White Lies - Summer Festival Guide

Y Not Festival 2014 Review

November 8, 2018August 5, 2014 by Conor Davies

One of the UK's fastest-growing festivals, Derbyshire's Y Not returned for its ninth outing and delivered a weekend chocked full of 'I was there' moments; be it the triumphant closure of Dizzee Rascal's compelling Saturday night headliner set, the smooth hip-hop of American trio De La Soul or the rousing, foot-stomping bangers that pumped out of the Saloon Bar all weekend long, there was something for every music lover, young and old, at this year's gathering.

For me, it began on Friday with exciting Birmingham band Superfood. Scores of teens flooded the main stage front to see the intriguing four-piece, who proceeded to belt out guitar-led anthems that were shouty, loud and fun. A band who'd been on my radar for a while, exceeded my expectations and kicked off the festival nicely. Intermittent rain showers were just a preview of the weather to come, but still it led me to the Saloon Bar in the middle of the site, to check out Three Minute Heist.

The Saloon Bar is a perfect replica of an American Western bar, with only the stench of Somersby cider and cans of Tuborg giving away the fact we were at a festival in the middle of the Derbyshire countryside in 2014! Nevertheless, that didn't stop the aforementioned quartet bringing their brand of country blues and sing-a-longs along to transport us back a century. The packed out venue was rocking, especially so with closer 'Johnny B. Goode'.

After checking out the finest reggae and drum 'n' bass tents Y Not has to offer, it was off to the wetter Main Stage to check out London's very own Spector. Lead singer Fred Macpherson's powerful and unique vocals managed to keep his band alive, as they put in a so-so performance of their back catalogue 'Chevy Thunder' and fresh cuts from an upcoming new record, that managed to keep the crowd bobbing along to their bouncy pop-rock.

The first of the weekend's big boys then took to the Main Stage; Johnny Borrell leading his Razorlight bandmates out almost a decade after headlining a stage at Glastonbury. They reeled through a Greatest Hits set in which you could sense their class, but it was all pretty unexciting. Borrell was never the greatest of stage presences, and whilst his ambition was there, his band never quite reached their fullest of potential with either their career or this subbing set.

A headline set by Reel Big Fish is a must-see. The pop-punk band are an assured live act, and got the Quarry crowd up off their feet for a good chunk of the gig. Live brass bands are always a plus, and the band had their crowd in the palm of their hand, with circle pits forming as far as the eye could see, a packed crowd revelled in the moment in what was surely one of the most memorable Quarry sets. Finishing with their famed cover of a-ha's 'Take on Me', was predictable, yet incredible.

A quick dash back over to the Main Stage, saw White Lies begin. Despite their tunes lacking the considerable 'oomph' of their fellow headliners, the indie-rockers kept sections of the crowd entertained, with an enjoyable if forgettable set.

My Saturday began over at the Quarry, to check out up-and-coming rap/pop artist Ady Suleiman. Describing him as a 'better' Ed Sheeran might be a step too far (and I'm not a fan of Sheeran!), but Suleiman was the perfect hangover cure for many, as he and his band rattled through their half-an-hour set, leaving you wanting far, far more. If there could be any criticism, it would be that his lyrics could develop moreso, hearing song after song about the generic 'lost woman' does tire after a bit, but this is a man to watch out for. Equally experiemental beatboxer Shlomo was another top pick. Using his loop machine, he treated us to stories of how he discovered his talent, a great cover of 'No Diggity' and a pulsating climax.

One of the most anticipated artists of 2013 were Brummie's Swim Deep. Scintiallating cuts of sun-laden summery tunes were released periodically by them throughout the year, before the release of debut album, 'Where The Heaven We Are' disappointed many, myself included. This set though, reignited some hope within me, that they can reach the heights promised by songs like 'Honey' and 'King City', as they impressed hugely in 'Arcade Fire'-esque blue facepaint. The all-important second record could make or break them.

Scots The Fratellis, know all about that, debut album 'Costello Music', providing them with a springboard into British music, before their follow-up 'Here We Stand' flopping, and the inevitable hiatus following. But they brought back memories of their 2006 breakthrough with hit after hit. Even the songs that weren't ingrained into our brains, were pretty good, bouncy tracks. However, throughout the set, bottles and cans of beer littered the stage, leading to frontman Jon Fratelli to warn 'one more of that and that's your lot'. It ceased the flow, but still was an unsavoury incident, and not the last of it at all…

The man most of the 12,000 festival-goers had flocked to see, Dizzee Rascal took to the stage a little after his 10pm start time, but delivered in a massive way. His set was eclectic and his famed live show, was a tour de force in pure entertainment. All he needed was his DJ, a couple of hype men and the stage was set for a victorious performance. His collaborations with other artists, opener 'Here 2 China' with Calvin Harris, 'Heavy', from Chase & Status and the excellent 'Dirtee Love' with Florence + the Machine, reminded you of the quality of Dizzee's back catalogue, but his standalone hits, 'Holiday', 'Bassline Junkie' and the sheer power of 'Bonkers', makes you wonder how long it will be before Dizzee headlines ascends to headliner status at one of the UK's greatest and biggest festivals.

With the crowd size having thinned out following Mr Rascal's Saturday night slot, I thought it best to check out the finer sights of Y Not on Sunday…the funfair! With a cheap roller disco, a cracking dodgems and a postponed paint fight, Sunday was a riotous day, with the sun finally coming out to dry the festival site considerably by the evening. It boosted the fatigued amongst the Y Not crowd, and was grand preparation for a fantastic end to the festival.

Derby band Joint Honours managed to fill the Allotment stage to the max, bringing some poppy, guitar-driven tunes to the fore and getting the crowd going hugely for late afternoon on a Sunday. One of my favourite bands of the minute, Palma Violets did not disappoint on the Main Stage. The powerful rock band, were uber-confident and strutting around the stage for an extended 45-minute set. 'Best Friends' has to be the biggie, but I cannot wait for their second album to drop so they can expand their ambitious sound and step up to the next level.

A switch in sound, to the hip-hop stylings of legends De La Soul. Hit after hit followed as the trio participated in some hilarious crowd participation, promoting inter-crowd rivalries, before daring the very same idiotic people who had pelted bottles at the Fratellis the previous day to try the same with them, but letting them know how stupid they were, provoking yet more acclaim. Their set was a perfect exercise in getting a field full of weary bodies to dance to some classic tunes for one last hour.

There was only one man who could close such a festival, take to the stage Y Not three-timer, Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls. Frank's last outing in these parts came in 2009, a well-overdue return saw him rise to headliner status. The cult rocker entertained in huge doses, as he reeled through tracks from 2013's 'Tape Deck Heart', his fifth studio album, as well as crowd favourites 'I Still Believe' and 'Wessex Boy'. The riotous fireworks that marked the end of his hour and the end of the Y Not weekend were special and poignant.

Here was an artist and a festival that have never been better, Y Not will celebrate its tenth birthday next August and whilst it is hard to see just how it will be able to cram more goodness into one weekend, you can bet that organisers will try their hardest to make 2015 bigger and better than this stellar weekend!

Truck Festival 2014 Review

November 8, 2018July 22, 2014 by Summer Festival Guide

“Truck Festival? What’s that?” This has largely been the response when telling the tales of my whereabouts on the 18^th-20^th of July. With our music calendar at saturation point with all the festivals happening during this popular time, you can easily be forgiven for knowing nothing about this harmonious little gathering on a farm in Oxford.

But Truck is not your usual festival. It started 17 years ago as a small alternative to the big names such as Glastonbury, Reading or Leeds; all of which have become corporate, money-spinning beasts. Truck has a refreshingly low ticket count, which means that even though it was a sell-out, there was still plenty of breathing space and an obvious lack of hippies and try-hard rockers.

The weekend vibe was completely laid back and inclusive. It was in no way about wearing the right clothes or being seen, but rather about kicking back and enjoying the atmosphere while soaking up the vitamin-D. There was no fancy VIP area: backstage was purely functional. Instead, everyone mingles. The artists roam the site, picking up beers at the bar just like us “normal folk”. A distinct bohemian quality; Truck is clearly about the people and the music.

Typically claiming the third weekend in July, this year the two-dayer kicked off its Friday with the ‘Tropical Groove’ and Indie vibes of the four-piece HABITATS, making their Truck debut on the festival’s Main/Truck Stage. One of the fabulous things about Truck is that it’s a showcase for the area’s local scene at the same time as bringing in acts both small and big from further afield.

It’s a proper all-round arena: the same stage sees the popular rock back, The Dreaming Spires, with their clashing drums and almost-shouting-but-you-think-I’m-singing vocal sound (resulting in constant sound), immediately preceded by the relaxed and more feminine vibes of Fickle Friends singing to their soft keyboards and jingling tambourines.

Wider afield, the festival plays host to five stages, all very different in the music they were churning out over the fun-filled weekend. The Barn Stage was focused on psychedelic noise rockers, such as Canterbury and Blood Red Shoes. Set against a corrugated steel roof, and with the scent of manure easing its way up the nostrils, it soon became obvious that we were watching psych-punk wraiths perform on a stage erected in a working barn. It was a surreal experience to say the least.

A mix of haunting sounds, hypnotic, pounding drumbeats and winking strobes were the enticing aspects which drew you into the stage amusingly labelled as The Veterans and Virgins Stage. Hosting bands such as Ralfe Band and the Brickwork Lizards, both of which offering unique experiences, often involving banjos and tambourines, the stage was both unique and alluring, tantalising the musical tastebuds. Similarly, the close-by Saloon Bar lured people in with its refreshing western atmosphere. Set up as something out of a cheesy western movie from the 50’s, this stage offered a different experience from the other stages with a more acoustic and folk feel to all the acts, which included sets from BMW and The Buffalo Skinners.

Finally, often described as the ‘Second-in-Command’ to the Truck Stage, the Market Stage was a stage which offered a whole range of musical genres from Dance a la Plage with their Indie-Rock ambiance to the folk-electro solo artist, Dan Croll.

With every act, bar the day’s headliners, allotted a half-hour performance slot, it’s nothing if not fair. You can power through bands and stick with sets you might otherwise leave, meaning you get a great idea of each carefully edited set list designed by each band to show themselves at their best.

Friday’s headline act, the much loved The Cribbs, take to the Truck Stage at 10pm, delighting the crowd with a medley of their top hits – they’ve more than you remember after realising five studio albums – before their spectacular closing song, which left the crowds begging for more and sadly dispersing back to the camping site, or for those more eager to other stages, such as the Market Stage which offered an all-night “Silent Disco”. There is no doubt about the fact that this band knows how to rock a festival and plays a pitch-perfect set to a crowd that appreciates their longevity and experience.

When Saturday comes, eager festival goers await Truck Stage sets from M+A and As The Elephants Are. As the day goes on, things get really lively.

When the final act at the Truck Stage for the weekend, White Lies, take to stage they muster an infectious energy. People from outside the tent file in and there are heads nodding right the way to the back of the assembled throng. As they launch into the fast-and-furious first song, all pulsating drums, rumbling bass, blissful synths and deep vocals wrapped up in lyrical genius, the London trio ignite a flame within the audience which refuses to die out until the early hours of Sunday morning.

Truck is unique. Mellow, friendly and under-crowded. It’s like the best village fete you’ve ever been to. Complete with a diverse selection of bands, this is how festivals should be. You can’t help but hope Truck never gets big and becomes the commercialised spawn of the modern music industry.

The Cribs and White Lies to headline Truck Festival

November 18, 2018February 16, 2014 by Summer Festival Guide

Truck Festival which takes place at Hill Farm, Steventon will host its biggest lineup to date with The Cribs and White Lies headlining over the weekend of July 18th – 19th.

Check out the lineup for the impressive Truck Festival for 2014 below:

WHITE LIES – Headliner
THE CRIBS – Headliner
Peace
Stornoway
Andrew W.K. (solo)
Los Campesinos!
Kids In Glass Houses
Swim Deep
Cerebral Ballzy
Itch
Eliza And The Bear
Lonely The Brave
Darlia
Circa Waves
Flyte
Nothing But Thieves
Nordic Giants
Black Moth

Festival organiser, James Goodall said, "I think this could be the best Truck on record. We have just unleashed this brilliant line-up but we still have many more things ready to be announced, so watch out."

Truck will host six stages, spanning these music genres: rock / indie / hip hop / folk / dance / electronic / punk / blues / acoustic / reggae and roots.

This includes the brilliant and best in new talent – the festival dedicates a day's programming on its Veterans and Virgins Stage to Truck first timers, as well as numerous other slots throughout the festival. Applications to play here are managed and voted for through the Truck Facebook page. With 600 submissions already and 6,600 views, it's a really effective way of reaching new audiences and artists can (and do) bedazzle a legendary and discerning crowd.

Dizzee Rascal and White Lies to headline Y Not Festival 2014

November 18, 2018February 10, 2014 by Summer Festival Guide

We can now reveal the first lineup announcement for this year Y Not Festival which takes place in August. Headliners Dizzee Rascal and White Lies lead this years lineup along with The Fratellis, Newton Faulkner, Reel Big Fish, The Blackout and many more performing on the numerous stages across the weekend.

Dizzee Rascal – HEADLINER
White Lies – HEADLINER
The Fratellis
Newton Faulkner
Reel Big Fish
Andrew W.K.(solo)
The Blackout
Cerebral Ballzy
Catfish & The Bottlemen
Itch
Eliza & The Bear
Lonely The Brave
Darlia
Night Engine
Best Friends
Flyte
Brawlers
Nothing But Thieves
Nordic Giants
Black Moth
The First
Youth Man
Hungerhoff & The Wild Roots

Festival organiser, Simon Mawby has said, “We are so excited with our first announcement and are welcoming some of the biggest names we've ever had to our stages. The best part is this is just the beginning, with another headliner and hundreds more acts to come. It will truly be the best value Y Not ever."

Y Not will host ten stages, with the best talent from these music genres: rock / indie / hip hop / folk / dance / electronic / punk / blues / acoustic / reggae and roots. But it’s not all about the bigger bands. Y Not continues to support up and coming talent with its long established, purpose-built Allotment Stage.

Bilbao BBK Live add The Black Keys, MGMT and more

November 18, 2018December 17, 2013 by Summer Festival Guide

The Black Keys have been announced as the second headliner for Bilbao BBK Live 2014 as well as adding MGMT, Imagine Dragons, White Lies & John Talabot playing a Dj set.

The festival, due to take place from the 10th-12th July in the northern Spanish city of Bilbao, adds a total of five new names to a line-up headlined by Franz Ferdinand; also featuring Phoenix, The Lumineers, Jack Johnson, The 1975, Poliçaamongst others.

Arenal Sound 2013 – The Kooks, Editors, The Drums and The Fratellis to headline

November 18, 2018May 29, 2013 by Anna Hyams

In its 4th edition, Arenal Sound has grown to currently become one of the most important Spanish Festival. Last year, Arenal Sound was the festival with more attendees in Spain and now it has the line up closed and almost all the tickets sold out.

Renowned national and international artists are going to fill up the four stages of the festival from the 1st of August to the 4th of August.

Bands as Editors, The Kooks, Klaxons, The Drums, Steve Aoki, The Fratellis, White Lies, The Bloody Beetroots, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs or Is Tropical will be some of the headliners of the festival.

International groups that are making their way on stages worldwide won’t miss the appointment, as Kakkmaddafakka, Ra Ra Riot, Satellite Stories, Reptile Youth or Alphabeat, among others. And we will count on the presence of national bands as Lori Meyers, La Habitación Roja, Iván Ferreiro, Manel or Dorian, among others.

More than 100 artists and six days of camping, where thousands of youth around the world will live days of sun, beach, swimming pool, boat parties, sports activities and great music in El Arenal beach at Burriana in Castellón (Spain).

Arenal Sound will begin with the Welcome Party at the Beach Club on the 30th of July and the 31st of July with the concerts of Second, Skip&Die or Xoel López, among many others groups.

Green Day set to headline Reading and Leeds Festival

November 18, 2018March 11, 2013 by Summer Festival Guide

System Of A Down and Deftones return to Reading & Leeds with UK festival exclusive performances, playing Friday at Reading and Saturday at Leeds. Nine Inch Nails are back for the first time since 2007 to perform a 2013 UK exclusive show on the Main Stage and Fall Out Boy return to the Festivals with a UK festival exclusive appearance, both bands playing Sunday at Reading and Friday at Leeds.

Over on the NME/Radio 1 Stage will be a UK festival exclusive set, ‘Mercury Music Prize’ winners Alt-J and French outfit Phoenix, all taking to the top of the line-up for the stage and playing to thousands of revellers across the weekend.

On the BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage, newly expanded from one day to three days for 2013, English electronic music producer Sub Focus Live, Magnetic Man and electronic dance music heavyweights Knife Party will all headline.

The BBC Radio 1Xtra Stage, one of the most exciting additions that Reading & Leeds have witnessed for a long time, will play host one to of the pioneers of grime Wiley and UK rapper Devlin as the first confirmed headliners for 2013.

These names are just the beginning, there are many more yet to be announced across these stages, plus the line-ups for the Festival Republic Stage, Lock Up Stage, BBC Introducing Stage and the Alternative Stage.

READING FRIDAY 23RD AUGUST / LEEDS SATURDAY 24TH AUGUST

MAIN STAGE

Green Day complete the Main Stage headliners at Reading & Leeds Festivals 2013, all of which are UK festival exclusive appearances. After a surprise Reading performance at 11am in 2012, which saw thousands of revellers heading to the NME/Radio 1 Stage and thousands more watching on screens in the arena, the band returns to play a full headline set at both sites.

Green Day are integral to the identity of Reading & Leeds Festivals, with their performances among the greatest in the Festivals' history. With each new record and incarnation, they bring riot and rebellion to a new audience. In 2004, their triumphant headline set featured covers of 'Blitzkreig Bop', 'Ever Fallen In Love?', and fittingly, 'We Are The Champions' and in past performances some lucky fans have even had the chance to get up on stage with the band! Their headline sets at the Festivals this year are sure to deliver even more unforgettable Reading & Leeds moments, don’t miss out!

Following a year that saw him play at the Olympics opening ceremony and sell-out Wembley Arena, Frank Turner returns to Reading & Leeds for the seventh consecutive year. The Festivals “hold a special place in his heart” and his set will be a triumphant showstopper as he plays tracks from his forthcoming album ‘Tape Deck Heart’ as well as playing his big hits.

Already announced for the Main Stage for this day are: System Of A Down and Deftones, both UK festival exclusives, plus Bring Me The Horizon, with more names still to come!

NME/RADIO 1 STAGE

Taking to the NME/RADIO 1 STAGE stage will be the most talked about rapper in the world today, A$AP Rocky, playing the festival for the first time, plus Diplo's dancehall supergroup Major Lazer bringing the carnival spirit to Reading & Leeds.

South London indie quartet Bastille join the NME/Radio 1 Stage with an armful of songs from their debut album ‘Bad Blood’, currently Number One in the album chart, including their recent Number Two single ‘Pompeii’. They'll be joined by Birmingham's 'BBC Sounds of 2013 nominees, Peace, whose hotly anticipated debut album 'In Love' looks set to soundtrack the summer. Their Stones Roses-inspired rock garnered them a ‘Best New Band’ nomination at the NME Awards and won them a big slot on the NME Awards tour. Another name just announced is explosive LA rock duo Deap Vally, who have toured with Muse and The Vaccines, enjoyed Radio 1 playlist support and were tipped by NME as one of the bands of 2013, they join what's set to be the best year for the Festivals yet.

BBC RADIO 1 DANCE STAGE

This year the BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage will be taking place over three days for the first time, already announced as the first headliner for this stage is Sub Focus Live.

BBC RADIO 1XTRA STAGE

The all new BBC Radio 1Xtra Stage is set to bring the best of hip-hop and grime from the UK and farther afield. Headlining the stage on this day will be one of the pioneers of grime, Wiley; with many more names to come.

READING SATURDAY 24TH AUGUST / LEEDS SUNDAY 25TH AUGUST

MAIN STAGE

Iconic rapper Eminem headlines the Main Stage in a UK festival exclusive appearance. Added to the line-up this day will be legends of UK drum and bass, Chase and Status, bringing a world-class live show to the Festivals. Chase and Status are credited with taking drum and bass from the club scene to the mainstream, with chart conquering songs like 'End Credits' and 'Let You Go'. Currently working on a new album, their jaw-dropping live show is sure to get the crowds moving ahead of Eminem.

Joining Foals, winners of ‘Best Track’ at the NME Awards for ‘Inhaler’, on the expanding bill is White Lies. The British indie trio, whose dark demeanor has seen them win accolades from around the world, make their Main Stage debut in a UK festival exclusive performance at Reading & Leeds. The band are currently in the studio, but by the time the Festivals come around they'll have a new record, the follow up to 2011's astounding ‘Ritual’. Godfathers of emo, Brand New return to the Festivals for the first time since 2009 with a UK festival exclusiveperformance. With a new album in the works, they're bound to premiere new songs as well as their anthem, 'Sic Transit Gloria… Glory Fades'.

NME/RADIO 1 STAGE

With Alt-J already announced as an NME/Radio 1 Stage headliner and Jake Bugg performing on the stage for the first time, other bands can now be announced. Tame Impala will make to their first visit to the Festivals since winning ‘Album Of The Year’ plaudits for ‘Lonerism’ from both Rolling Stone and NME and Imagine Dragons, the Las Vegas rock band who are so popular in the US they haven't stopped touring for over a year, join the bill.

Also just confirmed is Johnny Marr who formed the Smiths formed The Smiths in 1982 when he was just 18, going on to become one of the most important bands in the history of music, with Johnny Marrone of the greatest guitarists the UK has ever seen. Post The Smiths Marr has spent his time playing guitar in a succession of great acts including The Cribs who he performed with at Reading & Leeds before. His debut solo album ‘The Messenger’ has just been released to much critical acclaim.

Also confirmed are ‘Best New Band’ NME Award winners Palma Violets who met and formed at Reading a few years ago and played the Festivals for the first time in 2012. This year marks a special return for the slapdash rockers who are currently riding high off their recent award success. One of the first artists to take dubstep into the live arena, Modestep's show combines live vocals, a full band and a ridiculous amount of bass. Prepare for an adrenaline fuelled party of epic proportions.

BBC RADIO 1 DANCE STAGE

Taking to the BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage as headliners will beMagnetic Man. Made up of producers Skream, Benga and Artwork, they have been touring the world with extravagant live shows ever since their performance at Reading & Leeds in 2010. Skream has since said that those Reading & Leeds performances and the incredible crowd reaction were seminal for him in realising the potential for dubstep as a live genre.

BBC RADIO 1XTRA STAGE

Joining Wiley as a fellow headliner on this new stage will be Devlin. Dagenham-based rapper Devlin returns to the Festivals with his sideways social commentary and formidable flow. Having just scored a Top 10 single with 'Rewind', he's leading the UK's next generation of rap stars.

READING SUNDAY 25TH AUGUST / LEEDS FRIDAY 23RD AUGUST

MAIN STAGE

Biffy Clyro make their ascent this year to Main Stage headliners in aUK festival exclusive performance and deservedly so after being crowned ‘Best British Band’ at the recent NME Awards.

Described by Spin as "the most vital artist in music" Trent Reznor is undoubtedly a heroic figure for any Reading & Leeds attendee. For the past few years, he has been more at home in a Hollywood recording studio than on a festival stage, providing the scores for huge Hollywood movies like ‘The Social Network’ and ‘The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo’. Now, after a four year hiatus, he's returning to his first love:Nine Inch Nails. In a huge exclusive, they will play their only UK shows this year at the Reading & Leeds Festivals. The band have sold over 30 million records worldwide and are responsible for some of the most daring rock music ever recorded, be there to witness this legendary band.

Fall Out Boy will also appear, making a welcome return to the Main Stage this day, with another UK festival exclusive for Reading & Leeds!

Joining them on the stage will be one of the biggest success stories of the past year The Lumineers, an alternative Americana band from Denver, Colorado who have surpassed all expectation to become a global success with their eponymous debut album going Top 10 in the US, UK and Australia. Editors also join the line-up, bringing their cinematic rock to the Main Stage for a second time.These bands are just the start, with more names for the Main Stage yet to be announced!

NME/RADIO 1 STAGE

The final NME/Radio 1 Stage headliner is Phoenix,returning to the Festivals for the first time since 2010 to toast ‘Bankrupt!’, their new album set for release in April this year. In the time since the French outfit last graced the Reading & Leeds stage, they’ve notched up a Grammy and over one million sales of their critically lauded 2009 album ‘Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix’. This year look ready to set fire to the worldwide festival circuit, including stepping in to the headline role on this stage for the first time.

Other exciting names added to the NME/Radio 1 Stage are Harlem rapper Azealia Banks, who returns to the festival after playing to a packed out Dance Stage in 2012, to play songs from her long awaited album ‘Broke With Expensive Taste’. Production duo Disclosure, currently riding high in the Top 10 with single ‘White Noise’ and working on their house and UK garage-influenced debut album, will also have the crowds in the NME/Radio 1 Stage singing along this summer.

City and Colour, the moniker of singer-songwriter Dallas Green, is gearing up to release his fourth studio album this summer. With three JUNO Awards under his belt (the Canadian equivalent of the BRITs), City and Colour returns to the UK, following a sold out Royal Albert Hall performance and two sold out Roundhouse dates, to play Reading & Leeds for the first time in a UK festival exclusive appearance. LA sisters Haim have had a fantastic year, winning the BBC ‘Sound of 2013’ poll and touring with Florence + the Machine. Currently finishing off their debut album, they bring their astonishing guitar playing and filthy on stage banter to the Festivals for the first time. Major Lazercollaborator Alex Clare also joins the bill, since releasing his debut album in 2011 the British singer-songwriter has had a Top Five single with ‘Too Close’, as well as a BRIT Award nomination for ‘Best British Single’ with the same track.

BBC RADIO 1 DANCE STAGE

Electronic dance music heavyweights Knife Party, the Australian duo who have taken the world by storm, will headline the BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage. With two huge EP's under their belt, along with some incredible collaborations and remixes, this is the first time the Knife Party madness will be unleashed on Reading & Leeds Festivals, be sure not to miss out!

ALSO PLAYING AT READING & LEEDS 2013

Last year, Baauer was an underground DJ creating a few waves on Diplo's Mad Decent label. Now he's a global phenomenon, with everyone from the cast of Eastenders to The Simpsons doing the Harlem Shake.

The Blackout have become one of the biggest rock bands in the UK, from supporting the likes of My Chemical Romance and Linkin Park to co-headlining the Kerrang! Tour. Off the back of releasing their fourth album ‘Start The Party’ this year, they play the Festivals for the fifth time.

Hadouken!, once a nu-rave rap crew, have been re-born as a fully-fledged EDM monster. Louder, brasher, but just as much fun they guarantee to bring the party to Reading & Leeds this summer, after an amazing set to a packed crowd on the NME/Radio 1 Stage in 2012.

Australian rapper Iggy Azalea has already toured with Rita Ora and released some astonishingly good mixtapes. Her debut album, ‘The New Classic’, is released this year and she'll be bringing some hip-hop swag to Reading & Leeds.

Named after Juliette Lewis' character in ‘Natural Born Killers’, Cambridge five-piece Mallory Knox’s debut album ‘Signals’ has already gone Top 40 this year.

Reading & Leeds veterans, New Found Glory return to do what they do best, making everyone go wild, they bring a special show to Reading & Leeds playing out their well-loved album ‘Sticks and Stones’ in full.

The Strypes come to Reading & Leeds with their quintessentially retro classic rock, despite the fact the band’s eldest member is only 16, and they already count Noel Gallagher among their fans.

B-Town scene leaders Swim Deep will bring their laid back doss-pop to the Festivals.

Temples, the psychedelic four-piece inspired by the Byrds and Tame Impala, come to Reading & Leeds for the first time in 2013.

In less than a year, Manchester band, The 1975, have gone from back room boozer to Shepherds Bush Empire, smashing the airwaves and stealing the hearts, eyes and ears of thousands of new fans every week. Hardworking boys destined for big things.

Hailing from London, Theme Park recently released their self-titled debut album, full of catchy songs. Having featured as NME Radar’s ‘Band of The Week’ and The Guardian’s ‘New Band of The Day’, they are set for great things.

Tomahawk, weirdo-rock supergroup featuring members of Faith No More, the Jesus Lizard, Battles and Mr Bungle will play the Festivals for the first time.

Scottish rockers Twin Atlantic are bound to make the crowds dizzy with brash and ballsy hits like ‘Free’ and ‘Make a Beast Of Myself’ when they take to the stage this summer.

Also playing at the Festivals will be Sheffield rockers While She Sleeps, named Kerrang!'s ‘Best British Newcomers’, who will get the crowds going with songs from their album ‘This is the Six’.

A-Z OF ARTISTS ANNOUNCED SO FAR FOR READING & LEEDS FESTIVALS 2013

White Lies announced as final headliner for Beach Break Live

November 18, 2018May 16, 2011 by Summer Festival Guide

Spring is in the air, and as we ditch the mittens and shed those thermals; the UK’s biggest student festival Beach Break Live Powered by Dell, is cranking up the heat and is proud to welcome a bucket load of brand new artists for their 5^th year and biggest ever line up!

With a chart topping bill which already includes the likes of man of the moment Tinie Tempah, UK rap sensation Professor Green, honey voiced starlet Katy B, New York indie boys We are Scientists, and dubstep super-group Magnetic Man, the 2011 line up just keeps getting better and better!

Also confirmed and back by popular demand is pop-rap star Example. His 2010 set drew the masses from the beach to jump up and down to one of his most infectious performances to date and we cant wait to have him back for 2011.

Example had this to say “Absolute pleasure to be coming back to Beachbreak. The location itself
is like no other festival and the crowd are some of the best I’ve seen.
There’s a certain vibe about the place that means you don’t want to
leave. I had to be dragged away from the partying last year!”

Sporting his trademark ginger dreadlocks and also hitting the surf this year will be acoustic folk star Newton Faulkner. With a number one album already to his name, expect a charming blend of faultless finger picking, amazing melodies and sing-a-long choruses as he treats us to a spectacular Beach side performance.

Newton Faulkner said “It’s great to be playing Beach Break’s 5th Birthday with such an amazing line up and it’s always good to be back in Wales!”

Also joining team BBL will be the amazing Jamie Woon. Fusing dubstep beats and house grooves with his rich bluesy vocals to delightful effect, his recent single ‘Night Air’, which was produced by Burial has marked him out as a definite one to watch for 2011 and we are very excited to welcome him to the BBL bill!

Next up are noisiest kids on the block, The Chapman Family, who will be leaving gloomy Teeside behind for sunny welsh shores. Brace yourself for a perfect brew of emotional indie with a sprinkle of hardened goth and topped off with a big smear of eyeliner as the northern boys give it some serious welly.

Joining them will be 7 piece live dubstep project Sub Motion Orchestra and ska outfit Babyhead who will be headlining the legendary Chai Wallah tent!

Also hitting the surf will be Bristol based DJ/ producer Redlight. Following a string of rib rattling productions including his recent dancefloor banger ‘What You Talkin About’ with Ms Dynamite this man is big news and we are very excited to have him onboard!

Smashing his way onto the BBL bill and headlining the epic outdoor dance stage, ‘The Ghettoblaster’ will be none other than man of the UK bass scene SBTRKT. Donning a mask and bringing his own take on ‘future garage’ to the beach, don’t miss an amazing set from SBTRTK as he lives up to the hype and takes BBL by storm! He will also be joined by dubstep star Modestep, the amazing boy 8 bit and painted faced electro king Drums of Death.

Set in sunny South Wales in the jaw droppingly beautiful Pembrey Country Park, the Beach Break Live site is surely the most stunning festival site in the UK. Nested between acres of woodland and a pristine eight-mile beach complete with silky white sand and great surf, BBL has the winning formula of huge line up and breath taking site!

And that’s not all! There are also hundreds of amazing activities to keep the most adventurous of Beach Breakers happy! Surfing, wakeboarding, skiing, snowboarding, paddle boarding, water zorbing, kite surfing, land kiting, tobogganing, horse riding, coasteering, skating, fun fairing, volley balling and more! The list is (literally) endless. The legendary Celtic Games will also be returning along with other pleasure treasures from pole dancing to parkour, moustache making to macramé, the silent disco, pub karaoke, vintage fairground rides and strictly come raving amongst others!

To celebrate all this and Dell and BBL’s continuing and splendid partnership, those lovely folk at Dell HQ have launched a most memorable competition to win ‘The Ultimate Festival Experience’- including VIP tickets to Beach Break Live, a private flight over the festival, a Dell laptop and a meet and greet with top artists! Details can be found at www.facebook.com/beachbreaklive.

For the first time, the festival will also be held over a weekend which will allow non students and graduates alike to relive their student days in true Beach Break fashion!

Full price tickets are now available for the student friendly price of £99 – with the option to secure your place with a £40. With Early bird tickets selling out in record time and the Guardian recently naming the Beach Break as the festival most likely to sell out quick, make sure to nab your ticket before they run out! www.beachbreaklive.com

See you on the sand and in the sun!

Visit www.beachbreaklive.com for more info.

TINIE TEMPAH, WHITE LIES, MAGNETIC MAN

PROFESSOR GREEN, EXAMPLE, KATY B, WE ARE SCIENTISTS, NEWTON FAULKNER, T.E.E.D, ED SHEERAN, BEARDYMAN, JAMIE WOON, YASMIN

FRANKIE & THE HEARTSTRINGS, THE MILK, MAVERICK SABRE, ASH GRUNWALD, FLORRIE

WILL & THE PEOPLE – RODNEY BRANNIGAN – THE CHAPMAN FAMILY – BABYHEAD – GABRIELLE APLIN – BROTHER & BONES

JOE DRISCOLL – THE BOXETTES – THE PEOPLES STRING FOUNDATION – SUBMOTION ORCHESTRA – ROKSHAN – FRONTIERS

LAZY HABITS – BACKBEAT SOUNDSYSTEM – URBAN FOLK QUARTET- YES SIR BOSS – WINTERHOURS – ZEN ELEPHANT – CODA

DR MEAKER – SKUFF & INJA – FREE PEACE – FELIX FABLES – CUBRIK – WHITE PILOTS – BOBBY PETROV – TINROOTS

ZANE LOWE, SUB FOCUS, MARK RONSON, NERO, MS DYNAMITE, SHY FX, DJ YODA, JOKER FT. BUGSY & SCARZ, LONDON ELEKTRICITY

JAGUAR SKILLS, SBTRKT, REDLIGHT, BOY 8 BIT, MODESTEP, DRUMS OF DEATH, 16 BIT, URBAN KNIGHTS, GEMINI, MARC ROBERTS, MYSTERY, SDM,

DJ PARKER, ASBO DISCO, CONTEXT MC, PULSAR, DJ MONEYSHOT

16th – 20th June
Pembrey Country Park, South Wales

Sziget Festival announces more acts

November 18, 2018May 6, 2011 by Summer Festival Guide

The CEE focus has 3 main attractions on this year’s Sziget: the well known Roma Tent, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, and new venues like the Europe Stage and the Central Eastern European Travelling Funfair.

Lineup

Pop-Rock Main Stage

Already announced names for the Pop-Rock Main Stage include Pulp, Kasabian, The Chemical Brothers, Amy Winehouse, Dizzee Rascal, Interpol, Rise Against, Good Charlotte, Smash Mouth, Gogol Bordello, Flogging Molly, Maccabees and so much more. The newest list of confirmations is also a strong selection. It will surely please fans of quality guitar music, as they get to see Great Britain’s trendiest indie band White Lies. Other new additions to the line-up include La Roux – nominated for nearly all prestigious awards – and Manic Street Preachers presenting their 2010 album – Postcards From A Young Man – and hopefully giving us a taste of their new LP, scheduled for this November. Few people would think that members of a hardcore punk band also have modest and sensitive sides, but that’s exactly the case with Mariachi El Bronx, formed from the members of the uncompromising Californian punk band The Bronx. New-Zealand’s exciting musical export item, Batucada Sound Machine will be here as well, while fans can also meet up with one of the most important aspirants of the future soul-generation, Ben l’Onlce Soul.

World Music Main Stage

Some of the names already announced for the World Music Main Stage are AfroCubism, Gotan Project, Goran Bregovic Wedding And Funeral Band, Ojos de Brujo and Rotfront. Besides them, Oi Va Voi is also happy to return to Sziget, while psychedelic rock-country-blues band Cowboy Junkies will play in Hungary for the first time. The line-up will include Sly & Robbie feat. Jr. Reid and Slovenian Magnifico and Shtetl Superstars – only gaining popularity this year, but strong contenders to become one of the big shots of the decade. LaBrassBanda appeared three years ago in Munich and the leather-pants combo immediately made the Bavarian beer festival atmosphere their trademark. Ska Cubano is already considered to be a frequent player of prestigious world music festivals, so it is almost needless to say that they must visit Sziget, too. And we shouldn’t forget about world class Hungarian acts: Csík Zenekar, Lajkó Félix and Muzsikás will once again present their unique shows in front of a passionate world music fanbase.

Rock-Metal Main Stage

A great new open-air venue is ready to welcome fans of harder genres. Rock-Metal Main Stage will be, among many others, a home to legends like Judas Priest and Motörhead, but also Within Temptation, Deftones, Lostprophets and Sonata Arctica will make those heads bang in the moshpit. More to come soon.

A38-Wan2 Stage

It has already been announced that Christal Castle, Peter Bjorn and John, Marina and the Diamonds and Hurts will play at A38-Wan2 Stage. Among the new names a strong British presence is evident: Bomb The Bass, Kode9, Digital Mystikz and Gaslamp Killer will give their best for Sziget fans. Suicidal Tendencies and Xiu Xiu will be representatives of the United States and there are also three Dutch artists in the line-up: De Jeugd van Tegenwoordig, DeWolff and Kees van Hondt. Besides them A38-Wan2 Stage will be happy to host Mitch & Mitch (PL), Selah Sue (B), Terry Poison (ISR) and Buraka Som Systema Live (P), too.

Party Arena

Some of the names performing at Party Arena have already been announced: The Bloody Beetroots Death Crew 77 and Kid Cudi will definitely come to do a set. New additions include Trentemoller and Zombie Nation and finally there are also news on the late evening acts. 2manydjs led by the Dawaele brothers is planning to give all fans a spectacular and crazy night at Party Arena. The coolest trance-collective of Great Britain, Above & Beyond will not only focus on their classic tracks, but will also make you dance like crazy with their new album Group Therapy, to be released in June. The most popular and versatile techno-musician of Spain, Cristian Varela will be here and the oustanding dj, producer and remixer Dubfire will also arrive to this year’s Sziget in the company of Carlo Lio. Another guest of the Party Arena will be Richie Hawtin, one of the most outstanding features of the minimal techno scene, living in Berlin for a long time. And Technasia will play again for party faces open for a special and exotic techno experience.

Europe Stage

Europe Stage is fresh and open-air, a venue where bands from several European countries present their skills. These bands are all extremely popular in their home countries, but still waiting for an international breakthrough. Now they have the chance to prove in front of an enthusiastic Sziget crowd. The already confirmed Europe Stage line-up includes Go Back To The Zoo from Holland, Triggerfinger and Wallace Vanborn from Belgium, Verdena from Italy, Söhne Mannheims from Germany, Ismo Alanko & Teho from Finland, For a Minor Reflection from Iceland, Elvis Jackson from Slovenia, Puding Pani Elvisovej from Slovakia, Skyline from the Czech Republic, Gravity Co. from Bulgaria, Francis International Airport from Austria, and The Mono Jacks from Romania.

Ticket information

Sziget Festival early bird weekly tickets (including camping) are available for 170 Euros till 30 April and if you are not the camper type, you can buy a non-camping weekly for 140 Euros. The prices will go up 30 Euros each after the early bird period is over, so it does make sense to think ahead. Daily tickets will be available from May for 45 Euros.

Beware of ticket fraud! In the past few weeks, dozens of fake tickets have appeared on the festival market. Serial numbers of counterfeit tickets have been banned, so these are invalid. Sziget Festival puts great efforts into the extension of its official ticketing network, so check the list of our distribution partners on our website and be sure you only deal with them.

White Lies and Digitalism join Melt! Festival lineup

June 9, 2020February 17, 2011 by Summer Festival Guide

M!Eco
Once again, the environment will be one of our most important headliners this year. In 2010, we already started our environmental endeavours with M!Eco. Together with the Green Music Initiative, we devoloped various projects to reduce CO2 emissions. Several bus and train offers as well as our hotel train, which rode to Ferropolis for the first time in 2010, made it possible that many festivalgoers decided to leave their cars at home. In 2011, we want to continue our projects. This year, energy-saving measures will be on our agenda as well! Further info will be available soon.

To keep you posted on our newest projects and further developments, we launched our M!Eco website today. On our site, you are not only able to read about our plans and project partners. You are also able to find out what each festivalgoer can do to reduce CO2 emissions and make the festival more ecofriendly, so we can say: we are one step closer to our green goal.

White Lies
Post-punk meets dark wave with legitimate ambitions for stadium rock. With their latest single “Bigger Than Us”, the London-based White Lies presented us with a smashing anthem at the beginning of 2011 already. The band made quite an effort to up the ante production-wise in order to set the tone for the enthusiastic to melancholic lyrics. By releasing Rituals, the band around singer Harry McVeigh brought us the follow-up to their debut, which definitely keeps its promise.

Digitalism (live)
No doubt, Digitalism is about to become a Melt! resident. Even before the actual festival the Hamburg duo Jens “Jence” Moelle and Ismail “Isi” Tüfekci join the Berlin-based Melt! Klub Weekender with squealing synth sounds, brute breaks, and belling bass lines. In Ferropolis, Digitalism has been part of Melt! Festival’s line-up three time. Thanks to brand-new material, the 2010 single “Blitz” as well as the uberhit “Zdarlight”, Digitalism will certainly fuel Melt! madness for the fourth time.

More Acts and News
With The Naked And Famous, we may have hit the spot. It doesn’t happen too often that a band is highly praised even before it releases its debut. We are very much excited about the New Zealanders’ live performance on their stopover in Saxony-Anhalt.

Not least since their celebrated Melt! premiere, the follow-up shows – supporting Broken Bells and Kele for instance – and their appearance at Dockville, Sizarr are officially Melt! Festival’s new favourite. Therefore, we’re about to present all the factes of the band, namely playing live on Gemini Stage and DJing on Melt! Selektor Stage as Sizarr Soundsystem.

We see acts like Katy B, Crystal Fighters, Clock Opera, Totally Enourmous Extinct Dinosaurs and SBTRKT progressing on an international level, which is why we want to prominently present them at Melt! 2011. More promising newcomers will join them soon.

Of course, Melt! 2011 would only be half as good without the lovely indie boys and girls. After all these years, the indie legends of Les Savy Fav are finally joining our line-up. Also adding to our bill: Junip, Bodi Bill, Console, Metronomy, Calvin Harris, Everything Everything, Little Dragon. This just in: with our second announcement, we only made it half-way through our programme. By the time, we’re done with announcing acts, Melt! will have six stages with over 120 artists performing in July.

Melt! Festival’s also known for its many co-operations with other artists. We’re not only looking forward to Modeselektor curating Melt! Selektor Stage for two days in a row and the labels Live At Robert Johnson as well as Bpitch Control taking over Sleepless Floor. We also have the Total Confusion party at Big Wheel up our sleeves and an additional special celebrating the legendary Detroit techno label Planet E with label boss Carl Craig DJing back to back with Radio Slave – joined by label mate Loco Dice who we announced last time.

Many festivalgoers will be pleased to hear about our continuing co-operation with Ostgut Ton, the label which is connected to Berlin’s Berghain like no other. The label’s about to take over Big Wheel Stage for four hours on Sunday – yes, there’s a Sunday at Big Wheel, folks. We will soon announce the Ostgut line-up, no worries. Big Wheel Sunday will also see Guy Gerber, who decided to work with P.Diddy on his new album, conquering the stage.

Last but not least, we planned a small but nice Dial Records homage at Big Wheel on Saturday. The full line-up reads as follows: Lawrence, John Roberts, Pawel & RNDM and Redshape presents Palisade (live).

Tickets
3-day ticket valid for Friday, Saturday and Sunday:
EUR 104 plus booking fee and EUR 5 garbage deposit
There will be no 1- or 2-day tickets availabe for Melt! 2011.
In the price included are camping and parking (from Thursday 15.07. 01:00pm until Monday, 19.07. 03:00pm).
Tickets and Infos available under www.meltfestival.de/tickets only.