Cornwall’s immersive and theatrical festival The Masked Ball celebrates its 10th birthday party in customary style this May with a line-up of world class DJs and acts including Jungle, Basement Jaxx, Julio Bashmore, Mike Skinnerand more. Crafting a name far-and-wide for their creative carnage, guests ofThe Manor can expect reputations met in regal surroundings… a venue carved into the cliff-top of Mounts Bay. Announcing a list of seminal DJs to soundtrack their most deranged, strangest soiree yet, The Masked Ball is set to keep changing up into another decade dominating their local scene. All of this lavished on guests as they get lost in the increased dosage of the first, fully-fledged weekender.
Headliners will have the main hall chandeliers swinging through the cutting-edge Funktion One sound-system, for the crowd at the core of this sprawling event. Featuring a serious selection of party pioneers on its stage, The Masked Ball is demanding only the finest for its most decadent Birthday yet: Jungle,Basement Jaxx and Julio Bashmore set the tone of Cornwall’s signature session with their definitive sounds. Elsewhere rave royalty Mike Skinner and deep house stalwarts like Ben Pearce, Paul Woolford and Chicago's Robert Owens make for the same no compromise approach to three days of cleverly curated chaos, with the voice of beats that is Radio 1’s B. Traits keeping them thumping.
Off the back of last year’s sell out event, winter snow sports and music festival,Snowboxx announces it’s first wave of stellar acts for its 4th week long annual event in its brand new home mountain home of Avoriaz from 12th– 19th March 2016.
With its move to the snowy peaks of Avoriaz, France for 2016, Snowboxx is now nestled in the largest connected ski area in the world with 650km’s of pistes and the best snowparks in Europe and features its very own festival village which includes a massive main stage, après area, ice bars, tasty food vendors, festival attractions and some of the best snow brands in the Alps.
Snowboxx will be the ultimate festival epicenter and is accessible by skis, snowboard or foot to the heart of Avoriaz. There are also more venues and standout features on this years program which reflect the new expanded capacity, making this the most ambitious Snowboxx event to date.
As ever, Snowboxx has a varied and creative line up in store for 2016. The team today announce just a few big names for the first wave of acts; hip-hop legend Grandmaster Flash, former front man of The Streets; Mike Skinner, Grime’s man of the hour Stormzy, chart smashing Drum & Bass duo Sigma, and a show stopping live set from Blonde all form the beginnings of this year’s huge line up.
Snowboxx’s even has it’s very own nightclub; XX, which this year brings Radio One’s Monki, who will be hosting her infamous night with Monki & Friends.
With many more exciting acts, stages, terraces and brand partners to be announced soon, Snowboxx 2016 promises an electrifying mix of live acts and DJ’s.
Taking over the French resort of Avoriaz for an entire week 12th -19th March, the festival is a hive of activity and as ever, Snowboxx is about more than just the music, there is a full schedule of unique off slope festival activities on the program, from human bowling to pro snowball arenas, Snowboxx has really thought outside the box to bring endless immersive content such as the Karaoke Cabins and Stash Park BBQ amongst many other things. With more features to be yet announced, guests can expect surprises around every corner of the resort and a truly unforgettable experience.
This year, to add to the already jam packed program, Snowboxx are teaming up with French festival Rock The Pistes who bring a full week of live mountain top music to areas across the Port Du Soleil region. Stages are dotted across the mountain range making everywhere a party on the festival piste.
Snowboxx is a great opportunity for skiers and snowboarders of all levels to experience the fantastic tree lined pistes and variety of runs that the Port Du Soleil region is famed for. Whilst festivalgoers take to the mountains to enjoy the region’s famous pistes, first-timers can get lessons on the bunny sloped or simply enjoy the activities in the festival epicenter.
Headlining Ceremony’s main stage are The Martinez Brothers, playing a London festival exclusive for summer 2015! The two Bronx-bred DJs are at the heart of today’s house and techno scene. Raised on their father’s love of New York’s Paradise Garage, the brother’s taste for classic house sounds encapsulates everything Ceremony aims to showcase – innovation, energy, and a wealth of musical heritage. Pushing this concept further is long-serving house DJ and producer Armand Van Helden,whose exclusive classic 90s set will explore his deep-rooted affiliation with New York’s club scene, going back to his roots and the string of seminal tracks he crafted under an array of aliases early in his career. Fellow American and Hot Creations label owner Lee Foss will be on-hand to represent the techno sounds of his hometown of Chicago. Elusive Parisian Shiba San will also feature, who has hit the ground running following the release of ‘Okay’ via Dirtybird last year, with support also coming from one half of No Fit State label owner Geddes and the legendary Artwork. With further appearances from London based duoEli & Fur, an ambassador of the original Jackin’ Chicago house sound, Weiss, and the inimitableMenendez Brothers, Ceremony’s main stage will be an incredible celebration of the past, present and future of electronic music culture. Following what promises to be his biggest Ibiza season to date, Found Series favourite, DJ Sneak brings his I’m AHouse Gangster movement to host Ceremony’s second arena, joined by some of his closest allies. Grammy Award nominated Todd Terry and Harry Romero – who joined Pete Tong’s Hall of Fame in 2013 – help to make up a bill that represents some of house music’s most influential producers alongside the legendary talents of Doc Martin. Bringing a taste of techno to the House Gangster arena,Ramon Tapia joins ranks having recently scooped a season residency for Magna Carta at Sankeys Ibiza, with Jesse Perez rounding off the programme.
Having featured at last year’s inaugural edition, Santé and Sidney Charles will return to Ceremony Festival with a special AVOTRE stage takeover. Heavily supported by Found since its inception, the label’s main men are renowned for their electrifying back-to-back sets that are constantly jam-packed with heavy club rollers most recently demonstrated in their 2014 summer smash ‘All Night Long’. Also joined by DJ Mag’s ‘Best Breakthrough Producer’ of 2014 Josh Butler, is special guest Hector Couto, whose recent releases alongside Cuartero and Darius Syrossian have seen his reputation rapidly accelerate. Crosstown Rebels cohort Russ Yallop is also billed, as well as emerging Liverpudlian Dale Howard and up and coming member of the AVOTRE collective, Kalyde.
Tipping their cap to powerful and ongoing influence of UK garage on the electronic world, is Ceremony’sHeritage stage, which will be fronted by one of the godfathers of garage house, Todd Edwards. Known for collaging cut-up samples over swung beats and disco flavoured bass lines, Edwards’ four-to-the-floor beats have earned him a passionate following that most recently won him incredible acclaim for his collaboration with Daft Punk on ‘Fragments of Time’. Former frontman of The Streets and bonafide legend of the UK scene, Mike Skinner, will also feature alongside the duo-alias of Scott Garcia and Sticky’s Foundation – two of the most influential names in UKG. Sets are also confirmed from figureheads Matt Jam Lamont and Grant Nelson – who between them have been integral in shaping the genre’s lineage – as well as back-to-back’s from KMA Productions and Narrows, and Groove Chronicles and Mike Ruff Cut Lloyd. Another super special guest is set to be revealed before the day.
The London grime scene is at the top of its game again, with huge cultural influence in 2015. After resounding popularity of their showcase at Urban Nerds stage at last year’s Ceremony, Tropical fly the flag for grime and have now been let loose with a whole arena to themselves. Lead by one half of collective and label Boy Better Know, JME will be joined by a second, more gritty appearance from Todd Edwards as well as showcases from Birmingham-born grime and garage producers, Preditah and C4. Dubstep and grime innovator Plastician will also return to Ceremony alongside loyal representativesLogan Sama and Slimzee, whilst representing grime’s next generation is one of the most promising new voices in the scene, Novelist, and his collective The Square. A special guest of epic proportions within the grime scene is still to be announced.
London’s leading hip-hop night So Fresh So Clean are set to return to Ceremony Festival to deliver the very best in classic hip-hop and R&B from the 90s and double-ohs. Joining a very special headliner is prolific London hip-hop selector, Harry Love, a former Scratch Perverts member and one of the scene’s most beloved DJs, with a reputation that’s seen him support the likes of Jay-Z, Kanye West and Run DMC and tour with the likes of Dizzee Rascal. London’s original DJ MK and So Fresh party founders The Menendez Brothers will be in check, as well as Hutch, Dan Hills and a back-to-back with Alex Crescent and Nite Sleaze, So Fresh So Clean will ensure the vibe never falters.
Undercover lifestyle hotline Sports Banger have probably hit a venue near you with their Swamp81, RinseFM and School Records affiliated brand of party mischief. The brand is cemented by a quintessentially British t-shirt line and limited sportswear runs as probably worn by one of your favourite DJs, at some point. They bring fun and games to the Ceremony Festival 2015 VIP with an extra special line-up full of surprises and led by Artwork, a DJ who knows how to throw a party better than most. As ever VIPs jump the queue and once inside the ride, can bask in the glory of a cocktail bar, a half decent bite to eat and most importantly, some luxury loos, all soundtracked by Jonny Banger's famous DJ mates.
LINEUP.
CEREMONY
The Martinez Brothers London Festival Exclusive Armand Van Helden Classic 90s Set Lee Foss Shiba San Geddes Artwork Eli & Fur Weiss The Menendez Brothers
I’M A HOUSE GANGSTER
DJ Sneak Todd Terry Harry Romero Doc Martin Ramon Tapia Jesse Perez
A VOTRE
Santé Sidney Charles Josh Butler Russ Yallop Dale Howard Kalyde Special Guest: Hector Couto
HERITAGE
Special Guest Todd Edwards Mike Skinner Foundation (Scott Garcia & Sticky) Matt Jam Lamont Grant Nelson KMA Productions b2b Narrows Groove Chronicles b2b Mike Ruff Cut Lloyd Sunship Nexx Vencha
TROPICAL
JME Special Guest Todd Edwards Preditah C4 Plastician Logan Sama Novelist & The Square Slimzee
SO FRESH SO CLEAN
Special Guest Harry Love
DJ MK The Menendez Brothers Hutch Alex Crescent b2b Nite Sleaze Dan Hills
We here at the Summer Festival Guide are excited to announce the newest addtions to this years South West Four which include Mistajam, Mike Skinner, MJ Cole, Friction and more! Read on for more information.
As one of electronic music’s most instantly recognizable and influential characters, MistaJam will make his way to South West Four for the very first time to host the next edition of his bubbling multi-genre melting pot, Speakerbox. His fearless approach of mixing humour and musical risks has propelled him through the ranks of BBC 1Xtra and Radio 1, resulting in him being widely considered as the nation’s ambassador for fresh new music. As one of theleading pioneers of the UK’s crossover climate, his ear for undiscovered music and rising talent is second to none. Having expressed that musical boundaries are clearly of no interest, expect the unexpected as MistaJam gets ready to host the next episode of Speakerbox at South West Four on Sunday 24th August.
SW4 is pleased to announce one of the finest back-to-back battles in all of our ten year history. As two of the urban scene’smost inspiring figures, we can confirm that Mike Skinner and MJ Cole will go head-to-head for the greatestof festival performances. Through releasing records such as ‘Sincere’, MJ Cole’s intricate, heart-wrenching garage productions has kept him at the forefront of a continuously evolving market. Lining up alongside him is the man behind the musical phenomenon, The Streets. Continuing to push boundaries as a musician, Mike’s DJ sets vary from house to old school hip-hop right through to drum and bass, and therefore it is safe to say that Skinner never fails toignite the party spirit. As the perfect festival addition, this is a specialone-off performance that you cannot afford to miss.
Oxide & Neutrino are London’s original DJ and MC duo and subsequently form one of 2014’s most eagerly anticipated debut performances. As former members of the infamous So Solid Crew, their relentless energy and on-stage chemistry make them two of the most electrifying live performers of today. With timeless classics ‘Bound 4 Da Reload’ and ‘No Good 4 Me’ sure to bring Clapham Common alive, there is no doubt that the boys from South London are preparing to deliver a very special performance on their home soil. With the dynamic duo bringing it back to where it all began, this marks a landmark occasion and one of the weekend’s standout highlights.
If you were lucky enough to witness the utter carnage created on our main stage by Friction in 2013, then you’ll know exactly why we’ve invited him back for more. As one of the most revered names in the game thanks to hisastonishing three deck wizardry and extraordinary technical ability, we can now confirm the official return of the Shogun Audio boss. Boasting one of the most extensive back catalogues in drum and bass, Friction has been associated with every major labelimaginable including RAM, Hospitality and Metalheadz. SW4 get ready for anarchy and disorder as we welcome Friction back to Clapham Common.
Hailing from the UK’s electronic music mecca of Bristol, My Nu Leng have established themselves as one of the most creative and exciting duos of today. As core members of the Black Butter crew, the pair have mastered a soundthat is simply impossibleto pigeonhole by drawing influence from the entire electronic spectrum and constantly shifting between pitch-layered vocals and bass-heavy rumbles. With further remix duties catering for Clean Bandit,Naughty Boy and Rudimental on top of the release of their ‘Masterplan’ EP earlier this year; we cannot wait to hand My Nu Leng their SW4 debut.
From the electronic breeding ground that is Canada, B.Traits boasts one of the most original sounds on the scene. By incorporating the key elements of breakbeat, jungle, dubstep, drum & bass, reggae, house, garage and everything in between, B.Traits is the ultimate festival performer. With her weekly Tuesday nightradio show on Radio 1 showcasing the finest emerging UK bass music, her sets are always bursting with vibrant, forward-thinking future music. Adopting a mix and match approach that would normally spell disaster for the lesser skilled hands, the female half of Digital Soundboy is undoubtedly one of the world’s most exciting female talents making this one up-front performance one you can’t afford to miss.
Miami based hip-hop leaning duo GTA have certified themselves as one of today’s most interesting and unique electronic acts. Made up of Matt and Julio, the duo is armed with endless creativity, a tireless work ethic and a fierce dedication to their craft. Refusing to be held to a particular sound, the boundary-breakers have taken USA by storm and are well on their way to conquering Europe. This has led to a permanent queue of support and in-turn remix requests from the highest order; Deadmau5, Wolfgang Gartner, Michael Woods and Clockwork to name a few. SW4 get ready for GTA.
As one of the freshest young talents currently rising through the electronic ranks, Karma Kid has quickly become one of the most promising prospects in UK bass music. From bursting onto the scene with a series of original releases on Just Us, Roche Music and L2S Recordings to a stellar remix of Ben Pearce’s ‘What I Might Do’, Kidnap Kid is clearly one of the leading innovators of the new school. Playing South West Four for what is sure to be thefirst of many times, 2014 looks set to be a dominating year for the 19 year old. You can find out exactly why as he lands at SW4 on Sunday 24th August.
Bristols finest festival Love Saves the Day has just announced that Mike Skinner and Keisza have joined the bill.
Check the lineup below:
With anticipation building and with just over a month to go until the finest purveyors of electronic music descend on Castle Park in Bristol for Love SavesThe Day, Team Love have announced that Keisza has been added to the line -up for Saturday replacing Clean Bandit who will now be performing on the Sunday due to being asked by Radio 1 to perform at One Big Weekend. Former Streets man Mike Skinner has also been added to the bill for the Sunday of the festival.
After selling out their inaugural event last year, dollop return with EVERYWHERE once again, taking place across a multitude of Nottingham's best venues on May 4th. Everywhere’s sister event in London (ELSEWHERE) takes place in various Hackney venues on May 2nd – May 3rd.
As with parent night dollop, EVERYWHERE's commitment to showcasing the upper ranks of cutting-edge club music holds firm. In amongst the currently announced acts, some names stand out as legitimate crossover acts: mainstream infiltrators and some of the most in-demand DJs working today.
Amongst them, 90s house kingpin and recent claimant of a first UK no.1 single MK will be making a very welcome trip back to the city he played twice last year: once as a special EVERYWHERE 001 guest, and again as a dollop headliner. Marc Kinchen will be joined by another unlikely chart topper in the form of 21-year-old Route 94, a producer sure to bring his love to EVERYWHERE this year. Dubstep-gone-disco wildchild Skream – arguably Croydon's finest export since Kate Moss – returns to Nottingham after a triumphant set ringing in 2014 at dollop's New Year's Eve spectacular; Artwork, his partner in festival conquering supergroup Magnetic Man, joins us for the ride too.
Hudson Mohawke first started playing for dollop back in 2010 – since then the eclectic Scot has ascended to the peak of the US hip-hop game, working closely with the likes of superstars Kanye West, Daft Punk and R.Kelly; he touches down at EVERYWHERE in advance of a feverishly-anticipated new album. Mike Skinner is yet another global superstar on the lineup, having performed Nottingham multiple times as millions-selling, Brit-winning, 00s-defining project The Streets – here he plays a rare DJ set, sure to showcase the classic UK Garage sound upon which he built his legacy.
A glut of similarly respected veterans give EVERYWHERE an unmatched authority when it comes to familiar faces of underground electronic music. Paul Woolford's run of tech house releases over the past decade marked him as an under-the-radar favourite, but 2013 proved a long-awaited breakout year: "Untitled" ran out song of the summer, and his breakbeat dalliances as Special Request kickstarted the jungle revival. Multiple dollop headliner Scuba's legacy is equally assured: first instrumental in forging middle-ground between London dubstep and Berlin techno, his decision to explore brighter house music brought a flash flood of colour back to dancefloors, pushing the Hotflush head honcho onto peak-time festival slots the world over. Enigmatic producers Floating Points and Leon Vynehall make their EVERYWHERE debuts; both will bring record bags stuffed with dusty soul, rare disco and leftfield house.
dollop's resolute dedication to showcasing upcoming talent is in full effect at EVERYWHERE 002, where the cream of the (bubbling) crop are due to play: Bass-heavy club champions Paleman and Mak & Pasteman will join up with the daddy Loefah, founder of scene-defining labels DMZ, Swamp 81, School, and a dollop mainstay. 2013's EVERYWHERE headliners Disclosure will be pitching in from the periphery this year, given that stars-in-waiting Tourist and Lxury are stablemates on the brothers' Method label. A whole glut more of dancefloor-focused house talents pad out the bill: wAFF, Richy Ahmed, Hannah Wants, Karma Kid, Isaac Tichauer and many, many more. It makes for a faintly dizzying read; and, come Sunday May 4th in Nottingham, will make for a thoroughly head-spinning run of DJ sets at the second EVERYWHERE Festival.
While Friday day tickets for the award-winning Hampshire event are still available via www.blissfields.co.uk, Saturday day tickets and all weekend festival tickets are now sold out.
Founders Paul and Mel Bliss have said, “we are so excited to be selling out so far in advance of the festival this year, and for the first time at our new home on Vicarage Farm, bringing back such sweet memories of the much smaller festivals we ran on our own farm which used to sell out like this. The Blissfields family may have grown but it still feels just like that – our festival family getting back together in a field again!
To have sold out this year with the difficult economic climate makes us even more elated and gives us real faith in the future and the amazing team that have put the event together with us, and for festivals in general. There’ve been so many wonderful festivals cancel over the past few years, some big and some small – even we had to cancel in 2008 – making it especially humbling to be back with our biggest capacity, strongest line-up and in a position where we can now put on the most exciting show we ever have done.”
Under the banner ‘The Director’s Cut’, the award-winning Hampshire festival will be celebrating all things film in its 13th year, from the early talkies to VIP Hollywood parties. Expect a weekend full of red carpets, interactive games, popcorn-throwing dance-offs, film screenings, the best soundtracks, visual treats, hidden treasures and all the usual fun that Blissfields has become synonymous with… topped by an incredible music bill.
Bastille’s Dan Smith has said, "we're massively excited about our first ever headline slot at a festival. Particularly because we love Blissfields so much, and because they've been so supportive to us over the last couple of years”.
Mystery Jets added, "It's been a long time Blissfields and we've missed you. The last time involved some happy mis-adventures, not forgetting of course the incredible show of warmth from the Bliss kids as we played our songs. Sunshine, cider, music and many other things are gonna mix together to make this a real blast and we're very much looking forward to joining you all on that. Thank you for having us, L O V E."
Elsewhere on the festival program, this year sees the launch of the Blissfields Independent Film Festival inviting new film-makers to showcase their shorts before a panel of expert judges, and the Blissfields Beer Festival in association with Hobgoblin, offering pairing on some wonderful local ales.
There’s also a highly acclaimed children’s and family area, an arts and crafts village, secret parties, art sculptures and installations, an acoustic café, and so much more on offer within the tree-lined site of the intimate, friendly Blissfields Festival.
MYSTERY JETS ~ BASTILLE
THE DOT FEAT MIKE SKINNER + ROB HARVEY ~ FRIENDS ~ MATT CORBY THEME PARK ~ MAN LIKE ME ~ THE STAVES ~ CLEAN BANDIT DUB PISTOLS ~ LONDON GRAMMAR ~ CHLOE HOWL ~ JOSEF SALVAT BONDAX ~ FAMY ~ MARIKA HACKMAN ~ FAR TOO LOUD SAM SMITH ~ ZION TRAIN FEAT PERCH + DUB DADDA ~ ARLISSA POST WAR YEARS ~ DRENGE ~ PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING THE OTHER TRIBE ~ SUBGIANT ~ SUBSOURCE ~ THUMPERS TRANSGRESSIVE SOUNDSYSTEM ~ JIM LOCKELY & THE SOLEMN SUNS BLAENAVON ~ GENERAL ROOTS ~ LISTENING PARTY ALLY WOLF ~ ALEX THE KIDD & ENVIOUS MIND ~ ALEX WALKER ~ ANDY COMLEY ~ ANIMAL ARTFUL & RIDNEY ~ AXIS MUNDI ~ BEANS ON TOAST ~ BELLYEYESMILE BEARD OF WOLVES ~ BEAT CLEVER ~ BELLIGERENCE ~ BEN GODDARD ~ BEN PAUL BIG FIN (MATT REYNOLDS) ~ BITR8 ~ BOMBS ~ BOSCH STACEY ~ BOULE ~ BRYONY MARIE FRY CHARLIE AYLIFFE ~ CHARLIE FOX ~ CHARLEY MACAULEY ~ CHOLOMBIAN ~ CHROMA TOUCH DAN HAYES, ANGRY & DAN MUNRO ~ DANZAI ~ DAVE MIATT ~ DEADPROUD ~ DELAMERE DEM HUNGRY ~ DIARMO & L'AUBAINE ~ DISCO'S OUT MURDER'S IN ~ DJ GREY JUMPS DR. STRANGELOVE'S BURLESQUE DISCOTHEQUE ~ EDDY ROCKSTEDDY ~ ELIZA SHADDAD ELLA JANES ~ FILTHY FUNK FUNK ~ FISH HOOK ~ FLIGHT BRIGADE ~ FLOELLA GRACE FLYING ALEXANDERS ~ FERVENT ~ GALLERY 47 ~ GILES WHITELEY ~ HABITATS ~ HAMMY HAIRY HANDS ~ HARPER ~ HASH ~ HEATHWARD ~ HOLY VESSELS ~ HOOCH DJ IAN WILKINSON ~ IS BLISS ~ IT'S A SIN DJS ~ JACKO HOOPER ~ JAFR0 ~ JAMIE PARISIO ~ JAY B JETPACK ASSASSIN ~ JOE RAYGUN ~ JOSH SAVAGE ~ JUNGLE DOCTORS ~ KASSASSIN STREET K1R3Y ~ KEMP ~ KILL EM DEAD COWBOY ~ KOIN DJs ~ LITTLE CHIEF ~ LOVELESS DJS LUCA PILATO ~ LUCY KITCHEN ~ LUKE FERRE ~ LUXE ~ MARY MISS FAIRY ~ MATT CLARK MATT JARVIS ~ MATT PERRIMENT ~ MATTY LAH ~ MAXIN DJ's ~ MEGAN THOMAS MORGAN HISLOP ~ MR HUW ~ NATHAN LAMBERT ~ NELLY B PAGE ~ NEON M3 ~ NICK TANN ONE STEP TOO LATE ~ PAUL DIELLEO ~ PHAT PAT ~ PSYCHEDLIA DJS THE QUICKANDTHEDEAD ~ REMNANT PSYCHE ~ REVENTURE ~ REX DOMINO SAM BROTHERS ~ SAM SALLON ~ SEAN MCGOWAN ~ SEB MARX SHUDDERVISION WITH DIGITS MCPHEE ~ SOUNDTRACKS ~ SO8L ~ STONE THEM CROWS SUICIDE PARTY ~ TERMINAL FEAR ~ TROPICS DJ ~ THE CADBURY SISTERS ~ THE CRAMATICS THE GREAT ONE ~ THE HARLEQUIN ~ THE RAGED ~ THE WIDOWMAKER ~ TOM JAMES TOM LOWMAN ~ TYDE ~ UPON THE SHORE ~ VISULANTE ~ WILL CHUMP ~ WILLOW WINTERHOURS ~ WUB WORLD ~ YOUNG SKIN ~ ZENTHETIX
FRIENDS, THE STAVES, THE D.O.T., THEME PARK, MAN LIKE ME, DUB PISTOLS, SAM SMTIH, DRENGE, THUMPERS, ARLISSA and more.
Performing a unique and special late night festival show, the legendary Mike Skinner and The Music frontman Rob Harvey who make up exciting new electronica duo The D.O.T. fuse Skinner’s meticulous dance production with classic pop songwriting, the results heard on debut album And That celebrated for it’s lairy, heady balance of style and genre, while it’s follow on lands this summer. As part of The Streets, Skinner enjoyed huge success with five top-ten albums including the number one records The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living and A Grand Don’t Come For Free which featured the number one single ‘Dry Your Eyes’. Last month he also received an NME Award for his memoir The Story Of The Streets.
Folk trio The Staves make their Blissfields debut this summer, the Atlantic Records signings bringing the kind of contemplative, delicate serenity that guest featured on Tom Jones’ Praise And Blame to the Hampshire countryside this July. Championed by Bon Iver who they recently joined on tour, the much revered band have also found the ear of Jools Holland fans following a performance on Later.
They’re joined by Brooklyn dance-pop troupe Friends who following a year of support from people like Huw Stephens for their mutant disco funk carnage, were one of last year’s most talked about live acts. Their greatly admired debut record followed soon after the New Yorkers landed on BBC’s Sounds of 2012 poll, and was surrounded by months of hugely entertaining party shows in the vein of Tom Tom Club and ESG. Now readying a new album, expect brand new material in their celebratory Blissfields show.
Fresh from touring with Bloc Party, the bright and quirksome leaders of British indieTheme Park join the line-up this year, their intelligent, modern use of groove and guitar on their self-titled debut album likening them to a festal Talking Heads or Fine Young Cannibals, restlessly running wild in the school yard at break time. With playlist support from Radio 1, and a sell-out UK tour recently tucked under their belt, their return to Blissfields will celebrate an exciting year for the band.
Thursday night will see a performance from Man Like Me, returning to the festival to headline its opening night alongside winners of the Road To Blissfields competition happening in 13 venues across the country, from The Sugarmill in Stoke-On-Trent to The Monarch in Camden, throughout Spring. Man Like Me are renowned for their fun live performances that have previously soundtracked some of the biggest party crowds at Blissfields, their piercing pop complimented by sharp stage antics and hip-hop bravado.
Featured on BBC’s Sounds of 2013 list, hungry young star making huge headway in the pop world Arlissa’s music has been described by the Guardian as “stirring, valedictory anthems about discontinued love, mournful but not nostalgic”. She also joins the corral of diverse and exciting artists that comprise this year’s Blissfields music bill as festival fans will welcome the return of Dub Pistols.
Along with Drenge, Sam Smith, Thumpers, Blaenavon, and Jim Lockey, who are also confirmed, these additions follow in the great Blissfields lineage of emerging talent, the festival having previously showcased the likes of Mumford & Sons, Laura Marling and Ben Howard before their meteoric rise to popdom, while more recently Jake Bugg and Charli XCX, who appeared in 2012, have both seen chart and critical hype respectively. Blissfields commitment to providing the most exciting all-round line-up in such an intimate environment remains at the heart of its ethos.
