The Correspondents

Mayfair District lineup announced for Boomtown Fair 2016

by

Fresh off the back of BoomTown’s first major headliner release and OldTown district announcement, the festival has unleashed the full bill for itsMayfair district; a playground for the upper echelons of BoomTown society, where bankers, socialites, aristocrats and secret societies rub shoulders. The well-heeled theatrical high-jinx of Mayfair plays out whilst housing the biggest electro-swing and vintage remix line up in the world.

Joining previously announced scene-leaders Parov Stelar, Molotov Jukebox and The Correspondents (Live Band) on the Town Centre stage is the big band/big bass sound of Dutty Moonshine Big Band.

 At the centre of the Mayfair action is The Ballroom, one of the longest established BoomTown venues and populated by the high-rolling city elite. Among those setting things off here is French vintage remix heavy-hitters Smokey Joe & The Kid featuring British hip-hop hero Mystro, UK electro-swing 6-piece Electric Swing Circus, Italian swingers The Sweet Life Society, the unmistakeable Balkan stomp of Bristolian favourites The Carny Villains and dastardly duo Big Swing Sound featuring Hypeman Sage.

 Elsewhere on Mayfair Avenue, The Bandstand is the place to hear all manner of brass band deviations, including Sheffield funk 8-pieceRenegade Brass Band, the Bronx hip-hop inspired, New Orleans-tinged, North Walian attitude of Llareggub Brass Band, and the UK-meets-Louisiana vibes of Brass Funkeys and Temple Funk Collective.

Full Mayfair Line-up

Parov Stelar, Molotov Jukebox, The Correspondents (Live Band), Smokey Joe & The Kid feat. Mystro, Electric Swing Circus, Dutty Moonshine Big Band, The Carny Villains, The Sweet Life Society, Big Swing Sound feat. Hypeman Sage, Eugene The Cat, Sound Nomaden, Swingbot, Savages y Suefo, Pep’s Show Boys & Sebastian Röser ft. Rosantique, DJ Chris Tofu, Renegade Brass Band, Brass Funkeys, Temple Funk Collective, LLareggub Brass Band, The Zen Hussies, Gypsies Of Bohemia, Unexpected Guests feat. Professor Elemental, Jenova Collective, DJ Louie Prima, Chicken Brothers, Madame Electrifie, CatJam, The Church, Daytoner, Little Violet, Louis Barabbas & The Bedlam 6, Wombo Orchestra, Barbarella's Bang Bang, Manieres des Bohemiens, Mr Tea & The Minions, Swingers, Immigrant Swing, Rum Buffalo, World's Tallest DJ, The Rumpsteppers, BMVT, Jass B'Stards, Madame Barducci and The Goudzy Guitar, The Imperial Works, Antelope, Chameleon Mime, DJ Eliazar, Swing Dance Classes

The Horrors, John Grant and many more set for Blissfields 2015

by

Blissfields are proud to unveil the first wave of musical guests for 2015. The bill includes The Horrors, John Grant, Simian Mobile Disco (Live), Glass Animals, Public Service Broadcasting, Grandmaster Flash, Ibibio Sound Machine, The Correspondents, Songhoy Blues, Novelist, and Melé. Many more acts also confirmed, with a second wave still to be announced.

From a singularity in 2001, Blissfields has reached out into the cosmos inviting sold-outs crowds to its small but perfectly formed, 5,000 capacity, tree-lined mini wilderness in the Hampshire countryside. Music at Blissfields runs until around 4am each day, crafted to take its audience from clear afternoons of discovery and frivolity, through lofty main stage sets, into the heady wee small hours of the Blisscotheque and Hidden Hedge.

Eight years after The Horrors first appeared on the cover of NME, their fourth studio album Luminous marked them as one of the country’s leading, most consistent guitar acts. From their defiant early days of gothic garage-punk, they join Blissfields now as an internationally acclaimed headline act, with a truly unique sound and stage show, bringing a sense of the unreal to proceedings.

Following a string of sold out shows, including The Royal Festival Hall in London,John Grant will also bring his raw, emotional and frank take on music to Blissfields for the first time. Grant’s music has been met with universal critical acclaim, with his latest solo album, Pale Green Ghosts, garnering five star reviews and the accolade of ‘Album Of The Year’ by Rough Trade. His honest portrayal of life’s struggles have connected with listeners and even lead to Grant partaking in side projects, such as 2014 Blissfields alumni Hercules and Love Affair’s latest record.

Simian Mobile Disco will see in a late night LIVE slot on the main stage this year, their formidable set possibly including some of the remixes which bear their name – from the likes of Muse and Nine Inch Nails, to Bjork. Outside of the band, SMD’s James Ford has produced such records as Klaxon’s Mercury Prize-winning Myths Of The Near Future, Florence And The Machine’s Ceremonials, Arctic Monkeys last four ground-breaking records, and 2014’s gargantuan Jessie Ware album Tough Love.

In such a short space of time, Oxford’s Glass Animals have accosted the ear of St Vincent and Radiohead, landed a top-20 album release in Australia for their debut offering Zeba, and decorated some of the biggest stages in London including James Lavelle (UNKLE)’s curated Meltdown. Their hyper-intelligent take on guitar music has undoubtedly positioned them as one of the most sought after live acts of 2015.

Blissfields are pleased to welcome back Public Service Broadcasting. The duo’s original mix of electronica and indie with vocals hijacked from public information films has pioneered a new breed of dance-punk. Their stage show, complete with blinking TV sets, live strings and vintage suits, will beautifully join eras and attitudes together, fittingly into the festival’s 2015 “Somewhere In Time” theme suspiciously well.

Elsewhere and Bona fide DJ pioneer Grandmaster Flash will be serving his lessons in the lost art of hip-hop and turntable technique, bringing some legacy to the beats in 2015, while Eton Messy return in the slot previously occupied by the likes of Snakehips, Bondax, Alunageorge.

After seeing Eclair Fifi and Monki tear the festival apart in 2014, the Blisscotheque is once again looking at the brightest young stars, this year securing Novelist andMelé to headline the stage. Novelist has been riding high on a wave of success since being nominated for the BBC Sound of 2015 and will take the Friday slot with his own inimitable grimy sound whilst the Annie Mac endorsed Melé will close the stage on Saturday.

With a long history of welcoming emerging talent, from Bastille in 2012, Sam Smith in 2013, and Years & Years in 2014, attention will once again be on the festival to highlight the best in new music. Palace, Flo Morrissey, Gengahr, Loyle Carner, Kiko Bun, Alex Adair, Ekkah and Songhoy Blues are just some of the names already twitching the curtain of the internet in that respect.

Of course it wouldn’t be Blissfields without festival favourites Dub Pistols, returning this year to the main stage. Along with The Correspondents, who headline the Thursday night of the event, Ibibio Sound Machine and Hidden Hedge headliners Missill, they form a hazy heart of the festival – a mix of world influences and cross-genre infusions for the times when it’s okay to be lost in a field in England.

THE HORRORS / JOHN GRANT
SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO
GLASS ANIMALS / PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING 
GRANDMASTER FLASH / IBIBIO SOUND MACHINE
SONGHOY BLUES / MELÉ / THE CORRESPONDENTS 
NOVELIST / MISSILL / COSMO SHELDRAKE / GENGAHR
LOYLE CARNER / KIKO BUN / WE HAVE BAND / DUB PISTOLS
ALEX ADAIR / ETON MESSY / SUBGIANT / THE MISPERS
FLO MORRISSEY / PALACE / SPRING KING / EKKAH / MATTHEW AND ME
ANDY COMLEY / BIG CHILD MAN CHILD / BITR8 / BLACK FEATHER / CHOLOMBIAN
DAN MUNRO / DEADPROUD / ECHOTAPE / ESPAI / FABLE / FLOELLA GRACE
GYPSY DISCO / HEADSESSIONS SOUNDSYSTEM / JOHNNY BOXCARS / JOLTA
JOSH SAVAGE / K1R3Y / LIONFACE / MARY MISS FAIRY / MILLY UPTON / MINI DA MINX
MORGAN HISLOP / NOVATONES / ONE STEP TOO LATE / ØNLY / PACHANGO
POPOBAWA / RATZI / SCIENCE OF 8 LIMBS
SHUDDERVISION PRESENTS DIGITS MCPHEE & GUESTS
SOUL & FIRE / THE KINGS PARADE / THE SUBGIANT SOUNDSYSTEM
THIS CITY LIMITS / TRANSEND / WINTERHOURS 

+ MANY MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED

Bestival 2013 Review – Part 1

by

As the late summer nights begin to draw in and the end of the festival season is in sight, while many have packed away their daisy dukes, the Bestivalites are suiting up sailor style for the magical mayhem of HMS Bestival 2013 – Robin Hill park is adorned with swaying flags, the ferries are full and the campsites are primed for partying.

Bestival 2013

Thursday’s foray into the mad world of Rob Da Bank’s imagination sees a brand new area – Temple Island (which we managed to explore before it all burnt up – apparently part of the act not an act of pyromania) and a host of new ‘bubbles’ with a stage, chill out areas and sculptures as well as a heap of amazing places to eat (our particular favourite is Anna Mae’s Mac n Cheese).

Heading into the main arena past the giant illuminated Big Wheel, the Big Top is already chocka with people for The Correspondents. Mad frontman Mr. Bruce is spinning wildly in his humbug-harlequin frilly getup during ‘What’s Happened To Soho?’ before launching headlong into heart thumping jungle tunes, to which the crowd goes mental. Yelling “This is about as dirty as a gentleman like me gets on a Thursday” before leaping onto the sea of arms in the audience, Mr. Bruce crowd surfs to the halfway point in seconds as DJ counterpart DJ Chucks lays down the beat. Calling out “I’ve gotta be honest, this is overwhelming…” Mr. Bruce isn’t kidding – for anyone who hasn’t seen The Correspondents before; they usually play to pretty tiny crowds, and tonight The Big Top is overflowing and going top notch wild. Elsewhere, Tankus The Henge bring a punky edge to the adorable Polka Tent and every single person we pass has a giant grin plastered on their chops.

Friday sees drag spectacular Sink The Pink (usually found gyrating at The Grand Palace of Entertainment) joined on the main stage by members of The Royal Marine Reserves for a thoroughly jolly workout session, “On behalf of the armed forces, we thank you” and “On behalf of transvestites we thank you” are not two sentences you expect to hear at a festival on a Friday afternoon but it did make us giggle. French electro band Caravan Palace are a surprise with their interesting mix of what’s being termed ‘gypsy jazz’ alongside some proper swing-dancing, but the crowd really draws in for the hotly anticipated return of American hip-hop crew, Wu-Tang Clan. Despite the fact that pretty much everyone only knows one song, the band manage to produce enough hype to get the crowd jumping, before busting out 2001 mega hit ‘Gravel Pit’. DJ Mathematics pops off his shoe and proceeds to work the mixer with his foot to the chant of “When I say Wu-Tang, you say forever…” as a mass of ‘W’ hand signs are thrust skyward in appreciation. Though their set seemed to a lack a bit of punch overall, the nostalgia factor made up for it.

Wu Tang Clan @ Bestival 2013

A quick jaunt to check out new area The Port reveals it to be a giant boat with Diablo acts, fire poi spinners and a massive mermaid, alongside some banging music from DJ’s atop the structure and a huge crane providing an aerial dancer a place to do crazy tricks above the awestruck crowd. It’s sort of reminiscent of our beloved (missing) Arcadia from the last couple of years, and really comes into it’s own at night, with regular fireworks, flame cannons and an amazing DJ lineup.

Over in The Big Top, Sinead O’Connor pokes her signature shaved bonce out onto the stage to a decent crowd for a stirring rendition (with added crowd participation) of her iconic Prince cover of ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’, giggling, Sinead says “Thank you, you sang beautifully”. Main stage veterans The Flaming Lips are as bonkers as ever, with frontman Wayne Coyne cradling a baby-doll atop silver spheres, in front of a light-waterfall before spinning a flaming orb around his head like a talisman. Amid the madness and glitter ticker-tape, it’s actually a decent set, but the bafflement on the faces around us suggest they’ve gone a step too odd/dark for the Bestival crowd this time.

The Big Top welcomes Belle & Sebastian with an almighty roar for ‘Cuckoo’, and their soft melodic rock lights up the rammed tent, as the rain begins to pour outside. Joking “I hope you haven’t taken all your drugs at once, remember it’s a marathon not a sprint” frontman Stuart Murdoch launches into ‘Another Sunny Day’ and grabs a host of lucky fans from the crowd to join them on stage for ‘Boy With The Arab Strap’. The Scottish Belles definitely put on one of the best performances of the whole weekend.

Despite the extreme soaking the thousands at the main stage just received, the crowd is going absolutely hyper to the sounds of Fatboy Slim’s Bestival Birthday Bash (See main review for full details), with lasers, fireworks, a great AV show and absolutely banging beats. Norman Cook was absolutely made for Bestival and it’s great to see him filling up the main stage instead of either getting crushed in the Big Top or on the fringe watching the fun happen from the outside. ‘Right Here Right Now’ and ‘Rockafella Skank’ are just absolutely massive, heart pounding, raving beasts of tunes and the whole arena is jumping and waving glowsticks like there’s no tomorrow.

Fatboy Slim @ Bestival 2013

At Bestival, the headliner isn’t ever the end of the action – if you go back to your tent, you’re missing out on the most magical hours at Robin Hill. Staggering about the Ambient Forest, with it’s Chinese lanterns and kids play areas, tiny stages and secret hideouts is honestly like being a kid again. Stick on a forest dwelling animal onesie and you may as well have been dropped into Where The Wild Things Are. It’s totally surreal. As if that wasn’t enough, sneaking past Bollywood and The Port, the top left corner of the forest has a hidden jewel in the form of The Ampitheatre. During the day, this plays host to a huge array of acts (notably, Scroobius Pip’s Satin Lizard Lounge of amazing spoken-word artists) but at night they show bizarre and melon-bending movies for the drunk and delusional. Tonight’s effort is an 80’s hip-hop spectacular ‘Beat Street’. The movie itself is kind of confusing and terribly acted, but the atmosphere of the dark benches hidden in the trees, the bunting and the secret snuggling is what The Amphitheatre is all about, oh and the really exceptionally drink-and-or-drug addled couple falling all over people on their 30 minute attempt to leave – comedy gold.

 
Photos by James Bridle for Summer Festival Guide

Nozstock 2013 Review

by

This was my second year at Nozstock and having just left, I can say that not much has changed since 2012… which is fantastic.

The same warm smiles and friendly faces scatter the green fields, waters and forests of this small but very picturesque festival.  The beer is still cheap (at £3.20 a pint), the entertainment diverse and the toilets clean.  Although one noticeable difference was the presence of rain this year which was heavy at points but this only seemed to cause for more smiles when the sun came out time and time again. What I didn’t notice last year were the sometimes steep slopes dotted around the place, being that the festival is housed in VALLEY truthfully I should have seen this coming but when the rain came down these made for some slippery journeys and treacherous trekking between the campsite and the stages but the organisers were only a stone’s throw away laying down straw and wood chips over night to make it all better.  These little touches are evident throughout the festival and this is what makes it so special.  There was a Human Fruit Machine, which I had to play; archery and belt making – to only name a very few!

Inside the festival there appeared to be a lot for kids to do and plenty for the adults too. The days were easily filled with comedy and music, this year saw Howard ‘Mr Nice’ Marks grace the comedy stage with some trademark tales and bands I’d never heard of owning the main stage (Orchard Stage) such as Tako Lako from Denmark (who I now CANNOT wait to see again next year, I think the lead singer might be a new hero of mine) and The Wytches who had a great sound as well as acts I was looking forward to like The Electric Swing Circus.  The Orchard Stage was also the setting for yet another memorable performance from The Correspondents; ‘Mr Bruce’ never seems to fail the crowd!  It was just as good as last year!

Nozstock 2013

It’s so easy to kick back and soak it all up in the sun on the farm but it it’s at night when this one really kicks into gear. The sun goes down, the volume goes up and the masses come out.  Friday night saw, By The Rivers, an original 6-piece reggae band, light up the Garden Stage.  I had never heard of them but had received strong recommendations – I was not disappointed at all as they played a lovely sounding reggae to a packed crowd.  Andy C was the highlight for me, having appeared to enjoy his time at the cubicles (Nozstock’s dedicated dance area) last year so much that he brought his crew this time, with Loadstar and Wilkinson also delivering big beats into the small hours. A late night/early morning trip down to the coppice is a must as there’s nothing quite like a trance skank-out in the forest before bed at dawn.

A great thing about Nozstock is the size, it is one of the smaller festivals but with so much going in really doesn’t feel very small; a problem with larger festivals can be the lack of phone signal, this was not the case but most of the time it was not needed as I always found myself bumping into the same festival goers over the weekend.

Nozstock 2013

The more I go to Nozstock the more I love it. There’s just something remarkable about listening to a huge stacked speaker system in a graffitied barnyard on a weekend afternoon with a pint of locally sourced beer or cider. If you can manage the drawn out trip over to this remote spot I would definitely recommend it.  Just watch out for the slippery slopes.

Review by Sam Walsh 

More Photos by Paul Taylor here

Nozstock reveals final music lineup for 2013

by

The small family-run event now in its 15th year is set in a beautiful rural part of Herefordshire. It started life as a party for relatives and friends and has grown over the years into one of the friendliest small festival experiences to be had.

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

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

Also playing are hotly tipped young upstarts The Strypes, one of Britain’s longest running and most cherished acts Chas & Dave, Dub Pistols (fronted by the enigmatic Barry Ashworth), The Beat, Benny Page, The Computers and Ava Leigh plus the legendary RAM Records takeover of The Cubicles dance arena. Featuring some of the hottest talent in the dance music scene including the undisputed godfather of DnB Andy C, RAM will once again be bringing his bag of bass-heavy tricks, alongside Wilkinson, Loadstar, Loko and MC Visionobi.

New Additions:

THE CORRESPONDENTS | THE WYTCHES | MISTY MILLER  |   ELECTRIC SWING CIRCUS

WILLE AND THE BANDITS | THE EQUATORS | TAKO LAKO | SMERINS ANTI SOCIAL CLUB | MORE LIKE TREES | DR MEAKER  |   UNCLE DUGS  | KRY WOLF  |  RICHARD AND THE RAFTERS | BO WALTON  | STIFF JOINTS

The Correspondents will be returning to Nozstock for a second year with their high-energy two-man stage show. DJ/Producer Chucks throws a history of dance music from Blues to Jazz, Electro to Dubstep to Drum’n’Bass into the mix which is then seasoned with Mr Bruce’s vocals depicting the trials and errors of love, lust and loss creating a show not to be missed.

Electric Swing Circus are a 6 piece Electro Swing band that fuses cool 20's swing with stomping electro beats in a dazzling live show.  Fronted by the sassy Sisters of Swing with the addition of live drums, fretless bass, gyspy jazz guitar, keys, synths and swinging samples, The Electric Swing Circus hotfoots its way through everything from breakbeat and house to jungle and dubstep, whilst keeping true to their own unique style of swing. 

The Wytches formed in November 2011 and have slithered their way in to various cities over England with a cynical, dark and flowery take on psychedelia ever since. Their songs take in 50’s surf riffs, desert whips and loungey melancholic shuffles, drawing influence from Nirvana, Bright Eyes and The Cramps

Dr Meaker have become one of Bristol's prize assets and are set to be an exciting prospect for Nozstock this year. Many have been won over by their mind blowing live performances, tight production, quality writing and their ability to effortlessly mix soul with Bass music. Last year the band performed a Maida Vale Live Lounge session for Trevor Nelson’s BBC Radio 1xtra show.

Smerins Anti Social Club are renowned for their explosive live shows and Nozstock will be no exception. They have long been firing up festival crowds and gig-goers throughout the UK with their 10 piece lineup using the raw ingredients of ska, funk, dub, drum'n'bass and swing to full effect in their epic, brass-heavy instrumentals.

Sika Studios Hip Hop Squat Takeover

Fliptrix  |Verb T | Jam Baxter |Leaf Dog | BVA | Edward Scissortongue | DJ Sammy B Side| DJ Madnice |Dr Syntax |Devilman | Ed Cox + Stivs (DSC) + Mattycore (Life4land) |Stagga + Skamma |Lee Scott + Bill Shakes (Children of the Damned) | Split Prophets | Jman |Sonnyjim + Sleaze |Mylo Stone | Tenchoo | Traumatik |Rum Committee | Concept of Thought | Defenders of Style + Lego + Matter | Granville Sessions + Jester Jacobs|Influx |TPS |GV Clik | Cracker Jon + Too Late | Bennadict | Kimberley Newell |Bahai | Flash Harry

In addition to these announcements, Sika Studios have announced the lineup for their hip hop squat takeover in The Bullpen. This will see the return of High Focus Records to Nozstock, putting on a showcase featuring the like of Fliptrix, who has been considered the UKs freshest hip hop MC since 2010's critically acclaimed Theory of Rhyme, Leaf Dog, one third of underground heroes Three Amigos, Verb T, BVA, Jam Baxter, Edward Scissortongue, DJ Sammy B Side and DJ Madnice. A huge figure in underground UK hip-hop, Dr Syntax will be returning to Nozstock, with his ‘witty social commentary, self-deprecating humour and intelligent wordplay. (Rhyme and Reason).

The Coppice lineup announced

Psytrance stalwarts Tribe of Frog will also be returning to Nozstock to bring deep beats into The Coppice all weekend long with acts like Big Scary Monsters, Illegal Machines, and K.i.M joining the fray. Also appearing will be: Brainiac, Occular, Lurk, Lorraine, Awen, Neutron, Nocotopus, Psychosonic, F'da F'da, Hemp, Timmer, Dr. Psy, Piemanand Wicki.

First comedy acts revealed

Nozstock is also thrilled to announce the first wave of its comedy lineup for 2013. Hosted by Rock ‘N Roll tour manger turned award winning comedian Bob Slayer, this year’s line up features the cream of the UK comedy crop.

Lauded by Time Out as a ‘wonderfully observed and hysterically funny character who contacts dead celebrities with incredible results‘ Tom Binns is set to grace the stage with his most recent comic creation Ian De Monfort, a psychic from Sunderland.  Mr Methane, the renowned performing flatualist caused a stir on Britain's Got Talent a few years ago with his anal voiced rendition of The Blue Danube will also be appearing.

Other highlights include Martin Mor, Norman Lovett and Simon Donald as well as Lach, Joey Page, Holly Burns, Ben Target, Pat Cahill, John Kearns, Holly Burn, Karl Schultz, Adam Larter, Paul Duncan McGarity, Matthew Highton, Beth Vyse Gareth Morinan and Joe Davies.

Full Lineup

The Strypes | Dub Pistols | Chas and Dave | Mr Scruff | The Beat | The Correspondents | DJ Yoda | Sonny Wharton | The Wytches | | Parlour Flames | The Computers | Misty Miller | Electric Swing Circus  | Wille and The Bandits  | The Equators  | Ava Leigh | Tako Lako | Smerins Anti Social Club | Kitten and The Hip | More Like Trees | Dr Meaker | Uncle Dugs | Kry Wolf | King Porter Stomp | By The Rivers | George Ezra | Velvet Stream | The Resonators | Dutty Inspectors | Ziro | Heymoon Shaker | Backbeat Soundsystem | Coda | MouthMaster Murph | Goldseal | More Like Trees | Gypsy Unit | Cazal | Too Spicy | Duncan Disorderly and The Scallywags |  Wyynona Ryyder |  Caolin Clay | Johnny Kowasaki and The Sexy Weirdos | Captain Accident and The Disasters | Sarah Joy | Jennifer Booton | The Inexplicables | The Cadbury Sisters | Richard and The Rafters  | Bo Walton  | Stiff Joints | High Focus Records Showcase | Fliptrix | Verb T | Jam Baxter | Leaf Dog | BVA | Edward Scissortongue | DJ Sammy B Side| DJ Madnice | Dr Syntax | Devilman | Ed Cox + Stivs + Mattycore | Stagga + Skamma | Lee Scott + Bill Shakes | Split Propehts | J Man | Sonnyjim + Sleaze | Mylo Stone | Big Scary Monsters | Illegal Machines | K.i.M | Brainiac | Occular | Lurk | Lorraine | Awen | Neutron | Nocotopus, Psychosonic | F'da F'da | Hemp | Timmer | Dr. Psy | Pieman |  Wicki

 

Andy C | Loadstar | Wilkinson | S.P.Y | Kasra | Break | Benny Page | Loko | MC GQ | MC Lowqui | MC Visionobi | Remidy MC | Amoss | Octo Pi | DJ Scope

 

The Music Pool Charity

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

Cosy Camping from Yippee-Yurts

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

ON SALE NOW AT – www.nozstock.com

Tier 2

Adult Weekend = £95

Children 12 and under – free

Car parking – £10

Camper Van £30

Final Music lineup announced for Nozstock

by

THE CORRESPONDENTS | THE WYTCHES | MISTY MILLER  |   ELECTRIC SWING CIRCUS

WILLE AND THE BANDITS | THE EQUATORS | TAKO LAKO | SMERINS ANTI SOCIAL CLUB | MORE LIKE TREES | DR MEAKER  |   UNCLE DUGS  | KRY WOLF  |  RICHARD AND THE RAFTERS | BO WALTON  | STIFF JOINTS

The Correspondents will be returning to Nozstock for a second year with their high-energy two-man stage show. DJ/Producer Chucks throws a history of dance music from Blues to Jazz, Electro to Dubstep to Drum’n’Bass into the mix which is then seasoned with Mr Bruce’s vocals depicting the trials and errors of love, lust and loss creating a show not to be missed.

Electric Swing Circus are a 6 piece Electro Swing band that fuses cool 20's swing with stomping electro beats in a dazzling live show.  Fronted by the sassy Sisters of Swing with the addition of live drums, fretless bass, gyspy jazz guitar, keys, synths and swinging samples, The Electric Swing Circus hotfoots its way through everything from breakbeat and house to jungle and dubstep, whilst keeping true to their own unique style of swing. 

The Wytches formed in November 2011 and have slithered their way in to various cities over England with a cynical, dark and flowery take on psychedelia ever since. Their songs take in 50’s surf riffs, desert whips and loungey melancholic shuffles, drawing influence from Nirvana, Bright Eyes and The Cramps.

Dr Meaker have become one of Bristol's prize assets and are set to be an exciting prospect for Nozstock this year. Many have been won over by their mind blowing live performances, tight production, quality writing and their ability to effortlessly mix soul with Bass music. Last year the band performed a Maida Vale Live Lounge session for Trevor Nelson’s BBC Radio 1xtra show.

Smerins Anti Social Club are renowned for their explosive live shows and Nozstock will be no exception. They have long been firing up festival crowds and gig-goers throughout the UK with their 10 piece lineup using the raw ingredients of ska, funk, dub, drum'n'bass and swing to full effect in their epic, brass-heavy instrumentals.

Sika Studios Hip Hop Squat Takeover

Fliptrix  |Verb T | Jam Baxter |Leaf Dog | BVA | Edward Scissortongue | DJ Sammy B Side| DJ Madnice |Dr Syntax |Devilman | Ed Cox + Stivs (DSC) + Mattycore (Life4land) |Stagga + Skamma |Lee Scott + Bill Shakes (Children of the Damned) | Split Prophets | Jman |Sonnyjim + Sleaze |Mylo Stone | Tenchoo | Traumatik |Rum Committee | Concept of Thought | Defenders of Style + Lego + Matter | Granville Sessions + Jester Jacobs|Influx |TPS |GV Clik | Cracker Jon + Too Late | Bennadict | Kimberley Newell |Bahai | Flash Harry|

In addition to these announcements, Sika Studios have announced the lineup for their hip hop squat takeover in The Bullpen. This will see the return of High Focus Records to Nozstock, putting on a showcase featuring the like of Fliptrix, who has been considered the UKs freshest hip hop MC since 2010's critically acclaimed Theory of Rhyme, Leaf Dog, one third of underground heroes Three Amigos,Verb T, BVA, Jam Baxter, Edward Scissortongue, DJ Sammy B Side and DJ Madnice. A huge figure in underground UK hip-hop, Dr Syntax will be returning to Nozstock, with his ‘witty social commentary, self-deprecating humour and intelligent wordplay. (Rhyme and Reason).

The Coppice lineup announced

Psytrance stalwarts Tribe of Frog will also be returning to Nozstock to bring deep beats into The Coppice all weekend long with acts like Big Scary Monsters, Illegal Machines, and K.i.M joining the fray. Also appearing will be: Brainiac, Occular, Lurk, Lorraine, Awen, Neutron, Nocotopus,Psychosonic, F'da F'da, Hemp, Timmer, Dr. Psy, Pieman and Wicki.

First comedy acts revealed

Nozstock is also thrilled to announce the first wave of its comedy lineup for 2013. Hosted by Rock ‘N Roll tour manger turned award winning comedian Bob Slayer, this year’s line up features the cream of the UK comedy crop.

Lauded by Time Out as a ‘wonderfully observed and hysterically funny character who contacts dead celebrities with incredible results‘ Tom Binns is set to grace the stage with his most recent comic creation Ian De Monfort, a psychic from Sunderland.  Mr Methane, the renowned performing flatualist caused a stir on Britain's Got Talent a few years ago with his anal voiced rendition of The Blue Danube will also be appearing.

Other highlights include Martin Mor, Norman Lovett and Simon Donald as well as Lach, Joey Page, Holly Burns, Ben Target, Pat Cahill, John Kearns, Holly Burn, Karl Schultz, Adam Larter, Paul Duncan McGarity, Matthew Highton, Beth Vyse Gareth Morinan and Joe Davies.

Full Lineup

The Strypes | Dub Pistols | Chas and Dave | Mr Scruff | The Beat | The Correspondents | DJ Yoda | Sonny Wharton | The Wytches | | Parlour Flames | The Computers | Misty Miller | Electric Swing Circus  | Wille and The Bandits  | The Equators  | Ava Leigh | Tako Lako | Smerins Anti Social Club | Kitten and The Hip | More Like Trees | Dr Meaker | Uncle Dugs | Kry Wolf | King Porter Stomp | By The Rivers | George Ezra | Velvet Stream | The Resonators | Dutty Inspectors | Ziro | Heymoon Shaker | Backbeat Soundsystem | Coda | MouthMaster Murph | Goldseal | More Like Trees | Gypsy Unit | Cazal | Too Spicy | Duncan Disorderly and The Scallywags |  Wyynona Ryyder |  Caolin Clay | Johnny Kowasaki and The Sexy Weirdos | Captain Accident and The Disasters | Sarah Joy | Jennifer Booton | The Inexplicables | The Cadbury Sisters | Richard and The Rafters  | Bo Walton  | Stiff Joints | High Focus Records Showcase | Fliptrix | Verb T | Jam Baxter | Leaf Dog | BVA | Edward Scissortongue | DJ Sammy B Side| DJ Madnice | Dr Syntax | Devilman | Ed Cox + Stivs + Mattycore | Stagga + Skamma | Lee Scott + Bill Shakes | Split Propehts | J Man | Sonnyjim + Sleaze | Mylo Stone | Big Scary Monsters | Illegal Machines | K.i.M | Brainiac | Occular | Lurk | Lorraine | Awen | Neutron | Nocotopus, Psychosonic |F'da F'da | Hemp | Timmer | Dr. Psy | Pieman |  Wicki

Andy C | Loadstar | Wilkinson | S.P.Y | Kasra | Break | Benny Page | Loko | MC GQ | MC Lowqui | MC Visionobi | Remidy MC | Amoss | Octo Pi | DJ Scope

The Music Pool Charity

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

Cosy Camping from Yippee-Yurts

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

Rudimental, Kate Nash & more added to Bestival 2012

by

We’re very excited indeed to announce that recent UK singles chart toppers Rudimental will be making their Bestival debut this September. Hailing from London’s east end, the four-piece are going to be smashing out the certified drum and bass bangers for the mainstage crowd, including ‘Feel The Love’ which has propelled them into the heart of the big league. Prepare to bounce when the beats drops. 

Rudimental

Fresh from her recent trip to Los Angeles, where she’s been writing and recording songs for her forthcoming third album, Kate Nash who has caused a stir with her latest offering, ‘Underestimate The Girl’, a no-holds-barred dive into punk spirit will also be making her way across the Solent to join us once again.

dan le sac, whose much anticipated debut solo album ‘Space Between The Words’ is set to be released imminently, will be making a very welcome Bestival solo appearance to showcase his musical psyche, embracing everything from electro-pop to psychedelia, all accompanied by an impressive array of vocal talent. Also revelling in his solo ambitions dan le sac’s regular sparring partner Scroobius Pip will offer up a slice of his acclaimed ‘Distraction Pieces’ long-player that has seen him smash his punk, rock and hip-hop influences into a pleasing new whole.

Plus there will be sleek modern action with soulful vocals and garage stylings from criminally young sibling duo Disclosure. Supporting the release of their eponymous debut album that’s due to drop the week they play Bestival, Stooshe will be cranking up the in your face R&B factor. Clement Marfo & The Frontline will add gargantuan pop hooks, sweet neo-soul vocals and a rush of energised rock dynamics to their grime and hip-hop core. And Jeremy Warmsley and Elizabeth Sankey AKA Summer Camp are set to demonstrate their 80s inspired synthpop sunshine, delivering what can only be described as bliss drenched moments of pure pop joy. 

A perennial Bestival favourite, The Correspondents will be mixing up the heady flavours of dance music, all sensationally seasoned with frenetic frontman Mr Bruce’s unique vocals. But wait! If you can’t hold on until September to experience The Correspondents, then you’re in for a treat as we have a brilliant free track from them for your delectation that you can download here.
     
And that’s not all, as there’s lots more live action with critically acclaimed, Americana tinged pop from multi-instrumentalist James McCartney, melodic guitar based behaviour from Meteor-winning Irish rockers The Coronas, off beam folk from Beans on Toast, dark melodies from the very hotly-tipped Brightonian quartet Two Jackals, warm, inviting, melodic vintage synth-driven loveliness from Lucky Elephant, Californian Psych-pop from Sleepy Sun and four-headed multi-instrumental mayhem from Gush.

An undisputed legend of reggae, we’re over the moon that on Friday evening Bollywood will play host to David Rodigan MBE Presents Ram Jam. With sets from the master himself and Shy FX & Stamina MC, Top Cat feat Sir Coxsone Outernational, B Traits, The Nextmen & MC Wrec, General Levy and Congo Natty in what is destined to be a heavyweight session featuring the best of classic and brand new music spanning the worlds of reggae, dub, D&B and dubstep.

David is also very pleased to announce the addition of his Ram Jam Chicken Shack at this year’s festival, located near the Bollywood tent, selling the very best in Caribbean food with a twist!

Says David Rodigan MBE – “Delighted to be returning to Bestival, but this year with my own Ram Jam tent and special guests. Plus we’re bringing our Ram Jam Chicken Shack, so its music for your mind and food for your soul, Rodigan style and fashion! Time to bring the signal!” 

We’re ecstatic to be able to unveil the full line-up for Jaguar Skills & His Amazing Friends , as he takes over Bollywood on Sunday night with glitchy electro dubstep from Zomboy, part rap, part punk, part rave-up rawness from Murkage, who will be playing live, bass heavy brilliance from three times DMC champion DJ Cable and electro and house bangers aplenty from DJ@War.

Says Jaguar Skills – “Ninja’s…everybody knows I love playing Bestival…and this year is set to become my favourite year ever. Rob da Bank and his team have kindly given me full control of the line-up on the Sunday for the Bollywood tent. So join me, Murkage (Live), Zomboy, DJ Cable and DJ@War’ as we bring an aural assault of every tempo to your eardrums. HoooOOOO!”

And, charged with keeping the dancelfoors bouncing day and night at Robin Hill, we have even more superfly selectors coming to the party including the expansive breaks, dub and glitch sounds of San Francisco’s Bassnectar, grime, house and soul styles from Alexander Nut, reggae greats played correctly by the incomparable DJ Derek, sing-along sickness from the Hip Hop Karaoke crew, hip shaking house from The Good Guys, fist pumping goodness from Soft Rocks who will be taking things beyond the guiltiest of pleasures and atmospheric techno from Ben Hoo. Plus there will be Continental Drifts’ main man Chris Tofu, UK Bass action courtesy of Low Fro, legendarily eclecticism from Michael Cook, non-stop party flavours from Bestival heroes Sombrero Sound System and crazy funsters Dick and Dom will be dropping their ‘Rip It Up’ DJ set. No, really! We also advise you to keep an eye out for the Police Rave Unit dropping classic cuts across a spectrum of dance music, whilst keeping it legal on the mic!

Finally, we’re very pleased indeed to be able to announce that controversial author and public speaker, David Icke will be conducting one of his world-famous talks in the Ambient Forest. Notorious for his contentious views and conspiracy theories, his vast array of hypothesis and philosophies aren’t always as outlandish as you might think and we heartily recommend keeping an open mind and checking out what he’s got to say.

Tickets are selling like hotcakes, so if you want to guarantee yourself a slice of the greatest show on earth you need to get your skates on! And do keep on checking in at www.bestival.net, and our Facebook page and Rob da Bank’s Twitter for loads more info and cool stuff!

All The Acts Announced So far:

Live Performances From:  Stevie Wonder / Florence + The Machine / New Order / Sigur Rós / The Xx / Friendly Fires / Nero / 2manydjs – Live / Soulwax / Justice Live / Two Door Cinema Club / Hot Chip / Miike Snow / Bat For Lashes / Emeli Sandé / Orbital / Frank Ocean / SBTRKT / Warpaint / De La Soul / Roots Manuva / Major Lazer / Sister Sledge / Gary Numan / The Horrors / Spiritualized / Death In Vegas / Doom / Ben Howard / Michael Kiwanuka / Sub Focus / Azealia Banks / Alabama Shakes / Dan Le Sac / Scroobius Pip / Saunderson Feat. Inner City Live / Gallows / Kate Nash / Rizzle Kicks / Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs / Earth Wind & Fire Experience Feat Al Mckay / Buraka Som Sistema / Sage Francis / Grimes / Bellowhead / Django Django / Little Dragon / Gold Panda / Adam Ant & The Good, The Mad And The Lovely Posse / The Cuban Brothers / Top Cat Featuring Sir Coxsone Outernational / Chairlift / Disclosure / John Foxx And The Maths / Summer Camp / Iceage / Ren Harvieu / John Talabot / Lianne La Havas / Delilah / Alunageorge / First Aid Kit / Gesaffelstein / The Correspondents / Daughter / Zulu Winter / Ane Brun / Friends / King Khan And The Shrines / The Japanese Popstars / Chas & Dave / Dub Pistols / Kindness / Factory Floor / Charli XCX / Errors / Lucy Rose / Skepta / Sunless 97 / Sleepy Sun / Congo Natty / King Krule / Toy / Dirty Beaches / Drums Of Death /Jessie Ware / Jeffrey Lewis & The Junkyard / General Levy / Lucky Elephant / Slagsmålsklubben/ Jaipur Kawa Brass Band / Field Music / Jinja Safari / Kawa Circus / B.Dolan's Church Of Love & Ruin / James Mccartney / The Coronas / 02:54 Porcelain Raft / Milagres / Three Bonzos And A Piano / Prince Fatty / Liz Green / Forest Swords / Willis Earl Beal / Murkage / Alt-J / The Staves / Jake Bugg / Skinny Lister / Josh Kumra / Ryan Keen / Stay+ / Jamie N Commons / Nina Nesbitt / Bigkids / Gabrielle Aplin / Kwes / Gush / Diagrams / Fiction / Turbowolf /Mary Epworth / Wet Nuns / The Other Tribe / Beans On Toast / Misty's Big Adventure / This Is The Kit / Stealing Sheep / Clock Opera / Young British Artists / Patterns / Ghost Outfit / L.A. Salami / To Kill A King / Dingus Khan / Crowns / Killaflaw / Barker & The Red Clay Halo / Parma Violets / Gorgeous George / Subgiant /Heath:Ward /Laurel Collective / Ahab /Gecko /Model Society / Tom Williams And The Boat / Daytona Lights / Two Jackals / Biederbeck / Valentine Gray / Charley Macaulay / Sky Sphere / Blackhouse Crow / The Lovely Eggs / St Spirit / Charming / Alonestar / Shepherds / Cherishport / Seán Mcgowan / A Way Of Life / This Way Up / The Widowmaker/

DJs Sets From Rob da Bank and Friends: Annie Mac Presents / Four Tet B2B Caribou / The 2 Bears / David Rodigan MBE Presents Ram Jam / Jamie xx / Skream And Benga Feat Sgt Pokes And Youngman / Dirtybird Showcase Feat. Claude Vonstroke, Justin Martin & Eats Everything / François K / Brodinski / Moodymann / Gilles Peterson / Redlight / DJ Yoda / DJ Derek / Bassnectar / Maya Jane Coles / Scuba / Kavinsky / Julio Bashmore / LTJ Bukem / / Shy FX And Stamina Mc / Plastician / Matador / Greg Wilson / Doctor P / The Nextmen / Hip Hop Karaoke / MC Wrec / Pearson Sound / Adamski / Borgore / Flux Pavilion / Max Cooper / Gemini / Krystal Klear / Pangaea / Reggae Roast / Billy Daniel Bunter / Pariah / Trolley Snatcha / Krafty Kuts / Warm & Electric Minds / Scratch Perverts / Koan Sound / Camo & Krooked / Giles Smith & James Priestley (Secretsundaze) / Mosca / Numbers Showcase: Oneman B2B Jackmaster, Deadboy, Spencer, Redinho / B Traits / Ben Ufo / PBR Streetgang / Jaguar Skills & His Amazing Friends / Drums Of Death / Blawan / Frank Tope / Leo Zero / Dismantle / Gutterslut / Melé / Girl Unit / Zomboy / The Good Guys / Luv*Jam / Dr Alex Paterson / Chris Coco / Pete Gooding / Phil Mison / Mark Jones / Duff Disco / Sonnyji Presents Bang Bhang / Danny Whitehead / Mixmaster Morris / Police Rave Unit / Sombrero Sound System / Rev Milo Speedwagon / Graeme Fisher (Balearic) / DJ Cable / Foamo / Shepdog / The Shellac Collective /Flying White Dots / DJ Charge / Pathaan / Mojo Filter / Fear Of Theydon / Tythe / Sink The Pink / George B / Kaf-Tan / Soft Rocks / Michael Cook / Chris Tofu / Ben Hoo / DJ@War / Low-Fro 

Mr Motivator

Brainfeeder Presents Thundercat, The Gaslamp Killer, Teebs, Lapalux, Jeremiah Jae, DJ Kutmah

Channel One Sound System

RockNess adds Jeff Mills, Rob Da Bank and more!

by

 

As one of the biggest names in techno, it is impossible to love the genre and not be familiar with the name JEFF MILLS. And if there wasn’t a word like “Wizard” to describe him it would be necessary to invent one. A founding member of the noted Detroit techno collective Underground Resistance, along with “Mad” Mike Banks and Robert “Noise” Hood, as well as past resident of New York’s legendary Limelight, signed artist on Berlin’s acclaimed Tresor label and creator of Chicago’s Axis Recordings, plus countless other groundbreaking achievements of note, JEFF MILLS is revered as a demi-God by electro purists the world over.

Jeff Mills

Now in a very special appearance, an absolute must for techno connoisseurs, RockNess is thoroughly delighted to announce the maestro will join the exceptional line up of this year’s SUB CLUB SOUND SYSTEM 25 Years celebrations. Expect an unforgettable set as JEFF MILLS, under the moniker of ‘The Wizard’, whips up a storm of unparalleled ferocious intensity playing a set of funk, soul and extremely rare early electro classics.
 
Inspired at the outset by the likes of Nirvana, Mudhoney and The Pixies, Irish rock group ASH have notched up five studio albums (and a mini album) and countless top 40 hits. ‘Girl From Mars’, ‘Oh Yeah’, ‘Burn Baby Burn’…ASH make great pop songs. Heralded as the ultimate singles band, the 3-piece turned their back on the traditional route of recording an album every couple of years and set up their own studio and label, Atomic Heart Records. This newfound freedom enabled the band to record and release songs at will. Thus was born the A-Z Series – a collection of 26 songs released fortnightly for an entire year. 2011 saw Charlotte Hatherley return to join the band for a one-off tour to much acclaim. 2012 sees the 20th anniversary of ASH with an appropriate celebration stop off at Dores.
 
RockNess favourite ROB DA BANK is Highlands-bound again this year too, back to thrill as always no doubt with a big heaving box of stupendously tasty audio delights. ROB DA BANK’s shows are a colourful corner of the musical universe where you're as likely to stumble into stripped down techno as you are woozy weird folk, bootleg covers, brand new dubstep to oddball electronic so expect the unexpected!

The rise of Yorkshire indie rockers THE PIGEON DETECTIVES is one based on strength of tunes – launched with hit drenched debut Wait For Me, and a relentless approach to touring. Feted by the likes of Steve Lamacq and Jo Wiley, three albums in and with a fourth scheduled for an autumn 2012 release, the platinum selling five piece are set to bring their sound of sculpting guitars and scudding choruses to the festival following a highly successful European tour.

Pigeon Detectives

ERRORS is a four piece band from Glasgow with a unique take on dance music. Signed to the brilliant Mogwai’s Rock Action label, they have to date released a series of singles, EPs and their debut album “It’s Not Something But It Is Like Whatever” and these releases have brought them acclaim across the board from MTV, Zane Lowe and Vic Galloway along with sessions at Maida Vale for Mary Anne Hobbs, Rob Da Bank and Huw Stephens, magazines such as NME, Dazed and Confused and Rock Sound as well as tours and live dates with bands as varied as Underworld, Franz Ferdinand, Explosions In The Sky, Gary Numan and Mogwai. NME has hailed them as “one of the most interesting bands in the country”. Don’t miss ERRORS at RockNess this June.
 
SOUND OF GUNS return to RockNess once again with their sure-fire power and raw energy. Hailing from Liverpool, SOUND OF GUNS have blazed a trail since they formed in 2008 cementing their deserved reputation for delivering searing rock with their second album, Angels and Enemies picking up support  from Zane Low and Xfm along the way.
 
THE CORRESPONDENTS take a large helping a swing, jazz, cha-cha-cha and much more from the history of music and add a large helping of fat drum and bass and electro beats to create something that’s unique in the current musical landscape. And with frontman Mr Bruce’s high voltage performance depicting the trials and errors of love, lust and loss they have consistently destroyed crowds on the festival circuit marking them out as a must see act.
 
A plethora of exciting new breakthrough talent is announced for the line up too. Young Scottish singer songwriter NINA NESBITT has been generating much interest after being spotted by ED SHEERAN and Example (both of whom she subsequently supported on tour). With comparisons to Laura Marling and Kate Nash, check out her set to see just why all the fuss.
 
Former Groove Armada collaborator Becky Jones AKA SAINT SAVIOUR has a captivating vocal style that has seen her compared to Kate Bush and Sinead O’Connor. Having recently toured with Hurts, she has her debut album ‘Union’ due for release a fortnight after her appearance at RockNess.
 
ALL THE YOUNG are Britrock revivalists whose sounds ooze the feel good factor of classic 90s indie. Mixing brains and brawn the band have come to smash 2012 into a brave new frontier of indie rock n roll, honing their craft with a series of support slots for the likes of Morrissey, Kaiser Chiefs, The Courteneers, The Wombats, Hard-Fi and The Pigeon Detectives.
 
Brooklyn rapper THEOPHILUS LONDON built his reputation with a series of must-have mixtapes making him one of the biggest buzz acts on the planet.  His debut album Timez Are Weird These Days was critically acclaimed when it was released last summer and Theophilus is sure to rock the crowds with his take an alternative hip-hop.
 
Commenting on these latest announcements, Festival Director Jim King said: “We're delighted with this announcement. Jeff Mills closing his stage on the Sunday night is going to be something special”

Final lineup’s announced for this years Play Fest

by

Roots ManuvaJust added to the bill are UK Garage legend and Kiss FM stalwart DJ EZ on Saturday, and drum’n’bass supremeo Sub Focus on Sunday. The latest additions join an already full to bursting bill of acts that include Ash, The Pigeon Detectives, Reverend and the Makers, Roots Manuva, The Correspondents, Shy FX, Zinc, Toddla T, and Jaymo & Andy George.  This means the full line ups for Saturday and Sunday have now been revealed, so it’s nearly time to don the Play-suits, dust off the wellies and get on down to Play Fest!

Kick starting Saturday night in the POW! Dance Arena, is a DJ widely considered to be one of UK Garage’s greatest talents, DJ EZ! Honing his craft on London’s pirate radio stations in the early 90s, DJ EZ rose to prominence in the late 1990’s when he was offered a permanent show on Kiss 100. Over the years, DJ EZ has hosted a variety of different radio shows, mixed a bucket load of Pure Garage compilation albums that have sold over 1.7 million copies, and won a sack full of accolades and awards; including ‘Best Radio Show’, ‘Best Old Skool DJ’ and ‘Best DJ’ at the People’s Choice Awards. Play Fest revellers will be taken on a trip through the archives of UK Garage by one the best tour guides there is!

Sunday in the POW! Dance Arena welcomes even more shining lights of the electronic scene and Play Fest can now reveal that supporting Toddla T at the top of the bill for Sunday night will be Sub Focus. Having been on the scene for nearly a decade, Sub Focus is somewhat of a boy wonder of drum’n’bass. He became one of the leading practitioners within only two years of his emergence whilst his debut single ‘X-Ray’ was awarded Single of the Week on Zane Lowe’s Radio One show. In 2010 he produced the track "Kickstarts" for British singer/rapper Example, which peaked at number three on the U.K. singles chart, and last year he signed a deal with Mercury and has a new album due for release at the end of 2012. With so many strings to his bow and a sack full of heavy tunes to delight the party animals out there, Play Fest are ecstatic to have such a D’n’B heavyweight overseeing the run up to the final hours of this year’s festival!

Other additions to the Sunday POW! Dance Arena include: the musical knowledge and surefire selections of Numbers co-founderSpencer, the contrasting styles of Foamo and Bondax, while Oli D.A.B and Robin will be on hand with their particular breed of house. Rounding off the bill will be hometown hero Joshua Roberts and the techno and house vibes of Josh 2084 and BoaBoa & Fazhands.

Over in the Asylum Stage additions include the mega brass extravaganza of Gypsy Hill and Norwich home-grown reggae talent Jah Head, with Murphys Lore on Sunday and Saturday welcomes Kodeta and Woodland Creatures to the lunatic bill of the Asylum Stage!

A limited number of tickets are still on sale via the Play Fest website: www.playfest.co.uk

LINE UP SO FAR:

MAIN STAGE:

Saturday: Ash, The Pigeon Detectives, Reverend and the Makers, The Big Pink, Little Comets, Tellison, Tripwires, Solko,

Sunday: Feeder, Delilah, Scroobius Pip, Natty, Spector, Lonsdale Boys Club, Ria Ritchie, Dumbfoundus, Lee Vann

Big Top: 

Saturday: Roots Manuva, Sonic Boom Six, Killamonjambo, Jim Lockey and the Solemn Sun, Alloy Ark, Kamilla Lovett, The B Goodes, Eyes, Under The Influence, Dingus Khan

Sunday: The Correspondents, Federation of the Disco Pimp, Juan Zelada, Boat To Row, Deers, Rory Mcvicar,  Model Staggs, The Soft, Underline The Sky, Ill Murray

POW! Presents: Dance Arena

Saturday:

Zinc, Shy FX, Melé, DJ EZ, B.Traits, Urban Nerds, DJ Cable, Get Low Cartel, POW! Party Boys

Sunday:

Toddla T, Sub Focus, Jaymo & Andy George, Spencer (Numbers), Foamo, Bondax, POW! Party Boys, Joshua Roberts, Oli DAB & Robin, Josh 2084, Boa Boa & Fazhands,

Asylum Stage

Friday

Double Drop, Cabaret show – Chantelles Wedding

Saturday

Sam & the Womp, The Vagabond, New Town Kings, Swingball,  Kodeta, Feral Mouth, Woodland Creatures, The Harvs, Mc chrome + Illinspired, Cielo, Gael, Julia Jenkins, Inlay.

Sunday

Gypsy Hill, Jah Head, Nimmo and the Gauntlets, Murphys Lore, Project Multivitamin, Eliza Shaddad, Josh Doughty, Askala Selasse, Slightly Off Steve, The Proposition, Scott Wright, Andy Kirkham