Bastille joins Sound City lineup

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Last year saw Mercury Music Prize winners Alt-J, Jake Bugg and Django Django perform before the bands released critically and commercially acclaimed albums later in the year and previous performances have included early shows from Florence and the Machine, The Maccabees and Ed Sheeran.

BastilleThe most exciting prospect in indie for a long time, Bastille, recently entered the UK album chart at number 1 with their debut album, ‘Bad Blood’ and have been confirmed to appear at Sound City.  Bad Blood is full of triumphantly melancholic anthems, epic sounding instrumentation and lyrics that combine intimate stories and conversation and their clever pop has cast Bastille as leading lights in the current resurgence of guitar music in the UK.
 
Sound City is committed to providing a platform for emerging musical talent and new confirmations include the fuzzy guitars and chunky synth riffs of On an On, the psychedelic sounds of Temples, the dance floor friendly beats of local boys Tea Street Band, the effortless marriage of rock and electronica that is Duologue and hotly tipped Liverpool band Loved Ones.  By The Sea, All We Are, Broken Men, Bird, Nadine Carina, Ady Suleiman, Concrete Knives, Sun Glitters, Mutiny On The Bounty, Afternaut and Silent Sleep also join the bill.
 
The line-up for this year’s Sound City is hugely impressive and will feature very special shows from Noah and the Whale, Dexys and The Walkmen, all of whom will be performing in Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral.  Other acts not to be missed at Sound City include Everything Everything, AlunaGeorge, Melody’s Echo Chamber, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, King Krule, Mount Kimbie, Thee Oh Sees, Drenge and Oneohtrix Point Never as the globes most pioneering musical adventurers descend on Liverpool for the first festival of the year.
 
Sound City is a snapshot of everything that is vital in music right now.
 
LINE UP TO DATE
Noah and the Whale / The Walkmen / Dexys / Bastille / Everything Everything / Enter Shikari / Thee Oh Sees / Darwin Deez / Delphic / Mount Kimbie / Reverend and the Makers / AlunaGeorge / Dutch Uncles / King Krule / Oneohtrix Point Never / Future Of The Left / Toy / Wave Machines / Egyptian Hip Hop / Stealing Sheep / Drenge / Savages / Melody’s Echo Chamber / Unknown Mortal Orchestra / Ian Prowse & Amsterdam / Darkstar / Outfit / Swim Deep / Alessi’s Ark / The 1975 / PINS / Wolf People / Theme Park / Jetta / Hawk Eyes / Bipolar Sunshine / Loom / Deep Sea / Arcade / The Family Rain / Blackeye / Skaters / Splashh / Charlie Boyer & The Voyeurs / Dan Croll / Soley / Lulu James / Arcane Roots / Still Corners / Luls / Hands / Wild Smiles / Mikill Pane / Bebe Black / Jacob Banks / Murkage / Bo Ningen / Big Deal / Amateur Best / Night Engine / Fossil Collective / Marmozets / Hacktivist / Brolin / Mind Enterprises / Golden Fable / Neck Deep / Likely Lads / On An On / Temples / The Tea Street Band / Duologue / Loved Ones / By The Sea / All We Are / Broken Men / Bird / Nadine Carina / Ady Suleiman / Concrete Knives / Sun Glitters / Mutiny On The Bounty / Afternaut / Silent Sleep

Godspeed You! Black Emperor and more added to Off Festival

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Godspeed You! Black Emperor
Godspeed You! Black Emperor is one of the most important guitar-based groups of the past two decades, and yet we know so little about them. Founded in 1994, this nonet (yes, there are nine musicians in the band) surfaces and disappears as they please without a word of explanation. Even in the world of alternative music, this Montreal act really sticks to the sidelines. After a prolonged hiatus, they returned two years ago to curate All Tomorrow's Parties and surprised everyone in 2012 with a new and excellent album, Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!. This post rock collective's live shows are an amazing experience: the anti-rock stars stick to the shadows while suggestive visuals flicker above them in perfect harmony with the mystical sounds. One thing we can promise is that this Canadian band's set will be a life-changing event.

Skalpel 
Igor Pud?o and Marcin Cichy, a producer and DJ duo from Wroc?aw, publish their records through the legendary Ninja Tune label, proving that being a Polish artist doesn't mean you can't be international, and that you can make modern electronic music out of stylish, old-school Polish jazz. They both manage quite well on their own, but we're glad to see them back together and playing at the OFF Festival. Apparently the feeling is mutual, and they're said to be preparing an exceptional audiovisual performance. "We and our fans all have very fond memories of our first OFF Festival show in Mys?owice, and we're glad that our comeback as a duo is going to happen at this festival. The concert's going to be a review of our work. We'll be playing material off of both albums, some of the music from Sacrum Profanum, as well as some new compositions," the artists wrote in a press release.

Girls Against Boys
Veterans of the US noise rock scene with roots in the DC hardcore world (they even shared a drummer with Fugazi at one point), Girls Against Boys are now based in New York. There's less of that hardcore drive in their music and more space and power, all generated by two blaring bass guitars. They haven't recorded an album in quite a while ? You Can't Fight What You Can't See came out over a decade ago ? and they don't play live much either, so that's all the more reason to take advantage of this chance to see a legend in action.

Goat 
Goat are a group of masked Swedes from a village north of the Arctic Circle, authors of the record World Music, which came out of nowhere to make an unexpected appearance on many of 2012's year-end best album lists. The LP feature a seeming chaotic ? but ultimately original and well though out ? combination of kraut rock, afrobeat, and electronically-infused psychedelics taken right out of the golden age of rave. One journalist from the British site The Quietus, on the other hand, simply describes Goat as "Voodoo magic. Fucking voodoo magic." And he might be right: don't get anywhere near their OFF Festival performance without an exorcist. 

Mykki Blanco
Her real name is Michael David Quattlebaum Jr.; Mykki Blanco is his female alter-ego and stage name. Mykki Blanco is a leading representative of New York's queer-rap scene, a phenomenon that is as new as it is extraordinary in the macho world of hip-hop. But gender issues are one thing, and music is another: this American is truly excellent. Her mixtape Cosmic Angel: Illuminati Prince/ss is the perfect soundtrack to a crazy night out on the town and has garnered rave reviews from critics who see in her the next A$AP Rocky and Das Racist.

The Haxan Cloak
Graveyard dirges and church choirs, just the thing for fans of horror flicks: The Haxan Cloak is Britain's hope for dark ambient and thereabouts. 26 year old Londoner Bobby Krlic has a few self-released EPs to his name, along with a debut album for Aurora Borealis and last year's single-track album titled ?The Men Parted the Sea to Devour the Water. A true feast for any masochist who's into Shackleton, Lustmord, or Demdike Stare. Line Up so far AlunaGeorge, Bisz/B.O.K Band, Blondes, Deerhunter, Girls Against Boys, Goat, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Jens Lekman, Laurel Halo, Merchandise, Metz, Mykki Blanco My Bloody Valentine, Skalpel, Super Girl & Romantic Boys, The Haxan Cloak, The Pop Group, The Walkmen, Thee Oh Sees, Tres B with many more to be announced?

Line Up so far
AlunaGeorge, Bisz/B.O.K Band, Blondes, Deerhunter, Girls Against Boys, Goat, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Jens Lekman, Laurel Halo, Merchandise, Metz, Mykki Blanco, My Bloody Valentine, Skalpel, Super Girl & Romantic Boys, The Haxan Cloak, The Pop Group, The Walkmen, Thee Oh Sees, Tres B with many more to be announced?

Hard Rock Definitely Rises!

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Taking place in one of the most iconic venues in London The Hard Rock Café, Hard Rock Rising: the global battle of the bands 2013 was an event not to be missed! Over 3 nights, 9 bands voted for by the general public battled it out each night to be chosen the winners of their heat. After some fierce rock and roll, only 3 bands will make it through to the live final on Wednesday 27th March to battle it out once more for a unbelievable prize of a record contract that will seal the bands bright future and a whole heap of travelling to go with it. But with all this amazing talent, who will remain to be the last band standing!

Monday night went off with an almighty bang, with the history of rock and roll plastered all over the walls; it was hard not to be amazed by the venue, its warm and cosy atmosphere. The 3 bands that were taking to the stage were Alexa De Strange, Crystal x and Snap Out.

Alexa De Strange totally rocked the stage and immediately captured everyone’s attention. They played a 3 song set each one louder than the previous and with an amazing operatic lead female singer, it was clear they’d earned their spot on stage. Their image resembled that of a true rock and roll and they had the audience (and myself) head banging almost immediately. When it came to the judges Absolute Radio’s James Curran, Jemma Dowley from Live Nation and James Walsh from Star sailor, it was clear how awesome their performance was. Described as “an amazing way to kick-start the night” and reminiscent of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, they certainly made a lasting impression on everyone in that room

After a 5 minute changeover where the drinks and conversation were flowing, we welcomed the 2nd band of the night Crystal X. Somewhat younger, with the age of all their members totally just 19 years, they soon showed me age matters not and rocked the house in true style. With a lot more audience interaction and variation of emotions in their set, they raised the energy and definitely hotted up the competition. With the judges agreeing that they showcased a more serious side with a youthful image that would be highly marketable, they played their best to score a place in the final.
The last band of the night was the only all male trio Snap out. Described as the “Wild Card” of the evening, they were fast, furious and rocking the audience with their electric guitar solos and on stage banter made them stand out from the crowd. The judges declared them “the most fully formed band of the night” and they showed a genuine, natural relationship on stage that shined through.

Then it was the tense results moment, with such unique talent, I don’t know how the judges decided but the crowd went crazy when Alexa De Strange was named Winner of Heat 1! They will be back for the live final, one step closer to the amazing prize!

Come Tuesday night, I was ready and excited for Round 2 and the night did not disappoint. The 3 next bands to take to the stage were The Carnabys, Echo Park and The Nevertones. It was another night full of great music and a great atmosphere.

The Carnabys took to the stage with a 5 piece boy band image; their music was a mixture of rock, soul and funk that went down amazingly. From London, they displayed a large amount of energy and charisma, with different moods attached to each song; they proved popular to everyone present. Compared as “the best boy band since the Who”, they certainly played well and showcased a unique form of rock and roll.

Echo Park, the second 5 piece rock band from Surrey had a more rock mixed with pop vibe and reminded me of a younger Westlife. They definitely knew how to play their instruments with an amazing drummer and awesome singing they captured my attention. Their lyrics somewhat more emotional than others had true feeling and they showed a soft tender side to rock and roll.

Lastly, we had The Nevertones. A chaotic rock band formed in July 2012 that mix indie, rock and punk to create some unforgettable songs such as Do The Monkfish. They created a blues vibe that differed from the others and with an excellent guitarist, and bucket loads of energy they did a great set. I would describe them as soft rock and roll but nevertheless, they showed their talents to fight off the competition.

Yet more nervous for these 3 bands, The Carnabys were crowned the winners of Heat 2 and will join Alexa De Strange in the live final on the 27th March.
Wednesday night, there was a touch of sadness in the air with it being the last fighting round. The Kut, Tequila Mockingbird and Wild Honey were the last bands to battle it out. It was a night full of excitement, anticipation and full on rocking . The last results revealed that Tequila Mockingbird were the third and final band to make it through.

So Hard Rock Rising 2013, the battles have been done and the heats have taken place. The three finalists Alexa De Strange, The Carnabys and Tequila Mockingbird will return at the Hard Rock Cafe, London on Wednesday 27th March for the live final but who has what it takes to be crowned winner of Hard Rock Rising : Battle of the Bands 2013!
 

Maya Jane Coles, Ms Dynamite and more for High Definition Festival

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Already announced is Britain’s urban pop superstar, Labrinth. Having taken the nation by storm with his plethora of enormous hits, the ultimate showman will grace Forest Farm with his illustrious fusion of R&B, Hip-Hop and Dubstep.
 
Also performing will be a true purveyor of UK bass music, Ms Dynamite and Sinead Hartnett, the go to girl for the likes of Wiley andDisclosure laying down vocals on their tracks Walk Away and Boiling.
Ms Dynamite
 
One of the UK’s most promising new faces, Dot Rotten has been making cyclonic waves across the nation with his sharp lyrics and gritty beats. The unstoppable force will be performing alongside the likes of Oneman, Joker, EZ and Bohdi for what promises to be a storming session on the main stage.
 
Headlining the High Definition Arena will be the ever prolific Maya Jane Coles. Famed for her absorbing take on house music, the flourishing producer is set to take 2013 by storm with her infectious beats and the eagerly awaited release of her debut album. Chicago born and raised, Lee Foss is one of few DJ’s that have made a definitive impact on the underground house and techno scene over the past few years. Described by DJ Mag as “one of most talented new forces in modern dance music” the Hot Creations label boss is one not to miss this summer. Also out in force will be Bristol resident Eats Everything. Having gained international recognition for his signature brand of bass heavy house, the larger than life producer will join the formidable Justin Martin for a very special back-to-back set.
 
Famed for their upfront house music and a fanatical thirst for hats, the nation’s favourite clubbing experience, Hat Club joins High Definition for a clubbing extravaganza. Topping the bill will be Hot Creation’s star Miguel Campbell. Having garnered critical recognition for purveying the finest in deep, quality house, the momentous producer remains in relentless demand across the globe. Joining Miguel will be the irrepressible Black Butter boys Gorgon City, Hot Since 82 and hotly tipped Roses Gabor.
 
This is one Old Skool revival not to miss this summer. The infamous Epidemik will explode onto Forest Farm bringing with them the very best of Jungle, Breaks and Drum and Bass. Featuring a momentous line up including Crissy Criss, Ratpack, Shut Up & Dance and a very special live performance from Peter Bouncer.
 
High Definition has been acclaimed for its jaw dropping production values, rivaling some of the biggest festivals in the world and unique for a boutique event of this scale.  Stakeholders in the festival separately run event production businesses, meaning the festival has exclusive access to some of the best equipment in Europe and is able to bring festival goers sounds and sights other festivals can only dream of.
 
High-end sound systems by Mustt Audio Ltd, hundreds of meters of LED screen panels, full-colour laser systems, stunning pyrotechnics, Co2 cannons, stadium glitter launchers and hundreds of moving lights, LEDs and generic fixtures all supplied by in-house production team Light Design Ltd, will be illuminating up this Essex skyline this summer.
 
The High Definition site is easily accessible from Fairlop tube station on the Central Line, just 24 minutes from Liverpool Street station and the last trains leave after the festival has finished making High Definition a viable event for those from the capital and beyond.
 
LINE UP TO DATE
 
DIGITAL ARENA  
LABRINTH
+ VERY SPECIAL GUEST TBA
 MS DYNAMITE
SINEAD HARTNETT
DOT ROTTEN
JOKER
EZ
ONEMAN
BODHI
  
HIGH DEFINITION ARENA DEFINITION ARENA
MAYA JANE COLES
LEE FOSS
EATS EVERYTHING
JUSTIN MARTIN
LEE CURTISS
BICEP
 
HAT CLUB
MIGUEL CAMPBELL
GORGON CITY
HOT SINCE 82
ROSES GABOR – LIVE PA
ANDY DANIELL
HAT CLUB DJS
 
EPIDEMIK ARENA
 GENERAL LEVY LIVE PA (PERF "INCREDIBLE" AND MORE)
PETER BOUNCER LIVE PA (PERF "I'M RAVIN I'M RAVIN")
UK BEATBOXERS CHAMPION LIVE SHOWCASE FEAT. BALL-ZEE
RATPACK 25 YEAR SHOWCASE
CRISSY CRISS
SHUT UP & DANCE
BILLY DANIEL BUNTER
ALEX P
SCOTT GARCIA
UNCLE DUGS
DEVIOUS D
DJ VIBES
KEZMAN B2B DRIBZ
PIQUE B2B TWISTA
JASON J & VINYL VERA
DIVERSE REALITY LIVE PA
Plus MCs
EVENSON ALLEN/SHABBA-D/WICKED/SAM/SUPPLIER/FIVE ALIVE/3FLOW/LYRICAL GROOVER/STRICT/RYDER MIKE/LURCH/CUTTER
 
 + MANY MANY MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED

Eric Prydz only London show for 2013 at SW4

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A total of twenty acts have been announced for SW4 2013 so far, ranging from UK festival exclusives in the form of Armin van Buuren and Boys Noize [Live], to rare UK performances from Marco Carola, Solomun and Nicky Romero, to never before seen back-to-backs like that between 2 step legends Todd Edwards and EZ. With a further 50 acts still to come, including the majority of our headline DJs, South West Four’s 10th Anniversary is all set to be the biggest celebration of dance music London has ever witnessed. The first of these headline DJs playing the Sunday can now be announced. A man who has enjoyed an intricate love affair with SW4 and a firm favourite of all in attendance. That man is Eric Prydz.

Eric Prydz and South West Four have an immense history together. Prydz used to live in Clapham and his huge productions have been the soundtrack to the festival for many years. This was highlighted more than ever last year with the release of ‘SW4’, another dancefloor destroying studio effort which has since gone down as one of the finest tracks Eric has ever released.

Eric Prydz

As one of the most in demand DJs of the last decade, Eric’s own brand of uplifting piano based house registers him as one of the most popular and accomplished acts to ever grace our sacred stages. This will be the fourth time Eric has played SW4 in the past five years. In fact one of our posters would look peculiar without his name brazen across it.  

Last year the Grammy nominated producer showed yet again why his polished performances remain one of clubland’s great wonders. Thousands squeezed into the Together arena to witness one of the finest and most infectious sets of SW4 2012. Since then the South West Four favourite has relocated to the States to commence a critically acclaimed ‘Black Dice’ residency in Las Vegas, whilst his monthly EPIC podcast has been essential listening. He returns to South West Four for his only London show of 2013, making this his most important and significant Clapham Common performance to date.

Carl Craig, Ricardo Villalobos + more for Super Bock Super Rock Festival

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The 19th edition of the Super Bock Super Rock (SBSR) festival takes place from the 18th-20th July in Meco, a coastal resort just outside of Lisbon, Portugal. Together with headliners Arctic Monkeys, The Killers and Queens of the Stone Age; Azealia Banks, Johnny Marr, Kaiser Chiefs, Chk Chk Chk and Owen Pallett are amongst the acts set to be performing at the Portuguese festival this July.

Arctic Monkeys

Relatively unknown to UK audiences, Super Bock Super Rock is one of the longest running festivals in Europe. Previous editions of the festival have included music giants The Strokes, Arcade Fire, Muse, New Order, Pixies and Metallica to name just few.

The festival takes place by some of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal, just a mere 20 minutes train ride from Lisbon city centre. With easy access from the airport, Super Bock Super Rock offers an enviable setting and strong line-up at an amazing price tag of £77 + booking fee for a 3 day ticket including 4 camping nights (17th to 20th incl); tickets are available on See Tickets.

An amazing line-up, affordable ticket prices, good weather, beach setting, easy access and the opportunity to make a beach holiday or city break out of the festival experience, make Super Bock Super Rock one of the strongest contenders of the European festival circuit.

Deer Shed Festival Machines theme deconstructed

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Over the weekend of19th – 21st July, the Baldersby Park in North Yorkshire will be taken over with a magnitude of mechanical offerings. This family festival is set to be awash with activities, demonstrations, talks and workshops from technology wizards such as Paul Granjon and international student organisation Robo Gals, as well as live coding, 3D printing, Scrapheap Challenge and oodles more quirky, insightful and ingenious machine related shenanigans!

Deer Shed Festival are delighted to have Paul Granjon as their MACHINES tent main attraction! Paul is interested in the co-evolution of humans and machines and builds all manner of fascinating contraptions,some of which are pretty bonkers! Paul will be demonstrating his homemade robotics accompanied by songs and illustrated reflections on the current state of cybernetic technology. Showing that the girls can be technology guru’s too the Robogals will be running hands-on robotic workshops engaging participants in a range of engineering topics in a way that is fun, creative and inspiring.

Other interactive and informative workshops include; Paul Harter’s Printcraft – The wonders of modern technology are often equally as baffling as they are wondrous, and 3D printing has to be the latest development which can proudly wear that crown! Paul Harter has developed a way to make the processes easily accessible by writing a script to create printable 3D models from within the ever popular Minecraft game. Paul will be demonstrating the witchcraft of 3D printing and wowing the kids and adults alike with this new form of magic!

Always ones to encourage full participation Deer Shed have set up an abundance of workshops and activities for festival goers to test their technological talents and creative construction capabilities! Scrapheap Challenge – just like the TV show, Deer Shed are challenging their festival folks to build a water worthy craft out of junk powered by human or mechanical means to be pitched against each other for the title of fastest craft! For those who don't feel quite ready for the scale of the scrapheap challenge, there is the option ofbuilding new machines from old ones! Under the watchful eye of resident robotics whizz, Paul Ganjon, festival goers can create their very own little robot friend made from salvaged parts from other machines.

For the more computer minded generation there is: Scratch programming – Scratch is a programming environment that makes it easy to create interactive stories, animations, games, music, art and share creations on the web; and Raspberry Pi – a credit-card-sized single-board computer developed in the UK by the Raspberry Pi Foundation with the intention of stimulating the teaching of basic computer science in schools;Picade – part of the Raspberry Pi Company, the Picade is a small desktop arcade machine with a joystick and six buttons playing classic computer games for some low tech nostalgic pleasure! Minecraft, the creative and building aspects of Minecraft allow players to build constructions out of textured cubes in a 3D world; andWorld of Padman for people to try out their new found skills and peak behind the coding curtain of the PG rated game.

Other Machine related activities and shows include: Live Coding Band – always keen to intertwine the theme into the festival as much as possible, Deer Shed Festival have found possibly the only Live Coding Band in the land! They will be programming a computer live which, in turn, generates music that can be danced to as well!

With such an array of practical skills, technological techniques and information insights on offer, the Machines theme for Deer Shed Festival will celebrate all types of machinery, new and old, large and small, including some rustic gems like Pringle Tubes crystal radios, Music Boxes and a substitute pet for the weekend, theThingies –These mechanical beasts, or ‘Thingies’ will be buzzing around for festival goers to play with!

Amsterdam Open Air Festival details

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They will be supported by newcomers Straf_Werk, Diepzinnig and the new stage Open AIR – BY MTV. The smaller stages will be hosted by PLAK, de Nachtspelen, SFFRMKRS, Chasing the Hihat and Baws. Besides the musical, culinary and cultural experience of the festival, a lively night program at the campsite will make its debut. 

AeroplaneWith names including Aeroplane, Todd Terry and Flight Facilities, disco and electro will set the tone of the Apenkooi stage on Saturday. Amsterdam will be honored to welcome Belgian rave queen Raving George, treating Open Air to merciless electro. Open AIR – BY MTV has booked big names including Tiga, Hercules & Love Affair Soundsystem, Redlight and Marbert Rocel. Format will start the weekend at full throttle with heroes of techno Paco Osuna, Joop Junior and Ici Sans Merci. Format godfather Juan Sanchez will take place behind the decks on both Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday Robert Hood and Sandwell District as well as homegrown Egbert, Mirella Kroes and Kevin Arneman will be present. This year, GirlsLoveDJs will have enough DJ’s to sink a ship, including de Jeugd van Tegenwoordig, The Flexican & MC Sef and Yellow Claw.

 

Carnivale pulls out the theatrics once again and rolls out a list of names that make you applaud spontaneously: ONNO, tINI, Guti, Sneak, Cassy and indestructible tech-house artists Matthias Tanzmann and The Martinez Brothers. Thenew but certainly not modest hosting partners Diepzinnig and Straf_Werk have put deep-house on the Amsterdam nightlife map during the past year. With names including Benoit & Sergio and Laura Jones, these hosts are not too shy to make their first Amsterdam Open Air stages spectacular.

After the success of hosting partners de Nachtspelen and PLAK during previous editions, they have become an unmissable part of the program. A creative and intimate setting from both parties can be expected once again. Hip Hop fans can indulge at the stages hosted by new partners BAWS and SFFRMKRS. Chasing The Hihat completes thefestival.

Besides lavish entertainment for the ears, there will of course be much to see and taste. The large assortment of creativity and culture by Collective Losse Schroeven, the PaardenKracht Photobooth, Gino’s Italopop Disco and many others set the mood for flirtatious endeavors. The Food Line-up dishes up an oasis of artisan caterers. These names are just a selection of the list of creative partners that can be found at the festival.
The Rock ‘n Roll Dream Hotel by Models at Work, where guests can turn their stay at the camp site into a mini vacation, will make their debut this year. The Rock ‘n Roll Dream Hotel consists of various tipis accommodating 2, 3 or 6 guests, with many amenities for maximum comfort. Guests check-in at the Dream reception, are escorted to their tipis by Models at Work piccolos and are treated to breakfast in bed by one of the beautiful Models at Work chambermaids. After breakfast, tipi guests are escorted to the festival. The Rock ‘n Roll Dream Hotel with all of its surprises is hidden away inTipitown at the Amsterdam Open Air camp site.

 
Tipis can be reserved by email: [email protected]. After confirmation from Models at Work, the Tipi tickets can be booked for €200.00 per person through the Amsterdam Open Air website. The tipi ticket includes three nights, two breakfasts and a weekend festival ticket.
 
You can of course pitch your own tent or bring your camper or caravan to the Amsterdam Open Air camp site. Tickets are on sale for €79.50 which includes entrance to the festival. During the nights at the camp site, various forms of entertainment will be on the program, from 21:00 till 04:00 on Friday and from 22:00 till 04:00 on Saturday.
 
In short: with an exuberant festivity introducing new hosting and creative partners, a night program at the camp site andthe new Tipi-camp, Amsterdam Open Air 2013 promises to surpass previous editions.
 
The pre-sale has started and the early birds have flown. Guests can purchase a weekend ticket for €59.50, a camping ticket for €79.50 and a camping ticket including breakfast for €94.50. The day tickets will be available on Friday March 8thfor €39.50. The camp site is open from Friday June 7th 12:00 till Monday June 10th 12:00.

Barcelona’s Innovation in the Sun details

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This year features: Andy C, Loadstar, Wilkinson, & Ray Rampage!

– The Worlds Only Drum & Bass Waterpark Party 
– The Biggest Drum & Bass 'Headphone' Beach Party 
– The Most Incredible Drum & Bass Yacht Parties 
– The Unmissable Drum & Bass Foam Party 
– The Most Coveted MC Competition 
– The Craziest Beach Football 
– The Awsome Drum & Bass Beach Bar 
+ Over 100 Artists across 7 Days & Nights 

PRICES PACKAGES 1 WEEK PACKAGE: TUES 25th JUNE – TUES 2ND JULY 2013 FROM 
£245 (Incl. 7 nights of raving, 7 nights accommodation with breakfast & dinner) 

WEEKEND PACKAGE: FRI 28th JUNE TO MON 1st JULY 2013 FROM £155 (Incl. 3 nights of raving, 3 nights accommodation with breakfast & dinner) 

CLUB ONLY TICKETS 
You will need to organize your own accommodation 

THE CLUB ONLY TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED UP TO AND INCLUDING 18/6/13.
7 night club only pass = £160 
5 night club only pass = £135 (any 5 nights between 25th June & 2nd July 2013) 
3 night club only pass = £99 (any 3 nights between 25th June & 2nd July 2013)
SPECIAL OFFER
7 night Club only tickets January Max Saver Ticket = £120 (Available till 31/1/13) 

Super Saver Ticket = £130 (Available till 28/2/13) 
Saver Ticket = £140 (Available till 31/3/13) 
Extended Saver Ticket = £150 (Available till 30/4/13) 

CLUB ONLY TICKETS + WATERPARK SAVER TICKET (£15 saving on waterpark event) ~
7 night club only tickets & Waterpark Saver Ticket = £155 (pay by 31/1/13) 
7 night club only tickets & Waterpark Saver Ticket = £165 (pay by 28/2/13) 
7 night club only tickets & Waterpark Saver Ticket = £175 (pay by 31/3/13) 
7 night club only tickets & Waterpark Saver Ticket = £195 (pay by 18/6/13) 

THE CHEAPEST WAY TO PAY IS VIA BANK TRANSFER OR CHEQUE FOR MORE INFO & TO BOOK YOUR PLACE VISIT 
http://www.innovationinthesun.com/

Open’er Festival confirms Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, Kendrick Lamar and more

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Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

A band famous to all from post-punk afficionados to the music TV and Internet generations. Their new album was one of the most anticipated returns in recent years. Ladies and Gentlemen, for the first time at Open'er Festival, the masters of dark poetry, Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds! They will perform on 4 July on Main Stage. 
 
This year, we celebrate the 30th anniversary of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds as formed by leading man Nick Cave, multi-instrumentalist Mick Harvey and guitarist Blixa Bargeld. From the very start, they were able to create their own version of alternative rock, incorporating elements of punk, gothic rock, no wave and blues.
 
In these three decades, they underwent countless line-up changes (with Cave now remaining the only original member), released 15 full-length albums and raced through a handful of genres, from the definite post-punk of first releases, through songwriter ballads and melancholic pop duos with Kylie Minogue or PJ Harvey to raw garage rock. In every genre, they can count legions of faithful fans, most of all thanks to Cave, his charisma, the unique voice and a talent to write poetic, dark and often ironic lyrics. 
 
Mid-February 2013 saw the release of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds 15th studio album "Push The Sky Away", promoted by singles "We No Who U R" and "Jubilee Street". Well-received by critics from the very start, "Push The Sky Away" was called a "majestic and desolate masterpiece" (NME), one of the best records in the catalogue of this prolific Australian legend.
 
Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds
 
Kendrick Lamar
 
"Now everybody serenade the new faith of Kendrick Lamar/ This is king Kendrick Lamar" – these are the two opening verses of “Compton”, the final song on “Good Kid, M.A.A.D. city” – best LP of 2012 according to Pitchfork. Both the listing and the words of Lamar himself are not vainly blowing his own trumpet.
 
The coronation of Lamar did not only make Lamar king of West Coast, but also of the entire American hip-hop, which had to subdue to the 26-year-old rapper in 2012. Released in October, "Good Kid, M.A.A.D city” was deemed a rap masterpiece from the very start, earning only positive reviews, praising the album concept (the story of growing up in LA suburbs as told in 12 songs), mature lyrics and production. The LP was produced by Dr. Dre, who halted his work on long awaited "Detox" to help his protégé. The studio work featured 12 different producers, including Pharrell, Hit-Boy, Just Blaze, yet was an extremely cohesive work. "Good Kid, M.A.A.D. city” was streamed over 3 million times in its opening week, the second result of 2012 after Mumford & Sons.
 
The LP debuted as #2 in Billboard charts, currently having sold nearly a million copies. Both Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg deemed Lamar the new king of West Coast and invited him onstage during the memorable Coachella 2012 appearance. Kendrick was featured on LPs from The Game and Drake, who also invited him on tour, along with A$AP Rocky. The two collaborated on "Fuckin’ Problems", and Drake returned the feature on "Good Kid, M.A.A.D. city”'s "Poetic Justice”. Built around a Janet Jackson hit, the single doesn't feature Janet in the video (as was Kendrick's dream), yet, the interest in Lamar is strong as ever. He sold out the European tour, appeared on two most important TV shows in the US and has a long feature queue, recently appearing on tracks from 50 Cent and Dido. Lamar will spend the summer at European festivals, including Gdynia's Heineken Open'er.
 
Kendrick Lamar
 
Devendra Banhart
 
Devendra Banhart is the second American alternative player at Open'er, following Animal Collective, with whom they co-formed the fluid Americana/New Weird America movement.  – Prior to becoming the king of Americana, he took a long road, straight from a movie on a young rebel hero. American-born, he spent a few years in his mother's native Venezuela, studied art and traveled around Europe, busking before finally having been discovered by an influential person. Swans' Michael Gira was enchanted by Banhart's demo, releasing or co-producing his first albums on his Young Gods label. However, the breakthrough "Cripple Crow" was released on XL Recordings, who realised the potential of freak folk. Banhart's music stood out with its elements of latino music, the singer's trademark vibrato, complete with his image of New York hippie, collaborating with Beck, CocoRosie and Antony and The Johnsons. On 11 March, his 7th solo album "Mala" premieres on Nonesuch label. Recorded almost entirely on analog TASCAM gear, "Mala" reminds us that the artist we're about to witness at Open'er this July is truly unusual.
 
Hey
 
Hey incarnate the living and ever-changing history of Polish music. Their charismatic singer Katarzyna Nosowska is often called the best lyricist in her generation, and the band won an endless number of awards. Their style includes all important influences in guitar music of the last two decades, from grunge and alternative rock to electronic experiments. All 10 of their records became platinum. Hey welcomes the second generation of fans, who take to their intelligent lyrics and music, an intelligence their musical peers could never even approach. It will be Hey's first time at Open'er, but recalling Nosowska's 2012 solo debut on Tent Stage, we know it will be a very special time.