Anna Hyams

Anna has been a festival fanatic since her first ever outing to Download Festival back in 2001, she's got eclectic tastes and covers everything from metal to EDM and loves a chance to try out new festivals. Anna has covered a few European festivals like Snowbombing and Wacken Open Air, but mainly hits up her UK faves; Download, Bestival and Bloodstock!

Sónar celebrates its Closing Night

by

Sónar 2013 will close their 20th Anniversary edition at CCCB and MACBA locations with two highly esteemed concerts that share reinterpretation and reconstruction as the conceptual basis for their musical expression.

The CCCB Theatre will host a concert – co-produced by L'Auditori de Barcelona – with Max Richter + bcn216, in which the British composer and the Barcelona group will interpret Richter’s acclaimed recomposed version of "The Four Seasons" by Vivaldi.

Directly after, in the Atri MACBA, Italian producer and sound investigator Lorenzo Senni presents ORACLE, a remarkable audiovisual sensory provoking concert that deconstructs 90’s rave culture.

With these two shows Sónar returns to closely collaborate with CCCB & MACBA, symbolic landmarks of the city and the festival, whose -Teatre CCCB and Atri MACBA- spaces set the perfect stage for Sónar’s 20th Anniversary closing. Joining these two sites will be the classic SonarVillage location of Plaça Joan Corominas, where a bar will be in place for attendees.

Max Richter + bcn216: Four Seasons Recomposed (Deutsche Grammophon / DE-ES)

German-born British composer and pianist, Richter is a musician used to challenges. The most recent of which was to recompose Antonio Vivaldi's hugely popular "Four Seasons", in collaboration with German label Deutsche Grammophon: A very personal retreatment that allows the listener to recognize the original piece, while at the same time enjoying it in a completely new and surprising light. Richter will be accompanied by instrumental group BCN216 (resident at L'Auditori de Barcelona) and will bring his subtle and individual re-adaptation of Vivaldi’s creation ‘live’. He has reconfigured the body of work by removing a number of notes, reorganizing certain passages and adding seductive electronic arrangements.

Sunday 16th June / CCCB Theatre – 20.00h

Lorenzo Senni presents ORACLE (Editions Mego / IT)

Tireless investigator of dance music’s mechanisms and working parts, and head of respected experimental label Presto!?, the Italian musician produced one of last year’s most unique albums "Quantum Jelly" (on label Editions Mego). An amazing deconstruction of sound and rave culture of the 90’s (chiefly trance and hard techno), in which he carefully analyzed it’s constituent parts for reuse in a very different context, with repetition and isolation as key concepts. Music from album Quantum Jelly will underpin the audiovisual show at Atri MACBA, an unusual space that will be transformed by Senni through the installation of laser and smoke generated columns. The immersive experience will be highly evocative and have a sensorial impact.

Sunday 16th June / Atri MACBA – 22:00h

————————————————————————————-

Tickets now available

Max Richter + BCN 216 :Four Seasons recomposed at CCCB
15€
Tickets on sale here

Lorenzo Senni presents ORACLE at MACBA
10€
Tickets on sale here

Combined ticket for two shows
20€
This ticket can only be acquired at the CCCB ticket office during exhibition opening hours.

FINAL BANDS ANNOUNCED TO PLAY THE RED BULL STUDIOS LIVE AT DOWNLOAD

by

On Friday 25 May eight young bands from all over the country gained a once in a lifetime chance to play live at Download festival this June with the Red Bull Studios live at Download opportunity.  Six bands with the highest online votes from the public were picked, whilst two were chosen by the judges as wildcards.  Searching Alaska from Essex, Akord from Grampian, Semperfi from Aberdeen, Surrender The Coast from Leicester and Forever Can Wait from Ponypridd were all chosen by public vote.  Press To Meco from Horsham/Croydon and Sky Valley Mistress from Manchester/Lancashire were added to the Download bill by the judges.
 
The judges were Kerrang Radio presenter Katie P, Rock Sound magazine editor Ben Patashnik, Red Bull Records label manager and music industry aficionado Angie Somerside, plus hyped rock band and Download Festival veterans Don Broco.
 

A huge 700 bands entered in total.  The public then voted and 100 of these went through to the judging panel who handpicked 15 they felt showed most potential.  Those 15 undertook a professional studio experience in London at Red Bull Studios which included expert mentoring, professional photos and recording a live track in the state-of-the-art studio. Short films of each of the bands performances were put online and the public voted for six of the final eight.
 
The final eight bands will play the Red Bull Studios stages at Download festival 14-16th June, to crowds of thousands. 

 
Searching Alaska from Essex
http://download.redbullstudios.com/band/searching-alaska_top-15/
Akord from Grampian, Scotland
http://download.redbullstudios.com/band/akord_top-15/
Semperfi from Aberdeen, Scotland 
http://download.redbullstudios.com/band/semperfi_top-15/ 
Surrender the Coast from Leicester 
http://download.redbullstudios.com/band/surrender-the-coast_top-15/ 
Forever can Wait from Southampton 
http://download.redbullstudios.com/band/forever-can-wait_top-15/ 
Falling with Style from Pontypridd 
http://download.redbullstudios.com/band/falling-with-style_top-15/
 
Two chosen by the judges:
 
Press to Meco from Horsham/Croydon
http://download.redbullstudios.com/band/press-to-meco_top-15/ 
Sky Valley Mistress from Manchester/Lancashire 
http://download.redbullstudios.com/band/sky-valley-mistress_top-15/ 
 

South West 4 – Tenth Anniversary

by

Coming off the back of recent headline performances at Timewarp, We Are FSTVL, Ushuaia Ibiza Opening and the IMS Grand Finale, Sven Väth makes his hugely anticipated return to Clapham Common for South West Four’s 10th Anniversary. Such storming sets continue to seal Sven’s legacy as one of the greatest DJs to ever walk the planet. This summer his Cocoon vision will embark on its fourteenth season at Amnesia Ibiza, with guests including Ricardo Villalobos, Richie Hawtin, Loco Dice and Luciano playing across seventeen roadblock events. Sven is a truly iconic figure within the scene and on Sunday 25th August he will be sharing his godly gifts with the more than worthy South West Four crowd. This will be something very special.

Another internationally renowned DJ making their return to SW4 for the 10th Anniversary is Mr VIVa Warrior himself, Steve Lawler. Held in the highest regard by both his peers and his global spread of fans, Steve has held residencies at many of the world’s greatest clubs including Space Ibiza and The End London. He has also released music on highbrow labels such as Cocoon, Souvenir and Drumcode, as well as his own brain child VIVa MUSic. It’s through this imprint, that he has earned a reputation for breaking new talent. With new names to follow in 2013, as well as another 15 weekly parties from June at Sankeys Ibiza, the summer is set to be another stormer for Steve. With this his fourth South West Four performance, we are thrilled to welcome his pounding tribal beats back for another outrageous session of amazing music.

SAT ARTISTS ANNOUNCED: Eddie Halliwell, Paul van Dyk, Paul Oakenfold, Aly & Fila, Andy Moor B2B Lange, W&W, Super8 & Tab, Orjan Nilsen, Simon Patterson, Lee Osborne, Gorgon City, Mark Knight, Solomun, Dennis Ferrer, Fritz Kalkbrenner, Cajmere, Tocadisco, Tensnake, Tristan Ingram, Afrojack, Carl Cox & Loco Dice B2B, Marco Carola, Adam Beyer, Guti [Live], Hector, Carl Craig, Laidback Luke, Gareth Emery, Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano, Sander Van Doorn, Armin Van Buuren (UK Festival Exclusive Performance)…

SUN ARTISTS ANNOUNCED: Sven Vath, Steve Lawler, James Zabiela, Scuba, Blond:ish, Blackhall & Bookless, Jesse James & Johnny Bloomfield, Steve Aoki, Erick Morillo, Soul II Soul, Benji B & Deviation Strings, Crazy P [Live], Friction & Friends, Rustie, Bondax, RL Grime, Kove, Knife Party, Groove Armada, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, Pete Tong, The 2 Bears, Dusky, Eric Prydz, Boys Noize [Live], Laurent Garnier, John Digweed, Tim Green [Debut Live Show], Example, Andy C, Dillon Francis, Flosstradamus, Todd Edwards & EZ B2B, Dismantle & Roska B2B, Nicky Romero, Baauer…

 

VENUE: Clapham Common, London

DATES:  Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th August 2013

TICKETS: www.ticketmaster.co.uk/sw4

DAVID GUETTA, STEVE ANGELLO, MARK KNIGHT AND TOM STAAR JOIN EXIT FESTIVAL

by

The EXIT electronic line up is hotting up with king of the beat David Guetta leading the charge, playing his distinctive sound and game-changing mega hits. Coming to Novi Sad straight from his Ibizan 'F*ck Me I'm Famous' residency David Guetta will be staging the mother of all parties combining different influences and some of the most recognizable house tunes ever. Bringing his live show to the Dance Arena, it will be an unforgettable night! If that isn't enough, three masters of house music Steve Angello, Mark Knight and Tom Staar will also be taking to the decks making this year's Dance Arena party one to remember. Adding this to the already announced Fatboy Slim, Dubfire, Eric Prydz, Jeff Mills, Pan-Pot, Apollonia and Seth Troxler to name a few, makes this summers EXIT Festival the place to be for electronic music lovers. Casting a spell on both performers and party goers, the legendary Dance Arena continues to attract like minded people from around the world to party hard and dance all night long!

David Guetta is the most famous DJ and producer in the world will be treating the audience with his super hyped-up set offering everything from pumping house beats to mind boggling electro and of course his chart topping tracks made with A list collaborators. David Guetta came a long way from Paris underground scene to magazine covers and red carpet events all thanks to his obsessive urge for constant improvement. Never ending DJ trips and production adventures with the likes of Kelly Rowland, Akon, Madonna, Snoop Dogg, Rihanna and many others made him globally recognizable dance music icon. Hit singles such as "When Love Takes Over", "Memories" and "Sweat" made thousands of hours of radio play worldwide and conquered clubs from Tokyo to Ibiza. With topping prestigious DJ Magazine Top 100 DJ list in 2011, winning two Grammys, MTV Europe Music awards and receiving numerous other recognitions it would seem that there is nothing much left to do for Mr. Guetta. In contrast to that all that is important to him seems to be making people happy: "It doesn't matter if I make a beat that's going to be a song on the radio, or if I make a record that's meant to please DJs, I always just think of making people dance-that's my first priority."

Another member of the house music elite, Steve Angello will make his EXIT performance a beginning of the new era in his career. Angello gained massive popularity, global superstar status and his Grammy nomination as part of the world's biggest dance super group, Swedish House Mafia, alongside Axwell and Sebastian Ingrosso. Now as SHM ceases to exist, Angello devotes himself to production and remixing work on his label, Size Records. Having made smashing hits with his friends Eric Prydz, Axwell and Ingrosso, Steve Angello also showed his ability to adapt to any music genre in remixing tunes from Justin Timberlake, Will.I.Am, Eurythmics, Pendulum, Moby and Deep Dish. Anthems such as "Save the World", "Antidote", "Greyhound" and "One", brought him fame and recognition as part of Swedish House Mafia while "Summer Noize", "Yeah" and "Raining Again" made his solo act rise to highest echelons of house music. Now he is coming to deliver a portion of his fresh style and enthusiasm to the roaring crowds of Dance Arena.

Charismatic Mark Knight has blessed the scene with more than his natural DJing and production talents, having gathered one of the most impressive flocks of electronic music performers on his Toolroom Records. David Guetta, Faithless, Florence + The Machine, Umek and Underworld are just some of the artists signed to his label. Just like Steve Angello, Knight has his Grammy nomination, but also three best sellers on Beatport and dance floor dominators such as "Downpipe", "Good Times" and "Devil Walking".

Tom Staar is the one to be heard of in the future. Dance Arena party people will dance until dawn breaks to the rhythm of Moda Records owner. His seductive beats will reverberate around fortress walls of one of the best open air venues in the world, Fatboy Slim's boy wonder, catch him before he heads for the stars.

5 day ticket from 10th – 14th July 2013. 
Standard 5 day ticket: £95 (+ b/f)
Camping Pass: £25 (+ b/f)

Buy tickets here www.exitfest.org/en/tickets

THE ALTERNATIVE STAGE AT READING & LEEDS

by

Voted ‘Best Festival’ at the NME Awards, this year’s Reading & Leeds Festivals are officially set to be better than ever! Reading & Leeds guarantee exclusive performances, huge headliners and rising stars and are the only place to spend the August Bank Holiday weekend with friends this summer.  With exclusive UK festival performances from headliners Green Day, Eminem and Biffy Clyro, plus exclusive appearances from Fall Out Boy, System of A Down, Deftones, Skrillex and more, Reading & Leeds can now announce the line-up for the Alternative Stage!

Russell Kane • Seann Walsh (L) • Rob Delaney • Mark Thomas (L)
Shappi Khorsandi (R) • Josh Widdicombe • Paul Chowdhry
Trevor Noah • Jamie Kilstein • Carl Donnelly’s National Novelty Dance Off Finals • Nathan Caton • Jarred Christmas (L) • Andrew O’Neill
Joel Dommett • Katherine Ryan • Idiots of Ants • Tiffany Stevenson
Romesh Ranganathan (L) • Tom Deacon (R) • Ellis James • Rob Beckett
Lucy Beaumont (L) • Luisa Omielan • Suzi Ruffell • Mark Simmons
Daniel Townes (R) • Jim Smallman (L) • Andrew Ryan

MC DOOM • Shlomo & The Lip Factory • Jeffrey Lewis & The Rain
Reeps One • Transgressive • Rebel Bingo (L) • Boogaloo Stu (L)
Buttoned Down Disco (R) • Propaganda with special guests Haim
Snoop Lion: Reincarnated (Film)

(L) Leeds only, (R) Reading only

Seven more for Hard Rock Calling 2013

by

Hard Rock Calling today announced that an additional seven artists have been confirmed to perform at this year’s festival, which is taking place at a brand new home, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on 29 & 30 June. Lissie, Lawson, The View, Flamin Groovies, Mayer Hawthornem, Yellowire and China Rats will be joining headliners Kasabian and Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band in what will be the first shows at this iconic venue since the London 2012 Games. Tickets are available but selling fast – get yours now by visiting www.hardrockcalling.co.uk.

 

American folk singer Lissie, rock pop foursome Lawson, new wave pioneers Flamin Groovies and neo soul artist Mayer Hawthorne will be joining the bill on Sunday 30 June. Scottish indie rockers The View, hotly tipped band Yellowire and Leeds four piece China Rats will be hitting the stage on Saturday 29 June. Additional artists already confirmed for the festival include Paul Weller, The Black Crowes, The Cribs, Miles Kane, Klaxons, Alabama Shakes plus many more, making this the greatest rock event of the Summer.

 

HARD ROCK CALLING FESTIVAL LINEUP SO FAR

 

SATURDAY 29 JUNE 2013

KASABIAN, PAUL WELLER, MILES KANE, KODALINE, THE CRIBS, KLAXONS, TRIBES, THE VIEW, DARK HORSES, TWIN FORKS, THE WEEKS, ELIZA AND THE BEAR, SYD ARTHUR, MY PRESERVER, STEVE CRADDOCK, YELLOWIRE, CHINA RATS

 

SUNDAY 30 JUNE 2013

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & THE E STREET BAND, THE BLACK CROWES, ALABAMA SHAKES, DEAF HAVANA, LISSIE, LAWSON, FLAMIN GROOVIES, MAYER HAWTORNE, TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT, NEGRAMARO, JOSH DOYLA, CODY CHESNUTT, JOSH RECORD, CROWNS

 

Many more acts and details still to be unveiled. For further information please visit www.hardrockcalling.co.uk.

OFF Festival Katowice 2013: The Walkmen to Curate the Experimental Stage

by

OFF Festival Katowice 2013: The Walkmen to Curate the Experimental Stage!

Fans of the OFF Festival have already known for a while that The Walkmen, one of the most outstanding and underrated indie rock bands in the US, will be performing at this year's edition of the festival. Now we’re thrilled to announce that the group will also be serving as curators of the Experimental Stage, which will feature such acts as Thee Oh Sees and a DJ set by Austra (who will also be playing a full performance elsewhere!).

Guests John Grant, Sam Amidon, Cass McCombs, Veronica Falls and How How chosen by The Walkmen, will perform for their day at the Experimental Stage.

Tickets:
Tickets are now available at the OFF Shop at the official festival website, as well as at Ticketpro.pl, ebilet.pl and Empik stores in Poland, and internationally at seetickets.com and festicket.com.

Three Day Pass no camping: 150 zl / 36 Euro
Three Day Pass with camping: 190 zl / 46 Euro

All four day passes  are sold out.

Bonobo hits Soundwave Festival Croatia

by
Heading for a fifth anniversary celebration, over five days and three stages, Soundwave Festival Croatia has curated a formidable lineup that will combine with the always-electric Soundwave atmosphere and the glorious holiday surroundings to make this a trip to remember for a lifetime.  

Bonobo hits Soundwave in the midst of his awesome tour supporting universally acclaimed album 'The North Borders', while sellout successes for UK promoter Soundcrash Quantic and Alice Russell make an appearance at Soundwave, and anticipation is high for DJ Shadow's debut performance in Croatia. Robert Glasper Experiment recently wowed audiences with a live collaboration with Kanye West, and DOOM's hip hop credentials are unrivalled, making his billing at Soundwave extra special. Plus, DJ Yoda, Lapalux, Hiatus Kaiyote, Homeboy Sandman, Andrew Ashong,  Illum Sphere, Kelpe and many many more
 
 
The Argonaughty boat parties embark just seconds from the main stage, and this year there are 16 separate parties to enjoy, hosted by the likes of Ninja Tune, Soundcrash and Tru Thoughts, and featuring sets from artists of the calibre of Bonobo, Mr Thing, Quantic, Om Unit, Shigeto, Kutmah and Craig Charles to name but a few. There's even a boat party with a full-on brass band on board. The three-hour Funktion 1-powered tours of the Dalmatian coast are the ultimate highlight of the Soundwave experience and a chance to get up close to the artists. 
 
 

Kendal Calling announce 80 new acts

by
Kendal Calling has pulled together its best ever line up as the multi award winning festival returns for the eight time to its stunning base in the Lake District, widely acclaimed as the most beautiful festival site in the UK.  With huge headliners Primal Scream, Basement Jaxx and the Charlatans headlining respective nights and special guests such as Public Enemy, Seasick Steve, Johnny Marr and many more taking to the stage over a wonderful musical weekend, Kendal Calling is a must for those who love their festivals small and perfectly formed. 
 
 
 
Leading a brand new wave of confirmed artist is Warwickshire songstress Lucy Rose who is spearheading the second wave of nu-folk pioneers.  This singer songwriter’s heart-stoppingly poignant songs and crack porcelain voice could melt the stoniest of hearts and she will be performing tracks from her critically acclaimed debut album ‘Like I Used To’.
 
DJ Yoda was instrumental in creating the bootleg ‘cut-up’ mixing style.  From hip-hop beginnings, DJ Yoda has evolved in the past ten years, using his turntable skills and diverse influences as varied as Funk, B-more, Kuduro, Reggae, Drum ‘n’ Bass and even Big Band Swing and Country & Western to make unashamed party music. He can be found cutting the Indiana Jones theme with woofer-worrying Dubstep or The Muppet Theme with MIA.  Trail-blazing into the world of the audio-visual he pioneered a new artform, using cutting edge technology that he has been instrumental in developing, to scratch and mix visuals on top of his DJ sets in the clubs.  DJ Yoda has transformed the average night out into a fusion of clubbing and the movies.
 
 
Birmingham boys The Twang write great British indie rock anthems and will be performing tracks from their three studio albums whilst seminal electronic outfit and Manchester music legends, 808 State will be perform a euphoric DJ set of classic acid house.  Psychedelic sonic adventurer Richard Norris will also take to the decks alongside house music legend Ashley Beedle.
 
Clean Bandit are a band built around a string quartet, mixing classical, hip hop and house to mesmerising effect.  This is a must see show and the band will be performing their hit single Mozart’s House.  Elite Force is one of the leading proponents of the emergent tech-funk movement, fusing house, breaks, electro & techno whilst Maribou State are one of the hottest production and DJ outfits in the country, regularly tearing up dance floors across the UK.  Manchester drum & bass and dubstep disciples North Base will have the crowds jumping whilst Maths Time Joy’s otherworldly productions are deep and mesmeric.
 
This year’s fancy dress theme is Kendal Calling Goes To The Movies and is £115 for a full weekend ticket with camping.
 
 
FESTIVAL DATES: FRIDAY 26TH – SUNDAY 28TH JULY 2013
Lowther Deer Park, Hackthorpe, The Lake District
 
LUCY ROSE / DJ YODA (AV SET) / THE TWANG / ELITE FORCE / MARIBOU STATE / 808 STATE (DJ SET) / RICHARD NORRIS / ASHLEY BEEDLE / NORTH BASE / MATHS TIME JOY AND MANY MORE PERFORM INCLUDING
 
 Misty Miller / CHAMPS / Fossil Collective / Rubylux / Sykur / Monster Monster / Wolfie Razmatazz / Heymoonshaker / Birth of Joy / By The Rivers / More Like Trees / Polaroid 85 / Resonators / Tako Lako / Will & The People / Willie & The Bandits / Cherub / Bandeoke / Andy Hunt presents The Breakfast Club / BMX Bandits / Dunwells / The Last Party / Juveniles / Planes / Room Full of Mirrors / Seamus Mcloughlin / Camp Stag / The Righteous Bees / Tomorrow We Sail / Horace B.Murphy 3rd & Friends / Cavan Moran / Ocelus / Mikey J / Arnivore! / Roc Vicar / Lancaster Speakeasy / Robin Walker / Marris Chestnut / Tom Woodland / Freear / Chris Flynn / Dr Butlers / Hard And Monkey / Holly Clarke / Kriss Foster / Lazlo Baby / Lumberjack Cowboy / Molly Warburton / Quincey Brown / Poeticat / Taylor And The Mason / The Dead Indians  / The Yossarians / Death to the Strange / Carnival Moon / Specs / Papa Guns / The Flat Cap 3 / Naymedici / Walk Like Fool Does / Ottersgear / DJ Sister Matic / V J Eefee / Popeye
 
CHAI WALLAH / HAPPY SLAP BOUTIQUE / SONGSMITH SOLAR STAGES ANNOUNCED
 
BASEMENT JAXX / THE CHARLATANS / PRIMAL SCREAM CONFIRMED AS HEADLINERS FOR 2013
 
PUBLIC ENEMY / SEASICK STEVE / JOHNNY MARR / THE D.O.T / MIKE SKINNER (DJ SET) I AM KLOOT / MYSTERY JETS / LIGHTNING SEEDS (ACOUSTIC) / ASH / FAKE BLOOD / BRITISH SEA POWER / MR SCRUFF / FOREIGN BEGGARS / RONI SIZE AND HUNDREDS MORE ACTS

 

Creamfields 2013 – New Stage Announced

by

NEW STAGE ANNOUNCED

 

With less than 100 days to go until Creamfields, the festival has just added the Cream Friends Stage across Saturday and Sunday filled with the hottest rising talent from across the UK.

 

Saturday’s stage will be headlined by Andi Durrant.  Over the last few months Andi has quickly become one of the most in-demand remixers in Britain whilst also keeping fans up to date with the latest new music every Friday and Saturday via his Capital FM show. Andi will be joined by one of the most popular and in demand DJs in the North of England, Anton Powers and the Cream Ibiza residents James Dutton and Josh Demello plus George Kafetzis, Tim Owen, the Data Transmission DJs, Ed Mackie, Jack Eye Jones and Jigsaw.

 

Sunday’s line-up will be headed up by the extremely talented Nicola Bear.  As Ibiza Rocks’ resident DJ for the past four years Nicola knows how to get the crowd moving and has previously warmed up for Creamfields headliners The Prodigy as well as Annie Mac, Zane Lowe, and Fake Blood and has recently celebrated being added to Diplo’s Mad Decent label.  Nicola will be joined by Cream Ibiza resident Sean Hughes, Ministry of Sound’s Spacestation DJs, Ibiza Rocks resident Tom Grainger and local heroes Dave Whelan, Ian Longo, Denny Dowd, Liam Hincks and Billie Clements.

 

Having just announced that 2 day non-camping tickets have sold out, Creamfields is on way for its 5th consecutive sell-out and promises an unforgettable weekend hosted by some of the biggest and brightest stars in electronic dance music.