettable experience for all our GlobalGatherers.

Plan B

In true GlobalGathering style we didn’t stop there and we’ve commissioned three further 250K arena overhauls including our brand new Global Freight Depot, soon to be the warehouse style home of both the Toolroom and Born Electric stage across the weekend. This year on Friday 26th July the Born Electric arena will host a stellar roster of acts including James Zabiela, Eats Everything, Dusky, George Fitzgerald, Spectrasoul and Pedestrian. The Global Freight Depot will then transform into our Toolroom 10 arena featuring Mark Knight, MK, Doorly, Mihalis Safaras, Rene Amesz, Prok & Fitch, Filthy Rich and Matt Small Wood. Click here for more info.

If that wasn’t enough, team Global have uncovered an exciting new stage addition: The Bunker. Our secluded, subterranean space long forgotten and unseen arena hidden in the depths of Long Marston Airfield. The never-before-seen arena, The Bunker, will be christened by an incredible mix of up-and-coming, fresh new talent including Last Night In Paris, Dubvision, Alex Niggemann, Tripmastaz, Kidnap Kid, Ozzie, Etherwood, Hauswerks, Stooki Sound, Knox Brown and so many more across the weekend.

This year Long Marston is primed for a very special arrival. The UK debut of the Godskitchen Fusion Cube. Never before unveiled on British soil the Fusion Cube is an awe-inspiring aural feast dripping with over 130 lighting fixtures, 460 metres of LED strips and 150M2 of LED screens. Not to mention sets from Dash Berlin, Markus Schulz, Ferry Corsten, John O’Callaghan, Orjan Nilsen, Aly & Fila, Cosmic Gate, Richard Durand, Simon Patterson, Tenishia, many, many more and last but not least, special guests Infected Mushroom and Paul Oakenfold.

Not only is GlobalGathering bringing some of the most cutting edge music arenas to site in 2013, we’re also providing some great new chill out areas for some much needed downtime between dancing. We’re delighted to announce the Container Compound: with the perfect place to grab a drink, refuel, meet up with friends and recharge for more raving. Click here for a sneaky peak.

These unprecedented production innovations will come together to create an awe inspiring atmosphere comfirming GlobalGathering’s place as the UK’s Best Dance Event. Don’t say we didn’t warn ya!

Rockness announce Plan B as headliner + Temper Trap and more

First up, one of the most important British artists of his generation, PLAN B is heading to Dores for what will be an explosive headline performance. Steadfastly refusing to be pigeonholed, PLAN B is a bonafide 21st century original.  From the critically acclaimed debut album Who Needs Actions When You Got Word, the oozing-with-soul breakthrough The Defamation of Strickland Banks, to last year’s soundtrack and film of the same name Ill Manors, PLAN B’s powerful and totally unique social commentary and musical narrative marks his return to RockNess as unmissable.

Plan B

Following a tour of sold out headline shows across the globe in 2012, Australian indie rockers THE TEMPER TRAP will play RockNess as part of only a handful of festivals this year. Meticulous arrangements and unashamedly catchy tracks highlight why they closed the year supporting Coldplay and are destined for greatness in 2013.

Notable for their fusion of styles, irony-laden lyrics, humorous personas and outrageous live performances, RockNess is delighted to welcome back ALABAMA 3. Get set for another tasty serving of psychedelic, technobilly rave ‘n’ roll underpinned with quality songwriting and accomplished playing.

Never limited solely to the dancefloor, JORIS VOORN creates soundscapes as much for the listener as for those seeking a full on club experience. As a DJ and live performer VOORN has joined an elite group of international DJs with global appeal. As a producer his work straddles the spectrum of electronica from atmospheric interludes to broken beats, house to deep soulful techno, the results of which can be found in the possession of Carl Craig, Laurent Garnier, Pete Tong and Sven Vath amongst many others.

LEN FAKI exploded into earspaces with his masterful Rainbow Delta / Mekong Delta EP, a perfectly wrought piece of ‘big’ techno with an unmistakable voice. FAKI has retained this unique voice ever since at both the packed out gigs he plays as well as across the management of two highly acclaimed techno labels Len Series and Podium.

CARL CRAIG is one of the most important names in the Detroit second generation of techno producers and DJs, with a formidable output inspired by the genres of jazz and soul.  His unique style, along with the reputation of his Planet E Communications label which serves as a vanguard for the art of techno, has played a pivotal role in sparking a new movement of electronic music and generating a die hard fanbase across the world.

A critically and commercially acclaimed, Grammy nominated producer, the UK’s NIC FANCIULLI has worked with artists as diverse as Kylie Minogue, Underworld, U.N.K.L.E., Tracy Thorn and JOSH WINK (also announced for RockNess 13). Responsible for a sleek, intelligent yet driving strain of house and techno, FANCIULLI’s own Saved Records has become an important purveyor of the electronic discipline.

Arguably the hottest property on Hospital Records, the UK’s most prolific drum and bass label,NETSKY burst on to the scene in 2009 with his eponymous debut album of liquid funk.  Pretension-free and mainstream-appealing, the Belgian’s follow up is a 15-track shot in the arm laden with trademark hooks and creative flair. No surprise his remixing magic is in high demand too, including for RockNess artists PLAN B, MADEON and SKREAM. Check out NETSKY LIVE! this June at the festival.

Netsky

THE FUTUREHEADS are true innovators, completely distinctive and occasionally mad. What other band could follow a four album-strong repertoire of exhilarating post punk garage rock with a wonderfully wacky collection of acapella songs spanning the likes of Kelis, Sparks and The Black Eyed Peas, as they have on recent fifth album Rant. This is what continues to set THE FUTUREHEADS apart and why their RockNess appearance is much anticipated.

London’s MARK HENNING has risen up as one of the international underground’s leading players and is signed to Glasgow’s SOMA RECORDS. Inspired by a diverse breadth of music from Dinosaur Jr to Dan Bell, HENNING’s sound sits somewhere between house and techno with futuristic bleeps, outright funk, darkness, deepness and straight up grooves.   

An artist’s artist, ALEX METRIC started out as a nuskoolbreaks producer, succeeding this with numerous awards, highly successful collaborations and a Radio 1 show. His remixing magic has been applied to the work of many high profile bands including U2, Depeche Mode, Gorillaz and La Roux, and more recently METRIC, along with Steve Angello collaborated with Ian Brown. A favourite at clubs and festivals around the world, we are very pleased to welcome ALEX METRIC.

Keeping on the new, fresh trance direction of this year’s RockNess, MAT ZO brings an experimental tour de force to his sets which are fast gaining repute to all who behold. Hailed as ‘one to watch’ by the mighty ABOVE & BEYOND, MAT ZO’s Radio 1 Essential Mix sessions give an insight to the tasty treats lined up for June.   

Bristol Drum & Bass composer REDLIGHT is another exciting new addition to this year’s proposition. With a number of dancefloor destroyers to his credit, as well as collaborations with Chase & Status, Ms Dynamite and Ceelo Green executed to devastating effect, the sound of the REDLIGHT imprint is spreading fast.  

Joining this array of quality is young Russian maverick PROXY. Signed to Tiga’s Turbo Recordings,PROXY produces massive techno with an unmistakable Russian industrial aura. Check out the huge blistering kick of ‘Vibrate’ and ‘Raven’ to hear what he is capable of.

Soma’s HARVEY MCKAY has emerged from Glasgow’s underground scene to become one of the hottest electronic prospects around, with a reputation for one-off originals, killer remixes, deep driving house and powerful techno always with a dark energetic signature party mood. Slam, Adam Beyer, Green Velvet and Luke Slater are fans of HARVEY MCKAY, and his set is highly recommended.

Rounding off this latest RockNess slam dunk, ANIMAL FARM aka Daren Quail, Chris Lamb and Charles Turtle, return to the festival to deliver more outstanding underground techno party vibes for which they are renowned. These are exciting times for ANIMAL FARM with a new eponymous label soon to be launched, releasing the debut from producer Bleak.

Speaking about programming this year’s Arcadia Afterburner, SOMA RECORDS boss Dave Clarke said “We always look forward to inviting DJs to RockNess. It’s the best boutique festival in the UK. Set in beautiful surroundings and attracting a great audience of fun loving music fans who like to dance!”  

Red Bull Studios takeover at RockNess

On Sunday 9 June, London’s Red Bull Studios will be travelling up north to Scotland where they will be taking over a stage at the eponymous RockNess festival, Loch Ness, Scotland. Featuring some of the hottest talent from the electronic scene as well as Red Bull Studios regulars – many of whom take to the RockNess stage for the first time.

The Red Bull Studios takeover stage features an array of exciting talent from the world of electronic music, with veteran German house duo Booka Shade headlining, with support from Belgian drum’n’bass pioneer and Hospital Records stalwart Netsky, Radio 1s mixtape educator Jaguar Skills, plus Russian bass moulder Proxy and nu-garage upstart Friend Within.  In addition, the stage will host very special guest appearances from Red Bull Studios regulars Bobby Tank and Karma Kid both of whom have recently swung by to record sessions for the Introducing series. 

Netsky

Bobby Tank says: “It’s amazing to be given the opportunity to play alongside huge artists like Netsky and Booka Shade. I can’t wait to get up to Scotland again – the crowds really go in”.

Kicking off proceedings for the day will be a very special set from RockNess DJ Competition winner Aaron Russell (https://soundcloud.com/aaronrussell-1/aaron_russell_ness_jam_2013) who will perform the first set of the day having been chosen from 100s of hopefuls by festival director Jim King and Soma Records boss Dave Clarke. The prize also includes VIP tickets to the festival and entry for a five-friend entourage

Festival director Jim King commented: “The quality of entries was really high, Dave and I have loved listening to all of the mixes. Aaron truly stood out as a DJ who can get the crowds going in true RockNess style, I can’t wait to see Aaron playing his eclectic mix of underground house, live.”

Red Bull Studios are giving away a pair tickets plus travel to the iconic RockNess Festival, head to www.redbullstudios.com/london for your chance to win. Head to the site to check out mixes from last year’s Red Bull Studios stage at RockNess from the likes of Mystery Jets, Olugbenaa (Metronomy), Eats Everything and Auntie Flo & Esa.

Red Bull Studios takeover stage line up:

BOOKA SHADE // Netsky Live! // Jaguar Skills // Proxy // Bobby Tank // Karma Kid // Friend Within // Aaron Russell

GlobalGathering 2013 lineup announced

With live headline shows from artists including Plan B, Example, Disclosure and special guest Rita Ora, sets from the World’s top DJ’s including Jamie Jones, Nicky Romero and Annie Mac, a brand new arena from BBC Radio 1Xtra, the welcome return of the likes of Carl Cox and UKF as arena hosts, plus major new production and site development, the organisers have put together a weekend of incredible music and an amazing overall festival experience.

We’re building on 2011’s redefining event and 2012’s bumper weekend of unrivalled partying, sunshine and beats, and continuing to set standards for UK dance festivals in 2013.

Plan BNot only are we widening the diversity of music on offer to ensure every electronic music fan’s taste is catered for, we’re elevating the new generation of headliners bringing together some of the world’s biggest superstars with critically acclaimed underground talent for you to discover in 2013. With two additional arenas yet to be announced and further investment on production inspired by our global travels, we’ve ensured we’ll give our crowds the best overall experience at any UK festival this summer.

This year, the most explosive outdoor stage at any major UK festival returns with headline performances from two London-born artists who’ve risen up the ranks from their underground beginnings. The man with more strings to his bow than the London Symphony Orchestra – Plan B, will showcase both sides of his persona when he brings the soulfully bitter-sweet story of Strickland Banks to life alongside the brutally honest hip-hop journey of Ill Manors.

His fellow Londoner and Main Stage headliner Example jumps straight to the top of the Global food chain in his debut performance at the festival. The crowds should expect nothing short of the most euphoric house beats and uplifting electro vibes, along with bassier elements of dubstep and hip-hop in the live show from the man who brought us the massive number one singles Changed the Way You Kissed Me and Stay Awake. Recent hits from his newest album The Evolution of Man will be joined by the classics Kickstarts, Watch the Sun Come Up and Won’t Go Quietly – all tunes that have firmly cemented their place in the collective psyche of the dance music masses.

Example said: “I've always wanted to play GlobalGathering – my music mates have told me all about the mental crowds and atmosphere. To be making my Global debut headlining the main stage is huge for me. I'll be bringing extra fire and lasers don't you worry!”

ExampleTwo chart storming titans of UK electronic music will bring their live shows to the Main Stage for the first time this year. First up are the UK’s hottest new EDM duo, Disclosure, whose most recent single White Noise with AlunaGeorge made it to number 2 in the official charts and who were included in the Hot Ten For 2013 by BBC Radio 1Xtra. DnB quartet Rudimental, whose number 1 smasher Feel the Love was one of the tunes of summer 2012 and was followed up by the anthemic Not Giving In ft Alex Clare, also play the Main Stage having graduated from their appearance on the smaller outdoor stage in 2012.

The crowds can expect UK garage, dubstep and R&B sounds from South London songstress Katy B in her Main Stage debut, following on from her appearance on the FWD Rinse stage alongside Geeneus & Tippa in 2010.

Katy B said: "Global Gathering was the first festival I played when Katy On A Mission came out and I felt so welcome straight away. I love that it celebrates all things rave culture and I'm really excited to play this year."

Katie BThe undisputed Queen of EDM and mistress of the mash-ups, Annie Mac will take to the GlobalGathering Main Stage for the first time since 2007, following appearances over the years across other arenas. Bringing full production with her for the first time, Annie is set to deliver a mind-blowing experience to the crowds that are sure to congregate to see her show.

Joining them on the Main Stage across the two days will be a live performance from Belgian liquid funk wunderkind Netsky – whose Global debut last year was one of the most talked about performances of the weekend and has earned him a spot alongside the big guns on the Main Stage for the first time. Plus genre-busting and bass blending Major Look, electronic rockers Modestep (Live) and sultry dub and trip-hop inspired songstress Delilah (Live) will also grace the Main Stage.

Across the rest of the festival site, the first arena hosts to be announced read like a who’s who of the industry today.

Kicking off with some big news, Global are excited to announce that the UK’s home of urban music, BBC Radio 1Xtra, will host an arena at this year’s festival. Global stalwart MistaJam, who will be joined by the Eskiboy and Godfather of Grime, Wiley plus special guests Roll Deep, will commandeer the 1Xtra Arena. Wiley, whose smash hit Heatwave reached number one in the UK last summer, and more recently, has found success with Can You Hear Me (Ayayaya) charting at number three in the UK. Pioneer of the UK underground scene, leader of Roll Deep and original member of Boy Better Know, he will certainly be causing a heatwave when he takes to the mic. Chart-topping Rita Ora, whose debut album Ora reached number one in the UK, spawning three number one singles, making her the artist with the most number-one singles on the UK Singles Chart in 2012, will be making a special guest appearance. In addition to this comes support in the form of Dot Rotten, K Koke (live), Futurebound and Matrix and Devolution as well as a very special headline artist yet to be announced!

Jason Carter, Event Director, BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra said: “It's great to return to GlobalGathering with 1Xtra. We look forward to being there and are excited to broadcast the fantastic sets to a wider audience.”

GlobalGathering are also very pleased to reveal that the legendary Carl Cox & Friends Arena will make an epic return to Long Marston Airfield in 2013. After taking a break in 2012, we couldn’t be more excited that Carl Cox & Friends will be back, bringing together a line-up spanning many genres of electronic music. The DJ, the producer, the man, the legend will be bringing the sounds of his classic night from the White Isle with sets from Chris Liebing, Cassy, Nina Kraviz, John Digweed and Circus Recordings boss Yousef, plus many more that are sure to create a summer Ibiza vibe. Welcome back Carl!

Carl Cox said: “GlobalGathering is one of the best dance music festivals around – I can’t wait to bring my arena back to those mental crowds again. It’s good to be back!”

Global are very excited to welcome Hot Creations head honcho Jamie Jones who will be hosting his very own arena for the first time – the Paradise Arena. Jamie has long been an Ibiza staple who launched his hugely popular Paradise resident night at DC10 in Ibiza last year and is set to launch Paradise Miami later this month. Offering up a Balearic atmosphere with the deeper sound of house, tech house, techno and minimal tech, the arena will showcase some of the best underground acts, with Art Department, Subb Ann and Infinity Ink on the bill alongside Damien Lazarus, and support from Richy Ahmed and Bicep.

The UKF Bass Culture Arena returns for a second year with DJ Fresh headlining the area with his incredible Fresh Live show. Pushing the boundaries of drum and bass and dubstep, Fresh Live combines the technique and hysteria of his DJ sets with the energy of a live instrumental performance. EDM prodigy and wonder kid Zedd will be making a special guest appearance. Rolling Stone named Zedd an ‘Artist to Watch’ for 2012, and more recently, MTV deemed him an ‘Artist to Watch’ for 2013. UK dubstep originator Benga will play alongside Flux Pavilion, plus Andy C & MC GQ and DnB pioneer and Digital Soundboy label owner Shy FX.

In its third year as a GlobalGathering arena host, event brand Metropolis will be introducing some of the hottest talent from the underground bass scene. Sub Focus will be bringing his live show to headline the arena and will deliver his earth shaking hybrid mix of drum and bass and dubstep. Joining Sub Focus will be reggae and dancehall master David 'Ram Jam' Rodigan (MBE) who has recently been added to BBC Radio 1Xtra’s weekly roster. Playing alongside them will be the mighty ninja Jaguar Skills as well as Friction (Ft. Scrufizzer, P Money & Arlissa), DJ Hype and MC IC3, with support from Dismantle & Breakage, B Traits, Monsta, and Killsonik, bringing the finest sounds of UK bass.

The Global Arena will this year showcase headliner and original party starter Steve Aoki, armed with his champagne, inflatable dinghy and birthday cake! As well as that, DJ Mag Top 100 #6 Dutch electro house superstar Hardwell and young French sensation Madeon. Porter Robinson, W&W, Arty, Mat Zo and GlobalGathering resident Paul Thomas hold up the rest of the bill, with a special guest performance from Garuda top dog Gareth Emery.

Steve Aoki

Returning for a third year to host an arena are Hospitality, the worldwide event promoters of top UK drum and bass imprint Hospital Records. After incredibly successful years at GlobalGathering in 2011 and 2012, they return with the best DnB line up anywhere in the UK this summer with another performance from Netsky (DJ set), plus High Contrast, Danny Byrd and Camo and Krooked, with a support from an exclusive back to back set from LTJ Bukem and Fabio alongside London Elektricity.

This year Global welcomes a brand new addition to the site – the Chibuku Arena. Headlining this arena are the inventors of mash-up genre, brothers David and Stephen Dewael, better known as – 2manydjs. Pushing the boundaries of house and techno the brothers are sure to get the party started. Next up is hotly tipped solo and highly colorful producer Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs (TEED), who will be setting the crowd alight with his electro beats. Founding father of dubstep Skream will be making a special guest appearance. The Croydon DJ/producer is constantly refreshing his sound, from laying down twisted house and techno, to disco sets. They will see support from Bristol based DJ/producer and firm festival favourite Redlight (Live) who will be performing a brand new live show! Joining them will be remix master Erol Alkan and electro producer Fake Blood, plus many more.  

Godskitchen, one of the biggest dance brands on the planet, will once again be bringing the superstars of trance back to Global. No 7 on DJ Mag’s 2012 Top 100, Dash Berlin will be joined by Markus Schulz – recently voted the USA’s Best DJ, Ferry Corsten, ATB, and trance legend Paul Oakenfold, pioneer of importing the Balearic scene to Britain, who will be making a special guest appearance. Another special guest, infamous Israeli psy-trance duo Infected Mushroom will be presenting their live, mind blowing, visual show ‘Fungusamongus’. Twice ranked amongst the world’s ‘10 Best DJ’s’ on the notorious DJ Mag Top 100 Poll their sound draws from a plethora of styles – metal, electronica, dubstep, psytrance and everything in between. John O’Callaghan, Simon Patterson and Cosmic Gate all make a welcome return, plus many more, with cutting edge production and an explosive atmosphere that is sure to whip fans into an uncontrollable frenzy.

Dutch house producer Nicky Romero, fresh off the back of his number one UK hit single with Avicii – I Could be the One, is set to headline the return of the House Arena. He is joined by Dutch dance duo Bingo Players, architects of another UK number one single Get Up (Rattle), in collaboration with Far East Movement. Radio 1’s very own Dance Anthems supremo Danny Howard and Diffused Music’s Michael Woods bring up the rest of the bill with a special guest performance from Dutch trance and progressive house DJ Sander van Doorn.

The Digital Arena brings the sounds of the deep house and tech scene with a performance from Mixmag’s DJ of 2012 Solomun, alongside breakthrough artist Scuba playing a live set. The mighty Sasha, following the drop of his new mix album ‘INVOLV3R’, will make a special guest appearance, alongside Seth Troxler, Heidi and Maceo Plex, plus many more.

Gary Turner, Managing Director of GlobalGathering Group UK, said: “Following last year’s amazing and award winning festival will be no mean feat – but we’ve upped our game even further, building on the incredible feedback from 2012 and investing heavily in some of the world’s freshest and most exciting artists and the latest production from the international festival market. We’re confident that the exciting developments to this summer’s stages and arenas, that we’ll be revealing in the near future, will blow the crowds away!”

With even more acts, two all-new outdoor arenas to take advantage of the ever-reliable scorching weather and exciting new production still to be announced, it’s gearing up to be the greatest party ever at GlobalGathering. We’ll also be revealing some mind-blowing developments to the VIP area including unbelievable new perks for VIP pass holders in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for more announcements.

Alongside the UK event, GlobalGathering will also continue to cement our status as the world’s leading electronic music export. Having hosted events on all four corners of the globe over recent years this year sees additional confirmed GlobalGathering festivals taking place in Belarus, Ukraine, and South Korea with further editions to be announced. The UK event will also feature rising trance star Omnia representing the Ukraine festival and DGuru (Idiotape) from South Korea bringing the sounds of our international events to the UK for the first time.

Parklife Weekender announce Heaton Park and new location

Organisers of The Parklife Weekender can finally reveal that the fourth instalment of the festival will be relocating to Manchester's Heaton Park in 2013. Widely regarded as one of the premier outdoor venues in the north of England, Heaton Park has hosted legendary concerts from the likes of The Stone Roses and Oasis. Parklife Weekender organisers are also delighted to announce an additional four artists including Melbourne four-piece The Temper Trap, as well as exciting artists Baauer, Boddika, Breakbot and TEED (DJ set) who will also be playing live. Parklife Weekender takes place on 8th and 9th June 2013 and signals the start of the UK's summer of music. With weekend tickets priced at only £69.50 the Parklife Weekender it is arguably the best value for money festival in the UK this year. For tickets please visit www.parklife.uk.com

Plan BThe phenomenal success of The Parklife Weekender has seen the festival grow year-on-year since its inception and resulted in Platt Fields Park no longer being big enough to accommodate the event. 2013 will see a wider spread of music and entertainment including larger dance arenas, more spectacular production and many hidden nooks and crannies ensuring the biggest ParklifeWeekender ever staged.

Parklife Weekender Organiser, Sam Kandel says; "We are very lucky that no other large scale events have been planned for the site this year, so that Parklife Weekender is able to work with Manchester City Council for what is our biggest and best festival yet. The Parklife team are very proud to see this years festival at Heaton Park – it definitely feels like 2013 is going to be a key moment in Parklife Weekenders history."

Councillor Nigel Murphy, executive member for the environment, said; "We've worked closely with the Parklife organisers to make sure this successful event can continue to be held in Manchester. We look forward to the long term benefits which events of this nature will bring to Heaton Park, Manchester residents and other people who regularly use this wonderful free facility".

24 new acts added to Sziget Festival

Main Stage

Among the newly announced names we can find performers at the afternoon and early night slots of the Main Stage. Ska-P had their most memorable gig at Sziget in 2005 when the Spanish band rocked the stage in Bush-masks and on stilts; however they have called off their 10-year long music revolution for an unknown time. Fortunately, this was their only announcement that was untrue. They are back.

Singer Deborah ’Skin’ Dyer of Skunk Anansie stepped on the shoulders of her fans at her last concert in 2011 at Sziget. This might happen this year as well!

Dizzee Rascal

King and main figure of the grime movement, British rapper, Dizzee Rascal is the guest of this year’s festival. He is over four incredibly successful albums – certified gold and platinum without exception – and a memorable performance at the opening ceremony of the London Olympic Games.

The Editors is a very popular and characteristic icon of the post-punk movement of the 2000s. They will prove this on the Main Stage at an early afternoon slot!

British singer, Brit Awards nominee, Alex Clare has many popular and cool songs merging the most popular music trends of today. He uses electronic genres, like dubstep and new wave drum’n’bass, mixing it with suggestive guitar sounds and a hint of soul.

Enter Shikari plays hardcore music, mixing electronic, metal and rock. They have conquered the world with their album last year and now they are ready for Sziget!

A38 Stage

One of the most beloved venues of Sziget is following the trend of the previous years: the huge tent will be the home of diverse and exciting productions, proved by the upcoming names as well.

For a start, here is the exceptional talent from North-London, Michael Kiwanuka, a refined and sentimental singer-songwriter who plays his guitar with a sense of folk and jazz. His first album hit the charts in many countries and has become gold.

True inspiration for punk-rock bands, Bad Religion, reached the peak of their career with their 16th album ’True North’ in 2012: it was listed in the top 20 of the American Billboard 200. Now the crowd of Sziget can congratulate them!

Melodramatic, downtempo and chilled pop songs are the identifiers of the music of Woodkid, a French musician, who is arriving to Sziget with his new album, to be released this year.

Peter Bjorn & John are vivid and colorful icons of the indie world. Their “whistling” song is such a success that it is reaching 36 million views on the largest video sharing service. They are nicely merging mainstream popular sounds with some underground melodies. 

A real 21st century London-girl, who makes her dreams come true by her talent, Katy B, is the new face of British dubstep. She recently received an NME award and now she brings her special style to Sziget.

Netsky is the exporter of Belgium’s most wanted, premium category drum’n’bass productions. After his singles he introduced himself on the Belgian charts and his second album was in the top 20 in the United Kingdom. The 24-year-old guy from Edegem is coming to Budapest with his live show.

Tame Impala plays psychedelic rock with hypnotic and melodic tunes. The Australian band has not only impressed the younger generation with their album in 2012 but the critics as well. Their second album ‘Lonerism’ has been awarded Best Album of the Year by Rolling Stone Australia, NME and Filter.

It is high time that Orlando Higginbottom, known as Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, after several gigs at the biggest European and Northern-American festivals, plays at Sziget. His live set will definitely be a visual adventure with a range of weird instruments.

Everything Everything plays a nice and easy guitar pop that is sometimes inspired by a melancholic and solid atmosphere. We can see them at A38 this year.

Wax Tailor is opening his magical world of rare musical treasures to Sziget. Be aware that you might become an addict!

Isabelle Geffroy is a beloved French chanson singer. Her band, Zaz, winner at Victoires de la muisque – the most important music gala in France – in 2011, and performer of probably the most well-known French song ‘Je Veux’ , plays now at Sziget. She also received a European Border Breakers Award, representing that that her talent and popularity is without borders.

Cata.Pirata and Crypto.Jori plus three musicians from Amsterdam have formed SKIP&DIE, a very extravagant and brave production. Their big multicultural project merges everything that means ‘world citizen’. They are using traditional African, Arabic and Indian instruments mixed with contemporary Western hip-hop and modern electronics. They are inviting the fans to dance in Zulu, Spanish, Portuguese, English, Afrikaans and Xhosa languages.

Arena

New names have also arrived for the line-up of the mega-tent, the Arena as well. This is the venue where the early afternoon hours are taken by the so called “European Slots”, presenting live bands from the old continent, but later on it hosts huge parties with great performers.

Empire of the Sun has been to Sziget two years ago, making a party at a completely full venue. They play romantic electro-pop and probably even the world-known Cirque du Soleil group could not beat them when it comes to stage production.

For years now it’s hard to find a more exciting, louder and successful drum’n’bass act in the United Kingdom than Chase & Status Live. The well-known electro-musician and producer duo of Will Kennard and Saul Milton are coming this year to party up the Sziget crowd.

A revolutionary and innovative techno musician, Chris Liebing, has remixed many popular songs and also wrote his own ones that we will hear now in the Arena. His style has been mastered with the development of electronic music, but he has never stopped playing his massive techno basics.

DJ and producer, Sebastian Ingrosso, is one of the main figures of today’s Scandinavian electronic music scene together with Axwell and Steve Angello, forming the popular house-group, the Swedish House Mafia. His dynamic and energetic house music is played in the biggest international parties and e-music events, bringing out the most of his ten thousand fans.

Two bands will definitely play in the European Slots of the Arena. First of all, Afterhours, one of the most well-known Italian rock bands. They play passionate tunes and rock ballades, based on nice guitar.

Also playing in a European Slot is Left Boy, a very talented Austrian singer-producer in his twenties. His sexy lyrics are played on a massive electro and dubstep base. Last year he had several sold-out gigs in Europe and he just came out with his new EP.

 

Jessie Ware, Bloc Party and more announced for Rock Werchter

New on Thursday 4 July are Airbourne and Netsky (live) on the Main Stage, Jessie Ware in the Marquee and Bloc Party and Sigur Rós in The Barn. Volbeat and Green Day had already been announced for the Main Stage that day. On Friday 5 July Two Door Cinema ClubThe Script and Phoenix will be joining the earlier announced Kings of Leon and Blur on the Main Stage.  C2C will build a party in the Marquee. And with Richard Hawley the tone is set immediately in The Barn. For Saturday 6 July so far only one name had been announced: RammsteinGraveyard can now be added to the Main Stage, Disclosure to the Marquee and Django Django to The Barn. Depeche Mode and Editors will finish Rock Werchter 2013 in style on Sunday 7 July. But before we come to that, A Day To RememberBand of Horses and Thirty Seconds to Mars will perform on the Main Stage. Passenger and Asaf Avidan have already been confirmed for the Marquee and Alt-J and Of Monsters and Men for The Barn. On www.rockwerchter.be, all names that have already been announced for the 39th edition of the festival can be found in a handy overview. The bill for Rock Werchter 2013 will be completed further in the weeks to come. Stay tuned!

Rock Werchter 2013 will take place in Werchter (Belgium) from Thursday 4 July until Sunday 7 July. For four days the festival grounds will enable you to see and hear the best on offer on three stages. Well-established names, heroes from past and present and the majors get – as usual – their spot on the Main Stage. The Marquee focuses on electronic music in all its danceable forms on Thursday and Friday. On Saturday and Sunday its line-up will be completed with up-and-coming talent, (more) intimate concerts and dance beats in the early hours.  In The Barn we welcome back familiar names, but it is also thé spot to discover tomorrow’s heroes. The better concert hall on a festival.