Anne Marie

Lineup announced for Isle of Wight Festival 2019

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Following last year’s momentous 50th anniversary celebrations, The Isle of Wight Festival today announces the first artists for the 2019 event, which kicks off the British festival season on  13th – 16th June.

The incredible Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds headline the opening night of The Isle of Wight Festival 2019, returning to the Festival for the first time since 2012. Chart-topping British singer-songwriter George Ezra will headline the Main Stage on Saturday 15th June, in what will be his first major UK festival headline performance, a huge milestone following an incredible few years for the 7-time BRIT-nominated artist. Special guest Fatboy Slim, making his Isle of Wight Festival debut, will keep the party going as he plays until the early hours following George’s performance. Scottish rockers Biffy Clyro bring their passionate and rousing live show to the Main Stage on Sunday 16th June, closing the 2019 Festival in what is sure to be an epic headline performance. Also joining the line-up for this year’s event are: Anne-Marie, Bastille, Courteeners, Dean Lewis, DMA’S, Freya Ridings, Gerry Cinnamon, IDLES, James, Jax Jones, Jess Glynne, KT Tunstall, Lily Allen, Madness, Miles Kane, Mystery Jets, Richard Ashcroft, Rick Astley, Sam Fender, Sigala, Sigrid, The Coral, Tom Walker and Wild Front, with Hacienda Classical returning for a second year following last year’s incredible debut in The Big Top. Tickets for the 2019 event are on sale Friday 25th January at 9am.

Sigma, Blonde and more join the Fusion Festival lineup

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Sigma, Blonde, Anne-Marie and Imani join the Saturday line up and DJ Fresh, Becky Hill, The Tide and Club Drive join Day Two on the Sunday.  They join Jason Derulo who headlines Day One, along with Tinie Tempah, Labrinth, Craig David, Sigala, Fleur East and Krept & Konan. Olly Murs will bring the two day event to a close alongside Busted, The Vamps, Nathan Sykes, Lawson, Ella Henderson and Jamie Lawson.

Also for the first time ever at Fusion Festival, Kopparberg is set to bring a taste of scandi-cool with the arrival of the popular Kopparberg Urban Forest! Two of Liverpool’s most popular breaking artists, Louis Berry and Mic Lowry will be taking to the stage, underneath the magical canopy of the forest. Kopparberg will be supporting the very best in creative and imaginative live music, by hosting a series of pioneering artists and DJs on its iconic Urban Forest stage.

The stage will be placed in a scenic clearing, surrounded by the intriguing beauty of the Swedish pine forest and the charm of Kopparberg town. Carved into the Kopparberg Urban Forest will be two woodland bars serving up all kinds of refreshment from the independent Kopparberg brewery in Sweden. Alongside its selection of delicious fruit ciders, Kopparberg will also be serving the brand new Kopparberg Fruit Lager. 

The Great Escape Brighton 2016 Review

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We all know how most UK festivals work- you show up, you camp somewhere, usually muddy and wet, you sneak a few bottles under your shirt/short/hat/combination and you head to the arena for some musical action. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a massive festival fan, but the Great Escape is a different kind of festival altogether. It’s almost completely focused on ‘new music’, and with that tagline comes a whole new era of ‘festival’ in general. Although it is a brilliant collection of new music, with everything from up-and-coming indie bands to an underground grime scene, whether it’s festival status is truly deserved, is debatable. You don’t have the same camaraderie as camping in a field and getting wasted with your friends, it’s a completely urban environment and I can imagine for a non-brighton dweller can be quite hard to navigate.

 

For those of you who are unaware of what the Great Escape is, it’s a four day extravaganza in which various venues around Brighton host gigs and events under the same umbrella.

I grew up in Brighton, and seeing the Great Escape flourish every year has been a real beauty to behold. It puts the city in a good mood, there are loads of artists wandering around, I get to go to venues I’ve never been to before or wouldn’t go to without reason. It’s nice to promote new talent and isn’t massively overpriced for what it is. There’s a lot of nice little treats that come with your wristband, like a couple of free drinks at certain places or discounts on food and fringe events. It makes the city way more lively and you look at Brighton through rose tinted glasses, it brings a bucket load of atmosphere to my friendly city.

The long weekend itself was hectic, Some of the acts were unrefined, some were okay and some to be quite frank, some were pretty dreadful – with new music comes it’s fair share of risk – but when you get the one show that gives you the ‘I’m going to be able to brag about seeing these guys before they were famous’ feeling, it gives you goose bumps and an air of cockiness that lasts all evening, and that’s what GE is all about.

The festival is well known for its urban music vibes, with patterns showcasing Lady LeShurr in a packed out, madly energetic gig, however even with Stormzy playing a ‘spotlight show’ and music from Craig David’s new DJ act TS5, there was a very melancholic, Scandi-Pop, indie vibe to the majority of the festival, but that might be tailored to maybe the shows I happened to catch. A few favourites to call out were HER and SISKA, both French and both very different. The first was oozing sex all over the hope and ruin and had powerful vocals with highly sensual lyrics. The latter was a soulful, almost folky, bass filled vibe with some of the best vocals I heard all weekend.

Alongside all the lesser known artists, there were still some heavyweights pulling crowds to bigger venues, with Jake Bugg bringing the energy to Wagner Hall, which in itself is a masterpiece, even if a little hard to find. An amazing tucked away venue behind Saint Peters church- outdoors, fairy lights, and a cute little bar with a stage surrounded by foliage. It’s the type of place you had to stay at all day to see the one act you were actually interested in at 21:30. Mystery Jets also played a lively set, with a more prog-influenced feel than anything we’ve seen from them before at the Corn Exchange, a venue more central, capable of holding bigger crowds, and one of the best organised throughout the festival. The newly rejuvenated ‘Old Market’ also saw its fair share of action, with The Temper Trap playing a beautiful Amazon Live: Front Row gig, bringing a fresh lease of life to the venue.

 

 

Alongside the full blown Great Escape, is its rebellious little sibling that crops up all over the shop, The Alternative Escape. Although technically still a branch from the same tree, the Alternative Escape boasts something a little different, showcasing newer acts from specific labels and the Black Lion pub even hosting a few more learned events and East Street Tap remaining a hot spot for music and some definite refreshment throughout the evening.

It’s been over ten years since its humble beginnings in 2006, and although it’s continuing to bloom into a must-see of the summer, I do feel it needs to be slightly refined. They’ve got some great ideas and concepts, but the venues need to be stronger, maybe a few more outdoors stages, a few more quirky events, and just that little bit extra on top of the music. The music is great, but when you hit a three hour lull in the middle of a saturday afternoon, I can imagine those of us not from Brighton would feel quite irritable, which is the last thing you want in a crowd. But I say this from the perspective of a mum wanting to see it’s baby do well. The focus is on the music and the bands, and that’s something that gives it an edge, which can be lacking from the larger, more mainstream festivals these days. Things are only going to get better, and I for one can’t wait till next year.

 

Loads more acts announced for Sundown Festival 2016

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With headliners Chase & Status and Jason Derulo already announced alongside a supporting cast including the arena conquering Years & Years, pop princess Jess Glynne, UK rap stars Krept & Konan and grime don Kano already announced, Sundown Festival is announcing even more names for its biggest year yet.

Joining the huge main stage lineup is one singer who is no stranger to big crowds. Having paid her dues on the road as a singer for Sundown favourites Rudimental, Anne Marie is going it alone and is taking the pop world by storm. Switching from heartfelt ballads to party bangers seamlessly its no wonder she topped MTV’s prestigious Brand New list. She’ll be joined by none other than undisputed legend of UK R&B and rap, Ms Dynamite who since bursting onto the charts in 2002 with hits like ‘Dy-na-mi-tee’ has carved a career that younger artists would kill for. 

Having expanded to three stages this year, the second and third stages will be hosted by some of the biggest brands in the dance and club worlds with Defected, UKF, Ministry Of Sound and Drum & Bass Arena all hosting their own huge lineups at the festival. Joining the party are grime ‘Golden Boy’ Elf Kid, house master Lee Walker, pioneering DJ and producer Matt ‘Jam’ Lamont, Audio Rehab boss Mark Radford, bass duo Diskord and an amazing Dillinja set.

Everyone packing their tent and making a weekend of it will be treated to a very special opening party on the Friday night from one of the most high profile DJs in the country today, Radio 1’s Danny Howard.  

With the festival going from strength to strength, tickets are going fast for the best closing party of the festival season! Returning to Norwich for the fourth year running, Sundown Festival is the definitive closing party of the festival season. What better excuse for one more dance in the sun at the end of a busy summer?

Beck added to Nile Rodger’s Fold Festival in London

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FOLD Festival are thrilled to announce that multi-platinum, global superstar Beck, pop phenomenon Labrinth and fast rising, electronic / soul sensation Anne Marie are joining the bill for the inaugural London festival.  Curated by Nile Rodgers, FOLD takes place at the historic Fulham Palace on the banks of the River Thames.
 
One of the most creative and influential artists of a generation, Beck’s eclectic fusion of rock, indie, folk and soul has cemented his position as one of the planets most revered artists. Winning ‘Album of the Year’ and ‘Best Rock Album’ at the 57th Grammy Awards, Beck is peerless in his style, energy, and pure showmanship. His performance at FOLD is a rare chance to catch this genius at work performing a career spanning set.
 
Acclaimed British producer and singer Labrinth will bring his huge catalogue of credible pop hits to FOLD. Expect anthems such as ‘Pass Out’, ‘Earthquake’ and ‘Beneath Your Beautiful’ alongside tracks from his upcoming album, ‘Take Me To The Truth’, co-written with Ed Sheeran. As a seriously electrifying live performer Labrinth will light up the stage at this iconic London landmark.
 
The recent award winner of MTV's Brand New for 2016 and frequent Rudimental collaborator, Anne Marie will showcase her fresh brand of soulful pop.  She joins previously announced acts including one of the greatest UK vocalists of all time, Alison Moyet, modern soul man John Newman, soul diva Angie Stone, The Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey, rising Australian singer Grace, Acid Jazz heroes Incognito and Russian superstar Emin.
 
Jesse Rose was raised on Motown soul, jazz and eighties funk in London and his particular blend of Chicago house and early Detroit techno has ensured he regularly plays Europe’s most respected clubs including Fabric, Basics, WMF and Panorama Bar.  Lebanese-Nigerian producerNicole Moudaber, once described by Carl Cox as “the most underrated DJ”, will be bringing her unique blend of dance classics to the decks on the Saturday. Delving into the treasure chest of 80s electronica and body-jacking pulsations, Irish supremo Krystal Klear is set to soundtrack the Sunday night celebrations with an unrivalled journey celebrating the past whilst embracing the present.
 
FOLD Festival is a unique event that will feature Rodgers and his multi-platinum band CHIC sharing the stage with music legends and contemporary trailblazers who have personally been invited by Nile to perform. Nile’s musical career has spanned 4 decades in which he has constantly traversing new musical terrain and successfully expanding the boundaries of popular music and his contact book reads like a who’s who of the most important musical innovators to the last 4 decades.  Expect more artists and many surprises across the weekend.