GoGol Bordello

BoomTown Fair 2015 Review

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Widely known as one of the wildest and most immersive experiences around, BoomTown Fair is one of the UK’s fastest growing music festivals. This year marked BoomTown’s seventh year in Winchester, selling out with a huge 38,000 people ready and rearing to explore the pop-up wonderland.
 

Having not seen many familiar names on the line-up and with this being my first BoomTown, I went into this experience pretty blind.I travelled to the site using public transport and ended up having one of my most valuable experiences of the whole weekend on the shuttle bus there. The atmosphere was intense, people were anxious to see the site appear over the hill, and talk was all about the weekend ahead. Every single person on the bus announced they had barely looked at the line-up, they couldn’t tell me who the ‘headliners’ were and they couldn’t tell me who to look out for. Instead they gave me the best advice I could have asked for: “BoomTown isn’t about the line-up, it isn’t about the headliners. Go in there and immerse yourself in the whole experience, think of the music as the soundtrack to your weekend and go wherever it takes you”. Most of them even favoured the smaller, quirkier areas over the main attractions and insisted I spend some time walking around. Taking my fellow BoomTown citizen’s advice, I did exactly this.

This pop-up city nestled in the rolling hills of Winchester is split into nine districts across three areas of the festival (HillTop, DownTown & Temple Valley). From Wild West to DSTRKT 5, China Town to Mayfair Avenue, everywhere boasts impressive set designs and strong narratives dating back to the festival’s origins in 2009. You find yourself being ushered along by “policemen” in OldTown, only to then stumble into Grandma’s Living Room and play bingo with other festival goers. Needless to say the weekend was laden with these surreal experiences in every district, leaving you feeling a little lost when all is said and done.



Somewhat hidden within these city walls are the stages. Like every district, each stage is themed depending on where it stands; each one an incredible set up. Some particularly impressive stages are the Lion’s Den; a huge temple themed stage that shoots fire when night descends, Bang Hai Palace; what can only be described as an oriental super palace lit from top to bottom with red and yellow neon lights, and Boombox; quite literally a giant boombox that glows as it pumps DNB through monstrous surround sound.

 

The weekend boasted some impressive musical names such as gypsy swing cyberpunks Caravan Palace who had the crowd jiving and jumping from start to finish. The global musical mastery that is Gogol Bordello tore up the Town Centre on Sunday night giving the BoomTown citizens something to remember. A particularly impressive set was Shy FX feat. Stamina MC at the Lion’s Den. Having seen this innovator of dance music before at a much smaller venue, it was incredible to see the transition from a sweaty tent to one of the main stages at BoomTown. Stood at the top of the hill where the Lion’s Den is situated, you could admire a sea of people bouncing, skanking and having the time of their lives. The atmosphere was electric as Shy continued to hit the crowd with classic after classic, Shake Ur Body being a particular highlight; smoke spilled from the mammoth stage and worked hand in hand with the strobes to create the ultimate raving experience. Other amazing acts across the weekend included: reggae master Stephen Marley, Ska-Dub-Punk group Dub Pistols (whom have actually won awards for their exceptional live performances), experimental Drum ‘n’ Bass multi-instrumentalist Squarepusher, with strobe lights to match his obscurity. Soulful blues and roots gang John Butler Trio provided a much needed break from the manic happenings elsewhere, while Mali’s Songhoy Blues stole my heart with their lively desert blues performed with upmost sincerity. More notable names were: The Carny Villains, Rubber Duck Orchestra, Born on Road Showcase and Noisia.

 

 

Some of my fondest memories of the weekend were visiting all of the side attractions that make their way to the festival. Long pathways lined with gypsy caravans and tipis, inside people were receiving palm readings, massages, yoga classes, wood crafting and wicker basket making lessons; the list was endless. Policemen can be seen taking part, staring at a black and white spiral wheel experiencing what can only be described from his facial expression as a sober acid trip. These side attractions keep the drunken masses smiling and add a little something special to the festival; there are vibes of a buzzing community and a sense that most of the vendors know each other from elsewhere. Its places like this that for me, make a real festival.
 

 

 

Boomtown Fair announce themes for all nine districts

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Most festivals are content with having one theme to stick to throughout the event, but not BoomTown; with nine completely different districts making up this bonkers fantasyland of ultimate escapism, all fancy-dress bases are covered! From the backstreet barbers in the Wild West to the glamourous ladies-who-lunch of Mayfair Avenue, there’s a whole plethora of characters just waiting to take up residence in one of the unique areas of the city. BoomTown, taking place over 13th – 16th August at the Matterley Estate nr. Winchester, has already announced all 500 plus acts performing this year, including Stephen Marley, Flogging Molly, Gogol Bordello, Matisyahu, Barrington Levy, Squarepusher, Noisia, Spor, John Butler Trio, Less Than Jake, Infected Mushroom and hundreds more across nearly every conceivable genre, the details for each of the city’s districts can now be unveiled, along with all the madcap and bizarre venues to be found within them.

With so many districts, streets, venues and sideshows to take in, the ever creative powerhouse of BoomTown Fair have launched their very own news channel, BTN, to deliver short, snappy news bulletins outlining each of the districts and all the wonders that can be found within! The full playlist of district videos can be found here.

Starting off with the lawless Wild West, this dusty district first opened its saloon doors in Chapter 6 and since then has doubled in size and expanded with even more unsavoury characters roaming the streets just waiting to corrupt any who choose to visit! With many venues to discover including The Wrong Side of the Tracks railway station; Madame Electrifie’s General Store a hive of Western wonders alongside some of the most rip-roaring fiddle playing in all the prairies! The Gold Rush mine has been re-opened as a saloon by a wild bunch of thirsty thrill seekers rivalling Shot Gun Willies as the districts’ premier watering hole. The Lawless Halls of Justice have spruced up the old Courthouse with an all-star line-up of auditory outlaws keeping everything in order. Visitors to the unruly bad-lands of the Wild West are welcome to run amuck among the disorderly streets and try to make their name…

Barrio Loco, a passionate playground filled with technicolour and a true zest for life! This is the home BoomTown’s Glorious Leader as well as many an action packed venue including, Circo Bassline with their Caba-rave; the Happy Slap El Espectaculo Esqueleto and Samedia Shebeen. Visitors are advised against taking a wrong turn and ending up in Breaking Boomtown Lab. For a spot of reinvention head to La Belleza Muerto; those of a sporting disposition may feel brave enough to hunt down a worthy adversary in the interactive gaming zone of Dissosia Casa de Balanceo Loco or throw the biggest shapes in the ring at The Dance Off!

Back up the hill from Barrio Loco lies the all the prosperity of Mayfair Avenue, join the 1 percent-ers in their tax free haven or try to swindle them out of their fortune. Revel in these golden streets where the stakes are high and the fun is serious! With establishments such as Charlie Browns Casino and Barwhere one can win or lose big; interactive decadence of the Park Hotel boasting cocktails, room service, gaming tables and music shows; festival entertainment elite, the Bearded Kittens’ very own Opera House and The Fitzslones’ mansion party in Funkington Manor. There are plenty of sideshows to entertain including Copper Feel Cabaret and the Candy Trash Beauty Boutique.  The Slapbox is there for ultimate image capturing or glide around in style at BUMP Roller Disco.

The OldTown pirate port tempts passers-by into its cobbled back streets and bawdy taverns for a weekend of raucous revelry and clandestine celebration! As the first place for many settlers, OldTown provides a range of amenities to keep transient visitors occupied; The Job Centre will be on hand to find gainful employment for all new arrivals within the city, sending citizens off to work within other establishments at the fair, prepare for the new employment opportunities with Jack The Clippers barbers. Grandmas Living Room offers homely comforts along with the more communal space of Peoples Front Room. There is also Rimski’s, a loveable dive filled with live music enthusiasts. Or for something totally different go visit Wayne and Wanda’s grounded cruise ship for the ultimate lip-synching experience!  Offering straight up redemption is the Dank Parish’s ‘Church of The Sturdy Virgin’. The miscreants out there should watch out for the Boomtown Bobbies who will be ensuring law and order are obeyed at all times!

Moving down the hill to the area of DownTown is home to ChinaTown, the colourful mecca of the digital new age where gaming is all the rage, with a sound track of Ska Punk. Pop into Alan’s Happy Ending Cinema to experience another dimension in 4D entertainment. Hang out with Mr Hung for t-shirt printing with a difference or lose yourself (and your savings) in the Lucky Cat Musement Arcade. Bend some circuits with So Fun Tek and play live 3D Mario inDubtendo. There’s also a totally 21st century gaming experience available with Digital Funfair and the mash-up make over at The Freak Boutique punk parlour!

The seedy underbelly of DSTRKT 5 houses some of dodgiest dives in town and the Leisure Centre, Asbo Disco and the Old School Garage are all returning with their much famed antics and outright mayhem, along with other interactive venues such as the Spaceport, Jungle Syndicate and Amental.For those brave enough to cross this galactic border there is a whole other worldly realm of delights to be explored in this pan dimensional district. There is mind, body and soul modification at The Body Shop, a regrettable new face from Downtown Tattoos, a questionable evening in the Red Rash inn, a mighty good wash down from the 24hr garage girls or selling your soul to We Buy Gold in a desperate attempt to escape the DSTRKT!

TrenchTown is more of an ideology than a physical district. Spread throughout the city, the residents of TrenchTown have their common bond, not over boundaries and buildings, tbut through a shared love for reggae, roots and dub culture. The Lion’s Den has risen up and ascended the hill to a previously untouched area of the city. Tangled Roots has also packed up their stacks and relocated the full on celebration of soundsystem and dub culture to a woodland clearing close to the suburbs of Mayfair where Unit 137 and Lion Pulse will once again be battling out the soundclashes for all that stomp in it! Keeping TrenchTown grounded is the Hidden Woods, one of BoomTown’s most beloved spots this natural roots location houses tree-topped walkways, sandy spots with sun-splashed clearings, wooden huts hosting the ultimate reggae experience.

The place of the fair where freedom is at its truest, where the residents rule the streets and no-one is in charge, KidzTown! This year all of KidzTown are off on one almighty tropical island hideaway! This fantastical space for all the family, which is for the kids by the kids, will see the seaside resort take influence from the Tropics with colourful shirts, grass skirts, straw hats and inflatable animals galore! This creative reality lets the mischievous munchkins of BoomTown do exactly what they want to, with fair grounds, pizzas, puppets, hand crafted chill out areas, soft play, workshops, gigantic brain wave shows, interactive comedy and lots more…

Just across the track from KidzTown is Whistlers Green, a crossroads of creativity where participation is everything!  There are lots of things to try and do here from; trapeze to black smith workshops, cider making to spoon carving or a relaxing message or dip in one of the hot tubs. Go astray in the Lost Horizons sauna and hidden gardens or tend to your soul in The Healing Place, featuring the wishing tree, mother and child space, daily morning yoga classes & a range of healing therapies including Acupuncture, Osteopathy, Deep Tissue and Thai massage. The calming confines of Whistlers Greenprovides a relaxing environment to soak up the sublime array of tranquil tunes at the beautiful Floating Lotus stage. Relax in the many gardens and chill out zones with a cup of Chai or head to the Hobgoblin Ale Garden for a refreshing draft

Boomtown Fair 2015 full lineup announced!

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TrenchTown – Reggae, Dub, Dancehall

Unifying a whole spectrum of reggae, dub, dancehall from all over the globe, TrenchTown district is as spiritual as it is bass rumbling! Venues include the 40ft Aztec temple of The Lion's Den, sound system culture of Tangled Roots woodland clearing and the beach party vibes of the Hidden Woods.

District headliners include: Stephen ‘Ragga’ Marley, SOJA, Matisyahu, Alborosie & Shengen Clan, Barrington Levy, Anthony B, Protoje & The Indiggnation, Black Uhuru, Cham feat. O, Cutty Ranks.

 

ChinaTown – Ska, Ska-Punk, Punk

‘Behind the opulent frontages of ChinaTown trouble is brewing among the resident punks and ancient anarchists… Their future is uncertain, but one thing is for sure, there will be mosh-pits and flat-out skanking from dawn to dusk!!!’

The pulsating venues filled with the most raucous of trombone flailing musicians include; Devils Kicks Dancehall & ChinaTown Courtyard with headliners Less Than Jake, Streetlight Manifesto, Fishbone, The Beat, Dub Pistols, King Prawn, Snuff, The Interrupters, Ruts DC, Capdown.

 

Mayfair Avenue – Electro-Swing, Swing, Vintage remix

On the face of it husband and wife team Mr and Mrs Fitz-Sloane pledged to uphold the areas exclusivity by keeping out the ‘riff-raff’ and ensuring that only the most well-to-do attend their famed Electro-Swing soirées!!

Glitzy and glamorous Mayfair Avenue is, as the name suggests, top draw and sparkles galore! Venues include The Ballroom and The Bandstand with headliners; Caravan Palace, Deluxe, Scarecrow, Dirty Honkers, Bart & Baker, Mr B the Gentleman Rhymer and a whole load more of the very best Electro-Swing from all over Europe!

 

Wild West – Folk, World, Bluegrass, Hillbilly, Yeehaa, Cow-Punk

The cowboys of the west are back in town with their all-powerful Sheriff leading the way and the Mayor in their pocket! This rambunctious bunch have ambitions set far beyond their designated district having already taken control of the Old Mines. The Wild West is now an almighty powerhouse of thigh slapping, Stetson slinging, cider swigging sounds with the very best in folk, roots, world, hillbilly and a whole lot of Yeehaaaa! Venues include: The Old Mines, Rusty Spurs & Crazy Calamities Saloon

Headliners providing jump up folk and soul soothing sounds include; Flogging Molly, John Butler Trio, Amadou & Mariam, Dreadzone, Transglobal Underground, Peatbog Faeries, Songhoy Blues, Ibibio Sound Machine, Edwards II, Beans on Toast.

 

DSTRKT 5 – Bass, Drum n Bass, Jungle

A timeless place where past and future becomes one, industrial buildings stand tall and dark smoke filled alleyways loom with danger and debauchery. Some call it the red light district, others know it as deeper DownTown, its true name is DSTKRT 5!

The naughty night spot for any discerning BoomTown citizen, DSTRKT 5 venues with the ultimate in bass heavy beats including; Boombox, The Bodyshop and the brand new nine story high Bang-Hai Palace!! (See preview video here)

District headliners include: Squarepusher, Noisia, Spor, 20 Years of Metalheadz, Mr Scruff & Norman Jay (MBE), Deekline, Benny Page, Luke Vibert, PRSPKT Takeover.

 

Barrio Loco – Hip hop, House, Bass, UK Garage

Currently the ruling district of BoomTown, the vibrant community of Barrio Loco love nothing more than to fiesta ‘til dawn!! That was, until The Mayor turned her back on them and channelled all public money into an outrageously ginormous Palace to prove her dominance and power… Unrest is stirring, the people are rising, what does Chapter 7 hold for the streets of Barrio Loco??

Barrio Loco is a beautiful community of party loving, hip-hop beats and garage classics! Venues include; Poco Loco, Circo Baile, The Dance-Off and spontaneous street parties galore!! With headliners across these three stages including: DJ EZ, Swamp 81, Toddla T & DRS, The Bug and Flowdan, Phil Hartnoll (Orbital), Critical Records takeover, Kurupt FM, Sherwood & Pinch.

 

Psychedelic Forest – Tribe of Frog – Hi-Tech Stage: Psy-Trance, Goa-Trance

Forest parties and woodland dwellings are constantly evolving within the city of Boom! 2015 will see the ultimate psychedelic party to date with three different woodland locations pumping out the definitive Psy-trance with acts including: Infected Mushroom (Old School Live set), Astrix, Ace Ventura, Perfect Stranger, Liquid Soul, Sub 6, Dickster, Juno Reactor headlining just the Psychedelic Forest party!

 

FULL LINE-UP: STAGE BY STAGE

Town Centre (Acts representing a variety of districts from across the fair in a central location!)

Flogging Molly / Gogol Bordello / Caravan Palace / Less Than Jake / Streetlight Manifesto / Fishbone / Goldie Lookin Chain / The Beat / Dub Pistols / Slamboree / Deluxe / DJ Yoda presents Breakfast of Champions / Scarecrow / Dubioza Kolektiv / Smerins Anti-Social Club / Babyhead / Los Albertos / Big Red Ass

Jolly Dodger Pirate Ship (OldTown District)

Invisible Circus Pirate Show / Amsterdam Klezmer Band / La Pegatina / Kumpania Algazarra / Soviet Suprem / Antwerp Gipsy-Ska Orkestra / Jabul Gorba / Sheelanagig / The Carny Villains / Gypsy Sound System Orkestra / Giufà / Glitzy Baghags / The Woohoo Revue / The Real Tuesday Weld / Full Attack Band / ED Cox / Balkan Hotsteppers / DJ Sacha Dieu / Gypsy Unit / My Bad Sister / Bare Knuckle Parade / Tantz / Black Friday / Seas Of Mirth /Johnny Kowalski + The Sexy Weirdos / Jackson Scott / Ushti Baba / The Recks / Holy Moly & The Crackers / The Rubber Duck Orchestra

Lion’s Den (TrenchTown)

Stephen ‘Ragga’ Marley / SOJA / Matisyahu / Alborosie & Shengen Clan / Barrington Levy / Anthony B / Black Uhuru /Protoje / Cham feat. O / Cutty Ranks / Turbulence / Ward 21 / Katchafire / Shy FX feat. Stamina MC / David Rodigan / Chopstick Dubplate feat. Jah Mason & Demolition Man / Gentleman's Dub Club / Natty / Mungos Hi-Fi  feat YT & Charlie P / Serial Killaz & General Levy  / Potential Badboy feat. Yush & Junior Dangerous / Mr Benn Live Show feat. Blackout JA & Eva Lazarus / Necessary Mayhem Showcase feat. Curtis Lynch & Mr Williamz / Jacky Murda / Solo Banton / Strikez

The Old Mines (The Wild West)

Flogging Molly / John Butler Trio / Amadou & Mariam / Dreadzone / Transglobal Underground / Peatbog Faeries / Songhoy Blues / Ibibio Sound Machine / Edward II / Moulettes / The Men They Couldn't Hang / Sierra Leone Refugee Allstars / Beans On Toast / Mad Dog Mcrea / Monster Ceilidh Band / RSVP Cocos Lovers / Honeyfeet / 47 Soul / La Complet Mandingue / Firepit Collective / No Go Stop! /John Fairhurst

The Palace (DSTRKT 5)

Squarepusher / Noisia / Spor / Machinedrum / Surgeon Live / 20 years of Metalheadz ft: Goldie b2b Dillinja, Ulterior Motive b2b Dom and Roland, Jubei b2b Ant tc1 Hosted by SP:MC / A Guy Called Gerald (Jungle Set) b2b LTJ Bukem / Truss / Break / Ratpack / Tango & Ratty / Top Buzz / DJ Sy / MC Ribbz

Boombox (DSTRKT 5)

Norman Jay MBE & Mr Scruff present…Keep the Good Times Unreal / Benny Page / Deekline / Stickybuds / Scratch Perverts / J.Pod / Inspected Records Showcase ft: Culprate, Emperor, Asa, Sorrow, ZES, Inspected Dubplate / SP23 – Renegade Street Party

Devil Kicks Dancehall (ChinaTown District)

Capdown / King Prawn / The Mahones / The Rumjacks / The Snuff / The Interrupters / Subhumans / M.D.C / Inner Terrestrials / Demented Scumcats / Random Hand / The Restarts / New Town Kings / Johnny Cage and the Voodoo Groove / P.A.I.N / China Shop Bull / Beat The Red Light / Roughneck Riot / AOS3 / Bar Stool Preachers / The Junk / Victims of Circumstance / The Sporadics / The Defekters / Ducking Punches / The Pisdicables / Last Gang in Town DJ's

ChinaTown Courtyard (ChinaTown District)

The Dualers / 7 Seconds of Love / Maroon Town / R.D.F. / The Simmertones / King Porter Stomp / 1Eye / The Talks / Popes Of Chillitown / Chainska Brassika / The Skarsoles / The Stiff Joints / Counting Coins / Johnny Cage & The Voodoo Groove / Mad Apple Circus / Cut Capers / Cartoon Violence / Will Tun & The Wasters / Crinkle Cuts / Regime / Broken 3 Ways / Dive / Guns of Navarone / The Apocryphalites / The Snare / Rags Rudi / Shoot The Moon / Oscillator /Jr Bill & The Scallies / Melosa / Bigtopp

Hidden Woods (TrenchTown)

The Heatwave / Horseman & the Upper Cut Band / Ras Demo / Earl Gateshead / Symbiz Sound / Dreadsquad / Run Tingz Cru / Laid Blak / Friendly Fire Band / The Hempolics / Shepdog (Nice Up!) / Blend Mishkin / Jamie Bostron / Fogata Sound / Steppa Style / Jaundis-I / The Rhythmites / Toguna / The Majestic / Kibir La Amlak / Souldja / The Floating Bridges / Wicked Squad / The Undercover Hippy / The Future Dub Project / Shanty  / Babilondon / Messiah Dub Club / Daddy Nature (Rompa's Reggae Shack) / Uprooted / Titan Sounds / Shanti Squire & MC Little Tree / Jeremiah Ferrari / Ben Russell & The Charmers / Robert Lee / Dubmatix

Tangled Roots (TrenchTown)

Aba Shanti-I / RSD & Joe Peng / Gorgon Sound / OBF & Shanti D / Orange Hill Productions feat Ras Kwame & Junior Tubby / Riddim Tuffa / Serocee / Aries / Born On Road Showcase ft Skibadee, Dirty Dike, Jam Baxter & Dabbla / Krak in Dub / Dub Smugglers / Danny T & Tradesman feat. Parly B / Adam Prescott / King Yoof / Tuffist & J Man / Unit 137 / Trinity Music London / Ghost Writerz / Sleepy Time Ghost / Lionpulse / Hylu  / Jago / Ed West / Zico / Galak Spiritual / Stivs / G.O.L.D / Rubberdub Soundsystem / Escape Roots Sound feat. Tom Spirals / Kelvin 373 / Jam Jah & Lion Art / DJ Snuff & Amy True / Gardna / Disorda / DJ Feva / Papa B / The Sea / Sasha Steppa / Samson Sounds / Escape Roots Sound feat. Tom Spirals

The Ballroom (MayFair Avenue District)

Dirty Honkers / Bart & Baker feat. Elle & The Pocket Belles / Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer / Swingrowers /The Gaslight Troubadours feat. Professor Elemental / Odjbox / Brass Band Remix: Dutty Moonshine Big Band / DJ Tofu Vs Brass Funkeys, The Fontanas, Trans-Siberian March Band / Grant Lazlo / The Real Tuesday Weld / Big Swing Soundsystem Feat. Hypeman Sage / Too Many Ts  / Phil Mac / C@ In The H@ /James Copeland / Don Mescal / Don Johnston / DJ Pony (Montana) / Kiwistar / The After Hours Quintet /The Underscore Orkestra / The Woohoo Revue / Formidable Vegetable Sound System / The Chicken Brothers / Jenova Collective / Rumba De Bodas / The World's Tallest Dj / Jitterbug / Madame Electrifie / Mad Apple Circus / Mr Tea & The Minions / Captain Flatcap / Rumpsteppers /  The Rin Tins  / Freakeasy Cabaret/ Swing Patrol / Symphonica feat. Mr Switch

Rusty Spurs (The Wild West)

Kim Churchill / Curtis Ellers American Circus / Pronghorn / The Boot Hill All Stars / Cody Jasper / Skimmity Hitchers / Leonard & Bubba's Delicious Goo-Goo Cluster / Louis Barabbas & The Bedlam Six / The Goat Roper Rodeo Band / Hightown Crows / Gentlemen Of Few / Dead Plants / Cash Converted / Railroad Bill / Crazy Arm / Poor Old Dogs / Black Hearted Riders / Screamin’ Miss Jackson & The Slap Ya Mama Big Band / Funke & The Two Tone Baby / Slapface & The Hoagies / Lady Winwoods Maggot / Quinns Quinney / The White City Shakers / United Stoats of America / Johnny Boxcars / Jack Ratts / The Maddison Tar Heels / Ben Gunn and the Junk Yard Angels /Dog House Boatboys

Crazy Calamities (The Wild West)

Manushka / The Inexplicable / The Slytones / Conway / Dub The Earth / Captain Accident / Treehouse Fire / King Zepha / Lion Star / NewRising / Feel Good Culture / Bare Jams / The Piratones / Euphony / Fingertrap / Offbeat Offensive / The Slytones / Conway / Key Lime Pi / AlbaRoma / Manushka / Town Of Cats / Fat Sandwich / Backyard Rhythm Orchestra / Dantanna / The Tribe / Hornman / The Vegetable Collective / Bison Theory / Kingz Of Vocals

Floating Lotus (Whistlers Green)

Lucy Ward / Will Varley / Harp & A Monkey / Whiskey Moon Face / The Eskies / Gypsy Rebel Rabble / Rioghnach Connoly / Flight Brigade / Tadhg Daly / Worry Dolls / Kit Hawes & Aaron Catlow / Tim Holehouse / Deferred Success / KOG & The Zongo Brigade / Hoopy Frood / Bear & The Woods / Hedge Gods / Dexter Selboy / Kezia /Jordan O'Shea / My Crooked Teeth / Kimberley Newell / Ned Dylan / Efa Supertramp / Davy Watson

Bandstand (MayFair Avenue District)

Professor Elemental / The Underscore Orkestra, / Elle & The Pocket Belles / The After Hours Quintet /  Louis Barabbas & The Bedlam Six / The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing / Dr Schwamp / Deferred Sucess / Alex Blood & The Diggers / Great Scott / The Rin Tins / Lounge Cat Ideals / Mother Ukers /Shambolique / Papa Shango /

Bodyshop (DSTRKT 5)

Luke Vibert / PRSPKT Takeover – Hellfish vs Producer, Bryan Fury, Thrasher, Switch Technique / Simon Underground / Vandal /Nicky Blackmarket / Bizzy B / Randall (92-94) / Jerome Hill / Crystal Distortion / Renegade Hardware 20th Anniversary -Takeover ft Maztek, Loxy, Ink / FFF / Stivs

Circo Baile (Barrio Loco District)

DJ EZ / Toddla T & Drs / Swamp 81 Presents  Loefah, Paleman, Benton ft. Chunky / The Bug & Flowdan / Phil Hartnoll (Orbital) DJ Set / Critical Soundsystem (Kasra x Enei x Foreign Concept) / Kurupt Fm / Sherwood & Pinch / Cause & Affect / Monki / Preditah / DJ Q / Woz / Matt Jam Lamont / DR Meaker / Amy Becker / Hybrid Theory / Durkle Disco feat. Lamont, OH91, Lojik & Koast / Wonka-Vision

Poco Loco (Barrio Loco District)

Kate Tempest / Jungle Brothers / Goldie Lookin Chain / High Focus Takeover The Four Owls / Fliptrix & Verb T / Leaf Dog & BVA / Dead Players / Dirty Dike Jam Baxter / Ed Scissortongue / Mr Key / Onoe Caponoe / Ocean Wisdom / Molotov / DJ Sammy B-Side / DJ Madnice / DJ Yoda AV set / Akala /  The Mouse Outfit feat. Sparkz & Dr/ Dr Syntax & Pete Cannon / Cheeba Av Set / First Degree Burns / Subculture Sage / Slowly Rolling Camera / The Anomalies / Alice In Wasteland / Lea Lea / Moose Funk Squad / DJ Jaffa / Sounds Of Harlowe / Ewan Hoozami

Boomtown Fair announce Old Town Avenue lineup for 2015

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In a month of full steam ahead festival announcements, BoomTown is going that little bit further and are currently in the process of quick fire releases for their eight district line-ups every Tuesday and Friday until the 3rd March! With the first two districts already announced, DSTRKT 5 and MayFair Avenue, along with the first headliners released over the past few weeks, the ultimate fantasy festival has just released the pirate plundering district of OldTown’s full line-up. Hosting a 90ft Pirate Ship, The Jolly Dodger, as a main stage, OldTown houses the dark back streets and shady alleyways of BoomTown's ancient city port, that lures the unsuspecting traveller beyond the confines of the map and into another world of seductive sirens singing under street lights and pirate parties storming every tavern!!

With a line-up consisting of some of the best live acts in the world including already announced headliners of Gogol Bordello, Deluxe, Dubioza Kolektiv and ultimate jump –up bands like Le Pegatina, Kumpania Algazarra, Soviet Suprem and Antwerp Gipsy-Ska orchestra, BoomTown is once more solidifying its globetrotting reputation!

For a sample of the treasures to be found in OldTown, head on over to our soundcloud (https://soundcloud.com/radio-boomtown/oldtown-mix-2015).

“We feel totally and utterly honoured to be in a position to be able to have one of our eight district line-ups that is fully dedicated to Gypsy, Balkan beats and ultimate pirate goodness; some of the genres that we founded the festival on and that remain massively part of BoomTown’s core. To be able to reach a point where we have the very best artists of those genres all in one place is ridiculously exciting, and the fact that we all get to dress up as pirates and watch our favourite bands perform on a 90ft pirate ship just makes it even better!” Lak Mitchell – Creative Director and Co-Founder

BoomTown Fair takes place over 13th – 16th August in the Matterley Estate nr. Winchester. With eight individual and distinct districts to explore BoomTown Fair is a very different festival to the norm… Coming from the roots of British and European subculture since it has grown from 1,000 to 45,000 ‘citizens’ in just six years. This ever expanding community are treated to a completely other-worldly experience and are fully immersed in elaborate and carefully crafted ‘film’ sets, where each venue or stage has a position in the overarching storyline that continuously evolves within the world’s craziest city! Hosting a soundtrack from reggae to psytrance, dub to folk, gypsy and jungle there is something for everyone and all ages to discover in a completely new world!

More information on all City Districts are here: www.boomtownfair.co.uk/city-guide/city-districts

Full OldTown Line-up

Invisible Circus Pirate Show / Gogol Bordello / Dubioza KoleKtiv / Amsterdam Klezmer Band / La Pegatina / Kumpania Algazarra / Soviet Suprem / Antwerp Gipsy-Ska Orkestra / Jabul Gorba / Sheelanagig / The Carny Villains / Gypsy Sound System Orkestra / Giufà / Glitzy Baghags / The Woohoo Revue / The Real Tuesday Weld / Full Attack Band / Balkan Hotsteppers / DJ Sacha Dieu / Gypsy Unit / My Bad Sister / Bare Knuckle Parade / Tantz / Black Friday / Seas Of Mirth /  Johnny Kowalski + The Sexy Weirdos / Jackson Scott / Ushti Baba / The Recks / Holy Moly & The Crackers / The Rubber Duck Orchestra / AlbaRoma / Manushka / Town Of Cats / Shambolique / Fat Sandwich

Backyard Rhythm Orchestra / The Inexplicables

Boomtown Fair announce first major headliners

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The Town Centre, known for hosting some of the most raucous, party inducing acts this year will host:  LA’s anarchic Celtic punk folksters Floggying Molly, bringing their internationally celebrated break-speed anthems to Winchester for a rare and exclusive UK festivalperformance. The return of the hedonistic gypsy punk of Gogol Bordello, headlining the festival in 2011 they totally blew the Town Centre apart with their rip-roaring, frantic show that whipped the crowd into a palpable frenzy, this year with a new album recently released and the BoomTown citizens more than quadrupled in numbers since the bands last visit to the town, one mega party is expected to kick off! Keeping the knees in the air and the skanking skills up to max is the American ska punk of Streetlight Manifesto. One of the most requested ska acts by BoomTown citizens over the years, Streetlight will be bringing their life affirming vibes and outstanding energy in a very overdue first visit to the fair!! Another returning to the Town Centre are ultra-slick Parisian outfit Caravan Palace. After storming the place with one of the most memorable shows, these premiers of electro-swing and gypsy-funk are guaranteed to host one almighty spectacle, worthy of their fierce reputation as an ultimate live act!

Matisyahu, once known for being the Hasidic man of reggae, over the past few years has moved to a more secular style and will be bringing his highly polished reggae tinged hip-hop and soul to the Lion’s Den for a UK festival exclusive. Another festival headliner that can’t seem to stay away from the fair is Alborosie & Shengan Clan, this MOBO award winning artist will be on hand with his thumping basslines and talent that speaks for itself! Joining Matisyahu and Alborosie on the Lion’s Den are reggae legends Black Uhuru, the first ever winners of the Best Reggae album at the 1985 Grammy’s their music has provided a soundtrack to generation with tunes like ‘What is Life’, ‘Shine Eye Girl’ and ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner’ dominating any dancefloor when they drops! Heading over to the southern hemisphere for a taste of New Zealand roots reggae, Katchafire will be bringing their gloriously chilled out sunshine vibes for even more global flavours in the Lion’s Den.

Whilst over on the Old Mines folk and world stage are Katchafire’s Antipodean brethren, the awe inspiring John Butler Trio, with guitar skills so incredible the only other sound that can be heard when they are playing is that of jaws dropping to the floor!! These Aussie guitar heroes are a powerhouse of fusing folk, acoustic and roots and are the perfect tonic to a busy festival day! After welcoming the stunning desert sounds of Mali last year with Tinariwen, BoomTown will be making a return voyage to the country for more musical mastery with Amadou and Mariam, fusing Afro pop with desert blues this Grammy nominated husband and wife duo have been performing together for more than 30 years and are the biggest-selling African act of recent times; along with fellow Mali musician’s Songhoy Blues, who were recently pegged as Mail’s next big thing, no small feat considering the company they keep! Other acts on the Old Mines include festival stalwarts Dreadzone with their mashup of dub, reggae, techno, folk and rock, ultimate fusion outfit Transglobal Underground, acclaimed folk roots of Edward II and Scotland’s finest instrumental fusion folk band Peatbog Faeries, full line up for Old Mines will be revealed in a few weeks.

The brand new Psychedelic Forest secret headliner has also now been released as Infected Mushroom doing an Old School LIVE set, and joining the already announced Astrix, Ace Ventura, Perfect Stranger, Liquid Soul, Juno Reactor who are topping up a psy-trance bill that is one of the strongest seen at a UK festival in years!

DSTRKT 5 dance line up was announced a couple of weeks ago and was headed up by Squarepusher, Spor, Noisia, Machinedrum, Metalheadz takeover, Surgeon and many more.

HEADLINERS ANNOUNCED FAR:

Town Centre

Flogging Molly / Gogol Bordello / Caravan Palace / Streetlight Manifesto / Fishbone / The Beat / Goldie Lookin Chain / Dub Pistols / Slamboree / Dubioza Kolektiv 

Lion’s Den

Matisyahu / Alborosie / Cham feat. O / Turbulence / Cutty Ranks / Ward 21 / Katchafire / David Rodigan / Natty / Gentleman's Dub Club / Chopstick Dubplate presents Jah Mason & Demolition Man / Mungos Hi-fi

Old Mines

John Butler Trio / Amadou & Mariam / Dreadzone / Transglobal Underground / Peatbog Faeries / Edward II / Songhoy Blues / Ibibio Sound Machine

Psychedelic Forest

Infected Mushroom (Old School Goa Set) / Ace Ventura / Perfect Stranger / Juno Reactor

Devil Kicks Dancehall

Capdown / King Prawn / The Mahones / The Rumjacks / The Interrupters

Barrio Loco

Toddla T & DRS / The Bug ft: Flow Dan / DJ EZ / Jungle Brothers / High Focus Takeover 

DSTRKT 5: (full line up)

The Palace

Squarepusher / Noisia / Spor / Machinedrum / Surgeon Live / 20 years of Metalheadz ft:

Goldie b2b Dillinja, Ulterior Motive b2b Dom and Roland, Jubei b2b Ant tc1 Hosted by SP:MC / A Guy Called Gerald (Jungle Set) b2b LTJ Bukem – Hosted by MC Ribbz" / Truss / Break / Ratpack / Tango & Ratty / Top Buzz / DJ Sy

Boombox

Norman Jay MBE & Mr Scruff present…Keep the Good Times Unreal (10 hour Takeover from 2 Legends)

Benny Page / Deekline / Stickybuds / Scratch Perverts / J.Pod / Inspected Records Showcase ft: Culprate, Emperor, Asa, Sorrow, ZES, Inspected Dubplate / SP23 – Renegade Street Party

Bodyshop – (bigger and fully sound proofed)

Luke Vibert / PRSPKT Takeover – Hellfish vs Producer, Bryan Fury, Thrasher, Switch Technique /

Simon Underground / Vandal /Nicky Blackmarket / Bizzy B / Randall (92-94) / Jerome Hill / Crystal Distortion / Renegade Hardware 20th Anniversary -Takeover ft Maztek, Loxy, Ink / FFF / Stivs

Boomtown Fair 2011 SOLD OUT

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The organisers released an extra 2,500 tickets just a month ago and now all the passes have been snapped up by bass hungry ‘Boomtowners’ who are revving themselves up for a solid four-days of pure escapism, entertainment and intrigue! With the 2011 festival doubling in size and ambition after the highly successful 2010 festival, this year is promising to be the best yet.
 
Lak Mitchell, co-director and co-founder of Boomtown says:
“We are over the moon at the support and enthusiasm we’ve had for this year’s festival. Thanks to everyone who has bought a ticket and helped keep the Boomtown dream alive! We can’t wait to open the town gates, the crew have been working solidly for the past 5-weeks to create this alternative, interactive and immersive world and now we just can’t wait to share it with everyone!”
 
On top of the excellent news that the festival has sold out, it is with sadness that Boomtown also have to announce the cancellation of Barrington Levy, as he has pulled out of several upcoming scheduled dates. Barrington Levy is now unable to keep to his confirmed shows for both Boomtown Fair and Outlook festival. Both festivals have tried everything in their power to ensure the booking was committed to but due to circumstances out of the festival director’s hands the shows have been cancelled. The good news in all this is that Gentleman’s Dub Club, who smashed their show last year and left the crowd pleading for more are now bumped up the bill and will be headlining the Lion’s Den on Saturday night for some high-octane, knee bashing skanking moves!
 
MAIN STAGE LINE UP:
GOGOL BORDELLO / BAD MANNERS / THE SELECTER WITH PAULINE BLACK / [DUNKELBUNT] / THE TOASTERS / GOLDIE LOOKIN CHAIN / THE APPLES / THE KING BLUES / BABYHEAD / SMERINS ANTI SOCIAL CLUB
 
DANCE STAGE LINE UP: 
DJ ZINC / BLACK SUN EMPIRE / FOREIGN BEGGARS / TODDLA T & SEROCEE / MS DYNAMITE / THE BUG & FLOWDAN / REDLIGHT & MC DREAD / EMALKAY / RATPACK / ED SOLO b2b JFB / HIGH RANKIN / FEED ME / PYRAMID / WARRIOR ONE / RACK N RUIN / TAYO / SQUIRE OF GOTHOS / KOAN SOUND / THE MCMASH CLAN
 
LIONS DEN (REGGAE STAGE) LINE UP:
CAPLETON / CUTTY RANKS / TIPPA IRIE AND FAR EAST BAND / GENTLEMANS DUB CLUB / SOOM T AND JAHTARI / CONGO NATTY / TOPCAT / ABA SHANTI / IRATION STEPPAS / BONGO CHILLI / SOLO BANTON / BENNY PAGE / JINX IN DUB / DADDY FREDDY / FRIENDLY FIRE BAND / JACKY MURDA / KENNY KEN / LION DUB AND DAVID BOOMAH / PRINCE FATTY / THE RAGGA TWINS / THE HEATWAVE / YT / LAID BLAK / MILLION DAN / MR BENN / DUBKASM / ONLY JOE / CAPLETON / THE DROP / SERIAL KILLAZ