Tag: Festivals 2016

Apple Music Festival

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Apple have just announced the line-up for this year’s Apple Music Festival, and it’s safe to say that you should get excited. We knew that this was going to be a big one since it marks the event’s 10th birthday, but the list of stars that will congregate at London’s legendary Roundhouse this September is jaw-dropping nonetheless.

From September 18th to 30th, you’ll be able to enjoy the following live acts:

  • September 18th: Elton John
  • September 19th: The 1975
  • September 20th: Alicia Keys
  • September 21st: One Republic
  • September 23rd: Calvin Harris
  • September 25th: Robbie Williams
  • September 26th: Bastille
  • September 27th: Britney Spears
  • September 28th: Michael Bublé
  • September 30th: Chance the Rapper

Of course, the best thing about the Apple Music Festival remains the fact that you don’t even need to buy a ticket in order to attend. Those 10 spectacular nights will be available both live and on-demand; all you need is a membership to Apple Music to enjoy the show from your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, PC, Apple TV, or Android mobile.

Beats 1, the Apple Music radio station, will let fans get even more involved in the action during the Festival by offering exclusive playlists, artist news, and backstage interviews, so remember to listen in throughout September in order to hear everything that’s been going on.

With legendary luminaries from Britney to Elton taking part, this year’s Apple Music Festival is more than expected to live up to expectations. In the words of Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president of International Content: “This year’s Apple Music Festival builds on that incredible legacy and we couldn’t be more excited to have another amazing line-up to celebrate our 10th birthday.”

Schusser wasn’t alone in his enthusiasm. Thousands of fans have taken to Twitter to celebrate the line-up and predict playlists. The stars themselves have also expressed their passion for the project. Here’s just a little of what they’ve been saying:

  • “I love London and performing at the Roundhouse! I can’t wait to see you there. It’s going to be magic!” – Alicia Keys
  • “I’m so excited to go back to London, which is a special place for me to visit and I’m really looking forward to performing at the Apple Music Festival.” – Britney Spears
  • “I am so excited to be playing at the Roundhouse. I love London and can’t wait to share this fantastic experience at the Apple Music Festival with my fans.” – Elton John

Remember to get your membership and get involved before the Apple Music Festival kicks off later this month.

Sportbeat

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Festival-goers aren’t known for liking to sleep the day away; let’s face it, the hectic energy and all-night dancing that comes along with a festival weekend are part and parcel of the experience itself.

That said, some events stand out as perfect for those who like to mix their favourite performers with the chance to team up, work up a sweat, and go for the win. Among those events, the Sportbeat Festival stands supreme.

The Sportbeat Festival returns for 2016 with more big name acts than ever. From August 20th to 21st, you’ll be able to experience legends such as The Charlatans, Happy Mondays, and Echo & the Bunnymen. Jaguar Skills is back as the resident DJ, and up-and-coming Bristol band Coasts, who have just carried off sell-out tours in the UK and US, are expected to make their voices heard.

Those performers would be enough to draw crowds, but the Sportbeat Festival’s main draw, as you might have guessed, is sport itself.

You’ll be able to enter your team in either a 6-a-side grass volleyball or netball tournament. Both offer competitive or local league divisions. If you’d like to sign-up for volleyball, you’ll need a maximum of 10 and a minimum of 6 players, all able to play, referee, and score. For netball, you’ll also be able to choose between ladies and mixed divisions. Teams will have the chance to earn the coveted title of SportBeat Champions of 2016.

Rounding off the athletic offerings is the Lee Forty Sports ‘Rugby Skills’ workshop, which will be coached by a former Gloucester RFC player.

These tournaments and skills workshops make Sportsbeat a great festival for active families, and there’s plenty of things to keep the little ones entertained while you’re battling it out for the title. Arthur’s Vintage Fare is returning, bringing with it the iconic helter-skelter that has become such a symbol of the event. Gloucester’s Secret Garden Nursery will be able to take care of the tykes when you need to play.

Not many festivals could showcase acts like those listed above and still have even more exciting events to talk about, but Sportbeat is one of them. It’s quickly becoming a favourite for families who like to get out and enjoy themselves on the weekend, and the event is getting more and more popular each year. If you want a shot at this year’s top-spot, make sure you get organised and train up!

LoveBox

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You’ll find LoveBox nestled right in the middle of London’s East End.

 

Strongly inspired by the city’s clubbing scene, you’ll get to bask in the offerings of numerous big name acts across the festival’s multiple stages, which include:

  • fabric Stage: One of London’s most famous clubs brings a killer line-up to their stage each year. For 2016, that includes Kano, GoldLink, Big Narstie, and DJ Barely Legal on Friday, then acts such as Ricardo Villalobos, Zip, Jackmaster, and Craig Richards on the Saturday.
  • Kopparberg Urban Forest Stage: A woodland bar serves all manner of beverages, including Kopparberg’s own fruit ciders. You’ll be able to sample some of the most creative artists and DJs on its renowned Urban Forest stage, including Tom Trago, Cinnaman, and Krankbrother.
  • Corona Sunsets Stage: Bringing the sounds of the Balearic Islands to East London, Corona’s energetic stage features acts such as Krystal Klear, Desert Sound Colony, and Norman Jay MBE.

Beyond the stages themselves, LoveBox visitors will find a whole host of intriguing activities and events, such as:

  • elrow Presents Sambodromo do Brasil: A plane of resident DJs came down in the densest jungle, resulting in a party built for fantastic beasts and musical explorers. The vibes of Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival awaits, alongside pumping electronic rhythms.
  • The Voicebox: Presented by Apples & Snakes, the United Kingdom’s leading spoken word organisation, the Voicebox plays host to poetry slams, storytelling, hip hop, spoken word music, and beatboxing. There’s even the iconic Hip Hop Karaoke session to finish off each day.
  • BUMP Rollerdisco: Cruise on retro skates to the sounds of LoveBox’s resident DJs, including Blonde Ambition + Joshua James
  • In Your Dreams: Designed to let people unleash the wildest streams of creativity and lose all of their artistic inhibitions, you’ll be able to become a canvas for intricate body and face painters.
  • Mystic Moon: Find talismans, body jewellery, and Amazonian tree resins. Each piece of work will have been hand-crafted using traditional methods from fair trade and natural materials.

LoveBox is a festival that is beloved by those who like to dance into the small hours of the morning and then take the opportunity to express their creative sides once the sun has come up. It might be the last thing that you’d expect to find hidden in East London, but it’s not likely to be an experience that you’d ever care to forget about.

Guide to Bestival

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Bestival is a sprawling four-day event that just won ‘Best Major Festival’ at the 2015 UK Festival Awards, so expect 2016’s to be more popular than ever.

This might be one of the world’s friendliest festivals, but, with eight separate areas, there’s a lot to see and do.  If you’re voyaging out to the Isle of Wight for the next Bestival, you’ll want to know exactly what you’re stepping into so you can get your bearings right away.

Ambient Forest

The Ambient Forest is nestled amongst luxuriant trees, playing host to a feast of follies by day and plenty of fun by night. You’ll find The Amphitheatre beneath its canopy, where you will be able to catch anything from sketch comedy to dance-theatre while the sun is up.

Slow Motion

Resting at the top of the hill with rolling grass on all sides, Slow Motion is the perfect place for a tranquil chill-out session. Check out the Caravanserai to see the wares of artists, gypsies, and beatniks, or hang out with your children at the Kid’s Field.

Magic Meadow

Magic Meadow is the venue for Bestival’s Sunday Night Spectacular, when the night sky is brought to glorious life by a cornucopia of dazzling fireworks. You’ll also be able to grab a bite at The Feast Collective.

Bollywood Field

A favourite since the first event back in 2004, the intricately hand-stitched tent of Bollywood Field has played host to names such as Fatboy Slim and hello Disclosure, and its where you’ll find the finest cocktails in the land.

Stardust Field

Here you’ll find the Main Stage, where the biggest names play to thousands each night against the backdrop of rolling hills. Stardust Field is also home to The Big Top, Bestival’s genre-busting second largest stage, and the celebrated Club Dada.

The Spaceport

Centred around a 20-meter rocket, The Sportport offers a state of the art db audio array processing sound system and unique visual effects to promote next-level partying

Temple Island

Temple Island is Bestival’s very own Church of Dance. Its tiered stadium vibe is home to the best raves around.

Grassy Hill

Grassy Hill is famous for the Love-Bot, an astounding work of interactive art that provides the healthiest vibes you’ll find. He comes alive when someone shows him a little love. If you don’t come to Grassy Hill for Love-Bot, make sure you come for Bestival’s Carnival Parade.