V Festival, sponsored by Virgin Media, is proud to announce the addition of The Charlatans, Sigma, Wretch 32, Echo & The Bunnymen, Hilltop Hoods, Lawson and Indiana to the 2015 bill. They will be joining an already world-class line-up including James Bay and Jess Glynne, who are both set to claim their first UK Number 1s in the album and single charts (respectively) this Sunday.
Ahead of their eighth V Festival outing The Charlatans front man, Tim Burgess said: “Having been lucky enough to be part of the first ever V Festival line up in ’96 we’re thrilled to be playing its 20th anniversary year.”
Wretch 32 also commented:"This will be my hat trick appearance and I can’t wait to get out there and have some fun with my fans.”
Taking place across the 22nd and 23rd August, music fans will be treated to an exciting line-up which includes the only UK outings for Sam Smith, Calvin Harris and Kasabian, who will be joined by the likes of Stereophonics, Sam Smith, Paloma Faith, George Ezra, Ellie Goulding and Ella Henderson over the weekend. With more artists and the Glee Club Comedy Tent line-up to be announced in the coming months.
V Festival 2015 Line-up
Saturday 22nd August – Weston Park /Sunday 23rd August – Hylands Park
Calvin Harris
Stereophonics
The Script
Ellie Goulding
Paloma Faith
George Ezra
The Kooks
Clean Bandit
Chvrches
Kodaline
Ella Henderson
Jessie Ware
Duke Dumont
Gregory Porter
Ella Eyre
Imelda May
Oliver Heldens
Philip George
Toddla T
Goldie
Marvin Humes presents Luvbug
Moxie
Saturday 22nd August – Hylands Park /Sunday 23rd August – Weston Park
Liverpool has a long and rich musical heritage. From Merseybeat to the famous Cavern Club, to Billy Fury and undoubtedly their most successful export, The Beatles, the city’s heart certainly beats to a tune. Liverpool International Music Festival has become the current voice of the global music city, shining a spotlight on its musical pedigree with an experimental but accessible programme like no other in 2015.
Consisting of Commissions, Partnerships and the grand finale, LIMF Summer Jam, LIMF 2015 takes place in several iconic Liverpool venues, attracting thousands of music lovers and making it a must-visit destination this summer.
LIMF SUMMER JAM Saturday 29th, Sunday 30th & Monday 31st August – Sefton Park – FREE LIMF Summer Jam, a free outdoor music event on Sefton Park, marks the end of Liverpool International Music Festival and the end of summer. Kicking off Saturday proceedings is veteran dance duo Basement Jaxx, responsible for hits such as ‘Romeo’ and ‘Where’s Your Head At?’, supported by Garage legends Artful Dodger. Sunday takes an urban pop flavour as the multi-talented singer, songwriter and producer Labrinth takes to the stage along with Queen of Dubstep Katy B. Joining them is the of the moment chart topper dance music vocalist and now solo artist Becky Hill, plus producer Naughty Boy who has been responsible for hits with Emeli Sandé, Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran.
The itsliverpool stage will celebrate local talent in the form of 1970’s soul group The Real Thing, up-and-coming Scouse Louis Berry, plus acts from LIMF’s very own music academy. The three-day festival will also see other phenomenal Liverpool legends taking to LIMF's main stage including, Echo and the Bunnymen performing live with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in their 175th Anniversary year, in what will be a truly unforgettable collaboration. Unique British soul-singer Laura Mvula will also play along with lady-of-the-moment Rae Morris and fellow North-Westerner, Bipolar Sunshine. Representing the city are bands Space and Hooton Tennis Club, the former an indie rock band that came to prominence in the 90’s with hits such as ‘Female of the Species’, and the latter a hot one-to-watch in 2015.
Summer Jam’s monumental music offering will be available for all to see for free, making it one of Europe’s biggest free outdoor events and an unmissable date in the diary.
THE COMMISSIONS: 'Music Migrations' Routes Jukebox – Friday 28th August – The Epstein Theatre – £10 + Fees Grammy winning producer Steve Levine and BBC Radio 2's Janice Long along with esteemed video documenter Mark McNulty, retrace the key influencing records that came to Liverpool from the U.S. and beyond via the air and the sea in the 1950’s. The documentary and live event will tell the definitive story about the cultural impact of music from the Americas and the resulting tide of influence from Liverpool bands have had on the world of music.
The Revolution Will Be Live: A Tribute to Gil Scott Heron – Thursday 27th August – St George’s Hall – Tickets TBC An event in tribute to the chart topping revolutionary artist, poet and civil rights activist, Gil Scott Heron. Featuring veteran rapper, movie star and civil rights activist Yasiin Bey a.k.a Mos Def, plus legendary UK Reggae bandAswad, local chart toppers The Christians, poet and protégé of Gil’s Malik & the O.G's plus Sophia Ben-Yousef and much more. Gil’s son Rumal Rackley and non-other than Ndaba Mandela, grandson of the late great Nelson Mandela, will be guest of honours whilst a DJ set from BBC Radio 6’s Craig Charles completes an unforgettable night.
Liverpool, Next Stop New York! – Friday 28th, Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th August – The Palm House, Sefton Park – FREE This series of events will explore the unique association between the city of Liverpool and Black American music, and its huge impact on the region and its people. A weekend of celebration in Sefton Park’s Palm House will feature a must-see headliner in the company of influential figures from Liverpool’s musical heritage – seminal DJsGreg Wilson, Les Spaine, and long running Liverpool hip hop crew No Fakin’. This will be preceded by an exhibition in Liverpool city centre including and a party on the Friday night will be followed by a weekend of activity and exploration; featuring broadcasts, DJ sets, the Independent Record Label market (Monday), and interactive discussions and Q & A’s with key figures; including members of the Chants and TheReal Thing,Bernie Connor, and original Cunard Yanks.
Global Roots International Mixtape – Sunday 30th August – The Palm House – £5 + Fees Exploring international electronic music from Lagos to LA via London, The Global Roots crew comes together to celebrate the sounds of the DJ's mixing it up around the world. Thris Tian & Blackfoot Phoenix of NTS/Boiler Room invite their selector, DJ & A+R friends from across the Globe to make the ultimate mix – created in a relay style. Some of the names involved in the project include Lena Wilikens – Comeme (Berlin); Hannah Faith – Soulection (London); Clap! Clap! – Black Acre Record (Toscana); Ebbo Kraan -Rwina Records (Amsterdam) and many more. The project will culminate in a live event that will be broadcast on NTS. Full line-up to be revealed.
With four bespoke arenas dedicated to music, Latitude offers an incredible array of sonic brilliance, bands and artists hand-picked to create the perfect soundtrack to the perfect weekend. Whether it’s the hottest new band or the once in a life-time chance to see a legend perform; if it’s rock or pop, folk or blues, electro or dance, Latitude’s music arenas have it all. With The National, Paolo Nutini and Suede headlining the Obelisk Arena; Bombay Bicycle Club, Foals and Eels headlining The Word Arena and a whole wealth of musical talent playing across the weekend, Latitude once again boasts an exciting and unique line-up.
And whilst the best bands play, Latitude’s unrivalled arts programme features the very best from the worlds of theatre, poetry, literary, comedy, cabaret, dance, art, fashion and film. All of these performances come together to create one spectacular weekend. Visually stunning, awe-inspiring and mind-expanding – Latitude Festival just gets better and better with these new additions:
The core pairing of Ian McCulloch and Will Sergeant have been Echo & the Bunnymen – through split ups and other members disappearing – since 1978. The Liverpudlians produced consecutive classics of flowing, highly melodic searing post-punk from debut ‘Crocodiles’ to their self titled fifth album. ‘The Cutter’ was a top 10 single and has become a confirmed classic of the era, along with their 1987 hit ‘The Killing Moon’. After a split in 1993, they returned with ‘Evergreen’, and proved they’d lost none of their sublime qualities. 2009’s ‘The Fountain’ marked their eleventh studio release, and this staying power has ensured a huge and unwavering fan base. With a wealth of excellent songs to dip into, watching the Echo & the Bunnymen festival performance will be an essential moment of the weekend.
From the early beginnings for the Jarman brothers working in a factory in Wakefield, to touring the world and a Top 10 album, 2009’s ‘Ignore The Ignorant’, The Cribs are masters of addictive, wiry indie pop suss. In a career spanning almost 10 years the Yorkshire men – together with now full time member Johnny Marr – have produced passionate anti-hipster anthems including ‘Our Bovine Public’, ‘Mirror Kissers’ and ‘Hey Scenesters!’. Last year they released the single, ‘Housewife’ which was a great taster of the new material that’s due out later this year. You can hear these new tracks when they play Latitude in what will be a raucous, jump-out fun-filled festival set to remember!
American singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett began his career writing songs for others but by 1986 he had released his self-titled debut album, which contained three Billboard Top 20 singles. His country style has ensnared four Grammy Awards from Best Country Male Vocal in 1989 for ‘Lyle Lovett and His Large Band’ and Best Country Album for 1996’s ‘The Road To Ensenada’. His songs have appeared, sometimes with different vocalists, in films as varied as ‘The Crying Game’ and ‘Toy Story’ and even in recent US vampire drama ‘True Blood’. These tunes have been woven into the fabric of US culture to the point where you’ve probably heard more Lyle Lovett songs than you realise. Check out his distinctive Americana at Latitude this year.
The Raghu Dixit Project is one of India’s foremost bands in its genre. Ethnic and rooted at the core, but at the same time, global in its outlook. It’s not a surprise that Raghu has been referred to as India’s biggest cultural export of recent times. Recently nominated for Songlines’ Best Newcomer of the Year, Raghu Dixit has had an unexpectedly rich musical career. From initial fumbling with the guitar to impress girls, he ended up playing in indie and rock bands – notably Antaragni – in Bangalore before writing radio jingles for money. He was initially rejected by the Bollywood-dominated music industry in his home country before being recognised by composers Vishal and Shekhar as having a unique talent. His debut album quickly became the best selling non-Bollywood record in India two years ago. Raghu has played several festivals in the UK and has toured several continents. His band’s eclectic blend of traditional and modern music – covering both western and eastern ideas and sounds – has resulted in hugely appreciative audiences, worldwide record deals and now a spot on the diverse and exceptional Latitude line-up.
Also playing in the Music Arenas over the weekend is a fantastic mix of burgeoning acts and household names including: Queen of Rockabilly Wanda Jackson, Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan, Edwyn Collins, Bright Eyes, Anna Calvi, Hurts, Deerhunter, Bellowhead, The Vaccines and Everything Everything to name just a few. Elsewhere throughout the weekend, festival goers can enjoy readings from leading poets and authors including Linton Kwesi Johnson, Esther Freud, Jo Shapcott, Simon Armitage, Sarah Dunant, Dave Gorman and Alexei Sayle; top comics Alan Carr, Omid Djalili, Jason Byrne and a festival debut of Never Mind The Buzzcocks; exciting theatre and dance productions presented by The Gate, Bush Theatre, Sadler’s Wells and English National Ballet to name but a few, cabaret performances from David Schneider & Friends, Will Adamsdale, Bourgeois and Maurice; and BAFTA return to the Film & Music Arena with a fantastic programme of Q&A’s, discussions and workshops including comedy stars Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon discussing their hilarious work on Michael Winterbottom’s ‘The Trip’.
With DJ’s, The Winter’s Ball and late night parties found throughout the site, it is a unique and special weekend of fun, culture and entertainment. An intimate world away from reality waiting to be explored and enjoyed.
