Richie Hawtin

The Rainbow Venues’ Festival: Chapter XII Review

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When casting my eyes over the Chapter XII line-up, it was a sheer reflection of the inconceivable talent that The Rainbow Venues showcase year after year. The distinct sounds of Dubfire, Jamie Jones, Richie Hawtin and Loco Dice – to name but a few – were to be heard at one of the most dedicated hubs for the electronic scene in the heart of Digbeth, Birmingham, and this line-up was one of the most incredible to date. With a host of stages – from the Warehouse, to the Arena and up to the Rooftop Terrace, this was definitely about to be a day to remember. And my God, it was.

Kicking of the festival season in style, you could definitely tell it wasn’t summer quite yet; a waterfall or rain thwarted a huge crowd of ravers towards their chosen tent, with us heading straight to see a true pioneer of techno, Richie Hawtin, filling the Car Park stage at 4pm. Despite the early time slot, his thumping, minimal set drew in a huge crowd, subtly progressing from one track to the next and cementing his solid reputation as nothing short of a techno king. “Cold weather but amazing warmth and craziness going on inside @rainbowvenues!” he Tweeted post-show – and we couldn’t agree more. It was magnetic, commanding and deep, and set the tone for the day ahead.

The Arena played host to a mighty selection of acts throughout the day; Israeli DJ Guy Gerber played an intense and memorable set to a captivated crowd, the tent literally overflowing with revellers even with Hawtin smashing the Car Park just seconds away. The crowd was well and truly warmed up in time for a less intense, but equally as captivating Sasha playing B2B with Nic Fancuilli, their beats aligned with blasts of cold smoke to a bellowing crowd. The beauty of Chapter XII is that there really is something for everyone; while there was deep house and techno pounding through the majority of stages, the Roof Terrace played host to an array of garage and grime artists, the likes of Redlight, Mak & Pasteman, Mele and Preditah causing one of the best crowd atmospheres seen at the entire event. It was a great escape, and one certainly lapped up and loved by every individual present.

Joseph Capriati has made a name for himself as a prominent figurehead on the techno spectrum. Taking to the Car Park stage, his set –accompanied by a spectacular laser display, flame blasts and smoke screens – was one of the climatic sets of the day, a highlight including an impressive build-up of Marco Faraone’s  Boost; it was one of those moments where you look over at your mate, both raise your hands together in unison, and realise why you absolutely love coming to a festival like this – it was nothing short of being absolutely euphoric. Capriati was a lucky coincidence for us; after heading to see Art Department at the Warehouse but it being too busy for us to enter straight away, we didn’t know if this set would compare. But it brought it back and more – Capriati put on an epic showcase, and one I would highly recommend to anyone looking for some blazing, melodic and rip-roaring techno.

 

Something that was truly an exciting addition to the line-up at Chapter XII was the hybrid audiovisual production by dubfire:live, orchestrating an hour set fusion of music, science and technology in an innovative live show format. It was definitely a treat for the senses – so much to see, so much to hear, just a complete visual and melodic ecstasy. Wanting to see everything we possibly could, we had to leave the spectacle to witness the sights of Jamie Jones; a DJ that should be on everyone’s list to see at least once. His sets just connect with an audience like no other, encouraging dancing, moving, fest-pumping and everything inbetween. Slamming in songs such as Nathan Barato ft Sasha Brown – Talk On, and Whiplash – Ghetto Tears, the crowd was captivated, a wave of fist pumps pulsating through the ocean of ravers like a Mexican wave at a cup final at Wembley.

Now, as someone who has seen Loco Dice multiple times, I know now that each set is destined to be absolutely epic, and a perfect way to end our Chapter XII Journey. The Desolate co-boss was the headlining act for the Arena stage, closing down the party in the most intense and impeccable way imaginable. With an abundance of deep, dark sounds roaring through the crowd, the set diverted between tech house and pure, unadulterated techno, complemented by a powerful spectrum of green laser lights which set the crowd alight. It was epic, perfect, intense and simply fantastic – Dice is an unparalleled genius, and was an epic headliner to end an epic event.

Cementing their platform as a house and techno playground, The Rainbow Venues’ Chapter XII was everything we could have expected. With an Elrow presents: Hot Creations after party for those who wanted to carry on deep into the night (with a line-up just as brilliant as the event itself) Chapter XII is truly the gift that keeps on giving. Even though the rain hammered down, the fists still pumped in the air and the atmosphere remained electric – and we certainly won’t be forgetting it anytime soon. Chapter XIII, anyone? 

Chapter XII Festival: Your guide to headliners, tickets and travel

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Saturday, March 26 marks the Midlands’ leading inner-city festival in Birmingham, Chapter XII, taking place at The Rainbow Venues.

The Birmingham based festival will take over a number of unique and industrial areas and will boast more stages than last year’s event, with the launch of new spaces – The Big Top, The Rooftop, The Blackbox and The Arches.

Against the backdrop of Digbeth’s railway arches, Chapter XII will promote innovative stage production, utilising contemporary technology to allow some of the biggest names in house and techno music to perform with spectacular results.

dubfire:live brings a hybrid audiovisual production set-up that has only ever been done in the UK once before. The techno house artist unifies science, technology and music to create an innovative live show with 2D and 3D animation, live audio and lighting.

In The Big Top, Desolat boss Loco Dice, Drumcode’s Italian techno titan Joseph Capriati, live duo Pan Pot, Paradise man Jamie Jones, plus local hero Adam Shelton back to back with Lewis Oxley.

The Arena finds Richie Hawtin playing top of the bill, alongside dubfire:live. Sasha and Nic Fanciulli also set to play back to back. Canadian tech house titan Art Department and classic house and techno man Argy, of Bedrock and BPtich Control, also plays.

The Warehouse sees the return of Maya Jane Coles, Rumors boss Guy Gerber, George Fitzgerald, and techno tastemakers Dense & Pika.

Lobster Boy also takeover with Redlight, Preditah, Mella Dee, NYTA, Mele and Mak & Pasteman. Birmingham's favourite house and techno hotspot The Blackbox boasts sets from Trust chief Nick Curly, Drumcode techno star Alan Fitzpatrick and Fuse foudner Enzo Siragusa.

There will also be ‘Chapter 12 by Night’ as the official after party, hosted by the world famous Elrow (Barcelona) which will see the Hot Creations crew return to Birmingham, featuring key acts like Patrick Topping, Infinity Ink LIVE, wAFF and Russ Yallop

WHEN: Saturday, March 26

WHERE: Birmingham, UK

HOW MUCH: from £30

For more information visit website: http://therainbowvenues.co.uk

Slam Tent lined up for T in the Park 2016

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Following the massive T in the Park line-up revealed by festival organisers DF Concerts and founding partner Tennent’s Lager last week, organisers are delighted to reveal an impressive mix of international electronic dance acts set to play The Slam Tent at T in the Park 2016. The top line-up taking to the decks at Strathallan Castle over 8th – 10th July is:
 
Slam, Richie Hawtin, Jeff Mills, Marcel Dettmann, Seth Troxler, Nina Kraviz,Ricardo Villalobos b2b Raresh, Len Faki, Chris Liebing, DVS1, Guy Gerber, Skream, Daniel Avery, Speedy J, B. Traits, Petrichor
 
It’s Jeff Mill’s first Slam Tent appearance in 7 years headlining Sunday alongside Seth Troxler. Making their debut appearances are DVS1, Speedy J, Daniel Avery and Raresh – who plays a rare b2b with Ricardo Villalobos who himself last played more than a decade ago.
 
Techno titans Slam are renowned worldwide for their blistering back to back sets around the globe. They are the hosts of the Slam Tent four-day extravaganza. The pair always deliver one of the highlight sets of the weekend. Their productions on their own imprint Soma Records are a staple in the sets of just about every DJ at the moment from Ben Klock to Adam Beyer. Last year saw them destroy Cocoon in Ibiza with a special live show. They are also regulars at London's Fabric and host their own monthly Pressure night in Glasgow.
 
Richie Hawtin headlines this year's Slam Tent with a Saturday night final set. He is many things to many people – an extraordinary DJ and live performer, creator of the ENTER Experience in Ibiza, mastermind behind the Minus label, technological innovator, art aficionado and style icon. He created a unique techno sound, which is regarded as synonymous with the cities of Berlin and Detroit.
 
Jeff Mills first Slam Tent appearance in 7 years headlining Sunday along with Seth Troxler. He is considered the most brilliant DJ and producer of Techno music in the world. He is the most recognised representative figure of Detroit Techno. Championed for his music’s relentless pursuit of hard-edged rhythms and his stripped-down, almost industrial DJ sets, Mills is the latest in a long line of Detroit-bred talent to take on an international reputation.
 
DJ and producer Marcel Dettmann is recognised as being one of the most influential proponents of contemporary techno. Widely associated with electronic iconic institutions, Berlin’s Berghain and Hard Wax, Dettmann stays true to his roots by consistently innovating his interpretation of electronic music, and, nevertheless, integrating art deeply into the music scene.
 
Seth Troxler’s career started in Detroit in 2002 at the age of 16 as a frequent DJ at Detroit club The Works and as a clerk at Detroit’s famous Melodies and Memories record store. With these experiences Seth gained a preternatural understanding of rave, and dance music history, that now allows him to conjure up mixes and tracks like Botticelli conjured his Venus. He has consecutively got himself voted Number Three, Two and the number One in the Resident Advisor Top 100 DJ Poll, landed much-vaunted residencies at DC10 (Ibiza), Trouw in (Amsterdam) and Output (New York) and opened series of much-lauded pop-up restaurants around East London called ‘Smokey Tails’.
 
How much do you really know about Nina Kraviz? She’s a Russian techno DJ, an accomplished producer, one of dance music’s breakthrough names of the last five years. True enough, but there’s so much more to her story than that. She’s one of electronic music’s most interesting characters, someone who has stuck to her musical guns since day one, someone who has wide-ranging roots that run deep in the past, yet she’s also the embodiment of the future. Her signature sound is a raw blend of house and techno with a very acidic feel. If that feels very now, Kraviz has a lot to do with it.
 
Ricardo Villalobos: Born in Chile, raised in Germany, world citizen – that pretty much sums up Ricardo’s life, geographically speaking. Ricardo’s inexhaustible creativity and innovation and his unfailing feel for the crowd make him an outstanding artist in the contemporary world of electronic music.
 
Raresh is definitely one of the fundamental figures of the up-to-date electronic movement. Born in Bacau, the clubbing scene enchained him at the age of 15, when he started playing in a small club in town, marking his turntable ascension from the age whereupon most of the youngsters are still playing football in the courtyard.
 
Berlin based DJ, producer and label owner Len Faki is of the most outstanding and in-demand artists in techno’s present age. He is an internationally requested DJ, whose productions and remixes are played by techno’s most prominent names. Being a resident at Berlin’s prime techno club Berghain since it’s opening in 2004 keeps him open-minded as both DJ and producer.
 
Chris Liebing is one of the artists in the steadily and rapidly growing world of electronic music who has faithfully dedicated the past 25 years of his life to the performance, production, distribution and broadcasting of Techno on a global level. He has run a club and several successful club nights, has held residencies in many of the most prestigious venues worldwide, produced his own music and the music of other artists, founded record labels, hosted radio shows, won awards for different branches of his professional efforts and has been an unshakable pillar and devoted ambassador of innovative Techno.
 
Zak aka DVS1, continues to move floors with a combination of deep musical knowledge, unparalleled enthusiasm, and a vinyl collection of more than 30,000 records. Zak's deep roots and his bold uncompromising nature have won him great respect as a passionate and outspoken defender and promoter quality music.
 
Ollie ‘Skream’ Jones is on a major roll. The 29 year old Croydon DJ, producer and original dubstepper has seen his career explode even further since taking inspiration from his friend and associate Jackmaster amongst others leading him to veer away from the genre he helped to create to play more House & Techno & even some Disco. He has become a global star and a firm favourite in Scotland.
 
Guy Gerber has always favoured the road less traveled. The Israeli DJ thrives on confounding expectations. What other underground DJ could collaborate with one of hip-hops biggest moguls, Puff Daddy, or start a left-field night at one of Ibiza’s most commercial clubs, Pacha? What other producer blends the worlds of melancholy and euphoria so effortlessly, or turns in a breakup album as an official.
 
Since the early nineties, Speedy J has spearheaded labels like Plus 8, Novamute and Warp. After the albums G Spot (1993) and Ginger (1995), as techno developed into a dominating force on many dance floors worldwide, Jochem Paap chose to pursue other exciting avenues. On Public Energy No. 1 (1997) and A Shocking Hobby (2000) the sound wizard exchanged flowing, harmonious techno for a much more complex formula filled with colliding samples, crackling rhythms and tremendously thrilling turns. As a DJ, Speedy J is still as busy as ever, touching down in the most important venues and festivals worldwide every weekend. At the same time Electric Deluxe Presents has swelled into a globetrotting brand with showcases scheduled for various major electronic festivals on the horizon.
 
If the main motivation whilst making Drone Logic was to take the listener on a hi-fidelity trip for the duration of his debut album, then Daniel Avery emphatically succeeded. From Water Jump’s hypnotic pulse and punch through to the crystalline click of closer Knowing We’ll Be Here via the title track’s elemental acid swirl and New Energy’s take on Neon Lights relocated to a post-midnight cab ride through London, Avery’s debut pushed and pulled at the senses and blurred the boundaries between dance floor and home listening experience. 
 
B. Traits is a skilled producer, DJ And radio presenter, bridging underground music from techno to jungle to house. You should certainly expect the unexpected where B.Traits is concerned – but if there's something you can predict, it's that whatever comes next will be unique, and it will be big.
 
The man behind the Petrichor project Simon Stokes, has been gradually working his way up the ranks in his home city’s scene and firmly established himself within the Soma hierarchy. His analogue focused, dream like sound straddles the boundaries between electronica, house and techno. He recently released his debut album Mångata to critical acclaim, an intricate, multifaceted album that draws on many spheres of influence, designed as a singular listening piece.
 
Announced so far for T in the Park 2016 are:
  
FRIDAY 8TH JULY: The Stone Roses, Disclosure, Courteeners, Alesso, Jamie xx, James Morrison, Frightened Rabbit, Oliver Heldens, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Hannah Wants, Bear’s Den, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Krept & Konan, The Coral, The Temperance Movement, Oh Wonder 
SLAM Friday: Len Faki, Ricardo Villalobos b2b Raresh, DVS1, Petrichor (live)
 
SATURDAY 9TH JULY: Calvin Harris, Bastille, The 1975, The Last Shadow Puppets, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Jess Glynne, Kaiser Chiefs, Travis, Tinie Tempah, Tom Odell, Jack Garratt, Stiff Little Fingers, Shed Seven, Disciples, Rat Boy, Maxi Jazz & The E-Type Boys
SLAM Saturday: Richie Hawtin, Slam, Nina Kraviz, Guy Gerber, Skream, Daniel Avery, B-Traits
 
SUNDAY 10TH JULY: Red Hot Chili Peppers, LCD Soundsystem, Chase & Status, Faithless, Major Lazer, James Bay, Jake Bugg, Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls, Craig David’s TS5, Slaves, Maximo Park, John Grant, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, FIDLAR, Blossoms
SLAM Sunday: Jeff Mills, Seth Troxler, Chris Liebing, Marcel Dettmann, Speedy J

Second phase headliners announced for Ultra Miami 2016

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Ultra Music Festival
Adding to one of the biggest Phase One announcements in the festival’s history are a host of additional headliners including (in alphabetical order) Crystal Castles, Dash Berlin, Deadmau5, Richie Hawtin and Steve Angello!
 
In a huge move from event organizers, and for the first time in the festival’s history (and ASOT’s history for that matter), both Deadmau5 and Eric Prydz will headline the ASOT Stage before the man himself, Armin Van Buuren, closes the gargantuan Megastructure on Sunday night.
 
Techno legend Richie Hawtin will be joining Carl Cox & Friends in The Megastructure on Saturday, while Dash Berlin and Steve Angello will be throwing it down on the Main Stage as only they know how. Last up from the Phase Two headliners, Crystal Castles will be returning to Ultra’s Live Stage armed with a load of brand new material, for what will no doubt be one of the highlights of the weekend.
 
In another Ultra first, Tiësto will play a one-off Sunset Slot at the Main Stage on Saturday, where the master-selector will no doubt bring his ever-expanding catalogue of music to the people.  Two very special labels will be taking over the UMF Radio stage across the weekend, with Hardwell’s Revealed Recordings hosting some of the most exciting up and coming artists in the house scene today on Friday for the very first time, before Skrillex’s OWSLA imprint returns on Saturday to provide Ultranauts with a face full of bass.
 
To complete the RESISTANCE stage (powered by the Arcadia Spider) the world’s number 1 club, Space Ibiza returns on Saturday to host some of the finest names on the house and techno circuit. Full details on running order for each day can be found on the official Phase Two posterhere
 
For a full list of Phase Two acts, please see below.
 
HEADLINERS
 
Crystal Castles
Dash Berlin
Deadmau5
Richie Hawtin
Steve Angello
 
SUPPORT
 
AC Slater B2B Chris Lorenzo
Afrobeta
Anevo
Aryay
Autoerotique vs. Hunter Siegel
Bad Royale
Bassjackers
Ben Gold
Black Coffee
Brillz
Camilo Franco
Cedric Gervais
Crizzly
Dannic
Danny L Harle
DJ Sliink
DJ Vice
Domeno
Don Diablo
Elio Riso
Etc! Etc!
Getter
Gladiator
Gryffin
Harvard Bass
John Digweed
Jon Rundell B2B Cristian Varela
Josh Pan
Justin Oh
KhoMha
KiNK
Ksuke
Lexz Pryde
Lookas
LOUDPVCK
Malaa
Marco Bailey
MaRLo
Mercer
Merk & Kremont
Mija
Monika Kruse
Morten
Mykris
Nicole Moudaber
Ookay
OWSLA All Stars
Paris Blohm
Raiden
San Holo
Sasha
Sick Individuals
Sigala
Skream
The Roaches
Thomas Newson
TJO
Tom Swoon
Tommie Sunshine
TWRK
Unlike Pluto
Valentino Khan
Vindata
Wave Racer
Wiwek

We Are FSTVL announce stage partners for 2015

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Award-winning UK dance festival We Are FSTVL returns to Upminster, Essex onSaturday 30th and Sunday 31st May 2015 to showcase the latest and greatest innovators from across the dance music spectrum. Gaining international recognition after only two years on the scene, We Are FSTVL are proud to announce their 2015 official stage partners. Next year’s edition will feature a host of leading dance labels and powerful clubbing brands including We Are FSTVL, Cocoon, Defected In The House, Toolroom Live, Hospitality, Paradise, MK Area 10, Hannah Wantsand Used + Abused.

Once again playing host to the flagship main stage across Saturday and Sunday, the We Are FSTVL  stage will showcase everything that the festival stands for: the best DJ talent in the world, spectacular production and a once in a lifetime experience for all.

2015 Saturday Stage Breakdown

The first of many new additions to the field of dreams is Loco Dice's Used + Abused party, its debut appearance at a UK festival since first launching in Ibiza in 2013. For more than a decade, Loco Dice has been at the very forefront of underground electronic music, and his Used + Abused party promises to explore the darker corners of the festival’s techno warehouse.

Another first for 2015 comes from lady of the moment Hannah Wants, the face of Saturday’s Big Top Bass stage. Over the last three years, Hannah has risen to the centre of a scene that is fast becoming global and is certainly no stranger to headline slots, after gaining worldwide recognition for her summer residency at Amnesia in Ibiza and countless sets at a number of major UK festivals in 2014. With her latest collaboration alongside Chris Lorenzo, ‘Rhymes’, set to cause serious heat on UK dancefloors, Hannah will ensure that the We Are FSTVL party never stops.

After 10 years in the game, Mark Knight recently unveiled his latest clubbing concept in the form of Toolroom Live, which takes over the festival’s luxury VIP village stage. Focusing on credible and quality house music, Toolroom Live is an exciting development in the label’s history and with a new core artist roster, We Are FSTVL is proud to be part of its journey.

Defected In The House will once again host their own stage after receiving incredible reactions in both 2013 and 2014. After celebrating their 15-year anniversary this year, Defected has successfully carried house music’s legacy into the 21st century as an institution for generations of music lovers and clubbers worldwide. With the new, Very Big Top serving as their home for the day, Defected are sure to impress with an a first rate line-up of exciting house talent.

2015 Sunday Stage Breakdown

A firm favourite since the festival’s debut, world leading electronic brand Cocoon will return to We Are FSTVL on Sunday 31st May – led by the undisputed figurehead of German club scene Sven Väth – and will now feature as part of the festival’s techno warehouse.  Since its inception in 1999, Cocoon’s universally recognised brand of techno has welcomed thousands of faithful followers and remains a perfect fit for We Are FSTVL.

Reflecting the festival’s diversity, Hospitality is also back by popular demand to deliver a high-grade drum & bass experience in this year’s Big Top Bass Arena.The worldwide club event of drum & bass imprint Hospital Records, Hospitalityhas grown to become a key part of the scene’s fabric and is guaranteed to showcase the best in heavyweight producers, DJs and MCs.

Also returning to We Are FSTVL and playing host to Sunday’s Very Big Top, is Jamie Jones’ Paradise. After its launch back in 2012, Paradise has become the stand out residency of the Ibiza season, showcasing the latest and greatest in underground house and techno. With a seemingly endless list of world-class DJs, Paradise is set to deliver another hedonistic and memorable musical experience to We Are FSTVL.

Returning to the VIP Village for 2015 is MK’s Area 10, as his influence as a house pioneer continues well into a third decade. Renowned for his bouncy, peak-time groove, punchy drums and clever vocal samples, Marc Kinchen’s productions are at the heart of the biggest renaissance house music has seen in a generation. Having debuted his ‘Pleasurestate’ project with Lee Foss and Anabel Englund exclusively at We Are FSTVL this year, MK’s stage at next year’s festival is set to be even bigger and better than ever before.

Fifty new artists added to Sonar Barcelona 2014 lineup!

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The world renown Barcelona International Festival of Advanced Music and New Media Art otherwise known as Sonar add fifty new artists to its already amazing lineup.

These are the artists joining the Sónar 2014 line-up: CHIC feat. Nile Rodgers, Röyksopp & Robyn, DESPACIO (James Murphy + 2manydjs), Lykke Li, Neneh Cherry, James Murphy, 2manydjs, Boys Noize, Trentemøller, Loco Dice, Todd Terje, Kid Koala's Vinyl Vaudeville, Audion, Spoek Mathambo, DJ Snake, Four Tet DJ set, BFlecha, Dâm-Funk, Future Brown, Brodinski, Forest Swords, WhoMadeWho, 2020Vision presents Debukas, Paul Woolford and Ralph Lawson, FM Belfast, Kaytranada, Matthew Dear, Camo & Krooked, Machine Variation, Daniel Miller, Henry Saiz, Daito Manabe, Unsound presents Robert Piotrowicz and Oren Ambarchi with Sinfonietta Cracovia, Chris Madak aka Bee Mask, Hucci, Tarek Atoui, Roll The Dice, Sibot, Professor Angel Sound, Sinjin Hawke, Astroboyz, Koreless, T.Williams, Throwing Snow, Emufucka, Louis Baker, Trancemicsoul, Suzanne Kraft, De La Montagne, Leo Aldrey, Harald Björk, Rudi Zygadlo, Jolly Mare, and Love Cult. 

Check here the complete list of artists confirmed so far 

Sónar 2014 has finalised its main line-up with 50 new artists, headed by the legendary Chic, with Nile Rodgers at the helm. The festival will also present performances by several Nordic artists with their finger very much on the pulse, including Neneh Cherry, Lykke Li (both presenting new albums at Sónar), the Röyksopp + Robyn duo, Todd Terje and Trentemøller, as well as immersive digital experiences byAudion and Daito Manabe and visionary artists such as Dâm-Funk, Kid Koala, Forest Swords, Henry Saiz and Oren Ambarchi, who will be performing with Sinfonietta Cracovia in a joint collaboration between Sónar and Unsound Festival in Poland. 

An unprecedented music listening experience: six hours playing vinyl, all three days of Sónar by Day 

One of this year’s highlights is DESPACIO powered by McIntosh, a new concept of a listening experience that brings together James Murphy (LCD Soundsystem / DFA) and 2manydjs to focus their finely honed skills on partygoers’ experience through a meticulously chosen selection of music and spectacular-quality high-fidelity sound. On all three days of Sónar by Day, James Murphy and 2manydjs will be playing vinyl records from their own collections for six hours (from 3.30 pm to 9.30 pm) in a specially designed space featuring a circle of seven speaker stacks as part of a one-of-a-kind 50,000 W sound system. Since space is limited, admission will be on a first-come, first-served basis. 

A live history of dance music 

Chic and Nile Rogers need no introduction. Universally acclaimed as one of the greatest dance bands of all time, with such immortal hits as “Le Freak” and “Good Times”, their popularity recently went through the roof when their leader, Nile Rodgers, worked on Daft Punk’s new album—not to mention their interplanetary success with “Get Lucky” and collaborations with Disclosure and Tensnake. Their legendary Sonar 2006 concert was one of that year’s highlights and this year’s performance has all the signs of being equally stunning. 

Nordic excellence 

After the huge success of Sonar Reykjavik and Sonar Stockholm in February, the Nordic scene will continue its onward roll in Barcelona with the likes of Swedish Neneh Cherry (who’s back with a new show and new album, produced by Four Tet, in collaboration with RocketNumberNine), Lykke Li (also presenting a new album) and Robyn, who’s teamed up with Norwegian duo Röyksopp and also appears on a track on Neneh Cherry’s album. Sonar will also be rolling out the red carpet for the Norwegian king of space disco Todd Terje (with a new LP coming out in April) and popular Danish musician Trentemøller, who’ll be performing songs from his recent album “Lost” with a complete band of musicians on stage. 

Immersive experiences and avant-garde sound 

Always eager to keep up with the latest technological innovations in audiovisual creation and performance, Sonar will be presenting shows that are total immersive experiences, fashioned out of complex languages embracing art, sound and technology. One striking example will be Audion’s performance, and highly acclaimed Japanese creative technologist Daito Manabe will give a live interactive concert combining video mapping and contemporary dance. In addition, US artist Matthew Dear will present his techno project with a powerful show designed by the creators of ISAM (Amon Tobin) in which an A-shaped mechanism responds to live audio impulses created by the artist. 

Avant-garde languages are always at the fore at Sonar and this year is no exception. Forest Swords will be revealing their perfect fusion of atavistic dub, ancestral folk and filmic guitar lines in the spirit of Ennio Morricone. Taking risks and searching for new concepts are the aims of the new partnership between Sonar and Unsound Festival in Poland, which will take the shape of two concerts for music connoisseurs: Oren Ambarchi and Sinfonietta Cracovia’s clash between synthetic and classic; and intense, microscopic electronica by Robert Piotrowicz, who regularly works with Kevin Drumm and Ambarchi himself. 

Groove in their DNA 

Funk and hip hop are in the DNA of three iconoclastic artists who will be at Sonar by Day: Kid Koala returns with a new show, Vinyl Vaudeville 2.0, which features turntable mischief and revamps classic genres of black music (funk, blues, jazz) in a contemporary cabaret format; Dâm-Funk will be bringing vintage synthesisers and drum machines to thrill partygoers with their sizzling retro-futurist boogie-funk; and Spoek Mathambo will be at the helm of Fantasma, a supergroup of South African musicians who fuse the country’s house and psychedelic traditions into a powerful, vibrant sound. 

Names from the Spanish scene 

Sonar by Day welcomes two of the leading lights on the current Spanish scene. Madrid-based Henry Saizwill premiere a new live show in which he will play songs from his latest album on the Natura Sonoris label with a wide range of acoustic instruments. And Galician Belén Vidal, aka BFlecha, will do the same with some of the many gems on “Beta”, an album that forges a new path for synth pop and electronic R&B sung in Spanish. 

We Are FSTVL 2014 full lineup revealed

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Set in the heart of Essex, this electronic music festival brings some of the worlds biggest artist's to its stages for the 2014 edition.

Richie Hawtin, Fatboy Slim, Disclosure, Mark Knight and more will be performing at this years festival.  See the complete lineup here:

Saturday 24th May 2014

Main Stage – We Are FSTVL

Matador Live, Richie Hawtin, Disclosure (DJ Set), Maya Jane Coles, The Martinez Brothers, Hot Since 82, Maribou State

The Big Outdoors – We Are ELCTRNC

Knife Party, Hard Rock Sofa, Thomas Gold, Michael Woods, Syn Cole, Chuckie, Eddie Halliwell, Cazzette, Kryder

Hospitality

Shy FX, High Contrast, Camo & Krooked, London Elektricity, Fred V & Grafix, Danny Byrd, Spy, Metrik, Nu:Tone, Logistics, Etherwood. 

VIP Village – MK Area 10 

Special appearance by Pleasure State (Anabel Englund, Lee Foss and MK)

MK, Amine Edge & Dance, Beckwith, Detroit Swindle, Kevin Saunderson, Lee Foss, Ninetoes, Route 94, Shadow Child

Defected in the House

Guti, Kenny Dope, Nick Curly, Huxley, Copyright, Sam Divine, GotSome, Sonny Fodera, Franky Rizardo More TBA

Connected

Hector Couto, Terry Farley, Jesse James, Tim Sheridan, Shane Watcha, Martin Ikin, Electronic Youth

Secret Sundaze

BLM, Brawther, October, Giles Smith, James Priestley

Paravana 

No Artifical Colours, Max Chapman, Paravana Residents

Paradise

Derrick Carter

Previously announced: Jamie Jones, Cassy, Deetron, Infinity Ink, Richy Ahmed, Robert James, Waff, Russ Yallop

Disclosure

Sunday 25th May 2014

Main Stage East – Eat Sleep Rave Repeat

Annie Mac, Fatboy Slim, Solomun, Doorly, Duke Dumont, Friend Within, Riva Starr, Tiga, Tom Staar

The Big Outdoors – Cocoon

Raresh, Sven Väth, Ricardo Villalobos, Adam Beyer, Ilario Alicante, Julien Bracht (Live), Andrea Oliva

RAM

Sub Focus, Noisia, Andy C, Loadstar, Calyx & Teebee, Delta Heavy, DC Breaks, Hamilton, Mind Vortex, Frankee B2B Chords. Hosted by: GQ, 2Shy, AD, Visoinobi

Kehakuma

ZIP, Nina Kraviz, DJ Koze, Levon Vincent, Jus Ed. Plus support from: Javi Bora, The Organ Grinder, Prince Club, Marino Canal, Johnny Bloomfield 

We Are WHSE

Steve Lawler, plus in alphabetical order: dOP Live, Ellen Allien, Guy Gerber Live, Laura Jones, Miss Kittin, Nikos, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs (DJ Set), Tube & Berger

Toolroom Knights

Mark Knight, Tensnake, Jaymo & Andy George, Weiss, Tough Love, Mark Storie, Pete Griffiths, LongPlay

Luciano & Friends

Luciano, Carl Craig, Guillame & The Courtu Dumonts, Mirko Loko, Cesar Merveille, Gianni Callipari

Main Stage VIP – Circo Loco

Apollonia (Dyed Soundorom, Dan Ghenacia & Shonky), Black Coffee, Clive Henry, Davide Squillace, Kerri Chandler, Matthias Tanzmann, Tania Vulcano, Timo Maas

Fatboy Slim

Sonar Barcelona announces massive lineup for 2014

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Sónar Barcelona 2014 presents Massive Attacks new show as well as Richie Hawtins Plastikman making a return to Spain with an exclusive performance of his Objekt live concept.

Massive Attack have chosen Sónar Barcelona to present a brand new show which will move a step further their ongoing audio visual exploration of agitation propaganda and technology.

Massive Attack will play Sonar 10 years after their previous performance and following the acclaimed series of groundbreaking and extraordinary shows designed and staged by Robert Del Naja and film maker Adam Curtis in Manchester, Duisberg and New York. For this new Massive Attack show Robert will again co-design, creating a compelling collision of music, art and political discourse. 

Massive Attack @ Sonar Barcelona 2014

Massive Attack (a worldwide reference for electronica) was founded in 1988 by Robert "3D" Del Naja and Grant "Daddy G" Marshall. Their debut album 'Blue Lines' contained the single 'Unfinished Sympathy', one of the 10 best songs in music history, according to a survey by The Guardian. Following their first release were albums: 'Protection', 'Mezzanine', '100th Window' and 'Heligoland' as well as numerous singles and countless remixes making up one the most personal repertoires in experimental pop music over the last 25 years. Plastikman at Sonar by Day and Richie Hawtin’s Close show at Sonar by Night Sonar 2014 will present both sides of Richie Hawtin's musical character over two days: from his own new recordings and live show Objekt as Plastikman at Sonar By Day, to his new standpoint on modern day performing as Richie Hawtin with Close in the main hall of Sonar By Night

Richie Hawtin, the globally recognised key figure of electronica, will update his recording alias Plastikman. Richie Hawtin's Plastikman will make a return to Sonar with the exclusive European performance of his developing 'Objekt' live concept – debuted at the Guggenheim in New York last month. Hawtin and his team created an entire new audio and visual experience for the Guggenheim – inspired by the room he was asked to perform in. Plastikman will return to Sonar in 2014 with the new music, visuals and a special variation on the obelisk that his team created for the landmark art event.

On a different day at Sonar by Night, Hawtin will headline with his new performance concept, Close. The new show is designed to bring audiences closer to the performance of a modern day electronic artist with the assistance of highly-advanced cameras and intimate lighting. Hawtin will give full transparency to the improvisation and technological manipulation in how he plays all which helps set him apart from the traditional definition of a DJ.   Leading lights in contemporary electronica The first batch of confirmed artists also includes purist bastions of electronica like Four Tet; James Holden (Border Community head honcho), with a unique staging of his stunning album "The Inheritors"; Jon Hopkins will perform live his techno album "Immunity" (heralded as electronic release of the year); Oneohtrix Point Never aka Daniel Lopatin, one of the most amazing artists to appear on the experimental scene in recent years and who will present his new audiovisual show; and Matmos, creators of an extremely elaborate IDM, who will convert the Sonar stage into their own private experimental laboratory.

Sonar 2014 will also enjoy incredible shows from Bonobo, who will present his new kaleidoscopic electronica album "The North Borders" with one of his spectacular live shows; Woodkid, the French multidisciplinary artist enjoying a meteoric rise in recent months, a natural creator incorporating design, advertising, video and music; and Moderat, an alliance of Berlin’s electronic scene’s foremost representatives (Modeselektor + Apparat) presenting their new album 'II'.

Dance music, implicit in its multiple forms, will feature in the hands ofCaribou, the Canadian musician and mathematician Dan Snaith, who has chosen Sonar to present one of his limited shows before the release of his next album; Gesaffelstein artist name for Parisian musician Mike Levy, will present on stage 'Aleph', his acclaimed debut album, and I am Legion, the band formed by British hip hop group Foreign Beggars and Dutch dubstep trioNoisia.

There will be no shortage of talented newcomers like Evian Christ, the youthful dj and producer for label Tri Angle, who is making some of the most futuristic beats for Kanye West and Matthew Barney;Jessy Lanza, the Canadian signed to prestigious label Hyperdub, who will present her celebrated and atmospheric debut album "Pull My Hair back"; Copeland, the female element of enigmatic and unpredictable duo Hype Williams will present her as yet unreleased new work; Majical Cloudz, the pop art duo based in Montreal;
the festival’s up and coming artists like Happa, aka Samir Alikhanizadeh, whose music at the tender age of 16 already
stands out as the most exciting and brutal techno around today;Nisennenmondai, Japanese instrumental power trio; or
Clipping., the Californian rap noise trio…

Some of the national artists performing at next year’s festival will beBalago, the experimental post-electronica and synthetic kraut group; Downliners Sekt, the Catalan-French duo who will present a brand new album and live show; Desert, dream pop’s best kept secret; and Pau Roca, one of the national scene’s most prominent house djs.

Unknown Croatia is now SOLD OUT

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Unknown Croatia's first year has today been confirmed as a sell-out! Based in Rovinj, West Croatia, the music event is the first of its type to offer a well-balanced line-up of both live acts and DJs. With headline performances from the likes of The Horrors, Jessie Ware, Disclosure, Django Django, Jagwar Ma and Four Tet as well as DJ sets from Richie Hawtin, Dixon, Floating Points and Jamie XX, Unknown Croatia offers the creme de la creme in music. All this set in a stunning coastal resort nestled on the Adriatic coast complete with beach, forest, art installations and the first-ever Boiler Room Island, Unknown Croatia is set to be a very special end of the summer. www.unknowncroatia.com

Django Django

Bestival announce new Dance Area The Port

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HMS Bestival is finally steaming back into home waters. Our trusty and now slightly rusty ship and crew have just spent the last decade cruising the high seas, dodging pirates in tropical climes and partying with natives on moonlit beaches. Now it’s time to come home to celebrate 10 years of Bestival on the Isle of Wight. All aboard for the journey home to The Port!

Bestival HQ have been busy working on how to mark a decade of Bestival’s passing and have come up with our most ambitious and largest project onsite since we began. The Port is a landlocked harbour with HMS Bestival as its centrepiece surrounded by a pier, nautical sideshows and all the action of a bustling port…in a festival!

The Port will boast state of the art sound provided by Funktion One, hi-tech lasers and LED screens and a boatload of pyro exploding from HMS Bestival’s funnels. DJs will man the bridge, steering the good ship through day and night of techno and house with many of the world’s leading DJs playing on this hyppereal ship.

Taking a little time out from reaching for the lasers Rob da Bank says: I'm probably more excited about this new stage for Bestival than anything else in the last decade of creating fun and mental spaces for people to party on. We've got a tree you can rave inside, a forest with films and a giant metal spider that breathes fire but we've never had a life sized ship transmitting the best techno and house DJs across the waves while lasers strafe the crowd and a lighthouse booms its foghorn!

“This whole new field is going to be an all night maritime adventure with dirty little rum bars, enticing brothels and sea shanties ringing out from random sailor folk in every corner. It'll have crazy aerial displays and a bucket load of pyro that will blow your mind, it's the dance arena to end all dance arenas and it’s gonna go off. If you want to know where the party’s at, it's at The Port."

Manning the bridge of our incredible 24m long ocean going liner will be a cavalcade of the finest names to grace club culture, a veritable who’s who of Bestival Classics. Friday night headlining action will come courtesy of the Plastikman himself Richie Hawtin. Saturday will see a triumphant Annie Mac Presents selection and Sunday will be brought to a cataclysmically joyous end by the one and only Carl Cox. We will also have the cream of the dance music scene to smash up The Port’s dancefloor, including the newly announced Knife Party’s explosive fusions of bass and beats, Kiss FM’s DJ EZ who will be dropping majestic garage goodness, the mighty Toddla T Sound who will be ripping up the fiery techno-dub, hirsute duo The 2 Bears who will administer some euphoric hands-in-the-air action, turntable ninja Jaguar Skills who will be serving up his genre swerving cut & paste bedlam, and back to back mayhem from Bestival favourites Phat Phil Cooper And Russ Cuban.

 

Commenting on his Friday night headline slot, Richie Hawtin said: "I'm excited to return to Bestival this year for the 10th anniversary. I'm not sure what I'm more excited for – headlining The Port, or having the chance to hear my brother Matthew play again inside Bestival's incredible Wishing Tree."

Commenting on his Sunday night headline slot Carl Cox said: "Bestival's always an amazing festival with great people, and hopefully good weather! Cannot wait to return and check out their brand new arena – The Port".

And remarking on Saturday’s AMP line-up Annie Mac added: “We're so happy to be back at Bestival for 2013 and bringing AMP to the all new Bestival Port stage! We've got such an exciting mix of DJs from the UK garage legend that is DJ EZ, to the Bristol house dons Julio Bashmore and Eats Everything. We'll be bringing proper party carnival vibes through Toddla T Sound, as well as showcasing brand new talent from the likes of Cyril Hahn. AMP at Bestival 2013 is looking forward to offering up one of the most skilled and fun line up of DJs we've ever had, DJs who will no doubt provide you with many a special Bestival moment. Cannot wait to see you there!”

With a lighthouse come helter skelter a Dockers Bar, amazing aerial performances from a huge crane, delicious dancing girls and camp sailor boys on stage, plus dance podiums throughout the arena for the crowd, a coruscating brilliance of unbelievable pyrotechnics, sparkle, flame and fire effects, confetti, and smoking funnels, The Port is where you’re going to want to be. There will be a mega DJ line-up all weekend long that will include the previously announced Seth Troxler, Julio Bashmore, Maya Jane Coles, Erol Alkan, Duke Dumont, Eats Everything, Cyril Hahn, Hospitality Bestival Take Over Featuring High Contrast, Danny Byrd, Nu:Logic, Fred V & Grafix Hosted By Wrec & Dynamite, Marcel Dettmann, Heidi, Ed Rush and Jesse Rose.