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YES argues Anna Hyams…

Florence and the Machine, from humble beginnings on the gig circuit in 2007, trounced all competition with the 2009 release of their debut album ‘Lungs’. The singer, Florence Welch - a copper haired, florally bedecked neo-hippy - brings festival feel right into your room from the off, I defy anyone to not imagine they’re back in the summer sunshine with an ice cold beer whilst listening to this album.
 
After more than your average handful of festival appearances last year, including Bestival and Glastonbury, some might say that Florence is a no-brainer to headline Latitude. I ask you to consider the calibre of previous Latitudinal hotshots: Pet Shop Boys, Nick Cave, Grace Jones, Sigur Ros, Interpol. Can Florence and the Machine’s one album offering really compete? Actually, yes it can. There is an unquestionable merit to the album hitting number one then staying at number two for five straight weeks, and with another in the pipeline Florence and the Machine have potential to blow the smelly three-day old socks right off the revellers at Latitude. If you dig a little deeper and look at some of the other acts on previous year’s bills, rather than the headliners, you will see many of Florence’s genre pals.
 
For example, back in 2007 Latitude was host to Bat For Lashes and Kate Nash, while 2008 heralded Beth Orton, Foals and other relative unknowns  – Noah and The Whale. At the last pass Latitude pulled out all the stops with Newton Faulkner and another enigmatic female newcomer, Paloma Faith. Anyone who cares to argue with the logic of Florence and the Machine taking the top spot at Latitude need only look at the build-up of similar acts over the last three years.

Although previous headliners have been of an earlier generation of musical legend, and have a few more tracks under their belts, you can’t say Florence wasn’t due to hit that status all along. Everyone has to start somewhere and it’s about time we embraced new and exciting music at the top of our lists instead of spending all our time reminiscing. While it’s nice to see an epic performance of a band you used to listen to when you were eight (in all likelihood dancing around in your big sister’s heels and smearing lipstick all over your face), you have to make the most of your ‘here and now’ and Florence is definitely that, embodying a sound of our time - this is the music of the moment.
 
Florence herself has more than enough persona and stage presence to pull it off: she’s quirky and likeable, she has a completely unique sound and a solid set of crowd pleasers up her sleeve, which includes the astounding hit cover of ‘You Got The Love’ by The Source. Florence and the Machine embody the festival mood and if you ask me, will fit right in with her neighbours Belle And Sebastian and Vampire Weekend. I’m going, it’ll be a scorcher.

NO argues Rhian Daly…

Florence and the Machine - one of 2009’s success stories and an artist who’s star is no doubt going to continue ascending at the same rapid pace. Now, she’s been confirmed as one of the headline acts for this year’s Latitude and you’d be forgiven for assuming she’s booked to close the Word Arena. But how wrong you’d be! No, Florence Welch is set to top the bill for the Friday night with her huge back catalogue of, er... just the one album.

Have the folk behind Latitude made an error in booking such a new act? In relation to the other headliners, Belle And Sebastian and Vampire Weekend, Flo is still fresh-faced and wet behind the ears. There’s no doubt she’ll bring her usual exuberant, manic performance but for an hour and a half? What’s she going to do, do a super extended version of You Got The Love? Or maybe we’ll be treated to the original and the Dizzee Rascal abomination of a ‘mash-up’. I can hardly contain myself.

As much as Florence has worked her socks off these past few months and certainly deserves to be edging her way up the bill at events like Latitude, putting her into the headline slot at this point in her career feels like Festival Republic might be trying a bit too hard to ride the zeitgeist (possibly in an attempt to make Latitude appeal to a wider audience?). Of course, you could point to the fact Marina And the Diamonds are headlining Secret Garden Party in July, by which point The Family Jewels will be only five months old. But SGP is a much smaller festival than Latitude, something which could work in Marina’s favour.

As history shows us, headlining a big festival with a back catalogue stretching to just one record doesn’t tend to go too well. Remember The Strokes headlining  back in Reading and Leeds 2002? Is This It? was barely a year old, and struggling to fill the time, the band took a break to present Julian Casablancas with a birthday cake. Cute, maybe, but what you’ve paid £150 plus to see? Not really. Luckily, it’s not Florence’s birthday until August so the Suffolk crowd will be spared this tedious time-killing tactic at least.

In contrast, The Maccabees headlined Standon Calling in 2008, a year after the release of their debut album. Having already started work on new material, the band were able to litter their set with fresh songs whilst playing majority of ‘Colour It In’. If Flo has begun writing her next album, she might pull it off but she’ll have to work carefully on her setlist.

Her voice is somewhat of an acquired taste live, sometimes straying dangerously close to the line between astounding and strong, and horrific caterwauling. With her famous ADD-charged performances, will she be able to stay just calm enough to keep control of this? If she doesn’t, she could see her crowd abandoning her before she’s finished.

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YES says Christopher Swindells

The best selling musician on the planet, the biggest rapper in the world and the most important indie band of the last decade walk into a bar... tonight in Newport it’s open mic night.

One world famous festival celebrates the fortieth anniversary of a now legendary 1970 event that attracted 600,000 revellers to a quiet British island, with The Who, The Doors and Jimi Hendrix headlining a weekend of Woodstock–esque free love.

Isle of Wight Festival might just have pulled off the biggest trick since its revival in 2002. Securing the god-like daddy of British pop music Sir Paul McCartney for his second ever festival appearance will make for the most talked about closing Sunday night of the summer festival season. Macca with his near holy prophet status is possibly the only person who could follow acts like The Rolling Stones, R.E.M. and David Bowie for the festival’s closing slot. The Beatle’s now legendary set at Glastonbury ’05 has made him the hottest ticket in town and Eavis is no doubt scratching his head after losing such a big name to his rivals in his anniversary year.

Jay-Z finally cemented his place in the UK’s affections with his own historic Glastonbury set in 2008. It was less a breakthrough for the rapper, more affirmation that the hip hop genre had arrived and proof if needed a rapper could headline at any level, when Mr. Z shined in front of the reported 100,000 festival patrons. The performance passed into folklore as the waterlogged fields of Somerset witnessed the rapper, who recently turned 40, silence critics and Gallaghers alike performing ‘Wonderwall’ to a rapturous response.

With The Strokes the organisers have secured the perfect return slot for an indie band that has dominated so much of the musical landscape of the last decade; their debut ‘Is This It’ was recently awarded NME’s album of the 2000’s and has spawned an army of imitators. In musical terms their emergence at the turn of the millennium has been as influential as any of their peers and expectations for the forthcoming ‘comeback’ album has never been higher.

The weekend’s spectacles don’t end with the headliners though.The real beauty and attraction of the Isle of Wight festival, which once promised ticket holders ‘a weekend of sun’, is evident in the pure strength of artists that make up the main stage and recent addition, the big top. From the new kids on the block; brit-nominated Florence and the Machine, Friendly Fires and La Roux to rock royalty Crowded House, James and newly-reformed Spandau Ballet. The great skill the festival brings is in its variety, across the spectrum of musical tastes.

Once deemed the less-than-trendy cousin to Glastonbury, the revived festival has grown and earned a stamp of musical authority. From Brooklyn alt-indie lads Vampire Weekend to style icon Debbie Harry this line-up oozes cool from every pour. Neither has the festival ever been scared to pander to those just out to have a good time in the summer sun; this year Pink and Calvin Harris can bring some party vibes to the early evening sun downs.

Isle of Wight Festival doesn’t just reflect chart success but can very much take chances on those new and breaking through. Friday’s ‘girls only’ bill under the big top where hotly-tipped Daisy Dares You lines up alongside rock empress Suzi Quatro shows these organisers have stepped up their game, maybe on such a historic anniversary they can make festival history once again.


NO argues Francis Whittaker

Year on year, Isle of Wight Festival boss and UK Festival Awards Lifetime Achievement winner John Giddings manages to draw some of the biggest headline coups in the world. So much so, that even the Eavis family are often left shaking their fists at the gates of Seaclose Park shouting “DAMN YOU, GIDDINGS!” whenever he announces his latest line-up.

This year looks set to be no different, with no less than erstwhile Quarryman, Beatle and, erm, 'Wing' Sir Paul 'The Big Mac' McCartney topping the bill on the Sunday night, following in the footsteps of David Bowie, The Police and The Rolling Stones in closing proceedings at the revived island festival.

However, when blowing your budget on big-bucks bill-toppers, it's almost inevitable that the rest of the line-up will suffer, and Isle of Wight is no stranger to booking more than its share of dross. In past years, the programme has been propped up by all manner of has-beens, tribute bands and fly-by-night pop outfits. This year is no different, with festival bosses excelling themselves in booking a programme which, bar the big-hitters, reads like a roll-call of the rotten, the irrelevant and the really-should've-retired.

Let's look at the evidence. Don't fancy listening to Macca's tried and trusted ditties on Sunday night? Why not go to the Big Top and check out James. You know, James? They were that band that did alright in the late eighties and nineties. Remember their 1989 breakthrough single, 'Sit Down'? Marvellous song. And that popular, catchy number they released in 1991, no-one could get it out of their heads.  I think it was called 'Sit Down' or something. And don't forget their big 1998 smash, 'Sit Down '98'. Pure gold... Actually, come to think of it, those were all the same song. They really just traded off that single for their whole career. And it seems they're still doing so, which apparently is more  than enough reason to give them a prime headlining slot on a major festival's second stage.

For anyone still willing to venture into the Big Top to see the aforementioned Mancunian one-hit-wonders, it's likely you'd be interested in seeing who's on the bill before them. So, roll up, ladies and gentleman, and marvel at the show-stopping spectacle that is a festival set from Ocean Colour Scene, a band so intrinsically linked to the term 'dadrock' that even the world's most embarrassing father would be too ashamed to admit liking them. On before them? Reef. That's right. Reef. They asked us to 'put our hands up' ten years ago. Now they're back to tell us to do it again. It looks as if festival security may have to bring in extra safety measures to deal with the stampede away from the second stage on Sunday.

Elsewhere, the line-up doesn't fare much better. Friday night Big Top headliner Suzi Quatro is about as welcome a piece of seventies nostalgia as mass public sector strikes and overtly racist sitcoms, and for all their chutzpah in ensnaring the big guns, Isle of Wight still think it's possible to book chavpop clowns N-Dubz and still be taken seriously as a credible music festival (maybe it's that touching song they wrote about stalking a girl on Facebook in the hope that they could nail her? I dunno). Shakespeare's Sister make a baffling return to a festival stage on the Friday, while on Saturday punters can grab an overpriced beer, take in the afternoon breeze and 'enjoy' a hit-packed set from the recently-reformed Spandau Ballet. You heard. Fluffy-haired eighties school disco fixtures Spandau bloody Ballet. I mean, really. Who next? Dollar?  Kajagoogoo? Jesus wept.

So for all the pomp and prestige that comes with booking Macca, rival festivals can take comfort in the fact that, for every bona fide rock legend on the bill, there are at least ten pieces of musical turd lined up behind him – and this year's Isle of Wight bill looks set to out-stink them all.

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Imagine two heavily tattooed burly biker dudes comparing muscles. We shall name them Download and Sonisphere. Now imagine a long-legged beauty, piercings and Camden-certified stripey socks galore. We shall name her... about 200,000 rock fans. What happens when the men jostle and swear and try to get her attention? She opts for the skinnier, scarf wearing, fringed Reading and Leeds Festival bopping away at the end. Come on, we’ve all been there... when you’re the boring counterpart of the guy next to you, how can you offer the girl a bit of rockin’ variety in her life?

Yes, what may have the promoters worried is a certain problem of overlap. Before Sonisphere, one could clearly separate the Downloads from the Bloodstocks and Reading and Leeds’. But now there are two big bullies in the playground, who will emerge victorious?

This year, however, Sonisphere have managed to transcend the ‘samey’ by providing us with some metal encrusted gems, as they have managed to lasso a fair few acts that have never played at Download - a tough feat, considering the festivals longevity as ‘Monsters of Rock’. I speak of course of The Cult (who haven’t made an appearance since Reading and Leeds 2001), Iggy and the Stooges, Alice Cooper and Rammstein. Kudos Sonisphere for Rammstein’s first UK festival appearance, but are they really up to headlining?

I now pose another question of vital importance: what if one of the misunderstood mosher’s vying for the girl’s attention was successfully well endowed? With four stages that is, as Download will no doubt trump Sonisphere with the sheer amount of bands that will be playing. Prepare to sneer at the latter’s pathetic excuse of two main stages, ‘Bohemia’ and the staggered sets. What are we supposed to do if we don’t like the band on at the time? Tramp back to the campsite to drink perry for an hour? Not to mention the bottlenecks all the to-ing and fro-ing will cause; prepare to be more squashed than a tube stop on the Underground at rush hour.

Now look at Download. Rage Against The Machine, Deftones, AC/DC, the loyal Motorhead and Stone Sour are all bands worth ten times their salt. Okay so there may be nothing entirely new or striking, but the fact that you can see Lamb of God and Billy Idol is what whets fans... knickers. With a ton of new, exciting, smaller bands to be announced, Download is the place to get intimate with what’s emerging from the metal underbelly.

Besides, at their sister festival, you may think you’re going to headbang to ‘Feuer Frei’ but really you’re going to a fem-fest. By that I mean no disrespect; The Cult, a major influence in the creation of emo, will show how the whole ‘crying-into-your-eyeliner-because-a-girl-left’ is done, while bandwagonners Papa Roach, Madina Lake and even BMTH (I’ll admit, poached from Download Festival) can emulate this. And isn’t Alice Cooper a woman?

Download has history; far from being the McDonalds of rock with a chain of lucrative festivals all over the world, it is a safe haven for balls-out rockers everywhere. And if the idea of Corey Taylor taking his pants off onstage doesn’t swing it for you, well, I don’t know what will.

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Yes argues Hollie Garraway

V has always been the most diluted festival of the summer. It's where history is rarely made and The Saturdays make a cameo backstage in designer wellies, rubbing shoulders with Z-listers from Hollyoaks. Bottom line: it's duller than dishwater and more suitable being compared to T4 On The Beach than it is to the Coachella's and Reading's of the world.

It's no surprise then, that once again, 2010's line-up can be met with a heavy sigh and the rolling of eyes, which prompts the question: are V Festival line-ups becoming too predictable? The answer is unequivocally yes!

Safe, current and on-trend chart favourites Kasabian, Kings Of Leon, Stereophonics and The Kooks are at the top the bill, as if Edith Bowman has cherry-picked the acts herself. And to add insult to injury, it's practically a mirrored carbon copy of who played in 2008, which just smacks of insipid laziness.

Daytime radio fodder year after year threatens to create the same ongoing, annual, dead atmosphere, with a crowd full of less seasoned gig-goers who's idea of 'cutting edge' involves shopping at Ikea and listening to David Gray. Surely it's about time we challenge the middle class demographic and initiate some risk taking and diversity? (Not to be confused with the Britain's Got Talent Dance Act, who incidentally, would be in good company at V).

How exciting would it have been to see some truly pioneering and inspiring acts announced this year, like Morrissey, The Smashing Pumpkins or The Rolling Stones for example, just to take a stand against the constant bandwagon jumping that V is known for? Are quality bands turning down offers to play or something? So we're left with people like Pixie Lott and the Sugababes having to fill in the blanks? With dwindling integrity left, are V festival organisers simply widening their target audience out of necessity because regular festival punters dismiss it as being too transparent? Something is clearly wrong when you start planning your festival outfits in advance and reading about them in Heat magazine.

The absence of effort being made this year comes as a real disappointment. Safe and dull is no way to celebrate the summer, and it's surprising that corporate gigs in fields like this are allowed to be called festivals. Pedestrian Rock N Roll by numbers for the masses is not how it should pan out. Add to the mix the fact that Cheryl Cole will headline a stage, and it becomes truly staggering. Since when did she qualify as a deserving festival act, which by all intents and purposes is supposed to represent the cream of the industry? Lip syncing and backing tracks just aren't acceptable on any level and becomes, not so much tongue-in-cheek, but more plain absurd. It's one step away from having Take That as the mid-afternoon slot. Surely with their budget and contacts they could have secured a stronger female artist like PJ Harvey, Courtney Love or Patti Smith? But clearly this wouldn't have the pulling power required for commercial, middle of the road ticket-holders.

It will sell out, but for me, after this year, V has well and truly hammered the final nail into its own coffin. I wouldn't be surprised if Simon Cowell turned up to sing along to ‘Sex On Fire’ just to justify his 'indie' credentials! Don't be alarmed if by this time next year we've got our own British teen manufactured version on our hands that can headline V for the foreseeable future.

So if you fancy being herded like sheep and fobbed off with a faux 'rock' experience go along for the most predictable ride of your life! Shame on you Branson!

No argues Daniel Fahey

So Kings Of Leon and Kasabian have been given headline duties for V Festival 2010. Predictable? Pah! Nowhere near. Both have come to fruition in recent years: the Family Followill decided to turn to stadium rock while Kasabian went catchy and soulful. Headline slots were bound to ensue.

Predictability doesn’t even come into it. Three years (the last time Kasabian played V) is a long ol’ time in the festival world. Tom Meighan and Co were still in the no mans’ land with ‘Empire’ while the Kings (who last played in 2008) were taking their baby steps towards stardom. Now is the perfect time to see them both at the top of the tree - they’re both at the top of their game.

Then away from the headliners, organisers have managed to secure three of the four biggest live dance acts in the country: Faithless, Groove Armada and The Prodigy. Most promoters would give their left arm to get even one of them these days! V fans are being spoiled!

It’s easy to tar the dirty predictability brush over the gleaming face of V Festival because of its commercial persuasions. But people forget that it is one of the only events to give the world’s biggest pop acts a chance to shine in an otherwise guys-with-guitars dominated scene.

Girls Aloud cut their festival teeth here and now Cheryl Cole is going to go debut her solo stuff – an exclusive booking by all standards. Ellie Goulding will be taking tips from last year’s big pop acts Florence And The Machine and La Roux, none of whom have played before, while Madness will be taking the old-boy-ska-act chalice from The Specials who played in 2009 – another V Festival first.

The thing with V Festival is that it gives the fans what they want: the music they listen to on the radio, mostly the bands played by festival sponsors Absolute Radio. They want to see Paul Weller, they love Stereophonics, Paolo Nutini is seen as some sort of god and Skunk Anansie, well, they are one live reunion worth waiting for.

Naysayers, go ahead, call it predictable but this is where modern music is at the moment and V Festival represents that the best way it can. Bravo!

Who do you agree with? Is V Festival becoming predictable? Or is it giving the people what it wants? Will you be going this year?

Comment below.

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So, it has been a hectic few weeks in the South West Four office. We’ve extended to two-days, revealed that Armin van Buuren and Fatboy Slim are set to headline our first weekender and to top it all off you lot have snapped up all the early bird tickets! So as a thank you we caught up with Mr Slim himself, Norman Cook, to chat about his upcoming appearance at South West Four and to ask him for his festival survival tips – we’re going to be partying for two full days now people!

Watch the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Unb1FyDoY1Q

We’re now working on booking the other acts for the festival - believe me, it’s going to be worth waiting for - and sorting out deals to make the weekend as memorable as possible, including our infamous after show parties! So for those who’ve missed out on the early bird tickets, we’ve put general release straight on sale now and they’re getting snapped up like hot cakes.

So head over here to buy yours now, standard price is £40 (plus booking fee) for individual day ticket whilst weekender tickets remain at £72.50 (plus booking fee).

Cheers!

Jeff
Lock N Load Events
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T in the Park has never failed to deliver stellar headliners. This year is the same. It is the depth in this year's line-up which is what sets the bill apart from previous years. Jay Z, The Prodigy and the Black Eyed Peas could be argued to be the finest trio of headliners that T has ever boasted, but the crazy thing is that these three acts are supporting acts.

Muse, Kasabian and Eminem are the confirmed headliners, the ones that tick all the boxes. The rest of this year's line up reads as a who's who of festival big hitters. Faithless, Dizzee Rascal, Paulo Nutini, Florence and the Machine and Calvin Harris all suggest a big party is in the offing. Past line-ups have been too indie rock orientated and a succession of these bands can grate. The blend with this year seems right with something for everyone.

Jay-Z as a support act is a brave choice. With the two most successful rappers of the past decade teeing off from the programme, T is a tantalising prospect. Somehow The Prodigy seem to now revel in the tag of support after R.E.M. took top-billing from them at T In The Park a few years ago and Arctic Monkeys did the same at last year’s Reading and Leeds Festivals. None the less I expect that they’ll aim to blitz the crowd and the poor headliner who has follow their set. Black Eyed Peas' party pop is a curveball but may be inspired – it shows the organisers’ intentions to put a little bit of fun back in the bill this year.

Eminem is the headliner promising the great festival comeback of 2010. The return of a live and dangerous Eminem to British shores for the first time since 2003 is a major coup for the organisers. What did Blur, The Verve and Rage Against The Machine all have to prove on their returns? Nothing, People were simply pleased to see those bands back and performing live. Eminem's return carries real meaning. Slim Shady carries huge expectation and he returns to reassert himself as the premier rapper of his generation.

Eminem has faced personal strife in the recent years that has seen Jay-Z storm Glastonbury. You can expect a show with no shortage of bravado and controversy. What show stopping stunt will he pull? Eminem has never failed to whip up a crowd and a Scottish crowd hardly need the invitation. Jigga Man or Slim Shady? In the words of Harry Hill: FIGHT!

Oasis' departure last year has left a vacancy in the lad rock headliner slot. Kasabian are not pretenders to the throne, they are the heirs to it. This headliner slot should be a procession to the new title. 'West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum' was a revelation with some newly found soul and funk. The stadiums have always awaited them but now they are ready. It should be a coronation to remember.

Muse on the opening night are a no brainer. The Devon trio are still spectacular live as their homecoming gigs in Teignmouth proved last year. They were raw at those shows but they will be fine tuned for 9 July after some major appearances, not least at Glastonbury. They are the band that you can count on. You won't witness a Caleb Followill strop here as Muse are all thrills and spills when they play.

T in the Park is always a wonderful celebration of music but this year's first line-up announcement is flawless. The headliners all have their personal motivations to put on massive shows, while the rest of the line-up is water tight. Not to say that it’s boring! It is also a bill that delivers two of the greatest living hip hop artists around. And Will.I.Am. T in the Park 2010 is going to be a whole load of fun!




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Stamped hands, cold evenings and the chance to do some bird, porridge and time. What exactly went on at the Reading Festival focus group?

Reading (excuse the pun) the focus group highlights may fill many of you with positive vibes. Less indie? Wicked! Possibility of a Glastonbury style ticketing system. Sweet! An ale tent? I’m sure my grandfather will be well chuffed!

However, you need to take a step back in these situations and see what the true outcome was. Now, don’t get me wrong, things do look good for Reading 2010 but let’s not start selling tickets on eBay to create enough profit to buy our own tickets just yet.

So the date tickets will go on sale will be decided by the end of this week. Good stuff. They’re cutting it fine but okay, some good news there. We hear they’ll try not to raise the ticket price this year. Whilst people will like this, they do state that they will just “try”. I can try to become Jessica Biel’s hump buddy but I can’t see it happening myself.

Apparently there have been talks with See Tickets about making the process easier, to prevent the website crashing. Now, if I am not mistaken, the current process is hardly comparable to an Oxbridge entrance exam is it? If I’m not mistaken it goes something like this:

1. Go to site
2. Search for ticket OR click on link that has the item you want
3. Narrow down exactly what you want and how many you want
4. Purchase

I’m unsure how this can be easier but if they do make it easier then there will be more the same amount of load, actually an increase in load (the site is increasing by 3,500 people this year) over fewer steps, thus making the situation worse. Tickets will also be sent out earlier this year. Good news for a minority.

Ah, the line up won’t be announced before tickets go on sale because “this way it is the fans of the festival itself that buy tickets first rather than the fans of certain bands” which is not only bizarre but… well, bizarre yet again. People should attend a festival based on what bands are playing therefore the fans of the bands make for a better festival. Look at last year, Jamie T had a packed out tent whereas Faith No More didn’t even half fill it. I’m a fan of Reading Festival because of the bands that play played, not because of the name. Is it me or can a blind man on a galloping horse see that the only reason that this is done is to create a panic/rush?

The RATM/Glastonbury scheme is a possibility for next year. A possibility? It’s a god damn necessity! Bitter tent as well as lager; hold the front page, this is massive industry news (sarcasm may have been lost here). It appears that the over 18 and over wristband will still be around but if you look under 18, you will still be asked for ID. Lockers moving closer to the arena is a good thing but how much closer and where? Get them to a decent distance and it’ll start causing bottlenecks. This needs to be thought out.

Capacity increasing by 3,500 people. Where they going to go? They going to building a floating campsite or are people going to be allowed to camp in the arena?

No campfires after 8pm on Sunday is a good thing, I just hope that they get the message out as much as possible.
No alcohol to be bought in after 5pm (which coincides with the closing time at Tesco). So they will stop people bringing in booze when shops close? This will just mean people will bring everything earlier on. Apparently there will be a limit on how much someone can bring in. One crate a day is being put forward. I drink more for breakfast, how they going to manage it?

Anyone leaving site after 6pm on Sunday will need hand stamped and to get back in, will need this and their wristband to get back in. This should be a success unless the stamp is easily forged.

Police will be more vigilant; surely that’s the core of their job anyway? I’m getting an awful sense of déjà vu about this point.

No separate entrance/exit for day ticket holders as it won’t be worth it? Rather than me come up with a witty retort, it’ll suffice to say that it would be worth it.

Reading Festival will never be a indie Festival and it will be going back to its old way. I think the term that applies here is “I’ll believe it when I see it”. The chat about a three day lock-up is exciting though but again, it’s only being considered.

Gas canister ban still in force, not that it did much good last year, especially with stores selling them. Let’s hope 2010 gets a better outcome.

More information tents, one in the arena in fact. LED screens placed around site to give information on bands. The tent is a good idea, but is it me or does the idea of LED screens in a campsite sound like a disaster waiting to happen? Will be interesting to see this one (excuse the pun).

Other things were increase in toilets, Radio 1 tent will remain in same position, queuing system for toilets will be better, HMV tickets will be discussed, wheelbarrows to help people move stuff, more early entry tickets will go on sale, ability to decant from glass bottles into plastic ones and a change back to the old style comedy tent.

Lastly, the hot topic that caused the most chat was the forum loyalty scheme. As with most of the above though, it’s just a suggestion and nothing specific was talked about.

Which brings me back to my first point. As good as it seems on the outside, stepping into it makes you realise there are a lot of ifs, buts and maybes. I’m left with more questions than before and as for the stuff that could happen, if it does, then the festival will surely be heading to what I once remembered it used to be. However if it doesn’t then the festival will probably be taking quite a step backwards considering the leaps Download and Sonisphere have made.
Reading Festival 2010 is arguably the most important year for us and Festival Republic. My brain says not to expect much but my heart, for whatever reason, knows it will deliver.

Next article should be released when all the above stuff will no longer matter. We’ll know the line up, prices and more importantly, whether I’ll be sporting a moustache or beard for this year’s event.

Janusz Jasinski
http://www.strictlyreading.co.uk
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And the South West Four Weekender headliners…

Saturday 28th - Armin Van Buuren – The World’s No.1 DJ!

Armin van Buuren has chosen South West Four as his only London performance of 2010. For the very first time the world’s undisputed No.1 DJ will close the Saturday event following in the legendary footsteps of Paul van Dyk, Carl Cox, Sasha and John Digweed from previous years.

Read exclusive interview here: www.southwestfour.com/interviews.html

Sunday 29th – Fatboy Slim – Only London Appearance Of 2010!

With SW4 extending across two unforgettable days in 2010, we needed an act that had been there, seen it and done it all to headline the Sunday night. To use one of dance music’s most loved cliché’s we needed an act who truly needs no introduction. And for us there was only one contender. That man is Fatboy Slim.

Read exclusive interview here: www.southwestfour.com/interviews.html

**TICKETS ON SALE NOW**

Weekend Early Bird tickets are on sale on Tuesday 23rd February at 9am priced just £72.50 + booking fee with Saturday and Sunday Early Bird tickets only £37.50 + booking fee. Do not miss it!!

Click here to buy tickets.

More info: www.southwestfour.com




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We’re proud to announce the launch of this summers South West Four Weekender that is set to take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend – Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th August 2010 on the lovely green, green grass of Clapham Common!

Following the sell-out success of previous years, this year we double up to a two-day love-in of epic proportions. Featuring the world’s biggest and best DJs and electronic artists over two days, this summers South West Four Weekender will be our biggest and best yet.

Full info: www.southwestfour.com

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Well, well, well! Dave’s running round like a mad man again but I couldn’t let you lovely Virtual folk go unnoticed so to keep you all in the loop… I’ve been busy ensuring that all you lovely folk have some exciting added extras on the festival….between you and me this week I have already met radio stations, magazines, newspapers, the city council and promoters and artists who are all getting in on the act, promising to make this year’s festival the best yet….but down to the nitty gritty, the first batch of acts for our lovely festival can be found at www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk/gigs with more to follow next week…..but some of the key gigs and some special exclusive Virtual Festivals/Sound City facts are below for you to feast your eyes and ears on…

Chilly Gonzales
www.myspace.com/gonzpiration
Thursday 20th May Alma de Cuba
***EXCLUSIVE PIANO AND TALK SHOW!***This man once broke a world record for the longest solo-artist performance with a total time of 27 hours, 3 minutes and 44 seconds!!

Reverend Soundsystem
www.myspace.com/reverendmusic
Friday 21st May Korova
***New live project from Reverend & The Makers***featuring Jagz Kooner!!!

The Maccabees
www.myspace.com/themaccabees
Saturday 22nd May O2 Academy Matinee & Evening Shows
***Special Matinee Show for under 18’s also***

Ian McNabb
www.myspace.com/ianmcnabbtheicicleworks
Saturday 22nd May Stanley Theatre
***Special One Off Show, with more of an electronic focus***Ian McNabb curates J

Now that’s your lot for this week, festival wristbands to see ALL shows are available here…www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk/tickets

Take them facts to the pub quiz on Monday night and thank me next week,

Carly Jayne Crowder
Head of Marketing and Communications
Liverpool Sound City

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The masterminds behind Download Festival’s bills have landed some cracking triple whammies in their time (Tool, Metallica and Guns ‘n Roses in 2006) and unforgivably served up some cringeworthy lows (Kiss, The Offspring and Lost Prophets in 2008). But there can be no argument about the top drawer trio of AC/DC, Rage Against The Machine and Aerosmith this year.

The Aussie music institution are the rock coup, not just for alternative-minded events, but for any major festival on this island. Iron Maiden, Metallica, even Black Sabbath with wee Ozzy shuffling around can’t compete with the seismic pull of AC/DC, and, as if to prove a point, they crammed stadiums from London to Glasgow on consecutive nights last summer without a sniff of a spare brief up for grabs.

Okay, with the slack internet leak that they were playing weeks before it was confirmed, the showpiece announcement was met with shocking indifference, but that won’t matter a jot to the ticket-buyers come June - many of them making the trip to Donington for the first time under the shiny banner of Download.

Rage Against The Machine is another no-brainer. Every booking agent worth their budget was desperately trying to nab the reformed rap-metal quartet in 2008. Rumour had it that Download were winning that signature race before the Leeds and Reading combo proved too enticing for the easily irritated Yanks.
 
With a shock Christmas No. 1 under their belts and the glare of publicity surrounding the resulting free gig they'll play in London, RATM will ride a wave of hype and drama all the way to Donington, where they'll rip the field in half with another devastatingly hostile performance.

American movie-soundtrack giants Aerosmith are the weakest link this year, but following the successful punt on Def Leppard to close Sunday's 'classic rock' day last summer, it's one well worth taking.

They might seem as relevant to your typical Download-goer as a MiniDisc album sale, but faced with the prospect of another Metallica, Iron Maiden or Slipknot show, even the most grudging, narrow-minded DevilDriver fan would have to admit it's refreshing to see some 'new' faces on the stage.

And that's the fundamental selling-point of this year's top trio: it's all as refreshing as a few old-timers and a group of middle-aged anarchists can possibly be.

AC/DC don't bounce between rival events year-on-year; RATM are far from notching a Biffy Clyro style home-run of the nation's biggest stages; and most folk thought Aerosmith perished with Bruce Willis at the end of Armageddon.

With Sonisphere desperate to land a knock-out blow with Rammstein and Iron Maiden, High Voltage springing up from nowhere with ZZ Top and ELP, and even smaller fish like Bloodstock Open Air upping their game significantly with the capture of Heaven & Hell, Download have netted a hat-trick, which still sees them lead the way in 2010.

By Gavin McInally.

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The days just seem to run away with themselves.  In the blink of an eye it is mid February.  Currently we are planning our next international sojourn that takes us to cowboy country, to SxSW, deep in the heart of Texas.  This is our 5th year out there promoting parties.  Under the banner of Liverpool Sound City we present the best of emerging talent from the Northwest.  Over the past few years we have worked with artists such as The Whip, The Wombats, The Coral, Eugene McGuinness, John Smith, The Rascals, Wave Machines and loads more.  We like to think we have done our bit to pave their career paths with gold and help them on their way along the rickety path of rock and roll.

This year we are presenting some great new acts such as Everything Everything, Ten Bears, The Suzukis and welcoming back Wave Machines on the back of their critically acclaimed album.  If you are in Austin and fancy joining us for a Shiner Bock we are at Latitude 30 on Saturday 20th May.  

Alongside this we are of course now in the full throes of planning for Liverpool Sound City.
 
This is our third year and we are amazed just how much anticipation there is from bands and people from all over the world who want to be part of our beautifully formed boutique festival.  This year we have already had applications from bands from over 20 different countries that want to come to the coolest city in the world to show what they can do.  It seems the Sound City word is spreading.  We try to treat all the bands that play Sound City with great respect.  We spend a fortune on our production to make sure we get it right.  On top of that, the atmosphere and the welcome artists get in Liverpool is second to no other event or festival in the world.  As the old saying goes, ‘people make a place’ and never is that more true than in Liverpool.

Over the last few weeks we gave exclusive announcements through VF about our first draft of signees.  We are very pleased to be bringing Paloma Faith to the city and putting her in the grand splendor of The Royal Philharmonic Hall.  And Mercury Music prize loving Speech Debelle in our parent venue, the renowned 02 Academy.  

I am also over the moon regarding the Sound City conference and the arrival of the legendary Seymour Stein to Liverpool shores.  The man is a walking legend. His ears alone are worth millions.  This is the man who created my meaning for being as a kid by introducing me to the likes of The Ramones, Talking Heads, Blondie and single handedly re-launched the career of Lou Reed and made him sound like the Velvets again! No mean feat...

Over the coming weeks I am going to bring you updates about more amazing bands, artists and speakers than you could shake a stick at.  Stick with me.  It is going to be a good ride from here til May.  By the time the dust settles Liverpool Sound City will be ready to present over 450 bands in over 30 venues with a world class international music, technology and media conference thrown in to boot.

Tara for now
David J Pichilingi
www.dubaisoundcity.com
www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk

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So Dave’s in the big smoke schmoozing and has foolishly handed me control of this fine news purveyor again…

And what a week of news we have. He’s missed a good one.

Firstly I can reveal that the effervescent Hackney born, half-Spanish lovely that is Paloma Faith will be giving Liverpool Sound City 2010 the kick-start it deserves.

The former magicians assistant and burlesque dancer once joked about slumming it at festivals, “Anywhere you can’t wear stilettos just isn’t worth going”, so we’ve taken that quote and run with it, providing her with a show in one of Europe’s finest art deco buildings and the home to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, ‘Liverpool Philharmonic Hall’.



The following evening local favourites, and Sound City friends Wave Machines are promising pop rhythms and selling us soaring synths in Liverpool’s favourite underground hotspot the Kazimier.  NME’s last years ‘ones to watch’, we’re watching and we’re taking notes.



Friday night will then see ‘MercuryAwardWinningSpeechDebelle’ (as she is now collectively known) ride in to the city on a wave of critical acclaim to headline our partner venue O2Academy2. According to Debelle the Liverpool accent is her favourite accent in the world and she can’t wait to come and hear us speak….well come ed’ girl, calm down and get yourself to our proper sound city, it’ll be boss - I’m preparing a ‘Speech’ as we speak!



On the opposite end of town, Friday 21st May will see Korova host crafty electronica act Gold Panda (sounds rare!), with Bristol based guests Hook and The Twin and dance act Grosvenor.

But now the news that has had the office standing to attention, combing our bearskins, and shining our buttons is the announcement that musical royalty Seymour Stein will be delivering one of our keynote talks this year.



For the ignorant reader Seymour Stein is the cofounder and chairman of Sire Records, the label that put Punk and New Wave on the map. Famous for signing artists such as Madonna, The Ramones, Blondie, Talking Heads and Liverpool’s own Echo and the Bunnymen he is one of the last old-school “record men” still working in the music business, Stein succeeded by anticipating the next musical wave and signing its brightest lights.

For the fast fingered amongst you individual gig tickets will be available from 9am Friday 5th February from www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk

And for the lucky few early bird wristbands and delegate passes will be available until Friday 5th February.

Carly Jayne Crowder
Head of Marketing and Communications
Liverpool Sound City
www.dubaisoundcity.com
www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk

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Yes argues Lorraine Bow

Yes, yes, yes! Stevie Wonder is a legend in his own lifetime! That word is used so frequently these days, but is never qualified. Stevie Wonder was signed to Motown Records at the tender age of 11. He has been in the business his whole life, and has always collaborated with the best musicians and singers throughout his career. He has produced 19 US and UK albums, and 58 singles which have entered the charts. He is one of the most sampled singers/artists in the world today, so even if you don’t think you know many of his songs, you will definitely know his music.

I’d advise anyone who wasn’t sure about Stevie to listen to ‘Songs in the Key of Life’ and ‘Talking Book’, which are, in my opinion his best albums. There are songs on there which have been sampled many many times, instantly recognisable, great music. My personal favourite song is ‘Superstition’. I hope that this is his grand finale at Glastonbury. These albums have influenced generations of musicians and people, powerful leaders (Barack Obama) and also an army of fans who are everyday people (including me).

His shows are big productions, laced with musicians and surprise special guests.  Having seen a show from the front section at the O2 last year, I know it’s well worth making the effort to get down to see him if you have a Glastonbury ticket.  Expect the wow factor that comes from years of being a legendary musician, who has experienced success in the music industry. I’m not sure what he’ll do to translate that indoor show to an outdoor extravaganza, but if anyone saw Paul McCartney, or Bruce Springsteen, you’ll know that legends are so called for a very good reason! I, for one, will be at the front, centre stage to see this legend, as I know he’ll sign, seal and deliver an amazing show!

No says Rhian Daly

So Stevie Wonder is almost certainly going to be headlining this year’s Glastonbury but have the Eavises made the right choice? Frankly, no. In all the line-up speculation for the festival’s 40th anniversary we’ve been promised something really special. No doubt the Motown-signed singer making his UK festival debut will be just that, but as headliner?

Consider this: not having released a halfway decent single since the late seventies, Wonder’s allotted time slot will probably mostly consist of sentimental tripe from his “commercial period”. Particularly as he has been said to be closing the festival on the Sunday night, who really wants to stand on tired legs for two hours listening to ‘I Just Called To Say I Love You’ or Skeletons’?! No good party ever ends quietly so Glastonbury’s 40th bash should finish with a bang, something Bowie or the Rolling Stones would definitely have provided.

Even if he does stick to the classics, Stevie’s never played a UK festival before. Why’s that important? Well, there’s no opportunity for him to soundcheck properly before taking to the stage. When you’re headlining a festival as big as this, you want to make an impression - to  put on the best show you possibly can. Insufficient opportunity for Stevie and his crew to set up could lead to a set marred by technical difficulties rather than a defining moment in the festival’s history.

Do Glastonbury goers really want to see Stevie Wonder anyway? He hasn’t been relevant to the larger music world in god knows how many years (although the same could be argued of U2) and his booking smacks slightly of Michael Eavis realising his headliners were all pompous rock bands and deciding to inject a bit of eclecticism into the line-up. There’s plenty of variety available across the rest of the weekend so why sacrifice what could have been a phenomenal close to the event for something that will be good at best, just to make a point? The age old argument that rears its head year upon year of there being plenty of other stuff going on other than the headliners is true, but for what is a special year in the history of Glastonbury it would have been nice to have a Pyramid Stage finale worth getting excited about.

Yes, it’s a bold move and no, it’s not everyday you get the opportunity to witness someone of Wonder’s status live on stage but is Glastonbury the right setting for such a moment? I’m not so sure and I, for one, will not be watching.

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This week we have wistfully watched the snowfall outside our office as Liverpool slowly came to a grinding halt, cars did 60 mph on the spot and buses slipped down ice rink roads.  But while everybody else sledged to glory and built snow families, we built our brand new website…hopefully more user friendly than our last whilst maintaining our spirit and passion for creativity and design.
 
Check it out and let us know what you think on Facebook and Twitter.
 
www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk
www.facebook.com/liverpoolsoundcity
www.twiter.com/soundcity
 
We’ve also been hard at work developing a new element to our conference; ‘Create @ Sound City’
Still in its early phase but as part of its ongoing commitment to grass roots education and the DIY spirit of music, this will be a series of educational panels, workshops, seminars and interactive sessions aimed at both new and established artists and young people.  

More details coming soon…

Our A&R team are also back on the case watching and listening to bands and artists from up and down the country who would like to play at the festival….

To apply to play visit www.sonicbids.com

Or exclusively for a limited time only members of Sentric Music.com can apply to play for free, by signing up on www.sentricmusic.com

Applications will be sifted by our panels of bookers, shortlisted and you will be notified through these networks if successful.

Please note we no longer accept applications through our MySpace page so if you want to be heard or know someone who should play send them to Sonic Bids!

If you want to be involved in the music, conference or other special events there is still time to get your hands on a limited Early Bird Discounted passes.

Visit www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk for ticket details.

Please note-you will NOT be able to pay on the door for any gigs at Liverpool Sound City this year so get your wristbands fast!

A snowy & Cold,

DP
www.dubaisoundcity.com
www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk

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Right, let’s be very clear from the outset. It’s nothing like being on the frontline in Afghanistan or going on a night out in Cardiff but the trouble at Reading and Leeds causes lots of problems for festival-goers and nearby residents alike.

This is the usual cycle of events:
1. Festival occurs
2. Trouble occurs
3. Lots of people get angry about it
4. The media pick up on it and write about it
5. Festival Republic say there is no problem but will try harder next year anyway
6. Go back to step one

This is what it feels like. The trouble never gets sorted. They are fire fighting constantly (please excuse the pun), people are not looking at the core issues. They aren’t resolving the problem whatsoever.

I won’t go into all the issues that Reading and Leeds face purely because I am too lazy but also because there is a thing called Google that will help you. However what Google won’t show is what should be done.

So what’s the difference/problem?

Right, let’s start off by looking at some of the other festivals in the UK. Download, Sonisphere, Glastonbury, V Festival, T in the Park. Granted, some may have had issues but not every year and definitely not to the scale that Reading and Leeds have become accustomed to.

I genuinely think the music has the largest part to play. Sure, we can get excited over Rage Against The Machine, Queens Of The Stone Age, Faith No More, Metallica but a few drops of genius in an ocean of talentless fashion-led posers isn’t enough to deter fashion victims that believe NME is their bible. People don’t go to Reading Festival for the music anymore, they go to keep up appearances. I stood amongst a lot of people when Them Crooked Vultures played and to hear so many ask “Who’s the old bloke playing bass” or “Who’s that ginger dude on guitar” sickened me to the core, and I don’t even get sick watching Dancing on Ice. If people don’t go for the music and establish legends of rock music then how can they appreciate the festival? People who go to Download or Sonisphere know the bands, know the music and are more tolerant.

Anyone going to the festival for a few years now can only see the ages getting younger and younger, even a blind man on a galloping horse could see that. Am I blaming youth? No, not entirely. A weekend away from the control of their parents to celebrate 347 A grades at GCSE and a  chance to show your mates you can drink a can of cider and not throw up, all add up eventually to a big mess. Add mass amounts of alcohol and God knows what else into the mix, does not make for a pleasant experience. Kids and alcohol don’t mix well and Reading/Leeds is a great example of that.

So kids are to blame right? Nope, although I strongly feel they are a factor. People in their 20’s, 30’s and 40’s also screw around but back in the day, they didn’t (at least not to such a noticeable length). Why is this? Lord knows. Maybe Reading has now got a reputation that’s hard to shed so people feel it’s needed in some sort of demented reasoning that would even baffle Jeremy Kyle.

Income is more disposable nowadays, especially if mummy and daddy pay for your tent. So why should you bother bringing it back when it’s just going to be heavy? It’ll be easier to burn it right and look cool in front of your mates right? Do us a favour, when you burn the tent, stay in it, and as for this so called “Angry Mob”, don’t make me laugh. You’re hardly angry and nowhere near a mob. A more accurate tag would be “Several prepubescent  twats hoping their voice will break in time to get off with some lady by walking around trying to look mean” but I guess Facebook doesn’t allow such long group names nowadays.

Do you know how easy it is to enter Reading without producing a ticket or actually wanting to listen to music? Let me tell you, it’s insanely easy. Some people leaving on the Sunday sell their wristbands to the local scallywags for a five who in turn come to the festival and make profit within hours. Who’s to say these idiots don’t cause much of the trouble on Sunday?

So what to do?

Here’s an idea, how about enforcing some proper penalties? Guess what, this is there the Glastonbury-style ticketing system comes in. As each person is associated with their wristband, you simply get their wristband and ban them from any future events. Heck, ban everyone else that bought tickets with them. You’d be more likely to look after mates.

Be more strict on underage drinking. Listen, I’m no scrooge and whilst I will not suggest every child can drink alcohol at Reading, I sure as hell don’t want them out of their heads. If this means a zero tolerance on underage drinking then so be it. Reading Festival is not outside the law and never will be. Why even bother trying to tackle people smoking cannabis, what’s the worst they could do? Sleep? Steal some crisps? Sleep some more?

So what are you saying?

There’s no one problem to tackle at Reading and Leeds. Underage drinking, mediocre security, no real penalties, young demographic and awful shift in music are the main ones. These will not be sorted quickly.

So why not just implement a Glastonbury-style ticketing system and at least we can see the type of people being ejected so we can figure out what to do.


Janusz Jasinski
http://www.strictlyreading.co.uk

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It seems so bizarre to be writing my first blog for Liverpool Sound City a few days away from Christmas with snow on the ground and Bing Crosby singing Little Drummer Boy over my shoulder.  Summer and Sound City seems so far away.  However when you look at it in day terms it is only 147 days to go.  What with SxSW and other stuff in the way it is not long at all...... Blimey we better get cracking!

Actually the wheels are already in full motion.  We are already lining up some of our key bands and artists and over the coming weeks and months it will be my pleasure to reveal them here first.  Liverpool Sound City has always prided itself on unearthing the best talent before any other festival get their dirty mitts on them. 

Over the past 2 years we have been the first to present such luminaries as Santigold (when she was still Santagold), Glasvegas, Iglu and Hartley, Ladyhawke, Crystal Castles, Florence and the Machine  (when she was still wearing thick wooly socks) The Whip and White Lies alongside relative veterans such as The Zutons, The Wombats, Hadouken!, Enter Shikari, You Me At Six...the list goes on.  All in all over 450 bands in over 30 amazing venues which include car parks to Grade 1 listed buildings.

On top of this we also host a world class international music business conference.  Once again this features debates, discussions, networking events, meet and greets with the very best people from all levels and areas of the music business.  This is aimed at those people who have made a career out of music to the new young guns who are on the first rung of the ladder and turn to Sound City to make their first contacts and learn more about how not to do things.  Once again we look for innovative ways of turning the traditional conference on its head and offer new ways for people to get their message across and engage with each other.  Las year we did an event called The Trial which involved real courts, real judges, real barristers and real people from the music business on trial in front of a real jury made up of music fanatics.

This year we promise to be even bigger and better. Liverpool Sound City happens May 19th to the 22nd 2010. There are exclusive ticket offers on now that end very soon.  Get them and treat the one you love to the best Christmas present they will get this year!
www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk

Anyway that is probably just about enough for now.  Stay tuned and have a great Christmas.

David J. Pichilingi
www.dubaisoundcity.com
www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk
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Our new research shows that music festivals have kept up their environmental efforts, despite slower tickets sales at some events and the economic recession. The research, compiled by Rob Faull at Buckinghamshire New University, he with the Sonic the Hedgehog hair, analysed the environmental assessments made at 37 festivals in 2009 and 32 festivals in 2008 collected as part of the ‘Greener Festival’ awards scheme.

The research shows that an additional 7% of festivals now have environmental policies meaning that 97% of festivals implement green good practice. The research also showed that 94% of festivals now promote lift sharing and 97% promote public transport in a move to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  In addition 7% more festivals (71% in total) now used at least some sustainable power (usually wind, solar or sustainable bio-fuels). But there was mixed news on recycling, and whilst 94% of festivals have plans to place to prioritise recycling, there was a marked drop (24%) in recycling plastics and glass, one reason being the drop on the global demand for recycled metal and plastic caused by the recession which meant some festivals struggled to offload waste metal and plastic.
 
There was also a big jump in the number of festivals who now promote environmental awareness on site or on their websites, jumping 17% to 94% in total. Overall we are delighted with our Awards scheme in 2009: we had 5 more festivals applying (37, up from 32 in 2008) and we judged 13 festivals to be ‘outstanding (up from 6 in 2008). We were really encouraged by the number of festivals who are engaging with music fans and promoting sustainable lifestyles and implementing environmental good practice.

The biggest area of concern remains audience travel and we are delighted that almost all of the participating festivals now promote lift share and public transport as a matter of course, with many working with new partners to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from audience travel. The other good news is that we are extending the Awards. The scheme currently covers The UK, Europe, Australia and the USA and we now plan to roll out the Awards scheme into India and South East Asia. So when you are looking for the best festivals, remember that those with the Greener Festival Award (or if they have the Green n Clean Award in Europe) will be fun, friendly, well organised and actively concerned with protecting the environment and reducing greenhouse gas emissions as well as having great music!
 
Blimey, it’s nearly Christmas - where has the year gone?! Hopefully everyone had a fantastic summer, and here's to an even better 2010. We might squeeze in one more blog before Christmas but if we don't - have a good one!

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The one announcement I wasn’t expecting to hear when I came into work this morning was The Strokes confirmed to headline Rock Ness.

Muse for Glastonbury? Sure. Guns N’ Roses at Download? Quite possibly. But the New York garage rockers on the shores of Loch Ness? Definitely not. The festival is slowly creeping up as the gem of the Scottish Highlands and T In The Park isn’t the only big-pulling event north of the border anymore. So what’s changed?

The introduction of Rock Ness is, of course, the big factor but it never looked as if it was started up as a direct competitor to T In The Park. Instead it seemed like it was aimed at the aging rave generation with Fatboy Slim appearing at the first party in 2006 alongside local boy Mylo and Balearic bookshelf Carl Cox. Since then it has expanded and grown quietly, evolving into a boutique bash that draws some of the biggest dance names in history: The Prodigy, Daft Punk, The Chemical Brothers…

But as well as the dance behemoths, it has slowly built the calibre of the live acts too with Razorlight, Manic Street Preachers and The Charlatans all performing in its short history. The Strokes, however, were never the next obvious choice to continue the pattern – they were always seen as a Reading and Leeds-type of band.

The last UK Festival that Julian Casablancas and Co played was T In The Park in 2006 when the band was on their third album. Since then they’ve been on a hiatus, working on solo projects and alternative bands. But every year they’re away, the group are always rumoured to return to Balado – so Rock Ness comes as a complete surprise and a genuinely great shock too.

So, This Is It! The Strokes are set to play Rock Ness. But what do you think? Rock Ness ticket-holders, are you happy with the booking? Strokes fans did you want to see them at Reading? Will this make you buy a ticket?

Comment below with your opinions or make them known in the forums.

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We had a fab time at this year’s UK Festival Awards and we are very proud that so many of our award winners could get along to pick up their much deserved Greener Festival Awards. In fact we were so proud we even organised a photo shoot at the drinks reception organised by our Awards sponsor Robertson Taylor. Claire from AGF and Sangita from RT handed out the gongs to winners from Bestival, Camp Bestival, The Cambridge Folk Festival, the Croissant Neuf Summer Party, Download, Hard Rock Calling, Isle of Wight, Standon Calling and Wireless with our photographer Sarah Moore busy snapping away and Ben and Luke tying to round up all of our winners in a very large and busy room and hand out our lovely trophies, designed by Sade Goddard from Keswick School and made from recycled plastic bottles, crushed CDs and remoulded Wellington boots! We never found the teams from T-in-the-Park or Sonisphere but well done to them too!



The Croissant Neuf Summer Party green team picked up their outstanding award from Ben and Sangita - and then went on to win the overall Greener Festival Award 2009. It has to be said that it was a tough battle for the ultimate ‘Greener Festival’ Award for 2009. We assessed 37 festivals this year and there were some really excellent entries – with six outstanding awards in the UK and seven outside the UK. Very close to the top in the UK were the Isle of Wight Festival, Workhouse, Bestival, Big Tent and Waveform but the ultimate gong went to the Croissant Neuf, a festival that that really goes back to the rootsy feel of days gone by yet remains modern and fresh. All of the power used on site is provided by renewable energy – either wind or solar power, driving one of the most eclectic music line-ups of the year. All caterers use fair trade and organic produce where available, locally brewed beers are prioritised and the organisers of Croissant Neuf positively encourage people to use public transport to get to and from the event – and if they can’t do that, the festival promotes car sharing to reduce fan’s carbon footprints. For good measure the festival decided to plant three trees on the estate where the event is held for ever car that comes to the festival and the organisers do as much as they can to maximise the recycling and minimise the waste produced on site to provide a low impact, friendly and fun festival.

As well as the Awards themselves, there was a very good conference at the 02 in the day and thanks to everyone for turning up. It was a great evening and special thanks to Virtual Festivals, the event organising team, and especially Chris, Steve and Dan for making all of this all happen.



This is sort of the 'end' of the UK Festival Season for our team now but we are already gearing up for 2010 - and our friends in Australia are about to launch their new festival season very soon! Alongside this of course is the ongoing fight against climate change - and perhaps one of the most important meetings of politicians there ever has been. In early December the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen (called "Cop 15") is going to try and set some legally binding targets for all the countries in the world to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. It’s all been looking a bit grim recently with a number of countries, particularly the USA, reluctant to agree to significant cuts in emissions especially in the time of a recession when economics seems more important than climate change and long term environmental disaster. But there has been some recent better news with President Obama now apparently thinking of trying to drag America to agree to some cuts in emissions (although probably not enough). We only has to look at headlines explaining that Cumbria has just suffered a "one-in-a-thousand-year deluge" or that the polar ice caps and glaciers are melting, or the forest fires in Greece and California, or the droughts in Australia, or look at the vast tracks of new desert that have developed around the globe to realise that our weather is changing and possibly changing permanently. But we CAN all do our bit to help the environment - and music, music fans, music events and musicians play a vital role in championing the fight against climate change and protecting our beautiful planet. If you are out there and care, then keep that very sensible mantra of 'reduce, reuse and recycle' at the back of your mind, get your family and friends involved, and let’s try and all work together for greener festivals, a greener society and a greener planet. Onwards and upwards, and Ciao xxx

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