Summer Festival Guide, Author at Summer Festival Guide

Major Lazer & LCD Soundsystem to headline Lovebox 2016 plus more

November 18, 2018February 16, 2016 by Summer Festival Guide

Now entering its fourteenth year, London’s favourite festival Lovebox returns to its home in Victoria Park for its biggest year yet.

Having already announced two explosive, London exclusive headliners, in the form of the long-awaited reunion of LCD Soundsystem and global phenomenon Major Lazer, the two-day celebration of music, food, fashion and creativity unveils a ram-packed, genre-spanning and era-defining billing.

From the hottest zeitgeist acts to established legends, hip hop to dance, grime to electronica, it’s a fully-formed line-up that cements Lovebox 2016 as the musical event of the summer.

MAJOR LAZER (FRIDAY)
LCD SOUNDSYSTEM (SATURDAY)

WITH (IN A-Z ORDER):

ALAN FITZPATRICK – ANDRES CAMPO – B.TRAITS – BIG NARSTIE – BILLY KENNY –
CHET FAKER – CHRONIXX –
THE COMPOZERS – CRAIG RICHARDS CRITICAL SOUNDSYSTEM: KASRA B2B IVY LAB B2B SAM BINGA FEAT REDDERS –
DAVID RODIGAN MBE – DE LA SWING – DIPLO – DJ BARELY LEGAL – DJ HYPE & MC IC3 FORMATION – FRIEND WITHIN –
GEORGE CLINTON PARLIAMENT FUNKADELIC – GEORGE PRIVATTI – GOLDLINK – HANNAH WANTS – HOT BLOOD – JACK GARRATT – JACKMASTER – JAMIE WOON (LIVE) – JORIS VOORN – JUNGLE – JUSTIN MARTIN – KANO – KIASMOS – LUCIANO – MIIKE SNOW – MØ – MELÉ + MONKI’S NRG FLASH – ODESZA – OH WONDER – ONEMAN B2B MY NU LENG – PATRICK TOPPING – PREDITAH – RICARDO VILLALOBOS – RICHY AHMED – RITON – RUN THE JEWELS – SG LEWIS (LIVE) STEVE LAWLER – STORMZY -TERRY FRANCIS – T Q D (ROYAL T B2B DJ Q B2B FLAVA D) – WAZE & ODYSSEY

ALL WEEKEND LONG

FABRIC LONDON
EXCLUSIVE FESTIVAL DEBUT

ELROW PRESENTS SAMBODROMO DO BRASIL

MUSIC, MISCHIEF AND DANCING AT THE CARNIVAL BANDSTAND “TROPISKARNIVAL” PRESENTED BY GLOBAL LOCAL, VINTAGE REMIX AND WORMFOOD

SPIN AROUND AT THE BUMP ROLLER DISCO

NEW VOICES AT THE VOICEBOX WITH ROUNDHOUSE AND APPLES & SNAKES

FASHION AND BEAUTY BOUTIQUES
LONDON’S TASTIEST STREET FOOD
AND MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON…

Opening for Major Lazer on Friday are cult favourites Run The Jewels, the critically acclaimed rap duo who have released two of the best mixtapes of the past few years and carved out a reputation as one of the best live acts on the planet. This incendiary double act, AKA Killer Mike and El-P, are one of the most charismatic and compelling acts in hip hop today, merging socially conscious lyrics with huge beats. They’re the perfect act to fire up the crowd in time for Major Lazer’s headlining slot.

The voice of Major Lazer’s global smash ‘Lean On’, and fast-rising star in her own right MØ will be performing tracks from her highly-anticipated sophomore album, as well as fan favourites from her debut No Mythologies To Follow.

Jamaican superstar Chronixx will be treating the Lovebox crowd to his modern take on reggae, whilst man of the moment Stormzy will be bringing his neo-grime flow and viral freestyles to the Park. Stormzy says: “This is going to be so so sick”.

Hip hop, grime, and drum and bass will all be represented on the Friday, with US rapper GoldLink, D&B producer DJ Hype & MC IC3, Flava D, DJ Q and Royal T’s project t q d, outspoken emcee Big Narstie and D&B collective Critical Soundsystem.

There’ll be unmissable sets from some of the world’s biggest DJs. Before he steps on to the Main Stage Diplo will be spinning solo, Ed Banger alum Riton will perform, as will Lovebox friend and favourite David Rodigan MBE. The unstoppable Hannah Wants, dirtybird co-founder Justin Martin plus Waze & Odyssey, Friend Within and Billy Kenny will also be in attendance and there will be special collaborative sets from the most exciting names on the UK dance scene with Oneman B2B with My Nu Leng plus Melé + Monki’s NRG Flash.

Across the weekend, Lovebox are thrilled to join forces with another London musical institution – the mighty fabric. One of the world’s biggest and best club spaces, they’ll be bringing a killer line-up to a festival field for the very first time.

fabric say: “As an East London venue ourselves we’re especially delighted to be hosting a stage at this year’s Lovebox and to be bringing a whole lot of what we do and the artists we love to the festival. It’s taken a lot of work from both Lovebox and fabric to make this exclusive concept happen and it’ll be our first time ever bringing fabric to the field.”

On the Saturday, Lovebox are delighted to welcome London collective Jungle to the stage for an England and Wales festival exclusive. The band’s modern take on soul make them a perfect fit to perform ahead of Saturday night headliners LCD Soundsystem who are also known for their innovative interpretations of classic genres. Jungle have developed a reputation for being a formidable, hugely fun live act and as the sun sets on the Park they’ll provide an appropriately atmospheric soundtrack. Jungle say: “Lovebox is legendary and we feel so lucky to be a part of it this year. Nothing beats playing outdoors in your own city… See you in July!”

Some of the brightest singer-songwriters will be serenading the masses, from Australian electronic musician Chet Faker to the experimental, acclaimed Jamie Woon (live) via the folktronica sensation Jack Garratt.

East London’s own Kano will be performing tracks from his long-awaited new album Made in the Manor, as well as classic cuts from his back catalogue.

Some of the biggest names in dance will be spinning, including techno legend Ricardo Villalobos, tech house wizard Craig Richards and producer Terry Francis.

That’s not all – there’s anthemic electropop from duo Oh Wonder, hook-laden Swedish indie pop from Miike Snow, lush electronica from SG Lewis (live), beautifully minimal Icelandic techno from Kiasmos and electronica-tinged rock from Seattle duo Odesza.

Lovebox are honoured to play host to the legendary George Clinton and his funk, soul and rock collective Parliament Funkadelic. Their euphoric live shows are something to behold.

Barcelona party-starters Elrow will also be returning to the Park following several sold out London shows. Their trademark fun-loving theatrics will be reapplied this time in the style of Brazilian carnival for Elrow Presents Sambodromo do Brasil.

Vice music channels Noisey and Thump will return to Lovebox once more to curate their own forward-thinking, individual stages, as will Hackney’s NTS Radio, Soundcrash in association with Clash, Krankbrother and Corona Sunsets.

Kopparberg is set to bring a taste of scandi-cool to this summer’s Lovebox and Citadel with the arrival of the popular Kopparberg Urban Forest.

Carved into the forest will be a woodland bar serving up all kinds of refreshment from the independent Kopparberg brewery in Sweden, including its selection of delicious fruit ciders and the brand new Kopparberg Fruit Lager.

Kopparberg will also be supporting the very best in creative and imaginative live music, by hosting a series of pioneering artists and DJs on its renowned Urban Forest stage.

As well as a thrilling musical line-up, there is plenty to experience in the Park over the weekend. Shangri-La Superstar’s “Tropiskarnival” Bandstand boasts an eclectic programming of world music and dance programmed by Chris Tofu, with performances from the likes of United Vibrations, Temple Funk Collective and Cut Capers.

The Voicebox presented by Roundhouse and Apples and Snakes platforms emerging voices in spoken word and poetry, whilst revellers can spin around to DJ sets at the Bump Roller Disco, sample London’s tastiest street foods and browse the finest fashion and beauty boutiques.

With even more incredible talent still to be announced, this will go down as another unforgettable chapter in Lovebox’s rich history.

Love Saves the Day 2016 Arcadia Afterburner Stage Lineup

November 18, 2018February 16, 2016 by Summer Festival Guide

Love Saves the Day are excited to reveal their line-up for the Arcadia Afterburner stage, what will be the only appearance of the Arcadia Afterburner in the UK this year. The original Arcadia installation, the Afterburner is a 360 degree stage built around a central flaming spire with dance platforms radiating out to a ring of exploding lamp posts. Having appeared at festivals as far afield as New Zealand, Croatia and the United States, and a staple at Glastonbury, the Afterburner is returning home to Bristol to bring the fire to Eastville Park.

On Saturday the 28th May, the Arcadia Afterburner stage will undergo a Full Cycle Takeover, headed up by the Full Cycle Records crew, compiled of Bristol's very own Roni Size, DJ Krust and Dynamite MC. Legendary drum 'n' bass DJ and Producer High Contrast will also take to the Afterburner stage, alongside the extremely popular Dimension, and London based drum 'n' bass trio Ivy Lab. Other artists to grace the 360 degree stage on Saturday 28th May include Bryan Gee b2b Jumpin Jack Frost, Sam Binga, D-Product, Sam Supplier and The Blast DJs.

On day two of the Festival on Sunday 29th May, the Afterburner Stage welcomes a whole host of household names, including a DJ set from the highly sought after Chase and Status, Lobster Boy boss Redlight, and Goldie, who'll be presenting his 20 Years of Timeless classics. Who??Carestake over the stage on Sunday for an impressive showdown of Girls vs. Boys b2b sets. My Nu Lengplay b2b with Flava D, Barely Legal b2b Dismantle, NYTA b2b Madam X, Gotsome will go b2b with a very special guest, plus Jamz Supernova b2b Jus Now, Kahn b2b Amy Becker andSafesoul b2b Komon.

Mayfair District lineup announced for Boomtown Fair 2016

November 18, 2018February 13, 2016 by Summer Festival Guide

Fresh off the back of BoomTown’s first major headliner release and OldTown district announcement, the festival has unleashed the full bill for itsMayfair district; a playground for the upper echelons of BoomTown society, where bankers, socialites, aristocrats and secret societies rub shoulders. The well-heeled theatrical high-jinx of Mayfair plays out whilst housing the biggest electro-swing and vintage remix line up in the world.

Joining previously announced scene-leaders Parov Stelar, Molotov Jukebox and The Correspondents (Live Band) on the Town Centre stage is the big band/big bass sound of Dutty Moonshine Big Band.

At the centre of the Mayfair action is The Ballroom, one of the longest established BoomTown venues and populated by the high-rolling city elite. Among those setting things off here is French vintage remix heavy-hitters Smokey Joe & The Kid featuring British hip-hop hero Mystro, UK electro-swing 6-piece Electric Swing Circus, Italian swingers The Sweet Life Society, the unmistakeable Balkan stomp of Bristolian favourites The Carny Villains and dastardly duo Big Swing Sound featuring Hypeman Sage.

Elsewhere on Mayfair Avenue, The Bandstand is the place to hear all manner of brass band deviations, including Sheffield funk 8-pieceRenegade Brass Band, the Bronx hip-hop inspired, New Orleans-tinged, North Walian attitude of Llareggub Brass Band, and the UK-meets-Louisiana vibes of Brass Funkeys and Temple Funk Collective.

Full Mayfair Line-up

Parov Stelar, Molotov Jukebox, The Correspondents (Live Band), Smokey Joe & The Kid feat. Mystro, Electric Swing Circus, Dutty Moonshine Big Band, The Carny Villains, The Sweet Life Society, Big Swing Sound feat. Hypeman Sage, Eugene The Cat, Sound Nomaden, Swingbot, Savages y Suefo, Pep’s Show Boys & Sebastian Röser ft. Rosantique, DJ Chris Tofu, Renegade Brass Band, Brass Funkeys, Temple Funk Collective, LLareggub Brass Band, The Zen Hussies, Gypsies Of Bohemia, Unexpected Guests feat. Professor Elemental, Jenova Collective, DJ Louie Prima, Chicken Brothers, Madame Electrifie, CatJam, The Church, Daytoner, Little Violet, Louis Barabbas & The Bedlam 6, Wombo Orchestra, Barbarella's Bang Bang, Manieres des Bohemiens, Mr Tea & The Minions, Swingers, Immigrant Swing, Rum Buffalo, World's Tallest DJ, The Rumpsteppers, BMVT, Jass B'Stards, Madame Barducci and The Goudzy Guitar, The Imperial Works, Antelope, Chameleon Mime, DJ Eliazar, Swing Dance Classes

Groove Armada, Norman Jay and more added to Masked Ball Festival

November 18, 2018February 13, 2016 by Summer Festival Guide

Having recently announced plans for their ‘decade of decadence’ 10^thanniversary festival, The Masked Ball can now reveal that Groove Armada, 2ManyDJs, Norman Jay MBE, London Elektricity and many more are also set to join their creative weekender on 20^th – 22^nd May.

The 10th birthday Masked Ball – this year staged over three days, each with its own very special vibe – will boast 12 elaborately-themed arenas,

There'll also be whole new area modelled around 'A Manor House' – a stately home inhabited by the most debauched and demented members of the aristocracy, complete with its own unique take on the traditional garden fete and featuring bizarre attractions like live pig racing, a huge waterslide and hot tubs.

Shaping up as what’s set to be an incredible showcase of talent across the electronic music spectrum, the first to join festival headliners Basement Jaxxand Jungle is Groove Armada, who will return to Porthleven after making their festival debut back in 2014. Eclectic selector’s 2ManyDJs – the touring alias of Belgian outfit Soulwax – are also billed, whilst purveyor of ‘Good Times’, the legendary Norman Jay MBE, will deliver a masterclass in turntablism for partygoers seeking an injection of funk, soul and jazz. Elsewhere, an appearance from drum and bass institution London Elektricity is scheduled alongside MC Dynamite, with creative party-starters krankbrother no strangers to the festival’s themed proceedings.

With a host of support also coming from the likes of Solid Steel’s DJ Cheebawho will be providing an extra special tribute to the late great David Bowie, as well as Stockholm club scene stalwart Mad Mats, The Masked Ball’simmersive offerings will be just as impactful – providing a multi level party kingdom where themed venues range from the outrageous to the downright spectacular. Expect a myriad of rooms, dancefloors, dens, hidden bars and even bathtubs that are all themed around a majestic stately home, making The Masked Ball’s ‘decade of decadence’ milestone one certainly to remember.

Line-up:

2MANYDJS, BASEMENT JAXX, GROOVE ARMADA (DJ), B.TRAITS, BEN PEARCE, JUNGLE (DJ), JULIO BASHMORE, LONDON ELEKTRICITY & MC DYNAMITE, MIKE SKINNER (DJ), NORMAN JAY MBE, PAUL WOOLFORD

APRÉS, BOCA 45, BRANDON BLOCK, DAYTONER, DJ CHEEBA ‘SOUND AND VISION’ (A TRIBUTE TO DAVID BOWIE), CRAIG RICHARDS, DAYTONER, DJ GRIFF, HEAVENLY JUKEBOX, HORSE MEAT DISCO, JAC THE DISCO, KRANKBROTHER, MAD MATS, MONGOLIAN DISCO, PBR STREETGANG, PETE FOWLER, PETE ISAAC, PETE WIGGS, RAF DADDY, ROBERT OWENS

James Blake to headline Field Day 2016

November 18, 2018February 13, 2016 by Summer Festival Guide

Field Day are delighted to reveal the new line-up additions that will be joining the likes of Skepta, Four Tet, Deerhunter, Orchestra Baobab, Floating Points, Motor City Drum Ensemble, Gold Panda and Yeasayer on Field Day Saturday 11th June.

Field Day are thrilled to welcome award-winning artist, producer, songwriter, and vocalist James Blake who will be headlining the main stage on Saturday 11th June. James released his groundbreaking and universally acclaimed Mercury nominated eponymous debut album in 2011, and Mercury winning second album Overgrown in 2013, as well as being nominated for a Grammy and multiple BRIT awards. He has toured the world and performed on stages ranging from Glastonbury to the Sydney Opera House to Japan's Fuji Rock Festival. His musical output has seen him collaborate with artists as diverse as Bon Iver, RZA & Brian Eno. James also forms part of the 1-800 DINOSAUR collective, maintaining his underground roots with the label and club night and residency on BBC Radio 1, showcasing forward thinking new talent as well as previewing unreleased material from James himself.

Joining James Blake this Field Day Saturday will be Roots Manuva, an artist who has long been hailed as the leading light in UK hip-hop. Recent album Bleeds released at the end of last year included collaborations with Adrian Sherwood, With You, and young British producer Fred, solidifying Roots Manuva's position amongst the most forward thinking in the business.

Also on board this Field Day Saturday will be Fakear, the brightest star of France's electronic new wave: a young producer whose music sits somewhere on the axis linking Jamie XX, Bonobo and Daft Punk. His globally attuned style combines deep, European house heritage with the sonic textures of the UK and American electronic undergrounds.

Rejjie Snow has been rhyming since he was just a kid in Dublin. After moving to Georgia at 17 on a soccer scholarship, he decided to pursue music instead and dropped his experimental first mixtape, Rejovich. The EP introduced the world to his surreal style and villainous eloquence, quickly amassing over 6.4 million plays, whilst his official video clip for 'All Around the World' starring Lily-Rose Depp has over 1 million Youtube views.

Field Day are excited to announce Brighton quintet Fickle Friends, who spent most of 2014 whipping the UK blogosphere into a frenzy. Their debut single SWIM amassed nearly a million plays on Soundcloud and quickly propelled the band to the forefront of up and coming British pop acts. Fronted by singer Natassja Shiner, the band's joyous synth-pop gained plays from BBC Introducing, Huw Stephens, Zane Lowe and even Billboard in the US championing the band.

Hailed by The Fader as 'Britain's most recent new hope in hip hop', Loyle Carner, the 20 year old MC from South London has been causing quite a stir following the release of his debut 'A Little Late' EP in September of 2015, he'll be on board this Field Day Saturday along with Danny L Harle, one of the key players in innovative London label PC Music.

Dilly Dally, the four piece band from Toronto was set up by friends Katie Monks and Liz Balls, with a sister-like bond, the pair shared a common love of legendary bands like previous Field Day headliners The Pixies, scrawling lyrics and poetry to mimic their heroes. Nimmo will also play this Field Day Saturday, a unique electronic five-piece whose nocturnal escapism can be traced back to a decade-long friendship. Lives lived in parallel lend their lyrics a confessional air, whilst the blend of unfaltering dance beats, punk roots and euphoric harmonies are the result of intimate, unguarded experimentation.

Field Day also welcomes shoegaze indie poppers Coves, a duo who's diverse sound spans a number of genres, including goth, psychedelica, dreampop, femme fatale rock, and boy-girl indie-garage. Greco-Roman Soundsystem, a collective of musicians, DJs and artists on the Berlin-London axis who throw speakeasy parties and run an eclectic record label will also be playing this Field Day Saturday, in addition to Montreal based underground DJ Champion.

FULL FIELD DAY LINE-UP:

Field Day Saturday 11th June 2016

James Blake

Ata Kak / Avalon Emerson / Bicep – Live / Champion / Coves

Danny L Harle / Dean Blunt / Deerhunter

Dilly Dally / DJ Koze / Dusky / Floating Points – Live / Fakear / Fickle Friends

Four Tet / Frisco / Gillbanks / Girl Band / Gold Panda / Greco-Roman Soundsystem

Holly Herndon – Live / Jackmaster b2b Gerd Janson / Kelela

KiNK – Live ittle Simz / Loyle Carner / Mabel / Meilyr Jones / Metz

Motor City Drum Ensemble /

Mount Kimbie DJ Set /

Mura Masa /

Nao / Nimmo

Novelist / Orchestra Baobab Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band

Plastician / Red Axes – Live / Rejjie Snow / Roman Flügel / Roots Manuva

Sleaford Mods / Slimzee / Skepta / SOAK / Special Request / Tale Of Us

The Black Madonna / Wild Nothing / Wooden Wisdom & DJ Fitz / Yorkston Thorne Khan Yeasayer / Youth Lagoon

Field Day Sunday 12th June 2016

PJ Harvey
Blossoms / Beach House / Ben Watt Band feat. Bernard Butler

Cass McCombs / Daphni / Declan McKenna
Formation / GOAT / Mbongwana Star
Molly Nilsson / Moon Duo / Optimo / John Grant / Junior Boys / Parquet Courts
Tangerines / The Brian Jonestown Massacre / Thurston Moore Band / Tourist

First Acts announced for London’s Born & Bred Festival

November 18, 2018February 13, 2016 by Summer Festival Guide

Following the success of 2015's inaugural Born & Bred Festival, Found Series are joining forces with pioneering London station Rinse FM to present Rinse and Born & Bred 2016.

Still focused on championing the vital present and future sounds of London, this year's festival returns to Shoreditch's Haggerston Park for a full two-day weekender on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June. Fitting the expanded format it's set to be even bigger, bringing together names from across the capital and beyond including Newham Generals, iLoveMakonnen, Benga, The Square, Geko, A.G. Cook, Loefah, dBridge, Laurel Halo, Sam Supplier, Josey Rebelle, Kamixlo, Murlo and more, with many more to be announced in the coming months.

For the last three decades London's collision of rave-inspired dance music and soundsystem culture has acted as a flashpoint for a succession of hugely influential sounds: from dub, jungle and drum 'n' bass to garage, dubstep, grime, house and beyond. Found Series established 2015's first Born & Bred Festival with the intention of celebrating that living history and the people involved in making it. So co-hosting this second edition with Rinse makes perfect sense – Rinse FM's broadcasts, parties and record labels have fostered many defining artists and formed the heartbeat of the city's dance music underground for over 20 years.

Rinse and Born & Bred will be hosting many of those artists for whom Rinse provided a vital early platform. Headlining are Newham Generals, the legendary duo of D Double E and Footsie whose peerless music and fiercely independent attitude has made them a huge influence on subsequent generations of grime MCs and DJs, including South London young guns The Square, who are also on the bill. Grime's current rude health is reflected throughout the weekend's line-up, which also features veteran virtuoso DJ Sir Spyro, Boxed's Mr. Mitch and Logos, Murlo and Mssingno. Rinse is also equally famed for its role in the evolution of dubstep, represented at the festival by two of it's pioneers,Benga and Youngsta.

Yet Rinse and Born & Bred 2016's line-up also stretches beyond its home city to recognise the truly global reach of London's influence. Also headlining is Atlanta rap star ILoveMakonnen, who last year followed up his huge Drake collaboration 'Tuesday' with his acclaimed ILOVEMAKONNEN 2 mixtape. Elsewhere on the line-up are other artists who've drawn influence from the mutant DNA of UK bass-driven music and woven it into striking new shapes. They include uncompromising US-born, Berlin-based club explorer Lotic, and Laurel Halo, whose wild rhythmic excursions have emerged through labels including Hyperdub and Honest Jon's.

Throughout the weekend, Rinse and Born & Bred's line-up celebrates the always-evolving sounds of London's airwaves and dancefloors. Josey Rebelle is one of the UK's finest and most effortlessly broad-ranging DJs, drawing house, disco, soul and techno into a compulsively danceable mix. The Swamp81 crew return following last year's showcase, with label boss Loefah alongside friends and associates including Paleman, Mickey Pearce, Chunky and Cousin. Successive generations of jungle and drum 'n' bass are represented by DJs including scene pioneer Fabio, Exit boss dBridge, Marcus Intalex, Calibre, Skeptical, Kid Drama and more.

Rinse has always been defined by its ear-to-the-ground attitude, through providing a platform for those young artists whose visions are reshaping UK dance music in the present. So facing the future are the new hybrid club music innovators on the bill, including PC Music founder A.G. Cook, one of the minds behind the mindbending pop of 'Hey QT', Bristol techno shapeshifter Hodge, and the whirlwind blends ofKamixlo and Lexxi, two of the DJs behind London's renowned Endless parties.

The full list of initially announced acts for Rinse and Born & Bred runs as follows: ILOVEMAKONNEN / A. G. Cook / AJ Tracey / Benga / Bugzy Malone / Calibre / DBridge / Dispatch Records / DJ Ron / Exit Records / Fabio / Foundation (Scott Garcia & Sticky) / FWD>> / Heritage / Jammer / Jammz / Josey Rebelle / Kamixlo/ Koreless / Lady Leshurr / Laurel Halo / Livin' Proof / Loefah / Logan Sama / London Some'ting / Lord of the Mics / Matt Jam Lamont / MssingNo. / Murlo / Newham Generals / Novelist / P Money / Paleman / Siobhan Bell / Sir Spyro / So Solid Crew (Lisa Maffia & Romeo) / Swamp 81 / The Square / Youngsta / Zed Bias + many more

Rinse and Born & Bred will take place at Haggerston Park, Shoreditch, on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June 2016. Many more names are set to be announced in the coming months, from both the Rinse family and beyond.

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Arrested Development and more added to Bearded Theory Festival 2016

November 18, 2018February 13, 2016 by Summer Festival Guide

Award winning family-friendly festival, BEARDED THEORY has announced another huge tranche of exciting acts for their 2016 event.

Double Grammy Award-winning HipHop trailblazers Arrested Development are now confirmed to headline the main Pallet Stage on Sunday night. With classics such as 'People Everyday', 'Tennessee', 'Revolution' and the ubiquitous 'Mr Wendle', Arrested Development will close the festival in style.

Performing immediately before Arrested Development will be Squeeze, one of the UKs greatest New Wave / Post Punk bands. Formed in Deptford in 1974 and still fronted by the original partnership of Glen Tilbrook and Chris Difford, Squeezes hits are almost too numerous to list. However Cool For Cats, Up The Junction, Labelled With Love and Another Nail In My Heart are just a few of those that are surely set to feature in this very special performance at Bearded Theory.

Other additions to the main stage lineup include post-rockers Rumour Cubes; unique German punk-reggae band The TiPs; poetic punks Wonk Unit, Banjo & Trombone-led 5-piece Mado et les Frères Pinard and London based Ska favourites, Popes Of Chillitown.

Festival favourites The Bar Steward Sons Of Val Doonican will also perform on the Woodland stage on Thursday (headliner still to be announced), by popular demand.

Bearded Theory Festival takes place between Thursday 26th and Sunday 29th May 2016 in the fabulous surroundings of South Derbyshires Catton Hall. With interest at an all-time high, and tickets selling faster than ever before, this year undoubtedly boasts the strongest line-up in their 9-year history.

As already announced, Saturday nights headliners are Public Image Ltd. Their legendary frontman John Lydon will be bringing his customary swagger to the Pallet Stage, along with PiLs incendiary back catalogue that includes classics such as Death Disco, Public Image and This Is Not A Love Song.

Friday nights headliners are the massively popular Folk-Rock festival specialists, Levellers. Returning to Bearded Theory after their triumphant performance closing the festival in 2013, they will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of the weekend.

From Billy Bragg, Killing Joke and Jack Savoretti, to Reverend & The Makers, Dub Pistols and legendary Dr Feelgood guitarist Wilko Johnson, the rest of the line up includes an embarrassment of riches for music lovers across the musical spectrum. Just some of the many other highlights from across all five live stages include reggae legends Black Uhuru, Cockney Rejects, folk-poet Beans On Toast, Bruce FoxtonsFrom The Jam, and million-selling acoustic duo Turin Brakes.

As you would expect from a festival described by The Daily Mirror as One Of The Best Family Festivals, The Childrens Village is extensive. In addition to a large and well-equipped family camping zone, a rogues hideout for teens, a full baby care tent and a huge variety of coordinated Village Green style activities (all staff CRB-approved), Bearded Theory is the only festival in the UK to offer a completely free, fully OFSTED-approved on-site school, allowing children ages 5-16 to be eligible for authorised absence.

Bakewells independent Thornbridge Brewery will continue their successful relationship with Bearded Theory, once again running the on-site bars and bringing with them a wide selection of Ales and Ciders at exceptionally reasonable prices.

PJ Harvey, Sigur Ros and more announced for NOS Primavera Festival

November 18, 2018February 13, 2016 by Summer Festival Guide

NOS Primavera Sound has released the full line-up for its fifth edition. After announcing the presence of French duo Air, authors of remarkable work such as “Moon Safari” or the original soundtrack to “The Virgin Suicides”, the festival reveals the names that will be at the Parque da Cidade in Porto, between June 9th and 11th.

Among the confirmed acts are such stand-outs as rock icon PJ Harvey and the dreamy experimental rock of Icelandic band Sigur Rós, besides Brian Wilson in a special performance of “Pet Sounds”, the chief pop oeuvre of the 20th century.

Added to these, are names which are key to understanding the most current music: the dream pop of Americans Beach House, the return to pop by Animal Collective, the post rock of Explosions In The Sky, the showcase of the latest album by German supergroup Moderat, Deerhunter led by Bradford Cox, Ty Segall and the Muggers’ rock’n’roll steamroller or Julia Holter, author of one of 2015’s most impressive albums.

As usual, the festival also saves some room for acts born in the nineties. The return to the stage of mythical hardcore band Drive Like Jehu, the always fit Dinosaur Jr., the instrumental and untethered rock of Tortoise, Mudhoney’s electrical discharge, the noise metal of the legendary Unsane, out rock pioneers Loop or the live “life insurance” policy that is Shellac are among the highlights of NOS Primavera Sound 2016.

Some names which are very much current will also be at the Parque da Cidade. The hip hop of one of the MCs of the moment, Freddie Gibbs, Savages’ battle rock, the synthpop of the mighty Chairlift, the ethylic odes of Titus Andronicus, Dan Bejar on board Destroyer to showcase the recent “Poison Season”, the emotive ball of Kiasmos, the Portuguese cult band Linda Martini, Parquet Courts’ post-punk aromas, Holly Herndon’s experimentalism, or the jazz tinged electronica of Floating Points are some of the hippest names in this edition.

The long list doesn’t end here and continues to showcase names filled with substance and quality: pop seen form a different perspective by Wild Nothing, Car Seat Headrest, Roosevelt, Autolux, Empress Of or Manel, the guitars of Protomartyr, Royal Headache, Neil Michael Hagerty & the Howling Hex or Algiers, djs Fort Romeau and The Black Madonna, the experimental electropop of Sensible Soccers, and electronic alter-ego of João Vieira with the project White Haus, the refined simplicity of Cass McCombs, BEAK>’s kraut rock, the psychedelia of Bardo Pond or the obscure sounds of Mueran Humanos, round off a wide ranging and diverse line-up.

LINE-UP NOS PRIMAVERA SOUND 2016

Air . Algiers . Animal Collective . Autolux . Bardo Pond . Battles . Beach House . BEAK> . The Black Madonna . Brian Wilson performing Pet Sounds . Car Seat Headrest . Cass McCombs . Chairlift . Deerhunter . Destroyer . Dinosaur Jr. . Drive Like Jehu . Empress Of . Explosions In The Sky . Floating Points (live) . Fort Romeau . Freddie Gibbs . Holly Herndon . Julia Holter . Kiasmos . Linda Martini . Loop . Manel . Moderat . Mudhoney . Mueran Humanos . Neil Michael Hagerty & the Howling Hex . Parquet Courts . PJ Harvey . Protomartyr . Roosevelt . Royal Headache . Savages . Sensible Soccers . Shellac . Sigur Rós . Titus Andronicus . Tortoise . Ty Segall and The Muggers . U.S. Girls . Unsane . White Haus . Wild Nothing

Love Supreme Jazz Festival announce Grace Jones, Burt Bacharach and more

November 18, 2018February 12, 2016 by Summer Festival Guide

This year taking place from July 1^st – 3^rd, the festival has lined-up a star-studded selection of names to perform across the weekend includingthe iconic Grace Jones, six-time Grammy-winning songwriter Burt Bacharach, million-selling Dutch sensation Caro Emerald, the UK’s foremost neo-soul singer Lianne La Havas (‘One of the most stunning voices of her generation’ The Sun), pioneering DJ and broadcaster Gilles Peterson, and the charismatic, multi-award-winning Kelis.

Burt Bacharach:

"I'm thrilled to be returning to the UK this summer and performing at the Love Supreme Festival. I've heard great things about the festival and I'm looking forward to sharing my music in this beautiful setting with the stunning backdrop of Glynde Place."

The festival once again affirms its jazz credentials with shows from a cross section of the very best talent on offer from across the genre including Kamasi Washington, Melody Gardot, Cecile McLorin Salvant, The Stanley Clarke Band, Ibrahim Maalouf and the newly formed supergroup Scofield, Mehldau, Guiliana. The group, a UK exclusive for Love Supreme, features jazz stars John Scofield, Brad Mehldau and Mark Guiliana (drummer on David Bowie’s Blackstar).

Hailed as “the jazz answer to Glastonbury” (The Telegraph *****), Love Supreme 2016 will also shine a light on the diverse array of homegrown talent the UK has to offer including the likes of rising star multi-instrumentalist Jacob Collier, described by Quincy Jones as “one of my favourite young artists on the planet – absolutely mind-blowing”, hotly-tipped Blue Note trio GoGo Penguin, Average White Band, acclaimed vocalists Liane Carroll and Anthony Strong, Beats and Pieces Big Band, The Correspondents, Amy Winehouse collaborator Femi Temowo with Engines Orchestra, Native Dancer, Partikel’s String Theory Quartet, Trope, the genre-bending Swindle, and MOBO Award-winning duo Binker & Moses.

With more artists to be announced in due course, the Love Supreme Jazz Festival will present over 50 performances across the weekend. The full line-up to date is as follows:

Grace Jones

Burt Bacharach

Melody Gardot

Lianne La Havas

Caro Emerald

Kelis

Gilles Peterson

Kamasi Washington

Scofield Mehldau Guiliana

Average White Band

GoGo Penguin

The Correspondents

The Stanley Clarke Band

Cecile McLorin Salvant

Ibrahim Maalouf

Jacob Collier

Anthony Strong Quintet

Swindle

Riot Jazz Brass Band

Binker & Moses

Beats & Pieces Big Band

Liane Carroll

Native Dancer

Femi Temowo with Engines Orchestra

Partikel’s String Theory Quartet

Trope

Elton John, Dame Shirley Bassey and more lead Henley Festival lineup

November 18, 2018February 12, 2016 by Summer Festival Guide

Henley Festival, the UK’s most glamorous boutique festival, returns to its stunning setting along the river in Henley-on-Thames from 6^th – 10^th July 2016 with tickets going on sale to the general public on Thursday 25^th February at 10am.

THE FLOATING STAGE
As one of the most decorated and recognisable names in British music, we are delighted that Elton John and His Band will open Henley Festival 2016 on Wednesday 6^thto a sold out audience, whilst one of Britain’s greatest-ever entertainers Dame Shirley Bassey will be teaming up with Brit-Award winning vocal group BLAKE on Saturday 9^th. Legendary multi award winning singer song writer Elvis Costello & The Imposters will keep the party going on Thursday night when they take to the floating stage. Friday night will see the festival return to its classical roots with legendary Welsh Opera singer Bryn Terfelperforming with the Welsh National Opera Orchestra. Finally everyone’s favourite singer-songwriter Will Young will bring Henley Festival to a momentous close on the Sunday night.

Will Young said: I’m really very excited to be closing Henley Festival on the Sunday night. I had such fun playing there last time, it’s such a beautiful setting on the banks of the river Thames, not to mention headlining alongside one of my favourite people, Sir Elton John.

One further act headlining the festival on Saturday 9^th July is yet to be announced.

RONNIE SCOTT’S
Brand new for 2016, legendary jazz club Ronnie Scott’s will be making the festival their home for the full five days. Festival goers will be treated to the full Ronnie Scott’s experience, seated at cabaret style tables they will be able to watch performances by the stellar Ronnie Scott’s Allstars under the guidance of Jazz maestro James Pearsonwhile waiters discretely serve cocktails and show stopping food.

NEW MUSIC STAGE
Also hugely exciting for 2016 is the arrival of the New Music Stagefeaturing 10 of the brightest names in new music. Taking over the newly erected big top, Henley Festival will showcase up and coming talent with a five day programme of unsigned acts taking place before the floating stage performance each night.

PURE HEAVEN
Legendary nightclub Heaven will be bringing their sister club Pure to the festival, kicking off the dancing each night as soon as the headline act finishes on the floating stage

Our BIGGEST COMEDY line up yet!
Shaking up its festival format for 2016, Henley will be bringing a programme of red hot British comedians to the festival, quadrupling Henley Festival’s comedy bill in size from previous years. We are hugely excited to be announcing Al Murray, Reginald D Hunter, Nina Conti, Dillie Keane, Richard Herring, Adam Kay, The Boy with Tape on His Face, Hal Cruttenden and Simon Evans as some of the biggest names on the line up of 20 comics who will keep crowds entertained each night at the festival.

FOODIE FESTIVAL
For the 2016 festival, Michelin starred chef Daniel Clifford will be taking the reins of Europe’s biggest field restaurant, creating a bespoke tasting menu exclusively for Henley, serving 950 covers a night at the Riverside Restaurant. Daniel Clifford’s astonishingly creative, flawlessly executed dishes focus on purity of flavour and reverence for ingredients. He was AA Chefs' chef of the year in 2015 and his restaurant ‘Midsummer House’ in Cambridge holds two Michelin stars, garnering widespread acclaim and cementing his reputation as one of the best chefs in Britain.

Daniel said: I am incredibly excited to work at such an iconic event as Henley. The Riverside Restaurant will be the fine dining offering for guests with dishes such as Sautéed scallop, granny smith apple, celeriac and perigold truffle puree and Seared Cornish mackerel, piccalilli Chantilly, pickled white cabbage

For festival goers who prefer to eat on the go, there are plenty of other food options. Ronnie Scott’s will offer superb steaks, Ronnie style burgers and gorgeous fish pie with a fine dining twist. A stalwart of the festival, Paul Clerehugh will be with us throughout the week with his bespoke festival menu at The Crooked Billet, offering fantastic British food using locally sourced seasonal ingredients. Cooking up a storm of authentic Indian food, Hasan & Bashir deliver Northern Thali to hungry festival goers at Spice Merchant Pop-Up. For street food enthusiasts, head to The Top for a diverse mix of cuisine and a never ending banquet of first class food to go.

Legendary events company rhubarb are confirmed as the food partner for Henley Music Festival 2016 and will be managing the catering for theRiverside Restaurant, Ronnie Scott's, and The Terrace. Glen Sutton, Director of Events for rhubarb said: We are delighted to partner with Henley Music Festival. This is an exciting addition to our events portfolio and our culinary team are preparing a range of beautiful and delicious menus to further enhance what is set to be a fantastic few days of music and celebrations.

DIGITAL CABARET & STREET THEATRE
Embrace a revelry filled night of the surreal and the beautiful as you encounter Henley Festival’s international collective of street theatre entertainers, cabaret stars, buskers and entertainers.

From deeply silly giant kangaroos to a lifelike family of gorillas, a troupe of hairy angels and a provocative exhibition of hair art, Henley Festival’s enchanting roving troupe of street theatre entertainers interact with festival goers offering delights, surprises and mesmerising performances throughout the festival.

For lovers of cabaret and circus, Henley has teamed up with the UK’s leading circus technology troops to offer a dazzling show of LED lit circus and cabaret performances as part of the all new Digital Cabaretin the brand new Big Top stage. From neon lit flapper girls and fairy dust ballet dancers, to mesmerising digital hoops and jugging displays, fans of La Clique, La Soiree and Cirque de Soleil will not be disappointed!

VISUAL ARTS
Henley Festival’s visual art offering has grown from strength to strength in the last decade, and the festival prides itself on supporting independent artists and galleries. In 2016 the festival will showcase contemporary art installation and sculpture across the festival site as well as hanging works by leading photographers and painters in a series of pop up galleries dotted around the festival. Artists lined up include installation artists Aether & Hemera, Goldie, Illuminati and sculptorsDanu and Dawn Benson.

FAMILY SUNDAY
Not just for grownups, Sunday at Henley festival is Family Day, where kids can enjoy festival site and interact with children’s entertainers, musicians, comedians and street entertainers including Beatbox starShlomo, comedy from Jay Foreman, and leading circus company, Upswing as well as taking part in crafting sessions and making art, while parents can relax in the stunning festival grounds.

THE CHILDREN’S SOCIETY
Henley Festival and The Children’s Society are working in partnership to bring inspiration and vital support to thousands of children who care for their parents and family members. The Children’s Society is a national charity that runs local services, helping children and young people when they are at their most vulnerable, and have nowhere left to turn. We also campaign for changes to laws affecting children and young people, to stop the mistakes of the past being repeated in the future. Our supporters around the country fund our services and join our campaigns to show children and young people they are on their side.