katy b

V Festival 2016 Review

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This summer has been something of a festival adventure for me. From the Valencian coast to the Garden of England, I’ve experienced a whole mixture of music, workshops, performers, and events, but V Festival is by far the biggest festival yet, and definitely the most commercial. The style of the festival has definitely changed since it’s conception 21 years ago. Although Kaiser Chiefs took the MTV stage, and Jake Bugg played a beautifully executed set of Country Rock and Roll on Sunday, the presence of typical rock, indie bands or simple singer-songwriters seemed almost banished from the premises, different from the days when Kasabian, Paul Weller and the Courteeners would take the stage. The festival this year boasted iconic pop headliners instead, with Justin Bieber taking the Saturday slot in Hylands park and Rihanna closing the Chelmsford site on Sunday, their 90,000 people capacity can definitely be seen packed across the various stages.

 

 

V Festival is one of the main chapters of the British festival season. It’s increasingly popular, features a lot of various stalls from sponsors, and a tonne of fairground rides. For a festival this size there are only two campsites, which though both incredibly large, are meticulously separated at ticket purchasing. When buying a V festival ticket You can choose to camp in either red or yellow, and if you have friends in another campsite or make some there who happen to have chosen differently, too bad, the security will probably bite your head off for suggesting you pay them a visit. This being said, the campsites themselves are pretty well organised, lit and have their own food vendors to satisfy their chosen ones, not to mention your fellow neighbours are friendly enough. Contrary to many rumours of tent burning, I saw absolutely no mindless violence or foul behaviour, but maybe that's because they were all in yellow camp, so I guess I’ll never know.

 

V is technically only a two-day festival, but with the vast majority of punters arriving on the Friday, the Arena is open, which at this point fairly clean, and the Radio 1/MTV stage showcased the likes of the incredible DJ EZ and Eric Prydz, who although had an incredible light show, played a set perhaps a bit too house inspired, and the silent disco is open until 1am to subdue the crowds and simultaneously adhere to the residential sound level of the Chelmsford area.

Smirnoff House

Saturday rolled around, and boasted a whole load of dance acts, such as the Smirnoff house stage, where Tinie Tempah’s DJ (if you could call him that) somehow wowed the crowds with his repetitive mix of hits. On the live music front, however, Rick Astley made a comeback with an incredible live performance. A big turnout and lots of fun, he threw in a cover of Mark Ronson’s Uptown Funk before ending his set with his beloved classic Never Gonna Give You Up, he certainly didn’t let us down. Also on the MTV stage, John Newman blew away expectations with new track Olé, as well as some classics and his Rudimental beginnings, also throwing in a surprising lone acoustic song written only a week previous, and performed for the first time on that stage. Emotional messages for loved ones graced the lyrics of the song, and although widely unexpected, it was a touching moment in an otherwise jam-packed show. Saturday also saw the likes of pop princesses Jess Glynne and Zara Larsson play, as well as the actual Tinie Tempah, and the elusive Sia’s strangely captivating stage show, which although fifteen minutes late was incredibly entertaining.

Performers at Sia

But really we need to talk about Justin. Rumours about a cancelled set were floating around on the Friday, and when he took the stage Saturday evening it was clear to see why. Looking desperately hungover, and clinging onto signs of life in his various backup dancers, any energy was almost non-existent and he’s half-hearted miming to about half the set was not fully appreciated by the crowd. This, paired with the fact he kept treating the whole show as another stop on the Purpose world tour; and calling the crowd ‘London’ over and over again, made for a pretty disappointing set, but I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt, advise him to take an Alka-Seltzer next time and put it down to illness.

Justin Bieber

One thing that V festival has upped it’s game on is the food vendors around and inside the arena. After some freshly ground coffee, a chicken Caesar Salad with soft poached eggs and (my favourite) a four-cheese Mac N Cheese topped with Jerk Chicken, I can safely conclude you will be able to find something amazing to eat, which you’re going to need to keep you going as you power walking through the absolutely massive festival site.

Sunday came around even quicker than expected and brought with it a lot of more guilty pleasures. All Saints made their reunion on the main stage, and my childhood was made in the few minutes it took them to perform Never Ever and Pure Shores. Following on the Girl Band theme of the day, Little Mix also took the main stage, though opening with Salute and rocking khaki leotards, took a very Destiny’s Child turn, which, alongside a bubbly, high energy stage presence, worked for them massively, as well as bringing Lethal Bizzle on stage with them, driving their fans wild. The main stage also saw the likes of Travis, which though nostalgically fun, didn’t really fit with the other artists, and Example, who seemed to be experiencing some technological issues around his sound, but was fun to watch all the same.

All Saints

Little Mix

 

Over on the MTV stage, Big Sean brought the fire and got the crowd going, ending with his signature ‘I don’t F**k with you’ – a big favourite among the Adidas, flower garland-wearing crowd. Katy B also hit the MTV stage, performing a few of her old tracks, as well as some new ones. Jake Bugg played the MTV stage shortly after, which although backed up by only a band, some simple lights and a colourful backdrop, blew the smaller crowd away with his faultless voice and mesmerising lyrics. David Guetta was the second to last act on the mainstage, just before Bad Gal RiRi herself closed the festival, taking inspiration from the art deco style of the 80’s with her stage show, and seemingly channelling Michael Jackson from beyond the grave, she gave a show-stopping performance. A set which combined the Dirty Diana/ Billie Jean styled tunes of ANTI – Desperado and Love on the Brain amongst my favourites, alongside a lot of fan favourites, including a medley of Run This Town, Live Your Life, and Love The Way You Lie. Although the mass amount of crowd around us were rather uninteresting and seemed content at watching the show through a smartphone, her voice, performance and crowd-pleasing setlist was enough to make us move and put the biggest, guiltiest smile on my face.

 

Big Sean

The crowd and general atmosphere of the whole festival was pretty boring, a lot of the festival goers seemed a lot more interested in their image than the acts, which was a bit of a first for me. Because the Lineup at V is so commercial, you don’t really get to stumble across many new bands or acts, as I’ve been lucky enough to do at other, smaller festivals. The smaller stages boost either DJs, already established artists or other acts such as comedy – which although enjoyable – doesn’t scream the festival atmosphere I enjoy. Where I appreciate that  V is one of the most expensive of the British festivals and therefore needs to pack in a crowd-pleasing list, it's lineup is actually pretty small, and doesn’t hold nearly as many artists as one of its main rivals, say Reading + Leeds, who still manage to support and showcase new bands.

I knew from the get-go that V wasn’t exactly my cup of tea, and with this in mind, I did still have a great time. It’s sheer size and sponsorship means that they get some big names, and they know how to accommodate them, the stage show for each performance fairly mesmerising and well planned. There’s also a fair amount of things to see and do (provided you’re willing to pay) but if as long as you like the music, walking, camping, and are adamant that you want to be surrounded by like-minded Instagram happy crowds, then V is the one for you, and you will definitely have fun.

Common People Southampton 2016 – FULL REVIEW!

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SATURDAY

As one of Bestival's satellite babies, Common People Southampton was always going to be hit and in it's inaugural year 2015 proved you can have all the feel of the festival in the middle of a city, but now round 2 has started on the common and there's a new sense of ownership, like Southampton has taken CP to heart.

Over in Oxford a new dawn rises on a sister festival, but we're getting the kinks-ironed-out experience of a trialled triumph and the site looks incredible. Towering high right inside the main gates is The World’s Biggest Bouncy Castle, a Bestival x Something Creative collaboration that looks like it should have been made by Willy Wonka or be home to a herd of unicorns. Apparently it can comfortably hold one hundred people at a time, but we bet the somersault-police couldn’t catch us in that many…

A decent queue is forming already but it’s off to the main stage we go for first band of the day, Wild Front who to be honest look a little scared to be there. After a sort of quiet start, the Hampshire lads get their rhythm and there are some full on dancing fans down the front.

Next on are West End Kids, an energetic musical troupe who buzz through hits from all the biggest stage shows, followed by the legendary kids comedy duo The Chuckle Brothers. Who can resist a bit of to-me-to-you with Paul and Baz (…and Tinchy Stryder)? The massive and rowdy crowd singing along with them is decidedly younger than they should be for long-time fans, I can only assume they’ve been hitting up youtube in preparation for the festival…

Rapper Lady Leshurr gives us a short but energetic set, after being over an hour late due to ‘traffic’ but dressed head to toe in camo and waxing lyrical about her weave and being from Birmingham, hit ‘Brush Your Teeth’ goes down a storm. Though she clearly doesn’t trust us – yelling “Has every single one of you brushed your teeth today?” “I feel like some of you are lying”. The Sugarhill Gang crowd-please with ‘Apache (Jump on It)’ and ‘Rapper’s Delight’ with Hen Dogg sporting epic double-denim and a rather fetching gold tipped cane.

Over on the Uncommon Stage Southampton crew Our Hollow, Our Home have drawn a big crowd, and Chris is jamming on the guitar in The People’s Front Room. Elsewhere the Jam Jar bar is packed with people sipping fancy martinis and the kids area is awash with laughter from the wonky bicycle trials.

Hometown band Signals pack out the Uncommon stage, as mermaid-haired frontwoman Ellie bounces about, we get a taste of the curiously named genre ‘math pop’. Ghostpoet is getting soulful on the main stage to a big crowd, and Gaz Coombes is rocking less of the Supergrass era sideburns and more of his second solo album ‘Matador’.

Public Enemy get the crowd moving with the likes of ‘Don’t Believe The Hype’ but it’s just not the same without clock-toting weirdo Flavor Flav who apparently wasn’t allowed to come for some reason – “F–kin governments. Flava flav can’t be here because of F–kin governments”. The kid in the front row wearing a PE tshirt and a bedside alarm clock around his neck is obviously devastated.

After a tasty dinner at one of CP’s many amazing food outlets (Soft-shell crab burger? Brie and Pear toastie? Truffled mushroom quesadilla?) we are ready to take on the night, and so are Primal Scream. Rocking an eye-offendingly bright pink blazer, frontman Bobby Gillespie lopes about the stage looking every bit the archetypal boho rockstar. It’s a great, powerful set from the band with new album Chaosmosis material hitting the mark. Over on the Uncontained Stage (read: rave station) Kurupt FM are winding up the absolutely rammed arena into a frenzy, there are bodies everywhere – it’s a mostly teenage rampage.

On the main stage, the much anticipated return of Southampton son Craig David has drawn practically everyone from around the site and it’s not without a touch of nostalgia that we’re singing along to hits ‘Fill Me In’ and ‘Re-Wind’. Though the TS5 moniker is largely being ignored, it is fun to hear him mixing in tracks from other artists and sampling some proper legendary stuff, but to be honest – we all just love a bit of him singing his own name over and over again. Ahh memories.

Check out our full Craig David review here!

SUNDAY

Sunday stacks up a bit cooler but everyone still seems to be rocking up in bright festival-attire, and the telltale signs of yesterday’s sunburn are found in every bald head or exposed shoulder today. Shrieks of mayhem are emanating from the behemoth bouncy castle and a quick peek inside is like looking at a candy-coloured warzone. Kids are tombstoning each other, toddlers are being skimmed within millimetres by their falling parents and the flip-police have no hope of stopping the teenagers intent on putting the maximum effort into possible neck-injury. It’s awesome.

Next door on the Uncommon Stage, Arid Wave are rocking everyone’s socks off, but it looks like Hercules Morse on the main stage have fallen foul of the Sunday hangover absentees – there just aren’t that many people here yet. M.E.R.C.Y. – Southampton Urban Collective take over the main stage in the absence of Xylaroo, with two of the most adorable… sorry, SICK, hiphop dancers Jamie and Jamal giving us proper attitude and a heap of up and coming artists alongside.

Later on, Mr. Motivator draws a massive but spacious crowd as young, old and anyone in-between are getting their groove on with the positively ageless Mr. M and his lovely wife. Sporting a dazzlingly terrible-yet-amazing lycra onesie he plugs in his jams and off he goes doing squat technique mixed with curious life coaching “If the grass is greener on the other side, you probably aren’t watering yours. No man's gonna water my grass”. Telling us we’re “Much better than Oxford” only serves to endear this living legend to us more, and with classic moves such as ‘drive the car’ and the possibly slightly inappropriate for a younger audience ‘whip the horse’ – what’s not to love?

Brighton scenesters The Magic Gang look like they’ve stepped right out of Empire Records and give us a good dose of proper melodic indie pop before Chas & Dave take to the stage (flat-cap mandatory) to tell us about those ‘London Girls’.

Now we brace ourselves for the powerhouse of unmentionably bad behaviour that is The Cuban Brothers. The CB’s are of course rocking a new set of crazy patterned suits for the occasion, throwing down headspins, flares and insane flips all over the shop, as Miguel assures parents that all of the rude things he says will go right over the kids’ heads. This would be fine, but there’s no way you can make those kids un-see him pretending to slam his willy into a microphone whilst wearing only a thong, now is there? That right there is seared into some young memories. Newest member One Erection almost smashes his teeth out doing a massive front tuck off the stage into the pit and gets thoroughly told off by security for hopping into the crowd. M.E.R.C.Y lads Jamie and Jamal are invited on stage to dance with the CB’s and their faces are absolutely priceless when the guys hit the stage in their holographic fringed jumpsuits. However they are visibly horrified when Miguel dons a pair of extremely skimpy Bjork-esque swan pants. ‘Mike For President’ is the only song I remember because there was so much happening. He gets my vote though.

Jamie Lawson’s ‘Wasn’t Expecting That’ has everyone up and singing in the sunshine – he even managed to get us to do a decent job of harmonizing, but it’s Katy B’s set that really lights the place up. Bathed in the setting sun her sequined dinosaur dress shimmers all over as she dances around the stage with her troupe, and the likes of  ‘Lights On’ and ‘Katy On A Mission’ has the arena jumping – especially when she doubles up the tempo. Chalk up another win for Southampton as Katy yells “Southampton, you are abosolutely smashing oxford right now I have to say”.

As the last of the daylight goes and the Helter Skelter and Big Wheel go neon, there’s just one more act to finish off what has been another amazing Common People festival, and it’s no small fry. Eighties synth-pop legends Duran Duran blow through a hit parade of absolute classics such as ‘Wild Boys’, ‘Hungry Like the Wolf’ and ‘Girls on Film’. With tributes to both David Bowie and Prince, it’s a special one and ending with anthem ‘Rio’ couldn’t be more fitting on the costa del Southampton. As the arena clears and the crowd spills out into the streets to head home, it’s obvious that once again CP has been a massive success, and it sounds like Oxford is loving the CP vibe too.

Read our full Duran Duran review here!

Bestival and Common People present: The World’s Biggest Bouncy-Castle!

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The Bestival family has a long and august history of going that extra mile, making the world of festivals bigger, better and brighter. And this year is no exception, pushing the boundaries of bobbing up and down to the very limit, we’ve teamed up with our old muckers, Cardiff-based Something Creatives to make what we think is the world’s biggest bouncy castle! Aiming to add to our accolades for the world’s largest fancy dress party, the biggest busk ever and our colossal disco ball, this could well be the greatest inflatable on Earth, and it’s making its debut at Common People in Southampton this coming bank holiday weekend!

Rob da Bank says: “We do love breaking a record and this is one of our funnest builds so far. Me and my mate Matt from the infamous Inflatable Church had a pipe dream about five years ago of building the world’s biggest bouncy castle, and this summer we’re making that a reality. So polish your socks and step up for what will be one of the most innocent of pleasures – bouncing up and down with gay abandon with your mates, family or friendly strangers. See you on the castle!”

Something Creatives’ Matt the Hat commented: “I’ve always been the first kid in the sandpit and consider play a fundamental part of everyday life. Everyone should find the time to play. The playful spirit of creating joy and fun is shared by Rob da Bank and all of the Bestival family and has made this brilliantly bonkers idea a reality. Whether you’re young or old, what could be more fun than jumping around inside the biggest bouncy castle in the world?  Just watch out for the ‘bouncers’, and remember if you’re wearing shoes then you can’t come in!”

Everyone loves a bouncy castle. That’s a fact. And we’ve got even more facts about our blow up bastion that could see us heading for the record books once again. Smashing an almost 20-year-old record and measuring a frankly epic23.8 metres long and 20.7 metres wide our bouncy castle stands 12.8 metres tall at its highest point; the side turrets are equal in height to the walls of Cardiff Castle, making it taller than the Great Wall of China and roughly three times the size of the Berlin Wall! Filled with 1143 cubic metres of air it can comfortablyaccommodate 100 pleasure-seeking festivalgoers at one time.

Quite simply massive, it’s an inflatable legend in the making, don’t miss the chance to have a jump around on our historic bouncy castle at Common People, Southampton this 28th & 29th May, and then at Camp Bestival 28th-31stJuly and Bestival from 8th – 11th September.

Bouncy Castle Comparison:

                                                            Length          Width           Height         

 

Word’s Biggest Bouncy Castle:          23.8m          20.7m          12.8m                 

 

Previous Record Holder:                    19m             19m             12m            

The clock is ticking and Common People tickets are flying so grab yours now at www.commonpeople.net

Love Saves the Day announce Party on the Moon stage lineup

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The announcement lights have gone from red to green as Shy FX brings his 'Party On The Moon' event concept to Love Saves The Day for a second year, with full stage line-up now ready to announce. 
 
As well as a headline set from the main man himself, the line-up for Shy's Love Saves The Day stage will be blessed with big names including Katy B, who will be performing new material from her forthcoming album Honey, London grime star Giggs, and UK production duo Snakehips. 
 
 
Arriving at Bristol's Love Saves The Day festival on Sunday 29th May, Party On The Moon, a culmination of a lifelong obsession from Shy FX with extensive styles of music, will be sending the Love Saves The Day crowd into orbit.
 
Other artists set to grace the stage include American hip hop producer Just Blaze, London Grime MC CASisDEAD, BBC Radio 1 DJ Benji B, General Levy, Kiko Bun, Nadia Rose, Masterstepz, Shingai and Hutch. 
 

Common People announce Uncommon Stage line-ups

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Continuing our mission to connect like-minded party people on common land, the Common People team are very pleased to announce the line-ups for our Uncommon Stage. Flexing his all-encompassing musical muscles Rob da Bank has joined forces with legendary, longstanding music publication Nightshift in Oxford and acclaimed venue The Joiners in Southampton, to bring you the cream of the up-and-coming music scene, featuring some of the most exciting new and underground bands, this coming May Bank Holiday at South Park and Southampton Common. 

Common People curator Rob da Bank says: “The beating heart of all our festival adventures is getting people to discover new music and uncover new bands. Our curators, Ricky from The Joiners in Southampton and Ronan from the seminal Nightshift magazine, are experts in these matters, so please be upstanding and make much noise for The Uncommon Stage.”

 

Nightshift’s Ronan Munro says: “It’s fantastic that so many local acts are getting the opportunity to play at Common People, with the opportunity to play to a whole new audience, and it’s great that we get the chance to show the variety of music that comes out of Oxfordshire – from hot jazz, reggae, hip hop and blues to doom metal, electronica, punk and even pirate pop. I’ve always tried to make musicians proud to come from Oxfordshire, and Oxfordshire be proud of its musicians and this weekend is proof that Oxfordshire is home to a wealth of music talent”.

The Joiners’ Ricky Bates says: “We at the Joiners are utterly thrilled to be directly presenting the Uncommon Stage this year with some of our favourite touring acts of old and new in one space! Plus, we have some amazing home grown local talent throughout the day covering everything from ska to metalcore to indie rock n’ roll across the weekend, it’s going to be the most righteous fun weekend, don’t stay in! See you down the front”.  

Saturday in South Park, Oxford will see the Uncommon Stage shake to the sounds of local seven-piece vintage r ‘n’ b and hot jazz outfit Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band, east Oxford’s roots-inspired Zaia, the glistening pop hooks of Neverlnd, Chipping Norton’s Esther Joy Lane, the doomladen Undersmile, and Cowley’s Cameron A.G. who recently scored a Hottest Record in the World Right Now on Annie Mac’s Radio 1 show. There will also be rum-soaked fun from Peerless Pirates, gothic blues pop sounds from Death of the Maiden and looped vibes from mind-blowing cellist Duotone. 

Sunday’s super-fresh action will see Oxford-based, pan-European gypsy-ska-punks The Balkan Wanderers heading up a coruscating line-up that will include local electronic types Maiians, electro rockabilly blues from Vienna Ditto, Witney’s Little Brother Eli, Oxford-based beats cooperative Inner Peace Collective, Chipping Norton sibling duo Cassels, purveyors of porch folk with attitude The August List, Cowley’s Young Women’s Music Project and the experimental, ethereal sounds of Oxford via Stockholm’s Julia Meijer.

On Southampton Common, Saturday’s dazzling new sounds will come courtesy of much admired Cambridge five-piece Lonely the Brave and experimental Brightonians Tall Ships, with sets from singer-songwriter Sean Mcgowan, stadium-ready post rockers New Desert Blues and BBC 6 Music-supported Bel Esprit, all of whom hail from Southampton. There will also be live music from the Isle of Wight’s math-pop four-piece Signals and the home turf triumvirate of Our Hollow, Our Home, Elixir and Vicki Musselwhite, with the first of our soon to be announced I Want to Play at Common People winners also making an appearance. 

Sunday will see NME-championed Palma Violets topping a bill that will include garage rockers Pretty Vicious, Portsmouth’s Kassassin Street, and a cavalcade of local heroes including Science of Eight Limbs, The Rising, Bigtopp, These Septic Stars and Cassava, with two more I Want to Play at Common People winners completing the line-up.

Showcasing the very best in ambitious new music, don’t miss discovering your new favourite band at Common People’s temple of innovative sound, The Uncommon Stage.

Annie Mac, Mark Ronson, Katy B and more lead the BSTK 2016 lineup

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Annie Mac and Mark Ronson are today confirmed as the first headliners for BSTK 2016. Mark Ronson, the Grammy award-winning international DJ, producer and musician will take to the decks crowning the main stage whilst Annie Mac, the taste-making DJ, broadcaster and TV host will top the bill in The Good Shed.    

Also confirmed for the festival is the critically acclaimed Katy B, soon to release the follow up to her number 1 album ‘Little Red’, and world record holders for 'Highest-Charting UK album by an Unsigned Act', Krept & Konan. Elsewhere BSTK welcomes the arena-filling ‘Blackout’ hit-maker Wretch 32.
 
For guitar-lovers Scouting For Girls promise a prime slice of indie pop whilst MOBO Award winner Fuse ODG provides for BSTK’s afrobeat needs. An iconic name confirmed for this summer’s event is the multi platinum selling rapper and  producer Mike Skinner.
 
Across the line-up further additions cover a whole host of party-fuelling sounds from both DJ and live acts across the dance, pop and urban spectrums of music such as Mistajam, Justin Martin, Big Narstie, Huxley, and Ms Dynamite. Names familiar to major airwaves, the top ten and the UK dance floors come in the forms of Charlie Sloth, Artwork, Izzy Bizu, Doorly, DJ Craze, DJ Yoda, Becky Hill, Bonkaz, Yungen and Lady Leshurr.
 
Further additions include an array of talent such as Sonny Fodera, DJ Luck and MC Neat, Hauswerks, Ivy Lab, Crissy Cris, Mampi Swift, Nicky Blackmarket and DJ SS. Whether its house, UK garage, drum n bass or techno BSTK has all bases covered for raving into the early hours with Drumsound & Bassline Smith, FuntCase, Logan D, Mat Format, Erb N Dub, Harry Shotta, Carasel, Unknown, Youngman, Indica and Nuklear.
 
BSTK returns this summer renewed and refreshed; as well as details of further artists future announcements will unveil further headliners, details of the VIP offering and all manner of entertainments to delight festival goers this coming July. 

Katy B, KT Tunstall and more join the Space themed Camp Bestival lineup

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Joining our previously announced headliners Fatboy Slim, Tears for Fears and Jess Glynne, and Aliens Love Underpants, Dick and Dom and Mr Tumble, we’re over the moon to announce even more astronutters who will be joining Camp Bestival’s festi-holiday frolics at Space Camp Lulworth for a party that’s sure to be out of this world!

Rob da Bank says: “Prepare for lift-off my space brothers and sisters… we are T-minus 184 days and, whilst I’m busying packing dried food and spare pants for the trip to outer space, I’ve also been booking a load more bands and DJs. From Katy B and KT Tunstall, to London legends Squeeze, hip-hop royalty in the form of Arrested Development and the incredible afro beat of Seun Kuti, it’s a veritable smorgasbord of styles from around the world… and outer space! Can’t wait to see you at the launch pad!

We’re super-excited to welcome the queen of rave pop, Katy B, to Lulworth castle! A chart invading trailblazer, Katy’s beat-driven vignettes laid the foundations for a whole host of recent chart stars, and with brand new album Honey – the follow up to chart topper Little Red – set to soundtrack the summer, she’s a dead cert to blast us into outer space! We’ll also have stratospheric action from Scottish chanteuse KT Tunstall, London’s finest post-punk hit-machine Squeeze, enduring hip-hop troubadours Arrested Development, keepers of the Afrobeat flame Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, the UK’s most successful girl band ever Bananarama, turntable wizard DJ Yoda, singer-songwriter Jamie Lawson, chill out specialists Turin Brakes, acid jazz innovators Brand New Heavies, confessional rapper Loyle Carner, reggae queen Dawn Penn, Havana’s greatest gift to humanity The Cuban Brothers, and hobo-chic originator Duke Special.

And there will be plenty more intergalactic joys with Louis Berry, Rob da Bank & Tayo’s Prince tribute, Purple Rave, Sound of the Sirens, The Demon Barbers XL, Sound and Vision: A Celebration of David Bowie presented by Rob da Bank, Lizzie Ball and the Classical Kicks Orchestra, The Scorsese Agreement, Delilah Sisters, The Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band, Circus Raj and Folk Idol.

Drake closes Wireless Festival’s 10th anniversary with a bang

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Canadian rapper Drake finally made it back to London's Wireless Festival after a cancellation last year and it was well worth the wait!  With the sun shining down on London's Finsbury Park and the crowd at full capacity, Drake wastes no time in getting into his new single Legend off his latest album 'If You're Reading This It's Too Late' and instantly reminded the crowd what they were missing.  With vocals in full swing and the crowd bopping up and down, Drake trawls through his massive catalogue of tunes including, Trophies, We Made It, Crew Love, Tuesday, The Motto, Hold On Were Going Home, Started From the Bottom, Take Care, Energy and more!

In full swag mode and working the crowd into the palm of his hand, Drake connects with the fans by constantly reminding them of his love for London, his second home he pronounces.  Covering the stage floor and giving the entire crowd love, Drake's showmanship is like no other!  There is no ego, and its plain to see that he is as happy to be here as is the adorning crowd.  With a set full of pyrotechnics and the stage transforming to a Jungle midway through, Drake is clearly in his element commanding the stage solo for the majority of his 80 minute performance.

All in all, it was quite a fitting end to what was brilliant day at the 10th anniversary of Wireless Festival, with Rita Ora, Katy B, Chance the Rapper & Public Enemy all playing amazing performances. 

Photo by Andrew Whitton courtesy of Wireless Festival

Drakes full set list is here:

  1. Intro
  2. Legend
  3. Trophies
  4. We Made It
  5. Headlines
  6. Over
  7. Crew Love
  8. Star 67
  9. 6 man
  10. No Telling
  11. Blessings
  12. Tuesday
  13. My Way RMX
  14. Motto
  15. Truffle Butter
  16. 6 God
  17. Worst Behaviour
  18. Jungle
  19. How About Now
  20. Find Your Love
  21. Take Care
  22. Hold On
  23. 0 to 100
  24. All Me
  25. HYFR
  26. Started from the bottom
  27. 10 bands
  28. Know Yourself
  29. Energy
  30. Legend

 

 

New Look Wireless 10th birthday party feat Drake, Rita Ora and more

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This year New Look Wireless Festival brings together a host of massive names for a warmup party to mark the decade long Wireless Festival in London.  Coming to London for Wireless 10 on Sunday 28th June will be headliner Drake who will pull a double and headline New Look Wireless Festival as well the following weekend.

Joining Drake will be Rita Ora, Katy B, Chance the Rapper, Public Enemy, Kid Ink, Big Sean, Black Star, Raekwon & Ghostface Killah, De La Soul, Jhene Aiko, G-Easy & ILoveMakonnen!

Following this massive party will be New Look Wireless which takes place from the 3rd July to 5th July.

FRIDAY 3RD JULY

Drake
A$AP Rocky
Major Lazer
Labrinth
Nero
Duke Dumont
PARTYNEXTDOOR
Joey Bada$$
Maverick Sabre
Fuse ODG
Krept & Konan
Lethal Bizzle
Klingande
iLoveMakonnen
G-Eazy
Collie Buddz
Travi$ Scott
Ms. Dynamite
Little Simz
OCD: Moosh & Twist
Jermain Jackman

SATURDAY 4TH JULY

AVICII
Kendrick Lamar
Mary J Blige
Knife Party
Childish Gambino
Gorgon City
Jess Glynne
Netsky
DJ Mustard
Robin Schulz
Tinashe
Raleigh Ritchie
Indiana
Stormzy
MNEK
3LAU
OWS
Bad Rabbits
Sinead Harnett
Ady Suleiman
Nick Brewer
Etta Bond

SUNDAY 5TH JULY

David Guetta
Nicki Minaj
Jessie J
Clean Bandit
Stromae
August Alsina
Charli XCX
Wretch 32
Rae Sremmurd
George The Poet
Logic
Grandmaster Flash
Arrested Development
Pusha T
Shakka
Damage
Jacob Plant
Tove Styrke
Tori Kelly
Special Performance by Jaden & Willow Smith

The Klaxons to headline OxfordOxford plus more!

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Futuristic three-piece, Klaxons, are now confirmed as the headliner of OxfordOxford in one of many new confirmations for the event’s debut line-up spanning the weekend of 26th-28thSeptember in South Park. Tickets for the film and music days, plus weekend passes are now available to purchase from http://www.oxfordoxford.co.uk/, Sunday’s community themed day remains free entry.

Plaudits for their third album have been high and Klaxons are gearing up for live dates that now include a headline set at OxfordOxford, the band’s only gig in the city for 2014. The crowning act for the event’s music-focused day on Saturday 27th September, Klaxons come to South Park armed with tunes which charge between dance and post-punk sounds. Also confirmed is Katy B, a vocalist who is firm favourite of dance floors nationwide. Katy B has leant talents to a whole host of recent club smash hits not to mention her two solo records of electronic, urban, pop perfection. In support of home-grown talent OxfordOxford will play host to three local acts by teaming up with BBC Introducing in Oxford show to present space-pop quintet, Flights of Helios, indie outfit Balloon Ascents and lo-fi pop trio Robot Swans.

OxfordOxford will kick off with a cinematic spectacular on Friday 26th September, additions to the big screen’s billing include a special ‘dance-a—long’ version of 80’s guilty pleasure, Dirty Dancing. Similar cult classics on offer will be the action-packed Top Gun and family-favourite, The Goonies. As already announced features will also include ‘sing-a-long’ Grease and Tim Burton’s Alice In Wonderland.

 
The event will culminate in a vibrant and varied collection of Oxford’s many different community groups and activities, access to which will be free all-day on Sunday 28th September. Dance, local history, sports and local industry will all feature across the day in numerous forms. Local retailers wishing to take part are welcome to contact OxfordOxford via [email protected]. Specific details of Sunday’s offering will be announced shortly.   
 
Eleven 11 Events Director, Owen Kent comments:

“Friday’s specially curated Film line up includes a number of the most entertaining cult films making for a fun-filled day out for all. The Kids Area will also bring some magic to the experience for families."

“Klaxons, as an Oxford exclusive for 2014, will surely bring all the energy, passion and hits to their headline show, it will be a real spectacle to close Saturday’s music event.  I am also delighted to confirm Katy B as main support, another very talented live performer, and consistently a festival highlight."

“Most importantly for me, as one of the organisers of the event, OxfordOxford is supporting homegrown talent from the city, and is giving different performers the opportunity to share the stage with international artists, gain experience and promote their music. We are particularly pleased to have BBC Introducing in Oxford on board presenting Flights of Helios, Balloon Ascents and Robot Swans. It is great to be working with them as we share similar views on bringing up and coming talent to a local audience."

"OxfordOxford is proud to be working in partnership with Oxford City Council"