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BEAT-HERDER FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES SECOND WAVE OF ACTS FOR 2017
Jane Anderson
Soundwave Festival Review 2016
With an array of Croatian festivals on offer, we were hard pushed to choose which one was right for us, especially as we were trying to combine a festival with a holiday. Researching into Soundwave Festival, it seemed to have everything we were looking for; an eclectic range of music from hip hop, DnB, dub, jazz, house, afro-beat, reggae, funk and soul, chilled vibes, glistening blue seas, boat parties and oodles of relentless sunshine.
We arrived at Split airport in blistering heat on the morning the festival. With just over an hours taxi transfer to the historic old town of Tisno, we dumped our bags and walked along the scenic Dalmatian coastline to the site. After the naff British summertime and a bunch of soggy festivals so far this year, we were banking on this one to be ‘the festival of the 2016’.
Now in its 8th year, Soundwave is spread over five days and three stages. Hosted by The Garden resort, this idyllic slice of paradise with a natural beach cove provides an intimate festival setting for 3,000 like-minded partygoers. Crystal clear waters lap around the beach stage while DJs play laid-back beats as people splash around on inflatables in the afternoon sun. As the sun blazed down the way to keep cool was to dip in and out of the water and sip on slush cocktails.
Seminal Soundwave attendee Craig Charles was always going to bring the party vibes to the island, and it was evident from the swelling crowd that this was one of the highly anticipated DJs of the weekend. Bringing the sounds of the summer in his record box, his set featured the very best funk and soul grooves. We danced the night away under the enormous glitter ball to D-lite, Earth, Wind and Fire, Rick James, 6ix Toys, Grandmaster Flash, Stevie Wonder, and Marvin Gaye. Craig’s 13-year-old daughter Nellie Rose stole the show when invited onto the stage to sing an incredible rendition of Michael Jackson's classic ‘Loving you’.
Famished from dancing, we ate a late night pizza at the on-site restaurant Magnolia’s before heading back to the main stage to catch American rapper Pharoahe Monch. This is raw; no nonsense hip hop at it’s best, and he pleased the crowd by pulling out favourites ‘Simon Says’ ‘ ‘Oh no’, ‘My Life’ and ‘Clap’.
Friday daytime was more of the same, frolicking in the sea, lazing on the beach, craft ales, champagne corks popping, smells of smoked ribs from the House of Ribs and beats provided by French D.J, Russ Ryan, and Harri Pepper. Through the day we saw the live art program taking shape as street artists Artez, and Fat Heat created murals. More graffiti sprung over the weekend from the caliber of Smack184, Lunar, and Sebastian Velasco.
The sunset created stunning lens flares, and it was hard to pull ourselves away from the beach. We proceeded to the main stage to catch Eglo Records soul diva Fatima and the Eglo Live Band, followed by a powerful set by Akala who urged the crowd the jump to Double XL. He pounded out ‘Absolute’, ‘Another Reason’ and ‘Fire in the Booth.' The main stage was closed by with the tribal beats of Clap Clap. Soon after the skies gave way to the most epic thunderstorm I've ever witnessed. The lightning flashes and sonic booms felt like we were caught in a war zone.
No trip to Soundwave is complete without a trip on the good ship the Argonauty, and we were fortunate enough to bag tickets to the hip-hop boat party. Saturday lunchtime arrived and like many, we were giddy with excitement. In our eagerness showed as we queued up early to get a good spot on the authentic vessel. Punters climbed aboard with sailor hats and glittered faces. As soon as we set sail the champagne corks began popping, and the party got going. Beats provided by the DJs Menendez Brothers, DJ Mylz, TwoGood and beat boxers Bloxxed Beats. We sailed around the Adriatic coastline for four hours partying to hip hop classics from Kanye, Jay-Z, Pharoahe Monch, Nelly, Public Enemy, Snoop, Dr Dre, NWA, and Missy Elliot. As the boat docked we partied harder, refusing to get off until everyone on the beach realised they had missed out on an unforgettable party. Friends were made, and hugs exchanged. This was undeniably the best festival boat we had been on and a sure fire festival highlight.
Later that day we caught a perfectly crafted sunset house set from LTJ Bukem on the Beach Stage, along with liquid drum and bass DJ Calibre. MC DRS urged revellers to jump up on shoulders in a bid to break Croatian records. I reckon he did a pretty good job.
Sunday was even more laid back than previous days. Punters arose later after a night of hedonism in Barbarella’s Discotheque after party. The order of the day was chilled vibes provided by Kid Gorgeous and then picking up the pace Emerald and Shut the Front Door.
Sunday’s main stage action was provided by Eglo record beatmakers Henry Wu, Chunky and Alexander Nut, who’s sets crossed soul, jazz and hip-hop influenced joy. The generator packed up, and the site was plunged into darkness just before Gentleman’s Dub Club headlined. Thankfully we didn’t have to wait too long before it was back up. Leeds based Gentleman’s Dub Club have been steadily carving out a solid reputation as one of the UK’s foremost reggae bands fusing ska and dub influences. Lead vocalist Jonathan Scratchley bounced onto the stage to deliver the most exciting live performance we witnessed all weekend. The whole audience jumped in unison singing along to crowed pleasers ‘Music is the girl I love,' ‘Emergency,' ‘Fire’ and catchy chorus number ‘High grade.'
The final day we jumped aboard the Argonaughty for one last boat party. Riot Jazz, Taste The Diff'rence DJs, Chunky, and Rich Reason provided the perfect sound track to a blisteringly hot Monday. As we set sail on the sun-kissed waters DJ Cutterz, Stu Morley, and Misc Jockey span break beats, hip hop, soul & funk. Next up were Manchester based Riot Jazz, a nine barrelled Balkan to Brooklyn brass band who made the whole boat bounce up and down to their barnstorming, raw energy renditions of Britney Spears – ‘Toxicated’, Aha’s -‘Take on Me’, Human League’s – ‘Don't you want me baby. It was a perfect end to an incredible festival.
It's the balance of art, music and holiday is what makes Soundwave an idyllic and enchanting festival. It’s undoubtedly one of the most beautiful locations in the whole of Europe, and with so many special memory-making moments with like-minded kindred souls, you can see why punters return year on year.
Beat-Herder Festival Review 2016
So here we are for Beat-Herder number 11. How do you follow last years’ amazing 10th Birthday celebrations I wonder, surely there can’t be more naked camel riders? With more fireworks, new venues and a cracking line up featuring huge names from across the dance spectrum Claude Vonstroke, Booka Shade, Miike Snow, Todd Terje, Jesse Rose, Justin Martin, Marshall Jefferson and Riton to name but a few. This is my sixth time at this small but perfectly formed festival in the Lancashire Dales; you could say I’m huge fan of what the brothers do. BH is different to other festivals; there’s attention to detail and creativity everywhere you look, and sixteen unique stages dotted around the site provide something for everyone.
Friday
Friday greeted us with all-day rain, which turned the main arena into a mud fest as soon as the gates opened. Not that little bit of mud is going to deter the Beat Herder loyal posse. They have also been coming here for years too and have a tattoo to prove it.
A quick pitch of our tent and were off to go on a tour of the new site. There're a couple of new venues to take in. Bubba Gumma is a 60s Barbarella-esque, bubblegum disco box that you enter from a long dark bunker. The DJ spins rhythmic Afro disco beats, and the party gets going. Psychedelic hippy den Sunrise boasted a thumping sound system. The Illustrious Society is home to the good, the bad and the glitterati. You can only enter if you are suitable dressed. Steampunk, monocles, and Victorian cloth to be precise.
Avoiding the soupy mud and relentless rain we hide out at the undercover venues Trash Manor, BH&DWMSC (working men's club) and Maison D’etre until the evening.
On the main stage on Friday night we catch German duo Digitalism, Swedish band Miike Snow, who drew large crowds and James. Booth enters the stage and delights the crowds with the promise of a decidedly dancy set. He shouts ‘This is dance festival isn’t it.' They performed a number of songs from their new offering ‘Girl at the End of the World’ alongside classics ‘Come home’ and ‘Laid’.
On to Pratty’s ring and we catch A Skillz. The whole of the ring is erupting with his face-paced turntable trickery. The crowd was jumping and singing along. The rain pelted down again, and performances from Dirtybird founder Claud Vonstroke, and Radio one’s B-traits suffered smaller numbers than they should, save a few hardcore fans. We took shelter once again in the Parish Church and spent the night dancing away on the pews.
Saturday
Salvage came on Saturday morning in the form of the sun, a welcome relief from Friday’s heavy downpours. Trudging around in what now is a soupy smelly quagmire is quite a workout. It's times like this that I remind myself that this is exactly why I like small manageable festivals and couldn't deal with the trauma of glasto. We take a bit of respite in the only bit of green grass we can see. We were swooped on by the Samaritans who are keen to talk to anyone in trouble. That certainly wasn’t us, unless they could resolve the mud, we just needed somewhere to eat our yummy cheese Raclette. It’s reassuring to know that they are there for people who needed it over the weekend.
Scottish singer, songwriter Donovan took to the main stage Saturday afternoon, an older crowd waved their arms to ‘Mellow Yellow’. Not really my cup of tea and he seems oddly placed for a predominantly dance festival, but that’s the beauty of the Beat-Herder offering. They are plenty of curveballs from folk, gypsy, indie, reggae and downright weird.
Local lad Paul Taylor brings with him an array of followers, and it is heaving inside The Fortress as fans scrambled to get on shoulders. I do like DJ, who knows how to work the crowd, and this was mightily evident in his set.
As the late afternoon cracked on, we saw the annual fancy dress come into play. This year’s theme was the letter ‘R’. We caught glimpse of Ron Burgundy’s, Ronald McDonald's, the Red Arrows, and an abundance of rodents and robots. Groups of revellers played paint powder fights in the afternoon glow, covering me and my camera. It's all good fun and warm vibes and I join in the banter. Gentleman's Dub Club and the Easy All Stars provided a particularly bouncy evening on the main stage, bringing some much needed energy to the fatigued crowd.
We headed up to the Toiltrees to catch one of the most anticipated sets of the weekend, house legend Marshall Jefferson. He belted out house classics Peter Brown’s ‘Miracles’, Derrick May’s ‘Strings of Life’ and of course ‘Move your body’. He certainly didn’t disappoint and was one of my highlights of the weekend.
Firework cannons boomed before house veterans Booka Shade took to the stage. Despite playing their hit seminal hit 'Body Language’, it was a rather lack lustre set for a Saturday night headline act. Anyway onwards and upwards to Pratty’s Ring and the Fortress, which had a distinctly heavy bass and DnB feel to it. The evening sun played out and the parties across the site got dark and dirty.
Sunday
Sundays are for lie-ins, and we arose to the sounds of Mama Jerk and the Lady Fingers. The energy of jungle gypsy band Ushti Baba made us head to the main stage. Crowds started to gather and swing each other around to hypnotic trans-European melodies. There was an unmistakably chilled vibe to Sunday and everyone seemed smiley.
Next up was Essex folk singer Beans on Toast who opened his main stage set with apt track called ‘2016.' “It’s got a short shelf life” he claimed. The emotional song brought unexpected tears to my eyes. He recalled the unfathomable news that we have had to deal with this year; (Bowie, Prince, Paris, Victoria Wood, Lemmy, Turkey, Syria and the migrants, Brexit and our current state of political affairs). He jumped down into the crowd to get closer to the audience, pulling the leads behind him. He ran through an hours worth of his best from ‘Outlaws’, ‘The Chicken Song’ and ‘MDMA’. Like the 2pm slot at Glasto he drew the largest crowds. It was satirical commentary and storytelling at it’s best. Another festival highlight and surprisingly standout set that perfectly sums up the true spirit of festivals.
In somewhat of a tradition at BH, we head up to the Toil to catch the laid-back grooves of Mr Scruff, and have one last boogie in the church. There’s a nun in the pulpit kissing her cross, as she waves and raves. It’s gone all heavy hip hop and breakbeat as they blast out Ice Cubes’ ‘You can do it’. Back to the main stage, we catch London reggae singer Kiko Bun's, before heading to the Fortress Krafty Kuts is kicking up the mud with a storming set. Taking to the stage in the Toil is the man of the moment Riton. A favourite for many, and drawing a largely youthful crowd. His mega hit ‘Rinse and Repeat’ pounds out of the Toil Trees system.
It's difficult for any solo headliner to stand behind a desk of kit on their own, but Norwegian producer Todd Terje commands stage presence with ease. His set plays like one long soundtrack that undulates & bounces, with good visuals to boot. Girls get on shoulders for 'Delorean Dynamite', 'Disco Circus', 'Inspector Norse' and a superb mix of Stevie Nicks 'Stand Back' bleeds out into the night sky. At 12am dead on all the music across the site concludes and punters scurry off looking for sound systems across the camp area large enough to carry on the party. Many huddle round the fire not wanting it to end.
That’s it for another cracking Beat-Herder. Despite the mud, the organisers have done themselves proud and put on another party to remember. I hate that pang of sadness and a heavy heart that's it's all over you feel as you pull away from the site. You've had an incredible weekend, left the cares of the world at the door and entered into the spirit of abandonment. But soon enough it's back to reality, more politics and a Turkish coup. Take me back Beat Herder I don’t want to go home. See you 2017!
James announced as the Friday night Headliner at Beat Herder Festival
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Soundwave Announces New Names and Boat Parties for Summer 2016
Soundwave Announces New Names and Boat Parties for Summer 2016
- Soundwave returns to Croatia for its 8th year this summer
- New names revealed are LTJ Bukem, Congo Natty and Jazzanova
- 13 boat parties revealed taking place across glittering Adriatic Sea
- Names already announced include Pharoahe Monch, Calibre, Mala, Craig Charles, Fatima & The Eglo Band live, Gentleman’s Dub Club, Channel One Sound System, Riot Jazz, Romare and Harleighblu
- Clap Clap, Akala, Josey Rebelle, Alexander Nut, Henry Wu, Dan Shake, Jordan Rakei, Harvey Sutherland and more in support
- For full festival info go to www.soundwavecroatia.com
- Festival runs from Thursday 4th – Monday 8th August
Soundwave Festival is arguably Europe’s leading intimate odyssey, a musical journey and sun-splashed adventure which takes place on the stunning Dalmatian coastline in the town of Tisno. The festival’s ethos is to do things a little bit differently, and each year it has continued to build a renaissance in Croatia unlike many other events in the region, cultivating a crowd who flock from around the world to what is as much a festival as it is a holiday.
The music is provided by the some of the world’s finest exponents of broken beat, reggae, afro to acid jazz, hip-hop, soul, funk, drum and bass, vocalists, rappers and more, and brings a soundscape to the region which is seldom heard, joining so many dots together into a beautiful single whole.
And with some amazing names already announced, Soundwave are very proud to announce three new additions who each bring a different element to the already wonderfully diverse collection of artists performing this August. Drum and bass pioneer LTJ Bukem is one of the UK’s most iconic names, with his Good Looking label embracing the jazzier, more atmospheric side of the scene. And leading the Jungle Revolution is the amazing Congo Natty; the lauded Rebel MC blends African-inspired rhythms and heavy urban beats in his rousing sets. And finally the revered eclectic collective from Berlin, Jazzanova, have been busy producing, composing, arranging, remixing and DJing for many years, continuing to create magic in clubs, the airwaves, their studio and live on stage, with their label Sonar Kollektiv one of Europe’s most respected. They join Pharoahe Monch, Calibre, Mala, Craig Charles, Fatima & The Eglo Band live, Gentleman’s Dub Club, Channel One Sound System, Riot Jazz, Romare, Harleighblu and many more names already announced.
Soundwave also is announcing its boat party schedule, with each show taking place on the legendary sea-dog, The Argonaughty. No visit to Soundwave is complete without taking to the sparkling seas, with sun-kissed and star-speckled voyages taking place day and night across the Adriatic. The run of boat parties is:
THURSDAY
BOAT 1. DUB TO JUNGLE
Plates Records & Circles.
13:00 – 18:00
BOAT 2. THE DISCO BOAT
Bedmo Disco, Origins & Harvey Sutherland.
19:30 – 23:00
FRIDAY
BOAT 1. THE CRAIG CHARLES FUNK & SOUL BOAT
Craig Charles, Bitesize DJs & Jack Tyson Charles
13:00-16:00
BOAT 2. THE SUNSHINE REGGAE BOAT
Channel One Sound System & Lively Up
16:30-19:30
BOAT 3. TUCKSHOP SUNSET BOAT
Jazzanova / Manu & Ando / Russ Ryan / Tappa / Mentú
20:00-23:00
SATURDAY
BOAT 1. SFSC & GOODLIFE PRESENT THE HIPHOP BOAT
Josey Rebelle / Menendez Brothers / TwoGood / Dj Mylz / Bloxed Beats
13:00-16:00
BOAT 2. EGLO RECORDS BOAT
Alexander Nut, Fatima & Noah
16:30-19:30
BOAT 3. THE SOUNDCRASH BOAT
Special Guest TBA, Bamboomann, Mo Fingaz & Bobafatt
20:00-23:00
SUNDAY
BOAT 1. TRU-THOUGHTS VS. FIRST WORD RECORDS
With J-Felix, Harleighblu, Gilla
BOAT 2. THE SOUL BOAT (HOW x STFD)
With Dan Shake, Flo Real & Jordan Rakai
16:30-19:30
BOAT 3. DUB TO DRUM&BASS BOAT
DRS / Eva Lazarus / GDC Sound System / Rich Reason (LVLZ)
20:00-23:00
MONDAY
BOAT 1. RIOT JAZZ BRASS BAND ON A BOAT
Riot Jazz, Taste The Diff'erence, Chunky & Rich Reason
15:00 – 18:30
BOAT 2. CLOSING BOAT
Staff, friends & family, Dan Shake & Harleighblu
19:30 – 23:00
Soundwave takes place at The Garden Resort, a true slice of paradise nestled on the Dalmatian coastline. Blessed with crystal clear azure Adriatic waters, sizzling sunshine and star-lit night skies, the idyllic and intimate setting welcomes a global crowd of music lovers and adventure seekers to Tisno.
The site has the incredible water-side beach bar, where you are so close to the sea you are almost dancing in it, and cosy curl of beach which looks out over the bay. The site’s main stage is a little way behind, perfect for headline acts, and nearby nestled under the canopy of trees is the Olive Grove stage. It’s a beautiful location, everything built around nature, growing like the environment around it, rich with intimacy and a sense of wonder. And a short drive away is the incredible Barbarella’s club, a fully open air space, powered by Funkion One.
Soundwave
Thursday 4th – Monday 8th August 2016
@ The Garden Resort, Petrica Glava 34, 22240, Tisno, Croatia
Just revealed artists: LTJ Bukem, Congo Natty, Jazzanova
Who join: Pharoahe Monch, Calibre, Mala, Craig Charles, Fatima & The Eglo Live Band, Gentleman's Dub Club, Channel One Sound System, Riot Jazz, Romare, Harleighblu, Clap Clap, Akala, Josey Rebelle, Alexander Nut, Henry Wu, Dan Shake, Jordan Rakei, Harvey Sutherland, J-Felix, Flo Real (Mahogani Music), Chunky, The Menendez Brothers, Werkha, Eva Lazarus, Bambooman, Sarah Williams, White Bobafatt, Mo Fingaz, Gilla, Russ Ryan, Jack Tyson, Charles (trio), DJ Mylz, Tehbis, Normanton Street, Chiminyo, Manu & Ando, re:tract, Rogan Emerald, Amber Sounds, Thirsty Work, Harry Pepper, Alex Crescent, Rogan, The Future Dub Project, Shanty, Olbi Iyah, Shuna Boston, Bloxed Beats, Sounds of Harlowe, French DJ, DJ E, Double D, TWOGOOD, Mount Nakara, In Search of Yard, Melt Out, Touchy Subject, Kid Gorgeous, South London Samba
Friends & family: Soundcrash, New Bohemia, Tru Thoughts, South London Soul Train, Firstword Records, Tuckshop, So Fresh So Clean, Goodlife, Shut The Front Door, Bedmo Disco, Circles The Origins, Bitesize, House of Wax, Sure Shot, P.U.S.H Plates
£125 for 5 days / boat parties £20 + BF
www.soundwavecroatia.com / @soundwavecro
Beat-Herder Festival – Third wave line up announcements
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The Beat-Herder Festival announce more big names for 2016 inc. Booka Shade, Miike Snow, Digitalism & more
BEAT-HERDER FESTIVAL MAKE SECOND LINE-UP ANNOUNCEMENT FOR 2016
RIBBLE VALLEY, LANCASHIRE
15TH – 17TH JULY 2016
www.beatherder.co.uk
ANNOUNCED TODAY:
BOOKA SHADE
MIIKE SNOW
DIGITALISM
GREG WILSON
MR SCRUFF
LADY WAKS | KRAFTY KUTS | MR C | CHIMPO | CHRIS COCO DEEKLINE | JON RUNDELL | HYBRID THEORY | SOLARDO | JFB APEXAPE | HAELOS | LANCASHIRE HOTPOTS
FAIREY BRASS BAND | GEORGIA | ZIBRA | NIMMO | THE VYRLL SOCIETY | THE AMAZONS | YONAKA | FRONTEERS | TOM WALKER | RATIONALE | BEANS ON TOAST | MEADOWLARK | GRINNY GRANDAD
JAMIE BERRY | CREDIT TO THE NATION | WBBL | SACHA SCHWARZ | DEXTRIC | SHAKA LOVES YOU
Joining:
PRIMAL SCREAM
CHRONIXX & ZINCFENCE REDEMPTION | DONOVAN ANDHIM | CLAUDE VONSTROKE | DERRICK CARTER CLEAN CUT KID | DUB PISTOLS | GENERAL LEVY | DOORLY | EASY STAR ALL STARS | GENTLEMAN'S DUB CLUB
FORMAT: B | KIKO BUN | A.SKILLZ | DELTA HEAVY | UTAH SAINTS JAUZ | JESS ROSE | JUSTIN MARTIN | MARSHALL JEFFERSON | RITON | SONNY FODERA
And many, many more
The jewel in the crown of Northern England's festival calendar, the beloved Beat-Herder Festival, is back with a much-anticipated cheer from the 12,000 set to attend. Following its huge 10th birthday celebrations last year and first line-up announcement last month, Beat-Herder reveal its second wave of artists for 2016.
What sets this festival apart from all the rest – in addition to its entirely hand-made site and unpretentious atmosphere – is its wealth of musical diversity. True to form, in 2016 Beat-Herder will once again celebrate all genres of music, with a genuinely diverse line up that features household names across rock, house, techno, dub, reggae, drum & bass, folk, indie – with even a spot of EDM and dubstep thrown in for good measure.
Announced today, and joining veteran Scottish psych-rockers Primal Scream, folk-pop troubadour and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Donovan, and reggae legend Chronixx (alongside his Zincfence Redemption Band) on the main stage, are Berlin electronic duo Booka Shade, Swedish indie pop band Miike Snow, German electronic music duo Digitalism, Stockport's own Fairey Brass Band, and Essex folk artist Beans on Toast.
Joining guitarist and singer Louis Berry and electro-pop duo Cash and David at The Maison D'Etre, the stage known for hosting hotly tipped musical talent in an intimate setting, include enigmatic London band Haelos, BBC introducing favourite Zibra, singer and multi-instrumentalist Rationale, dance-pop outfit NIMMO, York electro six-piece Grinny Grandad, Liverpool rock band The Vyrll Society and Brighton's Yonaka – who recently signed to Phil Taggart's Hometown Records.
Joining headliner and LA-based dubstep superstar Jauz and living ragga legend General Levy at Beat-Herder's very own 60ft x 60ft rave Fortress – complete with its own lasers, ramparts and fire breathing turrets, are ground-breaking and Breakspoll award-winning DJ Lady Waks, breakbeat producer Krafty Kuts, DJ's Deekline, Jon Rundell and Mr C, Megadog veteran and techno stalwart DJ Templehead, producer duo Hybrid Theory and house and techno outfit Solardo.
Beat-Herder friend and regular Mr Scruff will be lighting up the woods at the Toil Trees stage, alongside DJ, producer and tastemaker Chris Coco. They join an already impressive line up of house and techno talent, including Riton, Dirtybird co-founder Justin Martin, Andhim, Defected stalwart Sonny Fodera and a special Doorly & Friends takeover, featuring fellow Dirtybird head honcho Claude VonStroke, Derrick Carter, Will Tramp and many more.
Just So Festival announces 2016 programme
THE GAME IS AFOOT FOR THE AWARD-WINNING JUST SO FESTIVAL 2016
The award-winning Just So Festival, produced by Wild Rumpus has started to reveal its marvellous programme for 2016. Codes & Ciphers, Detectives & Disguises, Mysteries & Mayhem the game is afoot!
An annual, intimate, weekend-long camping festival for children and their families the Just So Festival provides an imaginative outdoor adventure like no other, showcasing the best art, music, literature, comedy and theatre for families in a wondrous landscape of woodland clearings, rolling parkland, arboreal amphitheatres and lakeside spots in the Rode Hall Estate, Cheshire.
Just So was awarded Best Festival in 2015 by the National Outdoor Events Association and is the only combined arts festival dedicated solely to families in the UK.
With an incredible mix of regional, national and international artists and performers, it promises to take you on an expedition of mischief and mayhem, to lands full of magical midnight feasts, raucous pillow fights, tribal tournaments, curious creatures and breathtaking beauty.
With intrigue and trickery as the theme for 2016, family adventurers should keep their ears to the ground for new and exciting experiences to be announced and further instruction from the brilliantly bonkers Just So Bureau.
Inquisitive explorers can expect to tour the most curious of lands and encounter creatures and characters beyond your wildest dreams.
Dance like wild things to the outstanding line-up on the Footlights stage. Headliners include 6-piece folk actSkinny Lister joining us fresh from their US tour and the inspirational Hope & Social, who will be spreading the feel-good factor by getting the whole Just So crowd dancing as part of their set. They will be joined by over 20 other brilliant artists and bands. Do some more foot stomping and wild whirling and swirling atJitterbug. More unmissable music and dance performances and workshops include the first chance to squash, roll, pop and squeeze in Sponge, the premiere of the new show by participatory dance artists Turned On Its Head andAround The World in 80 Notes with Melanie Ash and Jade Jagger. When evening comes, dance the night away at the DISCO here too.
Head to the eccentric Village Green to meet some of the UK’s favourite children’s authors sharing the best new books out this year and encounter a sports day with a difference – toddler jousting or pillow fighting anyone? The Village Green is also the nerve centre and our Just So GCHQ of the Tribal Tournament. Headed up by that motley crew from immersive theatre specialists LAS Theatre. The Fox, Frog, Owl, Fish, Stag and Lion tribes will compete in ridiculous games and all manner of unexpected shenanigans. Break codes and solve mysteries to win points! Find your tribe on festival Sunday and take part in the Tribal Parade, a Just So highlight.
Step into the extraordinary Spellbound Forest and experience the best new outdoor performance for families. Laugh until you fall over at a new show from comedian James Campbell, and be led on an interactive dig like no other by curious archeologists in How Time Flies, by Handmade Theatre on the Woodland Stage. Be inspired by high octane manoeuvres in Phone Box, a new solo production by Corey Baker Dance. Witness live demonstrations of impossible happenings and glimpse some of the greatest mysteries of the universe in Professor Kelso’s Strange & Unusual Phenomena. Don’t miss campfire tales, music and songs as dusk falls and the woodland magic really begins.
Tales of Animalia is a brand new area for 2016, from the strange and unusual imaginations of our friendsThe Fabularium. Step into the wild to hear the Tales of Animalia. Beyond the pines and oaks lies an open glade where creatures play, telling stories and singing songs for all that wish to hear. But to grace the forest with your presence you must tread carefully, and with luck the animals will invite you to meet the Moving Trees and the Living Stone Fossils. Whispers have also reached our ears of a Fairy City and Fairy Ball found within Away With The Fairies, an enchanting woodland, home of the Fairy Queen.
Make your way into the perilous High Seas for some bonkers nautical adventures. Think Treasure Island and Robinson Crusoe meets Swallows and Amazons and watch out for the kracken! For the first time adventurers can take a voyage in wooden rowing boats onto Rode Pool and bring a blanket while night falls to the beautiful outdoor cinema here. Snuggle up to watch family classics such as Labyrinth, The Wizard of Oz and, of course, Swallows & Amazons.
Roll up, roll up at Head over Heels for the most spectacular and flamboyant area of Just So. Expect tumblers, somersaults and aerial mastery from the best performers in the land. Gasp and faint at amazing shows, and try your hand yourself at all manner of circus amazement. Don’t miss The Fantastical Flying Exploratory Laboratory by Les Enfants Terribles. Follow Dr Latitude and his team of misguided misfits on their global quest in their hot air balloon flying machine to discover new lands, tribes, flora and fauna!
Peekaboo, (for 0-2s) is where to find the best arts (and right royal facilities) for the tiniest visitors. Don’t miss becoming part of a carousel in Cheval Solitaire the new inspirational interactive dance and music show by aboutNOWish. Music, paint, clay, dens and bubbles, listening to stories and songs and baby bath time here will ensure the littlies doze off to the sound of our choral lullabies as dusk falls.
Winners of Festival Kidz Gold Award for three years running Just So Festival aims to create memories treasured by families year-round and has a pioneering approach to accessibility, enabling families with all needs and preferences to enjoy and participate together.
Rowan Hoban and Sarah Bird, Directors of Wild Rumpus who produce large scale family arts events in wild natural landscapes set up Just So Festival in 2009 to create a spellbinding weekend where families could be immersed in incredible stories and moments of wonder together, and experience world class breathtaking outdoor arts.
Rowan says “At Just So 2016, audience members will be journeying through the most magical, awe-inspiring landscape for three nights. They must watch carefully the whole journey…as Roald Dahl once said, the best adventures and greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places”.
Sarah says spending time together as a family, exploring the woods, venturing to the Lake at dawn, singing around the campfire, eating under the stars, dancing like wild things to incredible foot stomping bands and listening to stories that will fill us full of awe and wonder at the magical world around us….what’s not to look forward to?”
START YOUR ADVENTURE NOW
For the full line-up, information and tickets visit www.justsofestival.org.uk.
Follow Just So @justsofestival https://www.facebook.com/
Beat Herder first wave line up announced.
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Lunar Festival line up announced
This summer Lunar Festival returns for its third year to the enchanting rural setting of Tanworth in Arden, resting place of Nick Drake, and now home to an established magical odyssey which likes to do things just a little bit differently.
Following on from 2015’s breakthrough year, this June’s Lunar is maturing into a wondrous experience across one weekend of magic, set in a rural idyll close to the beating heart of the Midlands yet a world away from the hustle and bustle of reality; inspiring, edifying and a little bit different, Lunar is a refreshing vision of what a festival should be like.
Featuring daytime bands, rousing evening shows and late night beats entwined with guitar driven sounds, there’s a mythical ethos to Lunar blooming from spiritual exploration and adventure. Lunar encapsulates a unique energy which pulsates from the stunning countryside location in which it is set, a sublime weekend which joins the dots across a soundscape of live artists and DJs, and the festival is incredibly proud to announce its first round of acts.
Lunar is bringing a wildly diverse range of artists to perform, from true legends and icons to the new wave of names set to shine. Since their Fuzzy Logic debut album 1996, the Welsh psychedelic rock and electronic experimentalists Super Furry Animals have carved a warped niche in the UK’s left-of-centre scene. And speaking of venerable, Mercury Rev have over a quarter of century of music behind them, their 90s rock finding its place in the present from the New York outfit. The band Television have a devout following worldwide and had a major effect on British post-punk rock as well as American indie rock. And Badly Drawn Boy, with his Mercury-prize winning debut ‘The Hour Of Bewilderbeast’, brings his raw lyrical power to Lunar, suffused with his Mancunian humour and charm.
The Zombies are a the Psych-oriented group that formed in St. Albans in 1961, and released their latest album Still Got That Hunger last year; with almost 50 years behind them, their cult following continues to this day and shows no sign of abating. Os Mutantes bring their own special cult Brazilian Tropicália and psych-pop to Lunar, whilst Matt Berry and The Maypoles weave their culturally eccentric prog-rock and folk together. Bentley Rhythm Ace are the iconic Birmingham electronic outfit crafting big beat to electro rock from the 90s era of dance floor magic.
Ibibio Sound Machine blend African and electronic elements inspired by the golden era of West-African funk & disco and modern post-punk & electro, whist Stealing Sheep’s eccentric electronica – with shades of Morris Dancing – are a quintessentially psychedelic Scouse pop band. Fellow Liverpudlian Bill Ryder Jones has been inspired by genius of Italo Calvino and is an ex member of The Coral; the Arctic Monkeys collaborator is a melancholic wordsmith and musician of great repute. And with her debut album set to drop this spring, Amber Arcade’s floating pop melodies will entrance Lunar.
Further guests revealed include Bangkok Paradise Molam International Band, Martin Carthy, Alessi’s Ark, The Mariachi’s, Josefin Orhn + The Liberation, Victories At Sea, Stick In The Wheel, Ashley Hutchings, Seeland, Table Scraps, Flamingods and The Good Water, Tales of HP Lovecraft and more to be revealed.
Lunar is musically diverse with something for all the family featuring a vibrant range of arts, crafts, activities and games complemented by delicious artisan food and drink from across the region. There is wide range of camping and accommodation options including Bell Tent and Tipi hire, gypsy bow top caravans and local hotels.
Lunar Festival
Fri 3rd – Sun 5th June 2016
Umberslade Farm Park, Butts Ln, Tanworth in Arden, Warwickshire B94 5AE
Super Furry Animals, Mercury Rev, Television, Badly Drawn Boy, The Zombies, Os Mutantes, Matt Berry and The Maypoles, Bentley Rhythm Ace, Ibibio Sound Machine, Bill Ryder Jones, Amber Arcades, Bangkok Paradise Molam International Band, Martin Carthy, Alessi’s Ark, The Mariachi’s, Josefin Orhn + The Liberation, Victories At Sea, Stick In The Wheel, Ashley Hutchings, Seeland, Table Scraps, Flamingods and The Good Water, Tales of HP Lovecraft with more to be revealed.
Adults from £115 for the weekend/£45 per day. Children (12-15) tickets £42 for the weekend/£19 per day. Children under 12 £5
www.lunarfestival.co.uk / Twitter: @lunar_festival