Lee Scratch Perry

Legends Arrested Development and more set for Boomtown Festival

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Reggae’s soul master Toots and the Maytals, one of reggae’s most prolific singer/songwriters Richie Spice, international reggae sensation Collie Buddz and the Kingston Band. As well as Foreign Beggars,Redlight, Chinese Man (Live), Dub Inc., Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Gentleman’s Dub Club and so much more…

With the Fair officially splitting up into several different districts this year, the expanse of musical genres nicely reflects the various personalities for each area and unique stage. First up, let take a trip through the ska, swing, folk and punk line-ups:

It is with enormous excitement that BoomTown welcomes the Parov Stelar Band; for those who are unfamiliar with this Austrian DJ, turned uber producer’s work, he has stealthily been taking over the global music scene in recent years with his inspired styles and samples from the most varying of genres (soul, pop, jazz and swing) creating an incomparable and peerless sound. The full band are known for their lively and exuberant live shows and right up OldTown’s street! Next up for the Town Centre Stage is Grammy award winning musical alchemists Ozomatli. This super group from LA effortlessly fuse Latin salsa, urban hip-hop and jazz-funk into their signature sound, which, when seen live emits a rich energy that will perk up even the weariest feet… Another signature sound for BoomTown will come at the hands of the ska heavyweights – Mad Caddies, these stalwarts of ska have been knocking around pleasing ska hungry crowds all over the world for nearly two decades and now it’s BoomTown’s turn!

This first round of artists includes, not one, but TWO Grammy award winners, the second of which are sunshine reggae and positive afro-centric political pioneer’s Arrested Development. With their mega hits ‘Tennessee’, ‘Mr Wendal’ and ‘People Everyday’, they host a back catalogue that defined the sound of a generation, BoomTown will once more be a city filled with smiley faces and overwhelming happiness when this legendary group take to the stage!

Being the friendly bunch that they are at BoomTown, they do like to welcome back some familiar faces and honorary BoomTown residents, this year sees the very welcome return of some of the cream of the crop from BoomTowns’ gone by, including: 2011 headliners and reggae royalty Toots and the Maytals, rocksteady rambunctiousness from The Neville Staple Band (The Specials) as well asThe Selecter and the super saucy Molotov Jukebox. Along with BoomTown regulars, The Skints, Babyhead, Ska Cubano, Random Hand and a selection of awesome newcomers; Demented Are Go, Orkestra Del Sol,  Hoffmaestro, Les Hurlements D' Leo, Suicide Bid, The Creepshow and Flap!

Whilst over on the Reggae, dub and jungle stages the first couple of headliners for this year include: one of Jamaica’s leading dancehall stars Richie Spice and one of the most buzz-worthy Reggae artists over the past few years Collie Buddz and the New Kingston Band. Also to be found in the reggae, dub and jungle stages are: Dub Inc., Lee 'Scratch' Perry, Million Stylez, Gentleman's Dub Club, Necessary Mayhem Showcase feat. Tippa Irie & Mr Williamz, Mungo's Hi Fi,  Musical Youth, Iration Steppas meets Channel One in a Dubwise Fashion, Robbo Ranx (BBC Radio 1xtra), Prince Fatty + Horseman, I-Fire, Dreadsquad feat Dr Ring Ding + Kasia Malenda + El Fata, Marcus Visionary, Buggsy (full live band), David Boomah Feat. Only Joe  

And finally for the break and bass stages BoomTown presents… the trailblazing electronic crossover act Foreign Beggars, Bristol based DJ and producer Redlight, the bad ass, old skool hip-hop meets baile funk sounds of the formidable Chinese Man (live), dubstep pioneers Digital Mystikz, Koan Sound, Calyx & Teebee, DJ Zinc, South Central Live, LTJ Bukem & MC Conrad, Opiuo, B.Triats, Mak & Pasteman, Reso, Rack n Ruin, Woz (Black Butter Special)

Sticky, Randomer and Slipmatt b2b Billy Bunter.

Kraak and Smaak, System 7 and more for Beat-Herder Festival

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Heading to Lancashire’s Ribble Valley for a UK festival exclusive will be The Netherlands’ finest electronic live act Kraak & Smaak. The Dutch trio will be headlining the coveted Beat-Herder Sunday evening slot along with their full live band. XFM’s Eddy Temple Morris will be entertaining the Friday evening crowds with the Sugarbeat Club in the woods along with Lancashire born DMC champion DJ Woody. Ambient techno outfit System 7 have also been added to the Saturday line- up with Jalapeno Sound System providing the funky beats on Sunday evening in the woods.

The aptly name Rajazzle Tent will see additions of Stealing Sheep , Mr Woodnote and Lil Rhys and Middleman and venue Trailer Trash will see additions Drum Machine (as featured on Britain’s Got Talent), The 59ers and Dub Smugglers. STUMBLEFUNK have added Skittles’n’that and Extra Love plus there will be DJ sets from Steve Thorpe and Ken Evil Vs Compa. Venues Smokey Tenticles and The Perfumed Garden Stage will welcome a host of DJs and live acts and the Bushrocker Hifi will play home to a plethora of DJs spinning roots, reggae and dub including Asher G- The Rocksteady Daddy who will be a sure fire hit with his blend of rare, raw and hardcore ja music.

These additions join the previously announced Saturday headliners, British electronic pioneers Orbital, dub king Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, legendary French house producer Etienne de Crecy and Euro pop perfection Black Lace who will be performing in the Working Men’s Club. Making their UK festival debut will be The Parov Stelar Band who will be entertaining the crowds with a full six piece band. Psychedelic rock, electronica and techno will come courtesy of Death In Vegas , ska kings The Beat, Drum and Bass legend Goldie, Border Community founder James Holden, label mate Nathan Fake, and Ninja Tune’s finest export Mr Scruff further make up The Beat-Herder’s varied and carefully considered line up, which can be read in its entirety below.

Complete Line- Up

Aeroplane

Barry Ashworth

Black Lace

Captain Hotknives

CODA

D/R/U/G/S

Death In Vegas

Delorean Drivers

Discopolis

DJ Sneak Beats

Dooks

Drum Machine

Drymbago

Dub Jazz Sound System

Dub Smugglers

Earthdoctor

Eddie Earthquake & The Tremors

Electric Swing Circus

Ellen & The Escapades

Ennio Maccaroni

Etienne De Crecy

Extra Love

Fake Blood

Freestylers (DJ Set)

Frisky & Mannish

Girl Unit

Goldie

Grinny Grandad Live

Ivan Campo

Jake Bugg

Jalapeno Sound System

James Holden

Japenese Popstars Dj Set

Jinx in Dub

Johnny Powell

Kajamor Family

Kate Fear

Keep the Drummer Happy

Ken Evil Vs Compa

Kiki deVille & The Cadillacs

King Charles

Kitten & The Hip

Kora Fula

Kraak & Smaak

Krysko

Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry

Middleman

Mooqee (Bombstrikes)

Mr Cottonhouse

Mr Woodnote and Lil Rhys

Mrs Cakehead

Nathan Fake

Nubiyan Twist

Orbital

Pariah

Parov Stelar Live

Phil Smith

Pilooski

Ponies

Red Tin Dave

Rudimental

Rumour Has It

Shantytown Junction

Shepdog (NICE UP!)

Skittles’n’that

Slamboree

Smerins Anti Social Club

Spiral Scouts

Stealing Sheep

Steve Thorpe

STUMBLEFUNK- live

Sunday Afternoon Toil Trees session with Mr Scruff & MC Kwasi

System 7

The 59ers

The Banana Sessions

The Beat

The Drop

The Orb Sound System

The Other Tribe

The Whip

The Wonderful Sound of the Cinema Organ

Tidal Beats drum workshop

Toni Jarvis (Toolroom)

Undercover Hippy

United Vibrations

Utah Saints

Yes Sir Boss

Van Morrison & Ray Davies to headline Folklore 2012

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Enjoying more sunshine than any other part of Britain, and situated just 15 miles from the coast of France, Jersey is famed for its stunning beaches, lush countryside and uniquely Anglo-Gallic culture – and of course for the iconic 80s TV detective, Bergerac.

With a capacity of just 5,000 daily, Folklore’s cosy site ensures that this will be an intimate affair, and with Jersey boasting one of the warmest local music crowds you could hope to meet, it’s a festival at which many a friendship will be forged! Not to mention the fact that, just a stone’s throw from the beach, Folklore has about as perfect a festival setting as you’ll find.

Van Morrison* The Main Stage will be headlined on the Saturday night by Rock n’ Roll Hall of Famer and multiple Grammy-winning VAN MORRISON whose biggest hit ‘Brown Eyed Girl’ remains one of the best-loved pop songs of all time. Sunday night’s headliner is the one and only RAY DAVIES, the former Kinks frontman and founder, and the man behind such classics as ‘Lola’, ‘You Really Got Me’ and ‘Waterloo Sunset.’

* Also performing on the Main Stage over the weekend are French outfit NOUVELLE VAGUE whose laid–back bossa nova reworks of new wave and post-punk standards such as ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ have made them live favourites on the European festival scene. Legendary reggae pioneer LEE ‘SCRATCH’ PERRY is a welcome addition to the Main Stage; at 76 years young, Perry is still going strong and remains one of music’s most colourful characters and creatively intrepid artists.

* Grammy-nominated British singer-songwriter JOAN ARMATRADING, who paved the way for the likes of Adele and Amy Winehouse as the first British female solo artist to achieve international success, brings her blues and folk-driven pop to Folklore, and we are delighted to be able to present one of the most enigmatic artists of the late 60s and early 70s, RODRIGUEZ, at this year’s inaugural Folklore Festival. Comparable to the likes of Arthur Lee’s Love and The Byrds, Detroit’s Sixto Diaz Rodriguez’s two albums were works of shimmering psychedelic beauty before he disappeared from the music world only to re-emerge 30 years later as a cult hero.

* A second stage will feature an array of live music, film, poetry, comedy and theatre over the weekend, with the iconic punk poet JOHN COOPER CLARKE confirmed to appear on both days. With all this as well as an Arts & Crafts market, an Organic Food Village, a Holistic Village and a Kids Creative Playground, it’s an event to bring the whole family to.

Co-organiser Warren Holt:
“There are just under 60 days to go until the very first Folklore Festival, and I can’t wait. It’ll be a pure playground, with a really great, diverse-looking musical bill so far – and more artists to be added – and lots more to see and do at the festival whether you’re a fan of poetry, film, comedy or fine food! Having produced Jersey Live Festival for the best part of a decade, we know how much fun a Jersey festival crowd are when they get together, and I’m sure they’ll make Folklore Festival extra special for all of the artists and visitors.”

Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday 27th April from www.folklorejersey.org.uk. Standard Weekend tickets are £105 and day tickets are £62.50. Hospitality tickets are from £125

Golden Down Festival announces Four Tet, Roots Manuva and more!

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The festival will take place from the 15th to the 17th June in Black Bush Valley on the Matterley Estate. Complemented by Hampshire’s beautiful hills and plush woodland the festival will be an incredible artistic playground, and promises party-goers a feel-good three days featuring a mix of eclectic acts and genres.

Organised by likeminded festival-lovers with a simple mantra to put on a brilliant festival done to the highest standards, Golden Down promises to be an intimate three day getaway, with a capacity of only 5,000. Although it won’t change your life it will certainly be a magical, musical Mecca that is a must… provided you are over 18!

Taking the festival back to its glorious roots, the event has a prominent musical narrative, with guests being carried through from day to night with contemporary and good-time tunes and acts. Artists will play from noon onwards and continue into the festival’s late night celebrations. However, the entertainment doesn’t stop there as revellers can enjoy Golden Down’s delights well into the early hours of the morning.

A handpicked selection of brilliant musicians will warm up the festival site during the afternoons; Submotion Orchestra, Floating Points, Lucy Rose, Stealing Sheep, Slow Club, Portico Quartet, Time & Space Machine and Adrian Sherwood (DJ Set) are all confirmed. 

Roots ManuvaAs evening dawns the next wave of enviable artists take to the stage, with Friday welcoming Ghostpoet, The Herbaliser, and ethereal headliner Four Tet. Saturday evening will see MOBO award winner Roots Manuva headline, with many more acts to be announced. Occupying the evening slot on the final day of the festival are Apparat and Dub Pistols, who are headed up by the legendary Lee Scratch Perry.

Late night at Golden Down will showcase some of the best DJs in the Dance Tent, including house legend Kerri Chandler, tech/house aficionado Portable, and the forward thinking Pearson Sound; along with ‘footsteppin’ Julio Bashmore, self-confessed ‘Galactic Funk’ DJ Space Dimension Controller, Leeds supremo Midland, and the genre-bending Ben UFO.

As well as crafting the perfect party atmosphere, chill out time at Golden Down will be unparalleled. There will also be a broad selection of fantastic bars on offer supplemented with award-winning fresh food at fair prices, plus big welcoming camp sites, plenty of toilets and washing facilities.