Lounge on the Farm is pleased to confirm Sean Hughes and Phil Kay for their 2011 Comedy Tent. Irish born Hughes, a veteran on the stand up circuit and known for his appearances on panel shows (Never Mind The Buzzcocks) will bring his dark humour down to Canterbury in July. Phil Kay, a TV writer for the likes of Reeves & Mortimer, Harry Hill and Jonathan Ross will also be performing stand up at the festival.
Alongside these exciting new additions, Lounge on the Farm have confirmed a wealth of new acts for the Meadows Bar including DJ Format, British producer Justin Robertson, the founder of Dub Pistols Barry Ashworth and Adrian Sherwood & Congo Natty aka Rebel MC and ComfyPorn who will play the closing set on Sunday night. LA afropop collective Fools Gold have also been announced for the line up alongside the up and coming artist Gwilym Gold. British duo Smoke Fairies, with their blend of dark blues-folk will be headlining the Folk Stage on Friday evening.
Forward thinking London promoters Urban Nerds have also been recruited as an official partner for The Cow Shed, they will bring their bass heavy atmospherics on the Saturday night.
As previously announced – The Streets, Ellie Goulding and Echo & The Bunnymen are confirmed as main headliners for the July festival. Example, Katy B, Graham Coxon, Annie Mac, Everything Everything, Jamie Woon, The Joy Formidable, The Vaccines, Johnny Flynn and Cornershop will all be joining them.
The festival is also pouring energy into its newest stage addition the Meadows Stage. Joined by the Furthur team, whose visual stylings are notoriously unique and fresh, this collaboration sees a true union of creative forces and is bound to sum up contemporary Canterbury in a whirlwind of fun and frolics amongst the maize.
One of the most successful Canterbury bands, prog rock legends Caravan have also been confirmed for the festival, with the re-release of the seminal album In the Land of Grey and Pink due this summer, they will play the new Meadows stage.
Having carved itself out a niche as a festival known for its unique location on a real life, working farm (with real animals roaming about), plus a strong focus on delicious food, family friendly atmosphere and reputable line-up, Lounge on the Farm Festival will double its capacity in 2011 to 10,000 people and also cement itself as one of the key boutique UK festivals for the summer. At just 55 mins on a train from Kings Cross, this is an easy festival to get to for Londoners and is fast securing the hottest line up of the summer.
After being championed by none other than Lenny Kravitz, and more recently touring with Ellie Goulding, US folk singer Lissie is back on UK shores and joins headliners Bon Jovi at Hard Rock Calling on Saturday 25 June. Italian sensation Gianna Nannini is also announced, bringing a hint of European pizazz to our capital city this summer.
Curating the Bandstand Stage is Steve Van Zandt of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band. Steve has chosen his best picks of up and coming talent, including Denmark soul-rockers The Breakers, Norway’s girl garage-rock five-piece The Launderettes, UK New Wave powerpop-rockers The Contrast and one of the UK’s most hotly tipped acts Yellow Wire,all confirmed for Saturday 25 June.
Joining the Friday 24 June bill are northern four-piece The Heartbreaks, who are currently taking the UK and Europe by storm whilst touring with Morrissey. Friday Bandstand Stage additions include Sunderland new kids on the block Frankie and the Heartstrings and the soulful Michael Kiwanuka. Additionally, the four winning acts from the Hard Rock Café’s Global Battle Of The Bands competition will also take to the stage over the weekend. Rosco Bandana, Stefany June, Gugun Blues Shelter and IAMWE were chosen from hundreds of international applicants by a specialist panel of judges.
Now in its sixth consecutive year, Hard Rock Calling has fully established itself as one of the UK’s premier outdoor music events. Produced by Live Nation and presented by Hard Rock International, it is a unique and historic musical event with a main stage,second stage and many surprises in store for fans of all ages. This year’s headliners include The Killers onFriday 24 June, Grammy-Award winning rockers Bon Jovi on Saturday 25 June, and living legend Rod Stewart will headline Sunday 26 June with rock ‘n’ roll queen Stevie Nicks as special guest.
Taking time out from rummaging through his extensive dressing up box, Rob da Bank said: ‘I can’t think of a more suitable act to judge this year’s Fancy Dress competition than the Village People! They practically invented the genre so prepare to put some effort in to wow the cowboy, impress the policeman or win over the Red Indian with your best Rock Star, Pop Star or Diva… The combinations are endless and, as ever, Bestivalites are invited to use their imaginations and not stick to the script’
As we know from years gone by creativity knows no bounds for you lot, so in return for giving us an upfront glimpse of your amazing creations you could be in with a chance of winning a lifetimes supply of Bestival tickets! All you have to do to enter is send us a photo of you dressed up in your Rock Star, Pop Star or Diva get-up to [email protected] and we’ll post them on our Facebook pagewww.facebook.com/bestivalfestival in a Rock Stars Pop Stars and Divas photo album. The Village People will then choose either the most radically rock n roll, the topper-most of the popper-most or deliciously Diva-ish costume from all of the entries on Friday 2nd Septemberand the winners will get their hands on that coveted lifetime’s supply of Bestival tickets, whilst two runners-up will bag a Bestival hoodie each, so make sure you email your pics in now for your chance to win!
David Hodo, the “Construction Worker” of Village People said: ‘Village People dress up in costumes every time we go on stage. It will be fun to judge other people who get dressed up also. We are so looking forward to being judges at the competition for Bestival 2011.’
As well as all the dressing up fun, the Bestival crew has decided to salute our pick of the heroes that make Bestival the truly wonderful fun-filled weekend it is. Working with the Big-Top Trumps game company from the Isle of Wight, we’ve commissioned a special limited edition game of Super Bestival Heroes Top Trumps for 2011, celebrating the people who are doing something special and wacky to help raise money for charity, raise the spirits or just make you feel that little bit better when you’re at Robin Hill.
Each Super Bestival Hero has an individual card with their special skills and Rock star points, BPMs, Lunacy level, Stamina required and the Big Love their activity generates. The rules are just like Top Trumps, the top score wins in each category and the winner is the one with all the cards. You can download the game for free from our Besti-Blog so click the link, print out the page and cut around the cards for an ace game; guaranteed to make the ferry journey over to the Isle of Wight or early morning in your tent a little more fun.
And here’s just a little reminder that you if you haven’t already, you can download the cut and paste-tastic Nextmen Vs Bestival 2011featuring the crème de la crème of acts appearing at Bestival (with a sprinkling of Camp Bestival acts thrown in for good measure) all mixed with pin-point perfection from the Besti-Blog.
Remember that our fancy dress partner Smiffy’s will be on site again at Bestival, check out www.smiffys.com for some fancy dress inspiration and keep on checking www.bestival.net for all the up to the minute news.
After a long hiatus and armed with a hotly anticipated new album, Lamb are set to headline the main stage; bringing their unique, captivating sound to the rolling Hertfordshire hills. Also joining the live acts are Africa Express Soundsystem, a collective of musicians that continually changes, develops and delivers. Co-produced by Damon Albarn, previously participating artists include Elvis Costello, The Specials, Massive Attack and Franz Ferdinand. Theyre currently keeping their special guests under wraps, but theyre guaranteed to provide an impressive finale to the weekend.
Chrome Hoof are set to showcase new material at Standon, with other stand-out acts including progressive wizardry from Three Trapped Tigers, jaw-dropping hip hop from Sound of Rum, indie folk-pop sextet Goldheart Assembly and Ian Durys son, Baxter Dury.Azari & III and Egyptrixx are hoping across the pond for special live shows. With a bigger dance line-up than ever before, Standons nightclub in a cow shed will provide one of the most distinctive clubbing experiences of the year.
One of the hottest dance labels around Numbers are bringing some of their finest acts to proceedings, including Deadboy, Redinho and Jackmaster. Crews hosting nights include Ultimate Power with their banging ballads; the electro-swing extravaganza that is White Mink and Another Night, celebrating all songs 90s.
New to Standon this year, the vintage Horse Box by JW Seasonnaires will be rammed with stellar British dance talent including Zinc, Toddla T & Serocee MC, Redlight & Dread MC, Little Boots, Hervé and the Filthy Dukes. This is probably the best (and perhaps only) rave in a horse box youll ever experience.
Standon Calling Festival Director, Graham McVoy, says:
I dont think weve ever had a bigger or hotter dance line-up and theres never been such a range of entertainment for people to enjoy after the main stages close. The challenge is going to be deciding what to miss out and whether youve actually got time to sleep.
With a 6am licence and all-night bars, Standon Calling host acclaimed and emerging talent at the friendliest and most intimate festival of the year.
LINE UP SO FAR:
SPIRITUALIZED / BATTLES/ HERCULES AND LOVE AFFAIR / HOWARD MARKS / PENGUIN CAFE / JOHN GRANT / JOHN COOPER CLARKE / HYPNOTIC BRASS ENSEMBLE / SAUL WILLIAMS / ERRORS / THE CORRESPONDENTS / DAN LE SAC / BORN RUFFIANS / BROKEN RECORDS / EGYPTIAN HIP HOP / THE MUMMERS / TROPHY WIFE / SOUND OF RUM / GALLOPS / MALACHAI / BRASSROOTS / RAGHU DIXIT PROJECT / REVERE / VARIOUS CRUELTIES / FUNERAL SUITS / WORSHIP / TRIPWIRES / CUT A SHINE / THE TRAVELLING BAND / THE MOULETTES / TROUBADOUR ROSE / KIDNAP ALICE / SAM LEWIS / SERIOUS SAM BARRETT / BEANS ON TOAST / CHICKEN SHED ZEPPELIN / COSMICORUS / HOLLOWAY JUG BAND / THE WAGON TALES / COCOS LOVERS / THE CEDARS / AHAB / PETE LAWRIE / SILVER MOTHS / YELLOWBELLYS / LITTLE ROBOTS / LOOSE MOOSE / TRINGBAND / MARTHA & THE ARTHURS / PLASTER OF PARIS / TRENTON & FREE RADICAL / JESSIE LEE BURN / ALAN THE BEARD WRIGHT & FRIENDS / MADDOX / DOWNTOWN WOLVES
BANG THE BOX – LOVEBOX, FRIDAY 15th JULY 2011 by Lovebox Official
With an eclectic spread of DJs, producers and crews over the course of all three days culminating in unforgettable ultimate finales where the crowds will see 3 DJ greats join forces behind the decks for a one off – never before heard ‘BACARDÍ Together Set’.
Included in the impressive BACARDÍ Get Together line up is Italian-Belgian maestro, Aeroplane, founders of legendary Glasgow club night and celebrated DJs in their own right, Optimo, renowned bass heavy electronic house duo Jack Beats, purveyors of the New York Disco scene In Flagranti and DFA Records’ Euro-disco, Detroit techno and Chicago house influenced The Juan Maclean.
A festival first, Rinse FM will be bring their underground sound right back to its roots. To many fans of underground music, Rinse FM is London – without Rinse, dubstep, grime, UK Funky and the current wave of “post-dubstep” creatives wouldn’t exist the way you know them.FWD>>RINSE will be bringing one third of Magnetic Man, Skream, Kode9, Roll Deep and many more to their arena.
Busy P is boasting an Ed Banger party not to be missed offering Friday-goers sets from SebastiAn, Cassius and more. Notorious culture magazine, Vice’s arena gives us appearances from Spank Rock, Flying Lotus and Hudson Mohawke and the Gaymer’s main stage offers performances from Metronomy, Beardyman, Example and Washed Out. You’d be hard pushed to find better value at £28.50 for a ticket.
Sunday on the Relentless Energy Drink Arena will be taken over by Jodie Harsh’s Circus, where she will be bringing her famous parties out of the warehouse and into the park. The London icon and life and soul of the party will be joined by an immense line-up of friends, including Filthy Dukes, Fred Falke and Style Of Eye.
Over on the main stage, festival goers will be treated to appearances from Swedish dance sensation, Robyn, the wildly flamboyantScissor Sisters, mixing maestros 2 Many DJs, music and style icons Blondie and R&B star Kelis.
As if that isn’t enough, Lovebox 2011 will also see the return of NYC Downlow, the infamous US import which fuses cabaret, performance and music in one strikingly unmissable individual space and which can only be witnessed in all its eye-popping glory here. Horse Meat Disco residents James Hillard, Jim Stanton and Filthy Luka, will be throwing a gloriously messy party alongsideTensnake, Severino and The Shit RobotShow (Live)
Saturday’s Music Safari will see Hospitality hosting the Relentless Energy Drink Arena, with performances from two of the original pioneers of the jungle and drum & bass scenes High Contrast and Shy FX and legendary reggae DJ, David Rodigan. Saturday-goers can expect plenty of cheap thrills and infectious pop from Holy Ghost!’s BACARDÍ Get Together performance.Mulletover aren’t afraid to take risks, winning the heart of the London underground scene and this year is no different – they return to Lovebox to host the Dance Arena, and bring with them world-renowned UK electronica duo and Lovebox founders Groove Armada, alongside Canadian futuristic, synth-driven, underground talent Art Department. Together, Warm and Electric Minds will beprogramming the NYC Downlow, weaving through deep house, techno and bass music, by bringing together the likes of Ame, Sebo K, MCDE, Appleblim andFloating Points
FRIDAY 15TH JULY / BANG THE BOX – LOVEBOX FESTIVAL
GAYMERS STAGE
THE WOMBATS
EXAMPLE
METRONOMY
BEARDYMAN
ED SHEERAN
WASHED OUT
ALEX CLARE
RELENTLESS ENERGY DRINK ARENA HOSTED BY ED BANGER:
BUSY P
SEBASTIAN
CASSIUS
UFFIE
CARTE BLANCHE (DJ MEHDI & RITON)
FWD >> RINSE FM STAGE
SKREAM
Ms DYNAMITE
ROLL DEEP / DJ & MC SET
ZINC
KODE 9
GEENEUS & TIPPA
ROSKA & JAMIE GEORGE
PLASTICIAN & P MONEY
N-TYPE & YOUNGSTA
BRACKLES
SCRATCHA
MONKI
CRAZY D
POKES
* RINSE FM BROADCAST
VICE / NYC DOWNLOW
FLYING LOTUS / live
SPANK ROCK
HUDSON MOHAWKE
HERVE
PHOTEK / live
THE BACARDI GET TOGETHER
AEROPLANE
JAYMO & ANDY GEORGE
ALAN BRAXE
GRUM
TOM STAAR
STOPMAKINGME
MIGHTY MOUSE
KIWI
WORK IT / VIP STAGE
SMUTLEE
WORK IT GIRLS
MAXWELL JAYE
MOTIVE
MARTELO
LIVIN’ PROOF DJS (DJ Rags, DJ Khalil, DJ Snips and Budgie)
RADI DADI
RIVAH KRAY
BLACKFOOT PHOENIX
SATURDAY 16th JULY – LOVEBOX FESTIVAL
MAIN STAGE
SNOOP DOGG PERFORMING DOGGYSTYLEFT DAZ DILLINGER AND KURUPT (THA DOGG POUND), RBX, LADY RAGE, WARREN G AND JOE COOL
JESSIE J
SANTIGOLD
KATY B
FENECH SOLER
ZIGGY MARLEY
BAG RAIDERS
JESS MILLS
MAVERICK SABRE
SOUND OF ARROWS
ROSS ALLEN (DJ)
GAYMERS STAGE
THE DRUMS
LYKKE LI
THE JOY FORMIDABLE
CHERRYGHOST
DRY THE RIVER
THE PHOENIX FOUNDATION
FOSTER THE PEOPLE
VIOLENS
MALPAS
RELENTLESS ENERGY DRINK ARENA HOSTED BY HOSPITALITY:
HIGH CONTRAST
DAVID RODIGAN
LONDON ELEKTRICTY (FT ELSA ESMERELDA)
DANNY BYRD
NETSKY
SHY FX
CAMO + KROOKED
STARKEY
LOGISTICS (FT NATALIE WILLIAMS)
NU:TONE
SIGMA
WAH WAH 45’S SOUNDSYSTEM
MC’S – DYNAMITE, WREC, AD, SP:MC, STAMINA
THE BACARDI GET TOGETHER
JACK BEATS
THE MAGICIAN
HOLY GHOST!
RESET!
RUSS CHIMES
STARSMITH
THE C90s
KIWI
LOVEBOX DANCE ARENA HOSTED BY MULLETOVER GROOVE ARMADA PRESENT RED LIGHT SETH TROXLER ART DEPARTMENT GEDDES
ITCHY
NYC DOWNLOW HOSTED BY WARM / ELECTRIC MINDS AME SEBO K MOTOR CITY DRUM ENSEMBLE APPLEBLIM FLOATING POINTS MARK E
Taking to the stage itself will be Dr Tim O’Brien. A Reader in Astrophysics at the University of Manchester’s Jodrell Bank, O’Brien is an expert on both the workings of the iconic Lovell Telescope and the fascinating findings it has uncovered from deep space. Proving science can be as captivating as any rock ‘n’ roll, O’Brien will introduce the workings of the giant telescope and, weather permitting, steer it around the sky live with the help of Jodrell Bank’s Telescope Controller.
The audience will benefit from free entry to the Space Pavilion, Jodrell Bank’s newly built visitors centre, until 5pm. Gig-goers will be able to take away printouts of live signals received by the Lovell Telescope, discover how hot or cold they are with the use of the centre’s infra-red camera, see the astronomy picture of their birthday and listen to the sound of the Big Bang. There will be rolling Q&A sessions in the events space including some amazing “sounds from space”. Let loose around the site will be real live astronomers and students from the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics. They’ll be on hand in the exhibition space and around the site, demonstrating physics tricks and discussing their science. If the weather cooperates, special telescopes will look to the Sun and will later in the evening survey some of the wonders of the night sky.
Aiding the event’s sell out crowd, the festival site is accessible via a number of specially laid on coaches from key locations including Manchester, Sheffield and Liverpool. Coach tickets priced at £14.50 return, plus booking fee, can be purchased from the Live From Jodrell Bank or Ticketline websites.
Before the first note has yet been played, Live From Jodrell Bank: Transmission 001 has truly caught the attention of music and festival fans in the UK. It took a mere three weeks for all tickets to sell out. Listed as one of the “12 reasons this festival season will be the best” by The Guardian and one of “the new hot festivals” by Grazia, Live From Jodrell Bank will reveal more much-anticipated line-ups in the near future.
2011 welcomes Fancy Dress Friday official sponsors Smiffy’s, the Fancy Dress Experts, on board who’ll have a pop up shop on site to make sure T in the Parkers are kitted out in spectacular Smiffy’s style – visit the shop at www.smiffys.com to see the full range of costumes available and get planning your outfit.
Now, back to the bands – added to the unmissable T in the Park bill is Taylor Momsen and her brood of rock and roll playthings The Pretty Reckless. Inspired by the likes of The White Stripes, The Beatles and Led Zeppelin, Momsen is not only a model, dancer and actress in US hit ‘Gossip Girl’, but a phenomenal rising star in the music scene. Her belting vocals and rock star attitude have earned her notoriety in the music world and she’s sure to show Scotland her wild side when the band touch down in Balado this summer.
Hailing from the blistering valley of Los Angeles Cherri Bomb are a badass all girl rock band taking the music scene by storm. Set to conquer Scotland at T in the Park with an electrifying performance influenced by greats such as Foo Fighters and My Chemical Romance – the girls also have a limited edition EP out this summer and T in the Parkers will be among the first in Europe to behold rock music’s next big thing..
Fresh faced folk favourite Rachel Sermanni has exploded onto the folk scene to heaps of praise from fans and critics alike. At just 19 she was the youngest artist to perform at this year’s Celtic Connections where she and her band went down a storm. With Mumford and Sons championing her talent, she’s destined for big things this year and her performance at T in the Park is sure to be one of them.
Retro-rock outfit Frankie and the Heartstrings’ 2011 debut album ‘Hunger’ catapulted them into the music mainstream drawing comparisons to indie greats The Smiths, The Libertines and Suede. Armed with energetic, solid gold pop songs their live set will put a smile on the face of the most passionate music fans on the planet when they rock out in the fields of Balado at T in the Park.
Scottish boys Woodenbox have gone from strength to strength and have built up a reputation for their raucous live shows since getting together at the beginning of 2008. The band’s brass section is among many things that set them apart from their peers – huge fans of experimental folk and blues acts, they’re sure to put on a show to remember for their debut appearance at T in the Park.
DF Concerts and founding partner Tennent’s Lager are thrilled to announce today’s additions to the A-List line up which already includes Arctic Monkeys, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, The Strokes, Beyoncé, Pulp, The Script, Plan B, Slash, Tinie Tempah, Tom Jones,Jessie J and many more.
A limited number of T in the Park Residence packages are still available to buy. The Residence offers festival goers a bespoke, luxury experience where all their accommodation needs are taken care of. Guests are welcomed into an oasis of indulgence to enjoy a unique festival experience in their luxury accommodation of choice. Once they have settled into their home for the weekend, festival goers can relax in the Residence Lounge Café & Bar or treat themselves to a pampering session in the spa before heading to see their favourite bands as well as accessing the festival’s hospitality area. For more information, log onto www.tinthepark.com/residence.
Be Chilled has proved to be one of the biggest hits at T in the Park and due to phenomenal demand; Tennent’s Lager is bringing back the hugely popular, quick and slick service to the heart of the T in the Park campsite for the fourth year running. Campers can pre order Tennent’s Lager or Magners Original Cider now at www.tennents.com/bechilled and Tennent’s will have orders chilled and ready for collection on the campsite throughout the weekend.
At the heart of T in the Park is the music and atmosphere that continually unites the crowd and creates a weekend of memorable moments that will last a lifetime. Brit Award and Grammy winners, the best breakthrough talent, multi-million selling artists, new music icons and legends….T in the Park 2011 has them all. Bring it on Balado.
With some of the hottest acts from the UK music scene performing, this is the festival for those who love great music but want to avoid the mud this summer!
Already on the star-packed bill include mighty urban and hip-hop headliners N-DUBZ, TINCHY STRYDER, ROLL DEEP, grime sensation TEMPA T, D’n’B massive DAN LE SAC Vs SCROOBIUS PIP and now THE HOOSIERS. DJ sets from post hardcore rockers FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND, alternative rock quintet KIDS IN GLASS HOUSES and indie rock act GUILLEMOTS are also set for Live Fest.
English pop rock band The Hoosiers, consisting of Irwin Sparkes (vocals and guitar), Martin Skarendahl (bass and rhythm guitar) and Alphonso Sharland (drums), shot to fame in 2007 when their debut single ‘Worried About Ray’ reached number 5 in the UK Singles Chart.
Shortly after, the band received greater success when their debut album ‘The Trick to Life’ (2007) reached number 1 in the UK Album Charts, meaning The Hoosiers had made their mark on the pop music world. Successful albums ‘The Illusion of Safety’ (2010) and ‘Bumpy Ride’ (2011) soon followed and also achieved chart success.
The Hoosiers are definitely ones to watch at this year’s Live Fest and promise to put on a storming show. Tickets for the event are priced at an early bird cost of just £25 and can be purchased from the Live Fest website.
Programming will be spread over five venues within the famous London O2, from the glamorous Proud2 to Union Square, Inc Club, IndigoO2 and ASBaG. With a range of stages and an out-of-this-world chill out space, festival goers can dance away into the early hours, or relax with a massage from the Famous Ibiza Angels whilst catching up on all the best acoustic sets – the possibilities at Live Fest are endless! Live Fest’s Intergalactic Alien, Bob said:
“It’s great to see The Hoosiers on the line up for Live Fest. It’s going to be a massive festival and a great day out. Alongside The Hoosiers we’ve got a great line up of top acts with the mighty N-Dubz headlining and we can’t wait to bring it on in July and rock The O2!”
Lineup below:
N-Dubz
Tinchy Stryder
The Hoosiers
Roll Deep
Dan Le sac Vs. Scroobius Pip
Pegasus Bridge
Missing Andy
YoungO
Saturday Night Gym Club
Paradise Point
Futureproof
Funeral For A Friend DJ set
Guillemots DJ set
Kids In Glass Houses DJ Set
For more information and tickets to this summer’s hottest indoor festival, visit the Live Fest website.
Nottingham was the second stop on the Dot To Dot agenda, and they took over the city's various venues to showcase some briliant acts.
Nottingham is a vibrant city with loads of bars and venues. The festival was made up of 4 venues all with a range of bands to watch.
The day started with us getting our wristbands from the Dot To Dot tent. The wristbands allow you to hop from venue to venue. The bands didn’t start till 1 so it’s a nice time to go exploring.
The first band we did go see was the Alpines from South London. You were quickly taken in by their unique sound and mesmerizing presence on stage. The band had a unique indie sound. The lead singer had an amazing voice that you couldn’t tier of listening to. They played in the Rock City venue which was the main venue for the festival. It also had a basement room were smaller bands played. The Rock City’s main room was large with 3 bars and a balcony view point. Even though it was large, when the bands got in full swing it filled up very quickly.
The next venue was the Rescue Rooms, and as said on a sign approaching the venue it’s up for NME Best Small Venue!. Inside the tiny venue was a long bar and two outside drinking areas. The atmosphere was amazing with it being such a small venue. The band we went to see are called Wolf Gang I had never heard of them before but they had a very big backing from the crowd. Everyone was packed into the venue like sardines it was so busy people were lined up outside. We got a little spot on the balcony were we could just about see. They were worth elbowing through the crowd to get a glimpse of. With their stylish indie sound and the lead singers punching vocals leaving me amazed that I hadn’t heard of them sooner. You could understand why Wolf Gang played in Rescue Rooms as it made them sound vibrant and in your face!
After the aftermath of pushing my way out of the Rescue Room’s venue I quickly made my way back down to Rock City to catch Swimming. As we got in to Talbot Street which was closed off for the festival. There were stalls and bars outside, they were also giving away free Kopparberg tasters that seemed to go down well with the festival goers.
Inside Rock City it was already very busy. We wormed our way through to a good spot, were we got to see the last few songs of Swimming, a 5 piece band from Nottingham. It was great to see a band playing in their home town. They lit up the town with brash electronica music like warp techno. This was mixed in with guitars and the striking voice of the lead singer. Swimming are a fantastic group of guys with great song writing skills, which they write from events that have happened in their own life’s.
After it had all calmed down waited patiently for the critically acclaimed Ed Sheeran. The excitement in the venue grew it was the busiest I had seen it all day. After the 30 minutes we waited Ed Sheeran made his way to the stage with his guitar and the determination to please the waiting crowd. Edlayers the sounds from the guitar and his voice by recording them and playing the sounds back adding the vocals, when all combined together gives the feeling of an entire band from just one person and his guitar. Ed Sheeran is just 20 years old, but his style of music flirts between dubstep to hip hop, and sometimes just with his outstanding voice and guitar. He sung his hits like City and A Team which the entire crowd got behind and sang with him. He has a lot of talent and writes songs with a lot of passion which people can relate to.
After all the fuss and excitement of Ed Sheeran we stayed in the main venue to watch The Naked and Famous, a band tipped to be big this year. The band is from New Zealand and the calming vocals of the lead singer Alisa Xayalith give the band some personality mixing in with the guitarist. It has an electro pop sound which gives the band’s music a lot of depth. The crowd loved this band and knew there music well.
My highlight of the festival has to be The Naked and Famous, a great band with fantastic stage presence.
Overall an awesome festival day out and would recommend to anyone who enjoys watching bands in great venues.
Now, back to the bands – 
