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EDDIE & THE HOTRODS CONFIRMED
BUS TRAVEL INVERNESS TO BELLA
JUBILOO ‘POSH LOO’ ADVANCE TICKETS ON SALE
Wednesday 25 July 2012
Hotrods for Belldrum
BLOODSTOCK, 12 BANDS FOR JAGERMEISTER STAGE
12 BANDS ANNOUNCED FOR JAGER STAGE /
ONE MORE BAND CONFIRMED FOR SOPHIE LANCASTER STAGE
BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR are proud to announce the line up for this years Jagermeister Stage. A mix of semi-acoustic acts will grace this year’s stage to bring exclusive performances to the metal masses.
ANDRASTE are a 6 piece folk metal act hailing from Manchester with influences firmly rooted in traditional British folk and various forms of extreme metal, they’ll be adding an acoustic twist for their performance. Frontman for UK melodic rock band InMe, DAVE MCPHERSON will also be making an appearance as well as ZP THEART (former Dragonforce Frontman) who will also be taking to the mainstage at Bloodstock with his new band IamI. KYRBGRINDER will be bringing their mixture of funk, groove metal, with drummer Johanne having been awarded "Drummer Of The Year" 4 times by the Classic Rock Society. The cinematic metal tones of SPLINTERED SOUL announce an extra performance alongside their slot on the Sophie Lancaster stage and KOBRA AND THE LOTUS will also make a second performance at the festival, an up close and personal set consisting of Dio covers. ABSOLVA (featuring members of Fury UK & Iced Earth) make their debut Bloodstock appearance on the Jager stage with their blend of groove metal. ORIANTHI steps off the mainstage where she will be performing with Alice Cooper as his lead guitarist, to play an intimate set. Birmingham based progressive-Power Metal act DAKESIS and female fronted Hard Rock four-piece SKARLETT RIOT have also been confirmed to bring their sets to the Jager stage, respectively. Welsh quintet TRIAXIS celebrate their return to Catton Hall following their performance in 2009, and last but not least hotly tipped newcomers THE MERCY HOUSE will perform a stripped back set of their riff laden Rock.
Over at the Sophie Lancaster stage, Progressive Metal act SPLINTERED SOUL have just been confirmed to play alongside the already announced headliners ALCEST, ORANGE GOBLIN and ANAAL NATRHAKH.
With an amazing selection of main stage headliners - BEHEMOTH, MACHINE HEAD and ALICE COOPER and just under 3 weeks to go, you better make sure to get your tickets now to not miss out on THE metal event of the year.
BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR 2012 takes place at Catton Hall August 9th – 12th. Tickets are available from www.bloodstock.uk.com
Line Up So Far:
RONNIE JAMES DIO STAGE
ALICE COOPER
MACHINE HEAD
BEHEMOTH
ANVIL – WATAIN - PARADISE LOST - DIMMU BORGIR - HATEBREED - CORROSION OF CONFORMITY - SANCTUARY - GRAND MAGUS - THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER – EVILE - NILE – MAYHEM – LOCK UP – SEPULTURA – ICED EARTH - TESTAMENT - CHTHONIC - DIO DISCIPLES – CROWBAR – BENEDICTION – I AM I – MOONSORROW – FREEDOM CALL - KOBRA & THE LOTUS - MALEFICE
SOPHIE LANCASTER STAGE in association with Last.FM
ALCEST - ORANGE GOBLIN - ANAAL NATHRAKH
ALCEST - ORANGE GOBLIN - ANAAL NATHRAKH - HEADCHARGER - WINTERFYLLETH DEMONIC RESURRECTION - EASTERN FRONT - ANCIENT ASCENDANT - SIGHT OF EMPTINESS - PRIMITAI - PYTHIA - CRIMES OF PASSION - SATURNIAN BLOODSHOT DAWN - RE-ARMED - GONOREAS - COMMANDER IN CHIEF - RISING DREAM - INFERNAL TENEBRA - NOCTEFERIA - MARIONETTE- FURYON - DERISION - BATALLION - WITCHSORROW - DRIPBACK - SAVAGE MESSIAH - FLAYED DISCIPLE – VIKING SKULL – DEATH VALLEY KNIGHTS - SWEET SAVAGE – SPLINTERED SOUL
PRITCHARD Vs DAINTON - STEVE HUGHES
NEW BLOOD STAGE
DOOMED - GONE TIL WINTER – HURON - FALLEN FATE - REIGN OF FURY –DREAMCATCHER - REFLECTIONS IN EXILE - INFERNAL CREATION – CAMBION – WARHORSE – MERCILESS FAIL – STORMBORN – TEMPUS FUSION – WRETCHED SOUL – A THOUSAND ENEMIES – SHATTERED SKIES - EXILE THE TRAITOR – KATALEPTIC - KILLER HURTS - KRESPUSKUL - MY WOODEN PILLOW - SCARE TACTICS - WALKING THEO APOLLYON - COSMIC VORTEX OF DOOM – RATHER – AIRSTRYKE – BLYND HAKIN – INCINERY - SA – DA – KO.
JAGER STAGE
ANDRASTE - DAVE MCPHERSON - ABSOLVA - FROM RUIN - TRIAXIS - KYRBGRINDER - DREAMCATCHER - ZP HEART - A THOUSAND ENEMIES - SPLINTERED SOUL - ORIANTHI - KOBRA AND THE LOTUS - MERCY HOUSE – DAKESIS – SKARLETT RIOT
Wickerman FestivalReview
Bandtastic Wickerman
With the burning of the Wickerman and a sky full of
exploding fire works, the Wickerman Festival came to an end for another year.
The main contributing factors for a successful festival are good weather and
good bands and with the Wickerman Festival ticking both boxes this year, it
would been hard not to have had a great time.
Main Headliners were The Sissor Sisters and Texas who
both put on great sets in their own unique style. Friday night saw The Sissor
Sisters, Jake and Anna buzz with energy that was exhausting just to watch. To
start with the Wickerman crowd seem momentarily caught in the headlights but
then they get a huge musical wake up slap and they take off dancing and
screaming and keep going until the lights went out and the last notes disappeared
across the distant hills. Such a great show and a max sensory overload.
Texas
The Sissor Sisters
Texas
Texas is the perfect band for the last night of a
festival. They are so loved by the Scottish crowd who know every lyric and with
no prompting belt out all the songs along with Sharleen. Texas might not be
cutting edge or charting at the moment, but folks have grown up with their
songs and can relate to them and so get a huge kick from seeing them live at
one of Scotland’s favorite festivals. And so it was time to reminisce with
songs like “Black Eyed Boy” and “Summer Sun”.
Meanwhile in the Scooter tent space was at a huge premium
as Bad Manners pulled in a massive crowd. If you saw a bit of Texas and wanted
to catch Bad Manners then you were out of luck the tent bulging at the seams,
Security stopped folks going in to see Buster and his band but you could just
about get a view thorough the entrance the energy coming out was fantastic.
Sporting a leopard skin outfit Buster looked supreme albeit slimmed down a tad
and not quite as animated these days yet he was still every inch Buster
Bloodvessel, master of Ska.
Bad Manners
One of my favorite appearances was Duke Special (Peter Wilson) on the
Summerisle stage on Saturday. I had never seen him perform live but his
reputation preceded him and I was not disappointed. Although Peter's looks are
somewhat eye catching with dreadlocks and serious eyeliner, as soon as he sets
foot on stage he connects with the audience in a warm and friendly way.
Duke Special
Duke Special & Newton Faulkner
"Temperance Society" Chip Bailey
He can
be tricky though as half way thought his act he bounded off the stage and just went
walkabout in the crowd. Also on stage with the quirkiest of drum kits was percussionist
"Temperance Society" Chip Bailey who plays cheese graters and egg
whisks, a bunch of door keys along with a Stumpf fiddle and a Shruti box, and a
more typical drums and cymbal kit.Things got even better when Peter brought on Newton Faulkener for a song, like I said you never know what is next with Duke Special. For Peter's final song they produced a fantastic rendition of “Love
will Tear us Apart”. You could have heard a pin drop during the song which is
an impressive feat for a festival crowd but shows how appreciative the audience
was.
Xavia
Xavia
Up at the Go North stage another fave Xavia were playing.
I'm not sure why such a fine band
was in such a small venue as they have a huge Scottish
following plus Charlie Lindsey, lead vocalist needs to command a larger stage.
Goldblade
Back in the Scooter tent a couple of classic punk bands
from a dwindling generation but still promoting the punk message of anarchy and
rock & roll. First up was Goldblade. By the time I got there the atmosphere
was heady with sweat, drunks and rock & roll. Front man John Rob was
topless and dripping head to waist in sweat. Reassuring to see he’s still
sporting a Mohican these days. But this was more religious experience than
musical outing. With John Rob leaning into the fans placing his hand on their
heads and in a booming evangelical voice asking "Do you believe in Rock
& Roll?" This was repeated until he got a suitable reply of a
screaming yeeeeeeesssss! that he went back on stage to finish up. If any
aspiring bands wanted a lesson in showmanship and energy then they need look no
further.
Peter and the Test Tube Babies
Next up were Peter and the Test Tube Babies. Another
original punk band still doing what they do best, bashing it out loud and furious.
Peter hogging the stage, wearing a "Fuck you I do what I like"
T-shirt summed up the gig with the occasional fan running on to join in the
melee. Although there was the usual grizzled old punk fan-base it was pleasing
to see a younger generation appreciating some punk royalty.
Looking through the festival listings there are names of
bands that just leap out from the page and one of those was Big Fat Panda. So
off to the Scoooter tent I went were I caught the band mid act. There where
certainly no pandas on show but there was an excellent ska band and the lead
singer Big Andy was certainly big physically but his voice was impressively
large as well. As ska bands go, six piece BFP had it all: great sound, great
music and a great big Panda. Well sort of….
And so as the Wickerman ashes are left to smolder for
another year it was time to ponder on the highlights of the festival.
Fantastic sets from the Sissor Sisters, Texas, Kassidy
and the View. Plus superb individual performances from Jake Bugg and Newton
Faulkner. It also was great to see so many really talented new acts appearing
which is what the Wickerman so perfect for. So now we look forward to next year
when the Wickerman will rise from the ashes and lookout over another excellent
and memorable festival.
Tuesday 24 July 2012
BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR ANNOUNCE MORE BANDS
12 BANDS ANNOUNCED FOR JAGER STAGE /
ONE MORE BAND CONFIRMED FOR SOPHIE LANCASTER STAGE
BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR are proud to announce the line up for this years Jagermeister Stage. A mix of semi-acoustic acts will grace this year’s stage to bring exclusive performances to the metal masses.
ANDRASTE are a 6 piece folk metal act hailing from Manchester with influences firmly rooted in traditional British folk and various forms of extreme metal, they’ll be adding an acoustic twist for their performance. Frontman for UK melodic rock band InMe, DAVE MCPHERSON will also be making an appearance as well as ZP THEART (former Dragonforce Frontman) who will also be taking to the mainstage at Bloodstock with his new band IamI.KYRBGRINDER will be bringing their mixture of funk, groove metal, with drummer Johanne having been awarded "Drummer Of The Year" 4 times by the Classic Rock Society. The cinematic metal tones of SPLINTERED SOUL announce an extra performance alongside their slot on the Sophie Lancaster stage and KOBRA AND THE LOTUS will also make a second performance at the festival, an up close and personal set consisting of Dio covers. ABSOLVA (featuring members of Fury UK & Iced Earth) make their debut Bloodstock appearance on the Jager stage with their blend of groove metal. ORIANTHI steps off the mainstage where she will be performing with Alice Cooper as his lead guitarist, to play an intimate set. Birmingham based progressive-Power Metal act DAKESIS and female fronted Hard Rock four-piece SKARLETT RIOT have also been confirmed to bring their sets to the Jager stage, respectively. Welsh quintet TRIAXIS celebrate their return to Catton Hall following their performance in 2009, and last but not least hotly tipped newcomers THE MERCY HOUSE will perform a stripped back set of their riff laden Rock.
Over at the Sophie Lancaster stage, Progressive Metal act SPLINTERED SOUL have just been confirmed to play alongside the already announced headliners ALCEST, ORANGE GOBLIN and ANAAL NATRHAKH.
With an amazing selection of main stage headliners - BEHEMOTH, MACHINE HEAD and ALICE COOPER and just under 3 weeks to go, you better make sure to get your tickets now to not miss out on THE metal event of the year.
BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR 2012 takes place at Catton Hall August 9th – 12th. Tickets are available from www.bloodstock.uk.com
Line Up So Far:
RONNIE JAMES DIO STAGE
ALICE COOPER
MACHINE HEAD
BEHEMOTH
ANVIL – WATAIN - PARADISE LOST - DIMMU BORGIR - HATEBREED - CORROSION OF CONFORMITY - SANCTUARY - GRAND MAGUS - THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER – EVILE - NILE – MAYHEM – LOCK UP – SEPULTURA – ICED EARTH - TESTAMENT - CHTHONIC - DIO DISCIPLES – CROWBAR – BENEDICTION – I AM I – MOONSORROW – FREEDOM CALL - KOBRA & THE LOTUS - MALEFICE
SOPHIE LANCASTER STAGE in association with Last.FM
ALCEST - ORANGE GOBLIN - ANAAL NATHRAKH
ALCEST - ORANGE GOBLIN - ANAAL NATHRAKH - HEADCHARGER - WINTERFYLLETH DEMONIC RESURRECTION - EASTERN FRONT - ANCIENT ASCENDANT - SIGHT OF EMPTINESS - PRIMITAI - PYTHIA - CRIMES OF PASSION - SATURNIAN BLOODSHOT DAWN - RE-ARMED - GONOREAS - COMMANDER IN CHIEF - RISING DREAM - INFERNAL TENEBRA - NOCTEFERIA - MARIONETTE- FURYON - DERISION - BATALLION - WITCHSORROW - DRIPBACK - SAVAGE MESSIAH - FLAYED DISCIPLE – VIKING SKULL – DEATH VALLEY KNIGHTS - SWEET SAVAGE – SPLINTERED SOUL
PRITCHARD Vs DAINTON - STEVE HUGHES
NEW BLOOD STAGE
DOOMED - GONE TIL WINTER – HURON - FALLEN FATE - REIGN OF FURY –DREAMCATCHER - REFLECTIONS IN EXILE - INFERNAL CREATION – CAMBION – WARHORSE – MERCILESS FAIL – STORMBORN – TEMPUS FUSION – WRETCHED SOUL – A THOUSAND ENEMIES – SHATTERED SKIES - EXILE THE TRAITOR – KATALEPTIC - KILLER HURTS - KRESPUSKUL - MY WOODEN PILLOW - SCARE TACTICS - WALKING THEO APOLLYON - COSMIC VORTEX OF DOOM – RATHER – AIRSTRYKE – BLYND HAKIN – INCINERY - SA – DA – KO.
JAGER STAGE
ANDRASTE - DAVE MCPHERSON - ABSOLVA - FROM RUIN - TRIAXIS - KYRBGRINDER - DREAMCATCHER - ZP HEART - A THOUSAND ENEMIES - SPLINTERED SOUL - ORIANTHI - KOBRA AND THE LOTUS - MERCY HOUSE – DAKESIS – SKARLETT RIOT
Monday 23 July 2012
The Wonder of Wicker!
Wickerman at its Sunshine Best as Texas
Lead Fans to Fiery Festival Finale
Sharleen Spitteri led the 15,000 strong Wickerman audience in one of the festival’s biggest sing-alongs last night before fans were treated to the spectacular burning of the 40 foot Wickerman against a night sky sparkling with fireworks.
- Sharleen Spiteri, Texas. Wickerman Festival 2012
The sultry Scottish songstress had the crowd in a frenzy from the first bars of opener ‘Halo’, and continued through a stunning set of classic Texas tunes, ending with an encore of Elvis favourite ‘Suspicious Minds’ to the delight of her festival following. Elsewhere a capacity crowd revelled in a raucous set from Bad Manners, who brought the festival’s Scooter tent bill to a thundering close.
- The Sissor Sisters, Wickerman Festival 2012
Two days of warm hazy sunshine over the beautiful Dumfries and Galloway countryside created the perfect setting for some of the finest festival performances in Wickerman’s 11 year history. Summerisle acts didn’t disappoint with Friday’s bill of Bis, Cast and Levellers, closed by a thrilling, high octane disco-pop set from Scissor Sisters - one of the first global acts to headline the festival – which is already the stuff of Wicker-history.
On Saturday it was the turn of Scotland’s finest, with Kassidy, The View and finally Texas taking their turn on the stage to a rousing reception from their home crowd, before the party continued with a late-night DJ set from Mike Skinner.
- Kassidy, Wickerman 2012
Elsewhere across the festival’s other stages, Human Don’t Be Angry (Malcolm Middleton) gave a phenomenal performance, topping off a bill of grassroots talent in the Solus tent. Artmagic, a collaboration between ex-suede guitarist Richard Oakes and producer Sean McGhee, was highlight of the Acoustic Village programme packed with performances, while leading DJ Darren Emerson got the Bass Camp crowd going.
Festival spirits were further raised by a mass of additional entertainments and attractions – from the hair-raising reverse bungee to mountain biking, grass sledging and a whole programme of fun, games and adventures for Wicker-kids.
Festival Coordinator, Helen Chalmers congratulated artists, organisers and festival-goers alike for playing their part in delivering one of the best events in the festival’s history. ‘Every part of the festival plan has come together brilliantly this year, and we have been hugely fortunate to enjoy unbroken sunshine throughout. We have a lot to celebrate with our Wickerman artists putting on a brilliant show across all our stages, with must-see performance for every type of music fan, from pop, rock, funk and indie - and of course our punk and ska line up for the Scooter Tent faithful.
‘Our site team have reported a friendly and peaceful two days, and we want to say a huge thank you to the thousands of people who work so hard behind the scenes and give so much energy and enthusiasm to the festival. And of course to the Wickerman audience, who have made our 2012 event such a relaxed, enjoyable and memorable festival party.’
The next Wickerman Festival will take place on Friday 26th and Saturday 27th July 2013.
Monday 16 July 2012
Another Big Bella Sella
BELLA SELLS OUT … AGAIN
Tickets to Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival have sold out for a fourth year running weeks before the event is due to take place at Beauly, Inverness-shire on 3rd and 4th August. Other than upgrades, no further tickets to the ninth edition of the festival of any type are available, including child 12 & under tickets. Upgrade tickets from Saturday to Weekend (£30*) and from Campervan/Caravan to Campervan/Caravan Electrical Hook-up (£80*) are still available from www.skiddle.com
“We are really delighted that, in what has been a tough year for live music sales across the UK against a background of astringent economic recession, Belladrum has sold out in advance yet again,” said festival promoter Joe Gibbs. “That we have is a tribute to the loyal audience who have supported us in gradually increasing numbers over the years, to the very talented artists that have provided music and performing arts to the event throughout its history, and to the amazing team of people who work on the festival and make it all happen each August. Bonnets off to you, one and all.”
Bella fans wanting to buy or sell printed tickets to Belladrum on the secondary market this year are being urged to avoid scammers on social networking and e-commerce sites by using an honest broker exchange set up by the Association of Independent Festivals, of which Bella is a member. Tickets may be sold at face value and bought with a 10% booking fee and postage costs from The Ticket Trust http://www.thetickettrust.com/ This is the only method of dealing in secondary tickets that the festival endorses. E-tickets should only be bought and sold via www.skiddle.com.
This year’s theme at the festival is ‘royalty’ and as usual, thousands of audience members are expected to come in fancy dress. The 15000 capacity event takes place in the beautiful Highland surroundings of Belladrum Estate, near Beauly in Inverness-shire. The independent festival has built a reputation for its eclectic line-ups, its off beat non-musical entertainments and its all-ages approach. The festival won a VisitScotland Thistle Award in 2009 and is a past winner of the Grassroots Festival Award at the UK Festival Awards, the festival industry’s ‘oscars’.
Travis headline at Belladrum
Bella’s line up includes headliners and Scots indie stars Travis and Liverpool rockers The Wombats plus numerous other acts including: Legendary punk heroes The Buzzcocks; celebrated 80s band The South (formerly The Beautiful South); UK award-winning queen of soul Beverley Knight; Glasgow-based indie rockers Frightened Rabbitin an exclusive Scottish festival appearance; up tempo US songsmiths We Are Scientists; Aztec Camera’s Roddy Frame; soul/rock band Vintage Trouble; Welsh alternative rock-pop bruisers The Blackout introspective pioneers of indie folk Slow Club and crafters of beautiful folk rock Fink; Pink Floyd tribute band Macfloyd play the whole of ‘Dark Side Of The Moon.
The Wombats
Punk heroes The Buzzcocks 
Punk heroes The Buzzcocks
Punk heroes The Buzzcocks 
Glasgow ska band Bombskare
Glasgow ska band Bombskare ©Gingercatpictures.com
Glasgow ska band Bombskare
Rachel Sermanni
Rachel Sermanni
New York singer-songwriter Willy Mason; northern soul exponents The Milk; Mercury nominated artrockers Sweet Billy Pilgrim; Celtic tune’n’groove folk artists Treacherous Orchestra; Northern Irish singer-songwriter Foy Vance; Newcastle sextet Lanterns On the Lake; Carrbridge artist Rachel Sermanni; singer/songwriter hot tips Juan Zelada and Ryan Keen; new indie tyro’s Bastille and To Kill A King; Nottingham five piece Dog Is Dead; Jiggery-folkery band Mad Dog McRea; Edinburgh gypsy punksters Bobok; Glasgow extreme funk aficionados Federation Of The Disco Pimp; alt country Red Sky July; Edinburgh singer/songwriter Nina Nesbitt;
Treacherous Orchestra
Treacherous Orchestra
Treacherous Orchestra
The Magnetic North, a band with Orcadian connections and Scots indie rising stars Bwani Junction & The Draymin; Willie Campbell & The Open Day Rotation from the Western Isles; Blackpool singer-songwriters Rae Morris and Karima Francis; Glasgow ska band Bombskare; young Irish singer-songwriter Marc O’Reilly; Aberdeen blues band Gerry Jablonksi & The Electric Band; ska/grime exponents Man Like Me and acoustic popsters Ellen & The Escapades; Edinburgh hip hop duo Stanley Odd; Highlands bluegrass men The Ballachulish Hellhounds; Glasgow bands Fatherson, Make Sparks and Zombie Militia; Borders Celtic rockers, The Dangleberries; Highland artistes Niteworks, Grousebeater Soundsystem, James Mackenzie, Iain McLaughlin & The Outsiders, Whisky River Band, Little Mill of Happiness, KOBI, The Rogues, Torridon, Hoodja, Feis Rois, TMC Youth Fiddlers, Davy & the Hosebeast, and The Red Kites whose front-man Moteh Parrott hails from Inverness.
A Mystery Special Guest has been added to the main stage line up on the Friday evening “The identity of this artist will not be revealed until they appear on the Garden Stage at 1830 on Friday 3rd August,” said Joe Gibbs. “But – and here’s a hint – judging by their previous receptions at Bella, they’re going to be a popular choice.”
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