With just under 30 days to go until BoomTown open their gates for what promises to be the biggest and wildest chapter to date, the UK's largest independent festival is about to get that little bit bigger with the announcement of yet another area, complimenting 24 stunning themed main stages across a huge festival site.
Located deep within the numerous woodlands spread throughout BoomTown, House In The Woods will encapsulate the innovators and dreamers behind the best in house, disco, techno and boogie with a curated line-up from four of the UK’s most influential tastemakers.
Further igniting the house-heavy vibes on Friday will be renowned Bristol natives Shapes, who’ll be teaming up with underground trailblazers Flux to bring two legendary figures from the underground dance scene to the hallowed BoomTown turf. A Guy Called Gerald has continuously re-writing the rule book for dance music and will be showcasing his History Of House Set under the mesmeric woodland skies. The night gets even bigger with pillars of the underground dance world Horse Meat Disco stopping by to deliver a set of deep house nuggets.
On Saturday, it’s the turn of infamous Bristolian crew Alfresco Disco to take the reins for an unpredictable night of breath-taking beats. Alongside their acclaimed residents will be a unique headline set from Raf Daddy of The 2 Bears, who have set the scene alight in recent years with two acclaimed studio albums combining two step, house, hip-hop and soul. It’s a night destined to live long in the folklore of BoomTown.
After a weekend of rhythmic debauchery, it will fall to the mighty Electric Minds to shake House In The Woods one last time with a night bursting with mavericks of the underground dance world. Iconic Electric Minds boss Dolan Bergin will be on hand to oversee a line-up that includes the dynamic Amir Alexander, who will be transporting the loyal residents of BoomTown to the gritty sounds of modern America and celebrated “outsider” Pangaea appearing in the midst of a worldwide touring schedule that has seen his nostalgic drum and bass sound reach thousands. Topped off by an appearance from George Levings (Commix) new musical project Endian, The House In The Woods is likely to shake BoomTown to its knees.
Skream says: "I’m extremely proud/excited/over the moon to be able to say I'm hosting a tent at Bestival this year! I’ve been playing at Bestival for the last 4/5 years (I think), and to be able to say I took Skreamizm there, I'll die a happy man!"
Taking it back to the source, Skreamizm is all about ace tunes on fat soundsystems, like it should be. Bringing the unmistakably ecstatic vibes of funky little sweatboxes where the real action is, we’re over the moon that Skreamizm is coming to blow away Bollywood at Bestival on Friday 5th September. Blazing his own trail, Skream, AKA Oliver Jones’, recent Rollercoaster joint smashed disco into the future, so it’s more than fitting that he will be adding his own inimitable style to our Desert Island Disco.
Also adding his not inconsiderable presence to Skreamizm at Bestival is Chicago house leviathan Derrick Carter! Quite simply one of the greats, Derrick Carter’s sets are as edifying as they are electrifying, taking in underground house, soul, jazz and, of course, disco. His own ‘Derrick Carter Does Disco’ sessions have had dancefloor aficionados and those in the know begging for more, so this rare treat, as Derrick joins Skreamizm to dig deep into his crate of disco classics, makes it a total honour for us to welcome him back to Bestival.
Completing the Skreamizm line-up at Bestival will be current UK singles chart number 1, Route94 who has long enjoyed support from Skream, and knows his way around a massive banger or two and long-time Bestival party favourites Horse Meat Disco who will pump pure joy out of the soundsystem and into your bones.
ANJA SCHNEIDER / ANTONY NAPLES / B-TRAITS / BEN PEARCE / BICEP / BREAKAGE / CARL COX B2B NIC FANCIULLI / DAVID RODIGAN MBE / DISMANTLE / DJ EZ / DUSKY / GORGON CITY / GEORGE FITZGERALD / HORSE MEAT DISCO / J.G. WILKES (OPTIMO) / JAMES ZABIELA / KIDNAP KID / MIDLAND / MISTAJAM / PAUL WOOLFORD / PBR STREETGANG / PSYCHEMAGIC / RODRIGUEZ JNR (LIVE) / ROMAN FLUGEL / SCUBA / SHY FX / SPECIAL REQUEST / WILL SAUL / YOUSEF
As a special ADE treat, Snowbombing has released a small snippet of what to expect at next year’s festival, to whet your whistle. With more announcements to follow, including one of the most exciting headline acts to date, the initial DJ line-up already reads like a ‘Who’s Who?’ of the crème of global turntable talent.
After rating Snowbombing as one of his “2013 highlights”, Carl Cox is returning, with a brand new twist up his sleeve. For 2014 Carl will play back to back with Saved Records boss and Grammy nominated, Nic Fanciulli. The double act will battle it out in a three dimensional boxing ring placed slap bang in the middle of the Racket Club.
Carl Cox said “I can’t wait to play one of the most important festivals of the year again, I was waiting to play Snowbombing for so long, as so many amazing Dj's and live acts have played there and had an amazing time with the party people. If you love the snow and enjoy all kinds of fantastic music, this is the only one. I loved it in 2013, and I cannot wait to go back”
Reggae royalty David Rodigan MBE and his soundsystem will also make a welcome return for Snowbombing 2014. After hosting last year’s Street Party, Rodigan is no stranger to the alpine air and we can’t wait to have him back.
Having been in the industry for over 10 years, the four man DJ collective Horse Meat Disco, are making their long awaited snowy disco return for 2014. Jim Stanton said:
“We’re super excited to be throwing a party at Snowbombing with some of our favourite DJs.
“It’s one of the most unique events I can think of, blending the best in skiing and snowboarding with the best electronic music in the world”.
Also confirmed and bringing back the old school, is the legendary DJ EZ. He will be joined by one of the biggest names on the German electronic music scene, Roman Flugel who will make his first Snowbombing appearance. Redlight is also returning andwill be joined by turntable technician James Zabiela, “perpetual motion machine”, Anja Schneider and BBC Radio 1xtra and Snowbombing’s loving uncle MistaJam.
Hot Flush head honcho Scuba along with Purp & Soul’s main man Ben Pearce, Digital Soundboy Shy FX, New Yorker Antony Naples and Bonar Bradberry and Tom Thorpe AKA PBR Streetrgang will also be on hand to shake the snow from the trees.
Other outstanding artists joining the blizzard of bookings are B-Traits, Bicep, Breakage, Dismantle, Dusky, GorGon City, George Fitzgerald, J.G Wilkes (Optimo), Kidnap Kid, Midland, Paul Woolford, Psychemagic, Rodriguez JNR (Live), Special Request, Will Saul and Yousef.
With an avalanche of exciting live acts and more DJs soon to be announced, watch this space as Snowbombing 2014 looks set to be biggest show on snow to date!
Snowbombing is also delighted to welcome back both Resident Advisor and Mixmag as media partners for 2014. Let the good times roll!
Prices start at £219 for accommodation and all the entertainment. So don’t be shy, secure your place at the World’s greatest and wackiest show on snow. And, hold tight deposits are only £125 – what at steal!
There’s always been a flamboyant air around Bestival. With a cheeky touch of chichi style and a knowingly arched brow, we’ve played host, over the years, to some of the most outrageous turns around, from the finest alternative cabaret to some deliciously debauched club action. So, with our spectacular 10th birthday fast approaching from September 5th-8th, we’ve lined up the biggest and the very best array of ostentatious entertainment you’re ever likely to see, as Bestival goes cruising!
"Bestival is ten years old this year and I’d like to think over the last decade of dancing at our beautiful festival that we've been one of the most open minded festivals in the world welcoming all, it sure feels like that at 3am on a Saturday morning. This year we've teamed up with some of the UK’s most dazzling trailblazers to bring some outrageous and uninhibited parties to the lower decks of HMS Bestival. Stand by for a cast of freaky girls and hot sailor boys stoking the fires as we steam towards the dawn… See you at the bar, boys!" – Rob da Bank
"My brief was to help get the gays to the island and this year Bestival will be flying the (rainbow) flag with pride. I'm really excited to be bringing four productions to Bestival this year, including the debut of 'Drag' – with local drag performers, my solo show 'The Worst of Scottee' and for the second year running my variety show 'Camp' and not to forget the infamous 'Room Service".– Scottee
That’s right, Room Service, London and New York's hottest gay party is coming to our brand new venue, The Port, to hit you hard and deep with a festival premier that’s exclusive to Bestival 2013! There will be a soundtrack of killer underground house beats and aural stimulation from GoGo boys, plus some obligatory tranny madness thrown in for good measure, bringing Soho and the Meatpacking District to the Isle of Wight. Room Service takes you DOWNtown and keeps you UP all night with DJ'sJodie Harsh, Kris Di Angelis and Severino. This is a deluxe gay dance party and a downright naughty secret. You want to know why this night is so deliciously infamous? Come and find out at The Port on Friday…
“I can't wait to get to Bestival, and we're shipping the whole Room Service troupe from Soho to the Isle of Wight. Prepare for hot boys, gogo dancer action and crazy tranny madness set to a soundtrack of underground house. That's my kind of party!” –Jodie Harsh
Also celebrating a joyous tenth anniversary, we’re very pleased indeed to welcome back the fabulous Horse Meat Disco. A disco behemoth beyond compare it’s the queer party for everyone, where they’ll be slipping a sensuous selection of italo disco, house, oddities and punk funk onto the soundsystem for your delectation. Inspired by the music and inclusive ethos of New York's heady club scene in the 80s & 90s, the collective has garnered a unique reputation for throwing amazing parties with unmatchable sets. The quartet of DJs each mixes their own individual interpretations of the disco sound with a soundtrack that marries their expertise and shared knowledge and experience in the field. Expect all manner of dancefloor movers.
But that’s not all, after last year’s spectacular debut, Bestival’s glorious adventure-land The Grand Palace of Entertainmentis back! So leave your inhibitions at the door and crank up the fun factor…On the outside, it’s a beautifully decorated traditional fairground facade. On the inside, it’s a rainbow coloured pleasure-seeking, twisted, hot-house of fun.
In the daytime, masters of entertainment Massive in China will be presenting an eclectic and intriguing selection of comedy, cabaret, games, foot-stomping music, plus a generous sprinkling of other oddities and spectacles.
The evenings will be a raucous and colourful ride… so hold onto your glitter wigs. First up, the eminent Scottee is returning with a special edition of his naff variety show Camp, featuring turns from East London super-tranny, Jonny Woo. In a very special Bestival exclusive, Scottee has also dragged together some of the UK’s most established names in female impersonation for an evening of sequins, hairspray and mouthing the words to Cher in Drag: A Cruise Ship Special.
The irreverent kings of alternative karaoke, Hot Breath, will be bringing 10,000 songs for you to destroy, plus those who are brave enough can step up to the Cardioke challenge – karaoke on a cross-trainer. Or you could try your hand at the Totally Exciting Championship of Household Games Tournament – a competition bound only by a person’s willingness to attach 50 clothes pegs to their face.
The Social Club Cabaret will hit the Grand Palace in the face like a happy, bright and beautiful wet kipper, in true variety style, featuring acrobatic ballroom dancers and knife throwing housewives. Or if you think you can do better, then sign up for theTalent Show of the year and bring your special talents to the stage – stick your toe up your nose or burp the alphabet. With prizes and fireworks, it goes without saying, the sillier the better!
Three times runner up to be in the running for the Eurovision song contest star Trevi Fontayne is a dream come true – just make a wish and he’ll sing you a song, from ‘I kissed a guy and I liked it’ to ‘Nuns just want to have Fun’. Or if that isn’t enough sing-along nostalgia for you, then join Gino and his beautiful gameshow hostesses, the Velines, in 80s Italian extravaganza,Gino's Italopop Disco.
Then hang around to dabble in some late-night debauchery with Bestival party monsters Sink the Pink, taking the Grand Palace into the wee hours. These adorable show-offs are the most energetic, additive, colourful troop of tranny divas this side of East London, with pop-tastic guilty pleasures party DJ sets and eye-popping shows all night. And for the last set on Sunday night, party with infamous rebel DJs Gutterslut, for a non-stop playground for freaks and geeks, transvestites, gays, straights, whoever, whatever: you’re in!
And not forgetting the delicious icing on the cake: the Grand Palace will be dressed from head to toe in outlandishly bonkers decor, presented by creative genius Alex Noble, artist, designer and dress maker to Lady Gaga.
Taking place between 5th and 12th September 2012, Groove Fest will pair the best house music talents, live artists and bands with the most luxurious beaches and finest facilities for an all-inclusive week in the unparalleled Caribbean sun. Taking over the clubs, bars, outdoor spaces and glistening swimming pools that make up the dreamy resort, Groove Fest will be the festival experience you never forget.
The first wave of artists and labels to be announced (expect many more in phase two) include the best from the worlds of deep house, soul and disco with names like Jamie Jones and his Hot Natured crew, Defected, Horse Meat Disco, Kenny Dope, Krank Brothers London's infamous Creche all confirmed.
Importantly, all food, drink, transfers and entrance fees are included in the price so, once you're there, it won't cost you a thing to enjoy the peerless open-air festivals, beach parties, pool parties, boat parties and club events. Not a bad thing at all when you consider the 5* setting – a spectacular and lavish resort on the North Coast of the Caribbean's most popular island, surrounded by sun-baked mountains, vibrant green vegetation and cooled by the soothing breezes that roll in off the Atlantic Ocean – idyllic is the only word which comes close.
As well as the carefully programmed events, the keen eye for production and exclusive location, you will be able to enjoy a variety of fine eateries whatever your preference… Italian, Mexican, Caribbean – all things are catered for with food available 24 hours a day from any one of the numerous restaurants which make up this most heavenly Island.
What’s more, your accommodation (which ranges from villa to presidential suite to studio depending on your budget) will have a fully stocked fridge with ice cold drinks, a choice of alcohol and will be re-stocked everyday by the same maid who – if you chose to stay in a villa – cooks you breakfast each and every morning.
Of course, you’ll need some way of getting around so – should you be staying in a villa or Presidential Suite – in true Caribbean style you’ll be given a golf buggy in which you can cruise around until your heart is content. There will also be a shuttle bus to take you to which any of the many different parties which take your fancy, too, making this a simply dream getaway for any dance music fan.
Packages start from £744 and there are payment plans based on four installments… by now you’re surely sold on the idea, so well see you in the sun!
For those that can a Party in Paradise www.groovefestevents.com
