The Secret Garden Party is pleased to announce the full line-up for its Grande Finale. For those in any doubt, this is categorically the final edition in its illustrious 15-year tenure as one of the most celebrated and fun events on the summer calendar. Tickets are about to sell out so SGP has issued a strong ticket warning for those who may be still undecided. Don’t miss out on the ultimate send-off for this much-loved slice of eccentricity. Because when it’s over there will be nowhere quite like it again….ever.
Throughout the 4-day event, 15 stages and venues will feature some incredible live music and dj sets, including many unique collaborations and b2bs. Plus, there’s a whole host of theme-based hilarious and very naughty VIP activities and games to get involved with. As ever, the devil is in the detail, and SGP promises to deliver one of the most idiosyncratic and original parties on the planet to celebrate this final send-off. Sweet dreams indeed.
The full line up for Secret Garden Party 2017 is as follows (there will be a few unannounced secret special guests so ears to the ground).
THE GREAT STAGE
METRONOMY / CRYSTAL FIGHTERS / TOOTS AND THE MAYTALS
JAGWAR MA / PEACHES / WILD BEASTS / JEREMY LOOPS / HONNE
JORJA SMITH / KATE NASH / DEAP VALLY / DMA'S / FICKLE FRIENDS
TOM MISCH / RAY BLK / REJJIE SNOW / DAVID RODIGAN / CHARLOTTE OC / WILL JOSEPH COOK /
TOM GRENNAN / THE CORRESPONDENTS / ANTEROS / BEANS ON TOAST
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WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
JAIN / AKALA / BONZAI /THE MOONLANDINGZ / ZAK ABEL / PUMAROSA / ALL THEM WITCHES / CLEAN CUT KID / MABEL / ETTA BOND / BE CHARLOTTE / TOOTHLESS / NORTH DOWNS / LET’S EAT GRANDMA / SERAMIC / BOXED IN / LAUREL / AINE CAHIL / CROOX / COSMO SHELDRAKE / ALICE JEMIMA / MONT JAKE / WOWH / OSCAR MIC / LOST COLOURS / MALKA / SASHA BROWN / GECKO / MR VAST / NED DYLAN / EARL OKIN / ALL ABOUT TOBE
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THE LIVING ROOM
THE WANDERING HEARTS / HONEY & THE BEAR / SKUFF & INJA / SIVU / ETHAN ASH / MORGANWAY / SUNDAY DRIVER / OPAQUE / WILL ROBERT / KYAN / THE INEXPLICABLES / PARK BENCH POET / LAURA OAKES / AMETHYSTS / SAMUEL JACK / CRINKLE CUTS / MATT MALTESE / SONNY / TOM LUMLEY/ FLINT MOORE /GOLDEN BANTIC / ANNABEL ALLUM / ISAAC GRACIE / KERRY DEVINE MAHALIA / THE KINGS PARADE / SONIA STEIN / HEAVY SUGAR DJ'S / PIXEY / RICKY BOOM BOOM plus SUPER SECRET SPECIAL GUESTS
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THE COLOSILLYUM
RINSE FM TAKEOVER
TEMPLE OF BOOM PRESENTS:
EXAMPLE & DJ WIRE / NERO / ALEX METRIC / HERVE + MC JDP / MAJESTIC / UTAH SAINTS / EDDY ™ + MC ANGEL / 1991 / DOCUMENT ONE / SHAPES /THE DANDADDA / MISTRESS MO + MC BOOGIEMAN
HOSPITALITY VS RAM:
SUB FOCUS VS METRIK / CAMO VS KROOKED / SPY VS RENE LA VICE /
FRED V & GRAFIX VS CULTURE SHOCK
NU:LOGIC VS DC BREAKS / KEENO VS CHORDS / FRANKEE VS KRAKOTA /DAXTA RUTHLESS ID / CARASEL
STANTON WARRIORS
FISH SEEKS BICYCLE PRESENTS: THE CRAFTY RASCALS
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THE DROP
VERY SPECIAL GUEST: MATHEW JONSON LIVE
EATS EVERYTHING PRESENTS EDIBLE
JACKMASTER / SKREAM / DJ TENNIS / NASTIA / CRAIG RICHARDS B2B NICOLAS LUTZ
WILD SIRRENDA (LIVE) / CHILDREN OF THE DUST / DAX LEE / BANOFFEE PIES / SHAPES / NICK GYNN /
JESS FARLEY / MANAMI BABA / SARAH FRENCH / TAMMY MILES
….and many more secret special guests
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THE LABYRINTH
GEORGE FITZGERALD /MARIBOU STATE (DJ SET) / WAZE & ODYSSEY /SOUL CLAP / JONAS RATHSMAN / CRAIG RICHARDS /MAN POWER / HONEY SOUNDSYSTEM / MAXXI SOUNDSYSTEM /LUKE SOLOMON / PEDESTRIAN /FELIX DICKENSON / MATT TOLFREY / ADAM SHELTON / DAVE HARVEY / WAIFS & STRAYS / CHRISTOPHE /BOBBY PLEASURE / ITCHY RICH / CHARLIE MCFARLEY / OLLIE MUNDY / ASHLEY WILD / SLEAZY WONDER / FOR BETTER OR WORSE
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LOST WOODS LIVE – CHAI WALLAHS
K.O.G & THE ZONGO BRIGADE / SHEELANAGIG / SMASH HI FI /HORSEMAN & THE UPPERCUT BAND / HONEYFEET / GYPSIES OF BOHEMIA / ABSTRACT ORCHESTRA KOFFIE /GALLOWSTREET / SOCCER 96 / THE URBAN FOLK QUARTET / LAKUTA LIAM BAILEY / MAMMAL HANDS /NEW ORLEANS SWAMP DONKEYS / YUMI & THE WEATHER / LAZY HABITS / TIME FOR T / ME AND MY FRIENDS / DOJO / SOLA ROSA / OLAH BLISS /HOLLY HOLDEN / Y SU BANDA / DAKHLA BRASS / BALAPHONICS /MORE LIKE TREES / SOLANA / FEELGOOD EXPERIMENT / KIOKO / TOKIO MYERS / VOJTA / ASH WALKER
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LOST WOODS DISCO
ANDHIM / JONAS RATHSMAN /STEVE DAVIS & KAVUS TORABI /ADAM FREELAND FLAMINGODS DJ SET / JONO MA / ZERO 7 DJ SET /OLAF STUUT LIVE
MOJO FILTER / POLYNATION DJ SET / UONE / SAM GOKU / MARIBOU STATE DJ SET / HEAD GARDENER / LANCELOT / AUDLEY LEELAND WILD LIFE) / GENTLE MYSTICS SOUND SYSTEM / DOM SERVINI (WAH WAH 45s) / QASH / LU:SID / TIMANTI /SLUG RAVE / RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW / DAVID MINNS
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THE PAGODA
WAZE & ODYSSEY PRESENTS:
LORD LEOPOLD / DUSKY / EDU IMBERNON / WAIFS & STRAYS B2B ITCHY RICH /MELE / EATS EVERYTHING / HUXLEY / EJECA / MELLA DEE / JONAS RATHSMAN /STEVE HUERTA / URULU / CITIZENN / THEO KOTTIS / DENNEY / BUCKLEY / FRANK TOPE / RED RACK'EM / SOUL CLAP / HONEY SOUNDSYSTEM / KRYWALD & FARRER / HOUSE HUSBAND / MAZE & MASTERS / THE BAY DJS / ED KARNEY /DOM CHUNG / JAMIE MORRISON / ALIE HORTON / CHARLIE MOORE / MR PRICE / JAY KARIM / MICHAEL PALMER / SOPHIE LLOYD / TOSH OHTA / BEDLAM DJS
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LITTLE GAY BROTHER
ATTACK ATTACK ATTACK / CRAIG CAMPBELL / FAT TONY / FRANK CO. / JAMES PHILLIPS / JIM WARBOY / JONATHAN BESTLEY /JONJO JURY / LEWIS BURTON /MANSUSHI / MAZE & MASTERS NIC FISHER /OLI KEENS / PAUL HERON /SPACESTATION /TERRY VIETHEER /THE MENENDEZ BROTHERS / TIM FANUCCI /TWICE SHY PRESENTS GAY GARAGE /WAX WINGS /ZENZERO
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THE TEMPLE OF EXCESS
THE PLUMP DJS / SHADES OF RHYTHM / EVIL NINE / DUKE SLAMMER / HEAD GARDENER / VIGI / MR B / PAUL DARKING / MARGARET SCRATCHER / CAPTAIN STEARNE / SAM GREENWOOD / PIRATE / KONTROVERSI / C-UNIT / S. SEAGULL / ANDY BARLOW / EUAN SIMPSON / SIMON HOME BOY HOLMES / QVC / SMYLEY JAY / BONGO TED / EMBER / PUKA 1 UP / SILVER SURFER & THE GENERAL DEALER / MARK HOUSDEN / BROTHERS AND SISTERS FROM THE ORDER OF THE VELVET NOSTRIL CURTAIN / SISTERS COLLEEN & SUZIE BROTHERS JULIAN & PAUL / BEYOND MONKEY / IRRELEVANT DISCO / GRANDADS BACKROOM ANTICS / DEREK INCOGNITO
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THE KITSCH INN
THE CORRESPONDENTS / SAM AND THE WOMP /THE SKA VENGERS /THE BAGHDADDIES / LAZY HABITS /SWING ZAZOU / THE DESTROYERS / CUT CAPERS / THEY SAY JUMP / EMPATEE DU WEISS / TOKYO SEXWAIL / WORLD’S TALLEST DJ CABARET SPECIAL / DJ CHRIS TOFU / BEATING HEART /BAKERS BROTHER’S FUNKY FAREWELL / TWO FOR JOY TAKEOVER / WOODBURNER TAKEOVER
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THE COCKTAIL BAR
HALF BAKED / FLUX / SHAPES / GIN & JUICE / SO FRESH SO CLEAN /
FUNK FROM THE TRUNK / WONKY DISCO / B.A.R.E / HOUSE OF CLEARANCE HOUSE PARTY / KITE HIGH /
JONNY CADE / SKINNY & SELECTA / MISS T / MAX HAGENBACH / ALGY STRUTT
~~~~~~~~~~
THE LIDO
THE HEATWAVE /FELIX DICKINSON /JOE LYE & KATIE BARBER
CLASH MAGAZINE PRESENTS: ANNA WALL + NIMMO
CHRISTOPHE / PETE LUNG / KENNY WISDOM / CRAIG CHRISTON /JENNY JEN /ANDY ALLDAY /MORPH & SANKY / WAYWARD / SOPHIE SKY /REMI /CASA VIDA
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THE LAKE STAGE
PRAWN CRACKER / LYNX AFRICA / DJ CHEEKY
SECRET GALS PARTY PRESENTS: ANNA WALL / COLLYER TWINS / EDA / E11E / EMERALD / GEORGIE ROGERS / GI JAMES / HAZE / LOU ELLIS / SWEET LEMONADE
Common People might be the littlest sister of UK behemoth Bestival, but it certainly packs it’s own unique punch. Held on Southampton Common (with a twin over in Oxford now too) it’s a two day hedonistic escape without the sleeping-on-a-rollmat or not-showering-for-four-days element, and as such, is an altogether pleasant affair.
Saturday sees the likes of Elvana (Elvis fronted Nirvana) doing, well… exactly what it says on the tin I suppose, and Loyle Carner whipping a tshirt around the stage and rapping hits from his debut album, to a sun-drenched and almost feverish front row made almost exclusively of ladies. Over on the Uncommon stage, local lads Fever are whipping up a storm with their classic punky rock vibes to a packed tent.
The arena itself is decorated with a well-known Josie Da Bank feel to it, silk flags flutter in the breeze and there are fairy lights, lanterns and rainbow streamers everywhere, but it’s the heart installation which simply reads ‘Manchester’ which stands out the most. After such a terrible event, it’s affirming to know that people will still make their way to a festival like this, but the increased police presence was very noticeable.
Despite the somewhat sobering feeling of walking past armed police to enter the festival, the atmosphere is free spirited and fun. The Kids area is packed with people attempting circus skills, hula hooping, bubble blowing and getting their faces painted. Hidden away in a magical little copse, it really does have that hazy secret summer feel to it, and the Jam Jar Bar is serving up delicious treats for the bigger kids. Did someone say Rhubarb Martini?
Over in The People’s Front Room, which is dressed up as a shabby-chic front room in case you were wondering… people are grooving along to funky sounds, but it’s pretty tightly packed so we’re off to check out the food options, which never disappoint at CP. Back in the dark old days of UK festivals your best hope was paying over the odds for some soggy chips and a distinctly grey looking burger, but at Common People your culinary compass can spin all around the world. From Paella to Macaroni Cheese, to thali boxes or soft shell crab burgers, there is nothing common about this menu. We can particularly recommend the brie, pear and walnut from The Gourmet Grilled Cheese Co. which was pretty flippin decadent.
Back at the main stage there are rows upon rows of screaming, glitter-bedazzled girls greeting a very dapper looking Tom Odell who is playing a roaring set from behind his giant centre-stage piano. Calling out “Southampton! Closest I’ll get to a home gig this season, back home, back in the badlands” Tom is returned with a chorus of “Marry me Tom!” from a group of young ladies who look like they might faint at any moment. One particular hardcore Odell fan has actually travelled with her father and sister from Brazil to see him here, now that is commitment!
Next up is Sister Bliss playing a Faithless DJ set in the deep evening sunshine which naturally has everyone up and dancing. ‘We Come 1’ is so heavy it rattles the panels of the helter skelter and Bliss looks right at home here in her sequinned bomber jacket.
Over to Pete Tong and The Heritage Orchestra to bang out some Ibiza classics and honestly, it is overwhelmingly amazing. Conductor Jules Buckley stands, arms spread wide in front of three tiers of orchestra and Pete Tong perched amongst the rafters at an LED lit mixing desk and they begin. It’s a strange sensation knowing these classics to be, to put it bluntly, somewhat simple musically speaking – but hearing them performed by the orchestra just brings them to a whole new level. Massive hits such as Fatboy Slim’s ‘Right Here, Right Now’ and Faithless’ ‘We Come 1’ get the full orchestral treatment but bathed in lasers and smoke. It’s strangely satisfying and retains the intensity of the original tracks. Pete also pays tribute to Manchester noting that it’s ‘on our minds’ before introducing Ella Eyre to sing ‘Good Life’ and Rudimental’s ‘Waiting All Night’ which are insanely good. Finishing up with Becky Hill on ‘You Got The Love’ has the whole crowd singing along and Pete Tong quips “We can’t pretend to go off and come back on again, there are too many of us!” as they close the show. With a mass surge out of the gates and into the town, day one of Common People is over and it’s been a blinder.
Sunday on Southampton Common seems a lot quieter, there are a smattering of people milling around for the first bands but it’s pretty sparse, at a guess some people went very hard last night and are nursing some pretty epic hangovers today.
The Novatones who come out strong and belt around the stage with their classic punk rock sound and jumping antics, it’s a great set and a shame so few people were out to see it. The Black Kat Boppers make short work of getting everyone who has made it in, up and dancing some sort of hybrid swing-come-dad-moves.
to being ‘stuck in traffic’ Nadia Rose appears to have all but missed her slot and Calum Lintott, who has just finished a set on the Uncommon Stage is hauled in to fill the time. He looks nervous as hell at first, forgets to plug in his guitar… “That’s a good start isn’t it! I did not expect to be doing this today” and waves awkwardly at his family out in the arena, but he pulls off a frankly fantastic second set anyway. Even the security guards are clapping along by the end and Calum seems pretty stoked about getting to play the main stage, ‘English Daisy’ and ‘Baby I’m Insane’ are going straight on the playlist.
Whilst Signals are mid set-up and sound check, Nadia Rose finally makes it to the main stage – albeit shoe-horned into the side with the DJ booth, accompanied by a large posse. Rocking a red bomber, with matching trainers and visible pants, as well as her signature space bun hairstyle – she is every bit the rapper celebrity the young front row have come to see. Busting out ‘Skwod’ and ‘Boom’ she has boundless energy and is absolutely fierce in her delivery, but it was maybe a little unnecessary of her to complain that “I’ve got a short set today, because I was put on late, but whatever” when it doesn’t seem like anyone was really at fault for that.
A brief but substantial downpour sees herds of people diving into bars and tents for shelter, which Amy MacDonald finds highly amusing “It seems a lot of people are scared of a little bit of rain… that’s a drizzle in Glasgow… southern softies eh?”. Standing in front of a broadway-esque red ruched curtain, the Scottish musician plays a storming set highlighted by recent hit ‘This is the Life’ but the rowdy contingent of Common People are squished side by side into the rainbow-ribboned Uncontained Stage area for Fat Man Scoop. Stalwart of the school disco, Fatman Scoop is of course playing an absolute cheese-fest of hits. Rocking lounge shorts and pool slides he leaves the decks to dance with three stunned kids who’ve been pulled from the crowd for DMX’s ‘Party Up’ but decides to get them to cover their eyes for his brief bout of topless shimmying. Good call Scoop, good call. ‘Be Faithful’ is exactly as obnoxiously loud and fun as you’d imagine, and with the appearance of Goldie, it’s just what we needed to get out of the grim weather funk.
Over on the main stage the House Gospel Choir are giving huge club hits in their distinctive style, notably a cover of Robin S’ ‘Show Me Love’, to a massive crowd. Up next British Sea Power aren’t garnering the same sort of response due to their softer, melodic sounds, but the front few rows seem to be die-hard fans who are absolutely loving them and their strange selection of stage-foliage.
Natives are shredding the Uncommon Stage with loads of people dancing and jumping around in the tent, and the bouncy castle has been dried and re-opened to hordes of terrifyingly fearless children. With a single experimental bounce and what thankfully was a minor collision with a manically grinning cannonball of a small girl, it’s time to escape to safety. Off to a less violent affair, lashings of glitter makeup from Dust & Dance and obligatory hair braiding, before heading over to see Wild Beasts. Flanked by flashing panel lights and a giant backdrop from their latest album ‘Boy King’ they have a distinct electronic rock sound that is definitely piquing some interest in the now quieter arena. I think they’re going to be the hot playlist add following the weekend, but I’m not sure they’re quite what everyone was waiting for.
Groove Armada pick it back up with a solid set of classic dance music, and I know it’s specifically listed as a DJ set but they really are holed up at the back of the stage behind a giant table. Why can’t DJ’s be at the forefront and engage with the crowd in any way other than that wistful sort of pointing into the sky reminiscent of Steve Zissou? Anyway… as they continue through the set the crowd builds and gets increasingly rowdy, during a remix of Breach’s ‘Let’s Jack’ security are rushed into the main stage pit to hold the barriers as people push against them whilst dancing.
After a couple of choice cocktails at The Day of the Dead Bar it’s down to Sean Paul to close out Common People 2017. Swaggering onstage in a dusty trenchcoat and a pair of sunglasses, Sean Paul looks every bit the nonchalant celebrity, but as ‘Get Busy’ begins it’s clear he is here to move and shake that thing as much as the crowd is. Flanked by two extremely energetic dancers, Sean Paul makes his way through a plethora of his classic hits such as ‘Baby Boy’, but it’s his version of Sia’s ‘Cheap Thrills’ that we are both wincing at, and simultaneously loving. It also then mixes into Ed Sheeran’s ‘Shape of You’ and honestly It’s hard to assign one feeling to something like that. To explain, he changes the words… a lot. Enough to have no idea what’s going on except for the tune.
Calling out “We’re bringing you music from around the world tonight… we’ve got music from Jamaica, we’ve been to Australia with Sia… the UK with Ed Sheeran… who wants to go to Trinidad and Tobago with me?” we can’t help but think he’s playing the metaphor because his driver (easily spotted by being the only one at the back of the crowd sporting a full suit and tie) is looking horrified at the idea of driving anywhere other than home after this.
The crowd is getting considerably louder and wilder as the show goes on, and during ‘Temperature’ two girls are hauled over the barrier by security for having a scrap over which one can get closer to Sean Paul. It’s 50-50 on the funny/baffling ratio. Ending with a chant of “Say no no no, we ain’t going home” is fun until it’s actually time to go home and return to the real world, but at least there’s a bank holiday tomorrow to recover. Oh Common People you have once again been superb, with your eclectic mix of music, beautiful décor and incredible extra-entertainment options you are really anything but common, and you know it. Roll on 2017, and if you can’t wait that long for your fix, there’s always the larger scale Camp Bestival and Bestival to continue those CP feels.
The multi award-winning Secret Garden Party, the event that set the creative benchmark for festivals in the UK and around the world, announced today that this year’s event, July 20-23, will be the final instalment in its illustrious 15-year tenure as one of the most celebrated events on the summer festival calendar.
From humble beginnings as a gathering with a few hundred friends the passionately independent Secret Garden Party has grown organically over the years. Its fun-loving friendly outlook, its much-loved eccentricity, and its meticulous attention to detail has inspired and enabled a generation of creative artists, musicians and performers to develop and thrive, whilst embracing the core values of friendship, participation and ownership with its audience. It has also been a major hub for leftfield, like-minded people who were eager to ‘escape to reality’ through the counter-culture. It can be proud of a legacy that inspired so much (and so many) as well as having been the setting for such a collection of wonderful memories and lifelong friendships.
There is never a perfect time to announce this as either too early or too late would have consequences for the loyal gardeners.
Founder and Head Gardener Freddie Fellowes says:
“15 years ago I started out with a set of ideas as to what makes a good party and the most perfect venue for it. But with no set idea of what the destination was for this venture the ‘festival’ was, at that time, the perfect medium through which to explore these ideas. But rather than getting too excited and telling you about the phoenix we are going to raise from all of this, it bears explaining why we are lighting the fire.
Much has changed since our first Garden Party, when there was nothing else like it in the UK: Facebook, YouTube and Twitter had yet to be invented and no one knew what a boutique festival was, let alone Glamping.
Since then the Garden Party has defined and redefined outdoor events in the UK; we have done so as a collective of truly independent outsiders.
We have never compromised our principles and we never will. SGP has always been a beacon of what you can do within those terms and, as imitation (being the sincerest form of flattery) proves, it has set the bar for everyone else going forward.
But it is exactly because of those principles, and the love of those who have made the Garden Party what it is, that we are committing this senseless act of beauty.
What better way to honour the love that has been given to this project and wholly demonstrate this principle than finishing now? This isn’t some principled self-immolation: this is opening up it for the future. So this summer will be the almighty send-off that the Garden Party deserves and whilst that is going to cause some tears to be shed, think of it more as ‘Dylan goes electric’ than our Altamont.
Because after all you can’t be avant-garde from within an institution and lest we forget: the frontier always moves.”
The Secret Garden Party is very pleased to announce new additions to its live music line up for 2017. They are as follows:
CRYSTAL FIGHTERS
WILD BEASTS / PEACHES
JORJA SMITH / FICKLE FRIENDS / BONZAI
THE MOONLANDINGZ / ALL THEM WITCHES / KATE NASH / JAIN/ PUMAROSA
WILL JOSEPH COOK / TOM GRENNAN / MABEL / BE CHARLOTTE / TOOTHLESS
NORTH DOWNS / SERAMIC / CHARLOTTE OC / LAUREL
AINE CAHILL / COSMO SHELDRAKE
Combining Basque folk instruments and melodies with modern dance beats, Crystal Fighters bring a joyous mix of sunshine sounds, psychedelia and rave to the Party. Their new and third album, ‘Everything is My Family,’ continues to win plaudits across the board for its uplifting celebration of life, love and family. Live they guarantee an all-out energetic, pulsating assault on the senses. The perfect third headliner for this year’s Secret Garden Party.
Line up announced so far is:
CRYSTAL FIGHTERS / METRONOMY
TOOTS & THE MAYTALS
WILD BEASTS / PEACHES / RAY BLK / HONNE / JAGWAR MA
REJJIE SNOW / JEREMY LOOPS / TOM MISCH / AKALA / JORJA SMITH / FICKLE FRIENDS / BONZAI /THE MOONLANDINGZ / DEAP VALLY / ALL THEM WITCHES / KATE NASH / JAIN / PUMAROSA / ZAK ABEL / WILL JOSEPH COOK / TOM GRENNAN / MABEL / ETTA BOND / BE CHARLOTTE / TOOTHLESS / NORTH DOWNS / LET’S EAT GRANDMA / SERAMIC / CHARLOTTE OC / LAUREL / AINE CAHILL / COSMO SHELDRAKE / MONT JAKE
…with many more artists, djs and parties still to be announced
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FAME GAMES & WONKY RACES
This year’s theme ‘Sweet Dreams…are made of this?’ takes a wry and humorous look at the fame game. . Is being a celebrity it all it’s cracked up to be? Or, do we want to change the world…together? Secret Garden Party takes you on the ride of your life.
Latitude today announces the line-up for their 10th Edition which takes place Thursday 16th to Sunday 19th July 2015 in the stunning grounds of Henham Park, Suffolk.
Ten years ago Latitude Festival creator Melvin Benn set out to rewrite the festival rulebook, showing that music lovers could also be culture lovers, by creating the UK’s first multi arts boutique festival set out to challenge the festival status quo
First to headline Latitude’s Obelisk Arenaon Friday night is a band close to Latitude’s heart; Mercury Prize-winning art-rockers alt-J. Having delivered outstanding sets on smaller Latitude stages over the years, 2015’s triumphant return promises to be a special moment for all who have witnessed their incredible Latitude journey. With a recent sold out arena tour and two critically acclaimed albums, the Leeds trio will no doubt give the Latitude audience a stunning set.
Portishead will give a rare UK appearance as they top the bill on Saturday. Emerging in 1994 with landmark album Dummy, Portishead have remained adventurous and uncompromising throughout their 20-year career. Compelling, provoking and moving; this will be an unmissable performance.
Closing Latitude this year is an outfit fronted by one of Britain’s most loved musical figures; Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. Song-writing pioneer and out-spoken cultural icon, Gallagher’s relevance has never faltered and Latitude is delighted to welcome him and his latest band to their 10th anniversary Edition. Performing tracks from the recent critically acclaimed album Chasing Yesterday (which Gallagher produced as well as wrote), plus plenty of classic sing-along Oasis tracks, this will be a closing show to be remembered.
Quotes from headliners:
"We are hugely excited to return to Latitude for the third time. Playing there has always been so memorable. Latitude has always supported us, and to go from playing the smaller stages to this means it will be a night of celebration."
alt-J
“I've been to Latitude before as a festival goer and really enjoyed it I think the effort they put into their whole programming – music, comedy and film – is what makes it a great festival to be part of. And I'm really looking forward to it.” Geoff Barrow from Portishead
“I love the vibe at Latitude and the location. Good forward thinking programming as well, I played a couple of years ago in the cinema tent with a silent film project I was doing and it was a really good experience…looking forward to this one very much.” Adrian Utley from Portishead
“Well not only have I never played at Latitude before, but I’ve never even been there, ever. So yes, I’m really looking forward to headlining the Festival on July 19th” Noel Gallagher
Other special appearances on the Obelisk Arena will include a selection of some of today’s most exciting and respected British artists; we start off by welcoming Nicky Wire back to Latitude ten years down the line with the legendary Manic Street Preachers who will be performing a selection of loved tracks from their varied and extraordinary career, Canadian electronica-maestro Caribou, electronic auteur James Blake will return for a third time, and both soul sensation Lianne La Havas and folk singer-songwriter Laura Marling for a second and all with new albums to share. Festival favourites, Wild Beasts return to share their latest critically acclaimed album with us and we also welcome the soulful Mancunian JP Cooper to Henham Park for the first time.
Gracing us from all corners of the globe are four time Grammy award nominee Nigerian musician Femi Kuti & The Positive Force, transfixing Swedish singer-songwriter and Latitude favourite José González, American soul singer Benjamin Brooker, blues veteran Seasick Steve, and soul veteran Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens will be bringing us her Daptone released gospel music.
This year the BBC Radio 6 Music Stage will host even more exciting musical treats including headline sets from three accomplished British acts; top of the bill on Friday is pioneering sonic technician Jon Hopkins, platinum selling rock band The Vaccines will headline on Saturday, and a festival exclusive show from SBTRKT who will close the stage on Sunday night with his soulful and textured take on electronic music preceded by the highly acclaimed live show from La Roux.
Other acts set to play on the coveted BBC Radio 6 Music Stage include; Catfish And The Bottlemen who have risen up through the Latitude stages, all-female punk rockers Savages, acclaimed alternative pop group Django Django, London-based pseudonymous musical duo Public Service Broadcasting and Americana four piece The Districts. With forty albums under his belt King Creosote is back to perform songs from an extensive career and has previously graced both the Poetry Arena and iArena at Latitude, also announced today is American musician and legend The Thurston Moore Band and two-piece grunge band Drenge.
Esteemed artist Mark Kozelek brings Sun Kil Moon to Latitude, also announced are Years & Years with their eccentric blend of R&B and 90’s house, and Mercury Prize winners Young Fathers returning for round three, South London’s Kwabs, alternative rock group Wolf Alice, and BBC Sound Poller SOAK is also on the bill as well as exclusive performances from Toro Y Moi and Unknown Mortal Orchestra.
Announced acts for the i Arena include one of electronic music’s most renowned talents, Warp Records cult artist Clark who headlines Saturday. Joining the festival to headline Sunday are London based musical duo Joe Goddard (Hot Chip) and Raf Rundell otherwise known as The 2 Bears. Also announced; the unique and the distinctive Adult Jazz, hot new talent Jack Garratt, multi-instrumentalist DM Stith, blues rock experimentalist Duke Garwood hugely talented singer songwriter Shura, the incredibly refreshing indie rockers Gengahr, Texan gospel and soul songster Leon Bridges and folk-pop star Marika Hackman. .
Joining the eclectic line-up are; Icelandic ambient techno duo Kiasmos, hotly-tipped twin sister musical duo Ibeyi, post-punk indie rock band The Twilight Sad, captivating singer Nadine Shah, soul powerhouse Curtis Harding, Norwegian singer songwriter Susanne Sundfør and the brilliant, all-female Swedish pop-quartet Dolores Haze outrageous King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard who specialise in psychedelic tunes!
The People's Ear will present a line-up essential to create a heat to warm the ears from 11pm-3am every night on the iArena. Acts include self-taught musical craftsmen Ben UFO, three of the most innovative names in electronic music – untouchable London wordsmiths The Four Owls, Grammy nominated funk master Werkha (Live) and his live band, musician, three-piece DJ EZ, producer Monki and Alexander Nut and tropical bass heroes The Busy Twist. Expect and believe!
In an exclusive festival appearance at Latitude, Gareth Malone will this year be putting together a unique choir of Latitude festival goers. Ticket holders will have the opportunity to apply to be part of this 100-strong group who will rehearse at several points over the weekend, culminating in a Main Stage lunchtime performance on Sunday 19th July. In addition, Gareth and his Voices choir will be performing on the Waterfront Stage on Saturday 18th July.’
COMEDY AT LATITUDE
Over the last ten years Latitude’s comedy line-up has set the bar for summer festivals, offering the Latitude audience a unique opportunity to see some of the biggest names in the business all over the same weekend. It’s also the first chance to see the acts destined to make waves in Edinburgh later in the summer.
Headlining this special 10th Edition year will be national treasure Alan Davies, the longstanding QI panellist is well-known for his glorious insight into worldviews. Growing up in the ‘70s, losing his mother as a little boy, the vagaries of Facebook, sex toys and being a father are just some of the subjects he tackles.
Festival organisers are hugely excited to announce Jason Manford to headline the Comedy Arena. Renowned for his hilarious observations and loveable, friendly delivery, Jason has been a firm favourite with comedy fans of all ages since his first solo stand-up show earned him huge critical acclaim. The Perrier nominated comic won Chortle Breakthrough Act in 2006, Latitude’s inaugural year, and has risen to become one of the UK’s favourite TV comics.
2013 British Comedy Award Best Male Comic nominee, and Live At The Apollo star, Jon Richardson is one of the UK's brightest and immensely likeable stand up heroes. Back with a brand new stand-up routine to delight audiences, Time Out call him ‘Sublimely brilliant, stunning…He is a comic right on the verge of greatness. If you haven’t seen him yet, get your finger out and sort it!
Off the back of his hugely successful Channel 4 TV show ‘Catastrophe’ Rob Delaney brings his performance to the Suffolk setting. Voted the funniest man on Twitter, Latitude welcomes Rob’s hilarious but sometimes dark anecdotes and tales to the festival for the first time.
Australian comedian and television presenter Adam Hills best known for hosting The Last Leg on Channel 4 will bring his combination of positive uplifting comedy and rampant spontaneity to the Comedy Arena.
Another award-winning comic performing at the festival this year is Jack Dee. Best known for his sarcasm and deadpan humour, he takes a break from being everyone’s favourite grumpster to lend a helping hand to Latitude Festival goers with his side splittingly funny show Help Desk where he will be joined by a panel of star comedians from the festival line up to offer expert advice on the Latitude audience’s problems.
Perrier Award winning Irish comedian David O’Doherty will bring his stand-up routine to the festival this summer. Also on the bill is; Latitude’s resident prankster Josh Widdicombe, Canadian super comic Katherine Ryan, one of many stand out female comics programmed for the festival this year. With a formidable reputation on the live circuit and high profile TV appearances to her name, Katherine will pull out all the stops this summer.
This year’s festival will host; self-proclaimed “spit and sawdust” performer Shappi Khorsandi, Best Show nominee at the Edinburgh Fosters Comedy Awards in 2014 Sara Pascoe, brilliant Scottish comedian Daniel Sloss, top of the 2015 tipster list Dane Baptiste, lyrical anti-lad, Liam Williams, the hugely popular Holly Walsh, the effortlessly talented Joe Lycett, fantastic bombastic star of the hit show ‘What Would Beyonce Do’s Luisa Omelian, ventriloquist Nina Conti with her popular puppet characters and Viral Tap star Matt Richardson who all join the 10th Edition celebrations.
WATERFRONT STAGE
Following from his sold out Barbican shows, we are hugely excited to announce that piano virtuoso Chilly Gonzales will be performing his new album Chambers on the Waterfront Stage with the Kaiser Quartett. Switching gears from his 2013 collaborations with Grammy winners Daft Punk and Drake, Gonzales’ Latitude show will be an entertaining and intimate experience orchestrated especially with Hamburg’s Kaiser Quartett displaying his inimitable touch. This will be a stunning highlight of the festival and it is not to be missed.
Since 2008 Sadler’s Wells has presented a special programme of dance at Latitude Festival to audiences in excess of 40,000 people across the years. This summer the theatre returns for an eighth consecutive year, presenting a diverse programme on the outdoor Waterfront Stage that will appeal to audiences of all ages and that reflects the theatre’s reputation for presenting world class dance in all its forms. Full line-up to be announced.
POETRY ARENA
At the heart of Latitude the Poetry Arena showcases the very best stand up and beat poets, alongside laureates and literary legends. Headlining this year’s Poetry Arena will be the former laureate and award winning poet Simon Armitage CBE who is described by Poetry Review as “the front man of his generation”.
Tim Key, star and creator of Radio 4’s Late Night Poetry Programme Tim Key is as a poet, actor, comic and film star, appearing as Alan Partridge’s sidekick in Mid-Morning Matters and Alpha Papa. A brilliant poet and Edinburgh Perrier Award winner we are delighted he will be joining us in the Poetry Arena this year.
Children’s favourite and recently appointed professor of Children’s Literature at Goldsmiths and presenter of Word of Mouth on Radio 4 Michael Rosen joins the celebrations. Last year Michael packed the Poetry Arena to the rafters. Number one poet of the parents, Michael was the subject of a recent viral campaign to hire him as Education Minister.
Punk Rock legend, performance poet and Latitude favourite the inimitable DoctorJohn Cooper Clarke is expected to bring a new collection of poetry. A seminal influence on punk the voice of Manchester and beat poets everywhere, expect a ferociously funny performance and make sure you get a seat early.
Smashing into the Poetry Arena to read his latest poems will be BBC Three’s ‘Uncle’ writer and star Nick Helm, his hilarious stand up style has been described as ‘brash and bullish’.
FILM & MUSIC STAGE
The first name announced for the Film & Music Stage is Brit Award nominated George the Poet. A poet for the people, George mixes social and political comment with humour to demonstrate his passion for poetry as a powerful tool to educate the masses. George delivers an unforgettable live performance, which consists of a hypnotic blend of poetry and rap.
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
The Kids Arena keeps children entertained all day and into the night with everything from pond dipping & astronomy to pizza making and night-time disco and fire-show. There’s something for everyone! Use traditional tools or pan for gold, explore the woods or ID animal bones!…investigate a crime scene or head to the Kids Theatre for shows, music, drama classes and puppetry. There are giant crafts from building with architects to shaping willow, working with clay, knitting, felting or getting busy with a million stickers! Amazing activities come from a range of trusted names, from Macmillan’s Children’s Books to the Zoological Society of London,Suffolk Wildlife Trust to the Woodcraft Folk and many more.
The Inbetweeners’ Teen Area is a hidden woodland wonderland-offering teenagers a packed weekend. Chose music, media, fashion and technology workshops, including; a live stage, new DJ Academy and chill-out area with Culture Works East and Access to Music. Or join our friends from Greenpeace; tackle wildlife, bush-craft and survival skills or get physical with climbing nets and a zip wire suspended high in the trees – a real walk on the wild side!
SPECIAL ADDITIONS
Other Voices will bring a little bit of musical magic from its spiritual home on the Wild Atlantic Way in the West of Ireland to Suffolk for this year’s Latitude Festival. Now in its fourteenth year, Other Voices has previously accepted invitations from Le Poisson Rouge in New York City, Wilton’s Music Hall in London and The Glassworks in Derry-Londonderry during their Festival of Culture in 2013.
This year Latitude welcomes, Solas, a new spa area providing an oasis of calm by day and meticulous merriment by night. Meaning ‘light’ in Irish, Solas invites festival goers to learn the art of chilling out. Take refuge in the specially designed holistic area where expert therapists will soothe the mind and body with massages, yoga, treatments and workshops to ease and appease, while indulgence meets decadence in bubbling hot-tubs and seaweed baths. Dotted throughout the zone will be a hand-picked selection of installations; unwind under a canopy of reflective art and light and expand your mind as you investigate the sonic robotics of Indonesian inspired Gamelatron.
As darkness unfolds, Solas will become an intimate tableau of late-night party corners. A piano bar sunk into the forest floor will entertain and ignite, while the ElectroShack spins a dizzying array of upbeat earworms. Jump on the furniture and make yourself at home at My Club House, peer across the festival grounds from the secret Hilltop Hideaway, or shed your 21st century cool and embrace the sunshine kitsch at Body Holiday.
Sky Arts returns for the 10th celebrations to bring fans highlights from the Latitude weekend. Two 120minute jam packed shows of performances, interviews and highpoints will be televised the weekend after the festival.
The final of Sky Arts Guitar Star, a major new competition to search for a world-class guitarist, will film the winning player performing on Latitude’s Obelisk Arena. For more information visit: http://www.sky.com/tv/show/guitar
This year for the first time ever Latitude will be partnering with ActionAid a leading international development charity who support women and children living in extreme poverty. They work to help empower women and children to fight for their own rights and to create lasting change.
By day, the new ActionAid tent will be home to creative craft workshops, games and festival fun activities and by night the tent will transform into a late-night party venue with DJ’s playing until the early hours. Look out for signings and guest DJ sets from some of the festival acts too.
With support from Festival Republic and Firebrand merchandise, ActionAid will also be teaming up with one of the 2015 Latitude acts to create a limited Edition festival item which will be available to buy exclusively at the festival. All proceeds will go towards supporting ActionAid’s work to change lives for good.
Latitude is synonymous with the perfect festival experience, and this year organisers are going one step further with Latitude’s Charity Concierge. Imagine someone going to the bar for you…putting up your tent….even holding your place in the queue for the Comedy Stage or Theatre tent. Latitude’s team of 100 enthusiastic volunteers will be offering these services throughout the arena and in some campsites, to raise money for the Kenyan Orphan Project. And Festival Republic will match fund every penny. The team are aiming to raise £50,000 so lie back in the sunshine and let someone else do the leg work!
Hosted in the wonderful surroundings of Larmer Tree Gardens in Dorset, this years End of the Road Festival will be headlined by Flaming Lips and Wild Beasts.
Along with the announced headliners, check out the fifty other artists that have been added to the lineup.
Festival founder Simon Taffe: "I am very excited to have finally got the Flaming Lips, one of the best live bands in the world today, playing End of the Road on Saturday night. It's also a great honour to have the Wild Beasts back to play a headline spot, plus some of the most interesting live bands around at the moment – White Denim, John Grant, Yo La Tengo and many more."
The full A-Z list of artists confirmed today is:
9 Bach Adult Jazz Alexis Taylor All We Are Andrew Combs The Barr Brothers Benjamin Clementine Bird Courage British Sea Power Cate Le Bon Cold Specks Connan Mockasin Deer Tick Drenge Eagulls Ezra Furman Flaming Lips Gruff Rhys Hookworms Horse Thief Houndstooth John Cooper Clarke John Grant John Smith Johnny Flynn Juana Molina Mark Kozelek Marissa Nadler The Melodic Nick Waterhouse Oliver Wilde Perfume Genius Peggy Sue Pink Mountaintops Radiophonic Workshop Richard Thompson Rosie Lowe St Paul and the Broken Bones Stealing Sheep Sweet Baboo Temples The Horrors Three Trapped Tigers Tinariwen Tiny Ruins Unknown Mortal Orchestra Wave Pictures White Denim Wild Beasts Woods Wytches Yo La Tengo
Unknown Croatia unleash the first phase lineup for the 2014 installment which includes live performances from Scottish electro pop band Chvrches, the critically acclaimed Wild Beasts, Jungle, Mount Kimbie, James Holden, Ten Walls and many more. DJ showcases come from Resident Advisor’s No 1 DJ of 2013 Dixon, who is returning back from a memorable performance at Unknown’s debut event alongside the likes of TEED, Tale Of Us, Daniel Avery and Ame.
Further musical recruits include John Talabot, Seth Troxler, Bicep, Joy Orbison, Simian Mobile Disco, Michael Mayer, plus many more. Artists play across a diverse range of musical activities including daytime and evening events on boats, by the pool, deep in the forest and new for 2014, on nearby islands.
Art and performance were a highlight of Unknown’s first event and will be returning on an even grander scale in 2014 courtesy of Mad Ferret productions, Unit 44 and more. Also new to 2014, the main stage will be open a whole extra day giving more scope for live performances. With 25-30 flights a day leaving the UK for nearby airports, its easier than ever before to attend.
Returning to the beautiful town of Rovinj, crowned the jewel of the North Adriatic, Unknown is set within an inclusive site with accommodation options ranging from camping to five star luxury apartments, all of which are available from unknowncroatia.com from 11th February. Put together by the Leeds promotersSound Channel, Unknown 2014 still has more surprises in store with further artists yet to be announced.
PROGRAMME
LIVE: Chvrches / Wild Beasts / Jungle / Mount Kimbie / Forest Swords / Henrik Schwarz / James Holden / Kink / Lapalux / Ten Walls
DJ: Ame / Bicep / Daniel Avery / Dixon / DJ Harvey / Dusky / Erol Alkan / George Fitzgerald / Gerd Janson / Horse Meat Disco / Jackmaster / John Talabot / Joy Orbison / Kim Ann Foxman / Mano Le Tough / Michael Mayer / Optimo / Rub & Tug / Ryan Elliot / Seth Troxler / Simian Mobile Disco / Tale Of Us / TEED / The 2 Bears / Waze & Odyssey
Aunti Flo / Bad Passion / Capacabana / Cutloose / Eskimo Twins / Force Of Nature / Gatto Fritto / Geddes / Genius Of Time / Harri & Domonic Capello / Hunee / Jennifer Cardini / Last Waltz / Lord Of The Isles / Mike Jones / Mister Saturday Night / Paramida / People Get Real / Red Axes / Scott Fraser / Simon Baker / The Sonic Emporium / Tim Fairplay / Tom Grainger
