See the statement below posted on The Big Chill website from Melvin Benn, MD of Festival Republic:
“It is with a considerable amount of regret that I have decided not to go ahead with The Big Chill in 2012.
I looked long and hard late last year at moving the date so it didn’t clash with the Olympics but the mix of the festival fans desire to keep the date and an inability to find an alternative date that works I plumped for maintaining the existing weekend. Sadly, the artist availability and confirmations we were achieving led me to conclude that I couldn’t risk going ahead with the event as an outdoor event this year. Efforts are being made to look to bring a smaller event indoors this year with the anticipation of Big Chill being back outdoors in 2013.”
Pre-sale tickets will be available until 6pm on 31st December.
General sale tickets and the all important line-ups will be released in spring next year.
LATITUDE 12TH – 15TH JULY 2012
Get your tickets now to ensure you will be with us as we journey towards the seventh edition of Latitude in the glorious setting of the Henham Park Estate on Suffolk’s stunning Sunrise Coast.
The Big Chill will return to its beautiful home at Eastnor Castle Deer Park in Herefordshire so make sure you’re sorted for your summer party!
For further information please see: www.bigchill.net/festival
READING & LEEDS FESTIVAL 24TH – 26TH AUGUST 2012
The legendary Reading & Leeds Festival will return for the August bank holiday and it promises to be bigger and better than ever with the best names in music from across the globe set to play at both sites.
Another young, up and coming name on the scene joins The Big Chill for 2011, sure to hypnotise audiences with her dark and ghostly gothic sounds Zola Jesus takes to the Deer Park Stage on the Friday of the festival.
Siaka and Eugene are set to perform their captivating West African sounds on The People’s Ear Stage on Friday at the festival. Dubbed ‘the next Rodrigo y Gabriela’ the duo’s mesmerising acoustic music is performed simply with voice, guitar and a self-crafted N’Goni (the cousin of the Kora). London dance trio LV recently joined forces with hip-hop and spoken word vocalist Joshua Idehen for an album entitled Routes. The combination of the two results in a prime slice of urban electronica, catchLV & Joshua Idehen on The People’s Ear Stage on Saturday early evening.
Another aspect of The Big Chill veteran, Tom Middleton’s activity at this year’s festival is unveiled today. Tom Middleton presents Sound Of The Cosmos. “I’ve been immersed in bass,” says Tom Middleton, “since I was seven! From sitting between hi-fi speakers mesmerised by Tomita’s expansive sci-fi synths to watching Richard Aphex Twin carry out bedroom subsonic frequency tests on his modified synths in 1990… from vibrating to the subsonic 808 kick as a teenage b-boy through the bass power of jungle right up to today’s developments, I’ve soaked it all in.” What’s more, Tom has brought his experimental edge to The Big Chill every year since its inception from the first one in 1995 when he and Mark Pritchard brought everything from live drum ‘n’ bass to movie soundtracks, through Tom’s Top Tent in 2004 which saw the birth of Guilty Pleasures and debut festival appearances by Hot Chip and Mylo, to the artists appearing in Sound Of The Cosmos 2011, he represents all that is forward looking about the festival.
“The style fusions occurring right now are so exciting,” he says. “That’s why it’s a real thrill to have this opportunity to bring in new generation artists like Lorca, CoolyG and BenUFO along with a pioneering legend like ZedBias who can join the dots. I’ve followed Dave (Zed)’s career from the top and know he’s the man to school the next gen, and get the party rocking too. With a darkened tent and a monster sound system, we’re going to be able to keep the intimacy of a club within a festival, and most importantly groove all weekend to those sick sub bass lines.”
Few people join the dots like Boddika. Alone and in Instra:Mental, he’s found deep connections between British sound system culture and earlier electro-techno-house innovations. His analogue sensibility, strange musical emotions and an impeccable sense of space have helped cement a new classicism in the UK scene with huge tunes like ‘When I Dip’ on SWAMP81. He learned from the DnB/garage master Steve Gurley, then revolutionised garage with his dark bass lines and classic after classic. That’d be enough for anyone, but Zed Bias is still changing music more than a decade on – working with everyone from Skream and Roska to Brit-soul legend Omar, he’s still kicking over genre boundaries with every release.
Never mind “post” this and “future” that, Hessle Audio is a genre all of its own. The label, parties and Rinse FM show run by Ben UFO and Pangea with their friend Pearson Sound (Ramadanman as was) have defined the new climate of dancefloor experimentalism that makes 2011 such an exciting time to be near a speaker stack. Cooly G‘s dad produced reggae and her mum DJed acid house, and that combination runs deep in her own music. Nominally UK funky, her beats and gigantic bass lines are way out on their own, each release on Hyperdub and her own Dub Organizer further marking her out as a true individualist.
The BACARDÍ Get Together mixes things up in more way than one this year. As well as offering an array of thirst quenching cocktails Bacardi also bring names more than qualified to kick off the weekend’s partying. At BACARDÍ we’ve hosted legendary parties since 1862. We’ve taken the best party elements from over the years and created ‘The BACARDÍ Get Together’ – the ultimate party for you and your friends at The Big Chill. Visit The BACARDÍ Get Together for a classic BACARDÍ mojito or try a new sharing cocktail such as the ‘BACARDÍ Campers Punch’ served in a wellie boot.
This summer BACARDÍ is bringing DJ greats together for a series of very special one-off performances. In The BACARDÍ Get Together, at key times each day there will be a unique collaborative set by three or more artists. We present to you… The BACARDÍ Together Sets
Thursday sees the coming together of Matt Walsh, Casper C and Riotous Rockers. All original performers at Casper C’s ‘Blogger’s Delight’ night, which started at tiny Camden boozer The Lock Tavern and growing to international acclaim, as well as residencies at Fabric and Field Day Festival. A re-union of sorts, each artist has come a long way from playing to 100 people in a sweaty pub to playing some of the biggest and best dance events in the world!
Saturday’s Together Set will be Hervé, Reset! and Tom Staar. In addition to being one of the most prolific producers in dance music today (using the monikers Machines Don’t Care, The Count Of Monte Crystal and Speaker Junk, as well as Hervé), Joshua Harvey is the founder and boss of influential dance label Cheap Thrills. Two of Hervé’s most prominent signings Reset! and Tom Staar will play with the man himself for Saturday’s key performance.
Sunday will see old and new collide, with Disco Bloodbath, Justin Robertson and Mighty Mouse. Disco Bloodbath’s underground parties (celebrating remixed disco classics) were key to the disco revival, and a strong influence on Mighty Mouse’s nu-disco sound. Justin Robertson, an original resident at Manchester’s legendary Hacienda club is part of this revival, with his Deadstock 33s moniker one of the rising stars in the nu-disco scene. Expect classics and cutting edge in one unique set.”
Come along and experience BACARDÍ Together…
Global Local returns and brings with it a typically eclectic line up, open from Thursday the stage will be in full swing for early birds keen to start the festivities early. The experimental folk-pop sounds of Katy Carr play out from Global Local as will New York’s blues-rock duo She Keeps Bees plus many, many more great acts. It pulls together the best remix of music from across the planet via the coolest promoters in the land.
Friday to Sunday –Folky Goodness with Two for Joy. All day and every day we have acoustic acts from Two For Joy, part of the BBC award winning team of the best folk club of the year, with the most cutting edge New Folk – No Folk and Old Folk.
Thursday evening is the Vaudeville Rave - Starting on a different note , sharp on the heels of 2010 with a smash Electro Swing night from our collaborators Vaudeville Rave, Electro Swing is all about the 1920`s to the 1940`s remixed and is “ the music of 2011” according to Mixmag. Expect Break-dance Charleston, lots of hot performers and the best new producers twisting those ancient sounds into Dubstep, hip hop and beyond.
Friday night will be the Gypsy Soundclash with Continental Drifts - The music of the East and the Balkans, cut up, smashed up and liquidised into a new sound, from Gypsy Punk, to break beat Balkan, from the best bands in Europe. Chancery Blame and the Gadjo Club, Deathray Trebuchay, Gypsy Hill… Pretty much like a gypsy wedding on acid.
Saturday evening– Latin night with Movimientos, Movimientos is broadening perceptions of Latin music beyond mainstream genres through their groundbreaking events, festival programming and agency work, representing artists who are bringing brand new fusions of music and pioneering the newest and finest Latin sounds. Alongside Movimientos’ DJ Cal Jader, BossaphonikDan, and Brazilian DJ crew Udigrudi, the live line up for Saturday night features Rumba-Gypsy Swing from Mano De Dios, Afro-Andean fusion from Lokandes and new wave Rumba-Flamenco sounds with Jardares Por Fuera.
On Sunday night Global Local will pay homage to African music with African Rootmaster with Wormfood - African music has taken a vast journey away from its “World” music ghetto in the last few years with acts Clubs like Secousse and Wormfood leading the charge. African sounds dancing merrily alongside breaks, shakes and even crunk . Presented by Continental Drifts with the generous support of Arts Council England
Greenpeace, Heathensk8 and Third Foot have teamed up to bring the biggest and best skate ramp in town to The Big Chill this year. Constructed using only forest certified timber (FSC approved), wood from a sustainable source, the ramp is both challenging and entertaining. Mornings see workshop sessions for beginners and improvers and throughout the day the pro’s will be doing their thing with plenty of time for festival goers to take to the ramp themselves. So be sure pack you skate board alongside your wellies for 2011’s festival.
Now a fully fledged member of the Festival Republic family The Big Chill is poised to build further on the successes of 2010. Last year saw an international line-up of some of the biggest selling names in electronic, indie and pop music and 2011 sees another all-star cast taking to The Big Chill stages including an exclusive UK festival appearance by Kanye West plus The Chemical Brothers and Rodrigo y Gabriela. The Big Chill takes place from 4th to 7th of August 2011 at Eastnor Castle Deer Park in Ledbury, Herefordshire.
Produced in collaboration with Glenn Max, a creative whose other work has included Meltdown and Ether festivals, The White Rabbit lounge is yet another special addition to The Big Chill in 2011.
70’s punk original, Robyn Hitchcock and Joe Boyd, the man responsible for London’s original psychedelic ballroom, UFO, present their project White Bicycles. Based on Boyd’s book about music-making in the 60’s Boyd provides the stories whilst Hitchock sings the songs, an unmissable chance to hear about pop music’s rich history.
Connan Mockasin, the New Zealander receiving evered attention recently due to the Erol Alkan remixes also takes to the White Rabbit Lounge stage with blues-tinged psychedelic sounds. Add to this offering Glenn Max’s own band, Last Man Standing, Mixmaster Morris and many more artists and you have three days of the weirdest and most wonderful performances that can be found at The Big Chill this year.
Line-up
The White Rabbit Lounge
Thursday
Mixmaster Morris (DJ)
Last Man Standing (Live)
Friday
Mixmaster Morris (DJ)
The Kool Aid Electric Comany
Last Man Standing (Live)
Connan Mockasin (Live)
A.J. Holmes
Sam Sallon (Acoustic Set)
Ilona Superstar
Saturday
Furry Sounds (DJ)
Rayographs (Live)
Zun Zun Egui (Live)
Soft Hearted Scientists
The Koolaid Electric company
Cosmic Slop DJs
All hosted by Howard Monk
Sunday
DJ Richard Olson
Wolf People
Light of Aquarius (Ben Ayers DJ set)
The See See
The Lucid Dream
Light of Aquarius (DJ set)
The Wicked Whispers
Cosmic Slop DJs
The Junipers
Robyn Hitchcock solo DJ set (White Bicycles)
Live and Direct from 1976 Robyn Hitchcock and Joe Boyd in Chinese White Bicycles
James Blake ventured to some of London’s cutting edge dubstep clubs; DMZ and FWD>> around 2007 and was truly taken aback by the fresh sounds and atmosphere. Already studying popular music at Goldsmiths, the injection of inspiration from DJs such as Mala, Coki and Digital Mystikz propelled Blake down a path that led to the creation the now distinctive sound, which blended the electronic vibrancy of the emerging dubstep scene with the harmonies found in his teenage Motown-filled record collection.
Plays of his early singles on Rinse FM and feverous blogger attention sent Blake on a course which landed him several accolades. “CMYK” scored a Record of the Week from Nick Grimshaw and Single of the Year (2010) at Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Awards, Blake’s reworking of the Feist track “Limit to your Love” was the Hottest Record in the World according to Zane Lowe. Following a year of concentrated recording Blake released his self-titled debut in February 2011 and the record quickly went on to become a top 10 hit, whilst the same year also saw Blake pick up a nomination for the Critics’ Choice category at the Brit Awards.
With contemporaries such as Jamie Woon, Digital Mystikz, Jamie xx and DJ Distance already confirmed for The Big Chill, Blake is a perfect addition to the now expanded festival.
Winners of the BBC Radio 3 World Music Award and previous collaborators with Björk, the Congolese band Konono N°1 are a unique and fascinating addition to The Big Chill’s line-up. Taking to The People’s Ear Stage as Friday headliners is the seven-strong group fronted and formed by Mawangu Mingiedi and who in the 1960s, carved an
unlikely niche between their Bazombo trance sounds, electro-infused rhythms and avant-garde DIY approach. The addition of Konono N°1 completes the headliners for The People’s Ear Stage with Buraka Som Sistema topping the Saturday night bill and Four Tet’s appearance on the Sunday.
Geordie duo Smoove & Turrell bring to the table the smoothest funk and soul sounds. The pair will delight crowds with a slick set aboard The Revellers’ Stage on Friday. Receiving praise from the likes of Clive Anderson and Janice Long to name but a few, Smoove & Turrell Singer, John Turrell also stars in Craig Charles’ “Fantasy Funk Band” who performed triumphantly at The Big Chill last year.
Now a fully fledged member of the Festival Republic family The Big Chill is poised to build further on the successes of 2010. Last year saw an international line-up of some of the biggest selling names in electronic, indie and pop music and 2011 sees another all-star cast taking to The Big Chill stages including an exclusive UK festival appearance by Kanye West plus The Chemical Brothers and Rodrigo y Gabriela. The Big Chill takes place from 4th to 7th of August 2011 at Eastnor Castle Deer Park in Ledbury, Herefordshire.
Confirmed for the arts programme are Fuel’s dance and sound spectacular Electric Hotel and The Simple Things in Life.
Tom Middleton, one half of Global Communication and a DJ in his own right, will be an integral part of The Big Chill this year. Having performed at every year of the festival for the last 16 years, 2011 sees Middleton host a stage of his own to build on that legacy. Now also added to his pleasantly hectic Big Chill schedule, a DJ set on the Deer Park Stage on Saturday featuring his expert blend of experimental, progressive and ambient electronic sounds.
Tom Middleton comments: “Fantastic to still be involved in The Big Chill! To have witnessed its growth and evolution from a humble 500 folk in a field to hosting 10’s of thousands of ‘Chillers’ at the glorious Eastnor Castle. And heart warming to see Festival Republic’s clear investment in preserving and expanding upon the original spirit of The Big Chill. The truly eclectic and entertaining line ups of classic artists and DJ’s to suit all tastes playing alongside the hottest new talent, with inspiring art installations, genuinely family friendly areas, the ultra chilled holistic therapies, and endless stalls punting a vast choice of ‘mouthgasmic’ global gastronomy. I’m looking forward to Djing and also curating a tastemaker space stacked with Function-One over the 3 nights showcasing the sickest underground emotive electronic and bass music Artists and DJ’s on the scene.”
Another addition to the feast of offerings on the Deer Park Stage comes from the Brooklyn-based five-piece Here We Go Magic who will perform on Friday. Fronted by Luke Temple, Here We Go Magic was previously the moniker for Temple as a solo artist; however in 2009 he recruited four musicians to make the project a full live band. Having received praise from Pitchfork and a reported seal of approval from Thom Yorke, the audience can expect great things from the ethereal indie act.
Bringing skilfully arranged drum ‘n’ bass to The Big Chill will be NZ Shapeshifter, blending electronic sounds with heavy soul. The five-piece band, originating from New Zealand, are guaranteed to deliver monstrous live grooves that synthesize barrelling drum ‘n’ bass, cavernous dub soundscapes and pounding hard rock. NZ Shapeshifter’s energetic set takes place on The Revellers’ Stage on Saturday.
With support from the likes of Benji B and Giles Peterson to name but a few, Taylor McFerrin has been involved with music in many forms in addition to his own solo output. McFerrin has produced Brooklyn’s The Electric Baby, plays keyboards with cutting edge freestyle trio The Cell Theory and has played alongside his Grammy award-winning father, Bobby McFerrin. Rooted in 60’s soul but looking forward to the future sound of hip-hop, Taylor McFerrin mixes Rhodes, synths, samples and beat boxing to create his slick laid-back tunes which will play out on The People’s Ear Stage on Sunday.
The first additions to The Big Chill’s arts programme are also confirmed:
Fuel presents Electric Hotel, a lonely, bizarre and beautiful outdoor spectacle; a uniquely designed, fly-by-night hotel brought to vivid life through dance and sound by the team of David Rosenberg (director and co-founder of Shunt) and Frauke Requardt (choreographer, Pictures from an Exhibition at Sadler’s Wells/Young Vic) with Börkur Jónsson (designer, Woyzeck at Barbican, Metamorphosis at Lyric Hammersmith). Sitting on the outside looking in, the audience snatch glimpses of the do-not-disturb lives unfolding behind the floor to ceiling windows. Wearing headphones to eavesdrop on the internal spaces of the building they watch the residents in their private rooms: the natural habits, the unnatural fantasies and housekeeping of wildly varied quality.
Praised by The Guardian as “one of the most exciting and indispensable producing outfits working in British theatre today” Fuel also presents The Simple Things in Life. Five short experiences to celebrate the simple things in life with Lewis Gibson, David Harradine, The London Snorkelling Team, Frauke Requardt and Barnaby Stone. A table with a story to tell, a band bursting at the seams, a sound journey through a good book, a surreal and mesmerising dance, and an installation that takes flight – each found inside a garden shed.
With much more to be announced, the arts programme at The Big Chill promises to be a wealth of creative, interactive and immersive experiences across film, dance, comedy, cabaret, visual art and more. Now a fully fledged member of the Festival Republic family The Big Chill is poised to build further on the successes of 2010.
Last year saw an international line-up of some of the biggest selling names in electronic, indie and pop music and 2011 sees another all-star cast taking to The Big Chill stages including an exclusive UK festival appearance by Kanye West plus The Chemical Brothers and Rodrigo y Gabriela. The Big Chill takes place from 4th to 7th of August 2011 at Eastnor Castle Deer Park in Ledbury, Herefordshire.
A special and rare appearance by the award-wining visionary Chris Cunningham is today confirmed for The Big Chill 2011. Cult film-maker, musician, photographer and producer Chris Cunningham is responsible for some of the most iconic music videos ever made, amongst a myriad of other accomplishments. He has been dubbed ‘Dangerously ahead of his time’ by The Guardian and ‘A startlingly original visual artist’ by The Telegraph. On the back of a sold out show at the Royal Festival Hall in May last year and recent collaborations with Gil Scott-Heron and Grace Jones, Cunningham returns to the stage this summer. He will be closing the Deer Park Stage on Sunday, following the set by headliners Rodrigo y Gabriela. Cunningham will create a sight and sound spectacular, bringing The Big Chill to a close in true style.
Bringing a slice of Americana to Herefordshire this summer will be North Mississippi Allstars Duo as they perform their Grammy Award-nominated Southern blues atop the Deer Park Stage on Sunday. Briefly appearing as Carson Daly’s house band on TV in the USA, North Mississippi Allstars Duo have also recently supported Robert Plant and The Band of Joy, who also appear at The Big Chill this year.
With their second album The Body of Christ and The Legs of Tina Turner nominated in the Choice Music Prize for Best Album of the Year back on home turf in Ireland, Fight Like Apes are flying high. Having supported the likes of stadium noise-masters The Prodigy, Fight Like Apes are more than equipped to take to The Revellers’ stage on Friday. Recently dubbed by NME as ‘the rowdiest live band in the world’ anyone needing a wake-up call from the laid back atmosphere of The Big Chill need look no further.
Manning the highly respected dubstep label DMZ and club night of the same name, duo Digital Mystikz will appear on The People’s Ear Stage on Friday. Garnering support from the likes of the late John Peel and Annie Nightingale as well as many of their peers, the pair otherwise known as Mala and Coki are considered central to the dupstep scene. Added to The People’s Ear Stage on Sunday is Bristolian Julio Bashmore. The house music-loving DJ, influenced by his hometown’s obsession for all things low frequency, steps up to the decks to prove why the highly influential Claude Von Stroke signed Bashmore up to his Dirtybird label.
The imaginatively named London based dupstep duo Stinkahbell hit up the decks at Starburst on Friday. Expect galactic sounding samples and deep buzzing bass. Usually found playing bass with chart-topping NYC indie darlings, Vampire Weekend, Baio appears at The Big Chill this summer at Starburst on Sunday in his DJ guise. Baio – Vampire Weekend DJ set promises an eclectic mix echoing his passion for dance music peppered with indie, nu-wave and afrobeat. Combining the talents of six London and Watford-based producers and DJs, True Tiger have between them released, produced and remixed tracks by artists including Professor Green, Enter Shikari, Taio Cruz, Skepta and many other big names from the pop and urban music worlds. For their set on Sunday at Starburst, True Tiger, in their live form, will meld together grime with hip-hop, house and more. Formerly DJ Clipz, infamous in the d‘n’b scene, the restyled DJ and producer Redlight is up next showcasing his new unique take on garage, breaks and dubstep. Lastly for Starburst’s Sunday offerings is DJ Distance, an originator from the South London homeland of dubstep, Distance brings to the table his own progressive and experimental take on the genre.
Crowning the Deer Park Stage on Friday night are The Chemical Brothers, a duo who can easily lay claim to the title of dance music royalty. Tracks cited as classics by fans and peers alike such as Hey Boy, Hey Girl, Block Rockin’ Beats and Galvanize are a regular fixture in clubs from the UK to Ibiza and beyond. They have proved their amazing abilities as a live act through many performances at Brixton Academy and festivals worldwide. The Chemical Brothers are bringing their Further Tour to The Big Chill, currently receiving rave reviews for its beats, visuals and light show which are blowing away fans and critics across the globe.
Saturday night’s Deer Park Stage headliner will be the boundary pushing hip-hop superstar Kanye West. The multi-platinum rapper and producer has sold over 15 million albums worldwide and has collaborated with a list of artists that reads like a true “Who’s Who” of popular music over the past decade including Jay-Z, Alicia Keys and Janet Jackson to name but a few. Kanye West’s performance at The Big Chill in 2011 is a UK festival exclusive; fans need look no further for the only place to catch this interstellar set featuring tracks such as Stronger, Gold Digger and Love Lockdown.
From the bars and pubs of Dublin to five consecutive sell out shows at London’s 10,000 capacity venue, Shepherd’s Bush Empire in November, Rodrigo y Gabriela’s rise to success has been meteoric. Despite meeting whilst playing in thrash metal bands the duo are now renowned for their folk and Latin style, played to a virtuoso level on acoustic guitars. The pair have scored number one albums both in Ireland and in the US, topping the American Billboard’s World Music Charts for 10 weeks, consequently they performed for US President Barack Obama at The White House. Rodrigo y Gabriela’s set at The Big Chill is yet another UK festival exclusive continuing the festival’s history of diverse and globe-spanning programming.
Also appearing on the Deer Park Stage on Friday will be Neneh Cherry, the BRIT Award-winning Buffalo Stance star’s performance will be her first UK festival appearance since Glastonbury 1997. Critically acclaimed indie band and Mercury Music Prize nominees Wild Beasts will appear as well as experimental indie from Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti. Alt-rock outfit Electrelane will break their three year hiatus in an exciting return to the stage and Mahala Raï Banda complete Friday’s line-up as confirmed so far with gypsy-inspired Balkan sounds.
Saturday welcomes Soulwax side project and duo famed for their bootlegs and visuals, 2manyDJs, to bring the Deer Park Stage to a triumphant close. Armed with an Olympic standard set of vocal chords Jessie J has stormed the charts recently with her slick pop tracks now destined to play out for The Big Chill. Currently receiving rave reviews and gracing magazine covers Metronomy bring their quirky electro-indie-pop to the table while Janelle Monáe offers up an energetic performance of futuristic funk-pop sure to electrify the Deer Park. Electronic influences collide in the form of the Basque-influenced group Crystal Fighters and The Knocks prove their status as one of the ‘20 hottest producers in the world right now’ according to NME.
We are joined by a legend on Sunday as Robert Plant and The Band of Joy take to the Deer Park Stage. Named after Plant’s first band, The Band Of Joy’s blend of folk, blues and rock comes with true musical pedigree. Creating ethereal art-rock at The Big Chill will be taste-maker favourites Warpaint. Of celebrated lineage is Femi Kuti & the Positive Force, eldest son of afrobeat legend Fela Kuti and renowned saxophonist, band leader and world music icon brings with him rich international flavours. MBE and The Big Chill regular Norman Jay makes a welcome return in 2011, also performing are British reggae originals Steel Pulse. The Deer Park’s bounty as confirmed so far is completed by the improvisational About Group featuring Alexis Taylor from Hot Chip.
Headlining The Revellers’ Stage on Friday will be MOBO award winning rapper, Chipmunk who although only 20 years of age has scored an impressive five top 10 singles and a number two album with his debut I am Chipmunk. Following Chipmunk’s set is one of London’s most prominent DJs in the grime and dubstep scenes; Plastician. The soulful Californian solo artist Aloe Blacc also joins the line-up as well as New York DJ Andy Butler’s glittering disco collective Hercules and Love Affair. Another veteran of The Big Chill joins us in 2011 in the form of reggae and roots legend Horace Andy, not only has Andy performed several times at the festival but also audiences will know his voice well form his several guest appearances on Massive Attack albums. New Zealand’s leading hip-hop soul artist, originally part of all-girl crew Sheelahroc, Ladi6 is making waves now as a solo perfomer and also joins The Big Chill’s line-up. Slicing indie with electro and pop Fenech-Soler take to the Revellers’ Stage, as will Cubic Zirconia completing the line-up so for Friday.
Saturday at The Revellers’ Stage sees chart-topper Calvin Harris headline with a set of his infectious electropop featuring tracks such as number one smash I’m Not Alone. Blending pop with electro and rap Example, otherwise known as Elliot Cleave, has also enjoyed much chart success recently with his breakthrough second album Won’t Go Quietly and is sure to get The Big Chill crowd dancing this year. With over 10 million YouTube views for videos such as their risqué take on Ke$ha’s Tik Tok, comedy/music trio The Midnight Beast appear at The Big Chill alongside fellow Revellers’ Stage performers. Also stepping up to the mic will be Katy B, who has previously tackled vocal duties on tracks by dubstep heavyweights Magnetic Man and since gone on to carve her own path to stardom with the release of her critically acclaimed debut album Katy On A Mission. Completing Saturday’s line-up so far are leading grime MC Devlin and classical/techno cross over trio The Brandt Brauer Frick Ensemble who have assembled an increased ten-piece live band for The Big Chill set.
Bringing some sonic time travel to The Revellers’ Stage on Sunday will be Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings reviving the funk and soul sounds of the 60s and 70s, Quantic and his Combo Bárbaro, the DJ, musician and producer also brings soul and funk sounds to 2011’s line-up. Known as the father of Ethiojazz, Mulatu Astatke and his backing band for this special show The Black Jesus Experience offer up The Big Chill some international flavour. With a BBC Sound of 2011 poll nomination under his belt The Revellers’ Stage welcomes the soulful solo artist and Burial-produced Jamie Woon, and Chase & Status guest vocalist Liam Bailey.
The People’s Ear Stage headliner for Friday will be Californian producer and laptop musician Flying Lotus (Live), similarly electronic will be a set from rising Mancunion DJ xxxy and head of the Hotflush imprint and instrumental dupstep DJ in his own right Scuba. Leeds-based Afrobeat/jazz nine-piece Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra, multi-talented Trumpeter Matthew Halsall Remixed, and psychedelic/soul trio The Stepkids will also appear. Further additions come in the form of Ghostpoet, the MC whose mellow and broody beats are fast becoming a favourite of the taste-makers and New Zealand hip-hop outfit Electric Wire Hustle.
Saturday offers Buraka Som Sistema as a headliner for what will surely be a body-shaking set of their techno beats and African kuduro sounds. Favourite of both funky and grime scenes producer Lil Silva heads to The Big Chill this year as will dubstep band Gentleman’s Dub Club. The People’s Ear Stage also offers the combo performance of jungle producer Congo Natty and Tenor Fly (full live show) and sultry, soulful sounds from Bonobo-produced songstress Andreya Triana. Saturday’s line-up as confirmed so far is completed with bass driven jazz and dub from Leeds-based seven-piece Submotion Orchestra and Afro-futurism courtesy of Spoek Mathambo.
Acclaimed electronic music artist Four Tet tops the bill for Sunday on The People’s Ear Stage joined by rising star of the DJ and remixing world Jamie xx. The Big Chill’s final day also boasts original dub, ska and of course reggae from East Park Reggae Collective and Lily Allen and Graham Coxon producer Prince Fatty presenting Prince Fatty Soundsystem.
Mark Pritchard and Tom Middleton have produced everything from industrial techno to electro-funk under numerous aliases but it is their ambient and house sounds produced under the moniker Global Communication (DJ set) for which they are best known. Along with Luke Vibert, Jimmy Edgar and DJ Food these names are the first confirmations for Friday’s Starburst line-up.
Announced for Saturday’s Starburst are performers Kissy Sell Out Symphony of Light, Moda club promoters and up and coming radio DJs Jaymo & Andy George and a set by Craig Charles’ Funk and Soul Show following on from 2010’s popular live broadcast on BBC 6 Music from the site. Also featuring on the line-up will be Starz In Their Eyes singer/MC Just Jack (DJ Set) and Future Boogie DJs.
Sunday, aboard Starburst loses no steam with a headliner set from Mr. Scruff, a regular face at The Big Chill, famed for his marathon length sets and love of tea. Starburst also welcomes Parisian drum ‘n’ bass five-piece Dirtyphonics, the icon of rocksteady DJ Derek and the eclectic Fantastic Mr Fox.
Big Chill Radio is back, bigger and better than ever before! Big Chill Radio has been the beating heart of The Big Chill for over 10 years now, broadcasting great music, interviews, rocking DJs, live sessions, festival information and even the odd weather report, as well as covertly operating as a secret spot for late-night parties. In a massive step forward, this year Big Chill Radio will break out of its humble studio into its own fully-developed stage with live sessions during the day and DJs by night. Come down to the new Big Chill Radio Stage and feel the raw power of FM stereo! You can tune into all the wireless fun 24 hours a day on 87.7FM from the all-new, even earlier starting time of Wednesday, all the way through to the emotional goodbyes on Monday, and whatever you do – don’t forget your radio! More information can be found on Twitter, Facebook and Mixcloud, as well as on www.bigchill.net//festival Twitter: @bigchillradio // Mixcloud: www.mixcloud.com/bigchillradio. Full details of The Big Chill Radio Stage will be announced soon.
New for 2011 Tom Middleton will programme his own stage, as a performer who has graced the decks at each and every year of The Big Chill so far and booked debut festival performances from Mylo and Hot Chip, there is no man better for this job. New for 2011 will be a stage produced in collaboration with the American Glenn Max whose past work has included Meltdown Director and Ether, The White Rabbit Lounge will be an exploration of the sights and sounds known as ‘psychedelic’. Combining live band and DJ sets with projections and talks from expert speakers, The White Rabbit Lounge will be as much a place for reclining amongst the cushions and bean bags as it is a place to freak out to mind expanding performances. The lineup for The White Rabbit Lounge is TBA so stay tuned for further updates.
The Big Chill has always involved much more than music, and 2011 will see entertainment such as cabaret, comedy, film and the celebrated Big Chill Arts Trail return. As a destination for those who like to ‘kick back’ the Body & Soul area will increase this year offering more chance than ever before to truly ‘Chill’ through holistic and therapeutic pursuits and a new ambient stage. 2011 will be more family friendly than ever as the first festival-within-a-festival appears in the form of The Little Chill, with many activities on offer from local groups such as Colwall Primary School’s Friends of Colwall and Ledbury Scout Group. Combining the kids’ area, midnight movies programmed especially for children to wind down and a little something for the parents too, The Little Chill ensures festival goers of all ages will be catered for, open to family ticket holders exclusively and linked directly to family camping for ease and enjoyment. With many original audience members and performers from The Big Chill’s past now attending with their own families Tom Middleton will be hosting DJ Dads, special sessions taking place in The Little Chill for friends and family young and old. The parental disc jockeys performing will be announced shortly.
“I am very pleased to unveil the first announcement for The Big Chill, ushering in the festival’s impressive 17th year. Having been at the forefront as a ‘boutique’ event we have put together a programme that reflects The Big Chill’s heritage whilst offering up new and exciting developments for our audiences old and new alike. To be able to offer such well respected and diverse performances, from our headliners to our international artists and breakthrough names is a true pleasure and we are thrilled to be able to evolve the musical content of the festival. What’s more, we are very lucky this summer as two of our headline acts are UK festival exclusives which is brilliant. In turn, The Big Chill 2011 will welcome the return of some key elements that have defined the festival over its 17 years including a much enhanced The Big Chill Radio, which will see it having its own stage, and Tom Middleton who, having played at every Big Chill since the very beginning is more involved in the festival than ever this year curating his own stage. Of course The Big Chill extends to much more than our musical line-up and festival goers will once again be able to enjoy the Art Trail in full and we are extremely pleased to be working with the local community to radically expand aspects such as our family and children’s entertainment through the creation of The Little Chill; a festival within in its own right. 2011 is a celebration of all that The Big Chill has been throughout its history and a bold step forward to what will be a very bright future. We look forward to seeing you there.” Melvin Benn, Festival Republic
