Beyonce & Kings of Leon to headline V Festival

AN EXCLUSIVE NIGHT WITH BEYONCE
HER ONLY EUROPEAN FESTIVAL PERFORMANCE OF 2013
PLUS
AMERICAN ROCKERS KINGS OF LEON HEADLINING

STEREOPHONICS, THE SCRIPT, EMELI SANDÉ, CALVIN HARRIS, BEADY EYE, JESSIE J, TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB, THE VACCINES, BASEMENT JAXX, OLLY MURS
PALOMA FAITH, RITA ORA, THE COURTEENERS, FUN., LABRINTH, ELLIE GOULDING, KENDRICK LAMAR, JESSIE WARE, RUDIMENTAL, JAMES ARTHUR, LITTLE MIX
AND MANY MORE ALSO CONFIRMED

TICKETS ON SALE AT 9AM FRIDAY 1 MARCH

 

This will be her one and only European festival appearance this year.  Multi-million album selling American rockers Kings Of Leon are also confirmed as headliners.  V Festival takes place across the weekend of August 17 & 18 at Hylands Park, Chelmsford and Weston Park, Staffordshire.

Tickets go on sale Friday March 1 at 9am, available at www.VFestival.com

Beyonce @ V FestivalV Festival, prides itself on the quality of artists that perform each year, more incredible acts announced today for 2013 are Stereophonics, The Script, Emeli Sandé, Calvin Harris, Beady Eye, Jessie J, Two Door Cinema Club, The Vaccines, Basement Jaxx, Olly Murs, Paloma Faith, James, Rita Ora, The Courteeners, Jason Mraz, FUN., Labrinth, Ellie Goulding, Kendrick Lamar, Of Monsters And Men, Maverick Sabre, Travis, DJ Fresh/LIVE,  Jessie Ware, Maximo Park, Lianne La Havas, Rudimental, James Arthur, Scouting For Girls, Deacon Blue, Little Mix, Ocean Colour Scene, The Fratellis, Gabrielle Aplin and Laura Mvula.  Many more acts will be announced in the coming weeks across the stages at the two festival sites.

V Festival is now in its 18th year and is renowned for bringing the very best in popular music together for one epic summer weekend.  Last year saw electric sets from headliners The Stone Roses and The Killers with other show stopping performances from the likes of David Guetta and Ed Sheeran.  V Festival has an unrivalled music pedigree, previous headliners have included groundbreaking performances from Coldplay, Radiohead, Oasis, Eminem, Foo Fighters and The Arctic Monkeys.  V Festival is now established as the biggest festival in the UK with over 170,000 fans attending across the two sites and was the first festival to establish rotating acts across two sites.

2013 once again sees a wide spectrum of acts playing across the stages, guaranteeing yet another year of unforgettable appearances.  The popular Glee Club Comedy Tent will also makes a return this year, with side-splitting performers to be announced in the coming weeks.  With many more great artists to be announced, there is something for everyone at V Festival.

V Festival is one of the hottest dates on the UK cultural calendar.  From the moment the gates open each area of the festival comes alive and a truly remarkable weekend of music and enjoyment ensues.  V Style camping is set to return this year giving festival fans the chance to get the best of both worlds.  They can dance the days away with their favourite artists and then chill out in luxury in ready built Pod Pads, Cloud Yurts, Hearthworks Tipis and pop-up hotel rooms.

Festival Directors Bob Angus, Simon Moran and Dennis Desmond commented: We’ve worked hard to bring fans an exciting and diverse line-up, securing Beyonce for an exclusive European Festival appearance and Kings of Leon as headliners is a great achievement. These acts along with one of the strongest bills in V Festival's 18 year history is something we are very proud of. We have a reputation for bringing fans the best world class acts and breakthrough artists, 2013 is set to be another sensational year.”

With many more exciting V Festival announcements to come be sure to keep up to date with all the latest news at www.vfestival.com

Tickets go on sale on Friday 1 March at 9am fans should visit www.vfestival.com, for official outlets details.  V Festival organisers stress to fans that purchasing tickets from unofficial outlets could lead to disappointment.

VIP upgrades are available and include:

  • A relaxed and spacious environment offering a wider choice of exclusive food and drink outlets not available in the main festival arena.
  • Cash bar with comfortable indoor and outdoor seating areas.
  • Post-festival late bar with DJs on Saturday & Sunday nights.
  • VIP toilet access.
  • Beautiful lakeside location (Weston Park only)

Jessie Ware, Bloc Party and more announced for Rock Werchter

New on Thursday 4 July are Airbourne and Netsky (live) on the Main Stage, Jessie Ware in the Marquee and Bloc Party and Sigur Rós in The Barn. Volbeat and Green Day had already been announced for the Main Stage that day. On Friday 5 July Two Door Cinema ClubThe Script and Phoenix will be joining the earlier announced Kings of Leon and Blur on the Main Stage.  C2C will build a party in the Marquee. And with Richard Hawley the tone is set immediately in The Barn. For Saturday 6 July so far only one name had been announced: RammsteinGraveyard can now be added to the Main Stage, Disclosure to the Marquee and Django Django to The Barn. Depeche Mode and Editors will finish Rock Werchter 2013 in style on Sunday 7 July. But before we come to that, A Day To RememberBand of Horses and Thirty Seconds to Mars will perform on the Main Stage. Passenger and Asaf Avidan have already been confirmed for the Marquee and Alt-J and Of Monsters and Men for The Barn. On www.rockwerchter.be, all names that have already been announced for the 39th edition of the festival can be found in a handy overview. The bill for Rock Werchter 2013 will be completed further in the weeks to come. Stay tuned!

Rock Werchter 2013 will take place in Werchter (Belgium) from Thursday 4 July until Sunday 7 July. For four days the festival grounds will enable you to see and hear the best on offer on three stages. Well-established names, heroes from past and present and the majors get – as usual – their spot on the Main Stage. The Marquee focuses on electronic music in all its danceable forms on Thursday and Friday. On Saturday and Sunday its line-up will be completed with up-and-coming talent, (more) intimate concerts and dance beats in the early hours.  In The Barn we welcome back familiar names, but it is also thé spot to discover tomorrow’s heroes. The better concert hall on a festival.

Emeli Sandé joins T in the Park 2013 bill

Last week, organisers revealed that a glitteringly diverse array of acts will be heading to Kinross for the 20th year of T in the Park, with headliners Mumford & Sons, Rihanna and The Killers, plus The Script, Two Door Cinema Club, alt-J, Paloma Faith, Jake Bugg, Of Monsters and Men and Azealia Banks offering fans a taste of what’s in store over 12th – 14th July.

 
Emeli Sandé has had a phenomenal year. Having already made a big impression on the charts with her songwriting talent, with the likes of Tinie Tempah (Let Go), Tinchy Stryder (Let It Rain) and Chipmunk (Diamond Rings) releasing her compositions, she unveiled her own debut album Our Version of Events in February to major critical acclaim. A stunning collection of richly melodic, classically powerful, retro-futurist soul-pop gems, it went straight into the UK chart at Number 1 and has become the biggest selling album of the year – and the only album to top 1 million UK sales in 2012. Now certified as four-times Platinum, Our Version Of Events has spent 43 weeks in the Top 10, a feat not achieved since the Spice Girls’ debut in 2006. Emeli has had 2 Number 1 singles, with Professor Green (Read All About It) and Labrinth (Beneath Your Beautiful) and has written tracks on recent albums by Rihanna and Alicia Keys. Jay-Z said of the superstar “Emeli has a unique sound and she is going to be a big deal”.
 
A mesmerising performer, Sandé wowed a global audience of billions with her showstopping performances at the London 2012 Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies, and has been honoured with a slew of prestigious accolades, including the Critics’ Choice Award at the Brit Awards, three MOBOs, Harper's Bazaar’s Musician of the Year title and Q’s award for Best Solo Artist. Emeli’s next single Clown will be released on 4th February 2013. Watch the video here: http://smarturl.it/Clown
 
Emeli captivated the 85,000-strong daily crowd at T in the Park this July with a stunning Main Stage set. Emeli said today: “Playing at T in the Park was something I always dreamed of and performing on the Main Stage this year was a great experience and a huge highlight of 2012 for me. To be invited back again for the 20th Anniversary is a real honour and I can’t wait to come and celebrate with everyone.”

Two Door Cinema Club and Azealia Banks added to T in the Park 2013

They join a glittering array of acts announced by organisers earlier this week, with headliners Mumford & Sons, Rihanna and The Killers, plus The Script, alt-J, Paloma Faith, Jake Bugg and Of Monsters and Men already confirmed to play T in the Park’s 20th year edition over 12th – 14th July.

 
Since releasing their debut album Tourist History in 2010, Northern Irish trio Two Door Cinema Club have had a stratospheric rise to success. In the past year alone, they’ve headlined the NME Awards Tour 2012, released their critically acclaimed second albumBeacon and frontman Alex Trimble has performed to a global audience of over a billion at the London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony, after being specially invited by Danny Boyle to sing the vocals on Caliban’s Dream. They’re sure to deliver a stand-out set atT in the Park.
 
Azealia Banks became one of the most talked about new acts on the planet when she featured in the top 3 of the BBC’s prestigious Sound of 2012 poll and topped NME’s Cool List at the end of 2011. Now prepping her debut album, Azealia has been teasing her audience with gems like 212 – a certified club pleaser on rotation in dance floors around the globe – in addition to a slew of other records that showcase her range as an artist. Her T in the Park debut in July is hotly anticipated.
 
Azealia Banks T in the Park
 
The latest additions to the T20 line-up come the day after Mumford & Sons – who were revealed as headliners by festival organisers on Tuesday – played a blistering set in Glasgow and received a phenomenal 6 Grammy nominations, including a nod for the prestigious Album of the Year award.
 
Festival Director Geoff Ellis said: “Two Door Cinema Club are one of the freshest, most exciting new acts around, and have had a phenomenal past year. One of the hottest new acts on the planet, Azealia Banks is a stunning live performer – I saw her at Coachella this year, then again in Glasgow and both times her set was incredible. We’re really delighted to be bringing both acts to Kinross this July.”
 
George Kyle, Head of Sponsorship at Tennent’s Lager said: “Here at Tennent’s, we’re extremely proud to have been involved with T in the Park since the very beginning as founding partner. With a fantastic selection of world class acts already confirmed for next year’s festival, the 20th year is going to be one of the best yet and I’m sure we’ll see some very special performances in Kinross next summer.”
 
A limited batch of T in the Park tickets will go on sale tomorrow from 9am at 2012 prices, when music fans can get their hands on the ultimate festival ticket of 2013.

Kings of Leon to headline Bilbao BBK Live 2013

Kings of Leon, who are currently working on their next album to be released in 2013, will be offering their only Spanish festival performance at Bilbao BBK Live next year. Brummie band Editors also joins the line-up of the event.

Kings of Leon

 

After 2012’s record-breaking attendance with performances by Radiohead and The Cure and the launch of the popular third stage, Bilbao BBK Live keeps growing and attracting the biggest names in music today. Previous editions of the event have included headliners such as Coldplay, Pearl Jam, Depeche Mode, Jane’s Addiction, RHCP and Suede.

Three Day Early Bird tickets to Bilbao BBK Live, including camping, are now on sale until the 11th of December, for just £70 on See Tickets and Ticketweb.

Green Day and more added to Bilbao BBK Live 2013

 

Set to be Green Day's only Spanish date next year, Bilbao BBK Live also announces performances by indie outfit Two Doors Cinema Club, dubliners Delorentos and local talent DeloreanWe are Standard and L.A..

Three Day Early Bird tickets to Bilbao BBK Live, including camping, go on sale today until the 11th of December, for just £70 on See Tickets and Ticketweb.

After 2012’s record-breaking attendance with performances by Radiohead and The Cure and the launch of the popular third stage, Bilbao BBK Live keeps growing and attracting the biggest names in music today. Previous editions of the event have included headliners such as Coldplay, Pearl Jam, Depeche Mode, Jane’s Addiction, RHCP and Suede

More acts will be announced very soon, so stay tuned to our website, Twitter and Facebook page.

Bilbao BBK Live is a three-day event that takes place on top of a hill surrounded by mountains offering spectacular views over the city of Bilbao. The privileged location of the site, its proximity to the city and beach and a late start of bands, allow festivalgoers to make the most of this event and unique setting. Bilbao is a modern city famous for its architecture, museums and gastronomy, and it’s just a stone’s throw away from some of the best waves in Europe.

Bilbao BBK Live is above all a fuss free festival; with an uncomplicated layout, easy access from the city and airport it has proven to be a huge success with national and international festival goers.

NME / Radio 1 Stage announced for Reading and Leeds Festival

ON THE NME / RADIO 1 STAGE

Friday 24th August at Reading Festival / Saturday 25th August at Leeds Festival

The MaccabeesTHE MACCABEES’ third album ‘Given To The Wild’ was released earlier this year to massive critical acclaim and soared into the UK charts at Number Four.  The South London five-piece are enjoying a hugely successful year so far, and with a sold out Brixton Academy under their belts The Maccabees are further cementing their status as one of the most exciting British bands of our time.  We welcome them for their first headline appearance on the NME/Radio 1 Stage.

www.themaccabees.co.uk

FOSTER THE PEOPLE have garnered a huge amount of critical acclaim and public adoration on both sides of the Atlantic since the release of their debut album ‘Torches’.  With last year’s feel-good hit of the summer ‘Pumped Up Kicks’, word of their music spread in a manner that was shockingly quick, even in the age of endless internet churn with everyone agreeing on one thing: this was a band on the cusp of an undeniable breakthrough and Foster The People show no sign of slowing down.

www.fosterthepeople.com

Band of the people, THE COURTEENERS, head to Reading & Leeds Festival ahead of the release of their third studio album, the follow up to 2010’s ‘Falcon’.  With the Manchester four-piece eager to road test new material, head honcho Liam Fray recently declared their new sound as “industrial Motown”.  An incredible live band, this could be one of the years most talked about performances.

www.thecourteeners.com

Hot on the heels of his eighth album ‘A + E’, erstwhile Blur guitarist GRAHAM COXON returns to solo business with a hotly anticipated appearance on the NME / Radio 1 stage. The critics have been positively slavering over this latest outing and will undoubtedly see this appearance over-subscribed.

www.grahamcoxon.co.uk

Passion PitWith the follow up to 2009’s critically acclaimed ‘Manners’ under construction, we welcome PASSION PIT to this year’s Reading & Leeds Festival.  Hailing from Massachusetts, expect a blend of new electro dance tunes and old favourites.

www.passionpitmusic.com

Alternative rock band, THE BLACKOUT are Sean Smith, Gavin Butler, Matthew Davies, James Davies , Rhys Lewis and Gareth Lawrence.  With a new album scheduled for release in August, these very special shows at Reading & Leeds will give fans a unique preview.

www.theblackout.co.uk

Always a favourite at festivals THE HIVES are sure to get things jumping with their infectious, thrilling garage rock hits.  With new single ‘Go Right Ahead’, a sax-laden, glam-rock stomp hitting the airways now and previewing new album ‘Lex Hives’ due in the summer, Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist, Nicholaus Arson, Chris Dangerous, Dr. Matt Destruction, and Vigilante Carlstroem will bring the sound of the summer to the NME/Radio 1 Stage.

www.thehivesbroadcastingservice.com

This year sees SPECTOR graduate from their BBC Introducing Stage debut at last year’s festival with a well merited position on this year’s NME/Radio 1 stage. Nominated for the BBC Sound Of 2012 the band, fronted by one Fred Macpherson, were formed in 2010 and have released a trilogy of singles through Luv Luv Luv. With a  debut album slated for later in the year this East London based five-piece bring their melancholic widescreen pop to the stage at Reading & Leeds.

www.spector.co.uk

Following inclusion on the BBC’s Sound Of Poll, Brooklyn’s FRIENDS are taking 2012 by storm.  Armed with one of the singles of the year, ‘I’m His Girl’, and the captivating follow up ‘Friend Crush’, expect these shows to be the talk of both sites come the August Bank Holiday weekend.

www.afriendszone.com

With debut album ‘Breakfast’ unleashed last month, CHIDDY BANG are ready to step into the limelight.  You’ll have heard their MGMT sampling breakthrough track ‘Opposite Of Adults’, and with time spent touring with Tinie Tempah, are sure to be ready to deliver one of the shows of the year.

www.chiddybang.net

Brooklyn’s HERE WE GO MAGIC make their first foray to Reading & Leeds this year. The band who  came to the attention of Nigel Godrich with their  2010 album ‘Pigeons’ have just released the fruits of those joint labours – ‘A Different Ship’ which had Spin Magazine saying “…this is the sort of music  that would happen if Paul Simon had made ‘Dark Side Of The Moon’. Yes it’s that good”.  Get there early and see what the fuss is all about.

www.myspace.com/herewegomagic

Saturday 25th August at Reading Festival / Sunday 26th August at Leeds Festival

Hailing from El Paso, Texas AT THE DRIVE-IN came, conquered and released three albums: ‘Acrobatic Tenement’, ‘In/Casino/Out’, the EP ‘Vaya’, and their ultimate swansong ‘The Relationship of Command’ which is now cited in dispatches as one the most important albums of its genre. Then they split.  Now it looks like the many who were never able to see this incendiary live act back in the day will have their dreams fulfilled with this NME/Radio1 stage headline show.  This band are name checked and revered by fellow musicians and fans alike and this, their ONLY UK FESTIVAL APPEARANCE will definitely be unmissable.

www.atdimusic.com

On the eve of their fifth album ‘In The Belly Of The Brazen Bull’ THE CRIBS make a return to the scene of one (or two) of their best ever shows.  Recently reverting back to their near legendary three-piece status the band continues to evoke passion amongst their fiercely dedicated and ever growing fanbase.  The Jarmans – brothers Gary, Ryan and Ross have always been fiercely independent, proud of their DIY ethos and from their early days adept at writing great songs leaving a catalogue of classic punk rock brilliance, battle scars and memories.  The Cribs will once again be thrilling, spilling, entertaining and engaging.

www.thecribs.com

MASTODON have never really done anything the ‘conventional’ way. The Atlanta-based band formulated their own brand of highly-skilled hard rock over a decade ago when others were rehashing 80’s metal, and went on to mastermind a string of complex concept albums.  With new album ‘The Hunter’ hitting the Top 10 in the US last year the band are picking up more and more fans – head-banging will be compulsory at this scorching show.

www.mastodonrocks.com

Canadian punks BILLY TALENT come to Reading & Leeds Festival with expectations for their upcoming fourth album riding high.   The band, led by vocalist Ben Kowalewicz had been playing together for almost a decade before a name change lead to a record deal and their debut eponymous album was released in 2003.   “A sh*t-hot, world-dominating hard-rock band has grown out of these four former Mississauga teenagers' shared high-school dreams of … well … growing into a sh*t-hot, world-dominating hard-rock band” is how they describe themselves.   Check it out for yourself at the NME/Radio 1 Stage.

www.billytalent.com

MIIKE SNOW are back and return with their new album ‘Happy To You’ later this month.  The hugely talented Stockholm-based three-piece have previously dabbled in the DJ scene and in punk bands, alongside electro and new wave, which lead to writing and production stints with the likes of Madonna and Britney Spears.  Now ready to step out of the studio again, these shows are a must see for all music fans.

www.miikesnow.com  

SantigoldAnticipation is high for the return of SANTIGOLD and her new album ‘Master of My Make-Believe’ and this show will be the perfect opportunity to see this high-rising artist.  Last year’s collaboration ‘Go’ with Karen O of the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs was described as a "brittle and brilliant brawler of a track" by the NME and ‘Disparate Youth’ the first track released from the new album is also picking up plaudits.  Citing Aretha Franklin, Devo, James Brown and Siouxsie and the Banshees as influences, this is an eclectic and exciting singer not to be missed.

www.santigold.com

Set to tear up the festival season this summer, DRY THE RIVER are one of the most talked about artists of the year.  With three years and over 250 shows already under their belts, they released their debut album ‘Shallow Bed’ to rave reviews last month, with NME declaring they’ve made an “accomplished, luxuriant, expertly crafted” record.  Get down to the front early for these sets.

www.drytheriver.net

Glasgow’s TWIN ATLANTIC follow a successful 2011 with the release of their Gil Norton produced ‘Free’ album. The quartet cut their collective teeth with slots supporting the likes of Gaslight Anthem, Angels And Airwaves and Taking Back Sunday and as singer Sam McTrusty says  “…we’re giving people something to believe in again.” Catch them and believe too…

www.free.twinatlantic.com

Formed by ex. Gallows frontman Frank Carter and ex. Hope Conspiracy and Suicide File guitarist Jim Carroll, PURE LOVE’s debut single ‘Bury My Bones’ has just been previewed on BBC Radio 1.   Currently working on their debut album due later this year with producer Gil Norton (Foo Fighters, Pixies), Carter commented "Rock might not have been as popular in recent years, but that's definitely going to change because we haven't released our album yet. I want to make music that's timeless and classic." 

www.therealpurelove.com

Sunday 26th August at Reading Festival / Friday 24th August at Leeds Festival

JusticeEd Banger’s JUSTICE make electronic music that everyone can rock to.  With riffs now as heavy as their beats, the Grammy-nominated Parisian pair head for Reading & Leeds armed with new album ‘Audio, Video, Disco’. The record has established them as an international force who are equally at home blaring from a dance club sound system or performing in an arena.  Expect a powerful and mesmerising headline performance from a truly unique group.

www.facebook.com/etjusticepourtous

Since releasing their debut album ‘Tourist History’ in March 2010, TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB have rapidly become one of the biggest new success stories in UK music. After selling out headline tours in the UK, US, Europe, Australia, Asia, Japan and South America, playing two successive sold out nights at Shepherds Bush Empire and selling out Brixton Academy in under four hours, the band have deservedly earned both a devoted word-of-mouth live following and huge critical acclaim. The Times have called them “the band of the moment” and NME declared that they have “quietly become one of the UK’s best loved bands".

www.twodoorcinemaclub.com

The release of THE HORRORS’ third album ‘Skying’ saw the band’s already impeccable credentials soar even higher.   The record was celebrated across the board by fans new and old as their finest yet and recently won the NME ‘Album of the Year’ accolade.  Not that their debut ‘Strange House’ and follow up ‘Primary Colours’ hadn’t already cemented their reputation as one of the most original and ground breaking groups around. Both dense and expansive, insidiously poppy and stubbornly arty, The Horrors are one of the bands you must see at the festival.

www.thehorrors.co.uk

SBTRKT returns to Reading & Leeds Festival after last year's triumphant DJ set on the Dance Stage at both sites and live performance on the Alternative Stage in Leeds.  This time round, fans will be treated to his famous live show at both sites.  His self-titled debut album propelled towards the top of DJ’s playlists around the world with his combination of funk, soul, synths and bass.  Fresh from releasing single ‘Hold On’ with Sampha, SBTRKT now has his sights firmly set on the August Bank Holiday weekend.   

www.sbtrkt.com

The legendary vocalist fronting the MARK LANEGAN BAND has sung with some of the greatest bands of the last two decades. Lanegan formed the Screaming Trees in the 80’s and made some of the finest albums of the grunge scene.  He’s worked with the coolest names around since and his distinct baritone voice has been described as "as scratchy as a three-day beard yet as supple and pliable as moccasin leather”.  

www.marklanegan.com

Having wowed the Main Stage last year, THE JOY FORMIDABLE return at the personal request of Foo Fighters to play a very special set. Currently mixing their second album in New York with Andy Wallace, the trio made waves on both sides of the Atlantic with their debut album ‘The Big Roar’ in 2011, NME declaring that ‘its big but it’s certainly clever’ and Rolling Stone thrilling to ‘multi orgasmic crescendoes’. Having recently sold out New York’s Terminal 5, this return to UK shores promises to be a perfect preview of the band’s second album, due later in the year.

www.thejoyformidable.com

Having evolved from various outfits, Camden-based quartet TRIBES came to the fore at the start of 2011 and has seen the band accrue plenty of support both in print and on the airwaves. The band’s debut album ‘Baby’ was unleashed earlier this year reaching Top 30 status en route, further embellishing the plaudits already bestowed upon them.  If last year’s appearance is anything to go by the tent will be filled to the gills for those to see on of the UK’s finest live acts of recent years.

www.tribesband.com

On its release earlier this year, the self-titled debut album from DJANGO DJANGO was succinctly hailed thus: "It's a dream of the psychedelic tropics, a heady explosion of colours, an album that takes what it means to be in an indie band and gives it a good shake…" This art pop quartet first emerged back in 2009 doing things their way whilst releasing selected tracks, mainlining into the nation's psyche and producing what has been one of the year's highlights.

www.djangodjango.co.uk

Young Minneapolis five-piece HOWLER marked their arrival on this side of the Atlantic last year in a barrage of hysteria. Having rapidly signed to Rough Trade Records, they consequently released the ‘This One’s Different’ EP and supported The Vaccines on their Autumn UK tour. Earlier this year saw the arrival of their debut album ‘America Give Up’ with the band showing few signs of slowing up.  This summer’s shows mark their debut at Reading & Leeds and will see further clamoring down the front as they play their biggest shows to date.

www.howlerband.com

OF MONSTERS AND MEN’s debut album ‘My Head Is An Animal’ went to Number One on its release in Iceland from where the band hail.  Describing themselves as “an amiable group of day dreamers who craft folkie pop songs” they turned into local heroes after winning a yearly battle of the bands competition.  This will be one of the first chances to see this highly tipped six-piece.

www.ofmonstersandmen.is

T in the Park 2012 announces Florence + The Machine, Noel Gallaghers High Flying Birds and more!

The Vaccines, The Maccabees, Two Door Cinema Club, Frank Turner, Miles Kane, The Horrors and Maverick Sabre are also amongst the first wave of acts to be announced. Festival organisers DF Concerts and founding partner Tennent’s Lager will unveil the two Main Stage headline acts that will join The Stone Roses as well as other top acts on Thursday 23rd February.

Florence + The Machine
 
Having smashed the UK charts and taken the US by storm, Florence + the Machinehas had a stratospheric rise to the top since winning the Critics’ Choice Award at the BRIT Awards in 2009 and first playing T in the Park in the same year. A stunningly accomplished artist with two number 1 albums, countless more accolades and a reputation as one of music’s most exhilarating live acts, Florence Welch brings her grandiose, majestic pop anthems back to Balado, including huge hits from triumphant second album Ceremonials.
 
Soon to be crowned Godlike Genius at the forthcoming NME Awards, Noel Gallagher returns to T in the Park with his new outfit, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. Noel’s previous appearances at T in the Park have gone down in history as some of the festival’s greatest moments, with Oasis playing the very first festival in 1994 before storming the Main Stage with a massive headline show in 2002. Now it’s time for Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds to soar centre stage, to play classic anthems and fresh material during what will undoubtedly be one of the standout sets of T in the Park2012.
 
Joining them on the bill are some of Britain’s best breakthrough bands of recent years. With a repertoire packed full of feel-good festival anthems, The Vaccines’ high octane tunes are sure to get the Balado crowd jumping.  Brighton boys The Maccabees have graduated to dizzying new heights of popularity, with their third album Given to the Wildhailed as “the first classic album of 2012” by NME.  The Horrors have embraced an ethereal, shimmering new sound, which they will showcase to the 85’000 per day crowd on T in the Park turf. Northern Irish trio Two Door Cinema Club will make a welcome return to Balado after headlining the recent NME Awards Tour and rapidly becoming one of the biggest new success stories across the globe. 
 
Festival organisers have also secured the appearance of an array of top singer-songwriters. Captivating singer songwriter Miles Kane was part of The Last Shadow Puppets as well as now being a hugely accomplished talent in his own right with his glorious, fuzz-rock, beat-pop earning him legions of fans, including fellow T in the Parkperformer Noel Gallagher, who sang backing vocals on Kane’s My Fantasy.  Frank Turner has blossomed from an underground hero to a bona fide mainstream success story, and hits T in the Park following a massive headline gig at Wembley Arena this spring, whilst Maverick Sabre will inject a catchy social-political blend of soul, hip-hop and reggae to the proceedings. 
 
Festival organisers thrilled fans in November by announcing that The Stone Roses will headline T in the Park. The Manchester legends’ second coming is the most highly anticipated musical resurrection of recent years, and their set is sure to be a historic moment for T in the Park.
 
Music lovers will be able to guarantee their place in the 85,000 strong crowd and get their hands on the final batch of tickets, which go on general sale at 9am on Wednesday 29th February from www.ticketmaster.co.uk and by calling 08444 999 990.
 
Boutique camping options are available in The Residence at T in the Park.  The Residence offers festival goers a bespoke, luxury experience where all their accommodation needs are taken care of – www.tinthepark.com/residence

Korn, The Vaccines and more for Sziget 2012

It’s been 20 years since Korn rocketed on top of the metal world and the guys from California stayed there ever since. They already sold tens of millions of albums, won two Grammy awards and are generally considered as universal points of reference in the contemporary culture of rock/metal music. During their Sziget gig they plan to present the new LP, also considered as a dupstep-based metal craze, with the title ‘The Path of Totality’.

The Vaccines were reviewed by BBC as one of the biggest prospects of 2011 and the band lived up to expectations with their first album, ‘What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?’ The London-based indie rock guitar combo was already nominated for some of the biggest music awards of the continent and plan to start working on their new LP this March.

Magnetic ManDupstep heroes Artwork, Benga and Skream joined forces to create the legendary Magnetic Man formation and released their self-titled studio album in 2010, reaching instant success. 3 in 1 is always a good offer, so be prepared for another gigantic gig on Sziget.

Steve Aoki has Japanese roots, lives in California and by now he is regarded as a grand master of the electro house scene. ‘Wonderland’, his debut album was released this January, but he also made remixes for bands like Justice or Franz Ferdinand. The DJ and producer is the founder of the world famous Dim Mak Records.

For long years now it’s impossible to imagine DJ Magazine’s top DJ listings without finding Axwell’s name on them. He’s a member of the world famous Swedish House Mafia and counts as one of the most active contributors to the Scandinavian e-music scene.

Two Door Cinema ClubTwo Door Cinema Club is maybe the most lovable UK indie band these days. Easy going and guitar-centric, although not reluctant to some electronic sounds either. They’ve already played the biggest festivals and are currently working on their second studio album.

When it comes to combining fun and punk-rock, short but out-of-control kind of songs, you might wanna turn your heads towards Germany. Really! Beatsteaks has been existing for over 15 years, recorded 7 LPs and the ‘House of Fire’ track from their new album was even selected for the soundtrack of the third Transformers movie.

Antwerp-based immortal cult-rock act, dEUS is an all-time favorite for big festivals. One of the few bands who can perfectly evoke the anger and melancholy that is flooding from their studio recordings, also while playing live.

Synthesizers and machine-like guitar riffs, unbelievable pace and an industrial metal show that will simply blow your mind. That’s what you need to know about Ministry, announcing that after 3 years of silence they have recorded a new album and are ready to blitz the world once again.

Caro Emerald is the favorite singer and nr. 1. music export item of The Netherlands. The nu-jazz sensation has already won several big awards, combining groovin’ jazz with swing and tango, but doing so in a way that you will love her music even if you’re far from being a jazz fan.

Great voice, wonderful charisma and already a Grammy nomination to her name, these are the obvious words to describe Bebel Gilberto, also regarded as the ambassador of modern bossa nova. The Brazilian singer is mixing the Bahia region music with electronic patterns, while her latest LP, ‘All in One’ was nominated in ‘the best contemporary world music album’ category during the 2009 Grammys.

The XX, Two Door Cinema Club, Justice and more for Bestival 2012

 

EXCLUSIVES:
The xx / Sigur Rós

NEW LINE UP ADDITIONS:
LIVE: Justice / Two Door Cinema Club / Hot Chip / Soulwax / Nero / Emeli Sandé / Orbital / Warpaint / De La Soul / Major Lazer / Sister Sledge / The Horrors / Spiritualized /
Kevin Saunderson feat. Inner City Live / Gary Numan / Michael Kiwanuka / Azealia Banks /
Sub Focus / Gallows / Doom / Earth Wind & Fire Experience Feat Al Mckay / Rizzle Kicks /
The Cuban Brothers / Buraka Som Sistema / Bellowhead / Little Dragon / Gold Panda 
Adam Ant & The Good The Mad and The Lovely Posse / Lianne La Havas /
King Khan And The Shrines / Delilah / Friends / Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs / First Aid Kit / King Krule / Ane Brun / Chas & Dave / Dub Pistols / The Japanese Popstars / Charli XCX /
Jaipur Kawa Brass Band / Jeffrey Lewis & The Junkyard / Slagsmålsklubben / Field Music /
Jaipur Kawa Circus / Jinja Safari / Church of Love & Ruin / Frankie Rose / Milagres /
Three Bonzos and a Piano / Liz Green / Gabrielle Aplin / Prince Fatty / Fiction / 2:54 / Turbowolf / This Is The Kit / Ghost Outfit / Patterns / Young British Artists / Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo / To Kill A King / L.A. Salami / Laurel Collective / ahab / Gecko / Heathward / Model Society /
Sky Sphere / Blackhouse Crow… Plus many more still to be announced

DJ SETS FROM ROB DA BANK AND FRIENDS:
2manydjs / Annie Mac Presents / Four Tet + Caribou (b2b DJ) /
2 Bears / David Rodigan MBE presents RAM JAM /
Dirtybird showcase feat. Claude VonStroke, Justin Martin & Eats Everything / François Kevorkian / DJ Yoda / Maya Jane Coles / Scuba / LTJ Bukem / Plastician / Greg Wilson / Scratch Perverts / Giles Smith & James Priestley (secretsundaze) / Oneman b2b Jackmaster / Camo & Krooked /
Jaguar Skills & His Amazing Friends / Mosca / Ben UFO / PBR Streetgang / DJ Shepdog /
Shellac Collective / DJ Charge… Plus many more still to be announced

PLUS OUR NEW PREMIUM CAMPING AREA:
The Wild Copse

We’ve already announced 12 brand new things that will tickle your fancy, our Wildlife theme, the mighty Orbital as the closing act for the Big Top and Rob da Bank tweeted a few choice tasters but now the time has come to unveil an array of fantastic acts that will be coming to Robin Hill Country Park to rock Bestival 2012. With a pair of electrifying exclusives and a cavalcade of incredible bands and DJs, we really want it to be September already and we still aren’t announcing any of the main stage headliners! You’re going to have to wait at least a week for the first of those!

Rob da Bank says: ‘So, here we are then! Announcing Bestival again – and another bumper selection of acts from across the musical world and styles. The xx at Bestival two years ago is in my top three Besti performances ever so I’m delighted they're hitting the main stage in 2012 and I’ve finally landed Sigur Rós, one of my all-time fave festival acts. From Justice to Azealia Banks, Spiritualized to Sister Sledge, I hope there’s something for everyone and still three headliners to unveil shortly!'’

Jamie XXIn 2010, just after winning the Mercury Prize for their debut album, The xx, played a victory set in our Big Top that has gone down in Bestival lore as one our most beautiful moments ever, so we are exceptionally excited to be welcoming them back for as a UK festival exclusive in 2012. With new material on the horizon we can’t wait to see what ethereal treats they have in store for us.

Icelandic post-rock behemoth Sigur Rós are also set to make a UK festival exclusive appearance with us on the Isle of Wight. Lead singer Jónsi was behind another of Bestival 2010s undoubted highlights but we’ve been waiting a long time to be able to announce that the full band, in all its majesty, will be joining us and we can’t tell you just how excited we are to have them on board.

As well as those tantalising mouth-watering exclusives we’ve got a colossal first wave of acts to tell you about, including Gallic dance dons Justice, who told us: “To tell you the truth, we wanted to kick off the new tour at Bestival last year but we finally thought we wouldn't be ready (and we weren't) and decided to take more time to get prepared. Now we're ready, it's gonna be a big surprise for us, we played there in 2005 and 2006 which we believe were Bestival early years (and ours too, think it's the first time we ever played a festival, actually) and we heard since that Bestival has become THE festival to play in the UK, so we're definitely excited and have no idea what to expect as everything will probably be a bit different from 2006”.

Two Door Cinema ClubWe’re already fit to burst but still there’s so many more brilliant bands to tell you about like Northern Ireland’s finest Two Door Cinema Club, Bestival veterans and firm crowd favourites Hot Chip, sharp suited electro purveyors Soulwax, dubstep duo Nero, Scottish soul siren Emeli Sandé, rave deities Orbital, LA artrockers Warpaint, daisy-age hip-hop kings De La Soul, first ministers of bass Major Lazer, utter legends Sister Sledge, handsome pop chameleons The Horrors, towering wig-out merchants Spiritualized, Detroit techno overlord Kevin Saunderson feat. Inner City Live, electro-rock pioneer Gary Numan, BBC Sound of 2012 winner Michael Kiwanuka, NME Cool List topper Azealia Banks, drum n basser Sub Focus, the adrenalin charged Gallows, mythological rhyme master Doom, disco groove powerhouse Earth Wind & Fire Experience Feat Al Mckay, the irrepressible Rizzle Kicks, the one and only Cuban Brothers, Kuduro dons Buraka Som Sistema, fine folksters Bellowhead, the sublime Little Dragon, laconic looperGold Panda, and 80s pop-god Adam Ant with The Good The Mad and The Lovely Posse.

Other acts getting on the ferry for Bestival 2012 include the hotly tipped Lianne La Havas, wild psychedelic soul sensations King Khan And The Shrines, neo-dubstep songstress Delilah, insouciant Brooklynites Friends, harmonious beatmeister Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, folk troubadours First Aid Kit, darkwaver King Krule acoustic chanteuse Ane Brun, knees-up governors Chas & Dave, DJ Magazine’s Best of British Best Live Act Dub Pistols, Robert Smith collaborators The Japanese Popstars, pop upstart Charli XCX, the magical Jaipur Kawa Brass Band, anti-folk dude Jeffrey Lewis & The Junkyard , the mesmerising Slagsmålsklubben, madcap mackems Field Music and the Jaipur Kawa Circus.

Plus there will be live performances from Jinja Safari, Church of Love & Ruin, Frankie Rose, Milagres,
Three Bonzos and a Piano, Liz Green, Gabrielle Aplin, Prince Fatty, Fiction, 2:54, Turbowolf, This Is The Kit, Ghost Outfit, Patterns, Young British Artists, Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo, To Kill A King, L.A. Salami, Laurel Collective, ahab, Gecko, Heathward, Model Society Sky Sphere, Blackhouse Crow, plus many more still to be announced.

Jaguar SkillsWith a jam-packed live line-up taking shape, we also have an exquisite litany of turntable botherers that will be Bestival-bound including Soulwax alter-egos 2manydjs, the incredible Annie Mac Presents, the august Four Tet and the exalted Caribou who will be throwing down the platters back to back for your pleasure. There will also be hirsute pursuits from 2 Bears, reggae guru David Rodigan MBEpresenting RAM JAM, the Dirtybird showcase featuring the enviable talents of Claude VonStroke, Justin Martin & Eats Everything, house music forefather François Kevorkian, deck destroyer DJ Yoda, deep and techy up-and-comer Maya Jane Coles , underground techno genius Scuba, DnB original LTJ Bukem, grime superstar Plastician, ertwhile Hacienda resident Greg Wilson, turntable messiahs Scratch Perverts, and secretsundaze top boys Giles Smith & James Priestley. Plus there will be sets from Oneman b2b Jackmaster, Camo & Krooked, Jaguar Skills & His Amazing Friends, Mosca, Ben UFO, PBR Streetgang, DJ Shepdog, Shellac Collective, DJ Charge and many more still to be announced.

Another brand new thing for this year’s Bestival is our new Premium camping area, nestled between a beautiful wooded forest we’re calling the Wild Copse. We know that sometimes festival camping can get busy and maybe a little rambunctious so we thought many of you would like the opportunity for a little more space, and some top-notch facilities.

The Wild Copse will have its own car park when you arrive and then it’s just a short walk to where you can pitch your tent in an area that will be limited to a set number of ticket-holders.

Included in the area for use by those with tickets only will be high-end toilets and showers. Boutique camping is next door and you’ll share great food and seating area, a lovely chill-out bar serving until late, a pampering area and it will be close to the new healing area; the Soul Park and the new expanded and amazing Arcadia Field featuring Mechanical Cabaret.

The Wild Copse is around a 20-minute walk to the main stage with plenty to see on the way. For those who could use a lift to rest and recuperate or get back to their tent to pick up some knitwear for the evening, there’s an option to grab a shuttle service. This will run 24 hours a day. We’ve planned for this to run every five minutes but predict that demand will be high at peak times of course so it may be quicker to walk back and enjoy all the festival has to offer.

With all this 2012 craziness going on it would be easy to forget what an ace time we had in 2011 with The Cure, Bjork, PJ Harvey, Primal Scream and loads more so we’re very pleased indeed that loads of you didn’t forget because we’ve been shortlisted for Best Small Festival at the NME Awards. All we need now is just a bit more support so if you can spare a few minutes to head over tohttp://www.nme.com/awards and vote for us (it’s number 22 out of 26) we’d be most honoured!

We’ve still got all of our main stage headliners to announce, the first one is coming your way in about a week so keep your eyes onwww.bestival.net, our Facebook and Rob da Bank’s Twitter for all the latest action.