Not long now til we, you and a stellar line up of the biggest bands in the world head to the coast in Spain for the 22nd edition of FIB Benicàssim.
The amazing 2016 line up is now complete and includes exclusive shows from some of the biggest and best names in rock, pop, electronica, hip hop, indie and beyond.
Your only chance in Spain this summer to see very special festival headline shows from Muse and The Chemical Brothers, to witness the biggest rap act in the world right now, Kendrick Lamar live, to dance to the massive hits of Disclosure and Major Lazer or to check out the legendary Massive Attack.
Beyond these, there’s the some of the greatest new acts around like The 1975 & Catfish And The Bottlemen, indie tunesmiths like TheVaccines and the Maccabees, the best in electronica from Jamie XX, John Talabot (Dj Set) and more. Pop? Jess Glynne. Grime? Skepta
Something for everyone including some of our favourite Spanish acts, Hinds, Dorian, La Habitación Roja…
FIB Benicàssim 2016 – 100 acts and four days and nights you’ll never forget. The greatest bands in the world and YOU at the festival of the year!
For ticket info and the timetable of acts, check out their website.
Joining a packed weekend of international heavyweights, Reading & Leeds are delighted to announce their final UK Festival Exclusive co-headliners of 2016; Biffy Clyro and Fall Out Boy. Unstoppable forces in alternative rock on both sides of the Atlantic, both will take to the stage to co-headline an emphatic evening of heavy riffs and melodies.
The phenomenal Biffy Clyro stand as true Reading & Leeds originals, rising through the ranks, their full-throttle rock has propelled them to the top of festival bills around the world. With a new album in the works, and a nation of fans eagerly awaiting their next step, Biffy Clyro are destined to bring their explosive headline credentials for a truly monumental performance at the top of the bill.
Biffy Clyro commented:
"We're baaaaack!! We are honoured to be asked to close Reading and Leeds this summer. We had one of the best nights of our lives last time and we're going to do all we can to make it even bigger and better in 2016. You ain't seen nothing yet motherfuckers!!"
Catalysts for an entire generation, alt rock kingpins Fall Out Boy have sound tracked the teenage dreams of fans around the globe. Their catalogue of unmistakable anthems laid the blueprint for a genre of their own, standing the band as one of the most influential acts of the 21st century. Their 2013 return to Reading & Leeds triggered one of the biggest crowds in festival history, so expect euphoria, nostalgia and pandemonium as Fall Out Boy headline Reading & Leeds 2016.
Speaking about their massive co-headlining spot, Fall Out Boy said:
"It’s pretty surreal to hear we are going to be co-headlining Reading and Leeds. R&L was our first real festival experience outside of the U.S. and since the start we have buckled in and had an insane and memorable experience every time we have played. This is it, the big one for us and we are excited to be a part of it."
Biffy Clyro and Fall Out Boy join an unparalleled line up of headliners for Reading & Leeds 2016, boasting headline performances destined to last long in the history books from Foals, Disclosure and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. With 5 Headliners over 3 Days, Reading & Leeds is the go-to destination for countless, mammoth festival moments.
On top of these sensational headliners, a raft of new names have been confirmed to appear across the bank holiday weekend. Synth-pop revelations Chvrches have taken the world by storm over the past 3 years, with two critically-acclaimed studio albums and a captivating live presence. Fresh from the worldwide success of last year’s “Every Open Eye”, their appearance at Reading & Leeds will leave a lasting effect on a legion of devoted fans.
The Vaccines graduation to the major leagues of British indie has been staggering, releasing three mammoth LPs in 5 years, and securing their reputation as one of the most vital names of recent times. With eclectic cuts from “English Graffiti” and old favourites abound, their set is one destined to elicit jubilant summertime scenes in a UK Festival Exclusive performance at Reading & Leeds 2016.
Uncompromising and consistently pushing boundaries, A$AP Rocky is a global force to be reckoned with, across two acclaimed collection of intoxicating records that both landed at number 1 on the US charts and drew universal acclaim from critics around the globe. A style icon and a generational influencer, his UK Festival Exclusive appearance at Reading & Leeds 2016 sees the crowning of the next king of hip-hop.
After a massive year that culminated in a sold out appearance at London’s Roundhouse, Lower Than Atlantis will be bringing their radio-ready hit parade to Reading & Leeds in a UK Festival Exclusive for yet another momentous milestone for Watford’s finest. They’ll be joined by the latest and greatest in the rock world with the primal tones of Sleeping With Sirens, Welsh reggae-rock titans Skindred, punk legend Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, heavy American icons Five Finger Death Punch and State Champs.
Lower Than Atlantis leader Mike Duce said:
"I'm pretty sure I've said this before but it's because I mean it! It's such an honour to be asked to play R&L, let alone the main stage! And so high up the bill! This means business. It's really time to step up our game!"
Speaking about their Main Stage appearance this year, Skindred frontman Benji Webbe said:
"You will see a lot of bands at Reading & Leeds Festival but there's nothing that will come close to the energy that Skindred will deliver and the vibes that will be rocking through the festival when we hit the stage! A performance not to be missed, we come in peace but we will leave you in pieces."
Sleeping With Sirens said about their UK Festival Exclusive performance:
"Sleeping With Sirens couldn't be more excited for our return to Reading and Leeds Festival! 'If you can't hang then'..
Californian sisters HAIM have grown into mesmeric darlings of the indie-pop world since the global success of debut album “Days Are Gone”. As anticipation grows for their unannounced second studio effort, Este, Danielle and Alana will be transforming Reading & Leeds into their own sun-drenched paradise in another UK Festival Exclusive.
The name on everyone’s lips Jack Garratt will hit Reading & Leeds 2016 with his untouchable electro-rock grooves, fresh from claiming the BBC Sound Of 2016 and BRITS Critics Choice Award that has marked him out as the one to watch this year.
The Wombats unmistakable electro-pop hooks have sound tracked the nation for nearly 10 years and fresh from their biggest live shows of their career in 2015, the Liverpudlian trio will be returning for an unmissable performance.
Speaking of their performance, The Wombats said:
''We are beyond excited to get back to Reading & Leeds Festivals! If I'm correct this will be our fourth time around but without a doubt last year was our favourite. It doesn't get much better than an R&L crowd!"
Exclusively returning to the Reading & Leeds fields are South African rave phenomenon Die Antwoord lighting the stage across the weekend with their unpredictable and chaotic live show.
Kentucky psych-mixers Cage The Elephant will be touching down with a full-barraged assault on the senses, whilst Reading’s own indie dreamers Sundara Karma take to the biggest stages of their career.
Tectonic beats and bass-heavy vibrations are abound, with performances across the weekend from chart-hitters Sigma, dance don Netsky, “White Noise” gliders AlunaGeorge and highly tipped electronic svengali Mura Masa. Grime pillars Krept & Konan will cement their ascent with a high-energy turn at this year’s festivals, with underground king Giggs also due to appear.
Duo Sigma commented:
“We can’t wait to bring the new live show to Reading and Leeds for the first time – see you down the front!”
Netsky said:
“So excited to be coming back to the UK for Reading & Leeds this summer, the crowds always blow me away at these ones, and I can’t wait to bring the live band back again this year once my new album is out. See you in August!”
The Neighbourhood have also been announced, alongside punk purveyors Savages, ‘BBC Sound Of’ indie-mixers Blossoms, recently reunited Suffolk hardcore outfit Basement, Canadian anthem-sourcers Half Moon Run and the fresh dynamic rock of Highly Suspect, who all make for unmissable performances at this year’s festivals.
Basement said:
"We're all really excited to be playing Reading and Leeds festival again this year. It's a huge honour to be asked back and we can't wait to play the NME stage for the first time."
Highly Suspect had this to say on their upcoming appearance at Reading & Leeds 2016:
"Coming to the U.K. was some of the best shit that ever happened to us. Can't believe we get to come back again so soon and play at such an incredible festival. Pumped."
Reading & Leeds rich history in highlighting the sub genres and game-changers of the alternative world will continue in 2016, with calculating metallers The Dillinger Escape Plan returning to the festival 14 years after one of the most talked about appearances in festival history in a UK Festival Exclusive. Another UK Festival Exclusive sits with the unstoppable behemoth that is Asking Alexandria making their Reading & Leeds debut with a headline spectacle for the ages. The returning punks The King Blues will also be bringing their politically-charged sermons on the modern nation to the Reading & Leeds crowds.
Itch from The King Blues says:
"We're so excited to be back amongst the freaks and the troublemakers on the punk stage we've played so many times. This is truly going to be the highlight of my summer"
Bringing an equally fierce live reputation is Creeper, the most talked about new band in the UK, whose sets have become community gatherings with their electric blend of goth and punk rock, making them ones not to be missed. Also announced is the glam-rock stomp of FVK, Rage Against The Machine’s Tim Commerford unleashing his fierce new outfit Wakrat, Philadelphian rockers Modern Baseball, rising punks Dead!, Norweigan six-piece Kvelertak and dark rock glazers Citizen.
FVK co-frontman Kier Kemp commented:
"Well then here's another one for the bucket list! Some of our fondest festival memories are from Reading Festival, and to think we'll be gracing those stages this year is unreal. I guess all I can say is thanks to everyone that's got us here. Yay!"
Creeper said:
"We are incredibly excited to be playing Reading and Leeds festival this year. Members of our band have been attending these festivals since we were kids, it is an incredible honour to have been asked to play and we promise a very special show."
Tim Commerford of Wakrat said:
“I can't believe that WAKRAT will be playing Reading and Leeds this year. It's a blessing to play and introduce my new passion to a part of the world that has been so good to me and has some of the most incredible fans and we hope to win more over.”
Rising punks DEAD! said:
"R&L has become a rite of passage for bands building something and taking it that bit further. We're excited to take that step. See you down the front X"
Reading & Leeds emphatic array of the best in hip-hop continues with the addition of US hit machine Travi$ Scott. The eccentric, genre-blender released his acclaimed debut LP ‘Rodeo” at the end of 2015, only extending his reputation as the most in-demand name in modern hip-hop. He’ll be joined across the weekend with headline sets from G-Eazy whose acclaimed appearance on Grace’s “You Don’t Own Me” sent his stardom to another level. Both of these huge names stand as UK Festival Exclusives, making Reading & Leeds the only place to be for the hottest names in modern hip-hop.
Further additions include Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals who set to deliver an unmissable masterclass in modern jazz and soul whilst reggae wordsmith Protoje, South London’s Section Boyz, gritty actor turned musician Raleigh Ritchie, the undeniable rhymes of Lady Leshurr, label disc-jockey DJ Semtex and Yungen are all set to tear apart the stage at this year’s festivals.
Protoje said about his addition to the lineup:
"The UK is one of my favorite places in the world to play music so it's always a pleasure to come there and play. The crowds there always show up with an energy that is unlike anywhere else in the world. Looking forward to the response at Reading and Leeds Fest."
Indie veterans and Newcastle’s favourite sons Maxïmo Park will be opening their catalogue of art-rock soundscapes that defined a generation of guitar bands. Expect the hits and more from dynamic frontman Paul Smith. In another UK Festival Exclusive, Seratones join the line up, bringing their infectious, swinging rock to Reading & Leeds for an unprecedented evening of Southern charm.
Taking to the stage across the weekend, will be the shining solo moods of Banners, the riotous snarl of rockers INHEAVEN and the fuzzed grunge goodness of Glaswegian dreamers Tuff Love.
Joining co-headliners Disclosure in the dance music world at Reading & Leeds 2016 is a mixture of pioneering legends and the hottest names in underground dance. Duke Dumont will be dropping an undeniable masterclass in modern pop whilst David Rodigan MBE 1Xtra’s Mistajam, BRIT Award nominees Disciples, “Alone No More” hitmaker Philip George, French DJ supremos Birdy Nam Nam, LA spinner Jauz, “Rinse & Repeat” hitmaker Riton and a decadent bass breakdown with My Nu Leng B2B Oneman + Dread MC (Reading) and Oneman B2B My Nu Leng + Dread MC (Leeds) as all take to the decks for unique and bass-shaking performances over the weekend, proving the home of modern dance is Reading & Leeds.
Philip George said:
“When you’re a kid, Reading and Leeds were two festivals you really dream of playing at – and this summer I am buzzing that I get to make that dream come true I remember seeing all the lineups coming out for Reading/Leeds and they are always quality so it's mint that I'm playing it this summer. I’m really looking forward to it”
Including the unprecedented 5 Headliners Over 3 Days in Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foals, Disclosure and today’s announcement of Biffy Clyro and Fall Out Boy, previously announced acts including pop kings The 1975, dance supremos Jack U, Las Vegas chart heroes Imagine Dragons, US hip/hop enigma Fetty Wap, Grime collective Boy Better Know, Courteeners, Twenty One Pilots, Two Door Cinema Club and many, many more!
ANNOUNCED TODAY:
Biffy Clyro (co-headline) (UK Festival Exclusive)
Fall Out Boy (co-headline) (UK Festival Exclusive)
Chvrches
The Vaccines (UK Festival Exclusive)
A$AP Rocky (UK Festival Exclusive)
HAIM (UK Festival Exclusive)
Jack Garratt
The Wombats
Lower Than Atlantis (UK Festival Exclusive)
Asking Alexandria (UK Festival Exclusive)
The Dillinger Escape Plan (UK Festival Exclusive)
Travi$ Scott (UK Festival Exclusive)
G-Eazy (UK Festival Exclusive)
Skindred
Five Finger Death Punch (UK Festival Exclusive)
Sleeping With Sirens (UK Festival Exclusive)
The Neighbourhood (UK Festival Exclusive)
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes
State Champs
Savages
Die Antwoord (UK Festival Exclusive)
Cage The Elephant (UK Festival Exclusive)
Krept & Konan
Sigma
Half Moon Run
Basement
Blossoms
Mura Masa
Giggs
Netsky
Highly Suspect (UK Festival Exclusive)
Sundara Karma
AlunaGeorge
Duke Dumont
David Rodigan MBE
Disciples
My Nu Leng B2B Oneman + Dread MC (Reading) / Oneman B2B My Nu Leng + Dread MC (Leeds)
First up on the elite list of larger festivals this summer was the Isle of Wight Festival. It was a rousing success all around, promising a vast array of acts to be seen, with what happened to be bright & consistent weather to make it that bit better. It was an event where as the adverts promoting the festival said, you simply had to ‘be there’. 50,000 festival-goers agreed & took the advice, making their way across the Solent on whatever method of boat travel they could find, camping gear at the ready. The festival is one of the few in the UK that has the most varied mix of musicians performing, from Red Hot Chilli Peppers & Kings of Leon to Cher Lloyd & Dappy, with Boy George in between. You get the picture.
On Day 1, it was the Thursday performance of the ever-exuberant & flamboyant Boy George whose soulful-sing-alongs propelled the early festival-goers into a flashback to the 80’s with hits such as his old band Culture Club’s ‘Karma Chameleon’ & ‘Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?’. The crowd most definitely didn’t want to cause any harm to the hit-maker, they loved his cheerful disposition & playful interaction with the clearly pleased audience.
On the Friday, it was up to the Scottish folk of Biffy Clyro & Calvin Harris to step up to the act of being headliners, & each did it spectacularly. Over the years we have gradually seen Biffy Clyro head further up the festival posters with their name getting bigger & bolder each time. In an explosive 90 minute set that clearly included a very talented technical team, the stage at times became a pyrotechnical dream- ablaze with fireworks & glitter, raging riffs and hard-hitting sentimental lyrics- something of a rarity some might say in rock music. Coming on stage at 9pm, it would have been better to see the visual impact of the display had they not performed in the daylight.
London based quartet Rudimental have had phenomenal success in the UK for a band with just the one album under their belts, but so it seems, they prove one album is all it takes. 2012’s album release ‘Home’ certainly brought home the goods for the audience who were treated to a mix of drum’n’bass, soul, & funk with added backing vocalists, rousing drums & a trumpet thrown in for good measure to add to the party. Hits like ‘Feel The Love’ really brought the crowd together, & with excellent crowd interaction from the band it was a magical moment for the audience, who made their hands into a heart sign throughout the feel-good song, drunk festival-goers included, some attempts looking more blob shaped than heart shaped.
Hit-maker Calvin Harris closed Friday night in the coveted final slot of the main stage. Mr Harris has ploughed up to immeasurable amounts of success with the record-breaking album ’18 months’, & his large spectrum of collaborations has been the real ingredient to his popularity with dance fans around the world. During his DJ set, robust vocals from Rihanna to Florence Welch could be heard to name a few, with smoke machines & laser lights beaming out onto the euphoric crowd. A remix of last year’s headliners The Killers- ‘When You Were Young’ was played to add an element of surprise to the set, otherwise it may have been abit too predictable, he has been very busy performing over the past few years & a lot of his sets have been televised after all. All in all, a spectacular set from the Scottish DJ.
Away from the main stage there was talent to be seen in the Big Top stage, in the form of uber-cool Katy B. Belting out hits into the humid Isle of Wight air from acclaimed album ‘Little Red’ with striking synths throughout, Katy reminded us why she’s a sell-out in both gigs & album sales with a brilliant mix of stage presence, crowd interaction & electronic-infused songs that made a brilliant set list.
Saturday’s at festivals are always the big ones. Halfway through so you sort of feel disappointed it’s half over already, & then you remember the great bill ahead of you on Saturday morning & don’t feel so bad after all. The weather was a lot cooler, which some might say is a good thing, but those clear blue skies had diminished. Non-the-less, the vibe of the festival was still upbeat, with festival-goers saying they were enjoying themselves. The Waterboys made an appearance to fill in the unusually seen genre of Irish folk at the festival, & merrily played uplifting songs such as ‘Fisherman’s Blues’ & ‘Whole Of The Moon’, using less commonly seen instruments such as fiddles, violins & harmonicas, it was a refreshing change. I’d liked to have seen more interaction, but it may have been they were not used to main stage slots at large festivals & felt slightly overwhelmed.
Next up was the fabulous John Newman, a man with motown, retro RnB & soul in his (very) dancing feet. A brilliant blend of upbeat tap-your-toes songs combined with melancholy-filled ballads about heartbreak, he packed a lot in to the 40 minute slot that brought the audience almost on an emotional journey, some feeling the obvious meanings of the songs to Newman. When he left the stage you couldn’t help but want an encore, but like the band that made him famous, Rudimental, he too has one album to his name, but in a few years’ time I can see him doing longer & more varied sets with big-name collaborator’s perhaps joining him on stage. The crowd pleasing summer anthem from last year ‘Love Me Again’ was the right song to choose to end an excellent & energy-filled set.
Later on was the band thousands had travelled high, low & far away for. After a seven year hiatus from performing at a festival in the UK, Californian based Red Hot Chili Peppers made a triumphant return. Eccentrically bounding around the stage playing universally-known hits such as ‘Can’t Stop’ & ‘By The Way’, their energised performance made the crowd go wild at times, exactly what a classic rock band who headlines should do. From lead singer Kiedis’s rap-singing in parts to the funk-infused riffs, it was a you had to be there set, & those who were torn between the headliners & the world cup England match made the right choice if they avoided the later. (A match they lost anyway!). Perhaps what made this set so enjoyable clearly by both the band & crowd was the fact that it was something of a rarity & they aren’t regulars. That’s what made it so anticipated, & overall, the Chili’s certainly didn’t disappoint. Although arriving 15 minutes late & not playing ‘Under The Bridge’ may have put a downer on some, perhaps some will wonder if that lateness contributed to them not playing the iconic song, but speculate or not, it was a superb set, & one can hope they can start planning a UK tour soon.
On the final day of the festival, we were all treated to a performance from the red arrows. Causing a load of colourful synchronized smoke to grace the skies, it was a few moments where you saw more necks than faces from people looking up in wonderment, only to then get back to the hustle & bustle of the festival deciding on where & what to see next. The final headline performance was from festival regulars Kings of Leon, clearly an expert in this field, quite literally, from their vast experience of festival performances. Playing hits from their six studio albums to date, from up-tempo songs like ‘Supersoaker’ & ‘Fans’ to the obvious major hits like ‘Sex on fire’ & ‘Use Somebody.’ Caleb Followill’s yowl gave raw intensity to the set, with an added genius moment of guitarist Matthew Followill playing the opening riff of more mid-paced track ‘Closer’ with his teeth. As the final song of the festival came to an end, arms were put around each other, & appreciation was obvious for Kings of Leon with cheering & clapping echoing around the stage & beyond. Now it was time to get back to tents, & our ones.
After a long weekend of music, rides, balloons, bubbles being blown, alcohol, a surprisingly good selection of food, & seeing people dressed up in odd unusual costumes, it was time to pack up & go. The Isle of Wight Festival is so worth the travel from afar if you live miles away like I do, it’s one of the very few festivals where you really feel like it’s worth every penny with the high amount of quality bandssingers your seeing. After this year’s success, Isle of Wight Festival 2015 will have a lot of living up to do, organisers best get planning!
Homegrown heroes Biffy Clyro and Calvin Harris will close the Main Stage at the festival for the very first time, becoming the first Scottish acts to do so in 13 years with what will be their biggest ever shows on home soil. Biffy Clyro’s 10th Balado outing will see them become the artist which has played the festival the most times. Man of the moment Pharrell Williams is sure to be another highlight, and DF Concerts have also today announced a further array of top acts which will join previously announced Arctic Monkeys and Paolo Nutini as well Biffy Clyro, Calvin Harris andPharrell Williams on the T in the Park 2014 bill:
FRIDAY 11TH JULY: Biffy Clyro, Ed Sheeran, Ellie Goulding, Bastille, Pixies, Steve Angello, Alesso, Haim, You Me At Six, Manic Street Preachers, Chvrches, Maximo Park, The Rifles, Len Faki, Pan-Pot.
SATURDAY 12TH JULY: Calvin Harris, Paolo Nutini, Pharrell Williams, Elbow, Rudimental, Ben Howard, James, Bombay Bicycle Club, Twin Atlantic, The 1975, John Newman, Embrace, Katy B, Nina Nesbitt, The Stranglers, Dave Clarke, Carl Craig, Metronomy, Clean Bandit, We Are Scientists, Ella Eyre, George Ezra, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Magda.
SUNDAY 13TH JULY: Arctic Monkeys, Jake Bugg, Disclosure, Example, Imagine Dragons, Tinie Tempah, Franz Ferdinand, Kaiser Chiefs, London Grammar, Tame Impala, Kodaline, Above & Beyond, Sam Smith, Passenger, Sven Vath, Newton Faulkner, Chance The Rapper, Slam, The Twilight Sad, Inspiral Carpets, Julio Bashmore, Levon Vincent, George Fitzgeraldand many, many more acts to be announced (line-up subject to change).
There will be more music than ever before, with Friday extending to a full day of performancesfor the first time ever from 12pm, and on the Saturday night the party continues right through to 1am, plus campingtickets and Saturday and Sunday day tickets will be available at 2013 prices. With a full day of performances on Friday, the day ticket will be priced as per the other day tickets.
Biffy Clyro are T in the Park fan favourites, and they cite their very first performance on the T Break Stage back in 1999 as a defining factor in the band being signed. An incredible 2013 saw the band named Best British Band at the NME Awards and debut at no. 1 with their Opposites album (which achieved the best reviews of the band’s career). They headline the T in the Park Main Stage for the first time this July in what will be their 10th appearance at the festival, and as the fields of Balado ring out once again with the sound of “Mon the Biff!”, it’ll surely be a special moment for band and fans alike.
Biffy Clyro guitarist and singer Simon Neil said: “It’s so great to be playing this year. We’ve seen so many amazing bands at T in the Park over the years. Genuinely T in the Park has shaped our lives in more ways than just our experiences of performing there. We wouldn’t be here, doing this now, if it wasn’t for playing T in the Park. To headline it finally is amazing – it just feels poetic to be headlining on our 10th time. It’s going to be the night of our lives, hopefully it’ll be the night of your life and we can’t wait.”
Global Superstar Calvin Harris will be one of the highlights for T in the Parkers. A Grammy award-winning, multi-talented DJ, songwriter, performer and producer, Calvin’s no. 1 album 18 Months has to date sold over 750,000 copies in the UK alone, along with over 35 million singles worldwide. 18 Months also made chart history by scoring the most Top 10 singles from one album, with 9 UK top 10 singles including Nothing feat. Florence Welch and the massive We Found Love feat. Rihanna. Last year he became the first DJ to win a prestigious Ivor Novello award and will close T in the Park’s Main Stage for the first time this summer.
Calvin Harris said: “I’m very excited that I’m going to be headlining and closing T in the Park’s Main Stage. Last year was incredible, so I can’t wait to be back this year. It’s going to be amazing – I’ll see you all there!”
Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter/producer and man of the moment Pharrell Williams is one of the most successful and prolific artists to emerge during the last decade, as part of the The Neptunes, N.E.R.D., and as a collaborator and solo star in his own right. He featured on the two biggest selling singles of 2013 – Robin Thicke’s Blurred Lines (producer, co-songwriter and featured artist), and Daft Punk’s Get Lucky which he co-wrote and fronted. This year looks set to be just as successful, with Pharrell picking up the Producer of the Year Award at the 2014 Grammys, and his hotly anticipated new album G I R L – which features the no. 1 smash hit Happy – due out next month.
Ed Sheeran is one of the most in-demand singer-songwriters to emerge from the UK music scene in recent years. With an Ivor Novello and Grammy nomination under his belt, he’s sure to inspire mass sing-alongs with his anthemic tunes.
Nominated for the Best British Male at this year’s Brit Awards after receiving a Mercury Music Prize nomination his debut self-titled album in 2013, JakeBugg’s ever-broadening musical palette saw him produce an outstanding follow-up to his debut with Shangri-La. He’s a welcome edition to the T in the Park bill this summer.
2014 has started with a bang for Ellie Goulding. Her million-selling album Halcyon Days reached no.1 in the UK’s Official Albums Chart. Selling out her 2014 UK arena tour and with total sales now topping over three million albums and fifteen million singles, Ellie Goulding’s star is set to soar at Balado as she joins the Tin the Park line-up this July.
Elbow return to Balado, headlining the BBC Radio 1 Stage. After winning the prestigious Mercury Music Prize in 2008 with the glorious, triple–platinum selling The Seldom Seen Kid, they picked up the BRIT Award for Best British Group the following year along with 2 Ivor Novello Songwriting Awards. In 2012, the band composed the theme to the BBC's coverage of the London 2012 Olympics, before playing to a global audience of 750 million at the closing ceremony. Their hotly anticipated sixth studio album The Take Off and Landing of Everything is released on March 10th.
In the last 12 months, Disclosure have been nominated for four Brit Awards in 2014, sold-out venues across the world and received critical-acclaim with their debut album Settle. In their return to Balado this summer, they are sure to bring the party vibe to T in the Park 2014.
Bursting out of London’s underground music scene early last year, Rudimental are a pioneering melting-pot collective who rocketed to fame when their single Feel the Love topped the UK singles chart in 2012. At the start of 2013 they returned to the number 1 spot with Waiting All Night – which last week won Best British Single at the BRITs – swiftly following up with a number 1 debut album.
The band said:“We had a wicked time playing at T in the Park last year so we are really excited to have been asked back again. The crowd up there really know how to have a good time! We can’t wait to get back up there for an even bigger Rudimental party this year.”
Fresh from winning British Breakthrough Act at the BRIT Awards 2014 and the following the success of their number one platinum selling debut album Bad Blood, Bastille will return to T in the Park this summer with a plethora of great songs that are both absorbing and genre-defining.
Since his last T in the Park appearance in 2012, Ben Howard has scooped two BRIT Awards, for British Breakthrough Act and British Male. His debut album Every Kingdom was a top five hit going platinum in the UK, and he’s sure to be a big hit on his return to T in the Park.
Pixies made a triumphant return in 2004 following an eleven-year hiatus, wowing fans and critics at live shows around the world. Last year, the group released their first new song in over a decade –Bagboy – on their website to the delight of their fans, with the release racking up than one million downloads/streams in the space of a month.
Pixies’ Joey Santiago said:“We played T in the Park back in 2004, the year of our reunion, and as I recall, it was a great show, especially for the band. So here it is, ten years later, and we’re just as excited to be part of the 2014 line-up and look forward to playing some of our brand new songs as well as the classics for our Scottish fans.”
A pioneer of the Stockholm underground turned icon of the global EDM scene, Steve Angello returns to T in the Park to close the Radio 1 Stage on the Friday night. From the billboard charts to the club floor, he is firmly at the top of his game having taken the reigns at famous stages across the globe and boasting annual residencies for Ibiza’s most prestigious night spots, and recently joined BBC Radio 1’s impressive Residency line-up.
Since forming in Manchester in 1982, James's enduring creativity and musical legacy has made them one of the most influential British indie bands. During their music career now spanning over 30 years, they have released 12 studio albums and sold 13 million albums worldwide. James’ biggest hits includeSit Down, She’s A Star, Laid and Getting Away With It (All Messed Up), with an impressive 20 Top 40 singles in the UK under their belt. Having spent most of 2013 in the studio with Max Dingel (The Killers, Muse), the band's new album La Petite Mort is set to be released via BMG/Cooking Vinyl’ after 2ndJune.
Jim Glennie, bassist, James said:"It's a real privilege to be playing this year’s T in the Park. It is a festival that we've a long and memory packed history. The Scottish people have always been wonderful to James and it will be a true pleasure to be back amongst friends. Yours, Jim from James.”
Tinie Tempah’s multi-platinum selling debut album Disc-Overy took the world by storm, before its hotly anticipated follow-up Demonstration was released last November featuring an A-list of collaborators including Dizzee Rascal, Paloma Faith, Emeli Sandé and Naughty Boy. A glittering array of prestigious awards – including multiple MOBOs, BRITs, Urban Music Awards, a UK Festival Award and the Ivor Novello for Best Contemporary Song for debut single Pass Out – are a testament to his major critical acclaim as well as his huge popularity as one of the freshest hip-hop stars around right now.
Now a regular at some of the world’s largest festivals and collaborating with producers such as Sebastian Ingrosso, Calvin Harris on and OneRepublic, Alesso has had successive Beatport chart toppers with debut single Nillionaire and to the dark and energized Raise Your Head. He topped the UK singles chart with his collaboration with Calvin Harris, Under Control, and scored chart success once again on his Grammy nominated remix of OneRepublic’s If I Lose Myself. Having already spun against a backdrop of different skylines on various stages across the world, the producer/DJ is destined for greatness and set to make his T in the Park debut this summer when he takes to the decks on the Radio 1 Stage before Steve Angello, for a Friday night dance extravaganza.
Glasgow art-pop four-piece Franz Ferdinand were catapulted to global stardom with the release of their classic, era-encapsulating self-titled debut album in 2004. The band returned with a new albumRight Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action last summer, with critics hailing the band’s trademark lyrical detail, heavyweight hooks, and uncanny ability to marry artistic sensibility with pop punch.
Glasgow’s alt-rock powerhouse Twin Atlantic – whose celebrated full-length debut Free went silver in the UK – return to T in the Park to cement their incendiary live reputation.
Sam McTrusty, vocals and guitar, said:“T in the Parkhas become a massive part of our band’s history and we are so proud to be able to say we are playing again this year. We have been working on new music that we will be unveiling this year and it will be a massive relief to be playing new songs this time around. Our 6th year playing at the renowned festival is shaping up to our best one yet. See you in the fields!”
You Me At Six released their long awaited fourth album Cavalier Youth at the end of January. With three gold albums, a sold out Wembley show, countless tours and festivals, this year is theirs for the taking and they can rightfully claim their position as one of the biggest rock bands in the UK.
You Me At Six's lead singer, Josh Franceschi said:"Playing in Scotland is always exciting for us as they have some of the best crowds we have seen anywhere in the world, I know a lot of other bands feel the same. We are so pumped to play the main stage this year and can't wait to show off the new songs on Cavalier Youth.”
Tame Impala’s second album Lonerism won international plaudits for its simplistic beauty and boundless creativity, hailed as album of the year by NME and Rolling Stone in their native Australia in 2012. After embarking on a phenomenal sold out world tour at the end of 2012, the band are back on the live circuit and set to return to T in the Park this July.
Manchester quartet The 1975’s eponymous debut album topped the UK Album Charts last September when it entered at no.1. Their infectious anthems where alt.rock explosions meet electro-pop grooves are the perfect summer festival soundtrack, and are sure to inspire mass sing-alongs when they make their T in the Park return.
Matty Healy, The 1975: “T in the Park was a crazy show last year and we're really looking forward to returning this summer, we love Scottish crowds!”
London Grammar are one of the biggest breakthrough acts of 2013. In the past 12 months, they’ve had their first BRIT nomination for Best Breakthrough Act, and seen their highly acclaimed debut albumIf You Wait named Album Of The Year by iTunes and hailed amongst the best albums of 2013 by BBC 6 Music, Sunday Times, Line Of Best Fit and Clash, to name a few.
In 2012, a year before his first solo material had even seen the light of day, John Newman scored a no. 1 single, and had written and sung on two of the biggest dance hits to storm the UK charts in years: Rudimental’s massive number one Feel The Love and the powerfully anthemic follow up Not Giving In. Last year, he released his first solo material, topping the charts with debut solo single Love Me Again and album Tribute.
Sam Smith came to the fore featuring on fellow T in the Park act Disclosure’s breakout hit Latchand went on to work with Naughty Boy on the MOBO-winning, no.1 hit single La La La. His own debut single Money On My Mind topped the UK singles chart on Sunday, and with his debut album due in the Spring, plus having been named the BRITs Critics Choice and topping the coveted BBC Sound of 2014 Poll, it’s shaping up to be a big year for the singer-songwriter.
Half Scottish, half Swedish singer-songwriter Nina Nesbitt released her debut album, Peroxide, last week, with the record entering the UK charts on Sunday at no. 11. Destined for big things this year, she was named 'Singer/Songwriter New Artist of the Year' by iTunes at the tail-end of 2012.
Nina Nesbitt said:"This will be the first year I play T with an album out. Last year was an amazing experience on the King Tut's stage and I'm so excited to come and play among so many other great artists back in my home country! It'll be a great way to celebrate going to no. 1 in Scotland!"
Clean Bandit’s culture clash of bass, beats and soaring strings evokes memories of classic Massive Attack. When they released their first single Mozart’s House on their own label it caught the attention of DJs Nick Grimshaw, Annie Mac, Rob Da Bank, Huw Stephens, John Kennedy, Eddie Temple Morris and Fearne Cotton, before they hit the top spot with Rather Be feat. Jess Glynne. They make their hotly anticipated T in the Park debut this summer.
GraceChatto (cello), Clean Bandit said: “We haven't actually ever played a festival in Scotland, but we have done a headline show in Glasgow and supported Disclosure and Basement Jaxx in Edinburgh. The Scottish audiences are always up for a good time which makes the shows so fun for us. We've heard great things about T in the Park, and to be playing on such a big stage like the Radio 1 stage is huge! We can’t wait!”
Scottish indie rockers The Twilight Sad also join the bill. James Graham, Twilight Sad, singer, said: "We're delighted & excited to be part of the line-up at T in the Park this year. T was the first festival I ever attended and we, The Twilight Sad, all went together even before we became a band. Therefore it's a festival that means a lot to us. The T in the Park crowd is one of the best crowds in the world and we can't wait to play for them.”
An impressive line-up of electronic artists will take to the decks in the Slam Tent, including Sven Vath, Dave Clarke, Carl Craig, Magda,Len Faki, Pan-Pot, Slam, Julio Bashmore, George Fitzgerald and Levon Vincent, with more to be announced.
The Summer Festival Guide can announce that Rock Werchter adds six new artists to its lineup over the weekend of the 3rd July to the 6th July. Bastille, Miles Kane, Biffy Clyro, London Grammar, Midlake and The Wombats will perform over the weekend.
An overview of the bands announced so far for each day of Rock Werchter 2014:
Thursday 3 July: Metallica, Placebo, Damon Albarn, Skrillex, Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters, Dropkick Murphys, Miles Kane, The Wombats, London Grammar, Valerie June
Friday 4 July: Arctic Monkeys, Ellie Goulding, Major Lazer, Jack Johnson, Crystal Fighters, The 1975, The Naked and Famous
Saturday 5 July: Pearl Jam, The Black Keys, Pixies, Triggerfinger, Imagine Dragons, Biffy Clyro, Haim, Agnes Obel, Midlake, Kodaline
Sunday 6 July: Kings of Leon, Stromae, Franz Ferdinand, Bastille, Babyshambles, MGMT, Birdy, Foals, Passenger, Metronomy
The Isle of Wight are offering some lucky festivalgoers the chance to beat the January blues and get their hands on tickets & ticket/travel packages to the iconic weekend at the price they were for the Festival in 1970. That’s just £3 for tickets, £2 for car ferry crossing and 6 shillings or 30p for foot passengers! Once you’ve purchased through our Early Bird offer at www.isleofwightfestival.com running through to January 16th, simply complete the entry form and you could be a winner.
So far, we’ve announced performances from some of the biggest acts the UK has to offer, all at the 2014 Isle of Wight Festival…you won’t want to miss it! Headlining the Main Stage on Friday 13th June is the award winning Biffy Clyro, appearing in an English festival exclusive followed by international superstar Calvin Harris who closes the night. We’ve also got a much-anticipated guest set from Rudimental, plus Passenger, The 1975,
The Waterboys and many more still to be revealed.
Get your tickets now for only £170 with our special Early Bird offer running through to January 16th. There are also amazing ticket and travel packages available and if you want to spread the cost, our popular Isle of Wight Festivalpayment plan returns. To keep up to date with all the action and to enter this exclusive competition, head to www.isleofwightfestival.com.
Headlining the Main Stage on Friday 13th June, we’re proud to announce the return of the award winning, anthemic rock trio Biffy Clyro, who we’re excited to say are appearing in an English festival exclusive! We’ll also be joined by another Scottish great who’ll be closing the night, the one and only international superstar, Calvin Harris. Both artists have risen through the ranks with phenomenal shows and chart topping music, so get ready for a very special weekend. Prior to their performances, electronic outfit Rudimental will take to the stage for much anticipated guest set. Not only that, Passenger, The 1975 and The Waterboys will also all be appearing over the weekend.
The Early Bird gets the worm, so bag your tickets for only £170, from 9am on ThursdayDecember 12th with our special offer running through to January 16th. There are also amazing ticket and travel packages available, to be there head to www.isleofwightfestival.com.
Simon Neil from Biffy Clyro said: “We are over the moon to announce that we will headline the Main Stage of the Isle of Wight Festival next year, on Friday June 13th. To follow the likes of Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Bob Dylan and Pearl Jam is an honour.We cannot wait to get back to this iconic Festival, and this beautiful island!”
John Giddings, the Festival’s promoter said: “Friday night is going to kick it out of the park with Biffy & Calvin and special guests Rudimental – I can't wait…. having Passenger and The 1975 already on board we’re set for one of our mostcontemporary years – with the class of The Waterboys complementing the young guns nicely….”
Bringing together two of the biggest acts in the world, with two huge shows, Biffy Clyro and Calvin Harris will make Friday night at the Isle of Wight Festival the place to be. Biffy Clyro’s mind-boggling mix of off-kilter tempos, unpredictable guitars and soulful choruses have won over a legion of fans and now they take the top slot with an English festival exclusive. The man with the Midas touch, Calvin Harris has worked with a spectrum of massive names, racking up numerous number 1’s along the way. Mercury nominees and very special guests Rudimental, join the bill on Friday 13th June, playing to the Main Stage crowd for the first time.
Passenger said: “I can't wait to play at the Isle of Wight Festival. I played there on a small stage a few years ago and had an amazing time. It'll be great to get back there!”
Matthew Healy from The 1975 said: "The Isle of Wight Festival has such a rich musical heritage. We can't wait to play there in the summer."
Singer songwriter Michael David Rosenberg, aka Passenger has had the biggest year of his career with his single ‘Let Her Go’, storming the charts worldwide. He will be heading to the Festival for the first time, alongsideManchester’s finest The 1975 and influential group The Waterboys.
It’s all about 2014 and we’re fit to burst with a truckload of new stuff happening across all four corners of Seaclose Park. Expect an incredible mix of fun, surprises and hidden treats ready to be discovered. Plus, it wouldn’t be the same without the return of some old favourites, so watch this space…
Typically the last 'big' festivals of the summer months in the UK, Reading & Leeds are a special pilgrimage a combined audience of hundreds of thousands of people make every August Bank Holiday weekend. This year I headed to Leeds Fest to check it out, here's what happened!
Arriving on Friday morning, the site was buzzing with campers dampened slightly by a little storm on Thursday evening, but nothing to put off the masses from what was hopefully going to be a great festival.
Don Broco, a Bedford-based alternative rock band took to the Main Stage, and were an unexpected surprise. 'Hold On', probably their most popular tune got everyone going, as did the band's in-time dance moves, steps to the side, hand-claps, a cheeky boyband touch for the popular quartet, who's lead singer had an Elvisy-look going on.
Then it was time for something different, a rapper by the name of Wacka Flocka Flame took to the brand-new Radio 1Xtra Stage, to a huge crowd. His hype man got things bouncing, as the man himself finally arrived 15 minutes late. Wacka wore a Leeds United shirt and some appropriate bling, as his set saw him get a few headbanging fans up onstage,along with a girl plucked from the crowd who 'twerked'. It was an interesting 40 minutes or so.
Just over the way to the NME/Radio 1 stage, where American girl trio HAIM were the main attraction, bringing their guitar-laden hooks to the masses. They played favourites like, 'Forever', 'Falling' and new single, 'The Wire', all from their much-anticipated debut album. One of the best things about HAIM is Este, their bassist. The older sister likes to have coarse, blunt banter with crowds during gigs and is famed for her 'bassface'. You can watch her facial expressions for 45 minutes and be easily entertained.
Overall, their performance was better than expected and I left happy, as did many others who had squeezed into the tent.
I took a bit of a wander around the Arena site afterwards, taking note of the wide variety of stalls, grabbing a few ponchos for the oncoming storm and taking in some pizza (note: this was at a time when you could actually SIT on the ground and not get covered in mud…)
Then it was time for the sub-headliners, Nine Inch Nails, almost a cult band, such is their feverent support. Being a few rows from the front barrier, I couldn't tell the size of the crowd at the time, but having seen so afterwards, it wasn't very busy, but then that should be expected given Trent Reznor and his merry band have never been notable to a mainstream audience.
NIN were good. They missed out a couple of hits, like 'Closer' and 'Hurt', but if a newcomer like me could get into it, I'm sure the hardcore fans were ecstatic with their 80 minute set. Reznor is a tense, serious stage presence and if memory serves me right, he didn't interact with the crowd one bit. At the time I didn't question this, but afterwards it turns out he put out tweets suggesting he was 'lied to' by R&L boss Melvin Benn, which Benn himself has since said is a lie.
It's all very confusing but what we are led to believe is that Reznor was promised a more extravagent stage show than the one he got, as headliners Biffy Clyro would've had stage priority, it resulted in a bank of lights instead, still impressive but not the full NIN experience.
There were probably the perfect set-up for what was a definitive headlining performance, from Biffy-motherf***ing-Clyro, as they were known for the evening.
Some doubted they had it in them to headline a major UK festival, but they delivered in spades, with a strong set packed full of their more recent mainstream hits, with a few golden oldies squeezed in for long-time supporters. Simon Neil, lead singer, was very appreciative of the crowd, telling them, '"It all goes downhill from here…I'm only joking"'. Their 'banter' was limited, but the shirtless trio let their epic music do the talking, which really got the crowd going too.
Lasers, fireworks, smashed up guitars, sing-a-longs, a massive tree prop, mental mosh pits; the show had it all, and despite the swirling wind and rain it was a fantastic way to close the first night of Leeds 2013.
Saturday came and the site's landscape had changed drastically. Rain had come in a big way, with heavy rain in the night, turning the lush green grass into a mudbath. Wellies were a necessity, as were ponchos, it was 'proper' UK festival weather.
As a result of the poor conditions, I was stationed in the NME Tent for a good few hours and was lucky to see what I saw!
Fatigue seemed to have set in during the first half of Deap Vally's set. At the 20 minute stage, drummer Julie Edwards instructed the crowd to wake up and have fun, reminding them they were at a festival! They promptly did so and the atmosphere was quite good afterwards, shame the music wasn't quite as good. I sort of like Deap Vally, but their music is too samey for my tastes, I liked their energy during the gig though, they played at such a frenetic pace I'm surprised they managed 2 shows in 2 days!
Next up were fellow Americans Fidlar. A little heard of band, but an excellent band, one of my finds of the festival. They played a clutch of quick, simple songs that relied on great riffs and lead singer Zac Carper's hyper vocals. I was reminded of a very low-fi Nirvana, if you want to see for yourself I recommend you check out 'Cheap Beer', the slogan that adorned their merch and the song that really had the crowd going wild.
I suspect that the crowd was boosted because of the next act. Brummie stars Peace, were as flamboyant as predicted, lead singer Henry Koisser striding out in a leopard print jacket and hat to a loving audience. Tracks 'Follow Baby', and 'Lovesick'', got the best responses and saw the band at their most confident. Sure the live set isn't yet perfect, some of their songs weren't the most interesting in a a live arena, but they are getting there as one of a few bands that could really kickstart the era of the British guitar band.
After a bit of Peace, I ventured into the now spitting rain to find some fresh music. It was the Rock Stage that I found it, with The Computers part way through their set. Instantly I thought I'd been transported back to the 1950s as they were all dressed in slick suits, with even more slicked back hair. Their tunes matched the image, and were a breath of fresh air. Sure the lead singer's attempts at telling a story inbetween songs were a bit manufactured, as were his off-stage antics which saw him join a wet, muddy mosh pit. But it was pure fun, reminding me of The Hives' eccentric set from 2012, in a good way!
Then, then it was Major Lazer time. Now I didn't know what to expect, a pure DJ set?
Headliner time had come, and the pop-punk of Green Day was blasted from the Main Stage. Now I was a fair distance back, and wasn't massively impressed with the size or energy of the crowd, but to be fair, it was constantly raining, muddy as anything and the band were just okay, nothing more, on reflection. Billie Joe Armstrong annoyed me, with his political speeches and subtle nuances. However, I did enjoy songs off 'American Idiot', which I loved at the time of release, with their comprehensive playing in full of 1994 album Dookie, released the year of my birth, missing the mark for me, but not for the legions of loyal fans down the front.
Come Sunday, the thousands of campers were weary and out on their feet, but ready for a fantastic days's entertainmen The site was still a swampy mudbath, but with forecasts of clear skies and sun, it was looking promising for the final day of the festival.
Similarly to Saturday, I spent a good couple of hours in the same place on Sunday, this time the Festival Republic Tent, a place full of new talent waiting to be discovered. I saw Drenge and Swim Deep, back to back. Both were good in moderation, with outstanding songs, like 'Honey', 'The Sea' and 'She Changes the Weather', from the latter Brummies. Crowds were pretty decent too, with plenty of shoulder-riding and singing going on for the latter. Drenge were slightly more subdued, as the duo rattled through some awesome sounding music, but I'm not entirely sure whether they fit the tone of the stage.
Then it was time to check up on another NME darling, Palma Violets, a group who I was undecided on, their first album deceiving me at times. However, their blistering live set had people jumping around and going crazy. They are energetic, cocky and funny, all great features for a band to have. 'Best of Friends', was the highlight, a song that evokes the spirit of the Libertines when they were in their prime. With a couple of albums under their belt, I can see the southerners living up to the aforementioned hype, they look like they believe it too!
With that brief foray to the NME tent, it was off to the Main Stage for the remainder of my 2013 festival. White Lies were 4th from the top of the bill, but didn't really live up to expectations. For a start, I wasn't the biggest fan, I think a lot of their material sounds very 'samey', which was true of the performance, a performance hampered by sound problems and a pretty uninterested crowd, most of whom were hanging around for Chase & Status and Eminem later on that evening. Their early hits, 'Fairwell to the Fairground', and 'Death', were nice, but the longer it went on, the longer it felt they were 'going through the motions'.
Up next were Foals, again a band I was wary of. I like a lot of their songs, but had never been impressed by their live performances I'd caught on TV. However, they were great fun, energetic and had some good banter with the crowd, lead singer Yannis ending up in the crowd by the end of their set. Before that though, songs like 'Spanish Sahara' and 'My Number', showed the variation in their song-craft, going from the deep, building tunes to a catchy pop number. The boss of the festival Melvin Benn has since claimed they could headline the festival, which I think was a slight over-exaggeration, although he said the same about the next act, something which may be true…
Chase & Status, an incredible act and a perfect appetizer for what was to come. Their set up saw the duo positioned behind a 'C' and 'S' DJ booth each, with MC Rage effectively the ringmaster of proceedings, dragging out the likes of Liam Bailey as guest vocalists, with Plan B and Delilah projected onto a humongous video screen above their heads. It was impressive to see such a stage show, especially given the problems Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails had.
When tracks like 'No Problem', 'Let You Go' and 'Hypest Hype', dropped, the crowd went nuts for it, descending into mosh pits and general dancing. It was amazing to see, and one of the loudest, best atmospheres of the festival I had witnesses (more of which later). It was strange, given all I'd heard and read online prior to the festival was that their booking was a poor one, not in-keeping with the tradition of the festival. Sure, that may be correct, but why not move with the times, book popular acts who DO have crossover with the rock, alternative and indie music scene (you'd have been surprised just how many 'metalheads' were enjoying themselves to C&S). I don't see it as an issue, especially as it helps to keep the festival going, something which the next act definitely helped with.
The rap legend that is Eminem graced the stage for his second headline set, amongst a bunch of questions and fears. I got talking to people around me beforehand and whilst everyone was excited, noone knew what to expect! Old material, new material- a mixture of both? Would he mime? Well whilst that wasn't really clarified (although personally I think he relied on backing track the odd time, but was at his best and actually rapping for the majority of the set), one thing was clear; Eminem was back.
Whilst a lot of the first half of the set was his newer material, from 'Recovery' and 'Relapse', it was bearable in a live environment. This was partly due to the live band AND DJ he had accompanying him, aswell as the buzzing crowd, still excited from C&S who were devouring his hit-packed set.
My favourite moment of the festival came with the 3 minute medley of older songs, that was, 'My Name Is/The Real Slim Shady/Without Me'. For 3 minutes I was a child again, and it was amazing! As was the special guest for 'Stan', Dido herself. Both of those moments were special and brought much acclaim from the audience. Then a one-song encore came about a great rendition of the intense, 'Lose Yourself', before Em headed off for good. It may have been a fairly brisk, 25 song, 100 minute set, but god was it good. And that was Leeds Fest 2013, done just like that!
So, to round it all off, Leeds 2013 was fantastic, perhaps as an overall experience outing 2012's edition, Foo Fighters and all! We saw the newly anointed Biffy Clyro become the rock gods they were destined to be, a return for the veterans of pop-punk, Green Day and Eminem finish it all off with a blistering display of a hip-hop gig. Other personal highlights were the likes of HAIM and Peace on the NME stage, Chase & Status killing the Main Stage, Major Lazer bringing the party to the tent, aswell as echoes of the Libertines, with Palma Violets giving a confident, humourous performance.
It may have been muddy, it may have been soaking wet; but Leeds Festival 2013 was bloody good!
Rockers Biffy Clyro closed the first day of Leeds Festival 2013 with a barrage of wind, rain and fire hitting the masses at the Main Stage.
The topless Scottish trio delved into their back catalogue of classics aswell as the recent hits which alerted the mainstream to their presence in their first major UK festival headline slot.
Crowd favourites, ‘Black Chandelier’, ‘Mountains’ and ‘Many of Horror’, were all given outings as it celebrated everything Biffy were and have become over their remarkable career.
Lead singer Simon Neil, seemed in awe of the occasion, constantly thanking the huge crowd and pointing out this was his band’s 7th appearance at the Reading & Leeds festivals.
Their success hasn’t been overnight then, but a career has been carved from the band’s post-hardcore roots and transformed into the lean, mean stadium rock outfit they are today, be that for better or worse.
The crowd certainly thought better; singing along the words to every song, participating frequently in circle pits, and generally having a great time with the first headliner of the weekend.
Neil and his band played their part too, with an elaborate stage presence. A gigantic sheet covered the main stage, before being dropped to reveal the band’s silhouettes in dramatic fashion.
It was a great way to kick off the show and with lasers, a prop of the artwork to latest album, ‘Opposites’, streamers and fireworks to top it off, Biff brought the party to Leeds.
With spontaneous bursts of pyrotechnics exploding from the top of the stage, combined with the swirling wet weather, conditions were perfect for a memorable debut headliner performance from the one, the only: Biffy Clyro.
With just over two weeks to go until Reading & Leeds Festivals welcome Early Entry Ticket holders, excitement is at fever pitch and now Reading Festival is completely sold out! This year Biffy Clyro celebrate their monumental ascent to theirfirst ever Reading Festival headline performance and not only this, but they have sold it out too! Their closing set at Reading on Sunday 25th August will be an incredible and unforgettable end to the weekend.
For those who didn’t manage to secure a Reading Festival ticket, the same great line-up can be seen across the whole weekend at Leeds Festival, with limited day and weekend tickets still available.
Leeds Festival, taking place from 23rd-25th August, is now the only place to see the same exclusive UK festival performances from headliners Eminem, Green Day, Biffy Clyro, as well as Nine Inch Nails, System Of A Down, Fall Out Boy, Deftones,City and Colour, White Lies and Skrillex.
Other highlights of the 300 artists on the bill include Phoenix, Chase And Status, Foals, Alt-J, Jake Bugg, AzealiaBanks, Disclosure, KnifeParty, Baauer, ShikariSoundSystem, FuneralFor A Friend, Spector, Wretch32 andAngel Haze, plus comedians Judah Friedlander World Champion, Russell Kane and Seann Walsh.
Those without their tickets to Leeds Festival should book now to make sure they don’t miss out on what has been votedBest Festival by NME, surely the best place to be with your friends this August Bank Holiday Weekend?!
TICKET INFORMATION
Weekend tickets (Leeds only) £202.50 ● Day tickets (Leeds only) Friday, Saturday and Sunday £90.00 ● Early Entry (Leeds only) permits £15.00 ● Campervan permits £60.00 ● Weekend ticket prices include camping. All prices are subject to applicable booking fees and postage.
For any Reading Festival goers seeking parking or campervan tickets, there is limited availability for Campervan tickets, White Weekend Car Park, Green Friday Day Car Park and Green Sunday Day Car Park through See Tickets here.
