King Charles

Bastille, King Charles & more added to Blissfields Festival

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Among the new additions are beautiful songsmiths Bastille – fronted by Dan Smith who won 1st place in the 2012 International Songwriting Competition (Pop / Top 40 category), as voted for by musicians such as Tom Waits, Jeff Beck and Robert Smith, they’ve recently performed at The Great Escape festival to capacity crowds.

King Charles

The dandy king of psych-pop King Charles returns to Blissfields, following the recent release of his critically acclaimed top 40 album Loveblood and a sold out UK tour.
 
Dubbed a “one to watch” by MSN in their 2012 poll, Australia’s Me have played live to over 50,000 people since landing in the UK, honing their live show into a stadium-ready performance comparable to Muse, Queen or Green Day.
 
The haunting Emily And The Woods also return to Blissfields, with festival favorites and BBC championed Jake Bugg, and described by the Guardian as “Caribou-tiful”,Tropics complete this next announcement, with some names still to unveil for Blissfields’ sporting summer.
 

Blissfields Festival 2012: “Game For It”

 
The festival has been applauded over the past 11 years for its attention to detail, creativity, family friendly atmosphere and wide-ranging musical and arts bill, but above all, for remaining at an intimate 2,000 capacity, following years of critical praise, stellar live performances from some of the country’s biggest live music acts, and sell-out crowds.
 
In 2012, Blissfields nod their school cap to the world of sport, offering a dandy revival of the Great British Summertime and a golden age of playground camaraderie and frivolity. With a full program of sports day shenanigans, a school disco and late night ballyhoo, expect your mischievous tutors to be on fine form as they guide you through the most fun you’ll have with your chums all year. Hoorah! Hoorah, indeed!
 
This year you’ll have the opportunity to represent your House, as well as vote for House Captains, once again giving fans of the festival another way to be a part of the makings of the event. Although Blissfields will not be strict on the dress code, they warn that Hall Monitors may have to be assigned to make sure you are all upholding the Blissfields reputation.
 
Grab your jolly hockey sticks and catch us round the back of the bike shed for the best “last day of term” style fun you ever had, curated by TrackSuit&Tie.
 
The team are time-travelling to Blissfields to bring us some of the very best Old Skool 80s inspired Sports Day classics, all with some very alternative twists! Undertake some serious bonding whilst getting in the sack race, flirt your way to victory in the Egg & Spooning, find your feet in the 7-legged challenge and propel yourself into the Space Hopper Long-Jump. Show you’ve got the moves in the Hipster Swingathon, de-feet your opponent in the Sock WrestlingRing and pop yourself silly in the Balloon Fencing Championships!
 
Exclusively for 2012, you’ll also take on some truly British feats – just make sure you dress up for the Dangerous Dressage in our very own Showjumping Ring, and don’t forget to take time for the incredibly messy Royal Tea!
 
The grand finale of Blissfields Sports Day will see all four school houses enter the gladiatorial ring of the main arena to fight it out in the Greatest of all British Challenges:The Tug of War.
 
Prepare to sweat, endure, triumph, fall over (a lot) and WIN, and Blissfields 2012.
  

Ticket Info and Full Line-Up

 
Weekend Adult: £74.00 + Booking Fee
Weekend Youth: £49.00 + Booking Fee
Weekend Under 6: Free and No Booking Fee (Please note a nominal fee of 1p is charged to register the purchase)
Weekend Family Ticket (2 Adult & 2 Youth weekend tickets): £210.00 + Booking Fee
Weekend 10 Adult tickets for the price of 9: £666.00 + Booking Fee
Thursday Camping: £16.00 + NO Booking Fee
Live-in Vehicle Pass: £35.00
Car Park: £10.00

Nero, Kids in Glass Houses and more set for Bingley Music Live

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Taking to two of our three stages in Myrtle Park between August 31st and 2nd September these latest additions join: DJ Fresh, The Pigeon Detectives, Hard-Fi, The Charlatans, Maverick Sabre, Delilah, The Idiot B*stard Band, StooShe, Yes Sir Boss, Miles & Erica and The Lancashire Hot Pots.

NeroGuaranteed to instill some full-tilt revelry, Nero bring their expansive electronic soundscapes to proceedings on the Main Stage.  With three successive singles selected as the ‘Hottest Record in the World’ by Radio 1's Zane Lowe, the London dubstep pioneers are enjoying a meteoric rise. Having recently told the Wall Street Journal that dubstep is, “almost the new rock… we sort of feel like rockstars now,” you can expect nothing less than a blindingly awesome performance.

Also on the Main Stage, energetic Welsh rock band, Kids in Glass Houses bring their blazing guitars to Bingley. Having charted three top 30 albums in four years, this relentless five-piece serve up a heady mix of monster riffs, hook-laden anthems and sing-along choruses; all delivered at maximum volume.

Delivering sets on both the Main and the Raise the Roof stages are the all-female Norwegian four-piece, Katzenjammer.  Famed for mixing musical genres and switching instruments at a frenzied pace, their sets includes as many as 25 different instruments. Their latest album A Kiss Before You Go follows three years on the road and is shaped by multiple influences all wrapped up with Katzenjammer’s distinct character.

Bolstering the folkie vibe on the Raise the Roof stage are Skinny Lister. This eclectic, earthy sounding five-piece group has truly blossomed into something exceptional after a period of extensive touring. Their live performances deliver a galvanized, singular sound. Fronted by Yorkshire-born songwriter Dan Heptinstall and saucy female vocalist Lorna Thomas, gigs are a riot of sound and fun. So prepare to be infected by their jovial, foot stomping, high kicking free for all.

Vibrant psyche-inflected folk-popster King Charles has been proclaimed ‘too cool for the charts’ by the Guardian. Having toured with Laura Marling, Noah and the Whale and Mumford and Sons, the classically trained cellist, chorister and winner of an International Songwriting Competition, is set to release his debut album Loveblood on 7th May. We’re waiting in eager anticipation to see what all the fuss is about.

Big Heart, Big Sounds

Now in its 6th year, Bingley Music Live has firmly established itself on the festival circuit; consistently impressing audiences and performers alike with its intimate, friendly atmosphere and professional organisation. The chance to really get up close and personal to your favourite bands is one of the event’s stand-out features and means that festival goers can eagerly anticipate getting to the heart of the action.

The newly improved Raise the Roof stage will include a bigger tent, beefed-up production and a new musical policy to provide a point of difference to the main stage while maintaining a high calibre of bands. This year also see the introduction of a new third stage. Organised in association with the Musician’s Centre the new stage is dedicated to local talent and will focus all its attention on uncovering the latest unsigned talent. Details of how to apply will be revealed soon.

BML also benefits from its amazing venue, Myrtle Park, the perfect festival location. Set in a natural amphitheatre and bordered by stunning mature woodland near the pretty river Aire, first timers are always blown away by the beauty of this hidden gem.

With its picturesque backdrop BML is a great destination for families of all ages wanting to share the festival experience. Not only is there space to chill out under the shade of a tree there are also a whole host of specially organised kids activities in a dedicated family area which are being further improved for 2012.

For those looking for a little luxury or an alternative destination to celebrate a special birthday or hen-do then BML VIP ticket is a must for you! Receive exclusive treatment including; priority parking, jump the queues into the VIP area including bar and luxury loos. There’s an escorted back stage tour + a delicious festival hamper including wine per person and a goodie bag all for £250 per person per day.

Throwing its gates open to over 15,000 happy revellers per day for three glorious days of diverse music, Bingley Music Live not only delivers ‘Big Heart, Big Sounds’ but also has a reputation for offering real value for money. At just for £45 for a three day ticket Bingley Music Live is a must for celebrating the end of summer in style.

Hilltop Hoods, Fun, Stooshe and more added to T in the Park bill

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The Parlotones, Dog is Dead, Blood Red Shoes, Ren Harvieu, Mull Historical Society, Stooshe, Here We Go Magic, The Minutes and Lonsdale Boys Club joining summer’s most finely tuned festival bill. 
 
T in the Park secures the biggest bands from across the globe whilst consistently promoting the best new and breakthrough talent and providing the ultimate platform for all to appear as part of the festival. This year is no exception with an array of 'ones to watch' in 2012 set to wow the 85,000 strong crowd per day over the weekend of 6th – 8th July.
 
Hip-hop trio, Hilltop Hoods are one of Australia’s leading live acts and the most significant hip-hop group to ever emerge from this territory. Six studio albums in (including three No.1’s), the band’s sound has been embraced far beyond hip hop’s underground and their fearless and innovative ethos has guaranteed their place at the top of the Australian music industry and now beyond.
 
Hilltop Hoods
 
New York indie-pop band Fun. achieved massive success when their hit single We Are Young (featuring Janelle Monáe) hit the top of U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming the first rock/alternative song to do so since Coldplay's Viva la Vida. Their acclaimed second album Some Nights is crammed with catchy pop gems with a hip-hop twist, and is produced by legendary Grammy-winning producer Jeff Bhasker (Beyoncé, Kanye West). 
 
West London indie-pop singer-songwriter King Charles became the first ever Brit to win Nashville’s International Songwriting Competition in 2010 after wowing a prestigious judging panel including Tom Waits, Jeff Beck and Kings of Leon. Having supported Mumford & Sons on their sold-out US tour, his hotly anticipated debut album Lovebloodis set for release next month, and he is fast emerging as one of the UK’s most exciting young lyricists.
 
South Africa’s multi-platinum selling The Parlotones are musical heroes at home and are set to make their mark on the rest of the world with their fresh and stylish take on African doo-wop and folk. They wowed the crowds with a sensational performance at the FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert, sharing a bill with the likes of The Black Eyed Peas and Alicia Keys. Their album A World Next Door To Yours is South Africa’s biggest selling rock album of this decade, and the band are set to release their latest record Journey Through the Shadows next month.
 
The Nottingham art-pop five-piece Dog Is Dead have been tipped for big things. Following widespread acclaim for their recent gigs, which have included touring with Bombay Bicycle Club, the band earned a new following when they performed in the final episode of Skins Series 5. Harmonious indie-pop with jazz and disco influences, their hotly anticipated debut album is scheduled for release this autumn.
 
Blood Red Shoes are back with their third album In Time to Voices, an edgy, hook-laden record which has seen the band enter into ambitious new territory and is being hailed as their most mature and thrilling release to date. The Brighton punk-rock duo made their T in the Park debut in 2008 and are sure to receive a warm welcome back.
 
Ren Harvieu’s stunning voice evokes some of the great divas of bygone years. Discovered after posting a song on Myspace, her cool contemporary take on vintage blues sound and old-fashioned swing has caught the attention of industry tastemakers, and she was named in the BBC’s Sound of 2012 poll.   
 
Hailed by Rolling Stone for his “tuneful and plaintive pop gems”, Mull Historical Society, aka Colin MacIntyre, made a big impact when his single Barcode Bypass was crowned “Debut Single of the Year” by NME. Now firmly established as a major British song-writing force, Mull Historical Society is back in 2012 with a new album City Awakenings, and ready to showcase their sparkling, whimsical new tunes to the T in the Park crowd.
 
London ladies Stooshe have stormed onto the music scene and into the charts this year with smash hit single Love Me, featuring US rapper Travie McCoy. Nominated in the BBC's Sound of 2012 poll, there’s sure to be many more hits to come from their forthcoming debut album Swings and Roundabouts.
 
As well as the talent, New York four-piece Here We Go Magic have quite the tale to tell. During a particularly difficult show last year they spotted two men in the front row who, in their words, were ‘dancing around like maniacs’. These two ‘maniacs’ turned out to be none other than Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and legendary producer Nigel Godrich, resulting in Godrich’s decision to produce the band’s third album, A Different Ship – the band’s most remarkable and captivating album yet.
 
Dublin trio The Minutes’ debut album Marcata is packed with raucous anthems, melding primal garage rock ‘n’ roll with elements of blues and gospel. Renowned for their exuberant energy, it’s sure to be a high octane set at T in the Park, as they wow the crowd with their sing-along tunes.
 
Featuring reggae club promoter Charlie, New Zealand export Topher, and DJ Loz, together the Lonsdale Boys Club deliver a new wave of beat-driven guitar greatness. With nods to Gorillaz, Outkast and old school disco, they’ll bring the funk to the festival fans at T in the Park.
 
There’s a lot to see at T in the Park this summer and fans can expect to discover some hidden gems amongst the well-known music maestros.  With 3 amazing days (Fri 6th-Sun 8th July) filled with the best live talent, the Slam Tent open for Friday night fun for the very first time, and the opportunity for fans to start their T in the Park journey by checking into the campsite on the Thursday, T in the Park 2012 is all set up to be the ultimate festival four-day weekend, on a massive scale.

 

The Temper Trap, British Sea Power and more announced for Truck Festival 2012

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THE TEMPER TRAP, BRITISH SEA POWER, THE LOW ANTHEM, GUILLEMOTS, KING CHARLES, THREE TRAPPED TIGERS, LITTLE COMETS and more will join the already-announced MYSTERY JETS, VILLAGERS, 65 DAYS OF STATIC and GET CAPE. WEAR CAPE. FLY! amongst many more on the bill for this year's Truck Festival! 
 
Here's new Truck organiser Ralph Broadbent: "I think this line-up captures the spirit of Truck over the last 15 years – everything that's great about music all in one place, with some of the most creative and independent acts out there, and at £69 for the weekend, it's really affordable!" 
 
We hope you'll agree, this is as good a selection as you'll see anywhere trooping in for Truck's 15th Anniversary on July 20th & 21st at Hill Farm, Steventon. Early Bird tickets have sold out but Weekend tickets are indeed still only £69; they are available now at www.truckfestival.com.
 
THE TEMPER TRAP
Closing the main stage on the Saturday will be The Temper Trap; these Australians sport an international Top 10 hit single, Sweet Disposition, and a 2011 BRIT Award nomination for 'Best International Breakthrough Artist'; this year they're following up that breakthrough with a much-anticipated new album, ‘The Temper Trap’. The new album was recorded at the famed Sound Factory in Los Angeles, with producer Tony Hoffer (Beck, M83,Phoenix) and we look forward to seeing their ambitious live show on the back of a truck…
 
British Sea PowerBRITISH SEA POWER
It's an amazingly long time since BSP graced Hill Farm, which is surprising because they are almost the perfect band for the festival. In an unrelated comment, frontman Yan recently claimed: “I was a big fan of World’s Toughest Trucker on UK Channel 5, which finished a couple weeks ago – especially old dog Rookie who came third. You can probably still see it via the Watch It Again M8! function?” Perhaps he's cryptically expressing his excitement to be back playing at Truck Festival. We'd better do a risk assessment for use of twigs and branches on the stage…
 
Oh my God, THE LOW ANTHEM!
We are delighted to add this talented and creative band; they embody the DIY spirit of Truck Festival, self-releasing their break-out 3rd album "Oh, My God, Charlie Darwin", screen-printing the covers themselves and heading out on the road to promote it. Last year, as well as following up with "Smart Flesh", produced by Mike Mogis of Bright Eyes, they dished out a free album for fans under the alter-ego "Snake Wagon". The epic sweep and rustic roots of their music will sound great on the back of a truck at Hill Farm, that is for sure!
 
GUILLEMOTS
Fyfe Dangerfield & co recently played instore at Truck Store and mentioned that they had somehow never played Truck Festival, and the new organisers instantly moved to correct that! As well as having mass appeal and hit albums, the band are constantly evolving and putting out interesting music, which makes them a perfect band for Truck too. Drummer Greig Stewart has close links with the Oxford area so we're glad to welcome him along to Truck to play – finally!
And that’s not all:
 
KING CHARLES has toured with Mumford & Sons, Noah & the Whale and Laura Marling, but has a style and bohemian panache all of his own, "part of that tradition of uniquely English, psych-inflected pastoral whimsy", and our scouts saw it for themselves at a recent Oxford show. His debut album comes out in May. We also welcome VADOINMESSICO, an elusive collective from London with accordions, harmonies, and even a remix by Crystal Fighters. Mysterious! and FEDERATION OF THE DISCO PIMP: Maybe you've listened to ex-Red Dwarf man Craig Charles' funk show on 6 Music, in which case you'll have heard these guys: Scotland’s premier exponents of modern funk, alright! and this just in: LITTLE COMETS will be bringing their hard-touring guerilla-gigging bandwagon all the way from Tyneside, for one night in July!
 
The much-requested London noise-rockers THREE TRAPPED TIGERS will be closing the Barn on Saturday which will doubtless be a very special occasion. Before them, just in case you missed it, we have announced the line up for the Alcopop Records and Big Scary Monsters takeover (4-9pm Saturday, The Barn). They will be bringing with them: JOHNNY FOREIGNER, TALL SHIPS, BRONTIDE, TALONS, GUNNING FOR TAMAR & MY FIRST TOOTH. Sweeeeet! These labels, and bands, represent what the Barn stage is all about and no doubt the famous cowshed will be heaving throughout!
 
Of course, there are many more artists still to be added, including many local acts; we are accepting BAND SUBMISSIONS until 1st April 2012. After this date, no further submissions will be considered. To apply, bands can send an email with links to 2-3 recordings on Soundcloud or Youtube to: [email protected]. We ask them not to send MP3s or other audio files or large photos as attachments (these clog the inbox), and please don’t try to send us physical packages- we haven’t got anywhere to put them!
 
We've also launched a new website with all kinds of information about the festival at  www.truckfestival.com.  Tickets can be purchased there for this year's 15th Anniversary back-to-basics truckstravaganza! Tickets are also on sale at Truck Store, Oxford and will soon also be available at Remade Guitars, Abingdon.

Dot To Dot Festival adds Yaaks, King Charles and more!

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Dot To Dot are delighted to announce that, one of the countries favourite actors and a renowned party smashing DJ, Mat Horne will be hosting his lauded club night Session at both the Bristol and Nottingham dates over the bank holiday weekend. Playing alternative, indie and party tunes, with the emphasis on fun, Mat will also be joined by cutting edge collective The Trash Society DJs and Push Music DJs who will be dropping indie dance, electro, disco and the best new buzz bands around plus there will be special guests each night.

International Songwriter of the year 2010, King Charles will also be joining the bill for the Bristol and Nottingham dates. Enjoying support from the likes of Zane Lowe, Huw Stephens, Rob da Bank, John Kennedy, the NME and many more, King Charles’ majestic psychedelic pomp is set to see him ruling the rock ‘n’ roll kingdom, making him one not to miss. Mysterious sextet Yaaks are also coming on board to play the Bristol and Nottingham Dot To Dot dates. Yaaks’ Jean-Jacques Rousseau citing noir-dance vibes have been setting the A&R community alight and have so far let their music do all the talking, so make sure you catch them to see what all the fuss is about.

As well as some of the most exciting new music from around the country there will also  be plenty of the top talent from each city on the bill including Bravo Brave Bats, The Broken Arm Of Love, Cajita, Count To Fire, The Fauns, The Hit-Ups, Hysterical Injury, Idles, Koshiro, Little Victories, The Naturals, The Other Tribe, Ouija Birds, Scarlet Rascal & The Trainwreck, SJ Esau, Termites, These Black Shores and Towns who will all be getting in on the Bristol action.  Whilst Nottingham will see Spotlight Kid, Long Dead Signal, Baby Godzilla, Royal Gala, Will Jeffery, Childhood, Yunioshi, Maniere Des, Bohemiens, Basstoneslap, Delta Sun andHarleighblu joining the throng.

With the venue by venue breakdown to be announced for Dot To Dot 2011 make sure you keep checkingwww.facebook.com/dottodotfestival for all the latest news and ticket info.

•    ‘Dot to Dot offers a unique experience for festival-goers and artists alike’ - efestivals

•    ‘A forest of new stars, old favourites and plenty of mischief at one of the UK’s fastest rising festivals’ - NME

•    ‘With a stunning bill and venues within yards of one another we’ll leave you to join the dots’ - Clash

Tickets are now on sale:

Bristol: £30
Nottingham: £30
Manchester £25

Full Line-Up So Far:

…And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead (Bristol & Nottingham)  / Allie Moss  / Alpines / Ben Howard / Benjamin Francis Leftwich / Blawan / Braids / Colourmusic / Cults / Dananananaykroyd / Darwin Deez (Manchester only) / Dom / Ed Sheeran / Fixers / Foreign Office / Get People / Guillemots / Hot Horizons / Hurts / Is Tropical / King Charles (Bristol & Nottingham) / Lanterns On The Lake (Nottingham / Manchester only) / Mat Horne Presents Session (Bristol & Nottingham) / Morning Parade / Niki & the Dove / Paramount Styles / Romance / Royal Republic / SBTRKT / Stagecoach / Swimming / The Joy Formidable / The Kill Van Kulls (Manchester Only) / The Lines / The Naked And Famous / The Phoenix Foundation / To Kill A King / Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs / Trophy Wife / Various Cruelties / Veto / We Are Scientists / Wolf Gang / Yaaks (Bristol & Nottingham) / Zebedy Rays