We Are FSTVL 2015 Review

Essex isn’t the typical location which global-touring DJs and electronic music figureheads Carl Cox, Seth Troxler and Steve Angello are used to playing. Though arguably more familiar with Vegas, Ibiza and European crowds, Upminster-based We Are FSTVL attracts the biggest names in house, techno and on Sunday, EDM.

Now in its third year, We Are FSTVL brings in 30,000 music lovers over its weekend. Think of it as the electronic music equivalent of V Festival. Cleverly targeted at the Essex party-going population, for an extra £40, a VIP ticket allows access to the VIP area – a regular festival feature offering that little bit more; there’s a separate VIP stage (Mark Knight’s Toolroom Records and MK’s Area10 host it respectively), hot tubs, hair salon, glitter and face paint stations and remarkably cleaner toilets, as well as higher viewing platforms back on the main site.

As one of the year’s first proper festivals, Saturday unsurprisingly sold-out in advance, while last remaining Sunday tickets were available on the door. Despite a windy start with grey clouds looming above, the weather stayed dry and summery; rare for a UK festival in late May.

Whilst the generously-sized main stage hosted the likes of Gorgon City and Solomun under sunny skies, Summer Festival Guide found itself at the Used & Abused stage for a great deal of the weekend. Creatively, the industrial design of an aircraft hanger made it seem as though we’d been teleported to an underground club in Europe; fitting for the dark and deep techno acts it showcased. A gargantuan three-hour set from Loco Dice made it near impossible to leave, while Drumcode Records founder Adam Beyer later delivered a set of intense, unrelenting techno. Most notable, its impeccable sound quality, remaining consistent throughout the weekend.

Elsewhere on Saturday’s bill, house sets from Simon Dunmore and Oliver Dollar on the Defected Records stage, and Redlight and Waze & Odyssey in the What Hannah Wants tent, ensured both were permanently filled. Meanwhile, globally-renowned DJ’s Seth Troxler and Carl Cox closed out the opening night on the main stage, respectively, each proving memorable highlights.

Seth’s acidic, techno-heavy set, complete with hypnotic swirling red and black visuals, saw the sun go down, before house music legend Carl Cox took the helm. Opening strongly with Deetron’s piano-house builder ‘Photon’, a sea of mobile phones lit up the night sky. The first person to majorly interact with the crowd, Cox encourages, “Carl Cox is in the house. Who’s ready?” as laser lights scour the audience and confetti explodes from cannons.

The only downside with We Are FSTVL though, is the non-camping policy, meaning that thousands of people need to be transported from the site back to wherever they may be staying. According to social media comments, people were reportedly left for hours on the roadside as shuttle buses and taxis struggled to cope with the number of attendees, though by Sunday this was far less of an issue.

As Sunday morning falls, so does the rain; but luckily only on SFG’s commute to the site. Once on-site, the ground is mostly dry as the sun steadily rears its head. The day’s first highlight comes from Dirtybird boss Claude VonStroke who, rare that he comes to the UK, delivers a crowd-pleasing set on the Paradise stage, dropping his own ‘Make A Cake’, ‘Barrump’ and Jesse Rose-collaboration ‘Bare Mountain’, proving Dirtybird as one of the finest electronic labels around; their forward-thinking, unique sound a clear hit with the Essex punters. Later, another Dirtybird affiliate, J Phlip, goes back-to-back with Huxley over in the VIP village, each dropping bass-heavy productions to a growing crowd.

Back at SFG’s favourite stage, the aircraft hanger, now hosted by Cocoon, Ten Walls and Sven Vath each deliver building techno sets; Sven’s hard-hitting sound complimented by female dancers spread across the stage.

At the complete other end of the electronic music spectrum, the main stage welcomes Radio 1 DJ Danny Howard before Oliver Heldens takes over, delivering an unexpectedly stand-out set. Mixing his own ‘deep house’ tracks ‘Gecko’, ‘This’ and ‘You Know’ with tracks from EDM’s biggest names the young producer’s clearly having a great time as he bopps around and shuffles in front of the DJ decks. It’s like watching a child in a sweet shop. “Let me see your hands Essex”, he shouts excitedly, before closing with an EDM remix of Ellie Goulding’s Love Me Like You Do. Unpretentious and heaps of fun, Heldens’ set is a great warm-up for the bombastic sounds of Knife Party.

Older fan –favourites ‘Bonfire’ and ‘Internet Friends’ mix well with a newer track which we are told is “for the UK family”; it sounds somewhat influenced by Major Laser. 15 minutes late, Steve Angello’s set begins with dramatic orchestral sounds and visuals as the former Swedish House Mafia member reveals that he’s travelled all the way from Sweden. Appearing like a silhouette throughout the show because of the strobe lights, he works the crowd with Robin S’ ‘Show Me Love’ and later, new single ‘Children of the Wild’ impresses.

Over in the Paradise tent, the sound parallels as Jamie Jones lays down chunky tech-house rollers by the dozen, whilst Mele’ closes out the Hospitality stage, leaving Shadow Child and DJ S.K.T to continue the party for VIP ticket-holders only in the Area 10 tent.

As We Are FSTVL comes to a close nearing 1am, luckily there’s a London-located after-party being taking the festivities through until 6am Monday!

We Are FSTVL continues to thrive as one of the UK’s best medium-sized festivals, offering a diverse range of electronic music over a usually sunny weekend. Here’s to 2016!

Chemical Brothers to headline Sonar 2015 shows

Sónar 2015 announces its first names for Sónar Barcelona. The first artist announcement includes classic and revered names of electronic music and benchmarks for a new generation, together with new producers and bands outlining the future direction of electronica.
 
The Chemical Brothers (UK)
Autechre (UK)
Kindness (UK)
Evian Christ (UK)
Fat Freddy's Drop (NZ)
Daniel Avery (UK)
Ten Walls (LT)
Lee Gamble (UK)
Sophie (UK)
Holly Herndon (US)
PXXR GVNG (ES)
Kiasmos (IS)
Kate Tempest (UK)
Tourist (UK)
Vessel (UK)
Niño (ES)
Mans O (ES)
Helena Hauff (DE)
and many more to be confirmed…
 
Tom Rowlands of The Chemical Brothers, speaks for the first time exclusively for Sónar
 
Tom Rowlands of The Chemical Brothers, speaks for the first time exclusively for Sónar to provide the first details about the new show and new studio album in 2015:
 
We're very excited to return to Sónar, one of the best crowds, in one of the greatest cities. We are still imagining the gig, both music and visual. We are working on the staging of the live gig at the moment. Adam (Smith) has some amazing ideas. The show will be an intense ride, hold tight. (About the new album) I guess the most important feature of the album is that it connects with us emotionally in some way. We hope for finding a new way to make you feel. We dream of new sounds and different frames. We have worked with some guest singers but mostly the album is pure Chemical Brothers.”
 
Keystones of electronica
 
For the past twenty years, The Chemical Brothers have redefined the idea of live electronic music. In that time, their live show has evolved from humble beginnings in dank London nightclubs into one of the most in demand festival headline sets in the world. All the while, it has adhered to the same basic idea: that the gig should create its own transcendent audio/visual space where the audience can lose themselves for the duration of the set. The Chemical Brothers on going relationship with director and visual artist Adam Smith continues to produce hallucinogenic results across the globe (as seen in 2012’s collaborative concert film Don’t Think). The band are due to release their eighth studio album in 2015. 
 
 
Autechre are one of the most admired and respected duos in abstract and experimental electronica. The importance of the music and sound imagined by Rob Brown and Sean Booth cannot be underestimated. They have played an integral role in the development of abstract techno and IDM (intelligent dance music) over the past 25 years. One of their tracks "Flutter", is considered by critics as a historical zenith of IDM, and albums like "Incunabula", "Amber", "TriRepetae" or the more recent "Oversteps" and "EXAI" are all masterpieces of sonic deconstruction. Their live performances are rare and very exclusive, and in 2015 they will perform at Sónar by Day, nearly two decades after their first and only appearance at the festival in 1996.
 
New benchmarks
 
As always, the Sónar line-up is dominated by the huge presence of new producers and bands noted for their powerful artistic profile and sound that in many cases outline the future direction of electronica and cutting edge music.
 
This is certainly the case for Vessel and Evian Christ, two very young British producers with a distinct and identifiable sound based on techno, who are exploring more complex sonic territories in immersive shows with a potent sensorial impact; Lee Gamble, the respected and experienced aural adventurer will present his new live audiovisual concept in collaboration with the London designer Dave Gaskarth.
 
Sónar also recognises new dynamic female talent such as American songwriter Holly Herndon, creator of dystopian sound worlds with futuristic auditory aesthetics; and KateTempest, poet, performer and British playwright -winner of the Ted Hughes Award in 2013- who will present her first album "Everybody Down" on hip-hop label Big Dada; or German dj Helena Hauff, faithful disciple to the continuation of the most resonant techno and electro from her home base in Hamburg.
 
The festival will also host exciting dance music projects from:Kiasmos, whose emotive and dance friendly techno is produced by prodigious Icelandic pianist Ólafur Arnalds, together with Janus Rasmussen; electropop quartet Bloodgroup; and the luminescent and penetrating melodies of Lithuanians Ten Walls, whose career has just taken off. You will also be able to enjoy prestigious young DJs likeDaniel Avery, mentored by Erol Alkan and hailed by critics as the British Isles new master of tech-house; and producers like Sophie, creator of colourful melodies and contemporary rhythms, in keeping with the new PC Music trend, who recently collaborated with Madonna, Nicki Minaj and Diplo.
 
There will of course be room reserved for pop and other styles including celebrated New Zealand band Fat Freddy's Drop, who return to Sónar with their fantastic live show where they will intelligently mix dub, reggae and soul, with techno and house. Also appearing from the UK will be Tourist and Kindness, two key names in today’s synth pop sound, both of whom have newly released material. Tourist will present a tantalizing live audiovisual show where the piano takes centre stage, while Kindness will present a liberating and highly emotive concert experience.

Carl Cox, Sven Vath, Jamie Jones and more set for We Are FSTVL 2015

Award-winning dance music event We Are FSTVL have announced a staggering100 names for their anticipated 2015 event, ahead of returning to the ‘Field of Dreams’ in Upminster, Essex for the third year running on Saturday 30th & Sunday 31st May 2015. Featuring the likes of Carl Cox, Loco Dice, Pleasure State (live), Hannah Wants, Sven Väth, Jamie Jones, Seth Troxler, Adam Beyer, Ten Walls (live), Dennis Ferrer, Hot Since 82, Jackmaster and many more, We Are FSTVL have curated a line-up that firmly positions itself at the very heart of the international festival circuit and paves the way for their biggest year to date.

Having made a spectacular sell-out debut in 2013, We Are FSTVL has seen a rapid rise in the space of just two years. After doubling in size in their second year following unparalleled levels of demand, We Are FSTVL has since broken through in a massive way and now attracts crowds of over 30,000 from right across the UK. 

Saturday 30th May 
The first to grace the festival’s main stage is dance music mainstay Carl Cox. Taking the reins from the likes of Disclosure and Fatboy Slim, Carl’s debut We Are FSTVL performance will be packed full of Ibiza spirit, whilst Seth Troxler is also set to unleash his universally recognised brand of techno on the Upminster crowd.Grammy nominated producer Nic Fanciulli is set to share his driving strain of house and techno, with the larger than life force of Solomun also set to cause a stir. In-demand producers Gorgon City and Hot Since 82 will also feature, joined by Anglo-American Second City and BBC Radio 1 tastemaker Monki.

Heading up Saturday’s techno Warehouse is Loco Dice’s Used + Abused party, whose thundering brand of techno is sure to kick things off in style. Drumcode head Adam Beyer and Berlin-based duo Tale of Us will be on hand to deliver their atmospheric take on deep house and techno, with special guest Recondite providing a melodic live set of his own. Fuse-boss Enzo Siragusa also make his We Are FSTVL debuts, with Yaya set to round off the day’s proceedings.
 
The ‘What Hannah Wants’ takeover of Saturday’s Big Top Bass stage brings a selection of artists at the heart of the UK’s bustling underground scene. Joining Hannah is iconic DJ and one half of ‘Can U Dance’ Oneman, who’s set to perform alongside PMR signee T Williams and the duo who recently charted at #3 in the UK singles charts with their rework of R Kelly’s ‘Bump & Grind’ – Waze & Odyssey. Black Butter’s My Nu Leng and Kidnap Kid will also be joining ranks, alongside up-and-comers GotSome and the enigmatic Friend Within.
 
Seminal house music label Defected are also to return to Upminster to showcase the latest and greatest names in electronic music. Danish visionary Noir is set to explore the darker edges of electronic music, whilst Berlin native Oliver Dollar will also feature, having stormed the UK charts with ‘Pushing On’ earlier this year. Label upstarts Sonny Fedora and Christoph will each deliver their distinctive twist of techno, disco and italo dynamics and wrapping up the label’s ‘Very Big Top’ arena are Sam Divine and Simon Dunmore – two producers at the heart of the imprint for over two decades.
 
Mark Knight’s newest offering of ‘Toolroom Live’ presents the label’s core artist roster in the festival’s luxury VIP village. After his recent remix of London Grammar’s ‘Sights’ became an Ibiza staple, Dennis Ferrer is set to deliver his iconic brand of tech-house, whilst Dirtybird-affiliate Shiba San and Tensnake both make their We Are FSTVL returns. German duo Tube & Berger are next in line, with the deep house sound of Wanklemut“My Head is a Jungle” also guaranteed to make an impression on the dance floor. Purple Disco Machine will then add a touch of soul to the line-up, which is rounded off by Toolroom residents Dosem and Weiss.  
 
Sunday 31st May  – Main Stage announcement imminent. 
 
Returning to We Are FSTVL for the third year running are crowd favourites Cocoon, whose stage will be spearheaded by the undisputed king of techno Sven Väth.Joining him are Cocoon heroes Ilario Alicante and Ricardo Villalobos, whilst Âmeand Dixon will play an extended back-to-back set – a recent highlight of Fabric’s 15th Birthday weekend. To top this off Ten Walls, credited with producing one of the biggest tracks of the summer in ‘Walking with Elephants’, is also set to perform live.

 
Drum & Bass stalwarts Hospital Records are next to call the shots of We Are FSTVL’s ‘Big Top Bass’ arena. Boasting one of the largest line-ups at the festival, the label will be out in force to showcase the likes of Camo & Crooked, Logistics b2b Nu:Tone, Lynx, Fred V & Grafix and Etherwood. Special guests will also include garage legends DJ EZ & MJ Cole, as well as the joyful Toyboy & Robin, all supported by three of the leading MCs on the circuit; LowquiWrec & Dynamite MC.
 
Bringing his acclaimed club night ‘Paradise’ back to Upminster is Hot Creations head Jamie Jones, who will be supported by label mates Richy AhmedRuss Yallopand WaFF. Prolific DJ and Viva Warriors frontman Steve Lawler will also be accompanied by Mark Jenkyns and rising star Patrick Topping, who’s recent single ‘Voicemail’ has been dominating the Beatport charts. DC10 residentJackmaster is next in line, whose eclectic music taste stretches from techno and house right the way through to classic disco and grime.

 
Back by popular demand is one of house music’s most sought after producers MK, whose ‘Area 10’ heads up Sunday’s VIP village. Joining MK are close friends Lee Foss and Anabel Englund, who will collectively perform as Pleasure State, having recently unveiled their debut release ‘Ghost in the System’. Purp&soul boss Ben Pearce will also feature, joined by up and coming producers andhimKant andShadow Child. A rare father-and-son performance from Kevin Saunderson andDantiez Saunderson will round off proceedings in fitting style.

Hideout 2015 SOLD OUT

 

Hideout Festival 2015 has officially sold out in just under two weeks, highlighting the demand for this fronting festival. With promises of its biggest celebration yet to mark five incredible years, Hideout has not disappointed with an epic line-up to boot. Dedicated to showcasing only the biggest and best in electronic music, Hideout have unveiled a further 23 names joining acts like serial chart-topper Duke Dumont. Radio 1's Mistajam and garage legend DJ EZ are among these, as is house maestro Seth Troxler, VIVa Music head honcho Steve Lawler and long-standing house advocate Green Velvet. Fresh from delivering recent hit 'Bump & Grind' Waze & Odyssey will bring their unique style of house to the beaches of Pag, ensuring the fifth addition of Hideout will be the best yet. 

With five monumental beachfront clubs, boat parties sailing across the awe-inspiring Adriatic Sea and a host of very special surprises in store in its fifth year lifetime Hideout Festival has put Croatia on the map as the ultimate party destination, placing itself firmly as one of Europe's most in-demand events. 

SECOND ARTIST ANNOUNCEMENT:

SETH TROXLER / WILKINSON 

AMINE EDGE & DANCE / CHEZ DAMIER / DENSE & PIKA / DJ SNEAK / CATZ 'N' DOGZ / GREEN VELVET / ROUTE 94 / SECONDCITY / STEVE LAWLER / THE MAGICIAN / WAZE & ODYSSEY 

BLONDE / CAPULET / DJ HYPE / DOORLY / GEDDES / LAST MAGPIE / MAK & PASTEMAN / MATTHEW STYLES / PBR STREETGANG / SIMON BAKER

FULL LINE-UP

DUKE DUMONT / EATS EVERYTHING / GORGON CITY / JAMIE JONES / LOCO DICE / MK / NINA KRAVIZ / SETH TROXLER / SIGMA / TEN WALLS LIVE / WILKINSON   
 
AMINE EDGE & DANCE / BONDAX / B-TRAITS / CAJMERE / CATZ 'N' DOGZ / CHEZ DAMIER / DAVID RODIGAN MBE / DERRICK CARTER / DENSE & PIKA / DJ SNEAK / DUSKY / FRICTION / GEORGE FITZGERALD / GREEN VELVET / HANNAH WANTS / HEIDI / JOY ORBISON / KINK LIVE / MISTAJAM / PAUL WOOLFORD / REDLIGHT / RICHY AHMED / ROUTE 94 / SECONDCITY / SCUBA / SHY FX / SKREAM / STEVE LAWLER / THE MAGICIAN / WAZE & ODYSSEY    

BLONDE / CAPULET / CITIZEN / CHRIS LORENZO / DJ HYPE / DJ EZ / DOORLY / DUNGEON MEAT / EJECA / ETON MESSY DJS / FRIEND WITHIN / GEDDES / ISAAC TICHAUER / JONAS RATHSMAN / LAST MAGPIE / MAK & PASTEMAN / MATTHEW STYLES / MJ COLE / MONKI / PATRICK TOPPING / PBR STREETGANG / RALPH LAWSON / RONI SIZE / SHADOW CHILD / SIMON BAKER / SPECIAL REQUEST / STAR SLINGER / TCTS / WAFF    

GRAINGER / MIKE JONES / NORTH BASE / PEOPLE GET REAL / THE SONIC EMPORIUM 

Hideout 2015 announce massive 5th year lineup

Croatia's Hideout Festival announce its long-awaited fifth outing and the most monumental year yet. Taking place from June 28th – July 2nd 2015, Hideout will return to its home on the island of Pag and will unite musical regulars from the past five years including Jamie Jones, Skream, Heidi, Loco Dice, Eats Everything, MK and Gorgon City, for an unforgettable anniversary showcase. The fifth instalment will welcome back iconic guests such as chart-topper Duke Dumont, vinyl Queen Nina Kraviz, man of the moment Ten Walls (Live), and recent Red Bull Culture Clash winners David Rodigan MBE and Shy FX. Making their debut on the heavenly Zrce Beach will be serial chart-toppers Sigma, BBC Radio 1's Monki and Jungle icon Roni Size. With Hideout 2014 selling out in just two weeks, the Croatian event anticipates smashing records yet again with another sell-out year. Registered ticket holders are able to purchase tickets immediately through the Hideout Festival website while general tickets will be on Thursday 6th November 2014. 

As Hideout Festival enters it's fifth year the week-long showcase of electronic music has become the must attend event of the summer, putting Croatia on the map as the perfect music destination. Gearing up for what will be their most exciting celebration yet, Hideout will once again take over the stunning Zrce beach to welcome the most exciting names in House, Techno and Drum & Bass, offering plenty of surprises along the way. 

From dancing until sunrise at the five breathtaking beach clubs to sailing out into the crystal clear ocean aboard one of the many boat parties, throughout the past five years Hideout Festival has defined itself as the ultimate summer retreat for electronic music fans, sun worshippers and hedonistic revellers alike. As the festival continues to go from strength to strength the five year anniversary will surpass all expectations and is set to be a talking point for years to come.

FIRST ARTIST ANNOUNCEMENT:

Duke Dumont / Eats Everything / Gorgon City / Jamie Jones / Loco Dice / MK / Nina Kraviz / Sigma / Ten Walls (Live)
 
Bondax / B-Traits / David Rodigan MBE / Derrick Carter / Dusky / George Fitzgerald / Hannah Wants / Heidi / Joy Orbison / Kink (Live) / Mistajam / Paul Woolford / Redlight / Richy Ahmed / Scuba / Shy FX / Skream
 
Citizen / Chris Lorenzo / DJ EZ / Dungeon Meat / Ejeca / Eton Messy DJs / Friction / Friend Within / Isaac Tichauer / Jonas Rathsman / MJ Cole / Monki / Patrick Topping / Ralph Lawson / Roni Size / Shadow Child / Special Request / Star Slinger / TCTS / Waff
 
Grainger / Mike Jones / North Base / People Get Real / The Sonic Emporium North Base / PBR Streetgang / People Get Real / Ralph Lawson / The Sonic Emporium / Simon Baker /

Unknown Croatia add Chvrches, Wild Beasts and more to 2014 lineup

Unknown Croatia unleash the first phase lineup for the 2014 installment which includes live performances from Scottish electro pop band Chvrches, the critically acclaimed Wild Beasts, Jungle, Mount Kimbie, James Holden, Ten Walls and many more. DJ showcases come from Resident Advisor’s No 1 DJ of 2013 Dixon, who is returning back from a memorable performance at Unknown’s debut event alongside the likes of TEED, Tale Of Us, Daniel Avery and Ame. 

Further musical recruits include John TalabotSeth TroxlerBicepJoy OrbisonSimian Mobile DiscoMichael Mayer, plus many more. Artists play across a diverse range of musical activities including daytime and evening events on boats, by the pool, deep in the forest and new for 2014, on nearby islands.

Art and performance were a highlight of Unknown’s first event and will be returning on an even grander scale in 2014 courtesy of Mad Ferret productions, Unit 44 and more. Also new to 2014, the main stage will be open a whole extra day giving more scope for live performances. With 25­-30 flights a day leaving the UK for nearby airports, its easier than ever before to attend.

Returning to the beautiful town of Rovinj, crowned the jewel of the North Adriatic, Unknown is set within an inclusive site with accommodation options ranging from camping to five star luxury apartments, all of which are available from unknowncroatia.com from 11th February. Put together by the Leeds promotersSound Channel, Unknown 2014 still has more surprises in store with further artists yet to be announced.

 
PROGRAMME

LIVE:
Chvrches / Wild Beasts / Jungle / Mount Kimbie / Forest Swords / Henrik Schwarz / James Holden / Kink / Lapalux / Ten Walls

DJ:
Ame / Bicep / Daniel Avery / Dixon / DJ Harvey / Dusky / Erol Alkan / George Fitzgerald / Gerd Janson / Horse Meat Disco / Jackmaster / John Talabot / Joy Orbison / Kim Ann Foxman / Mano Le Tough / Michael Mayer / Optimo / Rub & Tug / Ryan Elliot / Seth Troxler / Simian Mobile Disco / Tale Of Us / TEED / The 2 Bears / Waze & Odyssey

Aunti Flo / Bad Passion / Capacabana / Cutloose / Eskimo Twins / Force Of Nature / Gatto Fritto / Geddes / Genius Of Time / Harri & Domonic Capello / Hunee / Jennifer Cardini / Last Waltz / Lord Of The Isles / Mike Jones / Mister Saturday Night / Paramida / People Get Real / Red Axes / Scott Fraser / Simon Baker / The Sonic Emporium / Tim Fairplay / Tom Grainger