Virtual Festivals' weekly news round up

The biggest festival stories of the last seven days

United Kingdom | by Daniel Fahey | 16 May 2009

Saturday

Kasabian stole the show at the opening day of Radio 1’s One Big Weekend, drawing a bigger crowd than headliners Snow Patrol. The Leicestershire outfit previewed new tracks ‘Fire’ and ‘Vlad The Impaler’ during the set as well as covering Candi Staton’s ‘You’ve Got The Love’. Basement Jaxx, Jack Penate, Doves and 2 Many DJs also performed.

Sunday

Radio 1’s One Big Weekend headliners The Prodigy managed to blow their own speakers during a rendition of ‘Breathe’. The energetic ravers also banged out classics like ‘Firestarter’ and ‘Out Of Space’ as well as new material like ‘Omen’ and ‘Warrior’s Dance’. Earlier in the day Lily Allen gave ‘Smile’ a drum n bass slant before performing a remix of recent single ‘The Fear’. Franz Ferdinand, Ne-Yo and Scouting For Girls also played the festival’s closing night.

Monday

The Maccabees, Camera Obsura and Mumford And Sons were among the latest acts revealed for this year’s T In The Park, with organisers announcing that Funk D’Void, Joris Voorn and Ben Sims are set to play the Slam Tent. Ash were confirmed as headliners for this year’s Kendal Calling, while The Enemy were the sole act announced for T4 On The Beach joining the likes of Dizzee Rascal and Calvin Harris. Elsewhere Ben And Jerry’s Sundae On The Common unveiled its first artists with I Am Kloot and Marina And The Diamonds kicking off things at the London event. It wasn’t all good news on Monday though, with organisers of Scotland’s Outsider Festival announcing that the festival will not be taking place this year. “Due to the unremitting economic downturn and audience numbers now projected we feel that we cannot produce an event that provides you with a festival experience at the level that is expected and deserved,” bosses said.

Tuesday

Summer Sundae Weekender confirmed that reggae outfit Easy Star All Stars will be making an appearance at the Leicestershire event along with Idlewild, Mr Hudson and the New Beautiful South – much the same but without singer Paul Heaton. Patrick Wolf was among 44 acts announced for this year’s Latitude Festival with Amazing Baby, The Invisible, !!!, Fight Like Apes and many more set for the Suffolk event. Meanwhile Indie Guitar Music Festival was the second event in as many days to get pulled, with the recession to blame once again. “Elevated costs and a very difficult financial climate have been instrumental in this situation,” revealed festival chiefs.

Wednesday

Maximo Park revealed that they are set to open Glastonbury’s latest arena - William’s Green. The Geordie outfit will christen the area on the Thursday (25 June) night before playing the Other Stage on the Saturday. South West Four was the latest event to complete its line-up adding James Zabiela, Above And Beyond and Darren Emerson to the bill, while Bloom’s second line-up announcement included Brit Award winner Finley Quaye as well as Johnny Flynn, Frankmusik, James Yuill and Scratch Perverts. On the dance front Krafty Kuts headed up the latest names for Lounge On The Farm along with Yearner Babies, The Lovedays, Soundcasters, Monday Street, The Mind Without Maths, Hotrods n Dragsters and Tom Williams And The Boa.

Thursday

The Maccabees played a homecoming gig at The Great Escape with the queue to see the ‘Wall Of Arms’ outfit stretching right along the street. Meanwhile on a line-up tip The Wombats and Jason Mraz were the first acts officially announced for Glastonbury’s William Green with organisers announcing further plans for the field. The Queen’s Head is set to be at housed at the area this year, moving from the Other Field, while ticket-holders can also enjoy DJ sets and Singstar sessions in The Snug, chilled out beats in Chai Wallah and Joe Banana’s Silent Disco. Elsewhere Noah And The Whale, Broken Records and Babel are among the latest names set for Scotland’s Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, while Jack Penate, Golden Silvers and Doves will be heading to the Channel Islands for Jersey Live.

Virtual Festivals also unveiled a new make-over to the site in celebration of our 10th Birthday this month. How time flies when you're having fun! Some new gidgets and wizmos include the ability to log-in and interact with your Facebook account.

Friday

Bestival was busy beefing up its bill adding a Carl Cox old skool set, Drums Of Death, Kanye West’s protege Mr Hudson and Underworld’s Karl Hyde and Rick Smith who will play the festival for a second consecutive year, this time as DJs rather than playing live. Elsewhere Creamfields secured the services of Claude Von Stroke for the August weekender, giving the DJ a slot on the Sunday.

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