festivals

The first Glastonbury live album announced

/ James Fenney

glastonbury-live-album-artwork-2016

The world’s most famous festival has announced that it will be releasing it’s first ever companion live album entitled Stand As One. The compilation of performances from the 2016 festival is dedicated to the memory of the late Jo Cox MP and proceeds will go to Oxfam’s Refugee Crisis Appeal. It will be released digitally on 5th August, as a hard copy on 19th August and is available to pre-order now. The tracklisting is as follows:

  1. Coldplay – Birds
  2. Foals – What Went Down
  3. The Last Shadow Puppets – The Dream Synopsis
  4. Jeff Lynne’s ELO – Showdown
  5. Chvrches – Bury It
  6. New Order – Bizarre Love Triangle
  7. Years & Years – Eyes Shut
  8. Jess Glynne – Right Here
  9. Muse – Starlight
  10. Wolf Alice – Giant Peach
  11. Editors – Munich
  12.  Sigur Rós- Sæglópur
  13. John Grant – Grey Tickles, Black Pressure
  14. Richard Hawley – Tonight the Streets Are Ours
  15. Jack Garratt – Worry
  16. Laura Mvula – People
  17. Madness – My Girl
  18. Baaba Maal – Fulani Rock
  19. Jamie Lawson – Someone For Everyone

Live Review: Barn on the Farm Festival 2016

/ James Fenney

001.JPGFor one brief golden weekend this gorgeous little patch of English countryside undoubtedly holds the title of the happiest place on Earth. As well as having built a reputation as one of the keenest eyes for new rising talent, Barn on the Farm above all else boasts an inescapable atmosphere of joy and togetherness. With so much in it’s favour it’s little wonder that I, along with the rest of the ever-growing Farm family, eagerly made my way back to my spiritual home for another year of incredible music and priceless memories. Continue reading →

Glastonbury 2016

/ James Fenney

glastonbury logo

This year’s Glastonbury seemed doomed to fail. With traffic chaos, some of the worst mud in the festival’s history and even BBC coverage being affected by the EU referendum broadcasts it would have been an easy bet to back it being an utter shambles. Instead the world’s greatest festival managed to pull it off and maintain high spirits on the farm and accomplish record breaking viewing figures. Here’s a brief roundup of the best of what BBC iPlayer’s “Glastontelly” has to offer. Continue reading →

Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2016

/ James Fenney

radio-1-big-weekend-exeter

Now in it’s thirteenth year, the BBC’s very own music festival this year took to Powderham Castle in Exeter to showcase the best of British as well as some of the hottest acts from across the globe. Joining the headliners Mumford & Sons and Coldplay were a few Belwood favourites including Catfish & the Bottlemen, Jack Garratt and reigning best band Wolf Alice. The weekend also included a dazzling set from aussie psychedelics Tame Impala, new music from indie folk hero Jake Bugg and a blistering performance from Scottish rockers Biffy Clyro. Naturally there a always a few questionable acts, and the “In new music we trust” stage consisted almost entirely of established artists, but overall the weekend was a rousing success. Full performances from across the weekend are available on iplayer.

Festival survival and etiquette guide

/ James Fenney

Jubelnde Konzertbesucher auf Rock-Konzert

Summer is rapidly approaching, and if you want to make the most of it then any self respecting music lover will surely want to head to a festival. They are a longstanding tradition and with new festivals popping up all the time it’s no problem at all to find the perfect one for you! But this is no ordinary concert, there is so much more going on, and as such takes a greater level of preparation. If you make sure to come prepared then you’re in for one fantastic weekend, if not… well, we’ve all heard plenty of horror stories! Here’s a few top tips to remember. Continue reading →

The best festival since Woodstock?

/ James Fenney

goldenvoice

Goldenvoice, the company behind Coachella festival, have revealed plans to hold another festival on the same site on October 7-9th. Although talks are still in progress, the festival is planning to host The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan on the first night, Paul McCartney and Neil Young the second night, and The Who and Roger Waters to bring the weekend to a close. The headliners are going to be paid $7 million each for their sets. Plans are still being finalised with an official announcement expected within a few weeks. Needless to say it will be a once in a lifetime experience.

Adele to headline Glastonbury

/ James Fenney

adele1

The British songstress has been announced as the Saturday headliner for this year’s Glastonbury festival, joining Muse and Coldplay on Friday and Sunday respectively. Following the success of her globally successful album 25, this will be her first festival performance. She announced her involvement during a concert at London’s O2 arena, although she has previously stated her reluctance to play at Glastonbury due to the large crowds. There has been some criticism around whether her music fits in with a festival format, but you can’t deny that she will be a unique headliner.

New American festival announced

/ James Fenney

panorama_festival_2016

The team behind the world famous Coachella festival have announced the first ever Panorama festival in New York. Brought about as a rival to the Governor’s Ball festival that is held at the same venue, it’s first ever headliners are Arcade Fire, Kendrick Lamar and LCD Soundsystem. As far as festivals go, the more the merrier, and with a strong debut line-up it looks like Panorama is here to stay.

Final Reading and Leeds headliners announced

/ James Fenney

biffy_clyro_reading-leeds

Scottish alternative rock band Biffy Clyro and American pop punk band Fall Out Boy have been announced as the final co-headliners for the twin festivals. They will be joining the ranks of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foals and Disclosure. While one can appreciate the organisers trying to pack in as much content as possible, it is unclear quite how they will work out the logistics of having two lots of co-headline acts.

T in the Park 2016 line-up

/ James Fenney

t-in-the-park-2016-lineup

Scotland’s biggest music festival has announced this year’s headliners. The newly reformed Stone Roses, DJ Calvin Harris and the Red Hot Chili Peppers will top the bill at this year’s festival. Also appearing will be LCD Soundsystem who got back together to perform at Coachella and The Last Shadow Puppets; a collaboration between Miles Kane and Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner. This will be the festivals second year in the new location of Strathallan Castle, a venue that previously caused controversy due to the heavy festival traffic and the disruption of a breeding pair of rare ospreys.