Having never been to Rockness, I didn’t have any idea of what to expect, putting aside the fact I’m positive I drove through The Shire on the way here and the 2 hour wait just to pick up my parking ticket from the box office (handsome boy but only capable of serving one customer every 20 minutes) you walk through the entrance to a beautiful landscape. It’s magical, breathtaking, no other words can describe it. You have the main stage lit up with lights and lasers from every direction, an explosion of light and in the background sits the Loch Ness, still, untouched by the noise and a complete contrast to the foreground (I’m now talking about the couple that walked in front of me groping one another and slowly destroying any innocence I once had).
Ellie Goulding, she has such control over her voice it doesn’t differ that much from her recordings. Although something you don’t get to see listening to her songs on the radio/television etc is this awkward bopping thing she does, with a foot stomp here and there. It gives us mere mortal girls a hope that maybe, if we too embrace our inner awkward we can roll about a bed with Calvin Harris like she does in her latest video for “I Need Your Love”.
I’ve never been a huge fan of the Vaccines, I’ve never really given much time to listen to their music but their live performance did sway me, or maybe it was the drunken Loch Ness monster jumping up and down with his cider next to me that changed my mind, I really don’t know BUT I did enjoy their performance thoroughly.
My main highlight of Friday has to be Basement Jaxx, although slightly envious that I will never be able to pull off such colourful hair as the two women who joined them on stage to sing or the fact I’ll never be able to dance like them (I did attempt. Unfortunate to all standing behind me.) I could easily say after seeing Basement Jaxx live I would much rather pay to see one of their concerts than ANY big DJ at the moment. Nobody has the groove that these guys have. I said groove, my Mum doesn’t even say groove. I apologise. I can’t even find an appropriate word I’m still in such a trance. Please go see these guys live and you’ll understand.
The atmosphere at Rockness goes from chilled out (or passed out if you’re next to the Jagermeister van), to people climbing on sweaty, soggy shoulders and screaming as loud as they possibly can. There are people of all different ages, older couples lounging on the grass hill with their Ice Cream taking in the breathtaking view of the Loch Ness then groups of young friends bouncing around and singing with sheer joy. The site isn’t too large, so you can’t loose anyone for more than five minutes but it’s big enough you can go to one stage without the other stage’s music interfering. This festival has the perfect balance. If the thought of coming to Rockness, tomorrow (Saturday 8th) or Sunday has crossed your mind then you need to stop thinking and GET HERE NOW! The weather forecast for the next two days is meant to be phenomenal. See the link.
Since 2002 Evolution Festival, known locally as “Evo” has changed format several times starting as a multi venue event and moving locations around the Quayside.
Evolution is now a two stage event based around the Spillers Wharf area of the Quayside next to the River Tyne. This means everything is closer together and there is less walking time between the Spillers Wharf stage and the Ballast Hills stage which is great when there are so many acts to enjoy!
Arriving in Newcastle on Sunday, the festival location was easy to find as there were large groups of people wearing UV paint to follow! The weather set the scene for a beautiful and rare sunny Bank holiday Sunday in the UK and helped make a brilliant atmosphere even better!
After walking through the main entrance, the first thing I noticed was the lively atmosphere, the fun vibe and smiling faces. There were plenty of places to eat and drink, we headed straight for the pork and stuffing batches and then found an area amongst the revellers to enjoy our food and check out what was going on around us before deciding it was time for the bar. The main bar served a selection of wine, beer and cider and the Keglevich Cocktail tent was next door if you fancied a fruity alternative. The bar service was excellent and there were no large queues like you would normally experience, this remained the same whenever I went to get a drink during the two day festival.
Opposite these, was the Red Bull tent where DJ’s spinning some great sets in between bands stopped people in their tracks and created an impromptu dance floor!
We then made our way to the Ballast Hill stage to enjoy Loadstar, the atmosphere at this stage was really lively with dancing and moshing, everyone was there to enjoy themselves and make the most of the music. Other acts we enjoyed at the Ballast Hills stage on Sunday were Lethal Bizzle and Modestep who if possible, got the crowd going even more! I couldn’t help but smile being around all these people having such a good time.
As we moved to the Spillers Wharf stage, the crowd were slightly older and there was no moshing but still an amazing atmosphere. We enjoyed Rudimental who played all of the best songs from their album and surprised the crowd with a brilliant cover of the Fugees “Ready Or Not” halfway through their set.
Next up was Ellie Goulding who, playing at the festival for the second time opened her set with 'Figure 8' and sang her rendition of Elton John’s 'Your Song'. Ellie finished her set with some more of her well known songs: Lights, Starry Eyed and I Need Your Love accompanied by the majority of the crowd singing every word with her.
Headliners The Vaccines who recently performed to a sell-out crowd at Newcastle’s O2 Academy were extremely popular, it seemed as though the majority of people who sang along and danced throughout had come specifically to see them.
When we left the festival at around 11pm the atmosphere was still buzzing with everyone still wanting to dance, probably heading to Digital in Times Square where the official after party was held.
The weather not quite as sunny on the Monday but that didn’t dampen anyone’s sprits as we enjoyed a breakfast on the Quayside and watched the UV painted crowds of people heading towards the festival site.
We arrived in time to see Gorgon City on the Ballast Hills stage and the atmosphere today seemed to be even crazier than it was on Sunday!
We switched between the Spillers Wharf and Ballast Hills stages a lot on Monday as there were so many acts we wanted to see, this was made possible due to the great layout and organisation of the festival.
Considering I hadn’t heard of Lulu James, I thought she was one of the best acts at the festival. She enjoyed a great reception from the crowd and looked amazing in a legless black leather body suit and an enormous collar.
AlunaGeorge, made up of Aluna Francis on vocals and George Reid on the decs were probably less well known than other acts on the Spillers Wharf stage but they still played to a good sized crowd who really came to life when they performed White Noise, recognising their most well-known track.
Zinc and Mista Jam were both brilliant acts to have on the Ballast Hills stage as they played exactly what the crowd had come to enjoy with almost everyone singing along to all the tracks they played. Mista Jam filmed the crowd doing the Newcastle version of the Harlem Shake, even getting an eager young lad on stage to dance alone until the beat dropped. It was great to be part of the crowd for this one and I will be watching it back on You Tube.
Bastille drew a large crowd and finished their enjoyable set with a cover of 90s dance classic 'Rhythm is a Dancer'.
Jake Bugg followed, playing almost everything from his debut album. Jake really knew how to work the crowd alternating his slow and lively songs.
We just made it in to the Ballast Hills area for Sub Focus just before it reached capacity, their set was energetic and despite the fact most of this crowd had been dancing all day they still went crazy
Paloma Faith’s headline performance on the Spillers Wharf stage was a delight to watch and listen to. She had great stage presence and chatted easily between songs, at one point stopping for a cuppa, commenting on the cold and the amount of denim knicker wearers in the crowd! Also performing a cover, Paloma sang her version of INXS 'Never Tear us Apart'.
Overall, Evolution Festival was well organised with good security and police presence. Despite the festival attracting a slightly younger audience than others I’ve been to, it is still an enjoyable place to be with a friendly vibe, plenty of big names to watch and brilliant music to dance to!
RockNess 2013 launches today with an announcement of quality and depth, and in keeping with the eclectic signature synonymous with the festival, a tantalising flavour of 2013’s hottest rising stars.
First up, with a knack for dispensing ridiculously catchy chart toppers, EXAMPLE’s live shows, complete with full band, are back-to-back, energy packed affairs. Drawing on a four album strong catalogue, including multiple number one successes, it’ll be a hits-a-thon come June with the likes of ‘Kickstarts,‘Changed the Way You Kissed Me’, ‘Won’t Go Quietly’ and ’Stay Awake’. EXAMPLE’s brand of dance-rap, flavoured with input from the likes of Benga, Calvin, Skream, Zane Lowe and Blur’s Graham Coxon, will be the RockNess soundtrack impossible not to bounce to with reckless abandon.
Few live acts shout “party” more than chief shindig instigators BASEMENT JAXX, and we are delighted to announce the ringleaders are back and heading to Dores this June. Last time the unstoppable duo and their merry band of singers, dancers and MCs landed at Dores, the brilliantly wild, main stage pandemonium never moved below fourth gear. Now the JAXX experience is returning, and with new material recently being teased across airwaves, igniting strong rumours of a new album, it’ll soon be party time again.
Having now attained national treasure status, MADNESS bring their inimitable nutty magic to The Highlands. ‘One Step Beyond’, ‘House of Fun’, ‘Baggy Trousers’, ‘Our House’, ‘It Must Be Love’… in now signature RockNess style, this promises to be the festival’s mass sing-along moment of 2013.
Predicted to “help usher in a new era for guitar music” with a sound described as “fantastic, exhilarating and exciting”, THE VACCINES are fast track sealing their status as rock ‘n’ roll icons. Debut demo “If You Wanna” exploded as Zane Lowe’s ‘Hottest Record in the World’ in 2010, and an instant sell out UK tour played to rapturous media acclaim, and audiences including Alex Kapranos, Marcus Mumford and members of White Lies and The Maccabees. Second album ‘Come of Age’ rocketed straight into number one in September 2012, certifying gold status less than 3 weeks after release, and this summer, in what will be an electrifying assault, THE VACCINES will play RockNess.
Winners of the Best New Band award at 2010’s NME Awards, and Ivor Novello-nominated for second album ‘Flaws’ in 2011, BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB have arrived proper style with third album ‘A Different Kind of Fix’, a lesson in how to work a groove to glorious genre slicing effect. Witness the remarkable evolution this June,
Extolling the finest virtues of a modern day troubadour, singer songwriter BEN HOWARD is one of the brightest talents to emerge in recent times. The lush musicianship of debut album ‘Every Kingdom’ oozes quality, earning him a Mercury Prize nomination in 2012, and recent follow up EP ‘The Burgh Island’ continues his ascent. Relentless gigging has honed BEN HOWARD’s live shows like few others. Soulful, emotive and one of many unmissables set for RockNess 2013.
Since bagging the BRIT Awards’ Critics Choice in 2010, ELLIE GOULDING has shape shifted from the sparkly pop of debut album ‘Lights’ to the more bombastic but equally magical follow up of ‘Halycon’, released late 2012. Live, her sound, and especially her voice – folky, primal, soaring when it needs to – stands GOULDING apart as an original. Pop music in sublime effect.
THE MACCABEES posses the kind of heroic force that heavy touring has beefed them up for. Gutsy and honest, the band’s latest album ‘Given to the Wild’ was Mercury nominated in 2012. Check them out and see why for yourself.
Next up, RockNess is absolutely delighted to announce the stunning sound of JESSIE WARE will be gracing Dores. Since emerging on to the scene in 2010, the London songstress has been laying impressive foundations with a sound that oozes soulful quality, reminiscent of the 80’s most seductive divas. Guest production duties assumed by the likes of Julio Bashmore, SBTRKT and Joker edge her gorgeous sound on the credibility stakes too. JESSIE WARE. Here, now, and utterly authentic.
CAMERA OBSCURA epitomise the spirit of indie. Coming on to the scene around the same time as the likes of Belle & Sebastian (debut album ‘Biggest Bluest Hi Fi’ was produced by Stuart Murdoch), the Glaswegian band’s output has never strayed far from their intoxicating brand of golden pop, building up a loyal cult following in the process.
Last but by no means least, as one of the original torchbearers to break through for the nu folk / acoustic movement of the noughties, NEWTON FAUKLNER’s distinct sound was prophetically ahead of its time. Since then the dreadlocked one has refused the temptation to kowtow to any fleeting trends, sticking to what he does best – essentially tight, rhythmic guitars, nimble finger picking, uncommon tunings and inventive chord changes. NEWTON FAULKNER is not just an artist but an entertainer definitely worth checking out live.
With heaps more exciting announcements and arena details coming soon, including line ups for the mighty SUB CLUB SOUND SYSTEM and SOMA RECORDS, the countdown has officially commenced!
Speaking about this year’s launch announcement, Festival Director Jim King said ”I'm delighted to announce the first names we're bringing to the party at Loch Ness this summer. We've been working hard behind the scenes to bring you an eclectic line up of the highest calibre acts for which RockNess is synonymous. To top it all, we’ve reduced the price of our Weekend Camping tickets by £20 so you can join us at RockNess for less than most other major UK festivals at an amazing value price of £139. We’ve introduced a new Inverness Discount ticket, which is inclusive of all fees to support local businesses in Inverness if you buy over the counter; more details can be found on our website.
If you haven't joined us at RockNess before, I promise you it is the best way to kickstart your summer, a completely electric atmosphere, partying in what is probably the most beautiful festival site in the world. If you have been to RockNess before then as always I’d like to thank you for your continued support in making it the best festival in Scotland. We've got many more bands and DJ's still to announce, plus another very special headliner, so stay tuned…!”
Want to see how much fun RockNess really is? Check out the video from last year!
AEG Live and The Royal Parks today announced that rock icons The Rolling Stones are returning to London’s Hyde Park this summer for a sensational outdoor concert on Saturday 6 July as part of Barclaycard presents British Summer Time Hyde Park.
The concert takes place almost 44 years to the day since the Stones first played Hyde Park, and will see Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood return to where they truly belong, back on the live stage, following the huge success of their ’50 and Counting’ shows last year. A North American tour has also been announced today, for more information go to www.rollingstones.com.
Tickets for The Rolling Stones in Hyde Park go on general sale 9am Friday 5 April from www.bst-hydepark.com. Barclaycard Unwind customers will be able to purchase tickets from 3pm Wednesday 3 April from www.barclaycardunwind.com.
Support comes from The Vaccines, The Temper Trap, Gary Clark Jr and King Charles, plus Palma Violets, Tribes, The Boxer Rebellion and more across three other stages.
The Rolling Stones were recently crowned ‘Best Live Band’ at the NME Awards, where they also won the Best Music Film award for ‘Crossfire Hurricane’, and have been celebrating five decades of rock ‘n’ roll over the past 12 months with the release of a greatest hits collection GRRR!, a groundbreaking documentary film ‘Crossfire Hurricane’, a photographic book ‘Rolling Stones: 50’, and five spectacular concerts in London and New York, marking their first live shows in as many years.
Their Hyde Park concert on 5 July 1969 is widely acknowledged as one of the most significant moments in modern music history. As well as seeing the live debut of guitarist Mick Taylor, the concert became a tribute to founder member Brian Jones, who had tragically passed away two days prior.
Mick Jagger commented, “We had such a great time playing the five concerts last year, we want to keep it going! Hyde Park holds such great memories for us and we can’t think of anywhere better to perform to our UK fans this summer.”
Keith Richards added, “We all had such a ball last year, and the energy between the band is so good, we can’t wait to get back on that stage where the Stones belong.”
Barclaycard presents British Summer Time Hyde Park is a totally unique and world class event for London, giving music fans throughout the capital the chance to see many of their favourite headlining and supporting music artists play over back to back weekends in ticketed events.
Each live music-packed weekend will be linked by a midweek programme of diverse entertainment, accessible for all to enjoy. From Monday to Thursday, the entire Barclaycard presents British Summer Time Hyde Park site, save for the main stage, will give visitors the chance to get involved with smaller, more intimate events offering film, music, literature, sport and a specific family day that will expand the Barclaycard British Summer Time Hyde Park experience to genuinely appeal to the whole family.
Rob Hallett of AEG Live says, “This will be the biggest gig of the summer in London. The Rolling Stones are a true British institution and the true spirit of rock n roll. Their return to Hyde Park is a landmark event.”
Linda Lennon CBE, Chief Executive, The Royal Parks, said: “We can’t wait to welcome The Rolling Stones back to Hyde Park. The Barclaycard presents British Summer Time is a new era for music events in Hyde Park so what better way to celebrate that then to have the original headliners return to where it all started.”
BARCLAYCARD PRESENTS BRITISH SUMMER TIME HYDE PARK – SATURDAY 6 JULY – LINE UP
Add to this years lineup is: Benga, Redlight, Fenech-Soler, Mallory Knox, Nina Nesbitt, Hawk Eyes, Brothers & Bones, Ben Caplan, Swim Deep,The Struts, Dexters, The Dedicated Nothing, Tall Ships, The PJP Band, Wet Nuns, The Physics House Band, Marc O'Reilly, Roo Panes, Joel Baker, Lily & Meg, India Bourne, Submental. Jello. Snatch The Wax
Ellie Goulding is undoubtedly one of the UK’s most singular and compelling songwriters. In the two-and-a-half years since releasing massive debut album Lights, Ellie has secured huge global success including the USA where she’s sold over 3m albums. Back with new album Halcyon and lead single, Anything Could Happen, Ellie shows a new immersion in electronica and dance beats, producing a fascinating collision between the clubbing scene and Ellie’s love of folk-pop soundscapes. These gigs are perfectly placed and it is a huge honour to have one of the worlds most successful female solo stars take centre stage for her debut at the Rocks Hotels.
Ellie Goulding said:“I’m really excited to be in Ibiza this summer. Ibiza Rocks is something I've always wanted to play and the crowds have a reputation of really bringing it! Performing to people is my favourite thing and being able to do it somewhere I absolutely love is a bonus. See you there!”
After tearing up the new year in style with the release of DirteeTV.com The Mixtape Vol.2, Dizzee Rascalreleases featured track Bassline Junkie this month, a taster of what’s to come from Dizzee’s forthcoming fifth studio album and his headline gigs at Rocks. It’s been almost 10 years since Dizzee released his debut single and Rocks is proud to have been on an incredible journey with the East London MC turned worldwide legend who has just been chosen by Muse to appear as a special guest on their UK Stadium tour. Having first headlined Ibiza Rocks in 2008, Dizzee’s love affair with Ibiza began and headline gigs followed in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Back to the Balearics to his home away from home, Dizzee will once again bring his genre-fusing musical genius to the famous open-air Rocks stage with a full new live show.
Dizzee Rascal said:“I can’t wait to get back to Ibiza Rocks this year, I’m looking forward to a big party! It always goes off on that island, I love vibing off the crowd – those guys know how to rock it!”
Since performing at Ibiza Rocks in 2011 just as they released their debut album, London indie-rock outfit The Vaccines have smashed the live scene, released No.1 follow up album Come of Age and become one of the most sought after bands on the festival circuit. Having sold out London’s Alexandra Palace and 02 Arena within 6 months of each other and currently on a European Tour, the guys will be Balearic bound once more for back to back headline shows in Mallorca and Ibiza before continuing stateside where their success has also soared. Support on this show comes from Palma Violets, who have just completed the NME Awards Tour and are arguably the most hyped band since The Libertines. A special show guaranteed.
Justin Young, The Vaccines said: “'We still have incredibly fond memories of the first time we played Ibiza Rocks. It was so much fun. It was in the middle of our first busy summer playing festivals and the whole thing felt like a holiday. So much so, that we're coming back. We're already excited at the prospect.”
Since supporting Dizzee Rascal & The Streets at Rocks two years ago, Rizzle Kicks success has gone stratospheric. There’s a mutual love between Rizzles and Rocks – they even filmed their video for ‘Dreamers’ at Ibiza Rocks House at Pikes last summer. Having hooked up with Norman Cook and Neptunes super producer Pharrell Williams on their forthcoming new album and currently touring the U.S with fellow Rocks headliner Ed Sheeran, Rizzle Kicks will bring BIG things back to the famous open-air Rocks stage this summer.
Rizzle Kicks said: “We can't wait to play Ibiza and Mallorca Rocks again. We've supported twice so being back to headline is going to be huge. The sun is shining and everyone is in holiday mode. The gigs have a real party atmosphere with people dancing on their bedroom balconies all around the stage. It's a pretty unique experience…you really get up close to the fans and we cant wait to get back"
Rocks will kick off the season in style in with the unique swagger and sound of Jake Bugg – BRIT award nominee for Best British Breakthrough Artist and one of the most hotly anticipated singer/songwriters of this generation. Previously announced artists also include Example who will make a triumphant return to the Balearics with his full live festival show for headline gigs in both resorts, supported by acclaimed DJ/Producer Redlight, who will also showcase his new live show at Ibiza Rocks. Arguably the ‘must see’ live band of the moment Foals will headline the Ibiza Rocks Closing Party, supported by newly announced Sydney based duo Jagwar Mar who are hotly tipped as ‘ones to watch’ for 2013.
Ibiza Rocks Group is also pleased to announce a new broadcast partnership with MTV, to screen live performances, exclusive artist interviews and all the highlights from the 16 week long series of outdoor gigs from the Mallorca Rocks and Ibiza Rocks Hotels this summer broadcast on MTV Live HD and flagship channel MTV Music. Eight shows will be broadcast in total, with 4 x 30 min artist specials from Ibiza Rocks, 2 x 30 min artist specials from Mallorca Rocks and 2 x 60 min (multi-artist) compilation shows incorporating live track selection and exclusive interviews. Coverage will also feature interview footage from Ibiza Rocks House at Pikes Hotel, the legendary rock ‘n’ roll Ibiza retreat where the headline bands stay. London based production company, JJ Stereo, will produce all content.
More ‘must see’ solo stars, bands and cutting edge DJ’s will be announced over the coming weeks, so fans can forget the mud and rain this summer and start looking forward to the gig, and holiday of a lifetime in the sun-soaked Balearics.
Offering a choice of quality accommodation options at exceptional value, Mallorca Rocks every Tuesday from 04 June – 17 September and Ibiza Rocks every Wednesday from 05 June to 18 September. Announced so far below, with much more to come:
AN EXCLUSIVE NIGHT WITH BEYONCE HER ONLY EUROPEAN FESTIVAL PERFORMANCE OF 2013 PLUS AMERICAN ROCKERS KINGS OF LEON HEADLINING
STEREOPHONICS, THE SCRIPT, EMELI SANDÉ, CALVIN HARRIS, BEADY EYE, JESSIE J, TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB, THE VACCINES, BASEMENT JAXX, OLLY MURS PALOMA FAITH, RITA ORA, THE COURTEENERS, FUN., LABRINTH, ELLIE GOULDING, KENDRICK LAMAR, JESSIE WARE, RUDIMENTAL, JAMES ARTHUR, LITTLE MIX AND MANY MORE ALSO CONFIRMED
TICKETS ON SALE AT 9AM FRIDAY 1 MARCH
This will be her one and only European festival appearance this year. Multi-million album selling American rockers Kings Of Leon are also confirmed as headliners. V Festival takes place across the weekend of August 17 & 18 at Hylands Park, Chelmsford and Weston Park, Staffordshire.
Tickets go on sale Friday March 1 at 9am, available at www.VFestival.com
V Festival, prides itself on the quality of artists that perform each year, more incredible acts announced today for 2013 are Stereophonics, The Script, Emeli Sandé, Calvin Harris, Beady Eye, Jessie J, Two Door Cinema Club, The Vaccines, Basement Jaxx, Olly Murs, Paloma Faith, James, Rita Ora, The Courteeners, Jason Mraz, FUN., Labrinth, Ellie Goulding, Kendrick Lamar, Of Monsters And Men, Maverick Sabre, Travis, DJ Fresh/LIVE, Jessie Ware, Maximo Park, Lianne La Havas, Rudimental, James Arthur, Scouting For Girls, Deacon Blue, Little Mix, Ocean Colour Scene, The Fratellis, Gabrielle Aplin and Laura Mvula. Many more acts will be announced in the coming weeks across the stages at the two festival sites.
V Festival is now in its 18th year and is renowned for bringing the very best in popular music together for one epic summer weekend. Last year saw electric sets from headliners The Stone Roses and The Killers with other show stopping performances from the likes of David Guetta and Ed Sheeran. V Festival has an unrivalled music pedigree, previous headliners have included groundbreaking performances from Coldplay, Radiohead, Oasis, Eminem, Foo Fighters and The Arctic Monkeys. V Festival is now established as the biggest festival in the UK with over 170,000 fans attending across the two sites and was the first festival to establish rotating acts across two sites.
2013 once again sees a wide spectrum of acts playing across the stages, guaranteeing yet another year of unforgettable appearances. The popular Glee Club Comedy Tent will also makes a return this year, with side-splitting performers to be announced in the coming weeks. With many more great artists to be announced, there is something for everyone at V Festival.
V Festival is one of the hottest dates on the UK cultural calendar. From the moment the gates open each area of the festival comes alive and a truly remarkable weekend of music and enjoyment ensues. V Style camping is set to return this year giving festival fans the chance to get the best of both worlds. They can dance the days away with their favourite artists and then chill out in luxury in ready built Pod Pads, Cloud Yurts, Hearthworks Tipis and pop-up hotel rooms.
Festival Directors Bob Angus, Simon Moran and Dennis Desmond commented: We’ve worked hard to bring fans an exciting and diverse line-up, securing Beyonce for an exclusive European Festival appearance and Kings of Leon as headliners is a great achievement. These acts along with one of the strongest bills in V Festival's 18 year history is something we are very proud of. We have a reputation for bringing fans the best world class acts and breakthrough artists, 2013 is set to be another sensational year.”
With many more exciting V Festival announcements to come be sure to keep up to date with all the latest news at www.vfestival.com
Tickets go on sale on Friday 1 March at 9am fans should visit www.vfestival.com, for official outlets details. V Festival organisers stress to fans that purchasing tickets from unofficial outlets could lead to disappointment.
VIP upgrades are available and include:
A relaxed and spacious environment offering a wider choice of exclusive food and drink outlets not available in the main festival arena.
Cash bar with comfortable indoor and outdoor seating areas.
Post-festival late bar with DJs on Saturday & Sunday nights.
Paloma Faith is the queen of retro soul and sassy pop and this this complete (and petite!) performer commands the stage with her rabble rousing shows.
Performing tracks from her two highly acclaimed albums ‘Do YouWant The Truth Or Something Beautiful’ and ‘Fall To Grace’ Paloma has been nominated for Best Female Solo Artist and Best British Album at the Brit Awards.
The Vaccines are arguably the best live band in the country and have been nominated as one of the best live acts at the Brit Awards. The band are also shortlisted in the Best British Band and Best Album categories at the upcoming NME Awards. Their ‘Come Of Age’ album entered the chart at number 1 and they continue to spearhead the UK’s garage / indie rock movement
Jake Bugg has taken the music world by storm over the last 12 months, seemingly appearing from nowhere to becoming one of the most acclaimed artists in the country. His eponymous debut album reached number 1 in the charts and has been a permanent fixture in the top 10 ever since. This 18 year old somehow manages to sound retro and yet absolutely modern and his set is sure to be one of the defining Evolution moments.
One of the UK’s most singular and compelling songwriters Ellie Goulding has found international acclaim with her albums ‘Lights’ and ‘Halcyon’. Halcyon saw Ellie laying her emotions bare, a journey out of heartbreak and into hope. Back on track her live performances earned rave reviews in 2012 and this is the first opportunity to catch Ellie at a festival in 2013.
Rudimental are the new drum & bass dons, tearing up clubs where ever they perform and this is a rare chance to catch them live as they bring the sound of the dance floor to Evolution. Bastille have been cited as the most exciting thing to happen in indie for a long time. Fronted by Dan Smith the band quietly built a fan base before releasing their debut album Bad Blood which has spawned a number of big radio records over the past few months.
London based duo, AlunaGeorge are the name on all the critics lips in 2013. Having been together for barely a year, this talented duo’s infectious mixes are immersed in sweet harmonies and electronic charm. Nominated for both the BBC Sound of 2013 and the Brits Critics Choice award, catch them at Evolution before they go stratospheric.
The Strypes are undoubtedly the hottest band in the world right now. This four piece rhythm and blues band from Ireland viciously hammer out their no-nonsense blues repertoire and have already met with critical acclaim from greats such as Jeff Beck and Paul Weller for their outstanding live shows. This is a must not miss performance at Evolution.
Headlining the dance stage are two of the most gargantuan names in electronic music Sub Focus and Modestep both of whom will be performing live.
Sub Focus is one of the superstars of bass music, a production obsessive whose attention to detail is matched only by the raw spectacle of his incredible live show. A bone fide cross over artist Sub Focus is that rare thing in dance
music, someone who can keep one foot in the underground and still have credible radio hits all of which he will be performing for the Evolution crowd.
Modestep fused dubstep and electronic rock to devastating effect on their debut album ‘Evolution Theory’. Their sound is a hybrid of heavy rock riffs, brutal synths and bludgeoning synth breaks, all connected together by soulful pop led vocal melodies. Modestep slay audiences wherever they play.
Other acts confirmed for Evolution include the 21st century soul of rising local star Lulu James, Nas protégé Arlissa, the haunting acoustic indie and folk of Sunderland’s The Lake Poets, Grime superstar LethalBizzle, Radio 1 and 1xtra supremo MistaJam and drum & bass / breakstep overlord Zinc.
Loadstar, Delta Heavy, Dismantle, Decibel, Drenge, Bondax, Gorgon City, PMoney, Chroma, Gentlemen Jonny,Eliza & the Bear and Rossi Noise will also perform and the North East finest music festival.
The Vaccines, The Maccabees, Two Door Cinema Club, Frank Turner, Miles Kane, The Horrors and Maverick Sabre are also amongst the first wave of acts to be announced. Festival organisers DF Concerts and founding partner Tennent’s Lager will unveil the two Main Stage headline acts that will join The Stone Roses as well as other top acts on Thursday 23rd February.
Having smashed the UK charts and taken the US by storm, Florence + the Machinehas had a stratospheric rise to the top since winning the Critics’ Choice Award at the BRIT Awards in 2009 and first playing T in the Park in the same year. A stunningly accomplished artist with two number 1 albums, countless more accolades and a reputation as one of music’s most exhilarating live acts, Florence Welch brings her grandiose, majestic pop anthems back to Balado, including huge hits from triumphant second album Ceremonials.
Soon to be crowned Godlike Genius at the forthcoming NME Awards, Noel Gallagher returns to T in the Park with his new outfit, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. Noel’s previous appearances at T in the Park have gone down in history as some of the festival’s greatest moments, with Oasis playing the very first festival in 1994 before storming the Main Stage with a massive headline show in 2002. Now it’s time for Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds to soar centre stage, to play classic anthems and fresh material during what will undoubtedly be one of the standout sets of T in the Park2012.
Joining them on the bill are some of Britain’s best breakthrough bands of recent years. With a repertoire packed full of feel-good festival anthems, The Vaccines’ high octane tunes are sure to get the Balado crowd jumping. Brighton boys The Maccabees have graduated to dizzying new heights of popularity, with their third album Given to the Wildhailed as “the first classic album of 2012” by NME. The Horrors have embraced an ethereal, shimmering new sound, which they will showcase to the 85’000 per day crowd on T in the Park turf. Northern Irish trio Two Door Cinema Club will make a welcome return to Balado after headlining the recent NME Awards Tour and rapidly becoming one of the biggest new success stories across the globe.
Festival organisers have also secured the appearance of an array of top singer-songwriters. Captivating singer songwriter Miles Kane was part of The Last Shadow Puppets as well as now being a hugely accomplished talent in his own right with his glorious, fuzz-rock, beat-pop earning him legions of fans, including fellow T in the Parkperformer Noel Gallagher, who sang backing vocals on Kane’s My Fantasy. Frank Turner has blossomed from an underground hero to a bona fide mainstream success story, and hits T in the Park following a massive headline gig at Wembley Arena this spring, whilst Maverick Sabre will inject a catchy social-political blend of soul, hip-hop and reggae to the proceedings.
Festival organisers thrilled fans in November by announcing that TheStone Roses will headline T in the Park. The Manchester legends’ second coming is the most highly anticipated musical resurrection of recent years, and their set is sure to be a historic moment for T in the Park.
Music lovers will be able to guarantee their place in the 85,000 strong crowd and get their hands on the final batch of tickets, which go on general sale at 9am on Wednesday 29th February from www.ticketmaster.co.uk and by calling 08444 999 990.
Boutique camping options are available in The Residence at T in the Park. The Residence offers festival goers a bespoke, luxury experience where all their accommodation needs are taken care of – www.tinthepark.com/residence
