Summer Festival Guide

South West Four (SW4) 2011 dates and pre-sale ticket info

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Just three words summed up the August Bank Holiday weekend; SOUTH WEST FOUR! The sun glistened over Clapham Common’s lush carpet, acting as a grassy base for thousands of discerning clubbers. Add to that four heaving arenas, with mind blowing performances from Fatboy Slim, Armin Van Buuren, Carl Cox, Salt N Pepa and Erick Morillo et al. The music, crowd, lasers, lighting and world class production all cemented the event as London’s premier electronic festival experience.

With summer a distant memory as London is caught up in the big freeze, we thought we would thaw you out a bit by confirming the dates for South West Four 2011; our traditional Bank Holiday slot on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th August 2011. Be under no illusion, SW4 returns bigger and better than ever before – we have already gone that extra mile by confirming our colossal headline acts, both of which will be revealed soon.

The pre-sale ticket registration for SW4 2011 has now opened. To get first access to tickets once on sale please sign up now at www.southwestfour.com 

 

blink-182 to headline T in the Park 2011

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With 25 million worldwide album sales under their belt, the pop punk trio from Poway California formed in 1992 and released five studio albums including multi-platinum selling breakthrough album ‘Enema of the State (1999)’ between 1994 and 2005 before breaking away from the music scene.  The 51st Grammy Awards in 2009 brought the band back together and with a new album planned for release in spring 2011, blink-182 will be back with a bang at Baldo.

Geoff Ellis (Festival Director) said: ‘blink 182 are renowned for their amazing live performances and fans are in for a real treat when they play T in the Park next year.  This is the second world class band we’ve announced and there’s plenty more to come…watch this space.‘

George Kyle (Head of Sponsorship Tennent’s Lager) said: ‘Attracting international bands like blink-182 and Foo Fighters further proves that T in the Park is on the of the UK’s biggest and best festivals.  Our 85,000 strong audience are in for another great year.‘

All Christmas Earlybird Tickets are now sold out.  The next batch of tickets will go on sale in February 2011.

At The Gates only UK show at Bloodstock Open Air

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“We had such a blast during the 2008 reunion that we decided to do some more shows.” states drummer Adrian Erlandsson. He continues, “We had an amazing gig at Bloodstock in 2008 and are really looking forward to playing there again.”

One of the most influential metal bands of the last 20 years, AT THE GATES made a permanent mark after 1995’s “Slaughter Of The Soul” album captured the imaginations of metalheads the world over. Taking the aggression of death metal and lacing it heavily with melody, the album was released to huge critical acclaim – including a Swedish Grammy nomination – and AT THE GATES looked set to take the world by storm. However, disbanding in 1996 meant that the next chapter was never written. The 12 years that passed left hundreds of thousands of fans hoping that one day they would get to see their heroes again.

Their wish came true, and the AT THE GATES reunion was one of the summer festival highlights across Europe in 2008, as the five piece reminded the metal world why they were so hugely influential. Now, the band return for an exclusive appearance, and BLOODSTOCK is honoured to welcome them back for what is bound to be an unforgettable set at Catton Hall.

With a host of exclusive performances already confirmed – including headliners IMMORTAL, plus MORBID ANGEL, THERION and many more, across three stages of music, plus comedy, fairground rides and a real ale bar, BOA 2011 is an essential date in the metal calendar, and with early bird tickets on sale now at the price of just £90 – up to 15th December 2010 – there’s no reason to wait for your BLOODSTOCK ticket. Got to www.bloodstock.uk.com to get yours now before this special offer runs out!

BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR 2011 12th – 14th AUGUST 2011

BAND LINE UP SO FAR:
IMMORTAL :
RHAPSODY OF FIRE : TRIPTYKON : MORBID ANGEL : THERION : LAWNMOWER DETH
ANGELWITCH : CORONER : GRAVE DIGGER : AT THE GATES

Rockness Festival launch Xmas Offer

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It’s everything a music fan could dream of Santa bringing and the answer to every shopper’s prayers…a RockNess Christmas Stocking.

Forget trying to battle snowstorms, hordes of stressed out shoppers and last minute impulse buys you’ll regret. Save yourself the grief, GO ONLINE and snap up the gift that’ll bring a monster festive smile to your nearest and dearest on Christmas Day.

Stuffed with heaps of money-can’t-buy goodies, the RockNess Christmas Stocking is the ultimate present for music lovers.

Not only does it contain a VIP weekend camping ticket to RockNess – the most beautiful festival in the world, where KASABIAN, THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS and PAOLO NUTINI will headline next summer – but it’s positively heaving with must have treats including a personal aide to help carry your bags on arrival on site, limited edition souvenir ticket and lanyard, a band tee shirt of choice, a bacon buttie and cup of tea every morning, a daily shot of Jagermeister or £10 drinks voucher and the pièce de résistance…a complimentary massage!

At an outrageously good value £199, it’s a sparklingly inspiring Christmas present idea. What’s more, because ‘tis the season of goodwill, the RockNess Christmas Stocking can be paid in three instalments of £66.

Orders placed before the 20th will receive a voucher to go under the tree and any orders purchased after the 20th have the option to download the voucher.

Festival Director, Jim King commented, “We are really pleased to be able to offer this amazing ticket bundle of festive cheer. It has to be the best value festival VIP package on sale anywhere in the UK.”
TO BUY, PLEASE GO TO WWW.ROCKNESS.CO.UK

Or for your chance to win this AMAZING Christmas Present visit www.facebook.com/OfficialRockNess

RockNess 2011 takes place 10-12 June, 2011 in the village of Dores, close to Inverness in the Scottish Highlands.

The festival won ‘LINE UP OF THE YEAR’ at last month’s UK Festival Awards for its 2010 extravaganza which saw appearances from a raft of incredible acts including The Strokes. Leftfield and Fatboy Slim.

Glade Festival returns for 2011

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Glade Festival, which originated as an underground dance stage at Glastonbury, before becoming an award winning independent event in its own right in 2004, is pleased to announce it will be back in 2011 on June 9th -12th at a stunning new (secret for now) location.

After their hiatus in 2010, due unforeseen rises in site costs, this is very welcome news for all dance fans.

As organiser Anselm Guise explains:

“”We are thrilled to be able to say that the Glade will be back in 2011. The festival is being revolutionised yet stripped back to its shiny grass roots…half the capacity that it was in the last few years and getting back to its original spirit but with a big step forward creatively, musically and artistically. We’ve been dying to let everyone know that it is definitely here again and with everything that’s happened we’ve had to ensure that we’ve got something to excite, that we can make happen and that will be a true celebration of life, music and art. We now can. Half the battle was finding the right home for the festival and we really have. We’ve found a belter…proper English parkland where we can do our thing…trees everywhere! The Glade is back…!”“

Tier One Tickets are set to be released on January 25th, price tba, and available from the all new Glade Website which is also set to go live on January 25th
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www.gladefestival.com

Exit Festival Xmas Package Offer

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From 9am on Monday 20th December until 9pm on Christmas Eve (24th December) festival goers can choose from the following 3 options for 5 days only;

1. Buy 2 tickets get 1 free
2. Buy 5 tickets with 5% discount and Dance Arena VIP passes for 1 day of your choice
3. Buy 10 tickets with 10% discount and VIP terrace table and a bottle of your favourite spirit (ie Vodka) for 1 day of your choice

Get the special offer here http://www.etickets.to/exit-xmas/

Taking place from the 7th – 10th July, EXIT is still the coolest, most adventurous and best value for money festival experience in Europe for the discerning festival goer. Offering more entertainment, easier and cheaper travel options, stunning weather and an atmosphere unlike any other festival, ensure it’s on your list of things to do 2011!

And if the value-for-money, unique, awe-inspiring location and good weather aren’t enough, EXIT 2011 will host over 400 performances on 20 stages connected by cobbled streets, ramparts and tunnels – a walk through the mystical fortress is like a trip through a magical wonderland. Music ranges from rock, dance, indie, latino, reggae, electronica, chill out and regional music, so there is no better festival in the world that brings you so much value and so much variety!

2011 will also see pre & post EXIT events happening in the city of Novi Sad and Belgrade, so festival go-ers can spend longer in Serbia experiencing the warmth of the Serbian people whilst having fun and seeing new sights and cities. It’s an adventure and festival in one!

EXIT is one of the most highly regarded festivals in Europe, being nominated for ‘Best Overseas Festival’ in the UK Festival Awards for the past 4 years, winning the coveted title in 2007 and runner up in 2010. In addition EXIT has also been nominated for ‘Best Major Festival’ in European Festival Awards for 2 years running and has been shortlisted in the ‘Artists Favourite Festival’ Catergory.

And not forgetting the festivals roots and special meaning – Launched 12 years ago as a student initiated protest against the communist Milosevic regime, EXIT has proved that music is a universal language that can connect and bring people together to make the world a better place. EXIT continues to evolve and bring like minded people together and although it gets bigger each year, the sentiment and unique vibe remains the same.

EXIT PHOTOS & VIDEO:
See pictures from EXIT 10; http://www.flickr.com/exitfestival
Check out the video highlights from 2010 http://www.youtube.com/EXITFestivalTV

The Big 4 set for Sonisphere 2011

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Already joining headliners Biffy Clyro and Slipknot, the announcement that Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax are all set to join is massive news for the rock festival for 2011.

METALLICA drummer LARS ULRICH explains:

“As soon as the Big 4 gigs started rolling across Sonisphere Festivals in Eastern Europe last summer, we all felt we were part of something special. The vibe within the bands was more than anyone had anticipated and the vibe with the fans was so next level, it completely blew our minds . . . there was no way this should not happen again!!! So I am beyond psyched that the first Big 4 show in Western Europe will take place on the hallowed grounds of Knebworth, where so many unique and special gigs have happened over the years.”

Last summer saw the live debut of THE BIG 4 – as this collective of Thrash legends are commonly known – marking what was possibly the most significant event in the history of metal. Fans all over Europe could barely contain their excitement, as over 500,000 metalheads bore witness to the show they thought they’d never see.

THE BIG 4 fever did not stop at Europe, as fans the world over eagerly anticipated the possibility of seeing the historical show for themselves in their own countries. Such was the demand that a live cinecast of the Bulgarian show saw over 130,000 people turn out to local cinemas, with reports of mosh pits breaking out in movie theatres across the globe. The recently released DVD of the event, which features all four bands collaborating on a cover of Diamond Head’s “Am I Evil” as well as their individual sets, has only added fuel to the BIG 4 fire, with a frenzied demand for more performances in the countries not fortunate enough to play host last summer.

Now, SONISPHERE brings the titanic combo of METALLICA, SLAYER, MEGADETH and ANTHRAX to the UK for the very first time, at this exclusive performance at KNEBWORTH. The legends themselves declare their delight at taking the greatest metal show on earth back out on the road:

“There is simply no better venue for a European round two of the Big 4!!” METALLICA’s LARS ULRICH begins. “Put your dancing shoes on, this is gonna be fun!”

“Always excited to do big 4 shows” says SLAYER’s KERRY KING. “Now England is in line to be devastated by this heavy metal powerhouse! Can’t Fucking wait!!!”

MEGADETH mainman DAVE MUSTAINE states; “The Big Four Concerts are the most important, most exciting event to happen in the history of live concerts in our genre, and perhaps the entire music industry. I am glad to be a part of this enormous celebration of thrash, speed, and good ole heavy metal!”

“OH YEAH!!!” proclaims ANTHRAX drummer CHARLIE BENANTE. “Here we Come England! The Big 4 BABY! Can’t wait to Get Metal Thrashing Mad for you Thrashers!”

ANTHRAX bandmate, guitarist SCOTT IAN concurs “Merry early Xmas present for us… more BIG 4 shows!!! The shows we did together with our brothers in Metallica, Slayer and Megadeth were not only the high point of 2010, but also some of the best shows Anthrax have ever played. Getting to share this with our friends in the UK will be amazing”.

Given that 2010’s event had sold out before IRON MAIDEN took to the stage, and the hugely exciting headliners set for next year, SONISPHERE can not guarantee that day tickets will be available for 2011, so fans are advised to get their tickets early to ensure they don’t miss out on what is already shaping up to be SONISPHERE’s most exciting year yet.

Tickets for SONISPHERE KNEBWORTH 2011 are now on sale. Beat the VAT increase – and get your application in to become a SONISPHERE TOURIST with your free ticket for POLAND and CZECH REPUBLIC or AUSTRIA (subject to availability) – by snapping your ticket up quickly.

SONISPHERE KNEBWORTH takes place 8th – 10th July 2011 at KNEBWORTH HOUSE. For tickets and more info go to www.sonispherefestivals.com

Kasabian confirm new material to be heard at Rockness 2011

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Speaking to NME, Serge Pizzorno said fans should expect some new additions to the setlist. When asked if Kasabian would be playing new songs at RockNess, Pizzorno replied: “Definitely. There may even be something out by then too. I’d like there to be. I’d love to have something out because it always gets you going when you’re playing the new shit.“

Pizzorno was speaking around the release of London Boulevard, the British film he has composed the soundtrack for. He said that some of the material from the soundtrack may influence new Kasabian songs.

“There may be a tune or so from the film that could surface too,” he said. “In some ways, the film and the score might be almost a little glimpse into what will happen with the band in the future.“

With a feast of swaggering anthems and the best pulsating, semi psychedelic grooves on the planet, Kasabian at RockNess is set to be an unforgettable show as the Leicester heroes power their way through a stomping trajectory of anthems sure to stir even Nessie.

RockNess Festival Director Jim King commented, “It’s very exciting news as there’s nothing better than hearing your favourite band’s new material. It really sounds like the band are making RockNess a must see gig for their fans.”

Joining KASABIAN, is an act that can well and truly call RockNess home – THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS. Last time Ed Simons and Tom Rowlands played the festival, they unleashed a colossal visual and sonic assault of such magnitude it reverberated the length of the Great Glen. Now in news that is generating elation with fans, they’re heading back for the first gig in Scotland since 2008. Ed and Tom said “it’s really exciting to be headlining one of our favourite festivals. RockNess is an amazing place to play and we can’t wait to be back there again”. Expect heaps of arms-aloft euphoria come June!

Completing the Main Stage headliners is PAOLO NUTINI who promises to bring RockNess to a spectacular close on the Sunday in a massive landmark homecoming gig. Nutini’s reputation for blistering, crowd rousing live performances has seen him electrify audiences across the globe and festival organisers are inviting fans the length and breadth of the country to do whatever it takes to join this unmissable, once-in-a-lifetime occasion.

As the first major UK festival of the summer, RockNess will also be one of the first opportunities for fans to hear tracks off Paolo’s much-anticipated third album, which is being recorded at present and scheduled for a 2011 release. Commenting on his headline gig at iconic Loch Ness Paolo Nutini said, “I am buzzing at the prospect. I don’t know what to expect but everyone I know has come back with loads of stories to tell. I hope I will be the same!”.

RockNess 2011 takes place 10-12 June, 2011 in the village of Dores, close to Inverness in the Scottish Highlands.

The festival won ‘LINE UP OF THE YEAR’ at last month’s UK Festival Awards for its 2010 extravaganza which saw appearances from a raft of incredible acts including The Strokes. Leftfield and Fatboy Slim.

Music lovers are being encouraged to ‘Respect the ‘Ness’ by taking advantage of ‘GO GREEN’ tickets on sale that include FREE COACH TRAVEL FROM ALL MAJOR CITIES IN THE UK. This follows the instant sell out of the festival’s outrageously good value, computer crashing £99 weekend ticket and amazing Early Bird deal that also sold out!

GO GREEN ticket prices:

£149 – 3 day weekend camping / non camping
£159 – 3 day weekend camping / non camping with coach travel
£135 – 3 day weekend camping / non camping student ticket
£145 – 3 day weekend camping / non camping student ticket with coach travel
£189 – 3 day weekend camping / non camping VIP ticket

 

V Festival 2011 tickets on sale at midday today!

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V Festival, sponsored by Virgin Media, will be releasing a pre-sale for next year’s V Festival at noon on Thursday 9th December for 24 Hours until noon on Friday 10th December. Strictly limited to only 10,000 per site, this is the last chance to purchase V Festival 2011 tickets at 2010 prices and you’ll also beat the VAT rise!

If you miss this opportunity, you’ll have to wait until Friday 4th March 2011 when tickets will go on general sale. If you’re a Virgin Media customer, you will have the opportunity to purchase tickets through the Early Bird Offer in February 2011.

We’re working hard on putting together what we think could be one of the most exciting line ups of recent years so don’t miss out on this great opportunity to secure tickets for 2011. V Festival 2011 is on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st August.

Please only purchase tickets through the outlets listed below. Packages will include V Style luxury camping at Hylands Park and Weston Park and Big Green Coach ticket and coach travel. Please note that some of the outlets listed below are for Weston Park only.

See Tickets www.seetickets.com
Big Green Coach www.biggreencoach.co.uk
Star Green www.stargreen.co.uk
Ticketline www.ticketline.co.uk 
Ticketmaster www.ticketmaster.co.uk

 

 

Linkin Park confirmed as second headliner for Download 2011

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A limited amount of weekend with camping tickets for the Download Festival 2011, plus RIP packages, are on sale now from www.downloadfestival.co.uk. This ‘early bird’ offer ends 5pm Monday 20 December, and includes 3 day and 5 day camping tickets. Organisers have also confirmed that prices will remain the same for Download 2011 as they were in 2010.

Organisers have also confirmed that Grammy award winning musician / producer and director Rob Zombie will perform at next year’s Download – an incredible 16 years since he last played the Donington Park site with his then band White Zombie.

Since forming in 1996, Linkin Park have gone on to win two Grammy awards and sold over 50 million records worldwide, and they recently released their fourth studio album A Thousand Suns which went No. 1 in 10 countries as well as No. 2 in the UK. Known for unique collaborations with alternative and hip hop artists, Linkin Park’s headlining performance at this year’s Download will be a true highlight of the weekend.

Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington said: “We are very excited to be playing Download again next year. It’s one of the best festivals in the world and it’s always an honour to play in front of such a great crowd. We can’t wait!“

Rob Zombie founded the metal band White Zombie and has since carved a successful career as a horror producer and director, notably for movies House Of 1000 Corpses and The Devil’s Rejects. He released his new album Hellbilly Deluxe 2 earlier this year.

Live Nation VP of Promotions Andy Copping commented, “It’s great to have LINKIN PARK back at Download next year. They’ve always put on a great show and following the success of their recent sold out UK tour, it was essential to have them at Download, where they will deliver their full-on live show.“

Over 100,000 fans descended onto Download this year to celebrate 30 years of rock at Donington, making Download the second biggest festival in the UK after Glastonbury. It has the largest Facebook community for a UK festival coming top of the list with a huge 156,000 followers, overtaking the likes of V Festival (133,000), T in the Park (92,000), Glastonbury (90,000), Leeds (25,000) and Reading (21,000). Overall Download’s Facebook community is only second in the world to the I LOVE TECHNO event in Belgium.