Summer Festival Guide

Introducing Croatia’s latest music festival Love International

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In 2016 Love International continues the legacy left by The Garden Festival in Croatia, the region’s founding event and the one which inspired the now burgeoning scene of electronic music along the country’s stunning coast.

Harnessing a unique sense of intimacy and inspiration, Love International launches this summer in the picture-postcard town of Tisno, surrounded by verdant pine forests and the glittering waters of the Adriatic Sea, hidden away with its own secluded beach and bay. By day a beatific chill-out under the sizzling sun, then as the evenings gather pace the stars come out and the enchanting site transforms; as night closes in it becomes a pulsating festival which looks out across the sea, the action culminating at the stunning fully outdoor club, Barbarella’s, to see the sun’s rise. This tiny strip of true paradise draws music lovers and adventure seekers from across the world to Croatia for a mesmerising holiday and festival odyssey.

Making its debut on June 29th, Love International’s ethos might already feel a little familiar, curated by Dave Harvey and Tom Paine who have many years of experience working with The Garden Festival’s crew and shaping its artist bookings. Now they are realising their full vision, bringing back some old friends who have graced Tisno over the years and also introducing many of the world’s most revered DJs and producers for the first time to Tisno.

Five of the just revealed names are all amazing artists in their own right, each bringing something different to Love International. Eats Everything is quite simply one of the world’s biggest DJs and for the last three years he has blown Tisno away; for pure electric party vibes it doesn’t get any better. Bicep had a huge 2015 and the duo are all set to make this year even bigger, sculpting sublime sets across disco, house and techno, whilst Jackmaster played arguably one of the defining sets of last year with Armand Van Helden, their Boiler Room show skipping between French touch to garage and everything good inbetween. Roman Flugel is a Teutonic legend from the early 1990s crossing ambient, house, techno, electro and leftfield, and prime Swedish export Axel Boman is a bit of a young legend already; his Studio Barnhus label is a source of great material, and he has released and remixed on Permanent Vacation, Moodmusic and Hypercolour. The guys are joined by the already announced Dixon, Motor City Drum Ensemble, Ben UFO, Gerd Janson, Craig Richards, Joy Orbison, Midland, Horse Meat Disco, Prosumer, Hunee and Job Jobse.

Further guests announced include Young Marco and his gleefully genre-seguing sets which have brought him great acclaim; the Dutch DJ is one of the scene’s most creative minds, and Tisno faves Crazy P Soundsystem make their annual pilgrimage to the region. Felix Dickinson continues to add to his sublime career, from Burning Man to Glastonbury to Bad Passion resident, and to being a pivotal part of the UK house music scene, whilst Tisno regulars PBR Streetgang bring back their epic party music. Subclub duo Harri & Domenic make their debut, fresh from DJ Mag awarding them Best Small Club of 2015, and re-Rex club resident and frequent Panorama Bar guest Jennifer Cardini also joins the festival and makes her debut. Metro Area’s Darshan Jesrani is another welcome face, fusing disco and house to seamless effect, and the esteemed Maxxi Soundsystem has released on Futureboogie, Ellum Audio, Hypercolour, Wolf Music and makes a welcome return. Classic statesman and long-time DLC collaborator Luke Solomon takes to the decks too, and Dalston Superstore’s Dan Beaumont returns after last year’s boat mayhem.

Across a sublime week of music, the guys are joined by Adam Shelton, Alex From Tokyo, Apiento, Bad Passion, Bradley Zero, Begin, Christophe, Damiano Von Erckert, Dave Harvey, Discodromo, Dreems, Eric Duncan, Ess O Ess, Fantastic Man, Fort Romeau, Francis Inferno Orchestra, Gatto Fritto, Gideon Block 9, Hodge, Ilija Rudman, Jay L, Jex Opolis, Jonny Nash, Jonny Rock, Jozif, Justin Vandervolgen, Khruangbin, Lakuti, Last Waltz, Lexx, Lord Of The Isles, Lukas, Man Power, Mark Seven, Medlar, Moonboots, Moscoman, Mount Liberation Unlimited, Mudd, Otologic, Paramida, Peak & Swift, Pender Street Steppers, Phil Mison, Red Axes, Ron & Neil, Ruf Dug, Shanti Celeste, Shmlss, Solar, Steve Cobby, Subb-An, Suzanne Kraft, Tama Sumo, Telephones, Thomas Von Party, Tiago, Tornado Wallace, Tristan Da Cunha, Waifs & Strays and Wolf Music.

Love International
Weds 29th June – Weds 6th July 2016
@ The Garden Tisno, Petrica Glava 34, 22240, Tisno, Croatia
£120 for 7 days and 7 nights (club and boat parties extra)
www.loveinternationalfestival.com / @LoveIntFestival
(All names listed alphabetically)
Axel Boman, Ben UFO, Bicep, Craig Richards, Dixon, Eats Everything, Gerd Janson, Horse Meat Disco, Hunee, Jackmaster, Job Jobse, Joy Orbison, Midland, Motor City Drum Ensemble, Prosumer and Roman Flugel.

Adam Shelton, Alex From Tokyo, Apiento, Bad Passion, Bradley Zero, Begin, Christophe, Crazy P Soundsystem, Damiano Von Erckert, Dan Beaumont, Darshan Jesrani – Metro Area, Dave Harvey, Discodromo, Dreems, Eric Duncan, Ess O Ess, Fantastic Man, Felix Dickinson, Fort Romeau, Francis Inferno Orchestra, Gatto Fritto, Gideon Block 9, Harri & Domenic, Hodge, Ilija Rudman, Jay L, Jennifer Cardini, Jex Opolis, Jonny Nash, Jonny Rock, Jozif, Justin Vandervolgen, Khruangbin, Lakuti, Last Waltz, Lexx, Lord Of The Isles, Lukas, Luke Solomon, Man Power, Mark Seven, Maxxi Soundsystem, Medlar, Moonboots, Moscoman, Mount Liberation Unlimited, Mudd, Otologic, Paramida, PBR Streetgang, Peak & Swift, Pender Street Steppers, Phil Mison, Red Axes, Ron & Neil, Ruf Dug, Shanti Celeste, Shmlss, Solar, Steve Cobby, Subb-An, Suzanne Kraft, Tama Sumo, Telephones, Thomas Von Party,  Tiago, Tornado Wallace, Tristan Da Cunha, Waifs & Strays, Wolf Music and Young Marco.

Ali Tillet, Anthony Mansfield, Asaf Samuel, Banoffee Pies, Belfast Music Club DJs, Ben Price, Bobby Beige, Cedric Maison, Chris Farrell, Craig Christon, Cut N Shut Disco, Dan Wild, Dea Brandana, Deano Ferrino, Dirtytalk DJs, Galen, Harahoney, House Of Disco DJs, Jake Manders, James Holroyd, Jenny Jen, Jess Farley, Joe Lye, Jukes Of Hazard, Katie Barber, Katzele, Krywald & Farrer, M3, Melting Pot DJs, Miles Simpson, Mr Paul, Mr Solid Gold, Myles Mears, Nick Bennett, No Fakin’, Orkun Bozdemir, Paddy Freeform, Pardon My French, Park Ranger, Peter Leung, Phil Cooper, Sebastian Spring, Shiny Objects, Shapes DJs, Stevie Wonderland DJs, Tayo, That Inkfolk Lot, Tom Rio, Tosh Ohta, Wayne Holland and Wild Sirenda.

Wiz Khalifa,Ty Dolla $ign and more set for Fresh Island Festival

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Wiz Khalifa is set to headline Fresh Island 2016 with further performances confirmed from Ty Dolla $ign. Statik Selektah, DJ Premier, Logan Sama, Shakka and Tim Westwood, with many more still to be announced. Fresh Island is pulling out all the stops this year to make its fifth anniversary  the biggest and most memorable yet. Returning to the stunning location of Croatia’s Zrce Beach, revellers will experience unmissable performances across hip-hop, grime and r&b along with boat and pool parties galore. Tickets are a very affordable €89 (around £69) for a standard 3 day pass, with VIP tickets costing €189 (around £144), available via the Fresh Island website. 

Having earned a well-deserved reputation as one of Europe’s most unique music festivals, Fresh Island will once again welcome thousands of revellers to the idyllic waterside settings of Zrce Beach to witness international and underground talent across the full spectrum of Hip Hop, R&B and Grime.

Headlining the anniversary celebrations this year is rap demigod Wiz Khalifa, riding high of the back of a huge 2015 that saw him slay the charts with the Grammy nominated See You Again. Wiz will be joined by one of Hip Hop’s most dominant voices Ty Dolla $ign, who’ll be ready to deliver live cuts from his formidable debut albumFree TC. Making a welcome return to the island after recording the Beautiful Life music video with fellow Fresh Island alumni Action Bronson and Danny Brown last year, is seminal East-Coast producer Statik Selektah. Founder of influential hip-hop duo Gang Starr, DJ Premier, is another legendary producer who'll be jetting to Zrce beach for Fresh Island.

Holding it down for the UK is BBK collaborator and rising r&b prodigy Shakka, alongside grime champion Logan Sama. No Fresh Island line-up would be complete without the godfather Tim Westwood on the bill and the DJ will be joined by Melody Kane and Miss DJ Candy. Keeping the party going throughout the week are some of the UK’s finest crews including Shorebitch, Applebum, So Fresh So Clean, Cheese On Bread, Faded andRompa's Reggae Shack. 

Dizzee Rascal and Everything Everything to headline Blissfields 2016

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Blissfields is pleased to announce the headline acts of its 2016 “House Party” themed summer event as grime-pop legend DIZZEE RASCAL and double top-10 charting electronic rock band EVERYTHING EVERYTHING. They’re joined by RONI SIZE, SUNDARA KARMA, JONES, DUB PISTOLS, BEANS ON TOAST, MOLOTOV JUKEBOX, TOO MANY T’S, and SERIAL KILLAZ with over a hundred more live acts and DJs across a variety of stages still to unveil. Tickets are on sale now viablissfields.co.uk for the June 30th to July 2nd event in Hampshire.
 
Your inner child has been given the keys to Blissfields – under one condition – you absolutely have to throw a party. From the soul basement of Animal House to the tree-lined estate of Vicarage Farm, it’s time to go old school and take over the palace for one ultimate weekend party. Bring your sleeping bag, togas, PJs and mixtapes to the biggest house party of 2016 – featuring the king of all special guests’Dizzee Rascal. Regarded as the godfather of grime, this Mercury Award winning platinum selling crossover artist will see in the House Party vibe in blockbuster style.

 
Following the release of their second top-10 album “Get To Heaven” last summer, Everything Everything will also be taking on headline duties on the newly christened Manor Stage for the intimate 5,000 capacity Blissfields crowd this July. Mercury Award winning DnB pioneer Roni Size with Dynamite MC will also join the bill, alongside some guaranteed summer highlights Sundara Karma, Jones and longtime Blissfields favorites Dub Pistols and Beans On Toast.
 
Blissfields has always celebrated the intimate party spirit and this year it’s going all out with its BIGGEST TOP SECRET ART INSTALLATION EVER, creating an onteractive festival site like they’ve never done before. Blissfields will be hosting slumber parties, garage raves, retro living room discos, and so much more alongside its usual music programme, sprawled across a stunning Hampshire arena where legend has it; it never rains.
 
Channelling the spirit of National Lampoons and Dr. Frank N. Furter via the Bratpack, 1990’s and Skins, Blissfields will smudge the eras into the party at the end of the universe. Blissfields favourite and now AIF Award winning HIDDEN HEDGE area is celebrating the occasion by going even more overboard than before… crash-landing its Boeing cockpit installation into a new VJ stage, as SERIAL KILLAZ top their music bill.

The BLISSCOTHEQUE double decker Routemaster bus will be taking a mix of the old school and freshest urban performers til dawn, accompanied as always by a loaded cocktail bar.
 
The festival within a festival for little Blissfieldians and their families, ANGEL GARDENS is back in 2016 programming a non-stop multi venue experience for any age. In 2015 Grandmaster Flash turned up to scratch with kids as part of a DJ workshop… this year, who knows!
 
The CRAFT AREA and an all new and re-thought A-Z ARENA will be hosting immersive and hands-on activities across the weekend, with some theatrical twists while THE LARCH is also getting a makeover with a later run time to include a silent disco.
 
For the first time in the festival’s history Blissfields have teamed up with an agency to host a special 'takeover' of the big top on Thursday night. For one night only, the festival will welcome 'The NOW Stage' that will be hosted and curated by the independent bookings and management agency, This Is Now, who will stage performances from Molotov Jukebox, Too Many T’s, Son Of Dave and more, as part of their programme to kick Blissfields off in style. Thursday tickets are available when booking weekend passes.

Levellers and Billy Bragg to headline Bearded Theory Festival 2016

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Taking place between Thursday 26th and Sunday 29th May 2016 in the fabulous surroundings of South Derbyshire’s Catton Hall, and with undoubtedly the strongest line-up in their 9-year history, 2016 is already set to be a vintage year.

Friday night’s 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 already includes an embarrassment of riches for music lovers across the musical spectrum. Just some of the many other highlights from across all three live stages includeCockney Rejects, folk-poet Beans On Toast, Bruce Foxton’s From The Jam, and million-selling acoustic duo Turin Breaks.

With all-new décor and another stunning line-up planned for 2016, The Magical Sounds Dance Stage will once again be providing all things dance-related in their famous big top. Magical Sounds will be releasing their acts shortly.

As you would expect from a festival described by The Daily Mirror as ‘One Of The Best Family Festivals’, The Children’s 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. 

Bakewell’s 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 Ale’s and Ciders at exceptionally reasonable prices. 

The Big Green Coach Company will once again provide their ‘Bearded Bus’ to the festival from a wide range of locations across the UK, as well as from local transport hubs. In addition, for every customer who books the ‘Bearded Bus’, BGCC sponsor and protect 5 square foot of Amazonian Rainforest for 10 years. 
http://www.biggreencoach.co.uk/events/bearded-theory-tickets-coach-travel-shuttle-bus 

Michael Eccleshall, spokesperson for Bearded Theory Festival says, “We are proud to announce a mouthwatering initial line up for Bearded Theory – we believe it is our strongest ever, and we still have a number of major bookings to release! From Levellers to Jack Savoretti via Turin Breaks and Dub Pistols, there really is something for everyone this year.

Bastille and Wiz Khalifa added to Exit Festival 2016

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Exit Adventure adds Wiz Khalifa, Bastille, Stormzy and Lost Frequencies to the bill!

First lineup additions for Exit and Sea Dance festivals

One of the biggest hip-hop stars of today, Wiz Khalifa will perform Exit Festival on July 10th! Khalifa is at the peak of his ever-rising popularity after heading most of this year’s charts with “See You Again” which is one of three most viewed videos of all time! Adding up to three billion YouTube views, Pittsburgh rapper is one the most popular artists in the world known for collaborations with Bruno Mars, The Weeknd, Snoop Dogg, Miley Cirus, Maroon 5, Lily Allen, will.i.am, 50 Cent and numerous others. Khalifa has been nominated for ten Grammies, including the Song of the Year, which secured him a performance at Times Square NYE! Indie rock attraction Bastille are joining the Exit's bill for festival's openning on July 7th. The London-based quartet has swept the planet with their hit-singles "Pompeii", "Things We Lost in Fire" and "Oblivion", pushing their debut album "Bad Blood" to tje the top of the UK Albums Chart, followed by the BRIT award for the British Breakthrough Act. The world music scene eagerly awaits their new album, set to be released next year which only lucky fans at Glasto got to preview at a secret gig!

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/PnwEcdhO6co

The most talked about MC of this year, a MOBO award winner Stormzy will perform on July 10th July at Exit’s Main Stage. He owns the first ever freestyle single that entered UK chart’s Top 10. Stormzy's unstoppable force proved with his campaign to get his grime anthem “Shut Up” at the top of the UK Singles Chart on the week of Christmas Day, usually taken up by one of X Factor stars, such is Louisa Johnson who has already fallen behind him along with One Direction!

Exit Magic Adventure 2016 – New Lineup Additions:
Travellers for both Exit and Sea Dance are in for another ultimate X-Bass Adventure in partnership with UKF. The magical Petrovaradin Fortress will host Playaz 20th Anniversary lineup at Exit's opening night with DJ Hype, Ms. Dynamite and Sub Zero joining the bill. Exit will also host the most demanded DJ sets of Wilkinson, Modestep and Ivy Lab trio (Sabre, Stray and Halogenix). Festival goers at spectacular Jaz Beach are in for a treat as Andy C premieres at Sea Dance too with many more acts soon to be announced!

Fusion, the second biggest live stage at Exit, will host the forefathers of the dub genre, Dub Pistols on Saturday, 9 July! Last year, the band returned to the scene in grandiose style, "Return of the Pistoleros". The same place will be coloured by the sounds of the popular Dutch indie rock band Kensington, presenting their work to the audience on Friday, 8 July with their latest album “Rivals“.

One of the leading dubstep DJs and producers, Zomboy, continues his journey through the Exit Adventure and after this summer's smashing set Exit, he'll be heading south to Sea Dance, for an equally euphoric festival closure! After "Resurrected", an album that won the hearts of millions of fans, this 25-year old mixing virtuoso from England had the opportunity to collaborate on remixing some of the biggest players like DJ Fresh and Flux Pavilion, and of course, his mentor Skrillex!

The award-winning Sea Dance Festival will also have a grand opening with the Belge hitmaker Lost Frequencies making everyone singing on 14 July! Huge summer hits, "Are You with Me" and "Reality", will echo throughout the Adriatic coast in a special sunset set. These two singles were among some of the most listened tracks this year, joining the likes of digital chart toppers Wiz Khalifa, Ellie Goulding, Kygo and Feder!

King Khan & The Shrines and more for Red Rooster 2016

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Red Rooster plays host to the incredible King Khan & The Shrines and their first ever headlining slot at a UK festival. The Berlin-based psyche soul revue are a cult musical phenomenon with more than 10 years of international touring, and multiple studio records. They embrace punk, soul, free jazz and garage – imagine Roky Erickson backed by the Sun Ra Arkestra or Wilson Pickett and The Velvet Underground, or picture the love child of Anubis and Kali. The combination is infectious. As magazine Line of Best Fit so poignantly puts it, ‘They beckon us to dance passionately and live fully in the wake of ever present darkness.’

Bob Log lll is a punk blues one man band from Tuscon, Arizona. Bob plays insane Mississippi Delta blues slide-guitar with hip hop beats performed in a full face crash helmet and cannon ball suit! Red Rooster also welcomes son of a preacher James Leg and his first ever UK festival performance.  James Leg plays blistering Gospel Punk Blues.  Finally, another act making their UK festival debut at Red Rooster are Daddy Long Legs, a blues wailing trio from Brooklyn, fresh off a US tour with The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion.

Organiser Harry Grafton, from Euston Hall says:

“We're so happy to have secured these talented and inimitable artists, some of which are making their debut UK festival appearances here at Red Rooster.  We love these guys and we were thrilled to secure them but there’s still a lot more music line-up and other activities to be announced.  In addition, there’ll be a bigger, bolder site at Euston this summer too. ”

Red Rooster sets out to champion the very best in R’n’B, Americana, Blues, Soul, Roots and Country –  now an essential diary entry for those who wish to immerse themselves in a truly Deep South weekend experience of music, food and culture.

Located in the beautiful surrounding park and woodlands of Euston Hall in Suffolk, Red Rooster attracts not only music devotees but families, festival goers, and tenderfoots alike.  The backdrop is idyllic, the atmosphere laid back and engaging:  kids are able to run freely through vast corn fields, families can enjoy lip-smacking authentic ribs and soul food by a campfire under the stars, and most importantly it is a fun event where the whole kit and caboodle can get down and dirty to the raucous sounds radiating from the woodland’s main stage venue.

Benicàssim add Kendrick Lamar, Jamie XX, Major Lazer and more

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11 time Grammy nominated Kendrick Lamar has firmly established himself as rap’s new superstar and will showcase his unparalleled ability and powerful wordplay in his debut headline performance at Benicàssim in 2016.

Following the great success of his debut solo album and Mercury nominated ‘In Colours’, Jamie XX will be bring a live show every bit as jaw dropping as the album. Festival favourites The Maccabees will be making a return to FIB after an incredible set back in 2012, bringing with them hits from their number 1 album ‘Marks To Prove It’.
 
We’ll be welcoming the epic Bloc Party, remarkably making their Benicàssim debut. The irrepressible Kele Okereke will lead the band through a set packed with hits and a smattering of tracks from their new album “Hymns”. Another Benicàssim debutant will be the remarkable Mac DeMarco. The Canadian multi-instrumentalist and all round musical wizard will have you converted in seconds to his off-kilter pop which he describes himself as “jizz jazz.” Expect mass sing-alongs.
 
The new South Beach Dance stage will play host to unquestionably one of the major names at the forefront of the house and bass music scene, Hannah Wants. From the Basque country, we welcome DeLorean who’ll be bringing their wonderful blend of indie pop, Balearic house and electronic dance to keep the FIB Benicàssim crowd dancing through the night.

Sigma, Jess Glynne, Twin Atlantic and more added to Isle of Wight Festival 2016

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Added to the already incredible line up for 2016 is Sigma (live), Pendulum (DJ Set), Jess Glynne, Busted, The Corrs, Gutterdämmerung, SIXX:AM, Twin Atlantic, Half Moon Run, The Family Rain, Reverend and the Makers,Gabrielle Aplin, Lissie and The Wonder Stuff. The new acts will all join Queen + Adam Lambert, Stereophonics,Faithless and a whole host of punk acts including Iggy Pop and Adam Ant to perform over the weekend.  

Internationally, multi-platinum selling DJ duo Sigma (aka Cameron Edwards and Joe Lenzie) were the only group in 2014 to have back-to-back UK Number One singles in the form of ‘Nobody To Love’ and ‘Changing’ (featuring Paloma Faith). Sigma will be filling the gap for all those drum ‘n’ bass heads on the island over the weekend. 

Drum ’n’ bass connoisseurs Pendulum emerged from Perth in 2002 to create a sound they felt was missing from dance music. Their 2005 debut album ‘Hold Your Colour’ sold in excess of 300,000 copies and spawned their first Top 30 hit in the shape of the single ‘Slam/Out Here’. Pendulum will be joining their DJ counterparts Sigma to bring their electric live show to the crowds. 

Gracing the stage this year will be the mega-selling, double-BRIT winning pop-rock trio Busted as they make their welcome return. After four Number One singles, two albums, five million record sales and a run of 12 sold-out Wembley shows, James Bourne, Matt Willis and Charlie Simpson are together again, older, wiser and excited about what the new Busted might be. 

What a year it’s been for Jess Glynne who will also be joining the line up for 2016. Jess broke through in early 2014 for providing vocals on Route 94’s Number One single ‘My Love’ and featuring on the most streamed song of 2014, Clean Bandit’s ‘Rather Be’, which was also nominated for a BRIT Award as ‘Best Single’. This, of course culminated in a Number One album in ‘I Cry When I Laugh’ released earlier in August. 

Off the back of their new album ‘White Light’ which was released last month, The Corrs are added to The Isle of Wight Festival’s 2016 lineup. The successful Irish quartet have released five studio albums to date along with numerous singles including ‘Runaway’, ‘Dreams’ and ‘Breathless’, and will be touring the UK in January.

Glasgow rockers Twin Atlantic have a knack for instantly catchy choruses and aloft anthems. Over the years, the band have earned their way to support the likes of Smashing Pumpkins, Biffy Clyro and Blink 182 and have become renowned for their ferocious live shows, as well as achieving Top Ten with their latest album ‘The Great Divide’.

Also sounding out the future over the weekend is Half Moon Run. The Montreal based four-piece have a reputation for their heavy use of percussion and playing multiple instruments during live performance. They’ll be performing tracks from their impressive second studio album ‘Sun Leads Me On’. 

Three brothers from Bath, The Family Rain, fuse blues and rock with the close-knit energy and intricacy that runs through brotherly bonds. The sound of their debut album ‘Under The Volcano’ is not short of iron riffs, innovative percussion, clever wordplay and insidious melodies. They exude a noise and intensity that could only be produced by three brothers who know each other inside out.

Sheffield indie rockers Reverend and the Makers will also be bringing their acclaimed live performance over the weekend. UK Top Ten single ‘Heavyweight Champion of the World’ bought them into the limelight in 2007 before supporting the likes of Oasis on their final tour playing venues such as Wembley Stadium. They will also be playing tracks from their fourth studio album ‘Thirty Two’ which was released in 2014. 

After gaining popularity from posting acoustic covers of her songs on her YouTube channel, Gabrielle Aplin signed a record deal with Parlophone. She gained further mainstream attention after she was selected to soundtrack a John Lewis advert with her cover of Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s ‘The Power Of Love’, which charted Number One in the UK singles chart. Since then, she’s released her second album ‘Light Up The Dark’, which was released in September this year. 

Returning to The Isle of Wight Festival 2016 is American folk rock maverick Lissie. Having reached Top 20 status in the UK with her two previous albums ‘Catching a Tiger’ and ‘Back Forever’, her songs have been licensed for countless films and TV shows, topped numerous ‘Best Of’ polls whilst ‘The Longest Road,’ a song she wrote with DJ Morgan Page, was subsequently remixed by Deadmau5 and nominated for a ‘Best Remixed Record’ Grammy.  

Gutterdämmerung is ‘the loudest silent movie on earth’, conceptualised by Belgian-Swedish visual artist Bjorn Tagemose. Part rock show, part immersive cinema, the project features some of the world’s biggest names in rock, and The Isle of Wight Festival performance on the Big Top stage will see a full live band including Henry Rollins. SIXX:AM, comprising of Nikki Sixx, DJ Ashba and James Michael released their debut album ‘The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack’ in 2007 based on Sixx’s autobiography, and have since followed this with two more studio releases including 2014’s ‘Modern Vintage’. The band will be touring Europe next summer and will be bringing the riffs to Seaclose Park.

Celebrating their 30th anniversary as a band, The Wonder Stuff will be bringing their indie anthems to the festival next year. With Top Ten singles including ‘The Size of a Cow’, ‘Welcome to The Cheap Seats’ and ‘On The Ropes’, as well as their No. 1 smash ‘Dizzy’ with Vic Reeves, the band released their seventh studio album two years ago with a new album expected in 2016.

Pixies, New Order and more added to Bilbao BBK 2016 lineup

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Back for it’s 11th year, Bilbao BBK Live returns in 2016 to welcome 40,000 revellers to the picturesque Basque Country for a weekend of incredible music. Taking place from 7 – 9 July the festival places an amazing lineup in front of a stunning backdrop of green mountains and scenic views across the city. Today the festival proudly announces its first wave of artists for next year with Pixies, New Order, M83, Hot Chip, Jose Gonzalez, Father John Misty, Courtney Barnett and We Are Standard all set to take the stage.

With a legacy that speaks for itself, Pixies will be making a long and eagerly awaited return to the area for what promises to be one of the defining moments of the weekend. As undisputed legends of alternative American rock and with a canon of huge hits including ‘Debaser’, ‘Where Is My Mind’ and ‘Here Comes Your Man’ as well as last year’s widely acclaimed new material, the band remain one of the most enduring and influential groups on the planet.

Fresh from the release of their new album ‘Music Complete’ and with a revitalised lineup of both new and old faces New Order will be bringing their signature new wave to the festival. From classic cuts like ’Blue Monday’ to future classics like ‘Tutti Frutti’, Bernard Sumner and co are not to be missed.

Sure to soundtrack some of the dreamier moments of Bilbao BBK Live this summer are Grammy nominated synth pop band M83. As the brainchild of french electro hero Anthony Gonzalez, the group pair the huge anthemic sounds of hit single ‘Midnight City’ with the tender, heartbreak pop of ‘Wait’ to incredible effect. Making their debut at the festival, Hot Chip will be flying the flag for the UK’s incredible electronic music scene. Since returning this year with new album ‘Why Make Sense?’ the band have gone from strength to strength and with a live show surely unrivalled within their genre they make the perfect addition to the lineup.

Swedish singer-songwriter José González’ profile has never stopped rising since the release of his debut album ‘Veneer’. From his breakthrough cover of The Knife’s ‘Heartbeats’ through to this year’s self produced full length ‘Vestiges And Claws’ he has positioned himself as one of Europe’s finest talents. Former Fleet Foxes drummer Joshua Tillman’s critically acclaimed second album under his Father John Misty moniker, ‘I Love You Honeybear’ is one of 2015’s undisputed albums of the year. This summer the troubadour’s incredibly personal indie-folk will undoubtedly see the cult of FJM grow even further.

Also confirmed is witty Australian rocker Courtney Barnett who over the last couple of years has turned heads with her ramshackle, heartfelt and at times hilarious songs and energetic live show. Debut album ‘Sometimes I Sit And Think And Sometimes I Just Sit’ is one of the landmark releases of 2015, met with widespread critical acclaim the record has earned her a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. Closing the first wave of announcements for this year is Spanish four-piece We Are Standard who will be bringing their trademark fun indie vibes to their hometown.

Peter Hook and The Light, Craig Charles and more join Wychwood Festival lineup

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Joy Division and New Order co-founder Peter Hook and his band The Light, are set to play Wychwood's opening night. The foursome have become a live tour-de-force since their formation back in 2010 and, as well as playing their own critically acclaimed tracks, have been known to perform mesmerising renditions of classic Joy Division and New Order material. 

One of the country's leading lights in folk for over 20 years, Kate Rusby will grace the mainstage on Saturday with her soulful vocals and unrivalled talent for musical storytelling. The Jam founding member and bassist Bruce Foxton and his touring band From The Jam join Kate on the Saturday along with TV funnyman Matt Berry, who will showcase his revered musical talents with the help of his band The Maypoles. No Wychwood Festival would be complete without the legendary Craig Charles painting the Big Top red with his stellar mix of funk and soul, fans will be glad to know that the broadcaster and DJ will join the festival once again in 2016.