Cocoon

Cocoon in the Park Preview – Who to look out for

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For one unforgettable day and night, the back garden of the quaint, scenic and peaceful setting of Temple Newsam will be transformed into an electronic, beat-heavy haven. A place where thousands of music fanatics can listen to hour-upon-hour of highly-charged techno, with a heavy-duty line-up with no trace of a weak link. This is, of course, Cocoon in the Park; so be prepared for a day witnessing a consistent view of pumping fists to the likes of Sven Väth, Dixon, Seb Zito and the almight Carl Cox – and that’s just to name a few.

I saw Enzo Siragusa play alongside tINI just a couple of weeks ago, and to say it was incredible would be an understatement. The dancefloor was packed with a typical array of sweating bodies, all of us wonderstruck with his stripped down tech house style beats that whet our appetite so well. His appearance at Cocoon at the Park should be no different, and he’s definitely one who you should get down – whether early in the day or not – to witness.

Without a shadow of a doubt, Sven Väth is, quite frankly, a legend amongst men. His style and passion knows no boundaries; it has influenced many and has truly revolutionised electronic music, so to hear he’ll be leading an army of music fanatics at Cocoon is music to everyone’s ears. Expect deep, indulging sounds and chasm of rich interludes – and more than anything, one hell of a set.  

Ricardo Villalobos minimal percussion styling might not be to everyone’s taste, but at a festival like Cocoon, even the most unsold of revellers will be given the chance to see what the half Chilean has to offer. His sets have differed, sometimes containing blends of solid down to acid house, other times something completely different; but he is simply a pioneer,  a DJ so different and exciting, it’s almost essential to catch a glimpse of him at Cocoon.  

Carl Cox is a name that simply exhumes that dark, exciting, fist-pumping atmosphere when said out loud. You don’t need to be told of the talent; it’s almost become agiven, just common knowledge – this guy is an enigma. I don’t think I’ve ever spoken to someone who has seen Carl Cox for them to respond ‘that was average’; he delivers a spectacle of progressive, atmospheric beats to a crowd that come back, time and time again, to see him reign once again. To have him at the forefront of the Cocoon ship this year is a choice welcomed by many, and definitely a set that will be unmissable.

Cocoon in the Park returns to Temple Newsam on July 11th. For tickets, visit www.cocooninthepark.com.

Sunscape Festival announces Cocoon & Watergate Showcases

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Set in amongst the beautiful surroundings of the isle of Gozo-Malta, Sunscape today unveil over 20 new acts who represent some of the most infamous names in electronic music. As one of the most revered and iconic clubs of all time, Watergate will make its way to the shores of Gozo for a rare opportunity to see the likes of Marco Resmann, La Fleur and Lee Jones outside of their Berlin home. Having recently been inaugurated into the illustrious Resident Advisor podcast series, Dana Ruh plays alongside Ilario Alicante and already announced Pig & Dan under the Cocoon Records banner. While Mobilee Showcase includes Lee Van Dowksi and Dean Demanuele, and Valentino Kanzyani of Cadenza will perform at the week-long celebrations. The festival opens its doors to an intimate crowd of 3000 like-minded revellers from 3-10 September and have announced yet more exciting adventures taking including Why Not? Dome's eclectic and empowering workshop programme featuring drum lessons, fire dancing, astrology, permaculture and conscious living, whilst also playing host to an Electroswing Day Festival, Full Moon Party and fire dancing tournament making it an incredible finale to the summer.

As one of Europe's most famous clubs, Berlin's Watergate has welcomed through it's doors some of the biggest names in house and techno and is appropriately recognised as the home of modern house music with an unchallengeable reputation. Featuring a mix of residents past and present, the showcase will firstly welcome Berlin native Marco Resmann, a regular fixture of the city's club scene for over 20 years. As head honcho of Power Plant Records, La Fleur blurs the line between soulful house, techno and electronica, and will take to the decks under the Watergate banner alongside Aus Music's Lee Jones. 

When it comes to electronic music there are few names bigger than Cocoon. Since it's creation by the legendary Sven Vath at the turn of the millennium, Cocoon has grown to become a haven for electronic music the world over. Taking their residency on the Mediterranean isle, Sunscape welcome three of the biggest acts ever to adopt the Cocoon name. Joining the previously announced electro-duo Pig & Dan, Ilario Alicante will perform having achieved great success with his first track 'Vacaciones En Chile' and gaining the attentions of Richie Hawtin and Ricardo Villalobos, he has grown to become one of the most in-demand producers and label figureheads in electronic music. Dana Ruh, who has seen releases on Ostgut Ton as well as her own Brouqade imprint, will also take to the stage for what will be one of the most memorable events of the summer. 

While Sunscape delivers one of the most exciting line-ups of the summer, the festival will also host yet more activities taking place over the week-long celebration. Catering for every kind of adventurer the Why Not? Dome programme presents a number of eclectic and empowering workshops, talks and meditations throughout the festival. Fresh, invigorating and transformative, the programme is designed to inform and host a wealth of ideas that aims to change the way people think. Topics include astrology, sound & energy healing, conscious living, working with energy, permaculture, scuba Diving in the Med and much more.

In addition Sunscape unveils an Electroswing Day Festival, a dedicated Fire dancing tournament, Fire jamming and an infamous Full Moon Party celebration for revellers to enjoy. More than just a music festival, the programme ambitions are to provide a truly one-off and unique experience that captures the mystical island of Gozo in all its glory.

Adding to line-up will be Defected Records regular Noir, who will be performing alongside Sankeys resident The Element, Loco Dice heralded Camiel Daamen and Mobilee Music's Dean Demanuele. As founder of Zombie Soundsystem, Shane Watcha brings his unique style to the Mediterranean while Cesare vs Disorder showcases his new side-project 'Azimute' at the festival, which is becoming a hot ticket  for music fans across the globe. 

South West Four Arena Host’s announced

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Past hosts have included Carl Cox & Friends, Bedrock, The Gallery, Boys Noize Records, Toolroom Knights and Global Underground. In 2011 we have accumulated our strongest arena hosts to date, all dedicated to showcasing the world’s greatest DJs and live electronic acts. How does one of the planet’s biggest records labels sound? Or how about two of Ibiza’s most legendary club nights? Here goes…

COCOON
Sven Vath’s legendary Cocoon label is the leading techno imprint on the planet. Since its creation in 2000, the label has thrown some of the most mind blowing parties club land has ever witnessed. This includes huge events the world over, astounding nights at the label’s own venue in Frankfurt and that’s all before we get to the antics that take place every Monday evening on a certain White Isle… Without doubt Ibiza’s biggest night, Cocoon at Amnesia has seen Pappa Sven and his cohorts change the electronic landscape and help bring techno to the masses. Only the unexpected can be expected when the Cocoon juggernaut hits Clapham Common this summer for its SW4 debut.
 
ANJUNABEATS presents GROUP THERAPY
As part of the global tour for their much anticipated second artist album, worldwide trance sensation and SW4 favourites Above & Beyond will be hosting a number of ‘Group Therapy’ stages at the biggest dance festivals in Europe this summer. Handpicking their favourite DJs and artists, Above & Beyond will also be playing extended sets at each event – showcasing the cutting-edge sounds of their ‘Group Therapy’ album. This includes Dance Valley, Tomorrowlands, Global Gathering and as the final piece to the puzzle at South West Four. Boasting an arena full of the biggest names in trance, we’re in for a treat as Above & Beyond bring some power packed melody and euphoria to South West Four.
 
SHAKE IT!
Arguably London’s finest underground house night, SW4 is delighted to welcome back Shake It! In 2009 the club night debuted on the Common, with residents Layo & Bushwacka! starring alongside Richie Hawtin, Steve Lawler, Timo Maas and Dubfire. Since then Shake It! has continued to host a succession of sell out parties which have taken London’s most discerning clubbers to the most impressive spaces imaginable. Attracting names such as Carl Cox and Laurent Garnier, Shake It! has become an institution in a very short space of time. Bringing the underground sounds to the great outdoors of Clapham Common for the second time, please welcome Shake It! to SW4.
 
WE LOVE…
We Love… is the greatest Sunday clubbing experience on the planet. Throughout the summer over 8,000 clubbers pack into Space Ibiza every week for a multi-room, mini-festival that is simply one of a kind. With an agenda focussed on showcasing cutting edge music from across the dance spectrum, We Love… are the perfect arena hosts for Sunday at SW4. At South West Four the much loved clubbing institution has curated the biggest lineup it has ever presented in London. With residents of the calibre of Simian Mobile Disco, Joris Voorn and James Zabiela, We Love… are associated with only the very best names in the business and this is what can be expected when We Love… arrives at South West Four.
 
TOGETHER
Together returns to Clapham Common this August after its unforgettable arena at last year’s South West Four. In 2010 Together welcomed an incredible selection of acts to the festival including Skream & Benga, Andy C, Jack Beats and Caspa. Since then the night has gone onto host a mammoth New Years Eve at the O2 Academy Brixton with Mark Ronson, Annie Mac, Katy B, Fake Blood, Hervé and Zinc. In 2011 Together returns to SW4, this time to take control of the larger 5,000 capacity arena with an even bigger lineup. Keep your ears open for this exciting announcement coming your way.
 
DRUMCODE
One of the most respected and seminal record labels in the industry, it is a great honour that Adam Beyer has chosen South West Four to host the next instalment of Drumcode in the capital. In 2010 the label took over the Ewer Street Car Park in London for a massive sell out event and a lineup featuring the likes of Chris Liebing, Paul Ritch, Cari Lekebusch, Alan Fitzpatrick and Beyer himself. The label’s uncompromising musical vision has also been welcomed across the four corners of the globe with the label’s annual pilgrimage to the Berghain in Berlin now part of techno folklore. With demand for Drumcode’s return to the Capital at an all time high, we’re delighted to welcome the underground heavyweight to South West Four for the label’s only London festival appearance this year.
 
Tickets on sale now from www.ticketmaster.co.uk