Beat-Herder Festival – Third wave line up announcements

THE BEAT-HERDER FESTIVAL ANNOUNCE MORE ACTS FOR 2016
 
RIBBLE VALLEY, LANCASHIRE
15TH – 17TH JULY 2016

www.beatherder.co.uk
 
TODD TERJE LIVE
BEARDYMAN'S DREAM TEAM SESSIONS FT. MCS LEEN AND SEROCEE
A GUY CALLED GERALD
B.TRAITS
STANTON WARRIORS
TC FEAT MC JAKES
ED SOLO
APPLEBLIM

HIGHER INTELLIGENCE AGENCY (LIVE)
UNION JACK
FLAMINGODS
MARK ARCHER (ALTERN8)
PAUL TAYLOR
SUBCULTURE SAGE

COMEDY LINE UP ANNOUNCED:
TOM STADE, ROB RUSE, FERN BRADY, JACK EVANS

PLUS 2 NEW STAGES ANNOUNCED FOR 2016:
SUNRISE & THE ILLUSTRIOUS SOCIETY

ALSO ANNOUNCED:

ABBA ARRIVAL / TAN DEM / BIG BAD SOUND SYSTEM / HENGE / JINX IN DUB / JON STERCKX  / MOJO FILTER / MRS CAKEHEAD / NEW KINGSTON / PADDY STEER / PETE LAWRENCE / PHATWORLD / SMILEY MAXX / STEVE THORPE / SPONGEBOB SQUAREWAVE  / OH MY GOD! IT'S THE CHURCH / THORPEY / TRIKILATOPS / USHTI BABA / NIPPLES OF VENUS
 

 

Bestival 2015: Full Review!

Thursday

As the early bird catches the proverbial worm, so to do the first campers snag the best spots. A stream of gear laden guys and gals is making its way into the campsites from all directions and the sun is luckily, shining. Nighttime on Thursday sees the early opening of a few areas, The Wishing Tree is available for tiny raves, the Grassy Hill’s Caravanserai is jumping, and Underworld take an absolutely rammed headline slot in The Big Top. It’s a bit of a shame there’s no longer a big screen on the outside of the tent, as it’s frankly impossible to fit everyone in, but those outside are still dancing their legs off to the likes of ‘Born Slippy’ regardless.

Underworld @ Bestival 2015

Friday

Friday’s Gabrielle Aplin brings beautiful summer vibes to the main stage dressed in a spangly gold sequined jumpsuit, whilst The Cuban Brothers’ Miguel rocks his “Elvis in Marrakech” kaftan and afro combo as Archerio, Kengo and One Erection wow the crowds with headspins, backflips and flares galore. Having had the entire crowd sing Happy 70th Birthday to Bestival veteran, and former drug baron Howard “Mr. Nice” Marks who dons a golden kaftan on stage, Miguel implores everyone to “Increase the peace with a collective unconscious”.

Up on the big hill, the Slow Motion area is a serene place to take a break, with the bandstand gone, a new stage – Kaleidoscope – peeks out from the bottom corner, covered in silver sunrays. Grab yourself a fresh corn-on-the-cob, a pint of Bestivale and maybe take part in some Yoga. Massages, tea and cake from the Women’s Institute or making friends with fluffy llamas is also on the menu here, and if you venture inside Oberon’s Observatory you’ll find a tiny cinema and a pretty awesome lookout across the festival. Though there are notably less children year upon year, the kids area is still going strong with games and activities, across the way from lectures and comedy in the Bestiversity tent. There truly is something for everyone here.

A sun drenched crowd is relaxing at the main stage listening to the powerful voice of the incredibly talented Lianne La Havas, who is dressed in a show-stopping green ball gown and is tantalizing everyone with news of her upcoming UK tour in December for new album ‘Blood’. Followed up by the complete juxtaposition of Charlie XCX who spends her entire set swearing and making crude gestures. Luckily her songs are catchy enough to make up for it, and everyone seems to be enjoying ‘I don’t Care (I Love It)’ and ‘Boom Clap’ whilst she jumps around with a giant inflatable guitar, in her platform sneakers.

90’s Hip Hop super-group Jurassic 5 bring the entertainment with a massive turntable, portable turntable/mixer guitar contraptions and their distinctive brand of swagger, but it’s Duran Duran who are the stand out surprise of the night. The younger age set at this festival might not think they know more than ‘Rio’ but the hits keep rolling, and they put on an absolutely epic show which has everyone joining in with both classic hits and brand new album tracks.

See our full Duran Duran headline review here: http:///Reviews/2015/09/12/Duran-Duran-Bestival-2015-Review.aspx

Duran Duran @ Bestival 2015

Saturday

If you’re not feeling so fresh this morning, a quick trip to the lavish Elle Beauty Cupboard in partnership with Rimmel will have you all dolled up with a makeover or a manicure, as well as a goodybag full of makeup and you can get your brain back on track with a stop at the Science tent, where you can pick up a pair of psychedelic solar glasses for watching the fireworks too. New this year is the giant Lovebot, and a new-look Inflatable Church for all your wedding-disco wishes.

Over on the main stage, Dodgy rock “Good Enough” and IOW locals Level 42 (with a cameo from Cubano’s One Erection breakdancing) play to a relaxed crowd. Little Dragon wears some sort of golden bin-bag with red evening gloves for a set of weird and wonderful sounds, and over in the Magic Meadow the parade is a swarm of bright silks and mysterious creatures. Colourful birds, adorable little strawberries and lotus flowers dance past, as a squid rides a giant turtle followed by a Battala band. Only at Bestival…

Secret act cheesy hip hop legends House of Pain are actually great and anthem 'Jump Around' is spectacularly taken to heart by Bestivalites who are doing their best to jump up, jump up and get down. Kate Tempest gathers a big crowd for her main stage foray, in previous years she’s usually a walk through the woods to the amphitheatre for her spoken word sets. With obvious excitement she quips “Jeremy Corbyn has been elected… this is the summer of change, the summer of love!” and a keen eye can spot Rob da Bank clapping in appreciation from the side of the stage.

In the deep dark of the night forest, the amphitheatre comes alive and tonight The Story Beast (comedian John Henry Falle) is MCing Films in the Forest. Award winning short ‘Jonah’ is beautifully made and captivates the audience but ‘Festevil’ is the one that’s really going to stick with you – what could be better than a slasher short about a couple getting murdered in a tent at a festival by pig-masked psychopaths? “Are you all suitably shitted up? That could happen to you tonight!” says Falle. Cheers Story Beast… no really thanks so much. Just as well he follows it up with a rousing rendition of the theme from Dune (join in, all the words are… THE THEME FROM DUNE) and Tom Hyatt brings beautiful acoustic flavours to the stage with his songs about love. We hot-foot it when the next movie ‘Behind the Candelabra’ comes on, but not quite quick enough to escape seeing Matt Damon fellate Michael Douglas.

Annie Mac is ripping it up on the main stage with glowing palm trees to match the glowing umbrellas and fairy lights of the neon night parade, and The Chemical Brothers’ headline slot is a laser loaded, big beat heavy, electrifying show with a slew of hits from opener ‘Hey Boy Hey girl’ to ‘Block Rockin Beats’ and ‘Galvanize’.

Check out our full Chemicals review here: http:///Reviews/2015/09/15/The-Chemical-Brothers-Bestival-2015-Review.aspx

The night is young and the weather is sort of holding, so it’s off to Future Islands in the Big Top to see enigmatic frontman Samuel T. Herring dance like he’s been tasered and growl like he’s in a metal band. Completely bonkers but light, fun synthpop. The Port is packed with ravers and fire-dancers spit flames from atop the giant boat. Arial hoop dancers swing hypnotically from a crane above, everything is just on the edge of surreal and it’s brilliant. For a little less bass, Caravanseri’s little love-in is dancing along to violin folk-rockers Keltrix, cosying up in retro caravans or drinking mojitos in the carousel.

Sunday

Despite an overnight soaking, the campsite awakens to a clear and sometimes sunny morning (hurrah!) and there’s a dawning realisation that there’s only one day left of hedonistic adventures. DJ Yoda’s unmistakable beats reverberate across the arena to a massive crowd, and there are major queues outside the packed Amphitheatre for the genius Shitfaced Shakespeare. The drunken cast member simply can’t be arsed with what’s going on and keeps having existential epiphanies like “News is new… news!”. Throughout the forest people are hiding out, watching red squirrels or exploring round the lake, or searching out the secretive Blind Tiger stage.

Jungle Brothers get everyone chanting “We at Bestival baby” as indeed we are and Boy Better know keep up with the distinctly hip hop flavor to this year’s main stage lineup. It’s not as though those who aren’t into it have nothing else to do though, Pig’s Big Ballroom is a house of energetic folk and feelgoodery and the close-by Invaders of the Future stage is showcasing a plethora of great rock bands.

Over on the Kaleidoscope stage, Coco and the Butterfields are absolutely smashing it, gathering a bigger and rowdier crowd as they play, one of the very best things about Bestival is happening upon something or someone amazing that you’ve never heard of, and finding this banjo-led upbeat band is just one of those moments. Elsewhere the Oxfam tent is selling sparkly wares and as the weather is looking decidedly unsafe, wellies. The Llamas at Llama Karma are happily munching their way through Robin Hill’s luscious grass and wearing some very fetching rainbow neckerchiefs, the Solace tent is providing tea and cake to burnt out hippies and there are bare bottoms basking in the wood-fired hot tubs overlooking the enormous site.

A rare musical treat in the form of The Jacksons has the entire arena boogying, but it’s worth mentioning that it’s not just a classic hit parade – these guys are every bit as good as they always were. Polished entertainers with cracking vocals, for the likes of ‘Blame it on the Boogie’, ‘Rock With You’ and ‘ABC’. Jermaine has a noticeable tear in his eye when the crowd joins in for ‘I’ll Be There’ as a montage of their younger selves play on split video screens. Over in the Big Top, Todd Terje is providing summery soft electro-house to a busy tent, which makes a change from the heavier Port acts.

Final headliner Missy Elliott is every bit as showy as you could imagine. Plenty of bling, an army of backing dancers and MC’s hyping up the crowd the whole way through. Hits ‘Get Ur Freak On’ and ‘Work It’ are absolutely huge.

Read our full Missy Elliott headline review here: http:///Reviews/2015/09/15/Missy-Elliott-Bestival-2015-Review.aspx

As Missy makes her way off stage, ticker tape explosions coincide with the start of the fireworks display, which is magically timed so that red heart-shaped fireworks burst to the chorus of “Love Is In The Air” to the oohs and aaahs of the crowd. The floral fire arrangement of the Commune is glittering away and everyone is hugging each other, it truly is the Summer of Love. Though the night isn’t over, the rain starts coming in hard and a lot of people are heading back to the campsites with the threat of early ferries and late hangovers in the morning. Skrillex is bouncing around at The Port with a few thousand pals, the Carnivale ship is still rocking tunes and the drag queens of Sink the Pink at The Grand Palace of Entertainment are still werking it hard.

This year’s Bestival has been home to some eighty thousand neo-hippies for the Summer of Love ’15 and it’s pretty hard to say goodbye to this beautiful, weird and wonderful land knowing full well that responsibility and the adult world is waiting beyond these borders. You can be sure we’ll be first on the early bird ticket bandwagon at the end of the month, and the countdown clock will be immediately set for Bestival 2016. Massive thanks to Rob da Bank and the Bestival crew for another incredible weekend, we can’t wait to see what’s next…

All photos by Rob Ball for Summer Festival Guide. See the full set here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/summerfestivalguide/albums/72157658440759892

 

Garden Party Leeds Review

The Garden Party is a two-day inner city festival in Leeds, set within the grounds of the Tetley Brewery. Taking place over the august bank holiday weekend the event showcased some of the finest music, food and art. Celebrating its 10th birthday (previously known as the Faversham Garden Party) the organisers teamed up with promoters Canal Mills, Chibuku, Warehouse Project, Now Wave and East Year Own Ears to curate this special edition.

Appealing to a broader spectrum of music fans the line up covered dance, electronica, disco, funk, garage and bass. Live acts included Roisin Murphy, Little Dragon, Todd Terje and Soul II Soul, alongside DJ sets from Bicep, Kerri Chandler, Heidi, Julio Bashmore, Black Coffee, Patrick Topping, Joy Orbison, B-Traits, Redlight, Preditah and the legendary Craig Charles.

There were five stages set across the Tetley site and each a stone’s throw from one another. Brightly covered bales of hay provided areas in which to socialise and soak up the atmosphere at the heat of the site. Food and drink was hosted by Leeds Indie Food Fest and offered punters an exceptionally high standard of delicious street food, craft ales and cocktails. Affordable and tasty local treats were provided by from Chicken Bang Bang, Boozy BBQ, Bánh Mì Booth, Pizza Fella, Rola Wala and the ice-cream from the coolest looking van around Northern BloC. Much to my delight it was a very mixed crowd with a range of ages, proving that the lure of good grub and without the muddy fields seems to be the way that many people want to spend their weekend. Complimenting the food and music bill was colourful temporary art installations and live drawing by local artists throughout the weekend.

Here are some of my highlights from the weekend:

Black Coffee

Black Coffee seemed to be the hot tip on every ones lips, so we headed over to The Fact stage to see what all the hype was about. Black Coffee (known as Nathi to his friends) is a multi award winning producer and superstar DJ hailing from Durban. He’s been active on the South African music scene for over a decade now, but it’s only been recently that his meteoric rise has seen him play at some of the top clubs and festivals globally.

His set was laced with tantalising tribal beats and flavoursome house, mixing up a smooth set of expertly blended tunes like Ian Pooley – Compurhythm, Mr.V – Jus Dance, Culoe De Song – Y.O.U.D and ending on the epic Chew Fu’s Purple Rain (Mousse T mix). I don’t usually hang around for a full DJ set but we couldn’t pull ourselves away for the full two hours, it was completely mesmerising and he certainly lived up the hype.

Craig Charles

On Sunday afternoon Craig Charles brought his funk soul sound to the Just A Little stage.  Such a high profile DJ was always bound to draw a big crowd and once again the tent was packed to the rafters with everyone ready to groove and shake. There were a whole host of familiar classics from rare groove and snippets of funk and soul packed into his energetic set.  He doesn’t do dj’ing by halves; the man was completely going for it, working up a sweat and working the crowd like a dream. My feet were aching from bouncing up and down at the side of the stage with the hugest of grins – the good vibes were totally infectious and everyone there was fully in on this blissful groovefest.

Preditah

Saturday afternoon saw Birmingham’s finest Preditah play to hyped crowd that spilled outside the Metropolis tent. His grimy and bassy set featured his hits Selecta, Circles, Supernaturally as well dropping 90’s and garage-influenced set of songs. We caught up with Jordan & Jamie from Leeds “Preditah was absolutely nuts, especially the first hour. It was so up-tempo and bassy and he really knows how to play the crowd.”

Todd Terje

As Sunday evening fell the main stage numbers started to swell and Norwegian disco deity Todd Terje took to the stage. His continuous live instrumental set featured his well-known songs Dolorean Dynamite, StrandbarSwing Star and Svensk Sås. It was clear that most people in the crowd were eagerly awaiting Inspector Norse, which rightly the crowd went berserk to when he went into the extended intro. My only disappointment was that he had got rid of his amazing beard. Please Todd grow it back or at the very least breakout the sequins.

All in all this was a beautifully crafted metropolitan festival, offering an array of music, feasts and culture, making it a perfect way to spend a bank holiday weekend – well done Garden Party Leeds, you definitely know how to throw a party.

New Talents Added to the Garden Party Leeds!

A Plethora of New Talents Added to the Garden Party Leeds!

Errors / Dutch Uncles / Honne / Lonelady / Haelos / Formation / Bernard And Edith / Whilk And Misky

August Bank Holiday Weekend, 29th – 30th
The Tetley, Hunslet Road, Leeds LS10 1JQ, Leeds
Day tickets start from just £19.50, weekend tickets from just £29.50
 
www.thegardenpartyleeds.com

 

Leeds’ brand-new August bank holiday event welcomes a plethora of emerging acts for their exciting fourth stage, curated by Eat Your Own Ears & Now Wave. Saturday will see electronica 3-piece Haelos from Bow in East London perform their 2014 head-turner ‘Dust’, plus brand-new material. Joining them is the unique sounds of Whilk & Misky, a provoking infusion of techo, folk, electronica and blues, whilst Manchester’s Dutch Uncles will perform tracks from their acclaimed fourth new album ‘O Shudder’. Wrapping up Saturday is post-electro band Errors who are signed to Mogwai’s Rock Action Records label, plus a very special headliner to be announced.

 

Sunday welcomes Honne, a lo-fi, syth-heavy soul duo who will be injecting some feel-good vibes into The Garden Party along with the vintage disco sounds of duo, Formation. Joining them are Bernard & Edith, one half of Egyptian Hip Hop and whose slow and haunting vocals over lingering syths have drawn comparisons to Swedish band The Knife. Finally, Warp stalwart Lonelady will complete the fold along with a yet-to-be revealed headliner.

 

Food will feature heavily over the weekend courtesy of Leeds Indie Food Festival, featuring traders Boozy Q, Sela, The Cocktail Shack plus craft beer.

 

Other acts to feature over the weekend include Roisin Murphy, Little Dragon, Mos Def, Todd Terje, John Talabot, Julio Bashmore and more. Tickets for The Garden Party Leeds start at just £19.50 for one day and £29.50 for the weekend found at www.thegardenpartyleeds.com. Festicket will be providing a number of hotel and ticket packages from £25 pp available from http://www.festicket.com/festival/garden-party/.

 

ROISIN MURPHY / LITTLE DRAGON / YASIIN BEY AKA MOS DEF /
TODD TERJE / SOUL II SOUL / KERRI CHANDLER /
JOHN TALABOT / JULIO BASHMORE / JOY ORBISON /
BLACK COFFEE / HEIDI / GRANDMASTER FLASH / ÂME /
BICEP / REDLIGHT / PATRICK TOPPING / B.TRAITS / MR SCRUFF /
CRAIG CHARLES / SHADOW CHILD / PAUL WOOLFORD /
CHRIS LORENZO / FATIMA & THE EGLO BAND / PREDITAH / ROMARE /
PBR STREETGANG / CRAZY P SOUNDSYSTEM / FUTUREBOOGIE /
ADY SULEIMAN / PEOPLE GET REAL / ARKIVE / DISKO KID & TOBIAS /
KRYSKO & GREG LORD / THE SONIC EMPORIUM / GRAINGER /
STE ROBERTS / CHRISTIAN MAIDEN / OLI PATTEN /
 
CLUB PARTNERS:  CANAL MILLS / AFRO.CO / ZUTEKH / VOODOO / ORIGINS / MONO_CULT / KMAH RADIO / JUST A LITTLE / JOES BAKERY / DEEP FEVER / BUTTER SIDEUP / ANTICS / DROP THE MUSTARD / GOODLIFE / NOW WAVE / EAT YOUR OWN EARS / METROPOLIS

Parklife 2015 Review

On June 6 and 7, 80,000 people descended on Heaton Park for Parklife 2015, indulging in headline sets from Disclosure on Saturday and Rudimental on Sunday, while Hudson Mohawke, Todd Terje, Jamie XX and the weekend’s highlight, FKA twigs, had Summer Festival Guide darting from stage to stage.

SATURDAY 

Saturday belongs to Jamie XX. Throughout a perfectly-crafted set, 'Girl', 'Gosh' and 'Sleep Sound', along with the soon-to-be defining track of the summer festival season, 'Loud Places', and older percussive house gem 'Far Nearer' pack the Now Wave tent – one overexcited reveler climbing the tent's rigging, becoming barely visible, to an eruption of cheers as he carefully eases back down.

Earlier, in the Big Top, Everything Everything – dressed in matching red suits – belt through new material, their current single 'Regret' achieving anthemic status.

Disclosure's graduation to main stage headliners comes with a plethora of new material from their imminent second album, 'Caracal', along with a host of upcoming vocal talents. 'White Noise', 'F For you' and 'You & Me' gain as incredible a response as expected, but it's Guy and Howard’s newest creations which stand out, as the Lawrence brothers tease, "Parklife, we've got some surprises for you". Lion Babe's leading lady Jillian Hervey – with the longest legs and wildest hair SFG HAs ever seen – comes first, her R&B-orientated vocals perfectly complimenting the slinky synths of an as-yet-unnamed track as she struts across the stage in arm-length silver gloves and nearly knee-high black boots. London-based future R&B vocalist Nao soon follows, her vocals and onstage presence similar to Aluna Francis, before Kwabs’ soulful tones command the crowd from a raised platform throughout two untitled tracks. The arrival of American jazz legend Gregory Porter for an on-point rendition of current single and collab ‘Holding On’ mesmerises the mainly young crowd with his unparalleled ability to hold a note, fusing two musical worlds seamlessly. After a brief stage leave, ‘Help Me Lose My Mind’ and ‘Latch’ – the latter is dedicated to Sam Smith who’s just recovered from vocal surgery – sees friends on shoulders in a moment of hysteria.

Bidding farewell for the evening, the flocks of thousands head for the shuttle bus appropriately chanting the lyrics to Blur's ‘Parklife’.

SUNDAY 

As SFG arrive on Sunday, Ella Eyre is playing to a massive crowd to the main stage despite her early afternoon set placement, launching herself across the stage in a leopard print leotard, belting out 'Deeper' and 'If I Go' along her energetic way.

Later, Labrinth arrives – suit and shades on – blasting through his synth-heavy chart hits 'Earthquake', 'Pass Out' and Sigma-collaboration 'Higher', the latter emptying everyone's lungs.

Meanwhile, in an equally busy Resident Advisor tent, Jimmy Edgar and Machinedrum – together they're known as J.E.T.S – pump out thumping techno as green inflatable aliens and neon balloons are slung around in the air; Ben UFO's back-to-back set with Pearson Sound continuing the bass-heavy electronic onslaught.

Oliver Dollar's back-to-back with Jesse Rose proves an early evening highlight, opting for Dirtybird's booty-house with Claude VonStroke's 'Make A Cake', assuring an up-tempo energy from the off.

Over at the MK Area 10 stage, Ben Pearce – of 'What I Might Do' fame – drops a housier edit of Take That's 'Relight My Fire', completely unexpectedly.

Later, in the Big Top, James Bay proves himself as having the potential to command the main stage in a year’s time; 'Let It Go' and 'Best Fake Smile's infectious chorus inducing a sense of euphoria.

US-based Sango, sporting a Manchester City sports jacket, opens the Kaytranada stage on Sunday with hip-hop and trap-influenced bubbling synths and bass beats in a tucked away Greek coliseum-like vicinity; even the security guards are bouncing along as they make their way through the crowd amidst a sparse edit of Skepta's ‘That's Not Me’ and a Cashmere Cat-sounding remix of Drake's ‘Through The 6’.

Chet Faker, sporting a topknot for the occasion, packs the Sounds of the Near Future stage with his synth-laden sound. Alone at first, he intricately and passionately delivers electronic instrumentals, before he’s joined by a guitarist and drummer. Encouraging us to "use those muscles" before ‘No Diggity’, a sea of phones are hoisted to record the cover, as everyone’s vocal muscles flex while singing along to ‘Drop The Game’.

Bristol duo Blonde meanwhile pack the Drop The Mustard stage with their summery house anthems ‘Foolish’, ‘All Cried Out' and ‘I Loved You’ as part of a new live show, wheeling out guest vocalists – expect them to be as big as Disclosure this time next year.

Todd Terje, with his live band The Olsens, who alternate between saxophone, flute, bongo drum, guitar and keyboard, build into their funky set with zooming laser synths, though it does take a while for the crowd to warm to the sounds. ‘Delorean Dynamite’ and set closer ‘Inspector Norse’ soon get them moving though, as the funky bass line kicks in; one Terje fan who’s celebrating a birthday screams “this is the best day of my life” while his friend, clearly intoxicated, jokes, “is this Lady GaGa?”

Jungle's well-deserved transition to the main stage sees them play to a massive crowd, the summery weather perfect for their almost 70s sound as the seven-piece perform their biggest hits, ‘Julia’ and ‘The Heat’ just as the sun beams down.  

Back in the Sounds of the Near Future tent, Hudson Mohawke walks onstage with a new live set up, bringing out Redinho on keyboards and Two Door Cinema Club’s Ben Thomas on drums. Drawing on material from his new album ‘Lantern’ and his and Lunice’s collaborative project, TNGHT’s biggest hits, intense bass and red strobes match the maximalist electronica of ‘Acrylics’ and ‘Higher Ground’, sending the crowd into mass hysteria.

An hour later, FKA twigs, visible only through a cloud of smoke, leaves thousands in awe, as her hauntingly ethereal performance remains compelling from start to finish. Easily the largest crowd of the day, there’s a ritualistic sense to her set as she flows through her debut album ‘LP1’ and new material from her imminent third EP, ‘Melissa’. With an incredible vocal from the off, twigs, dressed in double denim with her hair to one side, is joined by a three-piece band who delicately tap their synth pads respectively, producing the intense, almost apocalyptic trip-hop beats of ‘Water Me’, ‘Number’ and ‘Papi Pacify’. How she was once only Jessie J's backing dancer is unbelievable for her unique talent as a vocalist, dancer and performer. Effortlessly charismatic, the entire crowd’s eyes are transfixed on her throughout the hour set as she reaches vocal notes you didn't know existed, all whilst popping her body around the stage. Removing the denim jacket to show off her toned body in a stripped white top, her enigmatic presence is made even more likeable when she speaks, sweetly and humbly. "It’s great to be back in England,” she delights, “I just got back a week ago.” Closing with a faultless rendition of ‘Two Weeks’ and then ‘How’s That’, it’s evident that the summer festival season belongs to FKA Twigs.

Check out Leeds latest festival The Garden Party

As one of the north's most esteemed cultural events The Garden Party have unveiled plans to make their 10th Birthday celebrations the biggest yet. Evolving into a two day festival on 29th – 30th August at the iconic Tetley's Brewery in the Leeds city centre, The Garden Party Leeds spans a weekend of immersive art, street food and of course, musical performances from the very best live acts and DJs. 

The extensive live bill features the ultimate diva of electronica Roisin Murphy, one of the most recognised names in hip-hop Yasiin Bey AKA Mos Def, Swedish four-piece Little Dragon, Nordic king of disco Todd Terje and roots singer-songwriter Ady Suileman. The Garden Party will also welcome live performances from the favourite tea-making DJ Mr Scruff and up-and-coming Romare.

Keeping the party going on the DJ side will be John TalabotGrandmaster FlashBlack Coffee, Innervisions co-founders Amê and funk & soul legend Craig Charles. The legendary Kerri Chandler, BBC Radio 1 regular Heidi, the Bicep boys, Paul WoolfordRedlightShadow Child,B.Traits, and Patrick Topping will also be performing over the bank holiday weekend.

Far more than just a music festival The Garden Party Leeds will bring to life the iconic Tetley brewery, teaming up with the creative minds at Mad Ferret. The Garden Party revellers will enjoy curated Food and Drink by Leeds Indie Food Fest, including worldwide street food, fresh stone baked pizzas courtesy of Pizza Fella, El Kantina's Mexican delights plus the Cocktail Shack. 

Dedicated to showing the talents of the north and providing a creative hub for its musicians and artist, The Garden Party Leeds will be the ten year evolution from one of the UK's most loved club promoters to a festival highlight of the summer. Tickets for The Garden Party Leeds start at just £19.50 for one day and £29.50 for the weekend. Tickets can be found at www.thegardenpartyleeds.com 

ROISIN MURPHY / LITTLE DRAGON / YASIIN BEY AKA MOS DEF /
TODD TERJE / SOUL II SOUL / KERRI CHANDLER /
JOHN TALABOT / JULIO BASHMORE / JOY ORBISON /
BLACK COFFEE / HEIDI / GRANDMASTER FLASH / ÂME /
BICEP / REDLIGHT / PATRICK TOPPING / B.TRAITS / MR SCRUFF /
CRAIG CHARLES / SHADOW CHILD / PAUL WOOLFORD /
CHRIS LORENZO / FATIMA & THE EGLO BAND / PREDITAH / ROMARE /
PBR STREETGANG / CRAZY P SOUNDSYSTEM / FUTUREBOOGIE /
ADY SULEIMAN / PEOPLE GET REAL / ARKIVE / DISKO KID & TOBIAS /
KRYSKO & GREG LORD / THE SONIC EMPORIUM / GRAINGER /
STE ROBERTS / CHRISTIAN MAIDEN / OLI PATTEN /

FK Twigs, Run the Jewels and more added to Field Day 2015 lineup

Field Day welcome double Brit Awards nominee and Mercury nominee FKA Twigs, whose Field Day performance will be a London festival exclusive. The exceptional dancer turned singer, songwriter and producer has released one of the most critically acclaimed albums of 2014 – her outstanding debut 'LP1'. Already considered a modern music and style icon, FKA Twigs is swiftly establishing herself as one of the most interesting and enigmatic faces in British music.

FKA Twigs

Also on board are Run The Jewels, the hip hop super duo formed by underground kings Killer Mike and El-P, in charge of the brilliant ‘Run The Jewels 1’ – Pitchfork’s top album of the year; as well as Hudson Mohawke, one of the most exciting producers to come out of Scotland in the last ten years, seducing rap-heads and ravers alike with his neon-lit E&B and warehouse smashing low-end beats and producing for char topping urban-pop names like Kanye West, Chris Brown and Azealia Banks.

 
Meanwhile, Norwegian cosmic disco Producer and Field Day favourite Todd Terje, creator of some of the most memorable dance floor hits in recent years, will be performing live with his full band The Olsen’s for the first time in the UK. Fingers crossed for a Bryan Ferry guest appearance…!
 
We are honoured to have Radiohead’s drummer Philip Selway with us this year, as well as the brilliantTune-Yards, whose explosive live performances are as thrilling and unshakeable as her music. Also confirmed is Fryars, the musical brainchild of London-based Benjamin Garreet, whose peerless sound has won him fans from Kanye West to Depeche Mode.
 
World music has always played a notable part on Field Day’s line up. Joining the brilliant Ethiopian Keyboardist Hailu Mergia are Toumani & Sidiki Diabaté. In a rare father-and-son collaboration, Toumani, a genius of African music and widely recognised as the greatest living kora player will be joined by his talented son Sidiki, Mali’s best beat maker and kora’s emerging star. This will be a very special performance and we absolutely cannot wait to have them at Field Day this year.
 
In addition, Brian Shimkovitz aka Awesome Tapes from Africa will be responsible for an unforgettable DJ set on twin tape decks, exploring obscure and wonderful sounds from across the continent.
 
Expect epic sets from Young Turks signed, Barcelona producer John Talabot, responsible for his outstanding 2012 debut ‘ƒIN’; exceptional producer and DJ Floating Points, who’s won over crowds around the world with his strictly vinyl club session, climbing the ranks of the globe’s most impressive DJ’s; as well as sets from Rinse FM residents Elijah & Skilliam, and fast rising Brighton deep-house producer Leon Vynehall
 
+ sets from Huw Stephens, Marc Riley, Phil Taggart, Tom Ravenscroft, Volte-Face, Bad Vibrationsand Georgie Rogers!!

The National, Mogwai, Kendrick Lamar plus more for Optimus Primavera Sound

We are pretty excited to let our Summer Festival Guide fans know that the Optimus Primavera Sound lineup is now complete with The National, Mogwai, Kendrick Lamar, Pixies and more announced today!

Among all the confirmed names, we reinforce the presence of American band The National, the Californian rapper Kendrick Lamar and the legendary and influential Brazilian singer Caetano Veloso.

The first festival shows for newly reformed British band Slowdive, New Yorkers Television with their master piece “Marquee Moon”, Spoon’s effervescent pop, who have a new record, the third reincarnation of Slint claiming their crucial role in the appearance of slowcore and the presentation of the new record by Scottish band Mogwai are also added to this edition’s line-up.
Current names arrive at Optimus Primavera Sound to showcase their more recent work: Nicolas Jaar’s new project, Darkside, Danish artist Trentemøller, with his melancholy fusion of indie and electronica, the Haim sisters with the recently acclaimed phenomenon “Days Are Gone”, and the fiery electronica of !!! (chk chk chk) and St. Vincent with a new self-titled album that proves, once again, that there is a great gap between conventional pop and the sonic fusion created and reinvented by the New Yorker.

A true heterogenic mix of musical styles is going to invade the city of Porto: the post-rock of the Canadian band Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Charles Bradley’s soul, the intimate sound of Rodrigo Amarante, or noisy British band Loop are some of the names that compose an eclectic and varied line-up.

Also, in the national landscape, we find bands with several musical references. Lisbon band You Can’t Win Charlie Brown will come to Optimus Primavera Sound with “Diffraction/Refraction”, a more challenging and sophisticated album than “Chromatics”, where vocal harmonies and the constant dialogue between folk and electronica are deepened. Also Os Da Cidade, a band that joins António Zambujo, Ricardo Cruz, João Salcedo and Miguel Araújo Jorge, promise to reinvent some of the traditional Portuguese sounds to cover them with a personal and delicate touch. HHY & The Macumbas, a project led by Jonathan Uliel Saldanha, will take their electrifying dub rhythms to the Parque da Cidade, for an extra sensorial experience, while Torto showcase, the hungry instrumental trio, in a fusion of guitar, bass and drums invites to a bold stroll outside each person’s “comfort bubble”.