Loadstar

Andy C presents RAM comes to SW4

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After witnessing the emphatic return of the ground-breaking Roni Size Reprazent [Live] with a string of sold out shows last year, it was time to get our hands on this drum and bass phenomenon and showcase their talents at South West Four. The seven piece band comprising of Roni Size, Dynamite MC, Onallee, Si John, D Product, Jay Wilcox and Yuval Gabay are an act we’ve deeply loved over the years, so to bring them to Clapham Common is quite simply mission accomplished. They join Andy C and RAM as the stage’s very special guests, with a promise to deliver an extraordinary live show that is sure to go down in SW4 history.

Hailing from Vienna, Camo & Krooked are one of the most electrifying duos of today and one that we welcome to South West Four for the very first time. Having championed the scene for over a decade, their infectious sound has spread worldwide resulting in an army of revellers eagerly awaiting their next move. With SW4 now marked on their tour diary, anticipation is already rising. As leading pioneers of drum and bass, their last London visit saw the Austrian duo ignite Brixton Academy on New Years Eve and if that was anything to go by, you’d better hold tight.

Made up of Gavin Harris and Nick Hill, formerly and respectively known to the drum and bass world as Xample and Lomax, Loadstar has surpassed the very highest of expectations in recent years. By fusing their individual styles, the duo have created a unique sound that imbues club dance floors and festival arenas alike with incredible energy and impeccable musical precision. Firm favourites within the RAM camp, their addition to the stage is huge. Having just completed an incredible tour of the US and Canada including a standout date at RAM’s Miami WMC takeover, the hype for their London return has never been greater.

Dan Havers and Chris Page or better known as DC Breaks have also been hand-picked to be part of this full-blown assault of the senses. Make no mistake about it, when it comes to crafting fierce dance-floor weapons these two are at the top of the class. Signed to RAM in 2010 thanks to their brilliant production skills, the British duo have gone on to release a catalogue of drum and bass debauchery on the label on top of stellar remixes for Tinie Tempah, Loadstar and Example. With their latest offering ‘Faithless’ ft Bianca receiving unconditional support from Andy C himself, their exclusive summer performance will not disappoint. 

Also joining the August Bank Holiday madness is another of RAM’s greatest assets. Celebrated as one of the imprint’s most talented producers, we are delighted to welcome Culture Shock on Sunday 30th August. Boasting an array of hugely creative drum and bass productions which take influences from the broadest fields of house, techno and beyond, Culture Shock is a force to be reckoned with. This, along with his eclectic DJ sets, make him one of the most exciting acts to emerge from RAM’s international melting-pot of talent in recent years and one who’s trademark sounds is sure to rattle Clapham Common to its core.

ANDY C 
PRESENTS
RAM
SUB FOCUS · WILKINSON [LIVE]

CAMO & KROOKED*

JAGUAR SKILLS [LIVE]

LOADSTAR* · DC BREAKS* · CULTURE SHOCK*

PLUS VERY SPECIAL GUEST:

RONI SIZE REPRAZENT [LIVE]*
*JUST ANNOUNCED

Evolution Festival 26 & 27 May 2013

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Since 2002 Evolution Festival, known locally as “Evo” has changed format several times starting as a multi venue event and moving locations around the Quayside.

Evolution is now a two stage event based around the Spillers Wharf area of the Quayside next to the River Tyne.  This means everything is closer together and there is less walking time between the Spillers Wharf stage and the Ballast Hills stage which is great when there are so many acts to enjoy!

Arriving in Newcastle on Sunday, the festival location was easy to find as there were large groups of people wearing UV paint to follow!  The weather set the scene for a beautiful and rare sunny Bank holiday Sunday in the UK and helped make a brilliant atmosphere even better!

After walking through the main entrance, the first thing I noticed was the lively atmosphere, the fun vibe and smiling faces.  There were plenty of places to eat and drink, we headed straight for the pork and stuffing batches and then found an area amongst the revellers to enjoy our food and check out what was going on around us before deciding it was time for the bar.  The main bar served a selection of wine, beer and cider and the Keglevich Cocktail tent was next door if you fancied a fruity alternative.  The bar service was excellent and there were no large queues like you would normally experience, this remained the same whenever I went to get a drink during the two day festival.   

Opposite these, was the Red Bull tent where DJ’s spinning some great sets in between bands stopped people in their tracks and created an impromptu dance floor!

We then made our way to the Ballast Hill stage to enjoy Loadstar, the atmosphere at this stage was really lively with dancing and moshing, everyone was there to enjoy themselves and make the most of the music.  Other acts we enjoyed at the Ballast Hills stage on Sunday were Lethal Bizzle and Modestep who if possible, got the crowd going even more!  I couldn’t help but smile being around all these people having such a good time.

As we moved to the Spillers Wharf stage, the crowd were slightly older and there was no moshing but still an amazing atmosphere.  We enjoyed Rudimental who played all of the best songs from their album and surprised the crowd with a brilliant cover of the Fugees “Ready Or Not” halfway through their set.

Next up was Ellie Goulding who, playing at the festival for the second time opened her set with 'Figure 8' and sang her rendition of Elton John’s 'Your Song'.  Ellie finished her set with some more of her well known songs: Lights, Starry Eyed and I Need Your Love accompanied by the majority of the crowd singing every word with her.

Headliners The Vaccines who recently performed to a sell-out crowd at Newcastle’s O2 Academy were extremely popular, it seemed as though the majority of people who sang along and danced throughout had come specifically to see them.

When we left the festival at around 11pm the atmosphere was still buzzing with everyone still wanting to dance, probably heading to Digital in Times Square where the official after party was held.

The weather not quite as sunny on the Monday but that didn’t dampen anyone’s sprits as we enjoyed a breakfast on the Quayside and watched the UV painted crowds of people heading towards the festival site. 

We arrived in time to see Gorgon City on the Ballast Hills stage and the atmosphere today seemed to be even crazier than it was on Sunday!

We switched between the Spillers Wharf and Ballast Hills stages a lot on Monday as there were so many acts we wanted to see, this was made possible due to the great layout and organisation of the festival.

Considering I hadn’t heard of Lulu James, I thought she was one of the best acts at the festival.  She enjoyed a great reception from the crowd and looked amazing in a legless black leather body suit and an enormous collar.

AlunaGeorge, made up of Aluna Francis on vocals and George Reid on the decs were probably less well known than other acts on the Spillers Wharf stage but they still played to a good sized crowd who really came to life when they performed White Noise, recognising their most well-known track.

Zinc and Mista Jam were both brilliant acts to have on the Ballast Hills stage as they played exactly what the crowd had come to enjoy with almost everyone singing along to all the tracks they played.  Mista Jam filmed the crowd doing the Newcastle version of the Harlem Shake, even getting an eager young lad on stage to dance alone until the beat dropped.  It was great to be part of the crowd for this one and I will be watching it back on You Tube.

Bastille drew a large crowd and finished their enjoyable set with a cover of 90s dance classic 'Rhythm is a Dancer'.

Jake Bugg followed, playing almost everything from his debut album. Jake really knew how to work the crowd alternating his slow and lively songs.

We just made it in to the Ballast Hills area for Sub Focus just before it reached capacity, their set was energetic and despite the fact most of this crowd had been dancing all day they still went crazy

Paloma Faith’s headline performance on the Spillers Wharf stage was a delight to watch and listen to.  She had great stage presence and chatted easily between songs, at one point stopping for a cuppa, commenting on the cold and the amount of denim knicker wearers in the crowd!  Also performing a cover, Paloma sang her version of INXS 'Never Tear us Apart'.

Overall, Evolution Festival was well organised with good security and police presence.  Despite the festival attracting a slightly younger audience than others I’ve been to, it is still an enjoyable place to be with a friendly vibe, plenty of big names to watch and brilliant music to dance to!

Chas & Dave to headline Nozstock Festival

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Also confirmed for the tasty Nozstock smorgasbord of music are: The Dub Pistols, The Strypes, Andy C and MC GQ, Wilkinson, Loadstar, Loko, MC Visionobi, The Beat, Bhi Bhiman, The Computers, Ava Leigh and Velvet Stream. Plus the legendary RAM Records will be hosting a Saturday takeover in The Cubicles. More artists to be announced soon….

This small family-run event now in its 15th year is set in a beautiful rural part of Herefordshire. It started life as a party for relatives and friends and has grown organically over the years into an experience where a sense of belonging still holds true. There is a warm, inclusive welcome, synonymous with the small festival experience, an ethos of fun and participation, and an incredible array of entertainments. With over six stages and many nooks, crannies and secret wooded glades to discover Nozstockers are invited on a journey of discovery through the dingles and the dells of this magical site

The Hidden Valley is landscaped around a ramshackle Tudor farmhouse. It sits behind the main ORCHARD STAGE and is set at the foot of a natural arena on the side of the gently sloping valley. Alongside the farmhouse is the GARDEN STAGE, which provides a more eclectic line up, turning electronic by sundown whilst converted cowshed the CUBICLES pushes out sub-thumping bass and dubstep this year hosted on Saturday by the legendary drum 'n bass label RAM Records. With further music (including a new electro-swing stage), theatre, comedy stages and tents dotted around the site Nozstock offers a cornucopia of wonders to explore

This year’s theme is Wild Wild West, so dust off your cowboy hats, fringed moccasins, saloon skirts and ropey John Wayne impressions for what promises to be the best Nozstock yet.

Line up

In a career spanning 40 years, Chas & Dave are without doubt one of Britain’s longest running and most cherished acts. Chas Hodges (piano, vocals, banjo, guitars) and Dave Peacock (bass guitar, vocals, banjo, guitars) began playing together way back in 1972.  With hits like Gertcha, Rabbit, The Sideboard Song and Margate, they created a sound that was uniquely British and rockin' to boot. And it’s those songs that have ensured that the boys have continued to tour for over five decades to audiences across the world, enchanted by their East End charm and witty song-writing

Their contribution to popular culture was recognised recently by BBC Four with an hour-long documentary detailing their career and influence. The critically acclaimed show was based around the 2011 tour and featured input from Jools Holland, Phill Jupitus, and Pete Doherty to name a few. Also just announced are festival favourites The Dub Pistols (fronted by the enigmatic Barry Ashworth), teenage buzz band The Strypes (tipped by NME as one of the most exciting new bands of 2013), The Beat, Benny Page, The Computers and Ava Leigh plus the legendary RAM Records takeover of The Cubicles dance arena. Featuring some of the hottest talent in the dance music scene including the undisputed godfather of DnB, Andy C, who will once again be bringing his bag of bass-heavy tricks, alongside Wilkinson, Loadstar, Loko and MC Visionobi

Sika Studios

SIKA studios are returning to Nozstock! By day they provide break dance lessons and graffiti workshops, with a chance for everyone to get their hands on a spray can, giving all ages the chance to get creative and express themselves. By night, enjoy SIKA’s dynamic programming as they bring you DJs spanning every urban style and bringing a big time groove to your weekend. Keep your ears peeled for some beatbox battles and record label showcases

The Music Pool Charit

This year Nozstock is delighted to announce The Music Pool as an official charity for 2013. A community based music charity for Herefordshire and its borders; they are dedicated to providing chances for people of all ages and abilities to make music together, because it is one of the most powerful ways to improve people's lives and well-being. You can find out more about what they do at www.musicpool.org.uk and catch the best of their Livewire youth music project showcased on The Bandstand on Saturday

Cosy Camping from Yippee-Yurt

If there’s one thing that would make your Noz experience that little bit snugger, it would be having a non-soggy sleeping bag, and no muddy footprints on the tent ceiling from the previous weekend (don’t ask). If this sounds like your festival wish list, then you need to book yourself in for some cosy camping. We’re over the moon to have partnered up with Yippee-Yurts who are offering you the chance to build a pick and mix package that suits you (and your wallet!) for the festival weekend, with cosy and spacious fab cotton canvas (no soggy nylon nightmares here!) bell tents, assembled and waiting for you simply furnished with scatter cushions, textile rugs, fleecy throws and decorated around the entrance with solar fairy lights, and more standing room than you’ll know what to do with. If you want to push the boat out why not book an airbed with bed linen and a snuggly duvet! In the Yippee Village there will be a covered chill out area with chairs, tables, BBQ's and charging facilities for your phones and pads! They even offer a luggage porter service and they stay on-site to look after you for the whole event! Start your cosy camping experience atwww.yippeeyurts.webs.com or email [email protected] to choose what you want for your weekend home. Just imagine, perfect days at Nozstock and perfect nights in your bell tent. Could your weekend get any better?