Festivals

Looking for the latest lineup, date, ticket information or latest news about your favourite festivals, look no further.  Summer Festival Guide’s Festival News section covers all your needs!

Knife Party, Disiples and more set for SW4

by

The London festival has confirmed that following the tragic passing of Keith Flint, The Prodigy will no longer be performing this year. They will be providing an update on the on the replacement in due course. 

Phase Three Line-Up:

Saturday
(a-z)
Big Zuu – Bakermat (Live)-  Barely Legal 
Bit Bird Showcase: Taska Black & Duskus
Anti Up: Chris Lorenzo & Chris Lake
Coco Cole – Disciples – Distruction Boyz- Jauz 
Jax Jones b2b Martin Solveig – Nathan Dawe 
R3HAB – Slushii b2b Ookay – San Holo

Sunday
(a-z)
Chip – Brockle & Det Experience – Congo Natty & The Rezistance Live 
Dillinja b2b Benny L – DJ Ron – Kabaka Pyramid – Kings of the Shadows
Knife Party  – Kyrist b2b Monty – Masicka –  My Nu Leng – SASASAS
 Seani B – Total Science b2b Breakage 

+ MANY MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED ACROSS TEN STAGES

London’s leading festival South West Four has just revealed the latest phase of talent set to join the billing at this year’s event. With Clapham Common once again hosting the two-day party across 24thand 25th August, the new additions include Disciples, Martin Solveig, Jax Jones, Jauz, Bakermat Live, Noisia, Knife Party, and many more, who join already announced headliners Martin Garrix, Craig David, Tinie Tempah, Chase & Status and Plan B.

Phase Three sees ‘Bite This’ founder Jauz return to SW4 on Saturday 24th August, after a sell out Printworks show, a day which will also witness the eagerly anticipated performance of London favourites Disciples. The trio – best known for their anthemic hits such as ‘On My Mind’ and Calvin Harris collaboration ‘How Deep Is Your Love’ – have previously hosted their own stage at the event and their return is sure to prove a huge hit with the local faithful. Packing the first day of the 2019 event with an eclectic range of sounds, former Pacha Ibiza resident Martin Solveig will also go b2b with UK chart-topper Jax Jones, with further sets from ‘Pizza’ producers Chris Lake & Chris Lorenzo (aka Anti-Up) and a special live performance from the saxophone-inspired DJ/producer and musician Bakermat.

With Sunday catering for a wealth of more urban and drum & bass tones, legendary electronic duo Knife Party (comprised of Pendulum members Rob Swire and Gareth McGrillen), will return to the SW4 stage for what promises to be a typically rapturous performance. Famed for their huge back-catalogue of hits including ‘Internet Friends’ and Swedish House Mafia collaboration ‘Antidote’, the duo will be joined in Clapham on Sunday by Noisia. The Dutch trio made up of Nik Roos, Martijn van Sonderen and Thijs de Vlieger, will delight the London crowd with their eclectic mix of breakbeat, dubstep and bass – whilst Bristolian pair My Nu Leng and bass collective SASASAS round off the latest additions.

As devoted fans and promoters of British dance music culture, South West Four are devastated by the tragic news of Keith Flint’s passing, and have confirmed that The Prodigy are cancelling all shows. A true rave icon, the festival have expressed their sadness surrounding his death:

“We are devastated, as fans first and foremost, and our hearts go out to Keith’s friends, family and band members at this difficult time.”

Skepta and more added to Exit Festival 2019

by

Exit Festival’s latest announcement includes Skepta, UK’s king of rhymes who is seen as not just the rapper but an activist and the only MC who managed to popularize the London sound in United States! His fans include Mick Jagger, Pharrell Williams, Drake, Naomi Campbell, as well as A$AP Rocky, with whom he released the planetary hit “Praise the Lord“! The phenomenal IAMDDB is also coming from the British Isles, after being shortlisted by the BBC on their acclaimed Sound of 2019 list, so it’s only natural that her trap-jazz bangers “Shade”, “Drippy” and “Kurr£ncy” are a mainstay on the best hip-hop and R&B parties. In order to keep the Main Stage’s Sunday finale in the spirit of hip-hop, EXIT will host the master of live performances Desiigner, the creator of the decade’s most viral hip-hop song, “Panda”, which reached the tops of the American charts and has over a billion YouTube views to this day! This summer, EXIT will take place at the spectacular 18th century Petrovaradin fortress, from July 4 to 7 and still discounted tickets can be found at exitfest.org.

At a time when the music industry was turning its back on the street phenomenon of “grime”, Skepta became the best-known representative of the style that many call the new punk! It has been more than a decade since Skepta made everyone go nuts with the famous “Rolex Sweep” dance, after which came prestigious awards in the form of Mercury, BRIT, BET, MOBO and NME trophies, as well as the influential GQ list of best-dressed celebs. He was also featured on the cover of the famous mag last year, alongside supermodel Naomi Campbell, while the two were rumored to be in a relationship. Skepta is not afraid to take on burning social and political issues, as well as the hot topic of racism, which is why many refer to him as more than a rapper, but an activist. His rich biography lists colabs with names such as the great Mick Jagger, while Drake went as far as tattooing the initials of Skepta’s record label and collective “Boy Beter Know”. With the help of the megaproducer Pharrell Williams, he published his monumental “Konnichiwa” album three years ago, which consequently went gold in Britain and brought Skepta numerous accolades!

Hip-hop’s influential XXL magazine dubbed Desiigner one of the next big things in its “Freshman Class” list for 2016, and lo and behold, he published his huge hit “Panda” just a few months later, receiving the Billboard award for the best rap song, thus leaving Migos in the dust with “Bad and Boujee”, as well as Rae Sremmurd with his popular “Black Beatles” number! He was noticed by Kanye West who signed him to his record label, G.O.O.D. music, with new record-breaking tracks following, such as “Timmy Turner” and “Liife”, where he was joined by the trap legend Gucci Mane. Recently, he sent his fans in a frenzy thanks to brand-new singles “Soul” and “Earned It”!

Proof that Manchester is not just a city of Brit-pop comes in the form of a young artist dubbed IAMDDB, short for I Am Diana Debrito, who calls herself a “lovechild of trap and jazz”. This fearless lady found herself at the third place of the BBC “Sound of 2018” list, while her name was also listed on the acclaimed Forbes’ “30 under 30 Europe 2019” list.

This year, just as the name suggests, all genres will be thrown in the mix on the Addiko Fusion stage, including hip-hop, thanks to the announced arrival of the Balkans’ rap queen Sajsi MC and the beloved rap-trio Bad Copy! This “hip-hop festival within a festival” will carry on to Cockta Beats, the new hotspot for all hip-hop fans which will only feature performers of this genre! The mind-blowing line-up is currently lead by the biggest regional rap stars, Vojko V and Krešo Bengalka, popular regional bands Atlas Erotika, Bekfleš, Buntai, Hazze, High5, I.N.D.I.G.O, Krankšvester and 30Zona, as well as new talents, such as Klinac and Elon, whose star-studded career is more than guaranteed. The gang at the fortress will further gather the most popular DJ collectives and mix masters, such as Vatra, Cake Boys, FAM, Irie Scratch & Shorty P, Bajko Felix, DJ Laki & DJ Rokam, Palace, Traples, Luka Brasi, PLYZ, New Wave, In Da Klub, trepaj il krepaj, Vaske, Yung Rosh, Zimski and Lil Yung.!

EXIT tickets are available at exitfest.org, and for those who wish to bundle them with accomodation and local transfer, there are also packages starting at €135. Default accommodation is the festival camp located on the city beach, while hotels can be booked through EXIT’s official tourist agency at exittrip.org.

EXIT Festival will be held 4-7 July 2019 at Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad, while the always diverse line-up will include The Cure, Greta Van Fleet, Carl Cox, Skepta, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, DJ Snake, Desiigner, Lost Frequencies, IAMDDB, Sofi Tukker, Tom Walker, Maceo Plex, Charlotte De Witte, Boris Brejcha, Peggy Gou, Jeff Mills, Amelie Lens, Dax J, Phil Anselmo & The Illegals, Tarja Turunen, 65daysofstatic, The Selecter, Peter & The Test Tube Babies, Whitechapel, Atheist Rap, Arcturus, Total Chaos and many more to come soon.

Pitch Music & Arts in Moyston, Victoria, Australia – last remaining tickets available

by

Pitch Music & Arts 2019
Friday 8th March – Monday 12th March

 

Situated close by to the strikingly beautiful Grampians mountain range in Moyston, Victoria, Australia, Pitch Music & Arts returns this Friday 8th March until Tuesday 12th March with a perennial weekend of elevated electronic music and visual arts. For four days this satellite community flows through an incompressible setting; swift-footed, well blended and sensually engaged.

Following the recent announcements that Pitch Music & Arts will host techno tastemaker Daniel Avery, the live electronica of David August, and the USA’s fastest rising techno star Avalon Emerson here we show the full international lineup (plus a handful of local artists)..

View the full lineup, below:

 

 

16 Bit Lolitas (NED)
30/70 (Live) (AUS)
Âme b2b Dixon (6-hour set) (GER)
Andrés (USA)
Anthony Naples (USA)
Avalon Emerson (USA)
Baba Stiltz (SWE)
Banoffee (Live) (AUS)
Charlotte de Witte (BEL)
Courtesy (DEN)
Daniel Avery (UK)
Dasha Rush (GER)
David August (Live) (GER)
Denis Sulta (UK)
DJ Harvey (USA)
Dr. Rubinstein (GER)
Dusky (UK)
Eclair Fifi (UK)
Four Tet (UK)
Horse Meat Disco (UK)
Job Jobse (NED)
Made In Paris (AUS)
Mall Grab (AUS)
Marc Holstege (NL)
Marvin & Guy (ITA)
Merve (AUS)
Michael Mayer (GER)
Milan Ring (Live) (AUS)
Monolink (Live) (GER)
Oliver Huntemann (GER)
Oliver Schories (GER)
Optimo (UK)
Palms Trax (UK)
Perc (UK)
Perel (Hybrid live) (GER)
Recondite (Live) (GER)
Retiree (Live) (AUS)
Roman Flügel (GER)
Ross From Friends (Live) (UK)
Sven Väth (GER)
Tim Engelhardt (Live) (GER)
tINI (GER)
Toni Yotzi (AUS)
Total Giovanni (Live) (AUS)
Tourist (Live) (UK)

 

Tickets

Select tickets can be purchased from the official website below:
www.pitchfestival.com.au

 

 

Download Festival welcomes WWE NXT UK to Donington Park for 2019

by

Download Festival, the champion of rock events, is pleased to welcome WWE NXT UK to the hallowed
grounds of Donington Park across 14-16 June 2019, as well as SEVENTEEN further bands including
supergroup Simple Creatures, The Wonder Years, and Dinosaur Pile-up.

WWE United Kingdom Champion Pete Dunne, NXT UK Women’s Champion Toni Storm, and Tyler Bate will
be among the NXT UK stars parading thrilling displays of dynamic athleticism during the bonafide full-scale
ring bouts in the festival arena, which for the first time ever will be taped and aired as part of the weekly
NXT UK show on the WWE Network. Superstars Trent Seven, Walter, Rhea Ripley, Jordan Devlin, NXT UK
Tag Team Champions The Grizzled Young Veterans, Travis Banks, Gallus and many more to be announced,
will descend upon Download for a weekend of high flying maneuvers, action-packed matches and
unexpected surprises. NXT has made a massive impact at the festival in previous years, performing to
capacity crowds throughout the weekend, featuring impressive debuts, shocking returns and exciting
moments. This is the ultimate win for wrestling fans!

Joining headliners Slipknot, Tool and Def Leppard and a host of acts already announced for the annual rock
spectacle, are SEVENTEEN other amazing acts. In a UK Festival Exclusive is supergroup Simple Creatures,
comprising of blink-182’s Mark Hoppus and All Time Low’s Alex Gaskarth, who will headline the Avalanche
stage on the Saturday night. Known as legends of the pop-punk scene, the pair will give an unmissable
exclusive and first UK Festival performance at this year’s Download. Already releasing two infectious singles
‘Strange Love’ and ‘Drug’, Simple Creatures will release their debut EP Strange Love on March 29th.
Simple Creatures said: “An evening of Trash-Pop reverie awaits you at Download Fest. There will be
Creatures. They will be Simple. There will be singing and dancing in a big tent. What more could you possibly
want?”

Also added are Dinosaur Pile-up who have spent the better part of two decades as purveyors of riff laden
ginormous rock and are well versed in whipping the crowd into a frenzy, the powerhouse blend of
psychedelic with grunge from Allusinlove, and Liverpool’s Queen Zee who are ready to cause a commotion
with their inspiring anthems through their fluid expression of brash queer punk. The Wonder Years will
smash a punk shaped whole through Donington with a raucous set of anti-suburban anthems, and they will
be in good company with UK pop-punk upstarts Roam, known for their energetic and frantic live shows.

Norway’s Kvelertak are on their way to lead the crowd through a relentless onslaught of exciting ‘black n
roll’ and join this year’s line up, as are the aptly named Hot Milk who are one of the hottest upcoming names
in UK rock, Finland’s own thrash prodigies Lost Society bringing with them their relentless insanely fast metal
for head banging aplenty, the grime meets punk London duo Nova Twins, and dirty blues rockers The
Picturebooks. Graveyard will be making their welcome return seamlessly blending rock, soul, 60’s acid fuzz
and of course a big dash of heavy metal into an infectious musical stew, alongside Mongolian internet
sensations The Hu which is a genre you didn’t know you needed in your life. Goodbye June, Vambo, Cloud
and Kim Jennett also set to play.

SW4 Phase 2 lineup announced

by

Phase 2 Line Up

Saturday
TCHAMI X MALAA (NO REDEMPTION)
(A-Z)
ALISON WONDERLAND – AMINE EDGE & DANCE
ARMAND VAN HELDEN – ELI & FUR – MADAM X
MASON COLLECTIVE – NINA LAS VEGAS

+ VERY SPECIAL GUEST: BASEMENT JAXX (DJ SET)
Sunday
WILKINSON LIVE presents ALL FOR YOU (UK EXCLUSIVE)
(A-Z)
ALIX PEREZ b2b SPECTRASOUL – BLACK SUN EMPIRE
CASISDEAD – DEVLIN – FRICTION PRESENTS CONNECTIONS
MS DYNAMITE LIVE – SWITCH: HYPE & HAZARD
+ VERY SPECIAL GUEST: SHY FX PRESENTS CUL.TURE
Joining the August Bank Holiday festival line up will be, ‘Pardon My French’ duo Tchami & Malaa who will be bringing their gospel-based ‘No Redemption’ concept to South London for a performance on Saturday. They’ll be joined by a host of the biggest talent in electronic music, including US-trap mogul Alison Wonderland, Amine Edge & Dance, and legendary house figure, Armand Van Helden. With the likes ofEli & Fur, Madam X, Mason Collective, and Nina Las Vegas also added to the opening day of the 2019 festival, Saturday will also feature very special guests Basement Jaxx, with the legendary group following up their scintillating 2018 performance at the same event.

Sunday will mark a UK exclusive; Drum & Bass maestro Wilkinson will deliver his ‘All For You’ project to the Clapham site, an innovative live concept designed to showcase the producer’s most thunderous tones in. With a very special b2b between Alix Perez and Spectrasoul also bringing vibrancy to the final day of the 2019 event, the duo will also be joined by the likes of Black Sun Empire, masked UK hip hop enigma Casisdead, rapper Devlin, and a special live performance from the Mercury Prize winning pop queen, Ms Dynamite across the course of Sunday. Friction will be bringing his ‘Connections’ brand to the party people of Clapham following his recent album release of the same name, Hype & Hazard are also sure to get crowds jumping in preparation for the hotly awaited Shy FX presents Cul.Ture set; a fitting finale for Sunday’s bass-heavy sounds

Halestorm, Clutch, Stone Temple Pilots, Behmoth and more added to Download 2019 lineup

by

Download Festival, the world’s premier rock event, has announced a further 43 acts including
Halestorm, FEVER 333, Beartooth, Skid Row, Brothers Osbourne, Stone Temple Pilots, Clutch and
more, joining headliners Slipknot, Tool and Def Leppard for the annual rock extravaganza. The
three-day festival takes place on 14-16 June 2019 at the spiritual home of rock in Donington
Park, Leicestershire. Kerrang! Radio have also launched a talent search for a chance to open the
Avalanche Stage at the festival, head to Kerrang! Radio for more info. Tickets are on sale now at
downloadfestival.co.uk/tickets.

Arena rockers Halestorm will make their grand return to Download delivering break-neck riffs and
lung-busting vocals courtesy of the incredible Lzzy Hale. Stone Temple Pilots, responsible for
megahits ‘Plush’, ‘Interstate Love Song’ and ‘Trippin’ on a Hole in a Paper Heart’ will make their
first Download appearance with new vocalist Jeff Gutt. Festival favourites and hard rocking
institution Clutch will make their sixth appearance, as well as classic grunge rock revivalists Aaron
Buchanan & the Cult Classics led by the former Heaven’s Basement frontman.

Beartooth have ascended to star status with their groove-driven singalongs and the release of
their third album ‘Disgusting’. FEVER 333 have gained a reputation for their hyperactive, political
‘demonstrations’ which will not be forgotten in a hurry. Palaye Royale are name on everyone’s lips
as the unanimous kings of ‘fashion-art’ rock, the exuberant trio have garnered a legion of fans
and ready to make a statement. Brighton’s Black Peaks will thrill fans, having previously impressed
with their mastery of melody and raw power that have seen them become one of the UK’s
brightest metal prospects. Japanese veterans Coldrain will whip up the crowd with their
punchy, bouncy metalcore.

Legendary ‘Youth Gone Wild’ classic rockers Skid Row are on course for a hit-filled set. Supergroup
Deadland Ritual, featuring former members of Black Sabbath, Guns N’ Roses, Billy Idol and
Apocalyptica, are set for a seismic performance. Country rock dynamos Brothers Osbourne will
add some killer licks to the proceedings, plus the heavy metal Last in Line, featuring members of
the original line up of Dio, and Wolf Jaw will also be on hand to deliver some dirty rock n’ roll.

Fans of all things black and death metal will be thrilled with the additions of pioneers Behemoth
and At The Gates, both famed for their respective first-of-their-kind mastery of the genres. They’ll
be in good company with UK upstarts Conjurer whose amalgamation of sludge, hardcore and
black metal have labelled them as massive ones-to-watch. Also added are the ominous Swedish
outfit Batushka and Ne Obliviscaris who’ll usher in a new era in extreme music to Donington.

Ascending pop punk rockers Trash Boat have been pummelling the road as one of the leading,
forward-thinking bands in the scene and the quintet’s claim to the throne is on the horizon. Rock
radio mainstays Three Days Grace are on hand to deliver a powerful performance, as are
Godsmack with choruses so anthemic they grant no immunity, alongside Bad Wolves whose viral
cover of ‘Zombie’ by The Cranberries shot them into the spotlight in 2018.

For those who like their metal delivered with laser-like precision, Animals as Leaders will astound
with their technical virtuosity. Heart Of A Coward return to lay waste to the fields of Donington with
new vocalist Kaan Tasan. They are joined by tech metal instrumentalists Intervals and UK prog
metallers Toska, who have quickly become an exciting force in the ever-growing scene.

 

Newcastle post-hardcore band GroundCulture have been grafting away, building a fierce
reputation ready to take on Download, and forward-thinking nu-metal act Cane Hill are also
confirmed, whose visceral approach has helped reignite the genre.

Download 2019 will be a truly international affair with the addition of Reputable party thrash
heroes Municipal Waste, French post metal/shoegaze Alcest, and Sumo Cyco who have made
waves with their fusion of rhythm and dancehall hooks and metal riffs. Flying the flag for Japan are
all female power metal stars Love Bites as well as Japanese metalcore titans Crystal Lake.

Australian natives Redhook, and Twelve Foot Ninja will also be making the long trip to get the
mosh pits started, while Representing New Zealand are hard rockers Like A Storm.

Electronic-infused industrial duo SKYND are ready to make things dark, creepy and sanguine all at
once. Bridgend five piece Those Damn Crows are purveyors of melodic, in-your-face and
exhilarating hard rock. Icon For Hire have been breaking down boundaries worldwide and are
ready to stamp their mark on their Download debut. Up next are pop-punk new comers Lost In
Stereo, Manchester’s hottest new band Parting Gift, and last but not least are melodic rockers
Vega.

 

Wireless Festival announce 2019 lineup

by

The highlight of the summer calendar, Wireless Festival, is returning to London’s Finsbury Park from the 5th – 7th July 2019. Now in its fourteenth year, the three-day urban music event has cemented itself as the home of urban music and London sound – the go-to event for fans of the world’s most talked about rappers and DJs. This year will see headline performances from global superstars CARDI B, MIGOS (Friday co-headliners), TRAVIS SCOTT (Saturday headliner) and ASAP ROCKY (Sunday headliner), plus Future, Torey Lanez, Lil Uzi Vert, Young Thug, Rae Sremmurd, Ella Mai, Juice WRLD, Stefflon Don, Tyga, AJ Tracey and so many more. Last year’s event sold out in record time, so fans better be quick!

Tickets are on sale here.

FRIDAY

CARDI B | MIGOS

TORY LANEZ | ELLA MAI | TYGA

FREDO | LIL SKIES | BUGZY MALONE

HEADIE ONE | IAMDDB

MALEEK BERRY | NSG | B YOUNG

SATURDAY

TRAVIS SCOTT

(UK FESTIVAL EXCLUSIVE)

SPECIAL GUEST: FUTURE

(UK FESTIVAL EXCLUSIVE)

LIL UZI VERT | YOUNG THUG | JUICE WRLD

STEFFLON DON | TRIPPIE REDD | SHECK WES

M HUNCHO | SAWEETIE

UNKNOWN T | AMBUSH BUZZWORL

STEEL BANGLEZ | CADET | DIGDAT | DENO DRIZ

SUNDAY

ASAP ROCKY
(UK FESTIVAL EXCLUSIVE)

RAE SREMMURD

LIL BABY | GUNNA | NOT3S | AJ TRACEY | RICH THE KID

SKI MASK THE SLUMP GOD | DENZEL CURRY

D BLOCK EUROPE | LOSKI | J.I.D

RUSS SPLASH | FLOHIO | LADY SANITY

In what’s set to be the most talked about performance of the Summer – Queen of rap Cardi B and Kings of Atlanta Migos, will take to the stage for their first ever co – headline slot, in Finsbury Park next year. This will be Cardi’s debut Wireless performance.

Since the release of her critically acclaimed number one debut album ‘Invasion Of Privacy’, Cardi B has been placed within the pantheon of great rappers – The New York superstar continues to break records, she recently became the first solo female rapper to go number 1 in the US in 20 years, and her debut album broke the record for the most streams on Apple Music in a single week by a female artist. Fans can expect to hear global hits ‘Bodak Yellow’, ‘I Like It’, ‘Bartier Cardi’ and more as she co-headlines the iconic main stage alongside Migos.

Since the release of their 2018 record breaking album ‘Culture II’, Migos have established themselves as one of the hottest acts in the world and have joined the likes of Run DMC and NWA as one of the biggest hip-hop groups of all time. The Grammy-nominated multi-platinum rap sovereign group are set to bring their unique blend of hip-hop and trap to London as they co-headline the festival on Friday. With a mammoth 2018 which included billions of streams and inclusions in nearly every album end-year list, the hype has never been bigger for the Atlanta trio. Migos are poised to dominate 2019, in a year which will see the release of their fourth studio album ‘Culture III’.

Currently on his huge Astroworld: Wish You Were Here US tour; Houston rapper Travis Scott returns to headline Wireless in a UK festival exclusive performance. The Grammy nominated rapper released his third studio album ‘Astroworld’ in 2018 which was met with critical acclaim both sides of the Atlantic and has positioned him as arguably the biggest star on the planet right now. The rap icon is currently placed within the top 30 most streamed Spotify artists in the world, and his influence on pop culture continues to grow. 2019 will see him reach new heights with his Super Bowl Halftime show, various 2019 Grammy Awards nominations, and his Wireless headline performance. Expect to hear fan favourites ‘Sicko Mode’, ‘Butterfly Effect’, and ‘Goosebumps’.

Closing the Festival on Sunday in a UK exclusive is the successor to New York’s golden-age of hip-hop legends, A$AP Rocky. Since he first emerged Rocky has continuously broken the mold of hip-hop with mind-melting beats and raps, experimental sounds, and an unparalleled musical landscape rarely seen in music today. The New York rapper has been championed by fellow rap superstar Drake and has accumulated over 4.5 billion streams worldwide. Rocky is set to create a historic moment at Wireless 2019 when he performs fan favourites from his huge catalogue that includes hits from his two US number one albums and 2018 release ‘TESTING’.

Elsewhere, one of Atlanta hip-hop’s biggest contributors Future joins the line up for a special performance and the only chance to see him in the UK, bringing hip-hops centre of gravity to London and demonstrating why he is known as the king of trap. Since bursting onto the scene, self-proclaimed rockstar and ‘XO Tour Lif3’ hitmaker Lil Uzi Vert has truly shaken up modern hip-hop. Known for his high energy live show, his set is not to be missed at this year’s festival. Music visionary and multi-art form superstar Young Thug is also added to the line-up. Heralded as one of popular music’s most charismatic and crowd-pleasing live performers, the innovative rapper is set to create an unforgettable Wireless moment.

Forever championing the burgeoning UK scene, Wireless 2019 will play host to some of the hottest talent that the country has to offer. Flying the flag for London is rap queen Stefflon Don who returns to Wireless in 2019 following the release of sophomore mixtape ‘Secure’ and her place on the 2018 XXL Freshman list. Fellow Londoner AJ Tracey is also added to the line-up. The rising grime star has become one of the best in the game and will be bringing his dynamic hook-laden tracks to Wireless this year, as well as Hackney born and bred rapper NOT3S. R&B singer songwriter Ella Mai hit the mainstream in 2018 with slow jam ‘Boo’d Up’ ahead of the release of her self-titled debut album in October, which reached Top Five in the US Billboard 200. Since then she has received Grammy nominations for Song of the Year and Best R&B song, as well as a Brit Award nomination for British Breakthrough Act, making her one to watch in 2019 and one of the most anticipated sets of the weekend. Elsewhere, Manchester’s rising star IAMDDB will be bringing her mesmerizing trap-jazz vocals and infectious hits including ‘Shade’ to Finsbury Park.

Returning to the Wireless stage on Sunday are the incredible Rae Sremmurd. Based on their 2018 performance, the Mississippi hip-hop duo will once again give one of the performances of the summer. These two brothers have an ever-growing fanbase who will be treated to a memorable hit-heavy set including chart-topping single ‘Black Beatles’, ‘No Type’, ‘Swang’ and many more.

Making his Wireless debut is hip-hops next global superstar Sheck Wes. Endorsed by none other than Kanye West and Saturday headliner Travis Scott, the New York rapper released his critically acclaimed debut album ‘Mudboy’ in 2018 and has become one of the most exciting new rappers around. Elsewhere, Tory Lanez heads to Finsbury Park fresh off the ‘Assassination Vacation Tour’ with 2018 headliner Drake. The Canadian rapper and producer will be showcasing his R&B and rap fusion and 2018 sophomore release ‘Memories Don’t Die’ and ‘Love Me Now?’. Joining them is Chicago rapper Juice WRLD who had an outstanding 2018 releasing his acclaimed debut album ‘Goodbye & Good Riddance’ which included breakout single ‘Lucid Dreams’ which has gained over 604 million Spotify streams.

Californian rapper Saweetie will also be bringing her breakout single and viral smash ‘ICY GRL’ to Finsbury Park, while West London MC Fredo joins the bill after appearing on NME’s ‘100 Essential New Artists for 2019’ list and ahead of the release of his forthcoming debut full-length album ‘Third Avenue’ having proved his rapping ability with features on tracks like huge 2018 UK single ‘Funky Friday’ with Dave.

The latest addition to Festival Republic’s ReBalance programme, Birmingham’sLady Sanity will take to the Wireless stage on Sunday. ReBalance was launched in 2017 and has so far secured and provided recording time, mentorship, support, and much more to the thirteen artists that have been chosen for the pioneering project. Lady Sanity has already won the GRM Daily Get Rated Award in 2017, and last year won Best Solo Female Artist at the Birmingham Music Awards and will no doubt go down a storm at this year’s Wireless Festival.

Other acts taking to the stage across the weekend include XXL Freshman Trippie Redd, Compton rapper Tyga, Lil Baby, Gunna, M Huncho, Unknown T, Ambush Buzzworl, Rich The Kid, Lil Skies, Ski Mask The Slump God, Denzel Curry,Bugzy Malone, D Block Europe, Loski, J.I.D, Maleek Berry, Steel Banglez,Cadet, Headie One, Flohio, NSG, B Young, Deno Driz, Russ Splash and DigDat, with more still to be announced.

Download Festival announces next wave of acts for 2019

by

Download Festival, the world’s premier rock event, has announced a further 23 acts including Slayer
with their last ever UK show, The Smashing Pumpkins, Dream Theater, Lamb of God, Eagles Of Death
Metal, and more. The three-day festival takes place 14-16 June 2019 at the spiritual home of rock
in Donington Park, Leicestershire. Tickets are on sale now at downloadfestival.co.uk/tickets.

Metal royalty Slayer will be making their final UK appearance at Download 2019 after 37 years of
mayhem. Their impact on musical culture cannot be overstated and fans should prepare for yet
another legendary performance which will include a barrage of classics as they make one last
celebratory sweep of Donington.

The Smashing Pumpkins will make their first appearance at Download Festival next year. The altrock and grunge legends have stunned crowds worldwide on their 30th anniversary tour and are as
ageless and seminal as ever. Loud, quiet, dreamy, stirring and everything in-between – The
Smashing Pumpkins debut Download performance is not one to be missed.

Prog-metal titans Dream Theater have been at the top of the game for 33 years. Having inspired
countless bands along their storied career, their performance will be no less grandiose as they return
to Download after a 10 year absence. They will be joined by the groove-laden modern metal
heavyweights Lamb of God, as well as Eagles Of Death Metal, who invite fans to revel in all their
rock’ n roll glory on their second ever Download appearance.

The prodigally powerful Maori-metal trio Alien Weaponry have carved their own sound somewhere
between Sepultura and Silverschair and are in good company with the heavy-metal powerhouse
Anthrax who will give fans a performance to remember. Brooding rockers Badflower are hotlytipped after the success of their poignant, powerful single ‘Ghost’, and joining them are industrial
noise-punks Black Futures who have been making seismic waves and will take the crowd on a trip
of a lifetime.

Atlanta southern rockers Blackberry Smoke will be on hand to serve up a truck load of raucous
country-infused good times. Detroit post-hardcore band I Prevail have proven that they are the real
deal and will whip the crowd into a frenzy, and so too will Los Angeles natives The Interrupters.
Ukrainian tech metallers Jinjer, led by their incredibly powerful frontwoman Tatiana Shmaylyuk, are
also added to the line up and will bring their all-powerful live performance to Download.

Man With A Mission are jumping on board with their pulse-racing hooks, riffs and giant wolf heads
in tow, and are joined by fellow genre-melder nothing,nowhere. who has taken the world by storm
with his hybrid emo-rap, pushing both genres forward as the most exciting force in the ever-growing
scene. Our Last Night whose rapid rise to success shows no sign of slowing down are also added to
the bill, as too are Riding The Low who are making the pilgrimage from Burton-on-Trent featuring
Paddy Considine on vocals.

Swedish sensations Royal Republic will also join the Download 2019 line up alongside Pop-punk frontrunners State Champs who’re fresh off the back of the release of their third album ‘Living Proof’.
Rising Nepalese metal disruptors Underside will turn up the volume and are in good company with
the well-oiled deathcore machine Whitechapel who will steam roll in to lay waste to the fields of
Donington.

Australian up-and-comers Yours Truly will be flying in with a freight of huge choruses with them, and
last but not least Floridian party starters Zebrahead are bringing the fun with no shortage of anthems
and antics to get the crowd going.

Download Festival is the home of rock music and takes place on the sacred grounds of Donington
Park, which have been associated with rock since the eighties. The festival attracts icons of rock to
its main stage, plus some of the best and hottest new acts in the world. AC/DC, KISS, Metallica,
Black Sabbath, The Prodigy, Rage Against The Machine, Slipknot, Linkin Park and many more have
all headlined the main stage.

 

First DOWNLOAD 2019 Announcement!

by

DOWNLOADERS! It’s time, your first announcement is here and we’re hyped to reveal that your #DL2019 headliners are Def Leppard, Slipknot and Tool! Plus, SEVENTEEN of the most awesome bands in the world including Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators, Whitesnakeand Rob Zombie are also coming to rock Donington Park to its metal core on 14th-16th June 2019.

Classic rock powerhouse Def Leppard are making a spectacular return to headline the Main Stage on Friday at Download and we cannot wait.

In what will be their ONLY UK appearance of 2019, the Sheffield legends will be playing their seminal album ‘Hysteria’ in full and more.

Def Leppard front man Joe Elliott has said: “We are delighted to be going back to headline Download in 2019! The festival has a very special place in our hearts and it’s such a great place to play. We will be playing Hysteria in full – yes, in full! – plus a load more of the hits, and we are going to put on a very special show for our UK fans. Can’t wait to see you all there!”

The forerunners of the new wave British heavy metal movement, Def Leppard have sold over 100 million records. Donington is going to be the ONLY place in the UK this year where you can watch them rip through a full-throttle stadium-sized show and scream along to classics like ‘Pour Some Sugar On Me’, ‘Love Bites’, ‘Rock Of Ages’ and countless more.

So, get set to rock like an ‘Animal’ as it’s going to be unforgettable Main Stage headline set for the Download family.

Meet your next headliners, the mighty masked metallers Slipknot! One of the most defining acts of the last two decades, the sheer power of Slipknot’s live sets have gone down in Download legend.

With a back catalogue of rock club classics – ‘Duality’, ‘Spit It Out’, ‘Before I Forget’ and ‘Psychosocial’ – Iowa’s sickest sons are going to bring the mosh for their Saturday headline set.

An appearance thirteen years in the making, we are totally psyched to announce that Tool will be making their grand return to headline Sunday at Download.

The Grammy award-winning, multi-platinum, prog-metal titans are set to take you on a grandiose career spanning journey of classic albums ‘Undertow’, ‘Lateralus’, and ‘10,000 Days’.

If those legendary headliners weren’t enough we’ve got SEVENTEEN more bands to announce today.

After slaying the Main Stage with Guns N’ Roses at #DL2018, living guitar god Slash couldn’t stay away and is riffing his way back to Donington for #DL2019 with Alter Bridge frontman for Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators.

Fresh from releasing their phenomenal third album ‘Living The Dream’, Slash and Myles Kennedy and The Conspirator’s set is going to have you wailing to signature slick solos and out of this world rock anthems.

“Here I go again on my own, Goin’ down the only road I’ve ever known!” is going to ring out loud and proud over Donington Park as Whitesnake are coming to Download 2019.

Whitesnake front man David Coverdale said: “Once again, we’ve been honoured to be invited to participate in the legendary DOWNLOAD 2019…Can’t Wait To See You All & Kick Arse Together!!!…So Ready 2 Rock!!!”

If metal is your lifeblood, get ready for a large transfusion as Rob Zombie is once again going to turn Download into his own twisted carnival with a set bursting with stomp-laden classics and new tracks.

Plus, Trivium will be taking Donington by the horns to turn your stomachs with their roaring metal, Swedish death metallers Amon Amarth are going to pack a deadly punch with their Viking inspired cinematic metal and Carcass will remind you why they’re the gore-grind forefathers.

Still want more? Dutch outfit Delain, led by the world-class frontwoman Charlotte Wessels, will be a must-see for all of you symphonic metal fans. Whilst, in a Download first Die Antwoord will be getting you bouncing hard to their Zef style hip-hop.

And, punk rock covers supergroup Me First And The Gimme Gimmes, featuring members of NOFX, Foo Fighters, Lagwagon, Swingin’ Utters, are going to have you and your mates gasping for breath shouting along to their rapid-fire covers.

If you’re looking for a one way ticket to prog paradise, Sweden’s Opeth are going to deliver a set filled with classics and tracks from their 2016 acclaimed album, ‘Sorceress’.

New-school thrashers Power Trip are going to make their Download debut and get you headbanging to tracks from their sophomore album, ‘Nightmare Logic’.

And, Californian ska-punk heroes Reel Big Fish will get Donington bouncing to some solid rocksteady riffs.

Download Festival favourites Skindred are going to shake the Donington hills with their ragga metal. The unmatched energy and exuberance of frontman Benji Webbe is sure to see the return of the Newport Helicopter originating at Download 2011.

Hotly-tipped sci-fi, conceptual rockers Starset also join the line up with an ambitious, gigantic rock set that is destined for the stadiums in the future. And, Tesla will serve up classic hard rock anthems in mammoth portions for you to sink your teeth into.

Ready to give us a surefire singalong are Queensland metalcore veterans The Amity Affliction with syrupy hooks, melodic metalcore and ferocious breakdowns.

And, finally open your arms wide to welcome back post-hardcore pioneers Underoath as the trailblazers make their first appearance back at the festival since 2005.

BLOODSTOCK announce six bands as an early Halloween treat!

by

As Halloween creeps up, BLOODSTOCK has prepared an early treat and announced six new bands to join their previously announced Friday night headliner, SABATON on the 2019 bill at Catton Park.

 

CHILDREN OF BODOM land a Friday spot on the Ronnie James Dio main stage in a UK exclusive. The band entered Danger Johnny Studios with producer Mikko Karmila earlier this year to work on a new studio album, due for release in 2019, following 2015’s devilishly good ‘I Worship Chaos’. See the video for ‘Morrigan’ from that album at: https://youtu.be/jm3kDrBTlt8.

 

CRADLE OF FILTH return to Catton Park’s main stage on Saturday. The British hellfiends are no strangers to our hallowed ground and we’re keenly expecting both tricks and treats aplenty. Lead Cenobite Dani Filth had this to say about returning to BLOODSTOCK; “Obviously we want to finish what we started ten years ago, that is to finish our set! And for that alone we are really, really looking forward to bringing a massive Cradle show back to the BLOODSTOCK fans. We f**king can’t wait!” Meanwhile, watch the video for ‘Heartbreak And Seance’ at https://youtu.be/DNRIaeg6EyY, taken from their gothic horror-infused twelfth album, ‘Cryptoriana – The Seductiveness of Decay’.

 

SOILWORK also pick up a Sunday slot in a UK festival exclusive. The Swedish metallers are currently hard at work in the studio brewing their eleventh studio album and the follow up to 2015’s acclaimed ‘The Ride Majestic’. Check out the band blazing through ‘This Momentary Bliss’ (taken from their ‘Live In The Heart of Helskini’ DVD) here; https://youtu.be/3RsAF6r3gQw.

 

BLOODSTOCKers will be able to see the inimitable DEE SNIDER on Sunday’s main stage! The Twisted Sister frontman’s recent solo album, ‘For The Love Of Metal’ was the result of a challenge issued by Hatebreed frontman (and BOA favourite!) Jamey Jasta! Whilst appearing on Jasta’s podcast, Jamey told Dee that he ought to make a “true metal album” and he wanted to produce! The project forged ahead, picking up numerous plaudits on release earlier this year. Check out the video for ‘Become The Storm’ – https://youtu.be/hljBz0zTEKQ – for a glimpse of what’s in store!

 

We also welcome QUEENSRYCHE to the main stage on Sunday. The Todd La Torre-fronted outfit are putting the finishing touches on their forthcoming new album too and are giving PledgeMusic supporters an early taste! Head over to https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/queensryche2 to sink your teeth in and get your claws on all kinds of special pre-order bundles.

 

Lastly, but definitely not least, Swedish death metal luminaries HYPOCRISY join us on Sunday! With Peter Tägtgren at their helm, the band released their first record back in 1992 and have released 11 more since. The band enter the studio in January 2019 to create a new masterpiece, their first since 2013’s, ‘End Of Disclosure’. Watch the video for that title track at https://youtu.be/MJsdZ2FR3WM.