Summer Festival Guide

BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend Lineup revealed

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American rock band Foo Fighters have been confirmed as the headline act for the Main foo fightersStage on Saturday 14 May. They will be joined that day by The Black Eyed Peas, Tinie Tempah, Chase & Status, Plan B, Ellie Goulding, Jessie J and Nicole Scherzinger.
 
The headline act for Sunday 15 May is Lady Gaga. The acts already confirmed for the Main Stage that day are My Chemical Romance, Bruno Mars, The Script, Katy B, Professor Green, The Wombats, Taio Cruz and Olly Murs.
 
black eyed peasThe news was announced by Scott Mills this morning (currently deputising for Chris Moyles) as he broadcast his Radio 1 show live from Trinity School in Carlisle. He was joined by British singer Katy B who performed in front of the school’s pupils.
 
Radio 1’s Big Weekend is the UK’s biggest free ticketed festival and 40,000 lucky music fans will be able to enjoy performances across four stages at Carlisle Airfield where the event is taking place – the Main Stage; the In New Music We Trust Stage; the Outdoor Stage and the BBC Introducing Stage – with the majority of the free tickets going to the residents of Carlisle and the surrounding area.
 
tinie tempahThe line-up for the In New Music We Trust stage will be announced byNick Grimshaw while he deputises for Scott Mills later today (4pm-7pm); The BBC Introducing Stage acts will be revealed by Zane Loweduring his show on Thursday 31 March (7pm-9pm); and the line-up for the Outdoor Stage will be named by Annie Mac on Friday 1 April (7pm-9pm).
 
Tickets for Radio 1’s Big Weekend are free and registration opens on Thursday 31 March at 8.15am and closes at 7pm on Thursday 7 April at bbc.co.uk/radio1.
Scott Mills says: “Radio 1’s Big Weekend is always a big highlight of the year for me. The line-up this year is simply incredible and I can’t wait to come back to Carlisle again with the rest of the DJs in May.”
 
Neil Wyatt, Editor, Live Events, BBC Radio 1, says: “I’m really excited to be bringing Radio 1’s Big Weekend, to Carlisle this year. Working alongside Carlisle City Council and Carlisle Tourism Partnership we’ve found a great site and should be able to deliver a fantastic event. I believe that this is our best line-up to date – we’re bringing some huge international and UK artists to the city and it should have a huge impact on the area.”
 
Leader of Carlisle City Council, Cllr Mike Mitchelson, says: “This is fantastic news for Carlisle. The event will bring the very best music acts to the city and we’re delighted that we’ve been chosen to host it. The event also provides a great opportunity to promote how great Carlisle is to the rest of the UK and will provide a boost to our local tourism economy. I’m sure our local communities will relish the opportunity to be part of a world class event on their doorstep. We would like to thank Carlisle Tourism Partnership for their support and look forward to welcoming BBC Radio 1 to the city in May.”
 
Director of Carlisle Tourism Partnership, Marie Whitehead, adds: “This is without doubt the single biggest event to happen in Carlisle this side of the Millennium. To have the cream of today’s music industry and radio talent coming to Carlisle is worth its weight in gold in publicity and will provide a great boost for the local tourism industry and for businesses in the region. Radio 1’s Big Weekend is a fantastic event and we have all worked hard to make it happen. We can’t underestimate the magnitude of an event like this taking place here and the opportunities it brings to Carlisle.”
 
Radio 1 also revealed that it is to embark on its most ambitious social action campaign around Radio 1’s Big Weekend to date, getting well and truly into the heart of the community via a major volunteering initiative. Last year Radio 1 gave students in Bangor the opportunity to earn themselves tickets to the event by taking part in cleaning beaches in North Wales and this year’s campaign will be even bigger and better, getting even more local residents involved in a number of projects in the area.
 
A truly multiplatform experience, Radio 1’s Big Weekend will be broadcast on Radio 1, with a major interactive presence online and many live performances available to watch on demand. There will be highlights on BBC Three and extended performances can be seen viaBBC Red Button on digital TV during the weekend.
 
Throughout the weekend of the event, Radio 1 DJs including Chris Moyles, Fearne Cotton, Greg James, Scott Mills, Zane Lowe, Huw Stephens, Vernon Kay, Reggie Yates, Edith Bowman, Annie Mac and Nick Grimshaw will be introducing the artists on stage and broadcasting from the event.
 
Saturday 14 MaySunday 15 May

Main Stage
 Foo Fighters
Black Eyed Peas
Tinie Tempah
Plan B
Nicole Scherzinger
Chase & Status
Ellie Goulding
Jessie J

In New Music We Trust Stage
 Swedish House Mafia
Friendly Fires
Nero
Panic! At The Disco
Wretch 32
Everything Everything
Cage The Elephant
The Joy Formidable

BBC Introducing Stage
 Announced on Thursday

Outdoor Stage
 Announced on Friday

Main Stage
 Lady Gaga
My Chemical Romance
Bruno Mars
The Script
Taio Cruz
Katy B
Professor Green
Olly Murs
The Wombats

In New Music We Trust Stage
The Strokes
Magnetic Man
Noah & The Whale
Devlin
Two Door Cinema Club
The Vaccines
Yasmin
Pulled Apart By Horses

BBC Introducing Stage
Announced on Thursday

Outdoor Stage
Announced on Friday

 

Lamb to headline Sunrise Celebration this year

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Lamb will be joining an awesome lineup including such classics as: The Beat, Orb Soundsystem, System 7, Shpongle – DJ set, Eat Static – DJ set, Far Too Loud, Banco De Gaia, Babyhead and Sheelanagig, all appearing on the new outdoor Sunrise Stage interspersed with dramatic circus acts and wild pyro antics.

Other exciting announcements include The Correspondents, an act which is creating a super-charged buzz on the dance music scene at the moment, with Mr Bruce, Mr Chuckles and their awesome stage show, outrageous dancing and drum and bass electro-swing fusions!

Afrobeat reggae act The Soothsayers will be dubbing out with the horn section from the recent, highly acclaimed show, ‘Fela!’ about the life of Nigerian activist and afrobeat star Fela Kuti.
 
The talented and gorgeous Johnny Flynn and the Sussex Wit will be winning hearts and minds with his modern, English folk vibes. Johnny is part of a fresh and inspired new wave of folk rock, which has a massively popular family that includes the likes of Laura Marling and Mumford and Sons.

With organically grown good vibes and conscious-party atmosphere Sunrise has 13 stages which will be showcasing a diverse range of musical experiences, from a folky knees up at the Spit n’ Sawdust to the dubby, hip-hop vibes of the visually stunning Chai Wallah’s Stage, alongside the audio visual extravaganza of the Solar Dance stage, Alchemy Chillout and speak-easy 1940’s, retro-cocktail-disco-casino at The Pussyfoot Lounge.

Sunrise 2011 promises to be four full days of big smiles, big ideas and awesome musical experiences.  Keep an eye out for further announcements coming soon, including more headline speakers and all the new content on offer, the likes of which has never been seen in a field before! From the twisted Victorian Feast of Fools Emporium to Time Traveller inspired fancy dressed fun and the mind-expanding visionary art of Luke Brown.

For treats from last year buy your tickets in March and receive a free DVD of acts and interviews from Sunrise 2010*, or download it for a £7 donation from www.sunrisecelebration.com

All, as ever powered on 100% renewable energy

Tickets £108 in advance/£125 on the gate (if they are available)

Full 2011 Line-up so far:

 

Sunrise Stage: *Lamb, The Beat, System 7, Johnny Flynn and The Sussex Wit, Juldeh Camara and Justin Adams, Soothsayers Feat. ‘Fela’ Horns, Sheelanagig, The Travelling Band, Seize The Day, Zub Zub, *Laki Mera, *Munk 777, Avalonian Free State Choir, *MC Xander, *Shimshai.
*- TBC will be decided by next week, depending on other confirmations.
 
Chai Wallahs: The Correspondents, Babyhead, Dizraeli and The Small Gods, The Boxettes, Joe Driscoll, Afrik Bawantu, Yes Sir Boss, Rackabeat & Bar-low, Zen Elephant, Resonators, Only Joe, Free Piece, Jono McCleery, Submotion Orchestra, Tin Roots, East Park Reggae Collective, Extra Curricular, The Peoples String Foundation, Backbeat Soundsytem, Siddy Bennet, Phillip Henry, Coco’s Lovers, The Whiskey Drifters, Mankala Mbuende Band, Leigh Coleman, The Asbo Disco, Skuff & Inja, DJ Moneyshot, DJ Parker,.
 
Dance stage: Orb Soundsystem, Mirror System, Tristan, Laughing Buddha, Shpongle- DJ set, Eat Static- DJ set, Far Too Loud, Banco De Gaia, James Monro, Major Clanger, George Barker, Hedflux, Slackbaba, Tron, Manasseh, Ekanta, DJ Moon, Lucas, Liquid Ross, OOOD, Zub Zub- DJ set, Pieman, Gio, Trevor P, Wicki, Aliji, Jody Opuspocus, Sally, Razzek, Katie G, BRSS (Bridgewater Reggae Soundsystem)
 
Chill out stage: *Entheogenic, Terra Nine, Northcore, Nova, Solar Quest, Nick Interchill, Chandrananda, Robin Triskele, Bez23, Steve Kundalini, Irish Faery, Red Earth, Ben Crystal, Fluid, Nigel Photon, Chillion, Toulliche.
*-TBC
 
Triban:
 
Bimble Inn:
 
Pussyfoot Cabaret Lounge: The Ones, The Mad Cows, DJ Poshratz, The Duckworths, DJ Si Goodgroove, The Blackstar Liners, Rae, Jump Mama
 
Ancient Futures: Hosted by ‘Portal For The Immortal’
“Everything from Entheogens & shamanic journeys to Visionary art & the history of LSD”
Speakers: David Luke (Psychoactives, psychic ability & the pineal gland),
Andy Letcher (Making Sense of Magic Mushrooms),
Luke Brown (A true visionary view of reality),
Andy Roberts (The History of LSD),
Benjamin Crystal (Amazonian Shamanism & the Treesource foundation),
Tony Wright (Left in the Dark),
Louis Standon (drug use & abuse in the western world),
Rita Hraiz.
Music: Live acoustic music to include: Ravi Ji, Adrian Freedman, Shimshai, The overtone Project, Jack Jennings, Green, Ifly, Rashid Sunny Winter, Allen Morgan.
 
Circus (Dougy):
 
Carnival of Life: Read My Hips dance space– “a diverse selection of global dance workshops and jams designed specifically to make you shake, stomp, wiggle and writhe with colour, rhythm and raw energy.”
Pan African dance, african drumming,  Bollywood and Bhangra boogies, Tribal fusion bellydance,Ka-Zimba,hiphop, capoeira, middle eastern and gypsy steps,samba, columbian drumming and salsa…
Plus dance and drum jams.
 
Bloodstone’s Feast of Fools Emporium (presents): ‘1000 Years of Albion’, Edutainment about the Past for the Future. The Guild of Traditional Showmen ~ European Artists & Craftsfolk with a handmade Victorian Market.
‘With a reel and a rant and a right proper knees-up we bring to life the spirit of Merry England!’. Tricksters & Tattooists, Urchins & Candy Floss girls, tarts and tramps, Sweeney Todd’s pie shop, the Honeymoon Tavern, Folk Ceilidh, Vaudeville Musicians, Jazz Bands, the Shambolic Sideshow, Ravers & Ranters, Showtime each night- Flaming Dance& Beating Drum, Cockney Knees-up with Merrymakers Music Hall, Johnny Cage & the Voodoo Groove & the Hoochie Coochie Girls 54, white lies, wicked fibs & shaggy dog fables.
Music: MC Daniel Herlakin, Merrymakers Music Hall, Come into my Parlour, Johnny Cage & the Voodoo Groove, The Idler Book Shop, Chicken Shed Zeppelin, Pentacle Drummers
 
Universal Mysteries (Huw): Graham Hancock, Robert Bauval (author of ‘The Orion Mystery’), Lucy Wyatt (author of ‘Approaching Chaos’), Jonathon Cainer (Daily Mail astrologer), Hugh Newman (author of ‘Earth Grids’), Litmus (‘Freeman on the land’), Ashera Hart (‘Sonic Stuff’), Peter Knight (‘West Kennet Mysteries’), Shaun Kirwan.
 
Tin Village/Speakers Corner (AKA The Green Dome): inspiring talks and workshops during the day and cinema by night, all powered by V3 power, “find the inspiration to get active and rethink a positive future”
Tamsin Omond – Climate Rush (Activism)
Charlie Veitch – The Love Police – & The Kindness Offensive (Activism)
Mark Boyle- The Moneyless Man (Activism)
Bryce Gilroy-Scott – GSE at CAT (Green Innovations workshops)
Bridget Strawbridge – Its not easy being Green 
Charles Dowding – Organic Gardener/Author
Paul Capel – “Cradle to Cradle inspired” -(Green Innovations workshops)
Mark Standeven – (Green Innovations workshops)
 

Kids Area: The same as last time but more… arts & crafts, skateboarding, climbing wall…

 

Songs For Japan album released!

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You can buy it from iTunes here: www.itunes.com/songsforjapan

“Songs For Japan” will be made available as a physical CD release via Sony Music from 4 April 2011, available in all good record stores.
 
Proceeds from the album’s sale will benefit the disaster relief efforts of the Japanese Red Cross Society.

The “Songs for Japan” track listing features an all-star lineup: 

1.    John Lennon “Imagine” 
2.    U2 “Walk On” 
3.    Bob Dylan “Shelter From The Storm” 
4.    Red Hot Chili Peppers “Around The World”  
5.    Lady Gaga “Born This Way” (Starsmith remix)
6.    Beyonce “Irreplaceable”  
7.    Bruno Mars “Talking To The Moon” 
8.    Katy Perry “Firework” 
9.    Rihanna “Only Girl (In The World)” 
10.  Justin Timberlake “Like I Love You” 
11.  Madonna “Miles Away”
12.  David Guetta “When Love Takes Over” 
13.  Eminem “Love The Way You Lie” 
14.  Bruce Springsteen “Human Touch” 
15.  Josh Groban “Awake” 
16.  Keith Urban “Better Life” 
17.  Black Eyed Peas “One Tribe”
18.  Pink “Sober”  
19.  Cee Lo “It’s Ok” 

20.  Lady Antebellum “I Run To You” 
21.  Bon Jovi “What Do You Got” 
22.  Foo Fighters “My Hero”
23.  REM “Man On The Moon”  
24.  Nicki Minaj “Save Me”  
25.  Sade “By Your Side” 
26.  Michael Bublé “Hold On” 
27.  Justin Bieber “Pray” 
28.  Adele “Make You Feel My Love” 
29.  Enya “If I Could Be Where You Are” 
30.  Elton John “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me”
31.  John Mayer “Waiting On The World To Change” 
32.  Queen “Teo Torriate (Let Us Cling Together)” 
33.  Kings Of Leon “Use Somebody” 
34.  Sting “Fragile”  
35.  Leona Lewis “Better In Time” 
36.  Ne-Yo “One In A Million” 
37.  Shakira “Whenever Wherever”
38.  Norah Jones “Sunrise” 

Proceeds from “Songs for Japan” will be directed to the Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS) to support its disaster relief efforts. The society will use the funds for the ongoing provision of immediate relief and for eventual recovery support to the affected population. The artists participating on “Songs for Japan,” the music labels and music publishers have waived their royalties and proceeds from the worldwide sales of the album to ensure that the JRCS receives as much support as possible from this global initiative.  ITunes will also donate its proceeds from the album’s worldwide sales to the benefit of the JRCS, and has prominently featured the project throughout its stores worldwide. 

South London Calling update

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From the familiar faces of the old school to the leaders of the new school this will be the most impressive selection of DJ’s to appear on the same billing at a festival in south east London in recent times. If the tunes are banging and the beats are thumping then it has to be South London Calling for you!
 
Other attractions on the day will include fairground rides, side shows, merchandise stalls, food stalls, bars, photo booths, face painting, giveaways and lots more!
 
Standard tickets £30
VIP tickets £50
Over 18’s only
 
For tickets and further information visit www.southlondoncalling.com
 
Main Stage hosted by Kinky Malinki
Sidney Samson
Tom Novy
Bingo Players
Sebastien Drums
Juan Kidd
Steve Smart
James Murray
+ more
 
Arena 1 hosted by Toolroom presents Leaders of the New School
Martijn Ten Velden
Filthy Rich
Richard Dinsdale
Kate Lawler
Mark Storie
+ more
 
Arena 2 hosted by Raindance
Ratpack
Slipmatt
Billy ‘Daniel’ Bunter
Gee magical
+ more
 
VIP Hospitality hosted by Passion
south london calling lineup 2011

Inxs to headline Southern Sounds @ Clapham Common

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inxs southern soundsFor the first edition of this major outdoor event, Southern Sounds welcomes Australia’s most successful rock export to headline proceedings. With a career spanning 25 extraordinary years and a history peppered with outstanding achievements including 30 million albums sold, INXS are undoubtedly one of the world’s great bands. From headlining Wembley Stadium before 75,000 people, to winning the BRIT Award for Best International Group, to securing six consecutive Top 10 albums, INXS’ relationship with the UK has been a great love affair. In their first performance in London in over four years, Tim Farriss, Jon Farriss, Andrew Farriss, Kirk Pengilly and Garry Gary Beers make their greatly anticipated return in support of their remarkable new record ‘Original Sin’.
 
As their twelfth studio album, ‘Original Sin’ features covers of INXS’ earlier productions, with each song featuring a different singer. This includes Rob Thomas and Cuba’s DJ Yaleidy’s sultry teaming on “Original Sin”, to trip-hop superstar Tricky’s electrifying “Mediate”, to Ben Harper’s soulful and emotional “Never Tear Us Apart.” With Professor Green’s re-work of “Need You Tonight” storming the UK charts last year, INXS return to London with their signature hits as relevant as ever and loved both by long standing fans and a new generation of listeners.
 
In addition to an unforgettable closing performance from INXS, Southern Sounds will also play host to many more live acts and performers across three stages. With saver tickets on general sale now priced just £35 +BF, make sure you get yours today and claim your place at what will be a day to remember.

The Mars Volta, Seasick Steve and more for Bilbao BBK LIve

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seasick steveSeasick Steve and The Mars Volta, both about to release new albums, will be performing new material at the festival that has already confirmed the likes of Coldplay, Amy Winehouse, The Black Crowes, 30 Seconds to Mars and Kaiser Chiefs as sole Spanish performances and Kasabian, Beady Eye, Blondie, TV on the Radio, Crystal Castles and The Chemical Brothers amongst others.
Bilbao BBK Live once again offers one of the strongest line-ups across the European festival circuit. Previous editions of the festival have included headliners such as Pearl Jam, Depeche Mode, Faith No More, Jane’s Addiction, RHCP and Primal Scream.
One Day tickets have now been made available to purchase on See, Ticketweb and Lastminute and three day tickets are currently on sale for just £96 including camping.
The line-up isn’t closed yet so stay tuned to our website!
Bilbao BBK Live is a three day festival that takes place in the outskirts of Bilbao. The festival site, located on top of a hill and surrounded by mountains, offers breathtaking views over the city of Bilbao.
This fuss free festival, with an uncomplicated layout and easy access from the city and the airport, has proven to be a huge success with national and international festival goers. The two main stages and the schedule, guarantees that acts never overlap, so you get everything you have paid for!
While in the festival, take the opportunity to visit the city, just 10 minutes bus ride from the festival site. Bilbao is a modern city famous for its architecture, museums and gastronomy, and it’s just a stone’s throw away from the beach.

Tiga and Orbital DJ set to play at Arenal Sound 2011

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Having already confirmed Scissor Sisters, Calvin Harris, The Third Twin, Rinôçérôse Delorean, The Charlatans and El Guincho amongst a long list of national and international bands and DJ-s, Arenal Sound is essentially the summer beach party not to be missed.
 
An amazing line-up with an incredible price tag, the festival is currently running a ticket promotion in the UK, available on See Tickets and Ticketweb.
  • Four Day Ticket to the festival + 5 day camping: £35
  • Four Day Ticket to the festival + 10 day camping: £40
The location of Arenal Sound is also another of its strong points, with the various stages located right on the Arenal beach, festival goers can enjoy 24 hours of music, themed parties at the Beach Club Live, water and extreme sports and beach sport tournaments under the sun.
This festival has proven to be huge success with national and international crowds looking for a beach festival to suit all pockets. The first edition saw over 100,000 revellers descending to the sand of the Arenal beach for four days of the best pop-rock, indie, electronic music and countless beach activities.
The extensive camping area, conveniently located by the sea, will be open to the public from 29 July to 8 August. Those buying the 10 day camping ticket will be able to enjoy beach activities and numerous parties, including the popular opening and closing parties.
The town of Burriana is situated 7 miles south from Castellon and 5 miles south from Benicassim, in the Valencia region of Spain. With direct flights to Valencia City from every major UK airport, this is the summer festival not to be missed.

Sonisphere first Comedy names revealed

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bill baileyHaving started out on the stand-up circuit before having his own show commissioned by the BBC and making guest appearances in cult comedy series Spaced, BILL BAILEY was propelled into the mainstream after being cast as Dylan Moran’s put-upon assistant Manny in Black Books, before taking over from Sean Hughes for a six year stint as team captain on long-running music quiz show Never Mind The Buzzcocks. Numerous television and film appearances have followed, including regular participation in panel shows such as QI and Have I Got News For You and casting in hit drama Skins and films such as The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and Hot Fuzz and, most recently, a starring role in British comedy Chalet Girl.
 
However it is in his live shows featuring surrealist humour and leftfield storytelling and set to a soundtrack that utilises an eclectic range of instruments, including the under-appreciated theremin and the often-neglected kazoo, that BILL BAILEY’S unique comedy styling can truly shine. Having sold out multiple nights at the O2 Arena plus recently completing a hugely successful ten week residency at London’s Wyndham Theatre earlier this year, addressing a broad spectrum of subject matter from current affairs to Kraftwerk, BILL BAILEY is set to bring his inimitable performance – which historically has featured musical delights ranging from an Emo inspired song to his own interpretation of SLAYER – for SONISPHERE’s first ever outdoor comedy set, and the largest live comedy performance ever to be hosted at a Rock festival in the UK. Bill comments, “I am utterly stoked to be playing Sonisphere alongside some of my heroes of metal. Unleash the Wild Dogs of Rock!”
 
steveoJackass superstar STEVE-O chooses SONISPHERE to make his debut UK stand-up performance where he will headline the day’s comedy in BOHEMIA. There are very few people on this earth who have inflicted as much damage to themselves as STEVE-O: his history reads like a catalogue of insanity, with achievements including several arrests (including an obscenity charge for stapling his scrotum to his leg), encasing himself in a “fart mask”, hosting a fireworks display between his buttocks and being driven across a bumpy desert road by Henry Rollins while a tattoo artist attempts to etch a smiley face onto his arm. Given his CV, STEVE-O certainly has more than a few shocking yet highly amusing stories to tell. Previous live shows have seen hilarious anecdotes from his past mixed in with stunts including using himself as a human match, balancing knives on his face and squeezing fresh lime juice into his eyes. What this Wizard of Pain has planned for his debut UK performance is yet to be seen, but one thing remains certain – it is not to be missed.
 
Comedian, actor and radio host JIM BREUER will show the UK why he is one of the biggest names in American comedy as he flies in for his UK debut at SONISPHERE. Close friends with METALLICA, Breuer shot to superstardom after a four year run on Saturday Night Live and his appearance alongside Dave Chappelle in the cult classic movie “Half Baked.” With many accolades including Comedy Central’s “100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time,” Breuer is currently one of the top touring comedians in the US. As well as hosting his own Sirius program he has an enormous listenership, including a one hour special on Comedy Central, “Let’s Clear The Air,” one of the channel’s highest rated specials raking in over a million viewers. Breuer is a regular guest on the Howard Stern show, and has his own podcast on iTunes top 20. His appearances include several stints on NBC’s “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” as well as roles in numerous movies including “Dick,” “Once in the Life,” “Beer League,” and “The Zookeeper” with Kevin James. Fans adoringly describe Breuer’s multigenerational family comedy as “the modern day Bill Cosby, if he was wearing a METALLICA t-shirt.” A promising picture for what is sure to be a historical debut.
 
Returning to SONISPHERE, Portsmouth-born vegan, anarchist, transvestite and occult heavy metal comedian-come-musician-writer extraordinaire ANDREW O’NEILL is welcomed back after leaving BOHEMIA in stitches in 2010. Having been a stand-up comedian for eight years, Andrew has performed in comedy clubs and theatres throughout the UK and abroad, conducting comedy tours of Jack the Ripper murder sites and regularly appearing on radio and television.  In 2009 Andrew was nominated for the Chortle Awards’ Breakthrough Act, and has received rave reviews across the press, and accolades from some of comedy’s legends, including Steve Coogan, who considered Andrew “so funny I put him in my new TV show” (Saxondale).
 
According to Metal Hammer Magazine – who are in a perfect place to judge, being both experts on Metal and having let him host their 2009 Golden Gods Awards – Canadian JASON ROUSE is “the most Metal comedian on the planet”. If BILL BAILEY is the METALLICA of the comedy line up at SONISPHERE this summer, JASON ROUSE is the WATAIN - brutal, dark, twisted and hell-bent on turning the mainstream comedy world upside down. Over the last decade this comedy outsider has sharpened his teeth in clubs and festivals all over the world and become the most celebrated ‘odd-ball’ in comedy today. His stand-up comedy act is a clever combination of devilishly crafted jokes and ‘freak-show-like’ theatrics, which will pit your sense of morals against your sense of humour as this jester from hell forces you to laugh at stuff you should not find funny.
 
The perfect example of what happens when real rock, comedy and booze mix together BOB SLAYER should feel right at home when making his SONISPHERE debut this summer. Bob’s comedy awakening came while working as tour manager for hedonistic hellraisers The Bloodshound Gang, as they nipped out for a cigarette break mid-set while trying to adjust to the recently introduced UK smoking ban. Thrown in at the deep end, Bob was forced to learn on his feet as 1500 fans threw stuff at him (on the band’s instruction) and after a few days, his survival instincts had formulated a hugely well received routine. As a comedian he has toured all over the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, France, and Hong Kong, Norway and appeared at numerous festivals as well as Edinburgh, Brighton, Bath & Swansea Fringes.
 
JASON JOHN WHITEHEAD has been performing his brand of stand up comedy all over the world for 12 years now and it is with great excitement that SONISPHERE welcomes him to this year’s comedy line up. A regular at international comedy festivals in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, UK, Holland and his home country of Canada, as well as headline tours on the British and international circuit, Jason has headlined prestigious clubs such as The Comedy Store, Jongleurs, Highlight, The Glee Club, and Yuk Yuks. Described by the Leicester Mercury as “an irresistibly loveable combination of freaked out pot head and a south park character, with a bit of Ozzy thrown in for good measure”, Jason’s set at SONISPHERE promises deadpan observational humour that will leave the bands outdoors competing over the decibel levels of the resulting laughter spilling out from BOHEMIA.
 
A hugely successful stand-up in his own right, Kiwi comedian JARRED CHRISTMAS returns to SONISPHERE to compere the comedy on Saturday. His impressive list of credits include appearances on Mock The Week, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, BBC2 sitcom The Persuasionists and Dave Channel’s Argumental, as well as dancing like Madonna for Comic Relief. Having scooped a ‘Best Compere’ gong from last year’s Chortle Awards, Jarred’s dynamic onstage persona coupled with his ability to improvise and roll with anything that’s thrown at him make him the perfect candidate to MC for a lively festival crowd, as he proved last year and will no doubt do again this July.
 
With this announcement, SONISPHERE 2011 is truly coming into its own, and has a few more surprises to come which will show just what a forward thinking festival this is. Boasting some of the biggest names in rock across the APOLLO and SATURN arena stages, which are considerately timed to ensure no clashes, and with an extended break planned between the end of BILL BAILEY’s set (to allow punters to recover from the stitches the comedy genius will inevitably leave them in) before the mighty SLIPKNOT take the stage. With more stages still to be announced, including more comedy, fantastic bands and other alternative performances, SONISPHERE KNEBWORTH 2011 is going to be simply unmissable, and with weekend tickets selling at an ever more rapid pace, is heading towards its first full sellout.
 
SONISPHERE KNEBWORTH takes place 8th – 10th July 2011 at KNEBWORTH HOUSE. For tickets and more info go to www.sonispherefestivals.com
 
Line Up So Far
 
THE BIG 4 – METALLICA, SLAYER, MEGADETH, ANTHRAX
BIFFY CLYRO
SLIPKNOT
AIRBOURNE
ALESTORM
ALL TIME LOW
ARCH ENEMY
ARCHITECTS
THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER
BLACK TIDE
DIAMOND HEAD
FIREWIND
FOUR YEAR STRONG
FOZZY
GALLOWS
GOJIRA
GRINSPOON
HOUSE OF PAIN
IN FLAMES
INME
KIDS IN GLASS HOUSES
KILLING JOKE
LIMP BIZKIT
THE MARS VOLTA
MASTODON
MOTÖRHEAD
ONE MINUTE SILENCE
OPETH
PARKWAY DRIVE
PERIPHERY
PROTEST THE HERO
RISE TO REMAIN
SIX HOUR SUNDOWN
SUM 41
THE SISTERS OF MERCY
THE TREATMENT
VOLBEAT
WATAIN
WEEZER
YOU ME AT SIX
 
COMEDY LINE-UP SO FAR:
BILL BAILEY
STEVE-O
 
ANDREW O NEILL
BOB SLAYER
JARRED CHRISTMAS
JASON JOHN WHITEHEAD,
JASON ROUSE
JIM BREUER

Relentless NASS lineup update

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With skateboarding, BMX, FMX, and Inline skate competitions on all weekend you would think there’s more than enough entertainment but we can’t forget the amazing music that compliments such a great festival. Last year had the likes of Bowling for Soup and Chase and Status headlining, this truly is going to be a great weekend you won’t want to miss!

The latest additions to the lineup include MILLENCOLIN with CANCER BATS supporting, as headliners of the Kerrang Stage on Friday 8th July. NERO is confirmed for the main stage on the Friday 8th, with LABRINTH and DOT ROTTEN playing the main stage on Saturday.

They will join already announced headliners Tinie Tempah and Sub Focus Live

Millencolin, the legendary Swedish skate-punk rockers are heading up the Kerrang stage, which returns with a line-up of heavy live-acts for a thundering good time. Known for their driving skate punk rock, and catchy melodies with tunes like ‘no cigar,’ the rockers will be returning to the UK for an almighty night.  Supporting are the Cancer Bats, the Canadian hardcore punk band who will be bringing their energetic performance to get the crowd ready.  We Are the Ocean, the Essex based post-hardcore five piece unleash their heavy guitar riffs and screaming vocals on the Saturday at the Kerrang Stage.

neroThe dubstep phenomenon NERO will be spinning on the main stage on Friday 8th before Sub Focus Live. The multi-talented producer, artist and songwriter Labrinth is confirmed on Saturday’s main stage, along with Dot Rotten, the notorious grime MC from the OGz crew.

The legendary Skate-Punk rockers, Millencolin, who have seven studio albums under their belts, are going to be closing the Friday night festivities at the Exmoor Bar. Fresh off the back of a world wide tour the Swedish four piece are currently playing their historical album Pennybridge Pioneers in its entirety with hits like ‘No Cigar’, ‘Penguins and Polarbears’ and the ‘Fox’ they are sure to rock the house and maybe even the Street Course. 

Cancer Bats, the Toronto hardcore punk band will grace Relentless NASS as supports to Millencolin. Originally a trio the band now write as a 4 piece with their latest creation, ‘Bears, Mayors, Scraps And Bones’ described as their heaviest, deadliest and most brutal offering to date. Be prepared for an explosive performance from the Canadian shredders

We Are The Ocean have screamed their way into consciousness with their first album Cutting our teeth which was described as a ‘melodic masterpiece,’ with the soaring vocals of Liam Cromby rising above heavy guitar riffs and shouting vocals. They toured extensively, supporting Funeral for a Friend, Lost Prophets, You me at Six and have played at festivals nationwide. Fresh from recording their second album Go now and live, due out in April, it is tipped to be a massive hit for 2011, now you can catch them headlining the Exmoor Bar on Friday 8th July.

Nero, the London-based electronic superstar duo consisting of Daniel Stephens and Joe Ray have been producing dubstep and drum n bass tracks making waves around the world. The huge tune ‘Me and You’ was nominated for BBC’s sound of 2011 with the New Yorker magazine and Zane Lowe picking them out as stars of the electronic music scene. Supporting Sub Focus Live, the main stage is going to be a night of heavy beats  and dancing on the main stage.

The only talent to be picked up by Simon Cowell’s label Syco not from a talent contest; Labrinth has a huge name and a number 1 in the UK chart under his belt. Massively-talented producer, artist, musician and songwriter Timothy McKenzie, has produced for Tinie Tempah, Professor Green and Black Eyed Peas.

Dot Rotten made his name in the UK Grime scene with heavy beats and shrewd lyrics. The south Londoner will be taking to the main stage on Saturday and proving why he’s considered one of the biggest names in the Grime scene.

Main Stage
Friday 8th July
Saturday 9th July
Sub Focus Live
Nero
Modestep
Redlight
tbc
Tinie Tempah
Labrinth
Ms Dynamite
Maverick Sabre
Dot Rotten
DnB Arena
Dirtyphonics Live
Breakage ft. SPMC
Joker ft. Nomad
Crissy Criss
Flux Pavillion
Charlie G
Freerange DJ’s
Krisoff
Benny MC
DJ Fresh & MC Fearless
DJ Hype & IC3
Netsky ft. Jenna G
Camo & Krooked
Loadstar Live ft. Texas and Ikay
Klimax
Premise
Palm
Benny MC
Crisis MC
Kerrang Stage
We Are The Ocean
tbc
Millencolin
Cancer Bats
Tickets are on sale at www.relentlessnass.com

 

 

Gottwood Festival full lineup announced

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jamie xxJamie XX // A Guy Called Gerald // DJ Format & Friends // Kollektiv Turmstrasse // Round Table Knights // Phil Kieran (Live) // Lee Foss // Max Cooper (Live) // Zeds Dead // Perc // Midland // Monkey Safari // Dark Sky // Dan Beaumont // Royalty // Matanza (Live)

In its second year set in an enchanting forest clearing in Anglesey, Gottwood is a festival for the musically experimental and open-minded. With early bird tickets already sold out, this year’s festival will be serving up some of the most exciting talent from across the electronic music spectrum. Last year saw the likes of DJ Format, Max Cooper, David E Sugar, Jakwob and Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs experiment with an eclectic mix of techno, deep house, dubstep, hip hop and drum and bass, all to the eager ears of almost one thousand Gottwood Festival goers.

With last year’s early bird tickets also selling out just hours after release, Gottwood Festival 2010 effortlessly established itself as the leading underground electronic music festival in the North of England and Wales. Incorporating a variety of diverse festival treats and with intricate attention to detail, Gottwood offers a truly unique and intimate festival experience worthy of its position in the Daily Telegraph’s Top 100 UK Festivals list. 2011 however, promises to be bigger and better.

In addition to last year’s mesmerising stages, newcomers to the festival circuit Stop Making Sense Festival (SMS), will be hosting a stage at Gottwood this year. For those who couldn’t get to Croatia last summer, SMS is the newest, freshest international music festival, showcasing top quality dance music and live acts. Nominated for Best New Festival in the European Festival Awards last year, SMS is now in its second year and will be hosting some of the most exciting dance acts over the course of the weekend. Also taking control of Gottwood stages in 2011 will be Berlin-based promoters Klangsucht, sure to recreate their infamous party atmosphere, whilst Corsica Studios’ Trouble Vision is back for a second year, bringing everything from dubstep to disco.

Guaranteeing an array of local and international talent, Gottwood will be introducing some new faces at 2011’s festival. Promising to set the techno scene alight are newcomers Eat Your Brains, who will be tearing into the infamous Igloo on Friday night. Likewise, fellow newbies Louche – the cult-status Leeds and London club night – will play host to a special, deeply nostalgic Sunday morning in the woods.

Keen not to forget the dedicated resident artists, Gottwood will also be welcoming back esteemed bloggers and party starters Jackmode and You Can Call Me Pelski, who will be joining forces once again to create a sound wave of tribal tech-house and sample-crazy beats.

A festival like no other, Gottwood 2011 promises to recreate the mind bending adult playground that made last year such a success. In response to the high demand for tickets, all tickets went on sale in January compared to the 750 that were hastily snapped up last year. Gottwood promises to be the perfect weekend away from the constraints of reality. If only we never had to return…

Date: Thursday 30th June – Sunday 3rd July 2011
Tickets: Early bird tickets £70 + Booking Fee – sold out
Weekend tickets £80 + Booking Fee via gottwood.co.uk
Location: Carreglwyd Estate, Llanfaethlu, Holyhead, LL65 4NY, UK
Capacity: 3000
Hours:
Thursday: Gates midday, music stops 11pm
Friday: 10am – 4am
Saturday: 10am – 4am
Sunday: 10am – 8pm

Children / Teenagers: Gottwood is an over 18s event and no children will be admitted onto site

Gottwood Full Line Up:

Jamie XX
A Guy Called Gerald (Live)
The Correspondents (Live)
Kollektiv Turmstrasse
Round Table Knights
Phil Kieran (Live)
Lee Foss
Max Cooper (Live)

DJ Format & Friends
Zeds Dead
Deadbeat
Chris Coco
Perc
Mr Thing
Midland

Monkey Safari
Dark Sky

Dan Beaumont
Royalty
Matanza (Live)

■■■

Itchy Feet DJ’s
Autophase
Mr Krum
eLDOKO
Dj Mac McRaw
Dom Chung
Meshkov aka Nooncat
Sven Dhose
Whatyes (Live Analog Set)
Rodhad
Mary Jane
Audio Is Guilty
Hof Gutow
Projekt 1
Dieter Polen
Urchins
Ben Gomori
Schadenfreude

Nick Agha (Live)
Count Chocula
Madera Verde & Alex Ruello
Gringo Da Parada
Ed Mackie

Dutty Moonshine
Graphics
Firas & Jay
Wetrooms

Thick As Thieves
Oli DAB & Robin
Lo:Tek
Brinsley
Josh Tweek
Off Putter (Maggot GLC)
D Jacques (Live)
Mr Solid Gold
Pelski
Picture House
Darkly
Cosmanauts

■■■

Timmy P
Ambitur
John Marshall
Daniel Parry
Hylu & Jago
Mystery
Hesseltime
Tweek
Croz
Cubiq
Bruno Schmidt
Tom Frank
Matthew Roche
Jasper
A.L.F

Real Nice
Dan Jordan
Hawker
Get Your Geek On
Ben & Harrys

Ryan Walkinshaw
Osky
Hannah Hammond
Medlam
Kartik Poria
Matt Duncan

Jigsaw
Timothy Alexander
Jack Mckeith & Jackson Edwards
Sharkbait

Charlie Holden
Six’Six
Jonna
Johnny Beverton
Proper Songs
Anna Wall
Sway2
Charlie Jordan
Arko Type
CoBerg
Jonna
Ben Smith
Larry Heard
Crosbie Dawson