Tag: festival news

V Festival 2017 Tickets + Info

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V Festival 2016 has only just wrapped up, but eager-beavers among the festival community have the opportunity to get a jump start on next year by picking up pre-sale tickets for V 2017. You can now snag a ticket with a tempting £42 discount off the full price, so now is a good time to act if you’ve already picked up a 2017 calendar and written in V fest for Aug 19th to Aug 2nd.

If this year’s event is anything to go by, that won’t be money wasted. V has always been able to combine the tastes of pop-loving crowds with plenty of veteran rockers, and this year was no exception.

Rihanna seems to have unanimously won out among festival-goers. Despite arriving more than half an hour late, she made up for things by delivering a searing set that began with new pop-ballad Stay before covering select tracks from her career. We even got a rendition of Umbrella accompanied by a downfall of rain.

Anyone who found Rihanna a little too mainstream will have had little cause for complaint after checking out Sia. She actually performed her own take on Diamonds, a hit that she herself penned for the Barbadian songstress. Bringing a sense of theatricality you might associate with an artist such as Björk, Sia’s whole set was performed from behind a face-obscuring wig, with dancers providing abstract interpretations and using old-fashioned telephones for props. It might sound a little mad, and it was a little mad, but it worked, and we appreciated a break from the commercial singers that many music-lovers have criticised V for in the past.

Another surprise highlight was Rick Astley. He also gave some Rihanna a whirl with a shockingly good cover of We Found Love, plus plenty of the expected hits for true-blue fans to enjoy, and we’ve rarely seen someone enjoy themselves quite so much on the stage. Other standout acts included Jodie Abacus on MTV Stage with a stirring soul set and the girls from X Factor’s Little Mix. Bastille, often hit-and-miss when it comes to performing live, rocked the mainstage while the whole field chanted their songs back to them.

Gutted you missed out? Longing to relive the memories? Make sure you snatch up one of the limited pre-sale tickets to secure a spot for next year’s event while saving yourself a bit of cash in the process.

The Big Reunion

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The Big Reunion is once again set to prove that great festivals aren’t solely a summertime affair. The unlikely venue of Butlins Holiday Centre in Skegness will play host to artists such as Rudimental, Blonde, Hannah Wants, Sigma, Sigala, Lethal Bizzle, and Ms Dynamite, as well as the 10,000 music-lovers that are expected to attend.

Taking place from 18th-20th November and then again from 25th-27th November, this is the UK’s largest indoor winter music festival. You’d be forgiven for thinking that doesn’t sound quite as fun as rocking out in the sunshine at the height of summer, but The Big Reunion takes full advantage of its location to turn the event into a holiday in its own right.

For starters, you can leave your soggy tent at home. Everyone gets indoor accommodation, whether that’s a basic room or a top-notch upgrade with luxuries aplenty. Then there’s the facilities. If you get sick of busting shapes, try visiting the cinema, going bowling, or donning your speedos for a trip to Splash Waterworld.

But maybe you’re the type of hardcore music lover who scoffs at comfort and would gladly pitch up for a mid-winter Glasto if you’d get to enjoy the festival vibe once again. No fear, The Big Reunion is all about giving you more chances to get into the spirit of things, with the following upgrades available:

  • The Big Reunion Pre-Party: If two nights isn’t enough, upgrade to the pre-party on Thursday night to get the venue warmed up for the main event. You’ll get an extra night of accommodation and epic sets from Danny Howard & Big Narstie.
  • Banter Bus: Sometimes it’s not the destination but the journey. The Big Reunion ‘Banter Buses’ have been organised to take the stress out of travelling while letting you kick back with a whole coach of the like-minded. There are pickup locations from 14 cities across the UK, but you can always book parking if you’d like to wend your merry way there by yourself.
  • Late Checkout: Only £10pp lets you stay tucked up in your bed until 2pm on the day of your departure. Whether you want the opportunity to sleep off a heavy night or simply need a chance to unwind before hitting the motorway, you’ll get your wish.

The Big Reunion makes sure UK fests are as much a winter fixture as a summertime staple, all while putting a unique spin on the proceedings. Tickets are now available if you’d like to experience the UK’s biggest winter festival for yourself.

London Jazz Festival

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Bringing over 2000 artists to 300 gigs across 50 venues, the 2016 London Jazz Festival is a sprawling and diverse celebration of sound across 10 days, starting from Friday 11 November. The event is now in its twenty-fourth year, and close to a quarter-century of development has seen it emerge as one of the most unmissable festivals on the planet.

Providing everything from internationally renowned acts to improv to hot new talent, the London Jazz Festival finds its home all across the city, and it all kicks off at 7.30pm on the 11th with the signature opening-night gala.

An integral part of the festival for nine years now, the opening-night gala will be held at the Royal Festival Hall, and tickets are now on sale between £15 and £45. Attendees will be treated to a stunning cast of voices accompanied by Guy Barker’s 42-piece orchestra. Hosted by Jay Rayner, this year’s acts will include Jacob Collier, Polly Gibbons, Allan Harris, George Benson, and Gladys Knight.

The enormous line-up makes it next to impossible to provide a complete overview of what’s happening throughout the city, but hot acts include:

  • Christian Scott: New Orleans native Christian Scott offers gritty sounds that pay homage to the very beginnings of jazz. He’ll be performing at Scala in St Pancras on Wednesday November 16th.
  • Robert Glasper Experiment: Mixing fluent technique with hip-hop rhythms, Glasper follows on from mentor J Dilla. Expect lightning interaction with explosive drummer Chris Dave. Catch both at Koko in Camden Town on Monday November 14th.
  • The Bad Plus: Bringing a cool fusion of alt.rock and piano trio jazz, TBP features pianist Ethan Iverson, bassist Reid Anderson, and virtuoso drummer Dave King. They’ll be playing original music from their latest album at Scala in St Pancras on Sunday November 13th.

You’ll also be able to foster the musical tastes of your tykes at the ever-popular Jazz for Toddlers workshop. Bassist Dave Kane and saxophonist Oliver Dover will play a friendly set for young ones, and the event only costs £5. Suitable for children aged 2 to 5, it takes place on Friday November 11th.

For a different kind of entertainment, head to Wordless. Celebrated cartoonist Art Spiegelman will present an array of slides and talks along with a musical act developed in collaboration with legendary jazz composer Phillip Johnston. Tickets start at just £20 for the Friday November 11th event.

Bestival 2016 Locations

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Running from September 8th to 11th, 2016’s Bestival promises to be one of the most engaging and entertaining yet, and the future theme is set to distinguish it even further from the average. As with every Bestival event, you’ll be able to explore eight separate locations, each with its own unique vibe and theme.

Here’s a quick overview of what’s going to be on offer.

The Ambient Forest

The lush stand of trees that makes up the Ambient Forest is home to the enchanted Amphitheatre. Finding yourself there during the day will mean taking in gig-theatre, sketch comedy, sketches, songs and dance-theatre. Head there at night for the music.

Slow Motion

Anyone looking for a tranquil retreat during their time at Bestival should set their compasses for Slow Motion. Situated serenely at the top of the hill, you’ll take in views across the rolling grass. In the words of Rob da Bank himself, “now there’s a way of refuelling your mind and body before the next Bestival adventure.”

Magic Meadow

The Magic Meadow is where you head if you want to be blown away. It plays host to the Sunday night Spectacular, and this year’s event will be a Purple Rave to pay tribute to Prince.

Bollywood Field

The Bollywood Tent has been a Bestival favourite ever since the event kicked off in 2004. Walk inside this intricately coloured tent to find the finest cocktails around and music from some of the country’s top DJs.

Stardust Field

Stardust Field is where you’ll experience the biggest names of the festival on the legendary Main Stage. Set against Robin Hill’s rolling hills, it’s the perfect venue. You’ll also find the notorious Club Dada here.

The Spaceport

The Spaceport represents the next step forward in sound and vision, and it’s centred around an immense 20-meter rocket.

Temple Island Stage

Temple Island is Bestival’s church of dance. Overseen by The Physical Network, this location features all-out partying during every night of the festivities. Last year’s Temple Island was non-stop, and we’re expecting nothing less from 2016.

Grassy Hill

Grassy Hill is home to two things that you definitely won’t want to miss out on. The first is the colossal Love-Bot, an intriguing interactive art installation that comes alive when you show it some love. The second is Bestival’s colourful Carnival Parade, which will bring you troupes inspired by both heaven and hell.