Takedown Festival 2015 Review

Takedown Festival now in its 3rd year has grown with serious momentum, previous bands have moved up the line up as of this year as they’ve gone from strength to strength and this year is no exception, in the heart of Southampton University today (7/3/15) see’s some of the finest talent from goth rock, punk, hardcore and straight up alt rock.

First up on the main stage is Zoax, poised with a lacking crowd and having that difficult challenge of being the first band of the day front man Adam Carroll took no prisoners with moments only spent on the stage before joining the crowd, it’s safe to say he made a lasting impression on the people who were there to experience them. 

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Adam Carroll – Zoax

EMP!RE are up next which fall a bit short, it’s not that they are a bad band but it all feels like a rehashed version of Skin Dread, that being said they are a good band, within a few more years they will hit their stride and settle into a sound of their own.

Dave McPherson – INME

When you consider some of the songs from INME’s debut album Overgrown Eden haven't been played for nearly ten years it seems like a daring feat to bring such a set to a festival crowd, however these songs still sound as fresh as they did all those years ago, Dave McPherson’s vocals matured and made for one of the stand out moments from the whole event.

Rolo Tomassi hit the stage like a punch to the gut, front woman Eva Spence bounds across the stage like a pocket rocket, with a growl to match, it is clear to see that they are in a league of their own tonight and that certainly isn't a bad thing.

The Blackout’s set has to be met with an air of sadness, tonight not only see’s the guys play their last South Coast show but their last festival slot too, tonight like every time The Blackout play boasts a band who not only put everything they’ve got into a set but love every minute of it, it is also a full circle as they playedon one of their first tours with Charlie Simpson (FightStar) and are ending things playing along side him tonight.

Charlie Simpson a far cry from his Busted days or FightStar projects Charlie’s solo stuff is more tinged with a country vibe, this unfortunately falls short after such a electric line up which isn't the shift in momentum that was to be expected this close to the headline slot. 

Tonights Headliners Mallory Knox cut their festival teeth at Takedown 2012, so this festival holds a special place in the hearts of these guys, having just got back from their US tour with Pierce The Veil and Sleeping With Sirens jet lag certainly didn't stop them putting everything they had into closing the proceedings tonight, coming on to the boys are back in town, it is safe to say in light of their last album Asymmetry Mallory Knox have established themselves as one of the best of British in 2015. Whatever this year has in store for them it is clear that we will all be waiting with bated breath. 

Gavin Butler/Sean Smith – The Blackout

Over all Takedown has something for everyone, even the fashion conscious boasting several stalls including merch and clothing lines, food halls and plenty of bars across the whole of the stages to keep everyones thirst suitably quenched, It is an exciting time for Takedown as it has established itself well and truly as one of the best small festivals to showcase the vast talent we really have here in the alternative UK scene. 


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The Blackout added to Takedown 2015

The Blackout will return for one last time, indeed this will be their last ever show south of London and with their Koko show about to sell out probably your last chance to see them live full stop!

Also completing the bill we have the angular riffola of Hawk Eyes / melodic hardcore from Blood Youth (formerly Climates) and we're very excited to have Dee Christopher, mentalist & alternative magician joining us for hijinks at The Obsidian Stage courtesy of Fearless Vampire Killers!

And last but not least, after slander, accusations of cheating and much soul searching from the judges we have the winner of the YOUR BAND HERE contest. This was undoubtedly the best selection of finalists yet and it was a close run thing but the judges chose London electro rockers More Than Most

 

Camden Rocks 2014 Review

Camden’s notoriously idolised for its music scene, the generation of Amy’s, Pete’s Carls and Noels may be behind us, but there’s still enough to of the icon to put on an incredible line up.
Located at some of London’s cult venues-Proud, Electric Ball Room and The worlds End, this was sure to be a festive hit with locals and tourists alike.

With an eclectic and heavy mix of bands, from 00s Indie Hero’s Johnny Borrell and Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, to the heavier Black Out and incredible turbo wolf.

Stand Out performances came in the form of new kids on the block The Struts with an incredible set at Proud, with glamour and swagger oozing into the crowd.

The Black Out came out to a full crowd at Underground sending a never-ending buzz into the streets outside and turbo wolf blended 70s grit with heavy guitars to creatry a heady-gritty set. 

Headline sets came from the Subways who seem to always be on top form, sending the full-to-capacity crowd into frantic moves with their huge back catalogue of hits.

The only downer was the festival didn’t feel new, nothing shouted out as being exciting as far as atmosphere went, but maybe that’s just because its Camden. Maybe it needs no Gimmicks, Camden at the end of the day is Camden, and Camden Rocks does exactly what it says on the tin.


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Redfest 2014 lineup details

Check out the 8th installment of this years Redfest.  This year the KINGS of ragga metal SKINDRED headlining our main stage on Friday 25th July, who will be joined by MOBO winners Krept & Konan, London boys TOY, and Young Kato, who are currently on tour with You Me at Six.

Skindred are veritable festival veterans and famed for their intense live performances, we have absolutely no doubt that Friday night is going to GO OFF. 

Skindred's Benji Webbe: 'As ambassadors of British music Skindred are more than buzzed to be invited along to headline Red "DRED" fest. All the boys in the band have enjoyed playing in Surrey and this is another chance for us to stamp down power in front of British music fans. We ain't fucking about Redfest, You're GETTING IT!'

South London hip hop duo Krept & Konan are Casyo "Krept" Johnson and Karl "Konan" Wilson, and winners of the 2013 'Best Newcomers' MOBO award.

We also welcome indie rock band Peace to our main stage as our Saturday headliners. Having received critical acclaim from publications such as The Guardian and NME in 2012, comparing them to bands like The Maccabees and Foals, Worcester quartet Peace went on to be nominated for Radio 1's 'Sound of 2013', and had Top 20 success with their 2013 album 'In Love'. 

Also joining us with be Landudno boys Catfish and the Bottlemen. Playing loud, explosive, sexy rock and roll songs full of guitars and energy, CATBM took part in Radio 1's Future Festival at the beginning of the year, and have been wowing audiences up and down the UK.

We also welcome Irish folk-pop duet, and brothers, Harry and Alfie Hudson Taylor, who will be joining us along with Youtube sensation George Barnett, The Skints – back by very popular demand, along with The LaFontaines, the hauntingly beautiful voice of Lauren Aquilina, Jim Lockey and the Solemn Sun, mesmerising soul from Lulu James, rousing rock lads The Struts and Birmingham lads JAWS.

The Total Uprawr Stage

It may surprise some to find a band like Welsh pop rock gods The Blackout headlining such a billing, but with so  many crossover vibes and mashed genres going on over the whole weekend we are confident of a great reception. And a very full tent. 

Our Friday night headliner is Heart of a Coward, a band that has been KILLING the metal tents at festivals such as Download, and who always bring the RAWR.

We also welcome London hardcore troupe TRC, with Heights, The Dirty Youth, Lostalone, Polar, Baby Godzilla, Astroid Boys, The Catharsis, Slaves, The First, The One Hundred, and Rat Attack also on the billing.

Completing our Uprawr Stage lineup are Skies in Motion, Fathoms, Collisions, When We Were Wolves, Aurora, Our Hollow Our Home, A Moment Lost and Set Your Sails.

Camden Rocks Festival Update

JOHNNY BORRELL & ZAZOU, FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS, DEVIL SOLD HIS SOUL AND A HOST OF OTHERS SET TO JOIN LONDON’S ROCK N’ROLL STREET PARTY ‘CAMDEN ROCKS FESTIVAL’ 31ST MAY.

On the 31st of May the Camden Rocks Festival will see over two-hundred high-energy bands perform across Camden Town. It’s a one-mile run of thrilling music, exploding across twenty different venues on London’s most hallowed rock n’ roll streets.

The festival is proud to be able to mix established acts from the world of rock and indie alongside a wealth of new talent from the UK, aiming to give much needed exposure to the incredible new music pouring out of the UK right now. Britain’s got talent, but it isn’t being televised alongside the karaoke singers and performing animals for Simon Cowell. In light of this, Camden Rocks Festival is announcing a competition that gives more bands a chance to perform on the day. Check http://camdenrocksfestival.com/ for details on how to enter.

The more times a bands name is submitted, the bigger chance it has of going into the votes that kick off THIS SUNDAY! So bands & fans, GET SHARING & SUBMITTING!

Further acts are confirmed this week as Johnny Borrell & Zazou, Fearless Vampire Killers, Devil Sold His Soul and Mixhell (featuring legendary Sepultura drummer Igor Cavalera) join Toseland, A Plastic Rose, Zoax, Little Barrie, Rubylux, Empress, Longy, Money For Rope, Vuvuvultures, Under The Influence, Flagship, The Carnabys, Tax The Heat, The Ratells, The RPM’s, Audio Whores, Adam French, Shooting Stars and Remote View who are also added to the bill this week.

"We're super excited about coming back to Camden Rocks this year,” exclaims Fearless Vampire Killers frontman Keir Kemp. “It's a real family vibe. Best acts from across all genres coming together with the mutual intension of melting faces… amen!"

These artists join already announced acts such as The Subways, Reverend & The Makers, Gnarwolves, Blitz Kids, Nine Black Alps, Turbowolf, The Blackout, Orange Goblin, Ginger Wildheart, Hacktivist and The Virginmarys plus a host of others, see flyer for full details.

Organiser Chris McCormack says “I’m really excited to showcase some of these great new bands I’ve been working with this year. We’re going to set Camden alight (not literally) with the best new music in the UK.”

Camden Rocks Festival is going to be the rock n’ roll street party of the year. Over two hundred of the best new and established guitar bands performing across twenty venues in Camden Town, celebrating everything that is vital, exciting and life-affirming about rock music right now in 2014.

Last year’s event was a sell-out success with over 150 bands taking over Camden. Bands such as Therapy? The Rifles, Hawk Eyes, Rise To Remain, Turbowolf, Fearless Vampire Killers, The Computers, Lost Alone and many more joined forces with legends such as the Sex Pistols guitarist Glenn Matlock, Carl Barat from The Libertines for a day of essential rock n’roll fun and action.

£25 tickets are now available from the link below subject to booking / transaction fees

www.camdenrocksfestival.com

Over 200 bands for £25 playing in twenty different venues, that’s roughly 10p per band!

Venues include:

ELECTRIC BALLROOM *UNDERWORLD * PROUD * BARFLY * JAZZ CAFE * DINGWALLS * PURPLE TURTLE * BLACK HEART * HAWLEY ARMS * MONARCH * THE GOOD MIXER * THE ENTERPRISE * CAMDEN HEAD * THE CUBAN * BREW-DOG * THE RECORD CLUB * DINGWALLS CANALSIDE BAR * THE BEATRICE * THE FORGE * THE BLACK CAP

Slam Dunk Festival More Announcements

Just when we thought all the artists and guests had been annouced Slam Dunk knock out other surprise with Sean Smith from The Blackout who will be making an appearance as a guest DJ and the main stage compere!

Slam Dunk have also announced their annual T-shirt design competition. Basically, you could be in the running of designing the official shirt that will be sold across this year’s festivals! Not only will you get your design idea produced, but the winner will also bag 4 tickets to the festival of their choice! So why not give it a try get your creative juices flowing and get designing! More details can be found on the poster below:

Tickets still available here 
http://www.slamdunkmusic.com

Dave McPherson and more added to 2000trees Festival

The Blackout, Cerebral Ballzy, Three Trapped Tigers, Darlia, LOOM and Dancing Years have been added to the line-up for the 2000trees Festival, along with INME frontman Dave McPherson.

He will be performing a solo set and says he is looking forward to the award-winning event because it is a “10/10 every time”.

Festival headliners are yet to be revealed and organisers say excitement is building among fans, with ticket sales up on last year.

Already announced are: Dan le Sac vs Scroobius Pip, Public Service Broadcasting, Jamie Lenman, Tall Ships, Wolf Alice, Canterbury, Arcane Roots, Itch, Blitz Kids, Hawk Eyes, Gnarwolves, Johnny Foreigner, Lonely the Brave, Natives, Dad Rocks!, &U&I, Slaves, The Virginmarys, Ben Marwood, The Retrospective Soundtrack Players, Oxygen Thief, Radstewart, Winter Villains, VerseChorusVerse.

Dave McPherson said: “2000trees is more than a festival to me. Very fond personal memories aside, InMe & myself have always had the craziest fun shows there. I love the location, the interesting varied line-ups, the local produce (especially the ale) and most of all, the people that run it.

“It’s so obvious this is an extreme labour of love yet while being consummate professionals they're also a bunch of absolute welcoming sweethearts. I've played/attended most years since the debut, it is a 10/10 every time. Long live Trees!”

Organiser Andy Rea believes a shared passion for new and underground music is proving popular with fans.

“We promise to bring a depth and variety of acts together that is better than ever before, giving people the chance to discover their new favourite bands in a fun, affordable and friendly environment.

“Early ticket sales reflect our commitment so everything is shaping up to be the best year yet, especially with the likes of Dave McPherson on board again, we love him!”

Takedown Festival Twenty 14

Takedown Festival 2014 is being held at Southampton University on Saturday March 15th. Its a one day event that offers a alternative style of music to the south coast.

Bands are spread out over 5 stages throughout the day. In the time Takedown festival has been running it has been host to many great bands such as The Blackout, While She Sleeps, Don Bronco, Skindred, and many more, Takedown also been host to many local bands in the area such as, Our Hollow Out Home, Upon The Shore, Saint The Sinner, and lots more.

This years event will be host to Funeral For A Friend, Kids In Glass Houses, Yashin, Lostalone, and also local bands such as Saint The Sinner, Seasons In Wreckage, Our Hollow Our Home.

Bands to keep a look out for Heart In Hand, Feed The Rino, Hacktivst, Our Hollow Our Home and Saint The Sinner!

So if your up for a mosh and head banging this is the festival to be at this March!

Dizzee Rascal and White Lies to headline Y Not Festival 2014

We can now reveal the first lineup announcement for this year Y Not Festival which takes place in August.  Headliners Dizzee Rascal and White Lies lead this years lineup along with The Fratellis, Newton Faulkner, Reel Big Fish, The Blackout and many more performing on the numerous stages across the weekend.

Dizzee Rascal – HEADLINER
White Lies – HEADLINER
The Fratellis
Newton Faulkner
Reel Big Fish
Andrew W.K.(solo)
The Blackout
Cerebral Ballzy
Catfish & The Bottlemen
Itch
Eliza & The Bear
Lonely The Brave
Darlia
Night Engine
Best Friends
Flyte
Brawlers
Nothing But Thieves
Nordic Giants
Black Moth
The First
Youth Man
Hungerhoff & The Wild Roots

Festival organiser, Simon Mawby has said, “We are so excited with our first announcement and are welcoming some of the biggest names we've ever had to our stages. The best part is this is just the beginning, with another headliner and hundreds more acts to come. It will truly be the best value Y Not ever."

Y Not will host ten stages, with the best talent from these music genres: rock / indie / hip hop / folk / dance / electronic / punk / blues / acoustic / reggae and roots. But it’s not all about the bigger bands. Y Not continues to support up and coming talent with its long established, purpose-built Allotment Stage.

Ringmaster Festival changes location for 2013

Ringmaster Festival has, due to access issues being insurmountable, changed to a larger venue, enabling the festival newcomer to incorporate 2 nights of camping to the schedule.
 
Newcomer Ringmaster Festival announces a venue change to Hopton Court, Hopton Wafers, Cleobury Mortimer, Worcestershire, DY14 0EF. The change in venues enables the addition of two nights campaign at this years festival and more music from up and coming local acts on Friday 27th September (full details to be announced soon).

Set in the stunning Worcestershire & Shropshire countryside borders, Hopton Court will now welcome this year's Ringmaster Festival.

Originally planned for one day, Ringmaster is now extended to include camping on both Friday 27th and Saturday 28th September, with upcoming bands now planned for the Friday evening.  

Acts confirmed for this year are: Maximo Park, who headline the BIG ELI tent, withMystery Jets, Deaf Havana, Swim Deep & Theme Park. The Blackout, We Are The Ocean & Canterbury play the Red Baron stage and Ghostpoet, Johnny Borrell & Zazou, Tall Ships & Chloe Howl being some of the names on the Mabel Stark stage.

Maximo Park

Ringmaster also welcome Mike Dignam, Dolomite Minor, The Darlingtons, Lloyd Yates, Tom Jarvis, Midnight Special, Katey Brooks, The Watermelons and Liz Lawrence and many, many more to this years line up.
 
For full line up and stage information please visit: www.ringmasterfestival.co.uk