Twenty Twenty Announce Tour

Twenty Twenty are looking to get up close and personal to their fans with these four intimate shows in December. The band will be treating fans to brand new tracks from their forth coming album as well as all the fan favourites. Don’t miss out on this chance to get up close to Sam, Jack and Sonny and be a part of TT mania!

December
3 – London Upstairs @ The Garage
4 – Birmingham HMV Institute
5 – Manchester The Roadhouse
6 – Glasgow Classic Grand

Tickets available from www.ticketwerk.co.uk / www.glasswerk.co.uk and all usual outlets

After what can only be described as a whirlwind of a year for Twenty Twenty in 2011; that included being the soundtrack to a major motion picture, supporting some of the biggest artists in the world at the UK's biggest festivals and a Top 40 debut album, it’s fair to say the boys have a lot to live up to this year! However, preceding their hard-working reputation, the boys already have big things planned for 2012!

Twenty Twenty announced an 11 date UK Headline tour for May, named the ‘Twenty Twelve Tour’ with further dates added only days after the tickets went on sale!

The boys also have a new album in the pipeline. As soon their debut album ‘Small Talk’ jumped into the UK charts at Number 26 last year they hopped straight back into the studio to start working on ideas for Album 2. The pop-rocking trio are looking at a summer release!

‘We would love to start spreading the word of Twenty Twenty outside the UK’ is what Jack, Sam and Sonny said when asked what Twenty Twenty’s New Year Resolution would be. It seems the boys have their sights set high and an exciting year ahead of them!

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V festival 2012 - Weston Park Sunday Review

Day two of V festival brought a wet start to the Weston Park site but by the time we came to watch Emeli Sande the rain had all but stopped. Emeli’s strong female vocals bouncing all around the area and sparking the very large crowd  to sing along to her hit “Next to me” amongst other songs in her set. We wandered around to watch Tim Burgess, sporting a fetching Dappy style hat which underneath saw a thick head of bright blonde hair, sang the back catalogue of The Charlatans hits to a wet but very jubilant crowd.

Moving over to watch Marlon Roudette play the undercover stage, we were greeted with a wonderful musician and vocalist. A former member of the band “Mattafix”, Marlon may have not drawn a huge crowd, but he certainly won over the crowd that was there. His vocals are smooth, clear and certainly unique. He doesn’t get to play much in the UK but on the strength of this set, I’d definitely like to see more of this young man.

On the 4 music stage, Tinie Tempah was rocking the crowds but we decided to go see Newton Faulkner, mainly to see what all the fuss about him is. With his long dreads and wonderful guitar playing I can see the attraction although I found the covers he played, detracted from his own music, and found myself wanting him to just do his own material which I found far superior. But on seeing him play I can definitely see the attraction and although I haven’t heard much of his recorded stuff I have the feeling that the live version is far superior.

With so much going on, its hard to see everything at V festival, but we managed to briefly catch some of Keane, with lead singer, Alex Ebert, looking a lot thinner than when I last remembered due to, as a woman next to me in the crowd proceeded to inform me, his slim fast diet. We also managed to catch a few numbers by Sub Focus. Sounding a lot like Pendulum, their amazing light show was matched with some high energy music but they should have been far further up the bill to really draw the crowds.

Tim Minchin, was starting his set at the same time as Sub Focus, so we shot across to see some of his set. We had caught him previously at Rockness were he had played solo. This time around he was joined on stage by a band. This, for me, took away a lot of the uniqueness and most of the time, drowned out Tim’s vocals and did nothing to add to the set itself.

Finally for us, we had the one and only Noel Gallagher to witness. With his high flying birds, this was a highly anticipated set and one he didn’t let anyone down on. Mixing his new stuff with Oasis material worked a treat, although as most of his new work is already full of sing-a-long and chant lyrics, it would be easier just to do a 30-45 min set of just that alone. But once again, hearing the crowd sing along to Noel’s lyrics was truly an experience I had missed since the split of Oasis and going by the reaction to songs like “Little by little” and “Supersonic”, I’m guessing most of the audience had to. Finishing on the inevitable “Don’t look back in anger” Noel rounded off a faultless set.

Review by Thomas Lennon

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Ed Sheeran Adds Some Rizzle-Dazzle As V 2012 Goes Out With A Bang

The Stone Roses and The Killers drew the curtain on another exhilarating V Festival, sponsored by Virgin Media, with performances that had both Chelmsford and Staffordshire rocking.  Though Yorkshire born Ed Sheeran stole the show, raising the roof on the Arena in Weston Park with two unique collaborations. First up was Michael Payne singing Little Lady, shortly followed by Rizzle Kicks, who lifted the crowd to dizzy heights with a hair raising rendition of You Need Me.

Down in Chelmsford, Tinie Tempah got the Virgin Media stage crowd jumping with a performance of Pass Out and Frisky. While Snow Patrol followed shortly with a spectacular performance of their hits Chasing Cars and Run as the sun went down over the main stage.

The rain held off for day two in Weston Park as Noel Gallagher arrived on stage and lifted a ready to rock audience after seeing his beloved City win 3-2. Noel’s inspiring set was a hit with the ladies and saw him dodging bras thrown at him from the Virgin Media stage crowd. 

Down South, festival goers basked in a second day of glorious sunshine as Lawson performed Maroon 5’s Move Like Jagger and The Voice breakout star, Bo Bruce, serenaded the crowds with a rendition of U2s With or Without You. While Essex’s own Olly Murs surprised fans with a special rendition of It Must Be Love when he joined his heroes Madness on stage.

Rita Ora, who took to the Arena stage in the afternoon, was looking stunning in a red fringed basque, topped off her weekend by asking the Arena crowd to help her celebrate her first number one single How we Do.

Stone Roses front man Ian Brown was in high spirits before he stepped onto the main stage to wow the crowds at their first V Festival appearance, by cruising round the VIP area and taking revelers for trips on a golf buggy.

The amazing weekend was drawn to a spectacular finale in Weston Park with a jaw dropping firework display, rounding off another incredible year in V Festival’s 17-year history.  

  

Early Bird tickets for V Festival 2013 go on sale on Wednesday 22nd August from 9am, for a limited period of time. So fans are urged to be quick. Fans can also book luxury camping tickets through V Style and coach packages at 2012 prices. As always, festival organisers are urging fans to ensure that they only use official ticket channels when buying tickets and not to purchase tickets from unofficial or secondary outlets.  Visit www.vfestival.com for details of all official ticket outlets.

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Bestival adds even more acts to the 2012 line-up

BESTIVAL ADDS EVEN MORE ACTS TO

 OUR 2012 LINE-UP

ZANE LOWE AND BEARDYMAN ADDED TO THE BILL

SNAP UP THE LAST REMAINING TICKETS WHILE YOU STILL CAN!

LIVE: Beardyman / JJ DOOM / King Charles / Random Impulse /

The Time and Space Machine / Valerie June / Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer / Balearic Folk Orchestra / MS MR / Daytona Lights / Bruno Charles / Isaac Danquah  / Rosie Curling  / Southern Man

PLATFORM ONE BANDS: Signals / The Bear Attack Club / In Motion /

Stu Collins / The Sessions / Diminshed

DJs: Zane Lowe / Alexander Nut / Psychemagik / Slipmatt /

Propaganda feat DJ Dan / Dick & Dom (Rip It Up) DJ Set /

Johnno's Bugged Out Mix / Across The Tracks / Bad Zuke /

Tom Headfunk / Paddy Freeform / Pete Callard / The Dudes /

The March Hare / The Playground Syndicate

PLUS THE RSA PRESENT: Ruby Wax

AND VERY SPECIAL GUEST: HOWARD MARKS

Bestival, Robin Hill Country Park, Isle Of Wight – 6th to 9th September 2012

www.bestival.net

@bestival

facebook.com/bestivalfestival

#wildlife

Excitement is reaching fever pitch in the Bestival bunker with things now up and running at Robin Hill Country Park as our 2012 site comes alive with the first structures taking shape! With 21 days to go until we open the gates we can reveal some of the last amazing acts who will be joining this year’s bill across more than 20 stages to keep you on your toes throughout the weekend, plus we have news of comedy giant Ruby Wax shining a light on a social taboo and a very special guest.

Rob da Bank says: “Well, we're nearly there folks. Three weeks to go and already Robin Hill and Combley Farm are buzzing with diggers, lorries, fence builders, set makers and arty type people wandering about with pencils waving at imaginary structures. I’m very, very excited. In other news we have some amazing latest and, quite possibly last, additions to the line-up. Zane Lowe and Beardyman have both grown up with Bestival having played nearly every one and most of the stages. I’m honoured to have them both back. JJ Doom is one of the most exciting collaborations in recent years for hip-hop and we have the amazing Valerie June who’s gonna knock your socks off and King Charles who has been one of my ones to watch for a few years now. Finally he’s coming to Bestival! Hope you are too… The last tickets are about to go!”

We’re properly chuffed that Beardyman, one of our bestest Bestival friends, will be returning this year to dazzle and delight one and all with his mind-blowing vocal trickery. Gallantly coming on board in the wake of Frank Ocean’s unfortunate cancellation, Beardyman is one of the most exciting live acts to have ever graced our stages, so make sure you catch him. And, just to build up the excitement a bit more, check out his 2011 Bestival appearance here.

We’ve been trying to get him to come back all year and, after juggling his diary just for us, we’re as pleased as punch that one of our favourite DJs, Zane Lowe, is able to make it to Bestival 2012 to play on the opening day to vibe up the crowd like only he can! One of BBC Radio 1’s best loved spinners, Zane knows how to pack a punch on the decks, effortlessly taking a crowd to fever pitch!

We’re very proud to announce that Rizlab is working with JJ DOOM at Bestival for Rizlab Project 4. JJ DOOM (Jneiro Jarel and DOOM) will deliver a world first debut performance of new material on Friday night at the RizLab stage. In the RizLab tradition they will be delivering their own musical experiment with an intimate hi-tech festival first that will see everyone in the crowd ‘DOOM-ED’. Full details of the JJ Doom RizLab project will be announced shortly but, until then, enjoy an exclusive first play of ‘Rhymin’ Slang’ from the forthcoming JJ DOOM album ‘Key To The Kuffs’ by clicking here.

And there will be more live love and shenanigans from coiffured dandy King Charles, boundary smasher Random Impulse, who has been known to leave his audiences amazed and ecstatic, psychedelic groove purveyors, The Time & Space Machine and we’ll be blessed with magnetic southern American charm courtesy of Valerie June.  Chap hop extraordinaire will come from the one and only Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer, there will be classic acid house reinterpreted in an acoustic style from the Balearic Folk Orchestra, Brooklyn boy/girl electro pop from MS MR and 5-piece shoe-groove behemoth Daytona Lights will be bringing their unique modern twist to 80's melody. And we will also have appearances from Bruno Charles, Isaac Danquah, Rosie Curling and Southern Man.

One of the things we’re especially excited about this year is that Platform One, an independent, not-for-profits youth arts organisation specialising in arts initiatives and training opportunities for young people on the Isle of Wight, will be joining us for a bit of a knees up. Not only that but they’re bringing some of the finest examples of the bands that have benefitted from their programmes, including Signals, The Bear Attack Club, In Motion, Stu Collins, The Sessions and Diminished.

But that’s not all, as we have lots more top kiddies joining our rather splendid array of selectors including Rinse’s hip hop and off beat king Alexander Nut, mind-expanding beat shamen Psychemagik, rave breaks don Slipmatt and indie colossus Propaganda feat DJ Dan. And there are plenty more dudes on a dancefloor smashing mission including, Dick & Dom (Rip It Up) DJ Set, Johnno's Bugged Out Mix, Across The Tracks, Bad Zuke, Tom Headfunk, Paddy Freeform, Pete Callard, The Dudes, The March Hare and The Playground Syndicate.

For those in search of a cerebral hit in our party paradise can look no further than the brilliant RSA who will present a very special event on the Amphitheatre Stage with the legendary Ruby Wax, who is…Out of Her Mind.

A very long time ago it wouldn’t have been wise to admit to being a witch. Or later; a woman with a sexual appetite.  Not so very long ago, you couldn't say you were gay.  Then you couldn't talk about suffering from the big 'C'  word.  Mental illness is the last, most pernicious taboo, and it is high time it went the way of the others. One of Britain’s best-loved comedians, writers, and mental health campaigners blasts into Bestival to open up and shake us out of this last, lingering taboo. So grab a coffee and join Ruby and the RSA for a chance to listen, learn, debate and discuss. Flex your mind muscle and get enlightened!

Finally, it wouldn’t really be Bestival without him, so we’re buzzing that Howard Marks will be heading across the Solent once again to join us for the party. One of the UK’s best loved raconteurs, just being in Howard’s presence is a joy and we are very lucky indeed!

We’re down to the last remaining tickets so make sure you grab one before they’re gone! And don’t forget there’s going to be lots of online action in the next few weeks, so for all the latest news, ticket competitions and lots more make sure you check www.bestival.net, and our Facebook page and Twitter for loads more info and cool stuff!

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Therapy? announce 'A Brief Crack of Live' UK Tour for November 2012

After more than two decades and 13 studio albums later, Therapy? continue their assault on the senses by announcing a 12 date UK tour this autumn.

Kicking off in Birmingham on Friday 23^rd November, the influential Northern Irish trio will play an an enthralling set of old favourites and brand new material from their most recent album, ‘A Brief Crack Of Light’, released in February this year.

Co-produced by the band and Adam Sinclair (New York Dolls, The Unthanks) in Blast Studios in Newcastle, ‘A Brief Crack Of Light’ is the follow-up to 2009's acclaimed ‘Crooked Timber’ and their first recording for new label Blast Records.

Written, says frontman Andy Cairns, about the absurdity of human life, ‘A Brief Crack Of Light’ draws upon myriad disparate influences - Black Flag's primal clenched fist aggression, the skewed genius of Stewart Lee's coruscating comic monologues, the writings of Samuel Beckett, the irresistible swing and swagger of Charlie Mingus among them - to deliver a dark, unsettling compendium of 21st century schizoid noise.

From the foreboding, ominous lurch of 'Living In The Shadow Of A Terrible Thing', to the haunting, sparse, shimmering beauty of 'Ecclesiastes', the ten tracks are claustrophobic, corrosive and challenging. It's a pitch-black survivor's manual for lost souls cast adrift in an uncomprehending, incomprehensible world, a beautifully delineated road map of man's ugliest impulses and starkest dreads. Baldly put, it's the finest distillation yet of an uncompromising, idiosyncratic sound and vision Therapy? have honed to a dark art across a remarkable 23 year career.

*Friday 23^rd November: Birmingham, O₂ Academy2

Saturday 24^th November: Bristol, Thekla

Sunday 25^th November: Nottingham, Rescue Rooms

*Monday 26^th November: Liverpool, O₂ Academy2

*Wednesday 28^th November: Newcastle, O₂ Academy2

*Thursday 29^th November: Sheffield, O₂ Academy2

Friday 30^th November; Glasgow, Garage

Saturday 1^st December: Manchester, Academy 2

Tuesday 4^th December: Reading, Sub 89

Wednesday 5^th December: Cardiff, Globe

Thursday 6^th December: Portsmouth, The Wedgewood Rooms

Friday 7^th December: London, Koko

*Academy Events Box Office: 0844 477 2000 (24hr) ticketweb.co.uk £15.00 adv

Therapy? line-up:

Andrew James Cairns - Vocals/Guitar

Michael McKeegan - Bass

Neil Cooper - Drums

www.therapyquestionmark.co.uk

www.facebook.com/Therapyquestionmark.official

www.twitter.com/therapyofficial

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Wet Paint returns to the O2 Academy Liverpool this September

WET PAINT
O2 Academy Liverpool
“A no-rules trash-up for queers, straights, and everyone in between”

Saturday 1st September 2012
Saturday 6th September 2012
O2 Academy Liverpool
Doors 11.00pm - 4.00am (over 18s only)
Tickets £4.00 adv + STBF
Tickets available from ticketweb.co.uk or 0844 477 2000 or venue box office


Thursday 9th August 2012: Brand new for 2012, Wet Paint returns to O2 Academy Liverpool in September, a ‘no rules trash- up for queers, straights and everyone in between’, Wet paint is the ultimate new club night in the heart of the birthplace of The Beatles and one of Europe’s most exciting Cities.

Launching recently with the Liverpool Pride 2012 Celebrations in August, attracting people from across the country looking to experience the diverse culture on offer; Wet Paint will once again be playing the most eclectic mix of tracks, showcasing all musical genres and breaking free from the somewhat tiresome ‘indie’ and ‘gay’ club nights currently on offer.

O2 Academy Liverpool’s resident DJ’s will once again be taking to the stage recently owned by ‘glam squad’ Scissor Sisters, blasting tracks from the likes of Dr Dre, Prince, Nirvana, Aaliyah and Sonic Youth until 4am; we did say ‘no rules’ didn’t we?

Perhaps there is just one, ‘throw some glitter on it Honey and go dancing!’ If you missed it during Pride 2012 Weekend, get yourself down to the only night in Liverpool that could follow a Spice Girls hit with Animal Collective!

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Kendal Calling 2012 - Review

Kendal Calling returned to Lowther Deer Park in the Lake District with an almighty vengance this year, and brought with it 10,000 very happy festival folk to party with it for the weekend. With it's increased populous, we saw the site bigger and better than ever, including a new tent, Chai Wallahs, new area called The Woodlands, were you could bop away at the silent disco, Tim Peaks diner, brain child of Tim Burgess, from The Charlatans, who created a place to chill, eat and listen to Edwin Collins and Nick Heyward perform an acoustic set, a real ale festival within a festival, including a very aptly named beer for myself, “Dizzy Blonde”, so many food stalls from around the world and a couple of fair ground rides, including the helter skelter, which we had to have a few goes on, more sculptures, including "Wooden Man", Iron Man's greener brother rocking out on his guitar and so many cartoon characters thanks to Saturday's fancy dress theme. I don't think I've ever seen so many Dennis the Menace's gathered in one place, definitely makes a change from Where’s Wally. The Beano Club, would be have been proud!!

Our festival began on the Thursday, courtesy of the early bird option, which I always love as it gives you a good chance to peruse the place, before mayhem ensues, and see the quirky acts, including fire act, GeoFest Collective, who bring it back to basics, with a hypnotic primal feel to their performances thanks to the drum and bongo players and the extremely talented fire artists who had their own area this year, just wish they hadn't been tucked out the way so much this year.

Anyway, back to the main reason we were there, the music, and what a line up it was this year. With Friday's headliners Maximo Park, who even though were missing drummer Tom English, who was celebrating the birth of his baby, congratulations by the way, still ripped up the place on Friday night with a full rock onslaught including firm favourites "Girls Who Play Guitars", "The Kids Are Sick Again" and "Our Velocity" as well as some new tracks from their latest album, "The National Health" which sounds like it's going to be as big a hit as the rest of their back catalogue, going by how well it received from the crowd. 

Saturday's main stage brought a little bit of everything for us music lovers with 90's indie band Dodgy playing a laid back set including "Staying Out The For The Summer" and new material from "Stand Upright In A Cool Place". Have to say I loved "Only a Heartbeat" which has a 70's Beatles sound to it. 

Up and coming star, Juan Zelada, played not one, but two sets back to back, one on the main stage and one in the brand new Chai Wallahs tent, and both sets went down an absolute storm, so much so, people left the main stage to catch him play again and I can understand why. With an eclectic mix of funk, blues, soul and a Jerry Lee Lewis style piano playing all rounded up with a fabulous vocal range, that can go from mellow and laid back to smokey blues you cannot help but be drawn into this high energy performance and find your ass shaking along to . You can see that Juan clearly loves what he is doing and thrives on crowd participation and the crowd definitely love him. I've got to say, this was one of the best performances of the whole weekend.

We then had a quick jogback to the main stage for Glasgow born and bred band The View, who do what they do best, get the crowd jumping and bouncing along, especially to the very much loved and very apt for a festival, "Same Jeans"

Headlining the main stage on Saturday, was the man who brought us the brain itch of a song, "Bonkers", yes that's right Dizzee Rascal, who put on one hell of show to end Saturday night, with a whole lot of instructions to "bounce" and "jump" coinciding with flares and fireworks going off, took us right back to the beginning and performed a wide array of his hits, which, I didn't realise, are hell of a lot, including, Jus a Rascal", "Road Rage"and "Dance Wiv Me". He also performed the Olympics song he wrote, "Scream" with the main bulk of the vocals performed by Dizzee's young protege "Pepper" whose vocals flowed over the crowd effortlessly. He ended his performance with, yep you guessed it that little brain itch ditty I mentioned before "Bonkers" and we can confirm that the vibrations felt throughout Lowther and the nearby towns was from the crowd bouncing as one for all their worth, not a mini earthquake!

Pretty soon Sunday was upon us and to be honest excited was not the word, not because it was the last day, but my favourite band in the world when I was 14/15 were headlining the main stage but I had a lot of great bands to while away the hours till then. So thank you to Manchester band, Twisted Wheel, who gave a rockin performance, even though the crowd were a bit subdued and pretty tired looking, but that didn’t stop a majority of them dancing and singing along while shouting “Wheeeaal” inbetween some of their best numbers, including, ”Strife”, “You Stole the Sun” and “Dirty Rock n Rolla”. At least they got away without being accosted by hundreds of Wheel fans who hijacked the stage the last time I saw them. You’ve got to love those Wheel fans.

Inspiral Carpets played a fab set, full of guitar riffs, big grins, Manchester accents and “This Is How It Feels To Be Lonely”. I have to admit I can’t really remember them sounding so rocky but it definitely works. This is one band from the 90’s Manchester music scene that have improved with age, both musically and vocally.

They were followed by Feeder, a band that can rock any stage anytime anywhere. From the opening number, “Am I Just Like You” and “Fight the Feeling”to their new material including “Tiny Minds” and new single “Idaho” (out this month) which is still full of heady drum beats and the grinding guitar riffs that they are synonymous with, but has a happy catchy note to it, that instantly grabs your attention.

And finally the band I’d been waiting for, with trumpets, Tim Booth’s mad dancing and the sound of “woooo hoooo hooo hoooooo hooooooo” it could only mean one thing, James have finally hit Kendal Callings main stage. Playing new and old material, including, “Born of Frustration”, “Waterfall” and “Johhny Yen” which he paid tribute to the “27 club”. Every song was met with enthusiasm, happiness, dancing and applause from the crowd. James are definitely a band who put everything into their performances and even though there was a break for a few years, they have come back bigger and better than ever before. Tim’s vocals are still as crystal clear and his enthusiasm for performing along with the rest of the band grips you and you get carried away, some of us on a reminiscent trip and others who may not have heard some of there material before. By the time it came to the final songs, James had the audience as one and then, the song that they are most famous for “Sit Down” started, which saw the crowd hugging, dancing and singing along for all they were worth. Some people even re-enacted the 90’s and actually sat down, mud be damned to them. Final song for the night though, was my all time favourite song, “Laid” and going by the crowds reaction it was theirs as well. I honestly cannot put into words just how great James were at Kendal Calling and they have definitely got to be the best band I have seen there to date, so go over to Kendal Calling web site and check out the recordings of them and all the other bands to see for yourself.

So that’s the end of another brilliant year at what has to be my favourite festival on the circuit, and yes that includes the godfather of festivals Glastonbury. There is something about this festival that just captures your heart and makes you want to return year after year. I’m just hoping that the expanding doesn’t go too far as I fear it may loose that quirky loveable feeling it has. The House Party, in my opinion, fell foul of that this year. Where had all the furniture and unique feel and atmosphere it created gone???, and that was my favourite places to go after hours  to party once the “difficult” job of listening to top music acts playing all day ended.

But once again many thanks to Kendal Calling for letting us be part of the festivities once again and I can’t wait to see what and who they’re going to get to top this year.

More Photos can be seen HERE

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New Club Night Wet Paint at O2 Academy Liverpool Saturday 4th August 2012

Saturday 4th August 2012
O2 Academy Liverpool
Doors 11.00pm - 4.00am
Tickets £4.00 Advance + STBF
Tickets available from ticketweb.co.uk or 0844 477 2000 or venue box office

Friday 3rd August 2012: Brand new for 2012, Wet Paint will be taking over Liverpool on Saturday 4th August at O2 Academy Liverpool, a ‘no rules trash- up for queers, straights and everyone in between’, Wet paint is the ultimate new club night in the heart of the birthplace of The Beatles and one of Europe’s most exciting Cities.

Joining forces with Liverpool Pride Fringe Festival, a month long mix of sporting, arts, cultural and spiritual events taking place from Friday July 27th – Sunday, August 26th; The Festival offers anyone and everyone the chance to immerse themself in Liverpool’s LGBT scene.

Coinciding with the Liverpool Pride 2012 Celebrations on 4th August,attracting people from across the country looking to experience the diverse culture on offer; Wet Paint will play the most eclectic mix of tracks, showcasingall musical genres and breaking free from the somewhat tiresome ‘indie’ and ‘gay’ club nights currently on offer.

O2 Academy Liverpool’s resident DJ’s will be taking to the stage recently owned by ‘glam squad’ Scissor Sisters, blasting tracks from the likes of Dr Dre, Prince, Nirvana, Aaliyah and Sonic Youth until 4am; we did say ‘no rules’ didn’t we?

Perhaps there is just one, ‘throw some glitter on it Honey and go dancing!’Get yourself down to the only night in Liverpool that could follow a Spice Girls hit with Animal Collective!

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Rick Astley announces October 2012 UK Tour

80’s Pop Icon and multi-million selling artist Rick Astley has announced a full UK Tour for October this year.

Rick Astley is a talent whose career has spanned over 25 years. Rick Astley has sold in excess of 19 million records and has a string of 8 consecutive number 1s under-his-belt.

His amazing career began in 1987. Shocked by the powerful, mature soulful voice of Rick aged just 21; the UK sent his debut single "Never Gonna Give You Up" to the top of the charts within 2 weeks of its release. The rest of the world soon followed suit with "Never Gonna Give You Up" reaching Number 1 in 16 other countries including most of Europe, Japan, United States and Australia. The following 2 years saw Rick continue to dominate the charts around the globe. In the UK, Rick was in the Top 40 every week for the first 6 months of 

his career. It was Britain's largest selling single of that year.

The album "Whenever You Need Somebody" entered the UK album charts at Number 1 and sold over 15.2 million copies worldwide, making him the top selling British act of the year. It was a similar success story in the USA, as Rick became one of the few British artists to crack their market. Rick's American success was reinforced with a second Number 1 single, "Together Forever". "It Would Take a Strong Strong Man" became another Top 10 single and the album also reached a position within the Top 10 selling close to 2 million copies.
After that Rick took a well deserved break but surprised British fans in 2004 with an 8 date tour which comprised of 'classic' songs from past decades including Sinatra, Bacharach and The Carpenters as well as a few from Mr Astley's musical resume and soon after more dates followed.

In 2008 debut single ‘Never Gonna Give You Up,' became one of the most viewed pop video of all time on YouTube with over 51 million views to date due to the unstoppable phenomenon of ‘Rickrolling’. This has earned him a nomination at the MTV Europe Music Awards for ‘BEST ACT EVER’. 2012 marks the 25 Anniversary of Rick’s first single.

More recently Rick opened up for Peter Kay’s record breaking the Tour That Does Tour Tour and will be appearing at Tatton Park amongst other outdoor events this summer before embarking on an seven date tour later this year:

October 2012
Wednesday 17th       Manchester Academy 2             0161 832 1111
Thursday 18th            Birmingham O2 Academy2           0844 477 2000
Friday 19th                 Liverpool O2 Academy2                0844 477 2000
Sunday 21st               Glasgow Oran Mor                                     0844 499 9990
Monday 22nd                       Sheffield O2 Academy2                 0844 477 2000
Wednesday 24th       London O2 Academy Islington     0844 477 2000          
Thursday 25th             Bournemouth The Old Fire Station           0844 477 2000

Tickets are £22.50 (£25.00 Manchester / London)
On sale Friday 27 July at 9am – www.gigsandtours.com/tour/Rick-Astley / 0844 811 0051

Rick Astley – The Ultimate Collection – out now
www.rickastley.co.uk              www.facebook.com/RickAstley

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BoomTown Fair Sold Out for 4th year running

With just under a month to go until the juggernaut of BoomTown Fair unleashes mayhem onto the Winchester countryside, the UKs maddest fair has now officially SOLD OUT for the fourth year in a row! For those who have not managed to get their hands on one the coveted passes for BoomTown Fair 2012, to catch the likes of Reel Big Fish, Caravan Palace, Alborosie, Beenie Man, Tanya Stephens and a very special secret Sunday Headliner - all is not lost! There will be a re-sale for any of the unclaimed tickets from the deposit scheme on Friday 20th July at 9am.

BoomTown Fair is a unique event on the festival calendar and does things a little differently from all the others... transporting the festival goer into a fully working town, complete with a Bank, Casino, Hotel, numerous Saloons, theatre, street parties and so much more that the imagination can conjure! This year has seen the festival significantly expand, with the crash landing of Glastonbury’s Arcadia Spectacular taking over a whole new part of the town, more space for campers and the extension into the nearby woodland for tree top walkways and more sun dappled chill out areas. Even with this growth the festival has managed to sell out for the fourth year running in its four-year history!

Even though the festival is officially sold out, any unclaimed tickets from the deposit scheme will be re-released at 9am on Friday 20th July (estimated at around 500 tickets). Potential attendees are urged to get in there quickly as the demand for tickets is expected to be very high! http://www.theticketsellers.co.uk/tickets/boomtown-fair/10018485&wlid=3945

Ever since Arcadia crash landed into BoomTown back in February, strange things have been happening in the sleepy hollow of this Hampshire town. Most recently there have been sightings of non-human life forms in and around the streets of BoomTown! This intergalactic super race does not appear to be hostile and communicate through a simple form of dance. BoomTown committee are urging all inhabitants and visitors to the city to watch the following newsflash and instructional video so that everyone can peacefully interact with the alien invasion to form what will be BoomTown’s biggest flash mob! It will be taking place at the Town centre stage at 5pm on Saturday. http://www.boomtownfair.co.uk/page/boomtown-fair-flashmob

Although there will be a limited amount of tickets released on the 20th July, if rolling your sleeves up and getting fully involved in a festival is more your style, then there are still some spots left with the Oxfam Stewarding team. Not only do you get entry to the festival covered but you also are part of a fantastic team raising money for one of the most important global charities. Talk about a win-win situation! http://www.oxfam.org.uk/Stewarding/festivals/boomtownfair

Article posted by Musicmafia

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Sold Out Kendal Calling Adds more acts

Kendal Calling has sold out for the 7^th consecutive year and the countdown is on for this year’s festival; as the site begins to take shape and the crew start to create 16 areas and arenas of wonder! The gates will fly open in just 3 weeks, and Kendal Calling is now revealing details of the all-new Woodlands Stage as well as releasing news of many more artist additions.

With over 100 new artist additions including: Lightning Seeds // Redlight // The Whip (DJ Set) // Little Barrie // Sound of Guns // Little Comets // Alpines // Karima Francis // The Travelling Band // Admiral Fallow // Mungo's HiFi // Dave Haslam // Mike Joyce (The Smiths) Radio // B>E>A>K // Will TRAMP! // Where's Strutter // Monument Valley // Endoflevelbaddie // Hatcham Social // Catfish & The Bottlemen // Danielle Moore (Crazy P DJ Set) // Marc Roberts // Jenny-O // Thomas J Speight // Wolfie Razzmatazz // Freear // Mikey J // The Carpels // The Dub Jazz Soundsystem // The Fued // Shaolin Monkey // The Minx // Can't Mix Won't Mix // I am Blackbird // Ottersgear // Paper Tiger with Comedy from Duncan Oakley // The Beta Males // Ray Guns Look Real Enough // Not Quite Quartet // Mik Artistik and many more new additions over all stages and across the full weekend, head tohttp://www.kendalcalling.com/lineup for the full line up. 

Although all tickets to this years Kendal Calling are now gone, organisers continue to work with some of the UKs best promoters to book more amazing acts and ensure that this years revelers enjoy an action packed show! The Calling Out tent has been curated by ITB (International Talent Booking) on Friday to bring some of the hottest new bands to the stage.

Lightning Seeds are a much loved Northern act and it’ll be a joy to catch hits like “Lucky You” and “Life of Riley” as they play on the main stage alongside physchedelic folk artists like The Travelling Band and headliners Maximo Park, Dizzee Rascal and James.

The Soapbox stage returns with the likes of musician and comedian Duncan Oakley, a one-man-band who delivers rip roaring sets. Along with high-spirited Ray Guns Look Real Enough, The Beta Males have been making waves on the comedy circuit. Following acclaimed shows at Edinburgh, sell out gigs at Soho Theatre and a Chortle award nomination, we can’t wait to see this collective take to the stage.

The brand new Woodland Stage has been getting the team very excited! Be ready to explore undiscovered territory for late night adventures and soothing afternoons amongst the trees. The stage will feature Nu-folk and Electro followed by a Silent Disco with mind-blowing visuals and AV installations! Acts confirmed for the Woodland Stage include Alpines Music, Jenny O and acclaimed folk artistThomas J Speight plus much more still to be announced.

The House Party returns this year; a venue like no other…think an actual Houseparty in a field but instead of gatecrashers amazing special guests popping in for a brew. Then as the sun sets, the House Party really comes into its own as an all-star lineup of DJs take to the decks, be sure to gatecrash!

Kendal Calling puts Lowther Deer Park on the map for the 7^th year running, creating a hub of music and culture as they bring in talent to the Lake District from all across the UK. After winning Best Small Festival for the past two years in a row and selling out every year since it began, fans can rely on Kendal Calling to deliver an incredible weekend of escapism and excellent music. This year’s theme is Fairytales & Comic Books so ticket holders are encouraged to let their imagination run wild with just 3 weeks to go until this years irrepressible extravaganza! See you in the fields..

Article posted by Musicmafia

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Marc Almond Birthday Show Ticket Competition

As we posted a few weeks back (http://musicmafiauk.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/marc-almond-birthday-show-and-uk-tour.html) , Marc Almond will celebrate his 55th Birthday with a one-off show at the Shepherds Bush Empire in London on Monday 9th July, and to celebrate this event we are giving away a pair of tickets to the show!

All you have to do is answer the following easy question :

What was the name of the band Marc Almond had hits with back in the 80's?

Email your answers and name to musicmafiauk@gmail.com

Winners will be notified on friday! GOOD LUCK!! 


Tickets for Shepherds Bush Empire available online from www.gigsandtours.com or 24hr Credit Card line 0844 811 0051

Article posted by Musicmafia

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Rams' Pocket Radio on tour in July

Rams’ Pocket Radio

Trajectories Box Set released on June 18

Following Snow Patrol support across Europe, further dates announced

Recording Debut album with David Kosten

“Sensational...Watch this one” Sunday Times Culture

“An outstanding talent...Rams’ engage fans curiosity with beautiful, creative and powerful tracks” Clash 

“About to scare the ******* out of every other piano-based band on the planet – Tom Robinson

“An artist of verve and versatility: keep this frequency clear” AU Magazine

Rams’ Pocket Radio has announced details the box set of their 3 Eps, “Trajectories” on June 18.. This follows the success of ‘Dieter Rams Has Got The Pocket Radios’, which was playlisted by BBC Radio 1 Introducing in January, and saw spins from the likes of Huw Stephens, Fearne Cotton, Nick Grimshaw and Annie Mac, as well as a play on BBC2’s The Review Show. Rams’  toured with Snow Patrol for across Europe during March during which Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody nightly told the audience that Rams’ “were the best support band they’d ever had.”

Rams’ head out on 2 tours (dates below) but in between times Rams’ is recording his debut album with David Kosten (Everything Everything, Bat for Lashes, Guillemots).

Rams’ Pocket Radio has earned comparisons with the likes of Frightened Rabbit, and played with everyone from Darwin Deez to Marina and the Diamonds and You Me at Six over the course of 2011. His songs are meticulously crafted and effortlessly epic, mixing elements of pounding, piano-based pop with heavier rock sounds (see Rams’ former life in post-hardcore bands). And it’s all there to be heard in ‘1+2’: driven by a nagging guitar riff and a simple but memorable chorus, ‘1+2’ was written, says Rams, “about making yourself vulnerable to help someone, and the things that can happen as a result.” ‘1+2’ is, moreover, Rams’ most immediate and accessible piece of songwriting to date, settling nicely against some of the EP’s more experimental moments (see the brooding ‘Love Is A  Bitter Thing’, and the glitchy electronics of ‘Swallow’).    

The ‘Rams’ in question is Peter McCauley - a drummer, pianist and diverse songwriter from Lisburn. His musical career got off to a less-than-usual start, namely in the National Youth Orchestra of Northern Ireland. McCauley was one of the leading percussionists in the ensemble, boldly tackling the likes of Wagner’s Ring Cycle and Gustav Mahler (not that he knew what he was doing for much of it). Still, it is an influence that you can feel in the big, bold soundscapes Rams has conjured up across these early releases. McCauley then moved to Worthing in pursuit of an Architecture degree, where the desire to design and construct no doubt infused the songs he began to write under the Rams’ Pocket Radio alias. 

Who, though, is ‘Rams’, and what is the significance of his pocket radio? Peter’s stage-name is taken from the 1950’s product designer Dieter Rams: viewed by many as the key inspiration behind the iPod (which bears a startling resemblance to the Pocket Radio), and various modern accessories. “His products were relevant to the time but still looked to the future,” explains McCauley. “I like the idea that something we create could have relevance and longevity, accessibility and influence. The way we use and create music changes, but the core principals remain the same.” With his manifesto now nailed, Rams will continue working on his debut album, which will be released later this year. 

Headline shows

July 3 Brighton Prince Albert

July 4 Hoxton Bar and; Grill

July 5 Manchester Deaf Institute

July 7 Leeds Cockpit 

July 8 Birmingham Academy 3

July 9 York Fibbers

July 10 Liverpool Shipping forecast

July 11 Glasgow King Tuts

http://ramspocketradio.wordpress.com/

http://www.myspace.com/ramspocketradio

https://www.facebook.com/ramspocketradio

Article posted by Musicmafia

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