ALCHEMY FESTIVAL 2015

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ALCHEMY FESTIVAL 2015

18TH SEPTEMBER 2015 – 20TH SEPTEMBER 2015
LINCOLNSHIRE LN4 4PD

ALCHEMY FESTIVAL 2015 is being held in the lush surroundings of a wildlife reserve in Lincolnshire.
It is a non-corporate, non-sponsored, and non-commercial event ,organised byapassionate group of people.
The festival is run on GREEN ETHICS, and they boast 1 out of 8 stages that is solar powered and also another which is pedal powered.

ALCHEMY FESTIVAL is held close to the AUTUMN EQUINOX this fitting in with the ethos of ALCHEMY.

ALCHEMY FESTIVAL has also be described as an OLD STYLE FESTIVAL.
It is a Family Friendly Weekend Festival offering a long weekend of FUN aand ENTERTAINMENT, from the Workshops for all ages, Circus Performers, Fire Shows, Walkabout Entertainers, Live Music, Stalls selling crafted wares and festival merchandise, and lots lots more some FREE and some at a small cost.
There are many different food stalls catering to all tastes, festival goers can bring theirown food and drink but they do ask that NO GLASS BOTTLES be taken onto the site.

The 8 stages hold host to over 100 bands, DJs and entertainers.
,RDF,AOS3, ASIAN DUB FOUNDATION, BACK TO THE PLANET, DUB THE EARTH, FIREPIT COLLECTIVE AND DEFEKTERS just to name a few.
A FULL LINE UP of bands can be seen on the ALCHEMY FESTIVAL WEBSITE at
www.alchemyfestival.co.uk.

ADULT WEEKEND TICKETS -£90
UNDER 5s – FREE
UNDER 16s MUST be accompanied by a responsible adult ticket holder, this proof will be given to you.
TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED FROM THE ALCHEMY FESTIVAL WEBSITE at
www.alchemyfestival.co.uk/tickets.html
DOGS are allowed on site although a small fee is asked for and DOGS MUST BE KEPT ON LEADS AT ALL TIMES.
IF you havent been to this festival its one not to be missed!The hard work that has been put into making it the amazing event it is, creating an old style festival feel of fun friendliness and happiness reflects on the organisers who have put thier heart and SOULS into making this a FESTIVAL you wont forget.
And also their commitment to keeping it a GREEN event with SOLAR POWER, PEDAL POWER, RECYCLING AND UPCYCLING to be acknowledged.

For a Great weekend of OLD SCHOOL FESTIVAL FUN, IN A FRIENDLY AND HAPPY AND BEAUTIFUL ENVIRONMENT -HEAD TO ALCHEMY FESTIVAL!!!

FOR ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ANS PURCHASING OF TICKETS PLEASE GO TO www.alchemyfestival.co.uk.

Bloodstock Open Air – Two weeks to go, final bands announced!

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It’s fever pitch over at BLOODSTOCK HQ with just over two weeks to go!  That doesn’t stop one last HUGE announcement of bands who’ll be joining the Catton Park bill!

Picking up the last Ronnie James Dio main stage slot on Saturday are Brit metal merauders, SAVAGE MESSIAH.  Get a taster of their sound with the video for ‘Hellblazer’, taken from current Earache Records album, ‘The Fateful Dark’ – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMLgbl7yU98.

 

A wealth of successful ‘Metal 2 The Masses’ winners also line up for the New Blood stage.  On Friday, you can bang your head to the Bristol final winners, MORTISHEAD (www.facebook.com/mortishead), Nottingham’s winners, FORGOTTEN REMAINS (www.facebook.com/forgottenremainsband) and KRYOCELL (www.facebook.com/kryocell). On Saturday, we have the victors from the Manchester, Wales, Burnley and Corby finals; AMETHYST (www.facebook.com/aovuk), CHAOS TRIGGER (www.facebook.com/chaostrigger), BLOODYARD (www.facebook.com/bloodyard666) and FROM EDEN TO EXILE (www.facebook.com/fromedenttoexile).  Sunday’s bill swells with the inclusion of Oxford’s winners, HELLS GAZELLES (www.facebook.com/hellsgazelles), Birmingham’s victors, BURDEN OF THE NOOSE (www.facebook.com/burdenofthenoose666), plus Nottingham’s SPIRYTUS and the Black Country’s LEFT FOR RED (www.facebook.com/leftforreduk).

 

Joining the Jagermeister stage bill on Friday are Leicester death metallers, FOUL BODY AUTOPSY , Brum heavy metal beasts THE MIGHTY WRAITH and Notts stoner grunge squad, WITCHTRIPPER.  Saturday sees the addition of Kettering’s symphonic metal outfit, DIVINE SOLACE and Blackpool death metal machine, CIRCLE SPECTRE HAUNTING.  Also added on Sunday are Bristol prog metallers ENDEAVOUR, Norwich thrashers KILLER HURTS and Wigan hard rockers, BIG FOOT.

 

BLOODSTOCK is also pleased to announce its partnership with TEENAGE CANCER TRUST for the fifth year in a row.  Since kicking off a relationship in 2011, over £21,000 has been raised for the charity, with the money going to help the UK’s teenagers & young adults with cancer.  To celebrate hitting the £20k mark and this special anniversary, this year we’ve set a fundraising target of £12,500 so we need your help to shatter that!  Once again the charity will have a stall in the market area, where you can purchase Teenage Cancer Trust merchandise and join in the popular ‘T-Shirt Amnesty’ (clear some drawer space and bring your unwanted band t-shirts to donate or swap).  There are also three very special raffle prizes up for grabs.  On Friday, you could meet headliners TRIVIUM and watch their first three songs side of stage, while on Saturday, WITHIN TEMPTATION offer the same prize. On Sunday, one lucky winner could be taking home a black gloss BC Rich Warlock Edge guitar, signed by 2014 BLOODSTOCK headliners, DOWN. To be in with a chance of winning, all you need to do is purchase a raffle ticket for £1 at the charity stand, so stop by, pick up a ticket and be in with a chance of winning.

NASS Festival 2015 – Our Festival Round Up

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With this years NASS festival now being over a week ago, for many people the infamous ‘festival depression’ is slowly starting to sink in with many already looking forward to the next dose of the drum and bass festival next year.  We here at Summer Festival Guide had the chance to attend the festival for the second year running, documenting the event through images and words. Attempting to compare the two trips to the festival is almost indescribable, with team NASS stepping up their game so much this year there NASS 2015 will definitely be one of the main highlights of our festival season.

 

 

Opening the weekend up on the Friday’s main stage, We Are The Ocean (3.5) started of on a mellow tone trying their best to get the drum and bass lovers to swap their addictions for beats and drops for guitar and drum solos. Managing to draw a few in for the crowd favourite ‘Young Heart’ the band performed a strong set to a very inactive crowd. Moving forward, Modestep (5) got the crowd going from the first tones presented to them. With ‘Sunlight’ and ‘Freedom’ sending the participants into a frenzie, the NASS three day party was well and truly underway. Being one of the controversial headliners, Enter Shikari (4) drew in a medium sizes crowd for their set, however this didn’t stop the band giving it their all to win over the few still sitting at the back of the field. Clearly catering their setlist towards the festivals drum and bass roots, the band moved away from their rock genes with focusing on the more electronic tracks in the bands backlog with ‘Anaesthetist’ generating the most crowd participation.

With ‘The Slammer’ possibly being considered as the outcast stage from the others with the acts originating in the rock genre, many of the bands received a less than deserved minimal crowd. Saturday’s line up including Shvpes, Heck and The One Hundred with each of them putting on a strong set despite the almost empty tent. Many of the bands involved on the stage except the headline act for each day experienced the lacking crowd, and with that we sympathise as had it been any other festival each of them would have had a good sized crowd which the more than deserve with their individual talents.

The Summer Festival Guide favourite Wilkinson (5) returned to NASS Festival for yet another performance at the festival. Playing the crowd favourites ‘Too Close’ and ‘Dirty Love’ to close the set, the crowd reaction alone can easily prove why the festival promoters keep bringing back Wilkinson, with the guaranteed party that he puts on the table for all festival goers. Heading over to Lower Than Atlantis (3.5), the comparison between the two is non existent. Despite having a good sized crowd gathering for their set, the band played a setlist which was far too short for a headlining set, containing only seven songs the band performed an average set which could easily be improved if the sound quality within was controlled. Rebel Sound (4.5) being the side project of Chase and Status left many wondering what the hour would hold with this being their first festival headlining performance. Producing their own remixes on the crowd favourite ‘Stay With Me’ by Sam Smith and a lighting show brighter than any other, Rebel Sound will never be forgotten in the history of NASS.

With the closing day of NASS almost being a complete wash out, many of the festival goes seeked refuge within the covered Southbank and The Slammer stages. Giving everyone a dose of much needed pop punk, ROAM (3.5) brought their usual high energy to the stage hoping to lift everyone's spirits, earning a lot of bobbing heads and even their mini mosh pits. Hactivist (4) also managed to almost fill the tent with their rock infused version of the ever so popular Jay-Z track ‘Paris’. Closing the weekend, the chilled out Public Enemy (3.5) managed to secure a crowd despite many waiting for the highly anticipated set from popular DJ Hannah Wants. With a stage show based performance, the act was one that many would agree should not have closed the festival main stage with the major comparison to the popular Rebel Sound and the crowd pleasing performance that they delivered.

 

Agreeing that this is the best line up NASS have produced, with a few lineup changes in terms of the closing set at this years event, the festival would be one that more than many would not forget, however ending the festival on a mellow note on the main stage could have improved the overall weekend. Bring on NASS Festival 2016!   

Lovebox 2015 Saturday at Victoria Park

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Described as urban-based-yet-rural-feeling, multi-dimensional festival, Lovebox’s original dance roots have expanded across a wide variety of musical genres. The festival, which originated as a club night founded by Groove Armada back in 2002, has transformed into the 40 acre two day Victoria Park event it is today.

There was almost too much to see, do, eat and drink. 13 stages supplying a huge selection of music throughout the two days, Mountain Dew’s Live & Loud skateboarding competition, roller disco, a full range of parlours providing clothing and accessories to the festival goers as well as a large array of food and drink stalls which cater for every mouth – more than enough to keep the 50,000 strong crowd busy.

On a sold out Saturday the stages were graced by acts such as Hot Chip, Annie Mac, Jessie Ware, Little Dragon, Danny Brown, Flume, with the veteran rapper Snoop Dogg himself headlining the final evening slot on the main stage.

A special mention must go to Mountain Dew's Live & Loud skateboarding competition. The half pipe treated crowds to stunning highflying performances from skaters around the world leading to an impressive final competition at 7pm.

Snoop Dogg played a shorter set than anticipated but hit an all star set spanning an almost 25-year-old career, performing hits from The Next Episode through to Sweat. He also treated his audiences to covers from B.I.G with a closing show performance of Bob Marley’s Jammin’.

Highlights throughout the day included a chirpy up beat set from Hot Chip on the main stage, which mixed hits new and old with fan favourites Ready For the Floor and Over And Over being highpoints. Jessie Ware who hit all the right notes with the sun blissed crowd, with her 2014 album Tough Love and Annie Mac who picked the crowd up and got them bouncing on the sandy fields of East London.

 

 

Truck Festival 2015 Review

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Festivals are big business, and the last few years have seen many boom with the increasing commercialisation of the smaller festivals and the increase in artist attention through social media. Truck, by contrast, has been going for 18 years, maintaining both its small capacity and indie ethos, providing a platform for local and underground artists to showcase their talents alongside big, well-known artists such as Clean Bandit, The Charlatans, and Basement Jaxx. Truck’s local connections run deeper than just the line-up however, with the local Rotary Club handling the majority of the catering, and one of the most popular stages sat in a concrete barn that held the lingering smell of the cattle that usually reside there. 

With an increased crowd capacity of 6,000, this festival was shockingly a sell out once again! The highlights of the two-day event, which came to a head in the early hours of Sunday morning, came in the form of the headliners – indie-rock band The Charlatans, dance act Basement Jaxx and the more mainstream, Clean Bandit – as well as the smaller and lesser known artists – Essex group Rat Boy (who caused rather a stir with security with an audience stage invasion at the end of the set), Joy Division star Peter Hook, and Bedfordshire’s Don Broco. 

The low-key nature had its upsides and downsides: lip smacking food and great local acts where balanced by the fact that, with the exception of the main Truck stage, and to some extent the Market stage, the stages were almost all set up inside small tents and buildings such as the Barn, which couldn't hold the capacity of people wanting to watch the amazing bands on offer. For acts such as The Wytches and Slaves, there were queues surrounding the entire field for over half hour before the band were even ready to start, just to try and get into the barn, which was already full to the brim. The capacity of the Barn compared to the popularity of the bands playing was a shame because it hosted so many of my personal festival highlights, as it did for many others. 

The weekend vibe was completely laid back and inclusive, once again. It was in no way about wearing the right clothes or being seen, but rather about kicking back and enjoying the unique atmosphere while soaking up the festival sun. There was no fancy VIP area like you'll find at other big festivals; backstage was purely functional. Instead, everyone mingles in the main arena – the artists roam the site, picking up beers at the bar just like everyone else. Truck is clearly about the music and people enjoying themselves, something that feels lacking at the bigger festivals which seem to be just money-spinning corporate beasts.

With every act, bar the headliner’s of each stage, allotted a half-hour performance slot, it’s nothing if not fair. You can power through bands and stick with sets you might otherwise leave, meaning you get a great idea of each carefully edited set list designed by each band to show themselves at their best. 

While small, sweet, and harmonious, the weekend did not go without its troubles. On Friday, people arrived at the Market stage to catch the first band of the weekend only to find out that the security fence had not yet been erected, causing the stage to open over an hour late! With similar issues over at the Barn Stage, the first acts at each stage found their sets being cut by 5-10 minutes through no fault of their own, often meaning the crowd missed out on some of their favourite songs. And it wasn’t just the organisation causing problems.

During the set of the popular two piece punk band from Tunbridge Wells, Slaves, two bright red flares went up in the middle of the crowd. As security got hold of the flare and made it back out through the crowd, you could feel the heat of the flame. And just as you thought it was in hand, up went another one from the same troublemaker. Slaves, however, were not phased, even calling for another flare when the song finished and the lights went dim!

With the fabulous line-up, a new site layout and even a new bridge across the stream, alongside the perfect festival weather, this was the festival you’ll be gutted to have missed.

 

 

One Love Festival complete 2015 lineup

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One Love Festival are proud to announce their 8th Annual festival with a great line up for 2015 set in a new location at Popham Airport in Coxford Down Winchester Hampshire. The lush green fields provide more space for UK's only Dub and Reggae Music camping festival over the weekend of Friday 4th to Sunday 6th September and brings together culture and roots music.

UK’s love for reggae is growing stronger so the organizers have found it necessary to expand to a larger location in Winchester Hampshire which includes more space for this ever growing audience. With a loyal and dedicated fan base, Early Bird Sale tickets are selling out fast.

The One Love Festival encourages peace, love and unity that was championed by the great Bob Marley. With these messages in mind, they aim to surpass our European Reggae counterparts and hold the largest Reggae festival right here in the UK!

One Love Festival 2015 line up:

THIRD WORLD* MYKAL ROSE* TWINKLE BROTHERS* ETANA* THE MAYTONES* STONE LOVE MEETS SAXON *DAWN PENN *EARL 16* DENNIS BOVELL & DUB NATTY SESSIONS *ECHO MINOTT* MACKA B* TRISTAN PALMER* LITTLE ROY* MAD PROFESSOR* DUBBLESTANDART* IQULAH* VIVIAN JONES* DON CAMPBELL* NUCLEUS ROOTS* EARL GATESHEAD* FRANK AIRD* EDGE MICHAEL* MARLA BROWN* ATOMIC SPLIFF* DUBMATIX* JAH TUBBYS *DON LETTS* JAH FREE* JAH WARRIORS* TEDDY DAN* DIRECT IMPACT* HORSEMAN & THE UPPER CUT BAND* NORRIS MAN *DONETTE FORTE’S URBAN LIONS* SMITH & MIGHTY* RANDY VALENTINE* SUBAJAH *MIXMASTER MORRIS AMBIENT DUB SESSIONS *TWILIGHT  CIRCUS *NICK MANASSEH *DUBVERZION SOUND* ERIN BARDWELL COLLECTIVE* KING TUTS REVENGE* HERITAGE SURVIVAL* REGGAE ICONS *BOBO EL NUMERO UNO *RAMON JUDAH AND DIVERSE COLLECTIVE *THE DEFEKTERS *INSTRUMENT OF JAH *TRINITY LO FI*TROY ELLIS *ARUBA RED *ELISHA HOWE* ROOTS QUEEN* SAXON SOUND MARQUEE * JAH LION SOUND MOVEMENT* SPARKY RIOT *DOJO *ARKHAM KARVERS* BEAM UP *FORLEIGH* TALAWA ROOTS *THE OBJECTORS *STICKY RHYTHMS BAND *THE OHMZ *ELEKTRIC *DASHA FYAH* INDICA DUBS  feat. Shelly Ravid  *REALITY SOULJAHS* SVAHA SOUNDS* UNITARY AND DACKINC *NATTYLYN JEFFERS* REAL ROOTS* KING OF EYE *STEREOCHEMIST *ROOTS SENSATION *JUNGALICE* MISS MITTEN* LIONESS IZASHA* THE DUBLINGS *ZURI AURA *AFRESH *AVALON  ROOTS *MAYA DUB FLUTE *KALYAN*PRINCESS AYOLAH *2 KINGS FT HENRY & LOUIS FEAT PETER CULTURE* FRESHLY  BAKED *HOOTCHIE ROOTS *JIM SYTE* TITAN SOUNDS* EASY DREAD *KING SOLOMOn BAND *I JAY & THE REGGAE REVIVAL* PANGANI* DISORDA *BAMALAM *SISTAH SARAH* BLISS ZION *DINAH SAW *LADY FYAH* SOPHIA VIBING KING* ALEIGHCIA SCOTT* MADDY CARTY *LADY LIVE WIRE *ZEENA BANKS *FREDERICKA TIBBS* BIANKA JAGWAR* CELIA* DIALECT & KOSINE *ROOF TOP SOUNDS *DJ AS-IF *RUMBLE *UNITY HI FI* 3 LIONS SOUND FT  DIGITAL DIGSY *MISFIT* VOYTEK *ARCANE *KEEZEE *X NATION* DARREN HOY *BEN HARPER DUB DRIFTERS* HIROSHI TAMAMURA

Make Noise stage comes to OnBlackheath

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A whole host of artists and DJs have been added to the bill for OnBlackheath 2015, in partnership with John Lewis, which will take place in South East London on Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 September. European Recycling Platform will be bringing the first ever stage for Make Noise (the UK's only electronic recycling club night) to the festival across the weekend with a special DJ set from Erol Alkan and Tom Findlay (Groove Armada). OnBlackheath are also very excited to announce the launch of the Meantime Sessions Stage which will feature the likes of Chris Holland All Stars ft. Roland Gift, The Rude Vandals plus PlayOnBlackheath 2014 competition winner Rhys Lewis.

South East London 9-piece band Chainska Brassika have also been announced to open the Main Stage on the Sunday of the festival with Tropical Dope DJ-ing in-between each artist on the day. Tickets on sale NOW and available from www.onblackheath.com.

Make Noise, the UK's only electronic recycling club night, are proud to announce their first ever-festival stage at this year’s OnBlackheath. The stage will feature their biggest ever line up with Tom Findlay(Groove Armada), Greg Wilson and Moxie who will be performing on the Saturday with Erol Alkan, Justin Robertson, Hannah Holland and DJ AntZ on the Sunday, with more acts still to be announced soon.

On Saturday, The Meantime Sessions will also feature artists including Summer Camp, RIVRS, CROWS, MOTH TRAP, The Pearl Hearts, Bad For Lazarus and DJ Boris McNab. Alongside Chris Holland All Stars ft. Roland Gift, The Rude Vandals, Hollie Cook, Brassroots and Rhys Lewis the Sunday will also feature The Mighty Cosmics, Bruise plus DJs Diaz Brothers.

These artists join already announced headliners Elbow (Saturday) and Madness (Sunday) plus Manic Street Preachers, Kelis, Laura Mvula, Anna Calvi, Jack Savoretti and the cast from ‘Sunny Afternoon: The Kinks Musical’. Heavenly & Friends Stage will feature Temples, 808 State and Stealing Sheep. The Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Stage will have the likes of Clap! Clap!, Seun Kuti, Eska and many more on the Sunday.

Boomtown announce House in the Woods Stage for 2015

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With just under 30 days to go until BoomTown open their gates for what promises to be the biggest and wildest chapter to date, the UK's largest independent festival is about to get that little bit bigger with the announcement of yet another area, complimenting 24 stunning themed main stages across a huge festival site.

Located deep within the numerous woodlands spread throughout BoomTown, House In The Woods will encapsulate the innovators and dreamers behind the best in house, disco, techno and boogie with a curated line-up from four of the UK’s most influential tastemakers.

Further igniting the house-heavy vibes on Friday will be renowned Bristol natives Shapes, who’ll be teaming up with underground trailblazers Flux to bring two legendary figures from the underground dance scene to the hallowed BoomTown turf. A Guy Called Gerald has continuously re-writing the rule book for dance music and will be showcasing his History Of House Set under the mesmeric woodland skies. The night gets even bigger with pillars of the underground dance world Horse Meat Disco stopping by to deliver a set of deep house nuggets.

On Saturday, it’s the turn of infamous Bristolian crew Alfresco Disco to take the reins for an unpredictable night of breath-taking beats. Alongside their acclaimed residents will be a unique headline set from Raf Daddy of The 2 Bears, who have set the scene alight in recent years with two acclaimed studio albums combining two step, house, hip-hop and soul. It’s a night destined to live long in the folklore of BoomTown.

After a weekend of rhythmic debauchery, it will fall to the mighty Electric Minds to shake House In The Woods one last time with a night bursting with mavericks of the underground dance world. Iconic Electric Minds boss Dolan Bergin will be on hand to oversee a line-up that includes the dynamic Amir Alexander, who will be transporting the loyal residents of BoomTown to the gritty sounds of modern America and celebrated “outsider” Pangaea appearing in the midst of a worldwide touring schedule that has seen his nostalgic drum and bass sound reach thousands. Topped off by an appearance from George Levings (Commix) new musical project Endian, The House In The Woods is likely to shake BoomTown to its knees.

Summer Series at Somerset House 2015 – Kwabs, Raleigh Ritchie and Zak Abel.

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Somerset House has established itself as the perfect summer music venue, with an impressive eighteenth-century courtyard, right by the River Thames in central London. Summer Series always has an impressive and diverse line up every year, with the likes of Adele, Amy Winehouse, Professor Green and Ellie Goulding on their list of past performers, this year was no different. So far Passenger, Nick Mulvey, George Ezra and James Bay to name a few have graced the stage, tonight was Kwabs, Raleigh Ritchie and Zak Abel’s turn to shine.

Walking through the venue, it's small and intimate. People are starting to filter through, grabbing beverages and jerk chicken on the way. Zak Abel kicked off first and warmed up the crowd for the night’s following proceedings. The up and coming star, probably best known for his vocals on Gorgon City’s 2014 summer smash ‘Unmissable’, performed to the crowd, his own material from his latest EP ‘Joker Presents’. After a few microphone issues, Abel soon caught the attention of the audience with his edgy but soulful voice as people started to arrive. Songs in his set included, ‘Higher’, ‘Alchemy’ with a Daniel Beddingfield’s ‘Gotta get thru this’ mash up and ‘These are the days’.

Following  Zak Abel, was Raleigh Ritchie, who built on the atmosphere and energised the crowd further.. Asking people to dance ‘like no-one’s watching’, the audience didn't hesitate as they started singing along to his set which included hits ‘Stronger than ever’, ‘The Greatest’ and ‘Bloodsport’. Given the short amount of time he was on stage, he gave an explosive performance and left the audience wanting more.

The much anticipated Kwabs didn't disappoint when he graced the stage to headline tonight's event. Full of suave and rhythm, he grooved to the beats of his up and coming debut album ‘Love+War’ which is out this September. He performed known hits such as ‘Walk’, ‘Wrong or Right’ and ‘Pray for Love’, as well a as sneak preview at some album material. If that wasn't enough, Kwabs also threw in an amazing cover of Arctic Monkey’s ‘Do I Wanna Know?’, then sat down and serenaded to a quiet audience, James Blake’s  ‘The Wilhelm Scream’ and John Lennon’s ‘Jealous Guy’. It was an intimate moment, and Kwabs really connected with the crowd. The audience then started to dance and sway to ‘Fight for Love’, ‘Saved’ and lit up the whole courtyard with their mobile phone lights to ‘Cheating on me’.

The Summer Series was the perfect way to begin the weekend. The weather was great, the intimate venue meant the sound was enclosed within the courtyard, emphasising the sounds and atmosphere a whole lot more and from tonight's performance, Kwabs debut album sounds amazing – definitely watch this space!

Nottingham Splendour Festival 2015 Highlights

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It was a scorcher at Splendour Festival 2015 with The Specials, The Twang and Lawson headlining the mainstage. In between acts we got the chance to have a chat with Georgie, Ferocious Dog, To Kill a King, and Lawson. Splendour has a reputation for showcasing Nottingham's best young talent and again this year it didn't disappoint, with up and coming acts from Nottingham, the Midlands, and around the UK. There was no lack of things to do with the day, with fair rides, stalls, samba and a circus, it catered for the whole family. Much to the disappointment of the festival goers, the ale ran out at 5pm, however they didn't let it dampen their spirits and still enjoyed the sun, music and entertainment.

We caught up with headliners Lawson backstage, with band member Joel Peat himself originally from Nottingham, he said he loves being back in his home town and with a familiar crowd. The sun wasn't quite enough for Lawson though, who were all feeling the chill despite what we thought was a happy 22 degrees. The boys had visited the circus and the beer tent and gave Nottingham a sneak preview of their brand new single 'Lions Den'. Lawson said they love playing to a Nottingham crowd and like lots of the other local bands are inspired by, and love playing at Nottingham's own rock city. During their Splendour set it was screaming girls galore with their typical pop-rock ensemble of songs to get the crowd going. 

Ferocious Dog, on the confetti stage, have a large following in Nottingham and when we caught up with them they said that it was great to be back since they first played two years ago. The guys are hoping to play on the mainstage within the next few years as they're becoming more popular. Ferocious Dog are building up their fanbase and have played two sold out gigs at Rescue Rooms, and got to play at Nottingham's infamous Rock City which they described as 'the dream', having spent the eighties and nineties watching bands there. 

To Kill a King, have used Splendour to increase their exposure for the young band after making the main stage, being one of the first acts up, the crowd warmed to their British rock infused set. The boys have been really busy, travelling to Nottingham for Splendour follwing playing at Latitude festival the night before. They said that often festivals can be far less stressful than gigs as 'everyone's really intent on listening to what you're doing and that'll get really stressful, and you'll come to festival season and everyone's in a field, drunk, and you can basically just have a really good time with it'. Equally, the boys say they love gigging and explain that by the time festival season is over they think 'why is no one listening to me?!'. 

On the main stage Roots Manuva's set was perfectly timed with an outburst of sun much to the appreciation of the festival goers. Roots didn't disapoint with ska infused reggae to keep the crowd entertained and in the festival mood. James were recieved by one of the largest crowds of the night and the tracks 'Laid' and 'Sit Down' had to be among my personal highlights of the day, with the crowd of all ages joining in with the classics.

Local artist Indiana, tore up the mainstage with a cult Nottingham following, after being brought in to replace Jess Glyne. From her appearances on BBC introducing and In New Music We Trust, Indiana's fanbase has gradually developed in the midlands and across the UK. Her melodic, Florence-and-the-Machine-esque voice, combined with a heavy baseline went down a storm setting up the three headline acts. With the local acts out in storm, Georgie, first up on the confetti stage, was enjoying the exposure of being at a festival being an under the radar musician. Georgie says her progression in music has come as her 'voice has matured' and she's 'matured in herself'. 

Heading over to the acoustic tent, which was snuggly tucked away inside the off buildings of Wollaton Hall, Joy Mumford was singing to mellow beats as the sun went down. The acoustic tent showcased some of the best new music across the day including Hhymm, Eyre Llew, Pierce Brothers, Jamie Lawson and Molly and Jack. 

Bananarama, headlining on the confetti stage, attracted a crowd of life long fans, singing along to all of their hits including 'Robert de Niro's Waiting', 'Full Summer', and 'Really Saying Something'. They also switched it up with covers of the Beatles 'Help', and The Bee Gees 'I want you back' and 'You should be dancing'. Bananarama's disco vibes on the confetti stage and The Specials eighties two tone and ska on the main stage offered something for everyone and was a great end to a family day out.