Underage Festival 2011

Underage Festival 2011 took place on Friday 5th August @ Victoria Park, east London.

Underage is a festival exclusively for teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17. A one day music festival in east London’s Victoria Park where younger music fans can meet with their friends independently of adults and chill out to some of the fresh tunes from new and popular artists.

This year’s Underage Festival was a huge success. The variety of artists meant that all musical tastes were catered for.

There were no fewer than seven stages with Bombay Bicycle Club headlining the main Underage Stage; while other stages were sponsored by the likes of Last FM, Topman CTRL Live, Artrocker, Red Bull Bedroom Jam Stage, The Music Space Stage and The Roundhouse.

Artists played from 11am to 6pm and at times the promoters had a headache keeping to the schedule as some artists didn’t want to stop playing as the atmosphere was so exhilarating.

Great bands and artists such as Bombay Bicycle Club, Miles Kane, Rizzle Kicks, Crystal Fighters, Pulled Apart By Horses, Janelle Monae, BAIO, CocknBullKid, Devlin, Maverick Sabre, Roll Deep, Labrinth, Fugative, Tribes, The Midnight Beast, Yasmin, Giggs, Dog is Dead, Ms Dynamite and Loick Essien rocked the different stages amongst many other superb bands.

The first performers I started watching were Rizzle Kicks – a brilliant new duo with hopes to reach number 1 in the charts this summer.  Even though they performed early in the day the tent was filled with screaming girls (and boys) as they played their set, including a great cover version of The White Stripes ‘Seven Nation Army’, whilst they began to wrestle each other to the ground. They finished with their new single ‘Down With The Trumpets’ and literally everyone inside the park, sprinted towards the tent just to jump up and down in such excitement.

In my opinion Crystal Fighters had to be the best performance of the day. They delivered a stunning performance with everyone in the tent jumping up and down to the beat of their excellent singles including ‘Swallow’, ‘Follow’, ‘Xtatic Truth’ and ‘Solar System’.

Pulled Apart by Horses also gave a great show, and had the crowd cheering at literally everything they did, which just proves how much everyone was enjoying themselves.

Roundhouse was a smaller stage with performances from lesser known bands to those playing on the main stages. Cynikal and Mz Bratt gave great performances even though the smaller audience were pretty subdued.

Even though it is only one day, there was plenty to do besides listening to the live music.  There were different stools to visit whilst walking around including the Youth Market, Coca-Cola, Claire’s Accessories and many others, either selling cool festival or artists merchandise, giving away freebies or prizes or even art and craft style activities which entertained almost everyone there.

The headliners, Bombay Bicycle Club got everyone jumping and dancing. They were the last band to play this year’s Underage Festival, and they totally won it. Everyone was singing along and dancing like no tomorrow!

Overall, Underage is a great idea and a brilliant way for music loving teenagers to have a great time.

Underage Festival 2011 was reviewed by Jack Lane (15) & Luca Lane (13).

CSS, Tinie Tempah, The Vaccines, Biffy Clyro, The LA’s, The Wombats, Seasick Steve & French pop band Sexy Sushi are among the many other artists I am looking forward to seeing. CSS are best known for their hit single ‘Let’s Make Love & Dance To Death From Above’ (Death From Above 1979 are also on the bill) while festival favourites The Vaccines, Biffy Clyro & The Wombats will play their lively, high-octane pop songs and no doubt get the crowds going.

I recently saw Tinie Tempah put on a great show at the Wireless Festival in London and I am also looking forward to seeing old timers Big Audio Dynamite and The LA’s for a big dose of nostalgia.

Rock en Seine music festival

Rock en Seine music festival is situated in a northern suburb, 10km outside Paris and is on from Friday 26th August to Sunday 28th August.

Francophonik promoting French music gigs & festivals

If you are a fan or want to listen to more French music, Francophonik is a cool new service offering you the chance to win tickets and packages to French music gigs in the UK and festivals in France. Their latest competition is to win two tickets to Rock en Seine. All you have to do is visit the Francophonik Facebook page, become a fan, then apply for tickets by simply ticking a box.

Sponsored Post

Underage Music Festival

The fifth Underage Festival will be held on Friday 5th August at Victoria Park in London.

The line-up includes Bombay Bicycle Club, Miles Kane, Dutch Uncles, Rizzle Kicks, Wolf Gang, Baio (Vampire Weekend), The Midnight Beast, Janelle Monae, Brother and Roll Deep.

Underage Festival is aimed at young teenagers between 13 & 17 years old. Tickets on now on sale at a pocket money friendly £31.50.

Having already announced a host of breathtaking talent, some of the globes most impressive young artists have joined the bill and the Underage Festival continues to be the number one annual destination for music loving teens.  To celebrate its fifth birthday Underage  has decided to go a year younger and is now open to 13 year olds for the first time cementing its reputation as the worlds most credible event for teenagers.

Miles Kane has signed up to perform at the Bombay Bicycle Club headlined show. Co frontman of The Last Shadow Puppets, Miles releases his debut solo album ‘ Colour Of The Trap’ in May, a record which features collaborations with Alex Turner, Noel Gallagher and Gruff Rhys.  His retro indebted rock n’ roll has won him many admirers and the gritty garage rock and soft pschyadelic pop tones of his album makes for a radio friendly racket.

Scarily young upstarts, Dutch Uncles are the latest in a long line of classic Manchester bands and release their debut album, Cadenza, in May.  These cerebral pop-proggers have released a glut of cool indie singles and are a firm favourite with the nations youth.

Wolf Gang is 23 year old Max McElligt whose delightfully curious pop singles have marked him out as one to watch in 2011.  His live show has received rave reviews and he has recently supported Florence and the Machine.

New kids on the block, Rizzle Kicks mixture of pop and hip hop incorporates the fun elements of the old skool hip hop era crica 1998 – 1992 and there is a rare chance to get up close and personal with Vampire Weekend bassist Chris Baio, who will be performing one of his infamous DJ sets.

Tribes have already amassed a large cult following after a series of euphoric live show and their twisted gorgeous pop songs look set to take Lo-fi all the way to popstardom

Three piece band Encore’s unpredictable pop is steeped in sharp song writing, superlative vocals and brilliant, genre bending compositions while The Knocks are NYC’s hottest pop production unit and their effervescent bright and breezy pop is sure to be a highlight of the day.  Pegasus Bridge, fresh from plasticising in the school caretakers hut now perform for the teen masses at Underage.

“We are delighted to be in our 5th year and wanted to celebrate this by opening it up to a younger audience, after gathering feedback from past festival goers whose younger friends have been disappointed they can’t get tickets, we welcome 13 year olds for the first time at this year’s Underage Festival. It’s a great opportunity for those that love music to come and experience their first ever festival”  Tom Baker – Eat Your Own Ears

With many more acts to be announced, Underage continues to provide a platform for the most ground breaking artists to perform in front of a rapturous teen audience.

Topman CTRL @ the Underage Festival

Topman CTRL Stage @ Underage Festival

Topman CTRL is once again heading to the Underage Festival on Friday August 5th in London’s Victoria Park. What’s more, one lucky festival goer will be given the chance to take CTRL of www.topmanctrl.com in the run up to and during the event. Past Controllers have included Mystery Jets, We Are Scientists, Phoenix, The Futureheads and Radio 1’s Huw Stephens who have all put their stamp on Topman CTRL.

The winning Controller will be given exclusive access to the Topman CTRL blog to share their thoughts and experiences, as well as put together an online scrapbook of all their favourite things. To be in with a chance of winning this unique prize, head to www.topmanctrl.com.

Topman will take CTRL of their very own stage with a line up of some of the hottest new music around, featuring exclusive performances from the likes of Brother, Crystal Fighters, Wolf Gang, Johnny Flynn, Alex Winston, Yaaks, Florrie, CocknBullKid and Dog is Dead.

Jam-packed full of Underage Festival swag, www.topmanctrl.com will be holding ticket competitions and the chance to win your very own market stall at the festival. Youth Market will give you the chance to showcase your innovative ideas, creativity and diversity and here’s your chance to show what you’ve got at one of London’s best loved festivals. Keep your eyes on the site to be in it to win it! For more details on Youth Market head to www.youth-market.com.

If that’s not enough, acts from the festival line up will be hitting the decks at Topman Oxford Circus for an early festival fix. On July 16th Eastbourne’s finest Yaaks step up with a selection of their favourite tunes to spin from 1pm – 3pm, then it’s the turn of CocknBullKid on July 23rd from 4pm – 6pm.

For more information and a full-line-up visit www.underagefestivals.com.

Regarded by many as the stand-out track on their current album, their 11th studio release in their seventeen year career, “Turbulence” is a soaring ballad that reminds the listener that everyone goes through tough times, but things can get better if we can ride through life’s trials and tribulations.

“I have always been a “life is short” guy, so anytime I have the chance to convey that everything is going to be alright – without actually saying it as that’s way overdone – I take it”,  says vocalist and songwriter Jaret Reddick.

The song’s theme was inspired be a conversation Jaret Reddick had with his neighbour, an airline pilot.

“I asked him if he got scared when he was going through a storm and all the passengers were freaking out.  He said it was just like driving a car and turbulence was just like the bumps in the road.”

The metaphor stayed with him and months later, during a ballad writing session with producer Linus of Hollywood, his collaborator mentioned a similar story.

“He said he’d been thinking about how cool it is that everyone on a plane feels turbulence at the same time and it’s something they all go through together, then they all go off and live their own lives when they land.   I said I’d been wanting to write that song for years!”

The track is already receiving praise from fans and music press alike, as well as keen interest in the band from BBC Radio 1 and mainstream media.

“Turbulence is a song you can imagine being sung in great big fields…..the band make a big impact when they are taking themselves more seriously” - Kerrang

After a hugely successful acoustic tour in April, the band return to the UK in June for Download Festival.    Already veterans of the legendary rock and metal festival, Bowling For Soup have become firm favourites with the festival crowd, and proved time and time again that their perennial and ever-growing appeal reaches from teenage pop-punk fans through to hardened metal afficionados as well as mainstream music fans.

Bowling For Soup’s popularity has earned them regular appearances on the main-stage since 2003 and this year they will be one of only a handful of acts playing sets on two stages over the weekend.   In addition to their main-stage set on Sunday June 12th, Jaret and Erik will be headlining the Jagermeister Acoustic Stage on Saturday June 11th.

The bands debut Happiness entered the UK album charts at number 4 with over 25,000 sales making Hurts the UK’s fastest selling new band of 2010. They have now sold over 500,000 albums worldwide and in the UK, the album has been officially certified Gold.

Throughout Europe, Hurts also earned 14 top 10 iTunes positions including number one’s in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Finland and Luxembourg, and the album is now gold in the UK, Germany Russia, and Switzerland and Platinum in Poland.

Better Than Love was released as the bands first major single in May last year and has fast become a live favourite. Stated by Hurts as “dance music for depression”, Better Than Love is an upbeat yet dark single which will be released as a Double A Side alongside Illuminated. In stark contrast to Better Than Love, Illuminated is a slow and soft song that leads into a dramatic, emotive chorus.

Hurts – Better Than Love

Their single Wonderful Life has already had over 14 million online plays and in Europe has had great success with a number 1 airplay record in 5 countries to date including Germany, where the single has now sold over 400,000 copies and is certified Gold. Their success has also been matched in Poland where ‘Wonderful Life’ is also a Gold selling single.

Hurts ended 2010 with a bang after winning awards both in the UK and internationally. In Germany, they scooped the prestigious award for ‘Best International Newcomer’ at the Bambi’s (the German BAFTAs) and in the UK, The Sun awarded them the award for ‘Best Bizarre Session of 2010’. They also recently won the award for ‘Best New Band’ at the NME Awards and are nominated for Best International Newcomer at the Echo Awards in Germany next week.

Hurts are currently on a sell-out European tour following their sold out shows in the UK in February. They will be performing their first ever US show at Coachella next month followed by tour dates across Asia, before heading home for a busy summer of festival performances including V Festival, Isle of Wight, T in the Park, Oxegen and Dot To Dot.

The double A side single Illuminated/ Better Than Love is released by Hurts on May 2nd

Latitude Festival 2011

With four bespoke arenas dedicated to music, the Latitude Festival offers an incredible array of sonic brilliance, bands and artists hand-picked to create the perfect soundtrack to the perfect weekend.

Whether it’s the hottest new band or the once in a life-time chance to see a legend perform; if it’s rock or pop, folk or blues, electro or dance, Latitude’s music arenas have it all. With The National, Paolo Nutini and Suede headlining the Obelisk Arena; Bombay Bicycle Club, Foals and Eels headlining The Word Arena and a whole wealth of musical talent playing across the weekend, Latitude once again boasts an exciting and unique line-up.

And whilst the best bands play, Latitude’s unrivalled arts programme features the very best from the worlds of theatre, poetry, literary, comedy, cabaret, dance, art, fashion and film. All of these performances come together to create one spectacular weekend. Visually stunning, awe-inspiring and mind-expanding – Latitude Festival just gets better and better with these new additions:

Ian McCulloch and Will Sergeant have been at the core of Echo & the Bunnymen since 1978. The Liverpudlians produced consecutive classics of flowing, highly melodic searing post-punk from debut ‘Crocodiles‘ to their self titled fifth album. ‘The Cutter‘ was a top 10 single and has become a confirmed classic of the era, along with their 1987 hit ‘The Killing Moon‘.

After a split in 1993, they returned with ‘Evergreen’, and proved they’d lost none of their sublime qualities. 2009’s ‘The Fountain’ marked their eleventh studio release, and this staying power has ensured a huge and unwavering fan base. With a wealth of excellent songs to dip into, watching the Echo & the Bunnymen festival performance will be an essential moment of the weekend.

The Cribs are masters of addictive, wiry indie pop suss. In a career spanning almost 10 years the Yorkshire men – together with now full time member Johnny Marr – have produced passionate anti-hipster anthems including ‘Our Bovine Public‘, ‘Mirror Kissers‘ and ‘Hey Scenesters!‘. Last year they released the single, ‘Housewife‘ which was a great taster of the new material that’s due out later this year. You can hear these new tracks when they play Latitude in what will be a raucous, jump-out fun-filled festival set to remember!

American singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett began his career writing songs for others but by 1986 he had released his self-titled debut album, which contained three Billboard Top 20 singles. His country style has ensnared four Grammy Awards from Best Country Male Vocal in 1989 for ‘Lyle Lovett and His Large Band’ and Best Country Album for 1996’s ‘The Road To Ensenada‘.

His songs have appeared, sometimes with different vocalists, in films as varied as ‘The Crying Game‘ and ‘Toy Story‘ and even in recent US vampire drama ‘True Blood‘. These tunes have been woven into the fabric of US culture to the point where you’ve probably heard more Lyle Lovett songs than you realise. Check out his distinctive Americana at Latitude this year.

The Raghu Dixit Project is one of India’s foremost bands in its genre. Ethnic and rooted at the core, but at the same time, global in its outlook. It’s not a surprise that Raghu has been referred to as India’s biggest cultural export of recent times.

Recently nominated for Songlines’ Best Newcomer of the Year, Raghu Dixit has had an unexpectedly rich musical career. From initial fumbling with the guitar to impress girls, he ended up playing in indie and rock bands – notably Antaragni – in Bangalore before writing radio jingles for money.

He was initially rejected by the Bollywood-dominated music industry in his home country before being recognised by composers Vishal and Shekhar as having a unique talent. His debut album quickly became the best selling non-Bollywood record in India two years ago. Raghu has played several festivals in the UK and has toured several continents. His band’s eclectic blend of traditional and modern music – covering both western and eastern ideas and sounds – has resulted in hugely appreciative audiences, worldwide record deals and now a spot on the diverse and exceptional Latitude line-up.

Also playing in the Music Arenas over the weekend is a fantastic mix of burgeoning acts and household names including: Queen of Rockabilly Wanda Jackson, Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan, Edwyn Collins, Bright Eyes, Anna Calvi, Hurts, Deerhunter, Bellowhead, The Vaccines and Everything Everything to name just a few.

Elsewhere throughout the weekend, festival goers can enjoy readings from leading poets and authors including Linton Kwesi Johnson, Esther Freud, Jo Shapcott, Simon Armitage, Sarah Dunant, Dave Gorman and Alexei Sayle; top comics Alan Carr, Omid Djalili, Jason Byrne and a festival debut of Never Mind The Buzzcocks; exciting theatre and dance productions presented by The Gate, Bush Theatre, Sadler’s Wells and English National Ballet to name but a few, cabaret performances from David Schneider & Friends, Will Adamsdale, Bourgeois and Maurice; and BAFTA return to the Film & Music Arena with a fantastic programme of Q&A’s, discussions and workshops including comedy stars Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon discussing their hilarious work on Michael Winterbottom’s ‘The Trip’.

With DJ’s, The Winter’s Ball and late night parties found throughout the site, it is a unique and special weekend of fun, culture and entertainment. An intimate world away from reality waiting to be explored and enjoyed.

For a complete line-up visit the Latitude Festival website.

Latitude Festival 2011 Tickets

Weekend tickets £170.00 including VAT, subject to booking fee

Day tickets Fri, Sat, Sun £70.00 including VAT, subject to booking fee.

Child ticket (5-12 years) £5.00 including VAT, subject to booking fee Campervan Permit £30.00

Weekend tickets prices include car parking and camping Day tickets include car parking only.

Comprising Dan Steer, vocals, guitar and keyboard, guitarist Max Armstrong, bass player Sam Banks and drummer Chris Prentice, The Quails have been kicking up a storm on the live circuit with their taste for dynamic performances coupled with a tight and cohesive end product.

Having released their debut album in 2009, earning them a place as support of local boys Muse on their Resistance Tour, The Quails have put a shed load of live performances under their belts, with twenty festival appearances in 2010 alone.

In June 2010 they gave such an impressive performance at Gold Coast Ocean Fest that the organisers said they were the best band of the festival, while at Glastonbury last summer The Quails were booked for one gig, but ended up playing 4, including being asked to take to the stage at the last minute to a capacity crowd when a well known band failed to show.  They rocked and the band has already been booked again for this year!

2010 also saw the band earn themselves plenty of radio support from national and regional stations, including a live session on the Janice Long Radio 2 show and also BFBS Radio.

This year looks set to follow a similar pattern for The Quails, they have of course already been invited back to Glastonbury as well as the Exmouth, Bow and Corris festivals, with more yet to be confirmed. They will also undertake an extensive UK tour with details to be released soon.

Games with the Devil typifies The Quails punchy pop rock sound, melodic and catchy with a bit of an edge played with the confidence and fire of a band on the verge of going places.

It brings to mind the early music of Razorlight but also reminds me more than a little of Dirty Pretty Things, on steroids perhaps, it is that sort of catchy melodic pop.

There is no video available to accompany the single, but here is a live clip of The Quails performing Another World.

See The Quails at their best, live at

The Lemongrove, Exeter University with support from Girl Friday and Microlight

25^th February

Tickets £5 from www.exeterboxoffice.com and £6 on the door.

The Quails single Games with the Devil is released on March 7th.

Alexander Price

Following several years shaping his career around the clubs and gigs of the London circuit, Alexander Price got his big breakthrough in 2010 when he signed up to indie label Intense Pressence Records who were responsible for the release of the singers cover version of the Pet Shop Boys hit Rent.

Initially starting out as a performance artist with a backdrop of electronic music he made his debut at Amy Lame`s much loved Duckie night at the legendary Vauxhall Tavern, his stage shows became one of the capital’s most talked about gig going experiences.

Combining high energy choreography with self made and designed stage attire and a wild female dance troupe, the Designer Babies, he thrilled audiences with his audacious spectacles across the London club scene.

He has performed with the darlings of the London club scene including one of his own influences the fashion designer/musician Pam Hogg,as well as supporting artists including DJ Larry Tee,nightclub legends Princess Julia,Mark Moore and Scottee and for a wealth of acclaimed ground breaking musical talent including Client,Noblesse Oblige and Oral Oral as well as supporting Kellis at Manchester’s Big Weekend and making a sensational appearance at London FIlm Festival.

Price has also appeared in the pages of the fashion issue of glossy men’s mag reFresh, had his music played on international and national radio including BBC Radio, RTE Pulse and Australias JOY 94 and has received support from music industry bible Music Week as well as Gaydar Radio, QX and Bent.

He has continued performing at some of the capitals most noteworthy venues incluidng The Underbelly Hoxton Square, 333, Queen of Hoxton, The Lumianire, Madame JoJos, KOKO and Brixton Academy.

Price plans to use all of this as a platform for 2011 when he will release three new records, appear on the summer festival circuit and also launch his own range of clothing called ‘City Proof.’

In his guise as a singer Price’s first release will be an EP called Kitchen Sink Drama, representing the perfect mix of pop and dance music, produced by Ben Dobie and featuring six tracks including Rent in its original edit as well as an exclusive remix by Diarmaid o Meara.

New tracks on the EP are Chasing Nirvana, a whirlwind dance affair of epic proportions, Spend A Little Time which has already received favourable reviews, Curious George is a cautionary spoken word vocal and Hungover promises to be a grinding glam rock beast.

The EP is expected to be released this Spring, launching a summer of festival appearances along with his own clothing line. If 2010 was the turning point in Alexander Price’s career then in 2011 he will definitely be one to look out for.

Razorlight to headline GuilFest 2011

Guilfest organisers have announced the main stage at this year’s Saturday night headliners will be Razorlight.

Fronted by outspoken lead singer Johnny Borell, Razorlight are one of the key guitar bands of the last decade, having sold over 4 million albums, performed to sell-out crowds on arena tours and festivals, and featured on the front cover of magazines from NME to Vogue.  Formed in London in the summer of 2002, the band shot to fame with their critically acclaimed 2004 debut album, Up All Night, reaching number 3 in the UK charts, and spawning no less than 5 UK top 40 singles including seminal classics Somewhere Else and Golden Touch.

Continuing their incredible success story, the bands’ self-titled second album debuted at number 1 in the UK, and featured the number 1 single America, leading to NME award nominations for ‘Best Band’ and ‘Best Album’, as well as BRIT Award nominations for ‘Best Song’ and ‘Best British Band’. Slipway Fires, Razorlight’s third album, got to number 4 in the UK album charts, featured the hit single Wire to Wire, and was awarded album of the month by Q magazine.

Razorlight will release their fourth studio album a few weeks before this years GuilFest music festival.

Razorlight join James Blunt, who will be headlining the Main Stage on Sunday 17th July.  Over the coming weeks, many more announcements will be made about who you can see on all the stages at GuilFest 2011, including the Rock Cave and Dance Tent, as well as the top performers you can see in the Comedy and Theatre Tents and everywhere else at the festival this year.

As regular GuilFest visitors will know, you can expect a massively eclectic variety of music and entertainment across the many different stages at the festival, as well as great facilities such as the Kidzone – easily one of the best festival children’s areas in the whole country!

GuilFest is an award winning, family-friendly festival with a wonderful atmosphere by which other festivals have come to be judged.  2011 is sure to be the biggest and best year yet – don’t miss out.

GuilFest is held on 15th – 17th July in Guildford, Surrey.

For more information & tickets visit www.guilfest.co.uk.

Double Vision is released on September 27th and is taken from their current top 20 album Streets of Gold. The single is the fourth to be taken from the album following the incredible chart success of My First Kiss (feat Ke$ha), Starstrukk (feat Katy Perry) and Don’t Trust Me.

Party animals will be looking forward to the duo performing at Reading/Leeds, they have previously whipped up a storm at both T in The Park and Oxegen Festival’s earlier this year.

3OH!3 – Double Vision

3OH!3 will be touring the UK in September, full dates below;

SEPTEMBER
Sat 25           BRISTOL              Anson Rooms
Sun 26          BIRMINGHAM  Academy 2
Mon 27        GLASGOW           Garage
Tues 28        MANCHESTER  Academy 3
Wed 29         LONDON             Koko