RockNess

Rockness 2011 Lineup additions

by
laidback lukeRocketing onto the MAINSTAGE is the Midas of house music LAIDBACK LUKE!  Supercharged with all the big blockbuster beats he can lay his super hero hands on, LUKE will be tearing things up at this year’s festival where he will be joined by Road to RockNess Headliners, THE JAPANESE POPSTARS.
 
Also joining the Main Stage over the weekend will be THE BOXER REBELLION, MORNING PARADE and the sonically adventurous outfit hailing from Kilsyth, TWILIGHT SAD.
 
neroExciting new additions to the ARENA line up include the hottest Dubstep duo of the moment and Beatport heroes NERO, and ready to shake the loch to its core with his bass bin crushing dance floor beats is the revolutionary SKRILLEX!
Get ready for a hilarious and screw-face inducing roller-coaster ride through the twisted mind of BEARDYMAN and then get stunned by Drum & Bass debonair SUB FOCUS whose adrenalin-fuelled-audacious LIVE performance is going to get the crowds jumping.
 
The ARENA also welcomes Glasgow rock outfit SONS AND DAUGHTERS, and Edinburgh’s finest, BROKEN RECORDS, bringing their gargantuan joyous Scottish 7 piece sound to astound the masses.  As well as London’s alt-indie quintet CHAPEL CLUB, the unconventional and genre defying JIM JONES REVUE, DOG IS DEAD and SOUND OF GUNS.
 
AND ON TOP OF THIS…..
ROCKNESS is thrilled to introduce an electrifying new addition to the festival, the ROCK N ROLL CIRCUS.  This brand new structure for 2011 is set to take you on an all encompassing musical journey that will enlighten and excite any true music fan. The arena will open by showcasing cutting edge emerging artists and truly magnificent talents in the music scene right now and as the sun sets it will be transformed into a full on-unadulterated hedonistic RockNess club experience taking you into the early hours!
So on entering the festival make your first stop across the weekend the ROCK N ROLL CIRCUS, where you will get sucked in by a band described by ‘Popjustice’ as a “Delicately swooshy fairytale electropop with a glittercanon where its heart should be” – SOUND OF ARROWS and we introduce a prolific songwriter with an extraordinary vocal talent, SAINT SAVIOUR, a lady who has already toured with ROCKNESS favourites, GROOVE ARMADA!
 
Also adorning the arena is WORSHIP showcasing their moody, haunting music, soaring vocals and tense, synth-laden atmosphere to the new arena.
 
As night time rolls in the ROCK N ROLL CIRCUS will then be transformed into a festival CLUBBINGexperience like no other by indie club phenomenon PROPOGANDA who take their show to over 20,000 people every week in the UK, Ireland and Australia.  DJ DAN, Propaganda creator and Oasis after show DJ, is guaranteed to keep you dancing and singing along to the best new and classic indie music.  Be a part of the biggest guilt-free arms-in-the-air FRIDAY night opening party ROCKNESS has ever seen!
 
jamie woonAfter the Friday night debauchery the ROCK N ROLL CIRCUS will be the perfect setting to ease yourself back into the SATURDAY with incredible music from one of the ‘must see’ acts of 2011, JAMIE WOON,who has received huge critical acclaim for his music and is already set for big things in the coming year. And if you haven’t heard of one of the UKs most in demand enigmatic artists WOLF GANG, we highly recommend getting him on your ROCKNESS ‘ones to watch list’. 
 
Next up and representing SCOTTISH ladies is an urban singer who hit the spotlight by collaborating with Chipmunk on his “Diamond Rings”, EMELI SANDE.  Then like a breath of fresh air the glorious and undeniable complex and compelling sound and lyrics of THE GOOD NATURED will be filling the arena to the rafters.  SATURDAY also welcomes the YAAKS a Brighton 5-piece who have been making a real stir of late, finding their way onto the BBC Radio 1 up-front playlist.
 
And as the sun goes down and you feel re-energized to party hard, SNAFU seize the reigns and pull in the help of two of their favourite DJs and producers to ensure their first year of the ROCK N ROLL CIRCUSgoes off with a bang.  Headlining the SNAFU stage is France’s most wanted radio host and selector - IVAN SMAGGHE - who stands at the crossroads between glamorous Parisian hype and musical integrity, best known for his techno, electrohouse, minimal sounds and past projects with BLACK STROBE… perfect festival fodder! The Fidget King JESSE ROSE is on board, and he’s guaranteed to be dropping his MADE TO PLAY big tunes to truly get the party bouncing.  Completing the Snafu sound are Glasgow’s BIGFOOT’S TEA PARTY with CHRISTOPHER KELLY and REDUX, and Snafu’s MOTHERSHIP with resident ADAM ACKERS. SNAFU is a full creative spectrum who has a long history of championing and showcasing the local talent and booking big name guests so watch this space as they welcome their superb residents and the sound of SNAFU.
The SUNDAY ROCK N ROLL CIRCUS has been specifically programmed for you to enjoy and expand your musical passage across the festival site and recharge your batteries whilst experiencing the finest in new music. Described by Mojo magazine as ‘dark, lustful blues-folk’, SMOKE FAIRES will be a sublime performance to put on your weekends agenda and BOY & BEAR a band, rich in folk harmonies, startling elegance and living breathing rock influenced form will also be making their debut.
Then indulge in the stunning sounds and musical purity of singer songwriter LUCY ROSE, the truly talentedFolk singer/songwriter PETE ROE and bringing their stunning lyrical genius STORY BOOKS.
 
cuban brothersSUNDAY NIGHT will take a turn in to insanity as we close the festival by cordially inviting you to ‘AN AUDIENCE WITH THE CUBAN BROTHERS’ . The Rock Ness Legends will be bringing a whole host of famous friends to create their hilarious mix of havoc, mischief and mayhem. Watch this space for an announcement on possibly the funniest 2 hours the festival has ever seen.
 
AND FINALLY…
 
Get ready for the BIGGEST BIRTHDAY PARTY ROCKNESS has ever hosted as we help SOMA RECORDS celebrate 20 YEARS of releasing stunning and eclectic electronic dance music from across spectrum. 
 
The Scottish party will last for 3 days (of course) and is taking place on the ARCADIA AFTERBURNER, who will once again be bringing their unique collaboration of artists, technicians and engineers, showcasing new innovative ideas through installations and productions, full on pyrotechnics and futuristic circus acts.
 
Joining EROL ALKAN on the FRIDAY night will be Parisian techno minimalist PAUL RITCH who will be bringing his LIVE show!  Continuing the party vibes and getting your arses shaking on the dance floor will be a lady who requires no introduction, HEIDI, and completing the SOMA FRIDAY line up is one of the most in demand and highly respected DJs of our time EWAN PEARSON. 
 
To make the SATURDAY party last even longer, ROCKNESS have EXTENDED THE AFTERBURNER TILL 3AM guaranteeing the SOMA party is bouncing well and truly into the early hours of the morning!  
 
Taking you deep into the infamous SOMA AFTERBURNER experience is a duo whose mastery of audio principles allows them to turn conventions on their heads, casting functionality aside as they plumb the deep, uncharted depths of pitch-black techno, PAN-POT.  SOMA have then called on a friend of the family and guy who will be home from home, Scottish global electronic legend FUNK D’VOID. 
 
Then bringing a collage of electronic influence ALEX UNDER will be commanding the afterburner decks, joined by GARY BECK renowned for his unique sound, SOMA producer MASTER H & Glasgow’s HARVEY MCKAY.
 
To close out the weekends celebrations on SUNDAY, SOMA have enlisted one of techno’s rising stars,JAMIE JONES, Glasgow’s SUNDAY CIRCUS, and a man who continues to mould the techno landscape and will be shaping your Sunday night into one of big electronic beats and dance till you drop sounds isANDREW WEATHERALL.
 
But they have called upon a true electronic messiah and king of the decks DERRICK CARTER, to guarantee that ROCKNESS 2011 comes to an unforgettable euphoric clubbing climax! 
 
Festival Director, Jim King said, ‘We think this is a great announcement and shows the strength in depth of this year’s line up. Laid Back Luke is one of the most exciting Djs of the last 2 years and its great to welcome him, Nero, Skrillex and Sub Focus to the festival for the first time. Im also particularly excited about some of the new emerging acts like Jamie Woon, Wolfgang and Smoke Fairies who will make the new Rock and Roll Circus a really great addition to the festival.
Finally, Happy Birthday Soma. Electronic Legends. We salute you.’
RockNess 2011 takes place 10-12 June, 2011 in the village of Dores, close to Inverness in the Scottish Highlands.  
Exclusive coverage of this year’s festival will be available on BBC ALBA and the BBC iPlayer
TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Student offer - £145 weekend camping/non camping plus free coach travel in Scotland and selected UK destinations from Citylink pick up points.
General offer – £149 weekend camping/non camping
General offer – £159 weekend camping/non camping weekend camping/non camping plus free coach travel in Scotland and selected UK destinations from Citylink pick up points.

Rockness Tickets on sale NOW!

by
Kicking things off on Friday, and for a DAY TICKET PRICE OF £59, is one of the best live bands on the planet, the mighty KASABIAN who headline the Main Stage.  They are joined by Northern Ireland’s music-mad trio TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB and masters of reinvention GROOVE ARMADA who bring a brand new and exciting performance concept to the glorious backdrop of Loch Ness with  GROOVE ARMADA PRESENTS RED LIGHT. Joining them are DJ SHADOW, BBC Radio 1s ANNIE MAC, electro super producer & DJ EROL ALKAN, the ever exuberant ZANE LOWE as well as the excellent BROTHER. The newly announced SUB CLUB SOUND SYSTEM  begins the weekend as it will continue with some seriously tasty talent in the form of MODESELEKTOR, JACKMASTER, CLOUDS, BOOM MONK BEN andHAHAHA.  
The legendary CHEMICAL BROTHERS headline Saturday’s Main Stage at RockNess and for a DAY TICKET PRICE OF £64 festival fans can enjoy that tantalizing prospect along with sets from cult indie bandTHE CRIBS and the downright fantastic FRIGHTENED RABBIT. Also bringing their ground breaking LIVEshow to Ness on Saturday are dubstep pioneers MAGNETIC MAN plus an act guaranteed to blow up Ness;EXAMPLE, and a man described by the Daily Mail as ‘the most sophisticated drugs baron of all time’,HOWARD MARKS.  SUB CLUB SOUND SYSTEM will be suitably bouncing with an outstanding back to back soundtrack from MAGDA, RARESH, SUBCULTURE and SENSU.  
Sunday Main Stage headliner PAOLO NUTINI is joined by Scotland’s GLASVEGAS. For a DAY TICKET PRICE OF £64 they can be savoured along with the unashamedly cheery THE WOMBATS and brilliant US indie rockers WE ARE SCIENTISTS.  BOYS NOIZE makes a welcome return to satisfy even the most addicted-to-electro fiends and representing the ladies is the sublime LISSIE and the indomitable KATY B.  Also confirmed so far for Sunday and both performing LIVE is electronic duo SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO andFAKE BLOOD.  AV pioneer DJ YODA is joined by BBC Radio 1’s enigmatic ROB DA BANK who promises to be “playing the best in left field, right field and any bloomin’ field we can lay our hands on”  as well as favourites THE CUBAN BROTHERS.  And if exceptional electro is your passion there can be no finer way to round up RockNess 2011 than the SUB CLUB SOUND SYSTEM proposition which includes JAMIE XX, a rare LIVE set from MATTHEW DEAR, OPTIMO, PRO VINYLIST KARIM and disco legend DAVID BARBAROSSA.  
What’s more, for those who fancy a special treat, a limited number of VIP DAY TICKETS also go on sale today at £85. This year’s RockNess VIP experience sees some fantastic new additions including an unbeatable new hill top location right in the thick of all the festival action and with a unique vantage point to savour the views of The Most Beautiful Festival in the World! 
 
Also included in the VIP DAY TICKET are exclusive DJ sets – watch this space for more details, stylish indoor and outdoor seating, a wider range of food and drinks with less queues and the ultimate luxury that tops every festival goers wish list…posh toilets!  The VIP DAY TICKET - ideal for those who want to Rock the Ness whilst enjoying a more exclusive festival experience.
Speaking about today’s DAY TICKETS launch RockNess Festival Director Jim King commented “If camping is not your thing then there is still no better way to see your favourite Rock Ness headliners. The fun and games last all day and well into the night so it’s a guaranteed action packed day out. “


RockNess 2011 takes place 10-12 June, 2011 in the village of Dores, close to Inverness in the Scottish Highlands.  

The festival won ‘BEST SMALL FESTIVAL’ at this month’s NME Awards and ‘LINE UP OF THE YEAR’ at the UK Festival Awards.

Rockness announce Sub Club Sound System

by
It is therefore with feverish excitement, and following the inaugural sonic assault by this mighty Glasgow institution on the Arcadia Afterburner at last year’s festival, that we can today proudly announce a brand new arena for RockNess 2011 –  SUB CLUB SOUND SYSTEM.

For three days only, underground goes overground. SUB CLUB SOUND SYSTEM will see our friends bring their totally unique and much loved ‘Subbie’ vibe to its new home-from-home in Dores…along with a line up guaranteed to deliver 100% dancefloor devastation all weekend!

modeselektorSUB CLUB SOUND SYSTEM starts day one with a big walloping chunk of techno on Friday courtesy of headliner MODESELEKTOR.  These East German producers excel in throbbing slabs of machine music and this rare set is sure to explode with energy. Joining MODESELEKTOR is a DJ credited with bringing forward-thinking, bass-heavy music into the public consciousness; JACKMASTER. Voted by DJ Magazine as the Best British Breakthrough DJ of 2010, this Glaswegian customarily obliterates festivities with his unrelenting panache and embraces guilty pleasures and forgotten classics in the same set as unreleased dubplate heaters. The world-renowned NUMBERS operative which he co-founded includes a packed out residency at the Sub Club, a highly prolific label and a recently curated CD for the legendary FabricLive mix series.

With a musical dexterity that belies their tender years, young techno upstarts CLOUDS are on fire. The Scottish duo are attracting massive support with Boys Noize, Tiga, Erol Alkan, Annie Mac, Proxy and Sinden all fans, and their incredible ‘Liquid/Mauful Sir’ was the debut release on Fake Blood’s Blood Music label. Indeed, upon first listen the recently-announced-for-RockNess FAKE BLOOD commented, “CLOUDS…this is all kinds of awesome”.  Armed with Serato, two quick hands and the most diverse crate of dance floor fillers you’re likely to hear, BOOM MONK BEN is a frenzied fanatic of all things bass. From hip hop, dancehall, funk and breakbeats to house, dubstep and drum and bass if it makes the BOOM BEN move you’ll be hearing it this summer at RockNess. His monthly HYP? night at the Sub Club welcomes the foremost exponents of all things electronic and his Mixed Bizness night at Glasgow Art School is much respected. Also on the Mixed Bizness roster and confirmed is HAHAHA…but there ain’t nothing funny about the skill deployed by this new Glasgow producer every time the snare hits. He’s one of the most exciting out there. 

magdaNo compromise, no restrictions is the order of the day in Saturday’s SUB CLUB SOUND SYSTEM. It is a philosophy that flows through the music of MAGDA who headlines the arena.  Encouraged into the early Detroit underground scene by Dan Bell and Claude Young, a co founder of the Run Stop Restore project along with Marc Houle and Troy Pierce, and past force of the all female DJ collective Women on Wax, MAGDA’s name is never far from the lips of discerning clubbers and fellow DJs alike. Signed to Richie Hawtin’s M_nus label, such is the respect MAGDAcommands she is now Hawtin’s sole choice as opening DJ on his European and Stateside tours. Citing Chicago Jack, Acid and Techno as equal ingredients in her sound, MAGDA at RockNess will be BIG!

 
Exuberance, joy, intense grooves and the perfect mix of house, techno and minimal, Romanian-born RARESH is on a stratospheric trajectory. Garnering the acclaim of the great and the good including Ricardo Villalobos, Luciano and Richie Hawtin, and shaking dancefloors across the globe, RARESH is one of the hottest young names out there. Together with friends Rhadoo and Pedro he founded the label [a:rpia:r] with the purpose of conquering not the chart, but the pure feeling and sensation on the dancefloor, in the club.  His debut Scottish gig at the Sub Club and subsequent appearance at The Wee Chill – both splendidly curated by the SENSU and SUB team – demonstrated just what all the fuss was about. Now he’s Scotland-bound again and heading to ‘Ness. RARESH…prepare to be suitably impressed!
 
Regarded as one of the most credible and forward thinking club nights in the world, the Sub Club’s weeklySUBCULTURE residency is an institution that reigns supreme. HARRI and DOMENIC are revered by the electronic music fraternity the world over and week in week out bodies are well and truly jacked at this two-decade-strong residency. Deeply rooted in the early Chicago and Detroit sounds responsible for today’s clubbing and electronic music culture SUBCULTURE is also a night which rarely looks back. Expect a storming set and a serious good time party.
 
Serving up lashings of deep, soulful house against a tech laced, percussion driven set, the brilliant SENSU comprises of Barry Price, Esa Williams and Chris ‘Junior’ Ingram. The trio are set to return to RockNess with a new incarnation of their LIVE performance and the guarantee of it being a highlight of the entire weekend. Laptops, 303s and 909s are employed as the weapons of choice to create a unique live sound that captivates as well as entertains. As co-promoters of The Wee Chill, an extravaganza that has earned a place in the heart of many a discerning clubber, good music, good people and good times is the SENSU motto. It is this philosophy that is carried through into their monthly SENSU club night at the Sub Club, which recently featured in Mixmag’s ‘Top Ten Club Nights of 2010’ . And quite rightly so, with bookings such as Loco Dice, Magda and Ricardo Villalobos making their events a highlight of every month. 
 
Sunday’s proposition in the SUB CLUB SOUND SYSTEM is a stunner. For anyone yet to experience the essence of pure Sub Club magic this is THE place to be. Having taken a sabbatical from the Mercury Music Award-winning ensemble The xx, JAMIE XX has gone deep underground to indulge his love of bottom heavy beats. So far he’s DJ’d at FWD>> and on Rinse FM, released a mix for Parisian arbiters of taste Colette and a 12-inch on Numbers, warmed up mosh pits for OFWGKTA and remixed Gil Scott-Heron’s comeback masterpiece I’m New Here to widespread acclaim. Now he’s heading to Ness to drop an exemplary and effortlessly cool DJ set fitting of this year’s SUB CLUB SOJND SYSTEM finale. Get in early.

MATTHEW DEAR epitomises the sound of the Sub Club and the epic news that he and his band are confirmed for aLIVE set is seriously off the scale!  Straddling multiple musical worlds and belonging to none, MATTHEW DEARinhabits a rarefied corner of the underground universe: respected by his peers and blessed with a bottomless well of creative energy, now is his moment and it sounds like nothing else. Miss this at your peril.

OPTIMO. The very word ignites a fanatical reaction such is their repute. As diverse as ever in their music selection, the first ever OPTIMO was at the Sub Club with club co owner Mike Grieve declaring “this is going to be a revolution”. How right he was. OPTIMO’s 13 year residency at the Sub Club was one of the most important musical contributions Scotland has made to this century. Sunday’s are alive and kicking though! JD Twitch and JG Wilkes recently took up where their old night left off with new Sub Club residency HUNG UP, this time with added input from some of Glasgow’s finest. How appropriate that come June the SUB CLUB SOUND SYSTEM and RockNess will be welcoming back OPTIMO for a blast of euphoric excess delivered in radical signature style.   

Hailing from urban-experimental royalty, and with a vast array of vinyl at his disposal and an unbridled passion for every kind of music under the sun, PRO VINYLIST KARIM of Glasgow’s stellar Rub-A-Dub hits Ness with one message…expect the unexpected!  As a long standing champion of high quality music and technical mixing, KARIMknows a tune when he hears it.  And finally, but in no way least, we are over the proverbial moon, to reveal that Kilmarnock disco legend DAVID BARBAROSSA will be electrifying the SUB CLUB SOUND SYSTEM with his unique brand of record playing. Running his own nights including Curious Curious, Damaged Goods, Fun Size and Wild Combination, occasionally turning out as part of the Huntleys & Palmers gang and having played alongside James Murphy, Todd Terje, Black Devil, Optimo, Roedelius, expect serious levels of funky booty-shaking to be hitting up the arena.

MIKE GRIEVE, Director, Sub Club ”RockNess is by far the most spectacular setting for a festival in the UK and it feels better every time we do it. Having a dedicated SUB CLUB SOUND SYSTEM arena over the whole weekend gives us the chance to take the Subbie experience to The Highlands in full effect and promises to be the most exciting club event of the summer.”

JIM KING, Festival Director, RockNess “I first went to the Sub Club back in 1990. It was a pilgrimage to see what was already a leading light in the underground club scene and the fact that I see this as one of the most exciting announcements we will make this year demonstrates just how good these guys are at what they do. Hopefully it also shows our dedication to having the very best in underground music at RockNess. Their line up is phenomenal and it’s a guaranteed lock out all day and all night.”

HARRI, Subculture “The Sub Club is an institution, which is handy as most of the staff and punters should be in an institution!  First time I went to the Sub Club, they wouldn’t let me in, now I can’t get out. Best looking DJs in Jamaica St.”
 
JONNIE WILKES, Optimo “We always use this daft word to describe that certain atmosphere the club has or the approach the guys (Mike, Paul and Barry) have as owners and promoters. This atmosphere and approach to running the place is what sets it apart from other clubs. The word is “subbiness”. It is daft and I laugh every time I hear it but if you go along to The Sub Club you’ll know exactly what we mean. The place is unique. It has something about it. Subbiness.”

DOMENIC CAPPELLO, Subculture “The best place to play ,the best crowd to play to and when a track really goes off it feels as if the whole club bounces three feet in the air.”
KEITH McIVOR, Optimo “The Sub Club is one of the best places to DJ in the world with a little rivalled soundsystem that makes dance music sound how it is meant to sound.”
 
JACKMASTER ”Numbers at the Sub Club is my favourite place to play in the world.“
BARRY PRICE, Sensu “the best club to work for, play for & dance in. There is nowhere quite like it anywhere in the world.”
 
JUNIOR, Sensu – “With Harri, Domenic and Optimo as teachers, every day is a very enjoyable school day, at the best school ever.”
 
ESA aka MERVIN GRANGER, Sensu “Sub Club has inspired me to think forward musically, it’s made me choose Glasgow as home now and it will forever be my number one club in the world.“

Rockness 2011 lineup additions

by
Friday:
KASABIAN / Two Door Cinema Club / 
Groove Armada presents Red Light / DJ Shadow
Mark Ronson DJ set / Annie Mac / Erol Alkan / Zane Lowe / Brother
 
Saturday:
THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS / The Cribs / Frightened Rabbit / Magnetic Man / Example / Howard Marks
 
Sunday:
PAOLO NUTINI / Glasvegas / The Wombats / We Are Scientists / Lissie / Katy B / Boys Noize / Simian Mobile Disco / Fake Blood LIVE / DJ Yoda / 
Rob da Bank / Optimo / The Cuban Brothers
ROCKNESS – the most beautiful festival in the world - today reveals the stunning list of acts lined up for this summer’s monster party. 

Joining the mighty KASABIAN, who headline the Main Stage on the FRIDAY is Northern Ireland’s music-mad trio and band of the moment who garnered critical acclaim across media and fans alike in 2010,TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB.  With a plethora of sparkling tunes their set is guaranteed to have one and all singing and dancing.

Next up, in a very special treat, the masters of reinvention GROOVE ARMADA bring a brand new and exciting performance concept to the glorious backdrop of Loch Ness.  First, there was the Grammy nominated Black Light; then there was the live energy of White Light.  Now 2011 brings GROOVE ARMADA PRESENTS RED LIGHT. As a Live band they were legendary.  The RED LIGHT shows open a new chapter and accompany a series of dance-floor EPs to be released throughout the summer.  A 4 deck, multi F-X, audio visual DJ experience.  Rooted in the warehouse.  Delivered stadium style.

In terms of influence, stature and sheer quality of output DJ SHADOW is one of the most important and respected artists in experimental hip hop. Vital and vibrant, the news that the Californian master of the turntables, whose collaborations include Thom Yorke of Radiohead and Mike D of The Beastie Boys, is heading to RockNess is sure to generate widespread excitement.  Promising to summon dancing feet to the floor is RockNess favourite and Grammy Award winner MARK RONSON who returns with his magnificent record collection for a dazzling deck spinning extravaganza.

BBC Radio 1’s ANNIE MAC whose annual RockNess shindig is becoming as legendary as Nessie returns in 2011 and is joined by electro super producer & DJ EROL ALKAN.  Radio 1’s brilliantly exuberant ZANE LOWE is also back to deliver his amour for the biggest and best genre spanning tunes likely to be heard all weekend. Rounding off Friday’s music proposition, until it’s time for more tasty treats to be revealed, are the band described by the NME as “The brightest guitar hopes of 2011”, BROTHER.

Joining SATURDAY Main Stage headliners THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS, is one of the country’s biggest cult indie bands THE CRIBS. With stinging guitars, jabbing hooks and catch-laden anthems, fans should prepare for an electrifying performance.  Armed with an abundance of shimmering tunes, the downright fantastic FRIGHTENED RABBIT – creators of such glorious swirling anthems that deserve to reverberate the length of the Great Glen are also announced.

Ripping up the Saturday of RockNess 2011 with their ground breaking LIVE show are dubstep pioneers, ground-breakers, scene-changers and move-makers MAGNETIC MAN.  Expect an arresting frisson of big bass beats from Artwork, Benga and Skream as they unleash their colossal show at ‘Ness that has been pushing the boundaries of electronic LIVE performances across the UK.

With a certified gold selling album ‘Won’t Go Quietly’, a host of killer festival performances in the UK and Europe, a sell-out UK tour and gold sales of this year’s summer anthem ‘Kickstarts’, EXAMPLE is well and truly on a roll and is set to blow things up at RockNess. Topping off Saturday for now, a legend who needs no introduction and was described by the Daily Mail as ‘the most sophisticated drugs baron of all time’, HOWARD MARKS is back! Once again swapping rolling for spinning as he steps up to the decks and takes us on a rich musical nirvana. 

Staying true to the eclectic RockNess music policy, SUNDAY’S Main Stage headliner and Scotland’s finest, PAOLO NUTINI, is joined by Scotland’s outstanding GLASVEGAS whose iconic sound and powerful, uplifting anthems looks set to be a major highlight of RockNess 2011.  The first single from the new album, ‘Euphoria, Take My Hand’ was Zane Lowe’s ‘Hottest Record’ on BBC Radio 1 and the hugely anticipated second album “EUPHORIC /// HEARTBREAK \” is already being hailed as a modern day masterpiece.  GLASVEGAS at RockNess…prepare for another epic moment in Scottish festival history!

The unashamedly cheery THE WOMBATS with their dark yet exuberant and infectious alt pop will be the ideal soundtrack for RockNess as the monster party heads into day three.  Keeping the good times rolling thereon in are the brilliant US indie rockers WE ARE SCIENTISTS. And after absolutely blowing the proverbial roof off in 2010 the incredible BOYS NOIZE makes a welcome return to satisfy even the most addicted-to-electro fiends.

Representing the ladies, first up is the sublime LISSIE who has been praised far and wide for her incredible natural talent by the music industry’s mightiest star makers. Joining LISSIE is a female force firmly on a trajectory to the top, the indomitable KATY B.  Expect a set that sits high and pretty whilst thrusting a wicked rhythm somewhere between dubstep and grime.  KATY B has been taking the dubstep scene by storm, collaborating with the biggest names, including just-announced MAGNETIC MAN, and promises to get even bigger through 2011!

Set to shake off any Sunday weariness is the electronic duo SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO – guaranteed without question to be one of this year’s most compelling LIVE sonic treats. Also coming at the RockNess crowd LIVE is one of the most talked-about remixers and producers on the electro scene,FAKE BLOOD who is ready to generate a kinetically-charged atmosphere!  Expect to lose yourself in this LIVE performance where the beats will be dropped so hard your knees will-a-wobble as you head to the next awesome RockNess performance!

Capturing the imaginations of the RockNess masses with his keenly-defined sense of humour is one of Britain’s most admired original club DJs and AV pioneer DJ YODA who along with BBC Radio 1’s ROB DA BANK will be “playing the best in left field, right field and any bloomin’ field we can lay our hands on.” 

And RockNess simply wouldn’t be complete without THE CUBAN BROTHERS. Sunday slumber? Not on their watch!  Finally, cue trumpet fanfare, Glasgow’s purveyors of all things big, brilliant and electronic,OPTIMO, will be delivering a feast of superlative sounds to excite your ears, and shake things up with no genre, no dogma, just music they love and want to share. 

Festival Director, Jim King said, “We are really happy to be announcing these amazing and exciting new acts that will be appearing at the festival. There are quality bands and DJs from all genres of music and this is just the start with many more acts still to be announced. “

RockNess 2011 takes place 10-12 June, 2011 in the village of Dores, close to Inverness in the Scottish Highlands.  

Exclusive coverage of this year’s festival will be available on BBC ALBA and the BBC iPlayer
TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Student offer - £145 weekend camping/non camping plus free coach travel in Scotland and selected UK destinations from Citylink pick up points.
General offer – £149 weekend camping/non camping
General offer – £159 weekend camping/non camping weekend camping/non camping plus free coach travel in Scotland and selected UK destinations from Citylink pick up points.

Rockness Festival launch Xmas Offer

by

It’s everything a music fan could dream of Santa bringing and the answer to every shopper’s prayers…a RockNess Christmas Stocking.

Forget trying to battle snowstorms, hordes of stressed out shoppers and last minute impulse buys you’ll regret. Save yourself the grief, GO ONLINE and snap up the gift that’ll bring a monster festive smile to your nearest and dearest on Christmas Day.

Stuffed with heaps of money-can’t-buy goodies, the RockNess Christmas Stocking is the ultimate present for music lovers.

Not only does it contain a VIP weekend camping ticket to RockNess – the most beautiful festival in the world, where KASABIAN, THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS and PAOLO NUTINI will headline next summer – but it’s positively heaving with must have treats including a personal aide to help carry your bags on arrival on site, limited edition souvenir ticket and lanyard, a band tee shirt of choice, a bacon buttie and cup of tea every morning, a daily shot of Jagermeister or £10 drinks voucher and the pièce de résistance…a complimentary massage!

At an outrageously good value £199, it’s a sparklingly inspiring Christmas present idea. What’s more, because ‘tis the season of goodwill, the RockNess Christmas Stocking can be paid in three instalments of £66.

Orders placed before the 20th will receive a voucher to go under the tree and any orders purchased after the 20th have the option to download the voucher.

Festival Director, Jim King commented, “We are really pleased to be able to offer this amazing ticket bundle of festive cheer. It has to be the best value festival VIP package on sale anywhere in the UK.”
TO BUY, PLEASE GO TO WWW.ROCKNESS.CO.UK

Or for your chance to win this AMAZING Christmas Present visit www.facebook.com/OfficialRockNess

RockNess 2011 takes place 10-12 June, 2011 in the village of Dores, close to Inverness in the Scottish Highlands.

The festival won ‘LINE UP OF THE YEAR’ at last month’s UK Festival Awards for its 2010 extravaganza which saw appearances from a raft of incredible acts including The Strokes. Leftfield and Fatboy Slim.

Kasabian confirm new material to be heard at Rockness 2011

by

Speaking to NME, Serge Pizzorno said fans should expect some new additions to the setlist. When asked if Kasabian would be playing new songs at RockNess, Pizzorno replied: “Definitely. There may even be something out by then too. I’d like there to be. I’d love to have something out because it always gets you going when you’re playing the new shit.“

Pizzorno was speaking around the release of London Boulevard, the British film he has composed the soundtrack for. He said that some of the material from the soundtrack may influence new Kasabian songs.

“There may be a tune or so from the film that could surface too,” he said. “In some ways, the film and the score might be almost a little glimpse into what will happen with the band in the future.“

With a feast of swaggering anthems and the best pulsating, semi psychedelic grooves on the planet, Kasabian at RockNess is set to be an unforgettable show as the Leicester heroes power their way through a stomping trajectory of anthems sure to stir even Nessie.

RockNess Festival Director Jim King commented, “It’s very exciting news as there’s nothing better than hearing your favourite band’s new material. It really sounds like the band are making RockNess a must see gig for their fans.”

Joining KASABIAN, is an act that can well and truly call RockNess home – THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS. Last time Ed Simons and Tom Rowlands played the festival, they unleashed a colossal visual and sonic assault of such magnitude it reverberated the length of the Great Glen. Now in news that is generating elation with fans, they’re heading back for the first gig in Scotland since 2008. Ed and Tom said “it’s really exciting to be headlining one of our favourite festivals. RockNess is an amazing place to play and we can’t wait to be back there again”. Expect heaps of arms-aloft euphoria come June!

Completing the Main Stage headliners is PAOLO NUTINI who promises to bring RockNess to a spectacular close on the Sunday in a massive landmark homecoming gig. Nutini’s reputation for blistering, crowd rousing live performances has seen him electrify audiences across the globe and festival organisers are inviting fans the length and breadth of the country to do whatever it takes to join this unmissable, once-in-a-lifetime occasion.

As the first major UK festival of the summer, RockNess will also be one of the first opportunities for fans to hear tracks off Paolo’s much-anticipated third album, which is being recorded at present and scheduled for a 2011 release. Commenting on his headline gig at iconic Loch Ness Paolo Nutini said, “I am buzzing at the prospect. I don’t know what to expect but everyone I know has come back with loads of stories to tell. I hope I will be the same!”.

RockNess 2011 takes place 10-12 June, 2011 in the village of Dores, close to Inverness in the Scottish Highlands.

The festival won ‘LINE UP OF THE YEAR’ at last month’s UK Festival Awards for its 2010 extravaganza which saw appearances from a raft of incredible acts including The Strokes. Leftfield and Fatboy Slim.

Music lovers are being encouraged to ‘Respect the ‘Ness’ by taking advantage of ‘GO GREEN’ tickets on sale that include FREE COACH TRAVEL FROM ALL MAJOR CITIES IN THE UK. This follows the instant sell out of the festival’s outrageously good value, computer crashing £99 weekend ticket and amazing Early Bird deal that also sold out!

GO GREEN ticket prices:

£149 – 3 day weekend camping / non camping
£159 – 3 day weekend camping / non camping with coach travel
£135 – 3 day weekend camping / non camping student ticket
£145 – 3 day weekend camping / non camping student ticket with coach travel
£189 – 3 day weekend camping / non camping VIP ticket

 

Paolo Nutini confirms headline gig at Rockness 2011

by

The announcement completes twelve truly amazing months for the multi-million selling artist whose universal appeal has propelled him on an acclaimed global trajectory. Recently accorded the Q Best Male accolade at the highly prestigious Q Music Awards, one of Britain’s biggest and most respected annual celebrations, plus an impressive and well-deserved Ivor Novello for Best Album, Paolo Nutini’s clutch of awards is positively heaving.

Now, as the countdown begins for this incredible gig, against the iconic backdrop of world famous Loch Ness, RockNess organisers are inviting fans to do whatever it takes to join this unmissable, once-in-a-lifetime occasion.

Nutini’s reputation for blistering, crowd rousing live performances has seen him electrify audiences across the globe since he exploded onto the scene in 2006. Now, with a stunning catalogue of material from the multi-platinum global smashes These Streets and Sunny Side Up, plus a few very special surprises too, Paolo’s RockNess headline appearance promises to bring the three-day party to an unforgettable close and is sure to generate fever pitch excitement with fans the length and breadth of the country.

As the first major UK festival of the summer, RockNess will also be one of the first opportunities for fans to hear tracks off Paolo’s much-anticipated third album, which is being recorded at present and scheduled for a 2011 release.

Commenting on his headline homecoming gig Paolo Nutini said,

“I am buzzing at the prospect. I don’t know what to expect but everyone I know has come back with loads of stories to tell. I hope I will be the same!”.

Speaking about today’s announcement, RockNess Festival Director Jim King said,

“We have always said that RockNess is about delivering the best performers. Paolo has proven across his two albums that he is the best act of his generation to come out of Scotland and he is already on his way to becoming one of the very best Acts in the World. Everything about him breathes quality and it’s a great honour for us that he’s chosen RockNess to headline next summer. His fans are going to get something they have never seen before at a festival as Paolo will have total control over his performance, there will be no compromise and from what has been discussed already it promises to be a huge spectacular and his biggest ever gig.”

The reveal follows hot on the heels of the news it’ll be beats galore of epic proportions next June. Two of music’s most towering behemoths, KASABIAN – recipients of this year’s Q award for Best Act in the World Today and THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS, worthy winners of the Q Hero award are also Ness bound where they will unleash their mammoth sound as Main Stage headliners on Friday and Saturday.

RockNess 2011 takes place 10-12 June, 2011 in the village of Dores, close to Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. The festival won ‘LINE UP OF THE YEAR’ at last week’s UK Festival Awards for its 2010 extravaganza which saw appearances from a raft of incredible acts including The Strokes. Leftfield and Fatboy Slim.

Music lovers are being encouraged to ‘Respect the ‘Ness’ by taking advantage of ‘GO GREEN’ tickets on sale from 9am on Friday 26 November that include FREE COACH TRAVEL FROM ALL MAJOR CITIES IN THE UK. This follows the instant sell out of the festival’s outrageously good value, computer crashing £99 weekend ticket and amazing Early Bird deal that also sold out.

GO GREEN ticket prices:

£149 – 3 day weekend camping / non camping
£159 – 3 day weekend camping / non camping with coach travel
£135 – 3 day weekend camping / non camping student ticket
£145 – 3 day weekend camping / non camping student ticket with coach travel
£189 – 3 day weekend camping / non camping VIP ticket

WWW.ROCKNESS.CO.UK

Kasabian and The Chemical Brothers to headline Rockness 2011

by

As recipients of one of Britain’s biggest and most respected awards – Q Best Act in the World Today, bestowed upon them at the prestigious Q Music Awards 2010, KASABIAN are without equal and head to RockNess for a Scottish festival exclusive!

With a feast of swaggering anthems and the best pulsating, semi psychedelic grooves on the planet – taken off their last three brilliant albums Kasabian, Empire and West Ryder Lunatic Asylum – this is set to be an unforgettable show.

Last year’s now legendary headline slot at the V festival reaffirmed their ascent to all conquering world domination. Now with ‘the people’s band’ heading to RockNess this will be one of the few chances to also hear brand new material first – fans can expect this supergroup to power their way through a stomping trajectory of anthems sure to stir even Nessie.

Joining KASABIAN, is an act that can well and truly call RockNess home – THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS. Last time Ed Simons and Tom Rowlands played the festival, they unleashed a colossal visual and sonic assault of such magnitude it reverberated the length of the Great Glen. Now in news that will generate elation with fans, they’re heading back!

As worthy winners of this year’s Q Hero Award, THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS are without question one of the world’s most potent forces in electronic music. Seven albums in, they remain uncompromising, boundary pushing and peerless. New album Further marks a stunning return to form with sweeping utopian layers and expansive vibes but still enough brutal beats to induce air-punching hysteria. With a dizzying back catalogue of hits and a knack for knowing exactly when to drop the beat for maximum impact, expect heaps of arms-aloft euphoria come June!

Speaking about their return to RockNess, Ed and Tom of THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS said “This will be the first time we have played in Scotland since 2008 and so it’s really exciting to be headlining one of our favourite festivals. RockNess is an amazing place to play and we can’t wait to be back there again”.

Adding to this, RockNess Festival Director Jim King commented “We said last year that we really wanted a big rock band and in Kasabian we have the biggest rock band in the UK today. They’re going to take the roof off. As for The Chemical Brothers, they epitomise everything we ever dreamed about as a RockNess headliner. They are one of my favourite bands of all time, true pioneers and RockNess legends“

With KASABIAN and THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS the first headliners to be revealed, and more headline acts to be announced, the summer most definitely starts at RockNess.

RockNess 2011 takes place 10-12 June, 2011 in the village of Dores, close to Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. The festival won ‘LINE UP OF THE YEAR’ at last week’s UK Festival Awards for its 2010 extravaganza which saw appearances from a raft of incredible acts including headliners The Strokes. Leftfield and Fatboy Slim.
Music lovers are being encouraged to ‘Respect the ‘Ness’ by taking advantage of ‘GO GREEN’ tickets on sale from 9am on Friday 26 November that include FREE COACH TRAVEL FROM ALL MAJOR CITIES IN THE UK. This follows the instant sell out of the festival’s outrageously good value, computer crashing £99 weekend ticket and amazing Early Bird deal that also sold out.

GO GREEN ticket prices:

£149 – 3 day weekend camping / non camping
£159 – 3 day weekend camping / non camping with coach travel
£135 – 3 day weekend camping / non camping student ticket
£145 – 3 day weekend camping / non camping student ticket with coach travel
£189 – 3 day weekend camping / non camping VIP ticket

Go Green with Rockness 2011

by

Understanding the magnitude of the environmental issues that festivals can face RockNess have taken a mammoth stride in securing a ‘greener’ festival in 2011 by offering FREE TRAVEL from all major cities in the UK. From as little £135 (£125 Student ticket) music fans the length and breadth of the country can guarantee they’ll be Loch Ness-bound for next summer’s massive Highland extravaganza without breaking the bank. What’s more, by using coach travel and choosing to ‘GO GREEN’, they’re saving the planet as well as their cash.

For travellers from Glasgow or Edinburgh, that means the event ticket is costing only £105. The further they travel, the more incredible the savings, with the cost of a weekend ticket for London-based RockNess fans costing as little as £75 for a ticket in real terms.

Now the good times keep on rolling with the Early Bird on sale. Speaking about the next phase, Festival Director Jim King said “The response to the launch has simply been incredible. The system crashed and we sold out the 3,000 special ’99’ tickets in a day which exceeded all expectations. To cope with continued demand we have now had to go straight into launching the EARLY BIRD ticket and signs are these too are being snapped up fast. We would urge people to avoid delay in securing their great value Early Bird. For only £135 they can get a 3 day ticket including camping plus FREE COACH TRAVEL from all major cities across the UK. For some lucky people this means the actual ticket is even cheaper than the £99 offer. Oh and students even get a discount!”

Approximately 80% of harmful emissions from festivals come from car travel and whilst it might look good for us to throw up the odd windmill here and there, the positive impact of this is marginal when compared to the improvements we can make by cutting car travel.

To help our customers make the transition from car to coach we’ve come up with this amazing early bird offer and want as many people to ‘GO GREEN’ and travel free from any major city in the UK at our expense.

RockNess will also be fully endorsing car share schemes to help people who have no choice but to come by car reduce their carbon footprint, and there will be car parking offers available nearer to the show.

RESPECT THE ‘NESS AND GO GREEN.

Adding to the excitement is the news that the RockNess Friday and Saturday Main Stage headliners have now been confirmed, with negotiations at an advanced stage for Sunday’s illustrious Main Stage slot.

RockNess 2011 takes place across three days on 10, 11 and 12 June and is shaping up to be one of the most fun weekends of next summer. Attractions expected to return to the banks of iconic Loch Ness include the spectacular Arcadia Afterburner arena, exclusive parties from the likes of Sub Club and Soma Records plus comedy which was headlined in 2010 by Kevin Bridges to a full capacity Clash Arena. BBC Radio 1 and Radio Scotland broadcast the action from site in 2010 along with STV.

Early Bird tickets are on sale now but SELLING FAST.

General offer – £135 weekend camping/non camping plus free coach travel in Scotland and selected UK destinations from Citylink pick up points.
Student offer – £125 weekend camping/non camping plus free coach travel in Scotland and selected UK destinations from Citylink pick up points.

Payment plans over three months are available again as part of the Early Bird offer.

General tickets

Student offer – £145 weekend camping/non camping plus free coach travel in Scotland and selected UK destinations from Citylink pick up points.
General offer – £149 weekend camping/non camping
General offer – £159 weekend camping/non camping weekend camping/non camping plus free coach travel in Scotland and selected UK destinations from Citylink pick up points.

 

Rockness 2011 Early-Bird Tickets

by

Heaps of exciting plans are well under way for RockNess 2011 – confirmed today as being staged on 10 – 12 June, 2011 – and organisers are keen to stress that revellers will need to be fast off the mark in securing the fan friendly briefs – once the £99 tickets are gone there will be no re-release at this price.

Speaking about the £99 launch ticket offer, festival boss Jim King commented, “Rock Ness was amazing last year with great performances from a host of acts. We had ridiculously high levels of fun and unbelievably low levels of crime, and we want to reward our most loyal customers with this incredible offer which in terms of value is unbeatable. This is officially the ‘Year of the Ness’ so please book early as it’s going to be a great show.”

This latest feel good news follows the recent praise of the festival’s audience after crime levels were revealed as being at an all time low. Under the SafeNess message, Police, Local Authorities and Emergency Services applauded multiple crime prevention successes which saw over 30,000 fans rock out in a trouble free environment to world class acts including The Strokes, Leftfield, Blondie, Fatboy Slim, Plan B, Ian Brown, Aphex Twin and Pendulum.

A raft of new additions to RockNess, many Scottish exclusives, made it one of the most fun weekends to be had anywhere in 2010. These included the debut of the spectacular Arcadia Afterburner arena, Howard’s End Pub with landlord extraordinaire Howard Marks and side splitting comedy headlined by Glasgow’s Kevin Bridges.

BBC Radio 1 and Radio Scotland broadcast the action from site along with the roving team from STV and a host of fantastic new entertainment was added – including The Big Wheel, allowing fans a bird’s eye view of the most beautiful festival in the world!

The £99 launch tickets go on sale at 9am on Thursday 28 October via WWW.ROCKNESS.CO.UK and are on a first come first served basis.

Upon selling out, Early Bird tickets will be launched at:
General offer – £135 weekend camping/non camping plus free coach travel in Scotland from Citylink pick up points.
Student offer – £125 weekend camping/non camping plus free coach travel in Scotland from Citylink pick up points.

Payment plans over three months will be available again as part of the Early Bird offer.