Fatboy Slim, Above & Beyond and more set for Rockness

Hot on the heels of the first acts being revealed for RockNess 2013, the next heaving-with-quality announcement of artists heading to Dores this summer is here, including the first acts landing with devastating effect on the SUB CLUB SOUND SYSTEM and SOMA RECORDS on the ARCADIA AFTERBURNER.

First up, and we couldn’t be happier, FATBOY SLIM is heading back to his spiritual home as Very Special Guest!  There at the birth, and checking in to Dores as often as his in-demand globetrotting allows, no other artist in the festival’s history feels the RockNess love – or drops such monster levels of raveability – as FATBOY SLIM.  For those yet to experience the quite frankly outrageous party euphoria induced by Norman…get ready!

Fatboy Slim

Sending this message to Rocknessers ahead of June, he has this to say…Comin’ home to baby on the shores of Dores…RockNess I’ve missed you…feels so good to be heading back to see how my wayward child has grown. Roll on June, roll on The Scottish Highlands, roll on the party”  We’ve missed you too Norman. See you soon!

With the tightest productions and finely crafted, vocal-laced gems, released across 3 genre-defining albums on their Anjunabeats label, ABOVE & BEYOND are setting the trance bar very high indeed. Playing to packed out crowds at the biggest dance events on the planet, the trio’s relentless stadia touring schedule, which includes playing to 1 million people on Barra Beach in Rio, as well as soundtracking Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic Spaceship Two and taking their TATW radio show to the Twitter top spot across the world, RockNess is very pleased to be welcoming ABOVE & BEYOND to Scotland this summer.

MADEON is one of the most electrifying artists to have burst on to the scene in recent times. Having delivered a set of outstanding quality when he made his debut Scottish appearance at RockNess last year as part of an all-French assault headed up by Justice, the 18 year old megastar is back for more demolition!  Mind boggling numbers of youtube views, production credits for the likes of Pendulum and Deadmau5, appearances at top festivals including Coachella…MADEON is on fire. Standby for a litany of sounds spanning nu-disco, house classics and full on electro bangers!

JULIO BASHMORE is leading the charge and cultivating house music like no one else right now. Which goes some way to explaining the level of excitement and stratospheric rise surrounding this Bristolian.  Having garnered a devoted following based on the slew of singles and EPs he has put out since 2009, electrifying club sets, plus production on the incredible JESSIE WARE’s Mercury-nominated Devotion (another RockNess must-see artist!), JULIO BASHMORE is delivering on the hype.

If anyone knows how to throw a banging party, STEVE AOKI does. The Dim Mak Records founder’s style is totally unique. A bit of dub step, bit of house, little bit of pop intricacy too, AOKI’s hardcore LA roots underpin his propulsive energy and raw punk attitude. STEVE AOKI rocks a crowd, and he’ll most definitely rock Dores!

Steve Aoki

As a member of dubstep pioneers Magnetic Man, BENGA is co-responsible for an output of undisputable quality, punctuated with junglist tendencies, tech-laced soulfullness and guest vocals from the likes of Katy B and Miss Dynamite. Along with Magnetic Man comrade SKREAM, one of the genre’s first and most prominent producers (La Roux, Bat For Lashes, Goldie and Toddla T), the two are forging the freshest musical directions, heard in its glory every Friday on their BBC Radio 1 ‘In New Music We Trust’ show.

German house duo BOOKA SHADE channel the spirit of the underground but reach out to festival-sized audiences. Having leapt to the forefront of dance with a clutch of hit tracks, as well as lending production magic to artists including The Knife, Moby, Roxy Music and Hot Chip, and garnering a string of awards along the way, fans can look forward to hearing new material off EP ‘Haleshop’, released on the highly acclaimed Get Physical Music label which they co-founded.

Philadelphia’s JOSH WINK  is one of the most prominent exponents of the tribal forms of techno and house.  Resting on the laurels of his huge success in the 90s has never been an option for WINK, who instead has consistently forged new directions in the underground scene, as well as enjoying the highest respect for his remixing of artists including Radiohead, Gorillaz and Nine Inch Nails.  

To hear PAN-POT’s simply colossal sound is to hear techno as it is intended. Tagging themselves as “the dark side of the force”, PAN-POT plumb the deep uncharted depths of pitch black techno, turning convention on its head with an unorthodox kinetic sound that stands them as one of the genre’s most dominant forces. The reverberations are still being felt from the last time our SOMA RECORDS friends brought PAN-POT to Scotland…so we are beyond excited to confirm they return in 2013, this time to RockNess.

A genuine homegrown hero, Glaswegian JACKMASTER’s rise to fame is about as storybook perfect as it gets.  Co-founder of the city’s long running NUMBERS collective, which played to packed out crowds at the legendary SUB CLUB and swiftly spread to dancefloors across the world, the element of glorious surprise underpins his sets every time.  Few can hype a crowd quite like JACKMASTER – as his global DJ’ing schedule in 2013 bears testament – and we are extremely pleased to be welcoming him back to RockNess for an unmissable set of sheer quality.

Regarded as one of the most forward thinking club nights in the world, the SUB CLUB’s weekly SUBCULTURE residency is an institution that reigns supreme. HARRI and DOMENIC are revered by the electronic music fraternity the world over, and week in week out bodies are jacked at this inspirational residency. Last year we were spoiled rotten at RockNess as we celebrated the start of the SUB CLUB’s 25 Years birthday party, Twelve months down the line and come June there will be no finer exponents of house music to bring the year-long birthday party to a close than HARRI & DOMENIC. And to toast the prospect of another 25 years of treats!

GARY BECK is one of the most prolific and inventive producers on the scene. A unique sound, and in high demand at the world’s most respected clubs and festivals, his style can be heard on electro’s most pioneering labels, notably SOMA RECORDS and his own imprint Bek Audio.  Now on its 12th release, Bek Audio features a raft of top notch artists such as Slam, Mr G, Mark Broom and Speedy J.

HANS BOUFFMYHRE began his career in Glasgow with a night called 'Sleaze' where he booked and played alongside the likes of Andrew Weatherall, Funk D' Void, Chloe and Radio Slave.. Fast forward and his Sleaze Records is trailblazing as one of the UK’s most impressive techno labels. HANS’ tracks enjoy the support from luminaries including Richie Hawtin, Dubfire and Adam Beyer. Check him out this June and witness why.

JAGUAR SKILLS is a British DJ who has gained notoriety for his eclectic multi-genre, cut-n-paste style mixes. He has released hundreds of mixtapes, including across BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra, and plays out to the nation with a weekly mix on the Trevor Nelson show. JAGUAR SKILLS has also dropped vocals on Grand Theft Auto, occupied a residency at Jade Jagger’s Jezebel night at Pacha in Ibiza, then latterly at Jezebel happenings in Europe, Russia and Hong Kong, and retains his mystique by famously wearing a balaclava during performances.

These latest electronic acts join EXAMPLE, BASEMENT JAXX, MADNESS, THE VACCINES, BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB, BEN HOWARD, ELLIE GOULDING, THE MACABEES, JESSIE WARE, CAMERA OBSCURA and NEWTON FAULKNER.

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

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

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

Preview: Dot to Dot Festival

Like Camden Crawl, Live at Leeds and Brighton's Great Escape. Dot to Dot is a city centre based festival.  Since forming in 2005 initially in Nottingham, Dot to Dot festival has expanded to three cities and now runs on three sucessive days over the Whit bank holiday weekend. Dot to Dot kicks off in Manchester on Friday 24th May, travels to Bristol on the Saturday before closing at Nottingham on the Sunday 26th.

Manchester's day, is centred around 8 venues in the the Oxford Road area from Witworth Street to Grosvenor Street. Your wristband entitles you into any of the featured venues (capacity permitting) and ranges from the 1,500 capacity Ritz, The brilliantly wallpapered Deaf Institute which is a favourite for many bands and fans,  long established student favourite The Thirsty Scolar, new cool venue in town Gorilla,  and my personal favourite Sound control which is hosting 3 rooms of music from 3pm to 3am
 
At many of these city centre festivals, visiting every venue is an impossible task due to the long walk and distance between venues.  However, with the exception of the SSI (which is still very walkable), every featured venue at Manchester's leg of Dot to Dot is within about 5 minutes walk of each other, meaning it's quite possible, to check out and visit every venue if you so wish.
 
Unlike most of the muddy field based festivals which force you to pay for a program for the privelidge of finding out stage times, the full venue listings and timings for all three cities have been announced and can be found at: http://dottodotfestival.co.uk/times meaning you can plan your day and check out the band's playing in advance.
 
The impressive line up features several acts playing at all three cities including Hottly tipped acoustic singer songwriters Tom Odell and Lucy Rose. Benjamin Francis Leftwich and Dry the River also play all days. The Manchester leg features many local must see bands who are producing music a million miles away from the old Oasis and Madchester stereotypes, and include the ambienat trippy beats and haunting vocals of From The Kites of San Quentin, fun, post- rocky insturmentals from Tribal fighters with party poppers almost guaranteed. If you can last until 2am then Manchester's Mount Fabric will be your new favourite band with their acomplised, complex, math-rock with astonishingly good vocals.
 
The key to these city centre festivals is adhering to any plan too strictly and allowing yourself to stumble across some new bands who you have not encountered before, and hopefully leave with a new favourite band for the summer.
 
Tickets are still available at a good value £20 from Alt Tickets: http://www.alt-tickets.co.uk/alttickets/home_dot_to_dot_festival_2013.html

Eddie Halliwell & Steve Aoki set for SW4 Main Stage

VERY SPECIAL GUEST ANNOUNCED FOR SW4 SATURDAY!

Eddie Halliwell is a DJ with an unprecedented talent; twice named Mixmag’s DJ of the year and nominated in its ‘Greatest DJ of All Time’ poll. His peers acknowledge him as one of the leading innovators when it comes to using technology to push boundaries, manipulating the music with lightning cuts, layers of effects and slick scratches. Playing tracks from across a broad musical spectrum – trance, techno, house and electro – he harnesses the energy of every beat, synth, hi-hat, squelch and squeak, using his technical expertise to generate new sounds. Through his extensive skill set Eddie has managed to unleash no less than a record eight Essential mixes and having hosted his own Radio1 show for five years, now broadcasts via his own ‘Fire It Up’ show, which attracts a hefty thirteen million listeners worldwide. With a huge list of accolades under his belt, this performance is set to raise the roof once again. Watch out Clapham, Eddie’s gonna get you…

VERY SPECIAL GUEST ANNOUNCED FOR SW4 SUNDAY!

Steve Aoki is one very busy man. 2012 witnessed the Grammy nominee play hundreds of shows and yet he still managed to release an album. ‘Wonderland’ was filled to the brim with all star appearances from the likes of Will.i.am and LMFAO, whilst on a more electronic tangent, collaborations with Afrojack and Laidback Luke. His manic on stage antics have earned him somewhat of a reputation and his high energy sets always go down a storm. Fuelled by cakes, champagne and rubber dinghies, the Dim Mak Records boss will be making his first South West Four appearance in three years. Get ready for the madness that will undoubtedly ensue.

Steve Aoki

SW4 SUNDAY TICKETS INCREASE IN PRICE THURS 16TH MAY!

With Steve Aoki announced as Sunday main stage special guest we can announce that SW4 Sunday tickets will increase in price on Thursday 16th May at midday. Tickets are selling faster than ever and with early-bird tickets already gone, time is running out to get them at the ‘saver’ price. Head to www.ticketmaster.co.uk/sw4 to get yours!

The Walkmen added to End of the Road Festival lineup

The Walkmen top yet another twenty-band announcement for the End of the Road Festival, joining a bill topped by Belle and SebastianSigur Rós and David Byrne & St Vincent.

In A – Z order, the following artists are confirmed today: Anna van Hausswolff, Andy Shauf, Black Yaya, Braids, Broken Twin, Crocodiles, Daniel Norgren, Duologue,  El Perro Del Mar, Evans the Death, Filthy Boy, Frontier Ruckus, The Graphite Set, Jessica Pratt, Landshapes, Tiger Cats, Trembling Bells and Mike Heron, The Walkmen, Wall and William Tyler.

See the website at www.endoftheroadfestival.com for full lineup info and more.

“One of the most unique and special propositions in the British festival calendar.” – The Line of Best Fit

“Uncut’s favourite festival.” – Uncut

Winner of Best Small Festival at the 2011 UK Festival Awards, End of the Road is an intimate festival in a peacock-strewn former Victorian pleasure garden offering a carefully crafted music lineup plus art, atmosphere, workshops, comedy, cinema, a woodland library, games, a healing field and the finest food and drinks, hand-picked and hand-decorated by a small team.

Take That’s Mark Owen and more for Camp Bestival

With summer holidays around the corner we can’t wait to get back to Lulworth Castle for a festi-holiday weekend of fun and frolics for all the family from August 1st– 4th. And the Camp Bestival crew are leaving no stone unturned to make sure this year’s Camp Bestival is another absolute corker.

There really is something for everyone in this year’s line-up, so we’re very excited indeed to unveil a host of brilliant new acts that cover all bases, from huge popstars like our very special guest Mark Owen to brilliant local faves and beyond who will all be joining the likes of Labrinth, Richard Hawley, Levellers, Ash, The Proclaimers, Horrible Histories, Mr Tumble, Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo, Alan Davies, Dick n Dom, Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures The Brit School and many more!

The Camp Bestival Crew says: "There’s so much great music at Camp Bestival with something for everyone and we know how much fun a ladies night out is, so we’re very pleased to announce Mark Owen is coming to Lulworth Castle this year, especially for the girls!"

With his first solo album in eight years, ‘The Art of Doing Nothing’ due out in June, we very pleased to announce that Take That’s very own Mark Owen will be joining us at Lulworth Castle. With a hit-packed career spanning 20 years, Mark is one of the UKs biggest pop stars and along with his brilliant four-piece band he will be the soundtrack to a mega ladies night out on Saturday at Camp Bestival, playing not only his new and much loved solo material but also a tantalising selection of Take That anthems too!

Mark Owen Says: “Just about everybody I know with a family has told me how wonderful Camp Bestival is and said 'you've got to go!' I've got my Winnebago on order. See you there”.

But that’s not all,  as we have plenty more top live music for your delectation, including Memphis chanteuse Valerie June who has been blowing away crowds with her mixture of folk, blues, gospel, soul, Appalachian and bluegrass music and her utterly magical vocals. If you haven’t caught her live yet, we guarantee this is one not to miss. There will also be live appearances from unique solo acoustic artist Cherishport, Dorset blues behemoth Red River Hogs, scrumpy & western phenomenon Skimmity Hitchers and New Forest duo Phil & Tilley.

Joining an already legendary line-up of amazing DJs that includes Grandmaster Flash, Sasha and Andrew Weatherall (in his A Love From Outer Space guide with Sean Johnston), we are very pleased to announce that deck-wrecking duo The Nextmanare joining David Rodigan MBE’s Ram Jam line-up alongside Venum Sound and MC Wrec. Plus there will be high octane party flavours from the inimitable Russ Cuban, reggae and hip-hop mash-up madness from Jstar, divine turntable manoeuvres from Dick Kurtaine, eclectic treasures from Rev Milo Speedwagon, tubular sounds from Rowan Chernin (Chairman Of The Board Surf) , rockin roots and psych love from In Light Of Aquarius and certified dancefloor devastation from Camp Bestival favourite Shepdog.

With a whole world of discovery for kids, plus the best in music, arts and culture it’s no wonder that  weekend tickets are flying out of the door, so you’re going to have to get a move on if you want to guarantee a whole weekend enjoying our fest-holiday treats. But, due to popular local demand from the brilliantly supportive people of Dorset, we are once again putting a very limited number of day tickets on sale on Friday May 17th

Adult day tickets will cost £60 per day, Age 15-17 day tickets are £35 per day, Age 11-14 day tickets are £30 per day and Age 10 and under day tickets are free (but you must obtain a ticket) and will be available in person from Lulworth Castle and Lulworth Heritage centre, as well as through the usual Camp Bestival ticket agents.

We’ve still got a few little surprises up our sleeves, so do keep an eye on www.campbestival.net and our Facebook  and Twitter.

LINE UP SO FAR:

LIVE: 
RICHARD HAWLEY / LEVELLERS / LABRINTH / VERY SPECIAL GUEST MARK OWEN / DJ FRESH LIVE / ASH / HEAVEN 17 / TOOTS AND THE MAYTALS / THE POLYPHONIC SPREE / GABRIELLE APLIN / KID CREOLE & THE COCONUTS / I AM KLOOT / BILLY BRAGG / NIK KERSHAW / DAN LE SAC VS SCROOBIUS PIP / THE CUBAN BROTHERS / DJ YODA (LIVE AV SHOW ( FEAT THE TOOTSIE ROLLERS) / JOHN COOPER CLARKE / VALERIE JUNE / LISSIE / THE FARM / MUSICAL YOUTH / BEARDYMAN / SAM LEE & FRIENDS / THE CORRESPONDENTS / THE WURZELS / MAD PROFESSOR / SKINNY LISTER / CLEAN BANDIT / LONDON GRAMMAR / MIKILL PANE / THE 1975 / FLEETWOOD BAC / INTRODUCING RECREATE 'DISCOVERY' LIVE – A DAFT UNDERTAKING / HOWARD MARKS / LUCKY ELEPHANT / ADY SULEIMAN / LLOYD YATES / FOLK IDOL / MOLOTOV JUKEBOX / SEXY SUSHI / BEN WATERS / MOULETTES / FILTHY BOY / FAKE BUSH / HUDSON TAYLOR / ISAIAH DREADS / MR B THE GENTLEMAN RHYMER / LEWIS WATSON / JAWS / JAIPUR BRASS BAND / J-CATS / RED RIVER HOGS / CHERISHPORT / THE OHMZ / PUSH PEDAL / SKIMMITY HITCHERS / PHIL & TILLEY / SCOTT ANDERSON (BANDSTAND COMPERE)

DJs – ROB DA BANK AND FRIENDS: GRANDMASTER FLASH / SASHA / DAVID RODIGAN MBE PRESENTS RAM JAM FEAT. THE NEXTMEN, VENUM SOUND, MC WREC / A LOVE FROM OUTER SPACE (ANDREW WEATHERALL AND SEAN JOHNSTON) / FABIO + GROOVERIDER / CRAIG CHARLES (DJ SET) / JON MORE (COLDCUT) / DICK N DOM RIP IT UP (DJ SET) / BARRY ASHWORTH / JOHN KENNEDY / RUSS CUBAN / SUNDAY BEST FORUM ALL STARS / BALEARIC BROTHERS / FEELING GLOOMY / TYTHE / COLEY FROM LUV*JAM / SOMBRERO SOUND SYSTEM / JSTAR / DICK KURTAINE / REV MILO SPEEDWAGON / ROWAN CHERNIN (CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD SURF) / IN LIGHT OF AQUARIUS / SHEPDOG / MIX IT UP KRU / DJ DAPPER DAN

ENTERTAINMENT: HORRIBLE HISTORIES: BARMY BRITAIN (FESTIVAL PREMIERE AND EXCLUSIVE) / ALAN DAVIES / MR TUMBLE / ERTH’S DINOSAUR ZOO / DICK N DOM / LET IT BE / BRIT SCHOOL  / BLACK EAGLES CIRCUS / ROYAL ALBERT HALL GINORMOUS PERCUSSION ORCHESTRA / SHLOMO’S BEAT BOX ADVENTURE FOR KIDS / CANDO2 / GLORIA AND THE EXPLORERS / LITTLE SUNSHINE, LITTLE RAINFALL / ALICE IN WONDERLAND PANTO / LONDON LUCUMI CHOIR / INSECT CIRCUS / MATTHEW BOURNE’S NEW ADVENTURES / TRINITY LABAN / CANDOCO / MECHANICAL MENAGERIE / GIDEON REELING / SHADOW PUPPETRY & STORYTELLING / CRAFT AND NATURE WORKSHOPS / YOUNG BRITISH FOODIES / TATE WORKSHOPS / BFI FILM CLUB / THE FOUR CORNERS TREASURE TRAIL / LOST & FOUND / MORRIS DANCING / JOUSTING / FREESTYLE SPORTS PARK / KIDS BIG ART VILLAGE / MAYPOLE DANCING / BIGTOPMANIA KIDS THEATRE AND CIRCUS

‘HOW TO’ INTERVIEWS: HOW TO FLY WITH EDDIE ‘THE EAGLE’ EDWARDS / HOW TO BE A PRESENTER WITH JO WHILEY / HOW TO HANDLE A RIOT WITH TREVOR PHILLIPS / HOW TO PLAY A BADDIE WITH CHARLIE BROOKS / HOW PHILOSOPHY CAN IMPROVE YOUR LIFE WITH JULES EVANS / HOW TO INTERVIEW WITH SIMON HATTENSTONE / HOW TO COLLECT SONGS WITH SAM LEE / HOW TO STARGAZE WITH MAREK KUKULA / HOW TO BE WILD WITH ROB AND LEO 

SPOKEN WORD: SCROOBIUS PIP / KATE TEMPEST / POLARBEAR / MR GEE / JOSH IDEHEN / RAYMOND ANTROBUS / ADAM KAMMERLING / DEANNA RODGER / SIMON MOLE / PAUL CREE / JAMES MASSIAH / CHIMENE SULEYMAN / BRIDGET MINAMORE / ROUNDHOUSE POETRY COLLECTIVE / EARLY DOORS COLLECTIVE / ELEPHANT COLLECTIVE

WELL-READ: HOWARD MARKS IS: SCHOLOAR, SMUGGLER, PRISONER SCRIBE / BESTSELLING WOMEN’S HOUR WITH ADELE PARKS, LISA JEWELL, EMILY BARR, ANNA MAXTED / GRANTA BEST OF YOUNG BRITISH NOVELISTS WITH JOANNA KAVENNA, BEN MARKOVITS, ROSS RAISEN / KIDS BOOK SURGERY WITH JULIA ECCLESHARE 
DEEP INSIGHTS FROM RSA SPEAKERS: EXPLORATION! WITH KEVIN FONG / REVOLUTION! WITH BIDISHA 

THOUGHT-PROVOKING:
CANCEL THE APOCALYPSE WITH ANDREW SIMMS / WONDERLAND AND JUSTICE WITH AMBER MARKS /
BARELY IMAGINED BEINGS WITH CASPAR HENDERSON 

FOODIES AND FASHION: CAMP BESTIVAL BAKE-OFF JUDGED BY LILY VANILLI / HOW TO OPEN A RESTAURANT WITH MARTIN MORALES / CONFESSIONS OF A FASHIONISTA WITH ANGELA CLARKE

WOODLAND STORY DEN: GIRAFFES CAN’T DANCE – GUY PARKER-REES  / CALM DOWN BORIS! – SAM LLOYD / THE PIRATE CRUNCHER – JONNY DUDDLE / DARCY BURDOCK – LAURA DOCKRILL / GUY BASS / KATE O'HEARN / ERICA JANE WATERS / SIMON BARTRAM / CRAIG GREEN

QUIZZES: SAM WOLLASTON’S FAMOUS TV QUIZ / HAIL! HAIL! ROCK ‘N’ ROLL QUIZ WITH JOHN HARRIS / FILM QUIZ WITH CATHERINE SHOARD  

WAKE UP WITH THE GUARDIAN: JOHN HARRIS, SIMON HATTENSTONE AND CATHERINE SHOARD

BOOKSIGNINGS: HORRIBLE HISTORIES ILLUSTRATOR MARTIN BROWN / ALL ADULT AND KIDS AUTHORS AT THE FESTIVAL

Miami’s Ultra Music Festival 2014 details announced

Ultra Music Festival
Following a historic celebration of its inaugural double-weekend event just two months ago – what was by far the biggest in its 15-year history – the globally renowned Ultra Music Festival has revealed the official ticketing details for its 2014 March festival.
 
With the 16th edition set to take place once again In Miami from March 28-30, it’s been revealed that tickets for 2014 will go on sale on Tuesday, May 21st 2013 at 1pm EST.
 
Early Bird tickets priced at $149.95 (undoubtedly among the least expensive weekend tickets for any major festival in the world) will be available for purchase by the general public from 1pm ESTexclusively at www.ultramusicfestival.com for what is expected to be a very limited time only (Early Bird tickets for last year’s event sold out in less than 5 minutes). General Admission and VIP tickets will also be available from 1pm EST.
 
In 2013, Ultra Music Festival shattered attendance records as approximately 330,000 revelers descended upon Miami’s Bayfront Park and Biscayne Boulevard for two weekends of extraordinary musical talent and an out of this world stage-production. Becoming the first electronic music festival in history to expand to two weekends, ULTRA 15 saw an unprecedented gathering of artists, which reportedly displayed the largest variety of electronic music that North America had ever seen. Featuring Dubstep, Drum & Bass, Trap, Electro, Techno, Deep House, Trance and more, Ultra Music Festival conquered practically every facet of EDM, providing a plethora of incredible musical experiences to satisfy virtually every taste and preference.
 
Ultra Music Festival 15 featured the largest and most technically advanced concert stage production and designs ever seen at an outdoor festival, as the latest in staging automation technology, video, set design, and creative LED video systems were combined to form a complete and awe-inspiring audiovisual experience. The massive Main Stage measured in at over 200 ft. wide and 100 ft. high, housing 1050 intelligent lights, 12,000 shots of pyrotechnics, the most dynamic lighting rig to be found at any stage found on earth, and 12 full-color, 32-watt lasers. Ultra’s iconic Mega Structure once again pushed the boundaries of light and sound production, featuring moving honeycomb-shaped LED screens above, and a powerful Funktion One sound system that more than satisfied all the bass-heads in attendance not to mention the 5 additional state-of-the-art stages located around the festival grounds, including Bayfront Park’s Klipsch Amphitheater, which doubled as the ULTRA Live Stage.
 
Attendees from more than 95 countries flocked to downtown Miami’s 32-acre Bayfront Park during Miami Music Week for the 2013 edition of Ultra Music Festival. Following on the heels of this landmark event, the 2014 festival is eagerly anticipated by fans worldwide.
 
For the first time ever, all SIX DAYS of the world’s premier electronic event were streamed live over the internet via Ultra’s official YouTube channel UMF TV, in a broadcast which saw over 200 of the world’s leading DJs and electronic musicians watched by an audience of over 10 MILLION unique viewers from all corners of the globe—officially making Ultra the most viewed festival in North America to date! Arguably the most notable climax of the festival was the last ever show from world-dominating Scandinavian trio Swedish House Mafia, which was watched online by over 200,000 concurrent fans worldwide. This figure has now been officially declared by YouTube as the highest concurrent number of views for any US non-sponsored music stream!
 
The dates for the upcoming Ultra Music Festival are March 28-302014.
 
The 16th Annual Ultra Music Festival will take place March 28, 29 & 30, 2014.  Dates for the additional weekend are pending the approval of the City of Miami Commission and will be released if they become available.
 

Bastille confirmed for Jersey Live Festival

Jersey Live Festival returns this summer, supported for the 8th year by headline sponsors JT, for its 10th anniversary event. This year celebrates a decade of events that has seen the likes of Noel GallagherKasabianPlan B, Paul Weller, Dizzee Rascaland many more grace the shores of Jersey for the 10,000 capacity festival, and following the recent announcements of legendary dance producer Fatboy Slim and Example as the festival’s Main Stage headliners, we are delighted to announce that anthemic indie sensations Bastille will join the festival bill, performing on Sunday 1st September.

Bastille

The London band may have only formed under three years ago, but their recent rise to fame has been a steep one, with their February single ‘Pompeii’ released to huge demand, peaking at number two in the singles charts and their debut album Bad Blood rocketing straight to top of the UK album charts upon its release in March. Comprised of singer and songwriter Dan Smith, keyboardist Kyle Simmons, bassist Will Farquarson and drummer Chris Wood, Bastille formed in 2010 and have since toured with Emeli Sande and Two Door Cinema Club, and performed at festivals including Reading and Glastonbury. Their richly textured, blissfully melancholic and electronic-tinged rock is at once rapturously anthemic – drawing comparisons the likes of Coldplay – whilst straying away from being anything like formulaic. Their rise seems set to continue throughout 2013, with them joining Muse as support on their “2nd Law” stadium tour this summer, and their own recently announced autumn tour selling out instantly – including two dates at the 5,000 capacity Brixton o2 Academy that sold out in just EIGHT minutes.

FULL LINE UP TO DATE:
FATBOY SLIM / EXAMPLE
BASTILLE / THE CRIBS / TOM ODELL / PETE TONG 
NETSKY & MC DYNAMITE / JOHN COOPER CLARKE 
NEVILLE STAPLE BAND / HOWARD MARKS / SHLOMO / ZEDS DEAD 
DOCTOR P / DUSKY / HOT SINCE 82 / WAZE & ODYSSEY
LEWIS WATSON / RUSS CHIMES / KANKA / CRAIG CHARLES
COUNT SIZZLE / FUZZBOX INC / WARREN LE SUEUR / WARREN HOLT MANY MORE TBA

Gottwood announce full lineup

Gottwood Festival announce the final additions to a lineup that brings together a whole host of underground talent for an unforgettable experience. Among the latest additions are Manchester club brand Drop the Mustard, who host hot property Ejeca and Urulu, plus find Pedestrian, Zero 7 vocalist Sophie Barker and Bournemouth’s Zoo Look, among others. And outside the music, Gottwood has announced some of the installations that will help transform the picturesque Welsh woods in June into a fairytale land for the weekend.

Returning for its fourth year, Gottwood Festival kicks off the summer solstice on June 20-23. If you’re looking for something a little off centre, something to make you move, and something that you wont forget in a rush, this is it.

Drop The Mustard – well known for pulling together some of the most cutting-edge acts for their Manchester parties – are the final hosts to be added to the impressive Gottwood roll call. They bring Ejeca, who has seen his profile rise at an enormous pace with releases 2020 Vision, Lokee and Last Night on Earth this year alone. He is joined by ’90s revival comrade Urulu plus Alex Blaxx and more.

A.Z & T.O.R.’s soulful, bass-driven house and two-step beats complete the Bristol brigade and the Eton Messy stage, alongside Pedestrian and Luvian. Gottwood also welcomes Sophie Barker one of the vocalists on Zero 7’s ‘Simple Things’ who plays live, and expect a blissed-out, hypnotic live set from Brighton-based producer Little Thoughts, and dub goodness from eight-piece reggae collective Kalichakra.

Futureboogie announce an unmissable B2B session with the whole boogie crew. While, Apogee get excited with the addition of house heads Zoo Look, Louche gear up with Bruno Schmidt, and The Sound Of C go electronic with Werkha. Four-piece electronic outfit Let The Machines Do The Work whisk you away from the digital age with their strictly analogue live set-up, and BEHR step up with the minimal techno touch.

Techno powerhouse Traum and Nottingham label and Stealth regular Wigflex host headliners Extrawelt, Newcastle promoter and podcast supremos Jaunt bring Ben UFO, and celebrated Bristol house and techno connoisseurs Hypercolour return with Luke Vibert and Tom Demac. Leeds club brand Louche return to Gottwood with Move D playing a HUGE four-hour set, while London’s underground house heads Tief go deep, with Bicep, Wolf Music and KRL. Internationally renowned London club brand Futureboogie bring Crazy P, Eton Messy take Gottwood along a bass trip with Maribou State, and Manchester’s Hit&Run flex with Marcus Intalex and 2 Bad Mice, the early ’90s jungle pioneers.

With parties in London, Leeds and Nottingham, Apogee bring up the underground with Amsterdam’s Detroit Swindle (live) and Cera Alba. ETA & Real Nice present Waze & Odyssey, and strictly vinyl UK house and bass label Nixwax host Joonipah. Plus catch hip hop-tinted band The Scribes, and deep-rooted reggae crew General Roots and many more. Expect a bumpy, vibrant and genre-bending ride as Gottwood Festival provides its take on an electronic music education!

Gottwood received an unprecedented number of entries to its DJ Competition this year, and the final 10 fought a fierce battle for the top spot in the Facebook poll. Congratulations to Zade & Kayne Cross for winning the contest, to second-place Nick Assheton, and third-place VII. Y. P. Here is the winning mix by Zade & Kanye Cross: soundcloud.com/gottwood/gottwood-dj-competition-zade – and you can see all three acts play at Gottwood.

Gottwood Festival comes to you from a location like no other place you will have been. It’s like something out of a fairytale, or your most lucid dream – the area has even been described by Lonely Planet as the ’Greatest Region On The Earth 2012’. That’s how special it is.

The theme for Gottwood Festival 2013 has been chosen – and it’s ‘The Wild Things’. So, what does that mean? “You are ‘The Wild Things’,” say the Gottwood organisers. “This theme is a reinvigoration, a celebration and most importantly an exploration of your imagination. We want everyone to pause, take a step back from their everyday life, leap off the edge, and wander into an unrestrained, untamed, wild and wonderful parallel mindset celebrating everything in your life that is not actually there, but is locked up top, and in most cases is rarely given a chance to flourish! We will be building an a magical backdrop of colour and vibrance, and we can’t wait for you to show us ‘The Wild Things‘.”

There have been some changes at Gottwood Festival this year, but one of the most exciting announcements is that there will be two open-air stages running until 4am – in a similar fashion to the first ever Gottwood. This time around the Boxford Caravan, as well as a new woodland stage will run until the twilight hours, with surround sound four-point Funktion One systems helping to bring the noise! Dancing in the trees all night long is back!

RFID, the pioneers in fully immersive projection, are returning for their third year and will be providing the unique 360 degree visual experience for everyone who ventures into the dome. Last year saw Dinky play an amazing set to hundreds of confused but amazed people who appeared to be struggling to grasp where they were or what time it was when the visuals really sprang into life.

Gottwood strives to help and provide a promotional platform for artists. This year look out for The Bestiary building bringing larger-than-life interactive animal installations made from salvaged wood; Mr Kobo returns to paint a modern-day mural. Venture out to see the oversized live oil painting and graffiti from the uber-talented and Gottwood Caravan creator Technicolour Moon, as well as interactive tree painting, which is set to be an amazing sight to see.

This small, boutique and wholly independent electronic music festival – set within the deepest darkest depths of the Welsh woodland, and next to the sandy beaches of the Irish Sea – provides the ultimate alternative festival experience. Working with some of the most innovative and interesting names in electronic music, Gottwood Festival strives to ensure its lineup ticks all the boxes for even the most discerning club heads

Gottwood is going to be a very colourful place this year with more treats and surprises than ever before!