In 2016 the festival aims to set the bar even higher handpicking the most exciting names across hip-hop, electronic, rock and pop music highlighted by the first announcement. Jamie xx has had a stand-out year with his debut album 'In Colour' reaching number 3 in the UK charts and cementing his position as one of the most exciting producers around thanks to numerous stand out festival performances. Scottish actChvrches also finish 2015 on a high having released their second studio album second album ''Every Open Eye' to critical acclaim, whilst local songstress Anna Von Hauswolff flies the flag high for Swedish folk. UK Grime pioneer Stormzy will undoubtedly slay the crowd in his own inimitable style and French producer M83 will also be bringing his dreamy synths to the Way Out West main stage for a rare performance, and still many more artist to be announced.
Punk turns 40 next year, and in celebration of four decades of this exciting and at times controversial music scene, The Isle of Wight Festival, the first major festival of the summer, today adds Iggy Pop, Adam Ant, The Damned, Buzzcocks, The Godfathers and The Sex Pissed Dolls to what is an already incredible line up for 2016. The six new acts will all joinQueen + Adam Lambert, Stereophonics and Faithless to perform over the weekend of 9th-12th June in Seaclose Park, Newport.
1976 is widely seen as the year that punk was born. The Sex Pistols signed to EMI Records, and started to generate significant press coverage – not least for their infamous interview in December of that year with Bill Grundy. The Ramones released their debut album in 1976, and the year saw the formation of not only The Damned and The Buzzcocks, but also other punk legends and luminaries such as The Clash, The Slits, X-Ray Spex, Black Flag and The Adverts.
Commonly acknowledged as one of the most dynamic stage performers of all time, Iggy Pop will appear on the Main Stage after successfully touring the globe with The Stooges for the last decade. His iconic solo albums such as ‘Lust For Life’, ‘The Idiot’ and ‘New Values’ have produced anthemic sounds such as ‘The Passenger’ whilst cementing his place in punk rock history.
Adam Ant will perform the seismic Adam and the Ants album ‘Kings of the Wild Frontier’, the No. 1 best selling album of 1980, which was also awarded ‘Best British Album’ at the 1982 BRIT Awards. The singles, ‘Kings of the Wild Frontier’ and ‘Antmusic’ both hit number 2 in the UK chart and ‘Dog Eat Dog’ reached number 4. Considered to be the record that broke the band into the mainstream, ‘Kings of the Wild Frontier’ forged a new look for Adam, creating one of the most iconic pop images of all time, which he will bring to life once again at The Isle of Wight Festival.
Gothic rockers The Damned, celebrating their own 40th anniversary as punk rock pioneers, will entertain fans with their showmanship and humour, performing tracks from their extensive back catalogue including ‘Eloise’ which reached the top five in the UK Charts in 1986.
Buzzcocks will also celebrate 40 years as a band, bringing their razor sharp riffs to the Isle of Wight. The band are heralded as one of the most important influences on the Manchester music scene, as well as the independent record label movement. Founding members Pete Shelley and Steve Diggle will perform timeless tracks such as ‘What Do I Get’ and ‘Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve)’ with a rhythm section consisting of Chris Remmington and Danny Farrant.
Legendary rock and roll band The Godfathers consisting of brothers Peter Coyne and Chris Coyne earned a reputation for their electrifying brand of primal rock and roll and incidenary live shows around the world. In 2013 the band returned with the much-anticipated release of their brand new album ‘Jukebox Fury’ after reforming in 2008 for the re-issue of their seminal debut album ‘Hit by Hit’.
Five-piece all girl band The Sex Pissed Dolls burst onto the scene in 2014 and have quickly amassed a committed following playing Punk, Ska and Dirty Rock music. Having completed a tour this year playing songs by The Jam, The Clash, Nirvana and The Specials they will pay tribute to the anniversary of the Sex Pistols signing to EMI records 40 years ago at The Isle of Wight Festival.
Rob da Bank says: “Greeting cosmonauts and mini astro-nutters… so as we prepare for our first spacewalk in July, I’m mega chuffed to unveil two of our intrepid headline sonic explorers. I’m not sure another festival could get away with Fatboy Slim and Jess Glynne but it’s a tribute to you lovely campers that we can deliver such a diverse bill. Fatboy has always been one of the family, and Jess Glynne is quite frankly a one woman hit machine who will light up Friday night. Not forgetting our old chum Mr Tumble and, to fit with the theme, we have the amazing Aliens Love Underpants! Prepare to go extra-terrestrial”.
He’s one of our all-time favourite DJs, the ultimate party starter and king selector, so we are over the moon that Norman Cook aka Fatboy Slim is joining us in Outer Space to headline Saturday night’s intergalactic action. No stranger to reaching for the stars, Norman is the real deal when it comes to hit factories with a back catalogue that will be sure to have your hips swaying and your booty shaking all night long! An absolute must-see, we can guarantee Fatboy Slim will be taking us into orbit.
Fatboy Slim says: “As a veteran of Sunday Best, Bestival and Common People it seems a hideous oversight that I appear to be a Camp Bestival virgin, especially as a father of two. Consequently myself, Zoe and our two little smashers will be embedded for a weekend of family frolics and nocturnal adventures, be assured we will make up for lost time!”
A bonafide superstar in the making, we are extremely pleased to announce Jess Glynne will be headlining Friday night at Camp Bestival! One of only two female solo singers to rack up five number one singles, in just over a year Jess has already become one of the UKs most successful singers ever. A frequent collaborator of former Camp headliners, Clean Bandit, Jess’s solo work has taken her beyond the stratosphere, which will make it handy for her when she joins us all in Outer Space! Yes!
Heading straight for our universe, direct from London’s West End, we’re delighted to announce that the acclaimed adaptation of smash hit children’s book, Aliens Love Underpants will be making a very special appearance at Camp Bestival, too. A zany and hilarious tale delightfully brought to life with stunning effects, madcap action, original music (and lots of aliens of course!) it’s a fantastically fresh and funny production that will delight the whole family. You'll laugh your PANTS off!
The Aliens Love Underpants team told us: “Hold onto your pants Camp Bestival! We will be setting up spaceship tents and will be on the look-out for camping pants, festival pants and music pants at Lulworth Castle next July! See you in your best briefs!”
We’re also hugely excited to announce that one of our favourite double acts of all time, Dick and Dom will be blasting back to Lulworth Castle this July to rule the main stage at Spacecamp Dorset. Never less than face-achingly brilliant, expect tongue-in-cheek slapstick, catchphrases galore, and hilarious audience interaction at warp factor 10!
Commenting on their return to Camp Bestival Dick and Dom said “We promise to be full on luna-tics and very astra-naughty. We can’t wait!! Three, two, one…. blast off to planet Dick and Dom”.
And no Camp Bestival would be complete without the greatest cosmic clown known to man, Mr Tumble! The Makaton marvel will be firing the manoeuvring thrusters for one of his trademark sing-along and slapstick sets that will have the tots in a space frenzy! Always a massive draw on the Castle Stage, Mr Tumble is an institution and not to be missed!
And that’s not all! Searching the possibilities of infinite space throughout the weekend, we will also have cosmic joy with Flying Astronauts, Planetarium Shows, Cosmology Workshops, Stargazing, Space Orchestras, Rocket Building, Space Smells, Post A Space Card, Giant Rockets, Build Your Own Planet, Make Space Murals and lots more. With plenty of edifying action from the National Space Centre, The Science Museum, Royal Observatory Greenwich, Okido, Explorer Domes and many more.
Artists on this year's bill include techno royalty, DJ and producer Andrew Weatherall, Ostgut Ton former label manager and long-serving electronic music figure Nick Höppner and Simple Record's founder and the man behind AUS Music, Will Saul. Also joining this years line-up will be Robert Johnson family member Roman Flügel, the highly regarded Joy Orbison, former Life and Death label manager Job Jobse, Drone Logic artist Daniel Avery and the much sought after Geneva based DJ Sonja Mooner.
Other names on the bill include Berghain and Panorama bar resident Tama Sumo, the timeless house and techno producer Prosumer, music ambassadors Psychemagik and Scottish Sub Club residents Optimo. Axel Boman will also bring his distinctive yet dance floor friendly sound to a Gottwood stage, along with Balearic disco king Felix Dickinson and US based African cassette collector, blogger and DJ Awesome Tapes From Africa.
Ensuring all musical bases are covered, Gottwood welcomes the return of drum and bass purveyorChimpo, forward thinking bass trio Ivy Lab, rave legends 2 Bad Mice and Foul Play, and the young Bristol producer Hodge, who'll bring a b2b set with fellow Bristol based artist Kowton to the forest. Elsewhere, Appleblim, Roly Porter and Shackleton delve into their iconic leftfield strain of dance floor electronica, whilst Glenn Astro, Max Graef and Al Dobson Jr will bring their jazz infused house and hip-hop-flecked samples to the mix.
Live Acts this year come in the form of a Crazy P full band performance, who fuse slinky underground disco, deep electronic throbs and shimmering pop moments produce dance music with a voice, heart, and soul. Ostgut Ton's Virginia will play a live PA set and Frankfurt based Lauer will also perform live. Live house stalwart Mr G will play a rare set, as will fast rising 22a records homestay Reginald Omas Mamode IV.
Local, Anglesey world music heroes Drymbago will bring their blend of afro, funk and cumbria to the live stage, alongwith Texan three piece guitar band Khruangbin, who's sound has been described as Thai funk, crafting hypnotic, spacious, drifting soulmusic with a cinematic dreaminess.
Gottwood has become a Festival favourite, with many artists on the bill returning year on year to play, and party, in the enchanting Welsh woodland. Acts returning include micro house pioneer and Perlon founder Zip and Germany's much beloved electronic soul Move D and leader of the gang, tINI this time bringing her gang to the forest. Futureboogie label regulars PBR Streetgang, 2020 Vision head honcho Ralph Lawson, One Records Adam Shelton and Boiler Room host and Rhythm Section label owner Bradley Zero also return. Fabric's Craig Richards will be once again joined by Hessle Audio co-founder Ben UFO for a marathon b2b set, a memorable moment that closed Gottwood's Walled Garden area during last years event.
Determined to bring the finest of underground talent to their coastal woodland location, Gottwood will host stages from – 22a, AUS, Back 2 Basics, Bade Records, Banoffee Pies, Boxford, Brotherhood Soundsystem, Butter Side Up, Dream Catalogue, Future Disco, Futureboogie, Half Baked Records, Hit & Run, Hypercolour, In A Lonely Place, Jaunt, Jigsaw Presents, Louche, LZRDM, Nixwax, Not An Animal, One Records, Percolate, Rhythm Section, Road to Nowhere, Secretsundaze, Studio 89, The Nothing Special, Tief, Warm Up, Waxxx, Wigflex, Wolf.
Newly announced Gotwood Family members for this year include Berlin's Renate, who first crossed paths with the Gottwood team at Garden Festival in Croatia, the stage will be home to Axel Boman& residents Peak & Swift who'll be presenting a very special 12hr takeover. Also new this year will be the London party brand Half Baked, showcasing their Half Baked Records imprint at the Festival, whilst Rug Dug presents his label Ruf Kutz, a takeover with his trusty Manchester friends in his own 'Ruf Dug Kutz Lab' venue. Returning for this year will be tINI, hosting a stage with the full tINI & The Gang, in addition to 2 Bad Mice, back for their 4th year, this time presenting a 2 Bad Mice Jungle Takeover.
FULL LINE UP 2016
2 Bad Mice / Adam Shelton / Al Dobson Jr / Andrew Weatherall b2b Roman Flügel / Alex Arnout / Antony Di Francesco / Appleblim / Awesome Tapes From Africa / Archie Hamilton / Axel Boman /
Bad Passion / Bastien Keb (Live) / Beautiful Swimmers / Black Josh / Bradley Zero /
Blackhall & Bookless / Cassio Kohl / Cedric Maison / Chimpo / Crazy P (Live) /
Craig Richards b2b Ben UFO / Daniel Avery / Dave Harvey / Denney / Detboi / DJ Deep /
Drymbago (Live) / Felix Dickinson / Foul Play / Frits Wentink / FYI Chris / Glenn Astro / Glowing Palms / Grain / Harry McCanna / Henry Wu / HKE / Ivy Lab / Jane Fitz / Jeen Bassa / Job Jobse / Joy Orbison / Jozef K / Khruangbin (Live) / Kowton b2b Hodge /
Krywald & Farrer / Last Waltz / Lauer (Live) / Maribou State / Max Graef / Mirko Loco / Morris Cowan (Live) / Move D / Mr G (Live) / Nick Höppner / Nicolas Lutz / Optimo / Paramida / Pedestrian
PBR Streetgang / Peak & Swift / Prosumer / Psychemagik / Ralph Lawson / Roly Porter / Reginald Omas Mamode IV (Live) / Ruf Dug / Sam Russo / Saoirse / Secretsundaze / Sebastian Voigt / Shackleton (Live) Sonja Moonear / Tama Sumo / Tenderlonious / The Mole / tINI / Tristan Da Cunha / Virginia /
Waifs & Strays / Will Saul / Wolf Music / Zip
Aaron Levitt / Adam Ross / Aidan Doherty / Alan Cross / Alec Falconer / Assheaton / Athoms / Banoffee Pies & Friends / Bobby Pleasure / Brinsley / Brothers Black / Brothers Of Jah / Chad / Charlie Banks / Charlie Jordan / Charlie MacFarley / Chungking Mansions / Cici / Croz / Culture / Dan Jordan / Dave Beer / Dom Chung / E-Ratik / Ed Mackie / Ed Steele / Ed Sweet / Edward Antonio / eLDOKO / Em Williams / Gavin Hogan / Greg Brockman / Gus Emmett / Half Baked DJ's / Hamish Cole / Harri Pepper / Hesseltime / Hizatron / Hugh Bailey / In A Lonely Place / Indra / Itchy Rich / Jacques Adda / James Sison / Jigsaw / John Scudamore / Jonny Opo / Jonny Sleight / Jonny Tawn / Jorge Martins / Josh Tweek / Joshua Brill / Kaim Shah / Kostas G / Lorcan Mak / Lukas Wigflex / M.Miutante / Maff C / Master & Commander / Metrodome / Metske / Mr Paul / Nanny Banton / Nick Wood / Phase 2 / Preston Brooks / Pyravid / Racubah Soundsystem / Ralph Giles / Ramji / Rankin / Real Nice / Reme / Remember / Rich Reason / Rob Amboule / Robin Ordell / Robin Sure / Sam Bangura / Sean Brosnan / Sharkbait / Silas & Snare Surgeon / Sisterhood / SoulJam / Ste Roberts / Studio 89 DJ's / T-Man / Talk & Smoke / The Hat / Titan / Tom Saunders / Truthos Mufasa / Wet Play DJ's / Will A / Will Brockbank / Zoo Look
Reading & Leeds Festivals are excited to announce RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS as the first headliners for 2016.
Taking to the main stage for what promises to be a phenomenal headline set as a FESTIVAL EXCLUSIVE, Red Hot Chili Peppers are; Anthony Kiedis, Flea, Chad Smith and Josh Klinghoffer. Returning to Reading and Leeds Festival nine years after their last performance there, it’s fair to say their live return is highly anticipated. When the band were asked which UK Festival they would like to play next summer, Chad Smith commented “the simultaneous answer was ‘Reading and Leeds’”
Melvin Benn commented:
“I’m thrilled to be able to announce Red Hot Chili Peppers as the first headliner for Reading & Leeds 2016, as a festival exclusive. Their incredible live show will be an unforgettable headline performance at the UK's biggest music festival. We’ve still got some really exciting names to announce and I can’t wait to reveal the rest of the line up. It’s going to be our best year yet.”
The 1975 will be making a huge appearance at next year’s festival following the release of their highly anticipated second album. With a gargantuan new stage set up and a fiercely dedicated fan base, their appearance is going to be undeniably special.
Mancunian festival favourites Courteeners will also be returning in majestic fashion in 2016, following the release of ‘Concrete Love’ and a huge show in Heaton Park earlier this summer, priming them for a massive performance.
With a famously visceral live show, Twenty One Pilots appearance at Reading & Leeds 2016 looks set to be nothing short of mind blowing, especially in the wake of their November sold-out UK tour and their recent album Blurryface, which topped the Billboard Charts. 2015 has been a huge year for the guys and with another sold out tour under their belts in February and two nights at Madison Square Garden in the summer, 2016 is set to be another incredible year for this band and their performance at Reading & Leeds will definitely cement them as the most exciting band around right now.
Slaves embody some of the emerging talent on offer at the festival, moving into a bigger slot after storming their performance this year, not to mention their Mercury Prize nomination earlier this month.
Slaves commented:
“It's always a pleasure to play at Reading and Leeds and it's an honour to be invited back to play again in 2016. The crowds have been good to us and we are always very grateful. The line up is always a gooden and we're looking forward to being part of it and taking things up another level this time. See you there xxx”
Another group known for their raucous live shows, HINDS have undoubtedly proved themselves as one of the finest new bands to surface this year, winning crowds over across Europe with their delightfully ramshackle performance, fans will need to look out for their debut Reading and Leeds performance. RAT BOY is also joining the line up – fresh after a summer of huge shows, including last month’s inaugural Community Festival and a recent tour supporting The 1975, hit singles such as ‘Sign On’ and ‘Fake ID’ will no doubt draw huge sing-alongs.
Rat Boy commented:
“It’s gonna be lit!”
Reading & Leeds favourites Crossfaith will no doubt see a crowd of thousands descend on the legendary Japanese rave-metal group’s performance.
Crossfaith commented:
“It is an absolute honour to be invited to legendary rock festival ‘Reading & Leeds’ three years in a row. We are always feeling your big love for us! Can't wait to party and rock with you guys! See you in da pit! Let's make history!”
Kicking off a huge dance line up, the iconic DJ EZ has also been revealed to perform. A master of his craft, EZ has played to crowds all over the world over the last decade, making him the perfect candidate to get the Reading & Leeds crowd moving.
DJ EZ commented:
"I can't wait for these festivals! Looking forward to seeing you there."
Giving the festival a massive injection of memorable anthems and electrifying electronica, the two British favourites will ensure a spectacular start to what is the first festival of the summer, ahead of a full weekend of live music and entertainment.
Stereophonics’ Kelly Jones said: “I love playing the Isle Of Wight Festival. I got to steer the boat over last time. Captain of the ship and honked the horn! Only the captain gets to honk the horn. This will be our third time at the festival…. I'll leave my white suit at home this time though!”
Faithless said: "We cant wait to return to play such an iconic festival for the second time. We were proud to be part of its relaunch in 2005 and it's an absolute pleasure to be invited back.”
Festival promoter John Giddings said: “We are delighted to welcome Stereophonics and Faithless back to The Isle of Wight Festival to co-headline the Friday night. Stereophonics continue to prove they are still on top with a new No. 1 album and they are absolutely brilliant live. Likewise Faithless, who are currently celebrating their 20th year, have had hit after hit, and I know the crowds at the festival are going to go crazy when they bring their live set up to the Friday night. Looking forward to catching their sets!”
Without doubt one of the UK’s best bands, Stereophonics recently scored another No. 1 album with their latest release ‘Keep The Village Alive’. Their achievements over the past two decades are many; six No. 1 albums, 26 Top 40 singles, including the No. 1 hit ‘Dakota’, and wide acclaim for their live performance which has seen them become a firm festival favourite. Armed with new hits C’est La Vie, I Wanna Get Lost With You, Song For The Summer and classic songs such as ‘Local Boy in the Photograph’, ‘The Bartender and the Thief’, ‘Have a Nice Day’, ‘Dakota’ and more Friday night will be a fantastic evening.
British electronic dance icons Faithless created club classics such as ‘God is a DJ’, ‘Insomnia’ and ‘We Come 1’ and have sold over 15 million records worldwide. To celebrate their 20th anniversary the band created a special remix album ‘Faithless 2.0.’ featuring remixes from some of the biggest DJs today including Avicii, Tiesto, Eric Prdyz and Armin Van Buuren paying tribute to their enduring legacy.
From its early inception back in 2007, Field Day has evolved across two days, heightened its levels of production, expanded its culinary and extra-curricular activities, yet always remained true to its core values – impeccably curated music at the heart of everything it does is. Continuing this ethos Field Day are honoured to announce PJ Harvey for a London exclusive in 2016 on Sunday the 12th June.
Since her first album Dry – a record Kurt Cobain considered one of the 20 greatest albums ever written – PJ Harvey has received worldwide acclaim for her unique, restless artistic vision. The recipient of multiple awards, she is the only artist to have won the Mercury Music prize twice, first with the platinum selling Stories From The City: Stories From The Sea in 2000, then over a decade on with 2011's Let England Shake.
2015 has found PJ Harvey breaking more new ground, releasing her first volume of poetry and writing and recording her as-yet-untitled 9th studio album in front of live audiences inside an architectural installation at Somerset House.
Awarded an MBE for services to music in 2013, her headline slot will be a Field Day exclusive and be the first UK live, full band show since she played at the Royal Albert Hall in 2011.
FIELD DAY 2016 – Saturday
Elsewhere at their decade celebrations, Field Day Saturday will see long time friend of the festival Four Tet play a key slot on the Eat Your Own Ears Main Stage."One of the UK's most dedicated club DJs, capable of holding a room in sweaty excelsis for eight hours without pause." He's restlessly dedicated his life to creating other-worldly club music, with his timeless productions sounding like they've been beamed from another dimension.
All-conquering grime superstar Skepta graces Victoria Park with his presence as he continues to bring grime kicking and screaming into 2016. A new album imminent with a reportedly all star cast of collaborators, his ascendancy continues at pace. Get set to get Shutdown.
Led by the enigmatic frontman Bradford Fox, Deerhunter bring their gloriously shape-shifting genres and sounds, vacillating from post-punk to pop, auspiciously under the all-encompassing umbrella of indie-rock.
Floating Points has won over crowds around the world with his strictly vinyl club sessions, spanning, house, techno, soul and disco, steadily climbing the ranks of the globes most impressive DJ's. Floating Points will bring his enchanting full band show to Field Day Saturday, for a mesmerising performance filled with warm electro weaves and delicate euphoria.
Mercury Prize nominated and this year's rising star SOAK will also appear on Saturday, along with a further line-up which veers into corners as diverse as Cass McCombs blending rock, folk, psychedelic, punk, and alt country, plus Yorkston Thorne Khan, which encompasses the mighty Scottish folk nobility of James Yorkston.
Founded in 1970, the six piece Senegalese Afro-Cuban, Son, Wolof and Pachanga band Orchestra Baobab, are hailed as one of Africa's great iconic bands, producing more hits in less than a decade than other bands in a lifetime. Elsewhere, Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band will bring their mix of traditional Thai sound with echoes of folk-rock, blues and dub to a Field Day stage.
Renowned for their beautifully blissed out sound, London duo Mount Kimbie come to Field Day on the Saturday and will be joining DJ Koze who was recently selected to mix the 50th edition of !K7's seminal DJ Kicks series. Also up on the Saturday is Motor City Drum Ensemble – a much in demand artist who over the the past few years he's cemented his reputation as one of the top ranking record pioneers making Resident Advisor's Top 20 DJs last year.
One of the biggest names in the German electronic music scene and part of the Robert Johnson family, Roman Flügel is also on Saturday's line-up. A chameleon visiting many styles from ambient to house, techno, electro and leftfield. Special Request, the rugged alias for house and techno stalwart Paul Woolford is inspired by the unruly conventions of UK pirate radio stations, with productions span from murky house through darkside techno to chaotic eye-of-the-storm hardcore/jungle tear-outs. Also joining Saturday's bill will be the dynamic house duo Dusky, who in just three years have asserted themselves as leaders of the UK underground.
Live electronic acts come in the form of Holly Herndon, Kink and Red Axes. Holly Herndon brings her unique blend of glitching, bewitching electronics and choral voices to her sonic performance. Recent album Platform, co-released on 4AD and the peerless RVNG Intl has seen another step forward in her production and gained her further plaudits far and wide.
Hailing from Sofia, Bulgaria, Kink's an enigma in many different forms and will perform one of his much-lauded live sets at Field Day. Tel-Aviv producers Dori Sadovnik and Niv Arzi have been performing together for a long time, first as post-punk band Red Cotton. It's with their current Red Axes incarnation that they've struck gold, touching on stripped back slow mo techno.
Ghanaian musician Ata Kak, was the first ever post on The Awesome Tapes from Africa blog which spawned the hugely influential label. Obaa Sima has gone on to transcend genres and appeared in an unbelievable array of DJ's sets since. Ata Kak comes to the UK to play Field Day for what will be his first time out of Ghana. Special.
Performing new live music for the first time, Wild Nothing, the American five piece indie rock/dream pop band from Virginia, will bring their shimmery, synth-washed indie pop recordings to Field Day Saturday. While Trevor Powers' a.k.a Youth Lagoon, will provide the Festival goers with an insight into his ever mind expanding and varied productions.
Producer, DJ and software developer Avalon Emerson and electronic music producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mura Masa also join for the Saturday, along with Dean Blunt, an artist renowned for consistently delivering compelling and unpredictable performances and the terrifyingly gifted Meilyr Jones.
FIELD DAY 2016 – Sunday
On Sunday, hailing from Buchanan, but now ensconced in Iceland, singer, song-writer and honesty purveyor John Grant joins the bill alongside PJ Harvey. His third solo studio album, 2015's Grey Tickles, Black Pressure featured several guests such as singers Tracey Thorn of Everything But The Girl and Amanda Palmer. In 2014 John Grant was nominated for Best International Male Solo Artist at the BRITS and appeared on UK TV show, Later with Jools Holland in early October this year, accompanied on stage by a band including several backing singers and special guest Budgie.
Also on Field Day Sunday, Baltimore dream-pop duo and masters of the lullaby, Beach House are known for creating music which is dark, dreamy, and alluringly hypnotic. Since their formation in 2005, Beach House have charmed indie music enthusiasts across the blogosphere with their languid songcraft, and the eerie warmth of "Apple Orchard" landed on Pitchfork's Infinite Mixtape MP3 series in August 2006.
Swedish psych-rockers and master of the on-stage costume, GOAT will bring their unique sound to the main stage. The indie-informed and highly electronic adept Junior Boys, are back with a much lauded new album this year including a synth cover of Bobby Caldwell's 'What You Won't Do For Love'.
Elsewhere on Sunday's cohesive yet eclectic line-up, Glaswegian DJ royalty duo Optimo will be representing. JD Twitch of Optimo's Autonomous Africa, Optimo and Optimo Trax labels responsible for some of the most incredibly diverse releases of recent time. Former Sonic Youth frontman will also bring The Thurston Moore Band to the Sunday Field Day crowd.
BBC 6Music resident, and member of the best-selling duo Everything But The Girl, Ben Watt will play with his band featuring Bernard Butler, whilst Molly Nilsson's synth-pop also comes to the fore. Plus many more to be announced complete another classic Field Day Sunday.
Disclosure’s return to T in the Park is sure to be an epic one, after their mind-blowing headline set on the Radio 1 Stage in 2014. The electronic music duo released their second album Caracal in September, featuring guest appearances from The Weeknd, Lorde, Gregory Porter and Sam Smith, among others. It follows their no.1, platinum-selling debut Settle, which received nominations for the Mercury Prize and a Grammy. They’ll be sure to bring the party vibes to Strathallan Castle next July.
The 1975’s eponymous debut album topped the UK Album Charts in September 2013 when it entered at no.1 and last month, the Manchester four-piece announced their second studio album I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It. The first single off the new record – Love Me – is currently dominating the airwaves. Their infectious indie pop anthems are the perfect summer festival soundtrack, and are sure to inspire mass sing-alongs when they make their T in the Park return.
Fellow Manchester lads and huge favourites with the T in the Park crowd, Courteeners have also been added to the bill. In 2014 the group achieved their highest chart position to date when their fourth record Concrete Love reached no.3 in the UK album charts. Liam Fray’s sharp songwriting combined with the band’s euphoric pop riffs has fuelled the band’s longevity, and they going from strength to strength, currently playing a string of sold out dates across the country.
Following the release of his hotly anticipated new album, Wonderful Crazy Night due out on 5th February 2016, Elton John will perform on the Floating Stage for the first time in the 34 year history of the festival. Elton John’s performance at Henley will be one of only five concerts in the UK next year and the only place to see him perform in a unique riverside setting.
lton John is one of the world’s most famous and best loved musicians. Having sold more than 250 million records worldwide, he holds the record for the biggest selling single of all time, has had 37 gold and 27 multi-platinum albums, and has played over 3,500 concerts across 80 countries.
With festival goers dressed in black tie and Michelin starred food on offer, Elton John’s performance on the River Thames to 7,000 festival goers will be the most exclusive night of the year, his performance will be followed by a magical 15 minute firework display along the river.
Elton John has said:
“The simple truth is I want to spend more time with my family, and I am only too aware of just how precious the time ahead is. My sons are growing up so quickly; their early years are just flying by and I want to be there with them. So these concerts will give me the chance to thank the British audiences who have been so faithful to me over these many decades. We cannot get to everyone but I am going to try – and I am thrilled that I will be able to say I have played the beautiful Henley-on-Thames.”
Charlotte Geeves, Henley Festival Director commented: “We are extremely excited to be able to announce that the world’s most famous pop star will be headlining Henley Festival for the first time. Henley Festival goers are huge Elton John fans so he can expect a very warm welcome when he plays at Henley. It’s definitely going to be a night to remember and we can’t wait for him to open the festival in July.”
Officially kicking off the festival season, Live At Leeds hosts the biggest names alongside the best in new and upcoming acts, and this year is no different. Having played host to the likes of Bastille, James Blake, Wild Beasts, The Cribs, Bombay Bicycle Club, Rudimental and The Vaccines over the years, each year Live At Leeds provides a snapshot of everything that is vital in music right now, and 2016’s event will be no different.
Leading the charge amongst the first series of artists to be announced is the fantastic Jess Glynne, who will be bringing her chart-topping hits to Live At Leeds 2016. Breaking onto the scene after her appearances with Clean Bandit, this year saw Glynne release her acclaimed debut album I Cry When I Laugh, which was jam packed with singles that will no doubt sound massive when played at the UK's premiere metropolitan festival for new music.
Joining 2015’s biggest pop sensation will be Circa Waves. Arguably one of the most important groups in indie at the moment, the Liverpool four piece have gone from strength to strength in 2015, storming major festivals all over the world and smashing stunning headline tours, rising to play huge venues including 02 Brixton Academy and more. Needless to say, their appearance at LAL looks set to be nothing short of spectacular.
Also joining the bill are indie legends We Are Scientists. Undeniable icons, it's fair to say the duo hold fond memories in any indie fan's heart, releasing countless hits over the last decade, from classics like 'The Great Escape' and 'Nobody Move, Nobody Gets Hurt', through to 2014's 'Dumb Luck' and 'Return The Favour'. Visceral, empowering and above all else fun, their performance is sure to draw a huge crowd. Band of Skulls will also bring their signature brand of raucous rock to proceedings, effortlessly justifying the huge festival and support slots they’ve played in the past.
Representing the artists that will come to dominate 2016, Rat Boy, Clean Cut Kid and Barns Courtney have also been revealed to play the festival. Receiving a wealth of critical acclaim in recent months, these three acts look set to be huge by 2016, and with a barrage of hits already under their belts, summer festival season is theirs for the taking, starting with Live At Leeds.
Speaking about this year’s talent and the festival’s 10 year legacy, lead booker Andy Smith commented: “2016 will be the tenth year of booking Live at Leeds, it feels like a great achievement to have grown what was originally a four venue bill to what it is today.”
“We have seen some great names grace our stages over those ten years and I’m really looking forward to next year and what will hopefully be our biggest event yet, it really feels like we are stepping up another level”
