Houghton announce first names for 2019

Described in some quarters as setting a new benchmark for music festivals, Houghton announces a progressive and eclectic group of names for its third edition on 8th-11th August 2019.

After making arguably one of the most successful debuts of recent times in 2017, the festival opted to make only minor improvements to its simple and refined approach in 2018. In 2019, the festival is staying true to its ethos and is continuing to incorporate art, music and sculpture into the beautiful surroundings of Houghton Hall, Norfolk.

The musical programme reflects Craig Richards’ eclectic taste, while continuing the festival’s tradition of encouraging long extended sets and unique live acts, across bespoke and cutting edge sound systems from German manufacturer d&b audiotechnik.

As always, Houghton casts a spotlight on an array of rising talent and experimental artists. They have also confirmed plans to expand and develop the Pinters stage format, offering a unique 360 soundscape listening environment for jazz, ambient and experimental sounds and inviting artists that promise to explore all of the corners of the musical spectrum. Estonian violinist and vocalist Maarja Nuut, the rapidly rising Object Blue, UK jazz pioneers Matthew Halsall and the Elliot Galvin Trio, German dubtronica trailblazer Pole, and the abstract and beautiful musings of Soundwalk Collective are all appearing

After extraordinary sets last year, the heavyweight returnees include Ricardo VillalobosHelena Hauff, Ben UFOOptimoHuneeSeth TroxlerJane FitzPearson SoundAndrew WeatherallJoy OrbisonPowderMidland and Call Super, whilst debut appearances are lined up for Four TetBruce, DJ Stingray and Biosphere amongst many others, as Houghton‘s lineup extends to include even more of the most influential figures in electronic music.

Jensen Interceptor is one of Australia’s finest electro exports and Mark Ernestus’ Ngadda Rhythm Force is an unmissable live band prospect from the hugely influential techno producer. There are also sets from Carl Finlow as Silicon  Scally, Vancouver protege D. Tiffany, Floating Points and uniquely Jerry Dammers of The SpecialsPalms Trax showcases his deep-digging gems, Calibre and dBridge offer up their unique strain of thunderous bass music and Gerd Janson will be showcasing his eclectic genre spanning commitment to the scene. Harvey SutherlandFlangerDMX KrewRadioactive Man and acclaimed composer Ricardo Romaneiro all deliver live sets unconfined by genre, with Juju & Jordash uniting with Move D to become Magic Mountain High for a welcome live return.

More added to this years Gottwood Festival lineup

Gottwood are proud to announce a new set of artists who will join the likes of Mr. G, Joy Orbison, Move D, DJ Deep, Craig Richards, Ben UFO, Roman Flügel, Sonja Moonear, Andrew Weatherall, Zip and many more in their magical Welsh forest this June.
 
Joining the Gottwood Family will be the Barcelona based Hivern Discs Label owner John Talabot,known for his slow moving and ebullient house. Alongside John Talabot, Gottwood welcomes the return of Rush Hour records Hunee, a Gottwood favourite following an epic set in the Gottwood Forest during the 2015 event.  
 
Gottwood are also excited to announce rising star John Dimas, who will bring his stripped back avante-garde house and techno sound to a Gottwood stage, whilst hotly tipped Manchester grime collective LEVELZ take over an intimate corner of the welsh woodland. 
 
Ensuring all musical bases are covered jazz, funk and fusion band The Expansions, who are best known as Andrew Ashongs session bandwill play Live on the Lawn Stage as will the enthused raw groove, funk and hip-hop sounds of The Max Graef Band and the afro edit sounds of Sheffield's Al Zander aka Lodger. 
 
Futureboogie's Maxxi Soundsystem, twin duo The Menendez Brothers and One Records head honcho Subb-An will be bringing more up front party attitude to the forest, along with the well respected Leicester based club night and label collective City Fly. Manchester based crowd-loving crate-digger Neil Diablo will also be onboard, playing solo and also alongside Crazy P original member Jim Baron as their Ron & Neil collaboration. 

 

Alongside new media partners,  Stamp The Wax, and friends of the festival Ruf Dug, Gottwood are set to create a new space at the festival aptly named Ruffys Lab. Artistically curated by Ruf Dug himself, expect daytime interviews, product showcases, 80's video games and evening house parties with take overs from Ruf Kutz, Stamp The Wax and Dream Catalogue. 

Skrillex and Mark Ronson lead The Port lineup at Bestival 2015

Our own king of the ones & twos Rob da Bank says: “The Port is one of our finest achievements at Bestival, with some pretty stiff competition from all the other inventive constructions that have gone down over the last 12 years. A massive ship seemingly anchored into the grass at Robin Hill complete with smoking funnels, rusty portholes and all topped off with a crazy crew of nautical nutters dancing day and night in laser beam ecstasy.

I cannot wait to see what Skrillex will pull out the bag for a Sunday finale. Sonny hasn’t been to Bestival for four years so a lot has changed for all of us, and I think The Port is gonna be very special that night. Especially because, as anyone who’s seen Mark Ronson DJ knows, they’re in for a massive treat, too – a sublime Sunday night double-header, even if I do say so myself. I love Annie Mac’s back to back extravaganza – great concept and some amazing talent, and our Friday techno and disco explosion will kick it all off nicely. All aboard for another insane party at The Port!

Making his return to Bestival, we are absolutely ecstatic to be able to announce the mighty Skrillex will be ramping up the late night action on Sunday. A trail blazer of electronic dance music, he’s a six-time Grammy award winner, and a global icon, so you can guarantee when he drops the magic, it’s gonna go off. Fierce beats and rib-smashing bass ahoy!

He might know a thing or two about ruling the pop charts but Mark Ronson has got fat beats flowing through his veins. A true master with a pair of turntables, his sets are consistently devastating, spanking dancefloors into submission worldwide. Add in a touch of HMS Bestival’s own special magic and you’re on course for some truly euphoric last night shenanigans. Not to be missed.

With Annie Mac taking the reins on Saturday showcasing a series of very special back to back rinses, and Seth Troxler large and in charge on Friday, we really could keep you dancing all weekend long. And we just might, with sets from Four Tet, Tale of Us, Guy Gerber, Jackmaster, David Rodigan MBE, Hannah Wants, Mistajam, Erol Alkan, Andrew Weatherall, Greg Wilson, Toddla T, High Contrast and London Elektricity.

We’ll also have the very welcome return of Croydon’s finest, Benga, plus Special Request, Horse Meat Disco, Monki, Mele, Wookie, Slimzee, Etherwood, Fred V & Grafix, Dynamite MC, The Heatwave, Kiwi, Low Steppa, Logan Sama, Mella Dee and Flava D.

It’s not just a dance stage, it’s a life changing experience. Make sure you get yourself to The Port this September for a blissful summer of love.

Beat-Herder turns 10 with Basement Jaxx and more

Over the last decade, Beat-Herder has come to be known for its unrivalled attention to detail when building the site. Built entirely from scratch by hand, the festival houses all manner of surprises at every twist and turn. Each year unexpected new areas magically appear for festival-goers to stumble upon. Last year’s new additions included a swimming pool in the woods, housed in a Scandinavian style wooden cabin, complete with changing rooms and lifeguards and The Ring, a huge earth mound with a Stonehenge-esque entrance.

This year Beat-Herder was crowned winner of the Extra Festival Activity Award at the UK Festival Awards, an award that recognises events that paid that extra bit of attention to detail that creates a magical and unforgettable festival experience.

Today, the first names for the special 10th anniversary edition of the festival are announced. Headlining the festival on Friday will be Basement Jaxx, the dancefloor conquering duo whose prolific output over the last 10 years is responsible for shaping UK dance music as we know it today. Considered by many to be national treasures, their back catalogue contains hit after hit and they were among the first to bring dance music to the mainstream with their progressive yet accessible sound.

Joining them are Saturday headliners, electro swing kings the Parov Stelar Band.Beat-Herder was the very first UK festival to debut the beloved Austrian pioneer of the electro swing movement, Parov Stelar, back in 2012 and the crowds have been crying out for his infectious and incendiary show with full live band ever since.

Also confirmed are true Motown legends Martha and the Vandellas, who are playing a rare UK date following a worldwide tour last year in honour of the 50th anniversary of their signature track Dancing in the Street. The traditionally dance-focussed Toil Treesstage will play host to the likes of legendary DJs like Andrew Weatherall and PaulWoolford, Krysko and Dirtybird stalwarts Catz 'n Dogz and emerging star Shiba San. Old friends and original headliners of the very first Beat-Herder Festival, dub legends Dreadzone are also confirmed to return a decade later for the tenth anniversary.

2015 LINE UP SO FAR ANNOUNCED:

Basement Jaxx
Parov Stelar Band
Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
Catz 'n Dogz
Shiba San
Paul Woolford
Andrew Weatherall
Plump DJs
Vanilla Ace
Dreadzone
Utah Saints
The Lancashire Hotpots
Krysko
Greg Lord
Mooqee
Jeramiah Ferrari
Moose Funk Squad
Horse Party
Captain Hotknives
Good Foxy
Eddie Earthquake & the Tremors
Ed Stones & the BD3s