Bestival reveals Friday night headliner Fatboy Slim

Featuring 10 fields of wonderment and 20 stages filled with amazing music, insane sideshows and magical happenings, Bestival’s spectacular 10th birthday bash this September 5th-8th is set to be nothing short of EPIC.

Celebrating those 10 years for all they’re worth, we’ve already got a musical line-up that’s second to none, with headline appearances from Elton John and Snoop Dogg, sets from M.I.A, Franz Ferdinand, The Flaming Lips, The Knife, Wu-Tang Clan, Richie Hawtin, Carl Cox, Annie Mac Presents, and so many more. Plus we’ve got jaw-dropping attractions like our amazing new arena The Port, Films in the Forest, World Music Day on the Bandstand, The Wishing Tree, Swamp Shack and The Grand Palace of Entertainment, and now we are mind-blowingly excited to announce our crowd slaying Friday night headliner!

Fatboy Slim says: “It was at Glastonbury 2003 where I closed the Sunday Best stage for Rob da Bank that I first saw the glint in his eye to create his own festival. 12 months later I was headlining Bestival and TEN years on, here I am again, throwing them the biggest birthday bash possible and sharing the main stage alongside Elton John and Snoop Dogg. It’s an absolute honour to return for this momentous occasion – staying creative and independent in these times. You've come a long way, baby!"

YES! Our much anticipated Friday night headliner will be the one and only Fatboy Slim AKA Norman Cook. Norman was one of the very first headliners at the inaugural Bestival in 2004, so it's a real coup to have him aboard HMS Bestival in his rightful place once again, helping to celebrate our spectacular tenth anniversary. Playing an exclusive set just for us, which he's dubbed 'Fatboy Slim's Bestival Birthday Bash', it’s guaranteed to be a monumental appearance, with outrageous onstage birthday party antics galore and some very special surprises which will be revealed on the night.  Armed with an almost endless abundance of mega-hits from Everybody Needs A 303 to Star 69 (What The F*ck) and way beyond, you can expect the mother of all celebrations as the master of good-time party music throws down a large helping of epic goodness, like only he can.

You don’t want to miss this one it’s going to be a legendary 10th birthday. And what a 10 years it’s been, from just a few thousand people rocking out in 2004 to becoming the Best Major Festival winner in 2012, we certainly have come a long way baby! Staying true to our independent, boutique roots we’re playing with the big boys now and we promise a spectacle that’s not to be missed, it’s going to be the party of the year, so don’t miss out!

It’s full steam ahead for HMS Bestival. Roll on September!

BESTIVAL TICKET LINKS & INFORMATION:
www.ticketline.co.uk/bestival-tickets / 0844 888 4410

Ticketmaster: www.ticketmaster.co.uk/Bestival-tickets/artist/31763  / 0844 844 0444

See Tickets www.seetickets.com/event/bestival-2013/robin-hill/709797/  / 0871 220 0260

Skiddle: www.skiddle.com/festivals/bestival

Bestival 2013 unveils a new wave of acts

On course for a truly epic 10th birthday spectacular, the good ship HMS Bestival is abuzz with excitement as a whole new raft of able-bodied shipmates join the ranks of Bestival 2013. With an already gargantuan line-up featuring Elton John, Snoop Dogg, MIA, Franz Ferdinand, Wu-Tang Clan, The Flaming Lips, Richie Hawtin and Carl Cox to name but a few, we’ve got 10 fields of wonderment with over 20 stages, big soundsystems, insane sideshows, magical happenings and so much more in our 24-hour escapist world, and we’re going full steam ahead this September 5-8 toRobin Hill Country Park for the party of our lives, at the greatest show on earth!

Rob da Bank says: "Bestival is ten years old this year and i always want our festival to stay fresh and new so im well pleased with the latest artist additions... Courtney Pine, legendary jazz musician, is going to open the whole birthday spectacular on the Thursday and from that point on we're gonna be treated to a plethora of new bands and talent from new indie upstarts Savages and London Grammar to incredible electronic explorations from Hieroglyphic Being and Evian Christ. Not forgetting returning hero James Blake whos part of the fabric of recent Bestivals. Hope you enjoy listening to all this lovely lot!"

Getting into the buccaneering Bestival spirit we’re very pleased to announce that James Blake will be bringing his atmospheric bass adventures to captivate the crowds. One of the brightest talents to emerge in the past five years, James’s singular sound is one definitely not to be missed. We’re also very excited to announce that UK Jazz giant and all round legend Courtney Pine will be opening the show at our 10th Birthday party on Thursday evening. Renowned for pushing sonic boundaries, there couldn’t be a more apt opener for what is destined to be Bestival’s most mind-expanding extravaganza yet!
We’ll also have music across the weekend from reggae kingpin Max Romeo, super-bombastic doo-wop visionary Willy Moon, anthemic guitar pop types The 1975, classical-electronica crossover geniuses Clean Bandit, hotly-tipped electro-pop trio London Grammar, the frankly sublime The Child of Lov, 80s reggae supernova Musical Youth, footwork fanatic Evian Christ, Brooklyn punks Parquet Courts, genre colliding six-piece Molotov Jukebox, alt folkers Moulettes and the jaw-droppingly authentic 'Introducing' recreate 'Discovery' live.

There will also be plenty more live music from Filthy Boy, Wheelchair Sports Camp, Ady Suleiman, Hudson Taylor, Champs, Woodpecker Wooliams, Lloyd Yates, Barbarossa, The Keepsakes, Isaiah Dreads, Parlour Flames, Charley Macaulay and Devilman.
Tenth anniversary late night booty shaking action will also be in plentiful supply with a series of super-fat soundsystems due to be announced in the coming months but just to whet your appetites we can reveal that Numbers will be showcasing Tweakaholic featuring Jackmaster & Spencer, sleazy four-four from Bicep, there will be Chicago vibes from Hieroglyphic Being, heady jams from Addison Groove, underground party joints from Rinse FM’s Oneman, consciousness expanding sounds from Psychemagik, bass alchemy from Happa and dreamy euphoria from the one and only Chris Coco.
Plus there will be deck destroying sets from PBR Streetgang, DJ Scotch Egg, Misty Conditions ,Bill Brewster, Copy Paste Soul, Krysko, Applescal, Pete Gooding B2B Danny Whitehead,Pathaan, Johnno (Bugged Out), Sunday Best Forum Allstars, Flying White Dots, March Hare and Gutterslut.

All this and there’s still one more headliner and lots of new attractions to announce, so keep checking www.bestival.net and our Facebook and Twitter. And don’t forget to tag your tweets #hmsbestival.

GZA (of Wu-Tang Clan) UK dates

When it comes to thought provoking, street-bred raw lyricism, the Wu-Tang Clan's fountain of wisdom, GZA takes his job very seriously. The way he crafts his double-edged rhyme flow mirrors the skill and precise technique of one who works with fine ceramics.GZA's metaphoric and multi-layered lyrics are often touted by critics as his rap name implies; genius.

Born in Brooklyn, NY and raised in every borough of New York City, The GZA's workmanship can be found three albums deep with classics dating back to 1991 including the albums Words From The Genius, the gold-selling Liquid Swords and Beneath The Surface.

Before his days of microphone notoriety, GZA found himself, during the early ages of rap music, travelling throughout New York City sharpening his rap skills in scattered rhyme battles. "I've studied rap in every borough," the GZA says proudly. "I've been rhyming before a lot of these cats out here were born. We've [Wu Tang Clan] always drank, ate and slept hip-hop. I love it." On his latest blockbuster CD Legend Of The Liquid Sword, The GZA makes reference to his hip-hop[ foundation on the reflective Fam (Members Only) "I grew up around B-Boys, DJs, MCs, through rap, never thinking in ways of TV," the Genius raps. "It was strictly all about magnificent rhyme clout." 

During GZA's travels, he encountered other rap veterans that recognized his promise and helped to nurture his talent. "I watched a lot of people come up that are big now," Genius says earnestly. "I used to make demo tapes with cats that rocked with Russell Simmons and people like that. The history goes so far back; I've always been really focused on writing dope rhymes." 

Don't call GZA's comeback just a comeback, it's a return of an entirely revolutionary thought process. "When we did Back In The Game on the Wu-Tang Iron Flag album, I did a verse about gambling," he explains solidly. "I didn't want to be 'back in the game' or 'back on the block,' that's typical. I made it all metaphorical." It's those same metaphors that makes the Genius' liquid sword a living legend in it's own time. 

Sheffield - O₂ Academy2 – Friday 27^th January £15.00 adv

Oxford - O₂ Academy2 – Saturday 28^th January £15.00 adv

Liverpool - O₂ Academy2 – Sunday 29^th January £15.00 adv

Bournemouth – The Old Fire Station– Monday 30^th January £15.00 adv

Islington - O₂ Academy – Tuesday 31^st January (£20.00 adv)

·        Bristol - O₂ Academy2 – Saturday 18^th February

·        (over 18s only 9pm-2am £18.00 adv)

ticketweb.co.uk 0844 477 2000

O2 Academy Liverpool announce New Year, New Gigs

11-13 Hotham Street, Liverpool, L3 5UF

0844 477 2000

o2academyliverpool.co.uk

Wednesday 4^th January 2012; This new year, O₂ Academy Liverpool will host gigs almost every night of the week from an incredibly diverse range of artists.

Legendary member of Wu-Tang Clan, GZA, takes to the stage on Sunday 29^th January ahead of the release of a brand new album this year.  Emerging talent and BBC Sound of 2012 nominee Skrillex will also join O₂ Academy Liverpool fora night of dubstep (Tuesday 14^th February), as will urban superstar Labrinth on Friday 24^th February.

In February, ska legends Reel Big Fish perform their hits followed by an after-party at which they will be treating fans to a DJ set (Friday 3^rd February), one not to be missed! Dropkick Murphys bring their equally energetic live show to Liverpoolon Wednesday 8^th February.

O₂ Academy Liverpool will also host a string of indie gigs from artists such as The Drums (Sunday 26^th February) and The Big Pink (Sunday 12^th February) who both return with material from their second albums.  Clap Your Hands Say Yeah will also be making an appearance on Friday 3^rd February.

‘90’s favourite Babybird, aka Stephen Jones, returns with a brand new album this year and will be bringing it to O₂ Academy Liverpool on Thursday 2^nd February. Indie legends Lightning Seeds will also take to the stage to perform in their hometown (Saturday 11^th February).

Other highlights this new year include emerging indie talents Mallory Knox (Friday 13^th January) and Page 44 (Wednesday 7^th March) while Big Country celebrate their 30^th anniversary on Saturday 4^th February. 

For full listings visit o2academyliverpool.co.uk