Embrace announce March 2020 Manchester & Leeds shows (press release)

Following on from the band’s sold-out hometown show at the 6,000 capacity Halifax Piece Hall last month and their sold out London Alexandra Palace gigs in December, Embrace will be bringing their special “Songs from The Good Will Out and Out Of Nothing” show to Manchester and Leeds in 2020.

The band will be celebrating their two most successful albums to date playing songs exclusively from the albums at two very special shows on 6th March at O2 Victoria Warehouse Manchester and 14th March at Leeds First Direct Arena. Embrace will be joined at the shows by special guests Starsailor and CUD. Danny McNamara says;

“Our Halifax gig was really special, such a magical day, but this show has the potential to be even more special. It’s a chance to play some live favourites that we haven’t played for a long time, alongside all our biggest hits.”

1998’s debut album The Good Will Out became one of the fastest selling debut albums by any British artist at the time, certified Gold on the day of release and going on to sell over half a million copies in the UK alone. The album spawned three Top 10 singles including, All You Good Good People, Come Back To What You Know and My Weakness Is None Of Your Business, together with two other Top 40 hits, One Big Family and Fireworks. The NME at the time declared the album, “One of the great debut albums of the past decade”.

Their fourth studio album in 2004 Out Of Nothing followed a three-year hiatus for the group and features two of Embrace’s biggest hit singles, in the shape of Ashes and the Coldplay-penned Gravity. The album went on to sell over 600,000 copies achieving double Platinum status in the UK, with the NME famously describing Out Of Nothing as “The best comeback since Lazarus!”.

Tickets for the March 2020 Manchester and Leeds go on sale at 9am this Friday, 2nd August, from: http://gigst.rs/embrace.

THE SISTERHOOD @ GREEN CHILLI ROOTS (press release)

THE SISTERHOOD @ GREEN CHILLI ROOTS 

Tuesday 3rd April 2018 (8pm)

Celebrating female musicians and the stories behind their songs

Four accomplished Leeds musicians will take the stage at The Winning Post at Green Chilli Roots in a unique celebration of Yorkshire women in music. 

The evening’s all-female line-up will see Fuzzy Jones, Fran Wyburn, Astraluna and Miranda Arieh - each of whom have been featured on BBC Introducing and have a wealth of composing, performing and recording experience between them - taking the stage together to perform their original songs, individually and collectively. 

The artists will also be sharing some of their experiences and inspirations for song-writing with the audience. Jennifer Birch (aka Astraluna) said “in a music industry in which according to a PRS report only 16% of its members are women, we felt that a gig celebrating the diversity of music being produced by female musicians would be appropriate. We also wanted to have a collaborative feel to the event, which is why we are performing alongside each other as opposed to having a headline act”.

Tickets are £5 in advance (£8 on the door)

https://www.facebook.com/sisterhoodleeds

Final Line-up for Bingley Music Live (press release)

The stellar line-up for Bingley Music Live 2017 has now been completed and is looking like the strongest in the festival's history.

New additions to the line-up come in the form of heavy hitting artists such as Sundara Karma, Badly Drawn Boy and Twin Atlantic who will be taking to the main stage across the weekend. 

Music fans will also have the chance to catch some of the UK’s hottest new acts on this year’s Discovery stage, headlined by over-night sensation Tom Grennan, London gals The Big Moon and hotly tipped locals The Orielles. 

They are joining an already full-to-bursting weekend programme for the Bradford Council-run event on 1-3 September at Myrtle Park which so far boasts Manic Street Preachers, The Kaiser Chiefs, The Wombats, Maximo Park, Pete Doherty, Soul II Soul, Feeder,  Milburn and Cabbage.

Up and coming indie rockers Sundara Karma hail from Reading and have been compared to Arcade Fire and U2. Their debut album, the sagely titled ‘Youth is only even fun in Retrospect’ was released in January.

Damon Gough a.k.a Badly Drawn Boy celebrated the 15th Anniversary of his Mercury Prize winning album The Hour of the Bewilderbeast last year. The critically acclaimed debut album catapulted the artist into the spotlight with tracks like ‘The Shining’ and ‘Everybody’s Stalking’, he then went on to soundtrack the hugely successful Hugh Grant film ‘About A Boy’. Q Magazine have named Badly Drawn Boy as one of their ‘50 Bands to See Before You Die’.

Glasgow’s Twin Atlantic formed in 2000 and came to prominence in 2007 with their debut EP ‘A Guidance from Colour’, as well as support slots with the likes of Smashing Pumpkins and Blink-182.  Their most successful singles so far have been ‘Heart and Soul’ and ‘Brothers and Sisters’, both from their 2015 album ‘Great Divide’. They were also named ‘Best UK Band’ at the 2016 SSE Scottish Music Awards.  Their fourth studio album ‘GLA’ was released in September 2016.

Steve Hartley, Bradford Council's Strategic Director, Place, said:  “This year’s line up is looking better than ever and tickets are already being snapped up. We are on course for a fantastic late summer festival for 2017.”

The final phase of tickets are now available via Ticketline and available from the festival website www.bingleymusiclive.com.  

Weekend tickets are selling fast.  Get your tickets for £60 as from Monday, 12 June, adult weekend tickets will be priced at £70.

The Council has joined forces with Bradford and Bingley Rugby Club to provide this year's camping facilities - more details can be found on the festival website.
For the full festival line-up, updates and the latest information follow us on Twitter @BingleyFestival, Facebook @bingleymus

MARTIN HOUSE CHILDREN’S HOSPICE PRESENTS: CENTRE STAGE 2016 – THE HEATS (Press Release)

It's year seven of Martin House Children's Hospice's prestigious music competition for young, Yorkshire bands and musicians. Three nights of heats, and a music industry panel, will decide 2016’s finalists who will then compete at O2 Academy Leeds, on 27th July, for a place at Leeds AND Reading 2016 and a music video by local film makers, Sodium.

Centre Stage 2016 kicks off from the 18th – 20th April, at the Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds, and promises to be swarming with local, young talent from the region. Whether or not you support any of the contenders, this is an event not to be missed if you care about music and the best up and coming talent in Yorkshire. Previous winners The Mallrats will also be performing. 

Contending acts include: 

Monday 18th April:

• CARA
•  Territory
•  Danny Aspinall
•  Shaarks
•  Blyss
•  Retaliation
•  The Velveteens

 Tuesday 19th April:

•  The Indigo Project
•  Faux Pas
•  Cole Lawton-Challenger
•  The Haze
•  Molly Rymer
•  Tree
•  Plus Special Guests - The Mallrats (Winners 2015)

 Wednesday 20th April:

• The Elephant Trees
•  Liberate
•  Drax
•  Hierarchy
•  Dan Hughes
•  Lewis Crossley
•  Big Bad Rabbit

Mike Heaton, of Embrace, who works closely on the project, says “We have an exciting array of contenders so far, both soloists and bands. We can still accommodate a couple more acts, so I’d urge young acts to really seize this opportunity. It has been so satisfying to recently see past Centre Stage winners and finalists signing record deals and gigging the country.”

The competition, which continues to receive involvement and support from Yorkshire bands Embrace, Pigeon Detectives, The Cribs and Pulled Apart by Horses, invites young bands and soloists of ANY genre to enter. Participants must be between 11- 22 years old and from Yorkshire: the area in which the hospice offer care and support. For one of the few remaining places, contact Sarah on 01937 844569 or at ssmith@martinhouse.org.uk.

Having just hit their £200,000 fundraising target in the competition, the charity are always keen to hear from any companies or individuals who are keen to be involved and offer sponsorship. “Securing this would give us a huge boost and help us to make even more money for Martin House – we’d love to hear from people who would like to share our exposure and journey right through to Leeds Festival.” says Centre Stage Organiser, Sarah Smith.

Overall, the competition is about YOUNG PEOPLE HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE!

The Heats will run from 18th-20th April at The Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds. Doors 6.15pm. Show starts 7pm. The event is pay on the door - £4.



Contact: Sarah Smith – Centre Stage Organiser:
ssmith@martinhouse.org.uk // 01937 844569
https://www.facebook.com/CantreStage/
www.martinhouse.org.uk
Twitter: @centrestage2016 // @MartinHouseCH

MARTIN HOUSE CHILDREN’S HOSPICE PRESENTS: THE FINAL - CENTRE STAGE 2015 (press release)

Photos by Shot by Sodium

Hot on the heels of ‘Centre Stage’ winning Hospice UK's 2014 National Award for 'Innovation in Income Generation', 2015’s competition is about to reach its climax. Martin House Children’s Hospice, together with Leeds & Reading Festivals, are eagerly awaiting the Centre Stage Final to discover which act will ultimately claim the prize of playing at this August's Leeds AND Reading Festivals, AND a music performance video with Shot by Sodium.

Back in April, the charity held their sixth, annual Centre Stage Heats at The Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds. The venue hosted three nights of young, local bands and artists battling it out to earn themselves a place at this month’s Final.

The event is now looming and very eagerly anticipated, and is set to take place on Wednesday 22nd July at the O2 Academy, Leeds. The event will see a diverse range of contenders, all under 21 years old, and will be judged by a high profile panel, including Jon McIldowie (Booker for Leeds and Reading), Mike Heaton and Mickey Dale (Embrace), Ross Jarman (The Cribs) and James Brown (Pulled Apart by Horses). The evening will be hosted by local Music Producer, Ed Heaton.

This year’s finalists come from all corners of the region: Leeds, Wakefield, York, Harrogate, Otley and Barnsley and they are set to deliver an array of musical styles from folk to alt-rock and pop punk to surf rock:

ABSENT PARACHUTE 
ATLANTA HOUSE 
BLYSS 
HUW EDDY 
JACK HAINING 
LONE GUNS 
THE MALLRATS 
OUTSIDE SOUTH 
PORL WHOS 
TAXI FOR BOB 

Special Guests Polo (winners of 2014) who will be opening the show with a collaboration with Rock School UK. 

Since securing their places, the finalists have been busy upping their rehearsal time, writing new material and getting lots of gigging practice, not to mention continuing their fundraising and helping to raise the profile of the competition and charity. As preparation for the final, Martin House organised professional mentor sessions at Old Chapel Studios, Leeds, to deliver some constructive advice for their big performance.

The competition has now raised over £180,000 for the charity, which has been channelled directly into the care of the children and their families at Martin House Children’s Hospice. 
Fantastic prizes also awarded to ‘the best fundraisers’, ‘the runners up’, ‘best promotion and publicity’ and ‘best door tally’. Blacks Solicitors are assisting with sponsorship for the event.

The Final will be held on Wednesday 22ndd July at O2 Academy, Leeds. Doors 6pm. Show starts 7pm. Tickets are available at www.o2academyleeds.co.uk at £7/£5 (concs). The event will also be pay on the door.

Notes: 
Please credit photographs to ‘Sodium’ (http://www.shotbysodium.com/)

Contact: Sarah Smith – Centre Stage Organiser: 

ssmith@martinhouse.org.uk // 01937 844569

https://www.facebook.com/centre.stage.5

www.martinhouse.org.uk

Twitter: @centrestage2015 // @MartinHouseCH

Underneath the Stars Festival (Press Release)

Underneath the Stars aims to showcase an eclectic mix of music including folk, swing, jazz, rock and roll, blues and world music as well as provide arts, crafts and cultural activities, with artisan food from local suppliers in a family-friendly setting. It takes place 24th-26th July.

Underneath the Stars takes place across three fields of Yorkshire farmland beside the popular Cannon Hall Farm visitor attraction – which will be open as usual during the festival. 

The festival line-up for 2015 also includes Eddi Reader, formerly of Fairground Attraction; Molotov Jukebox with their unique tropical-gypsy-dance sound fronted by Natalia Tena, of Harry Potter and Game of Thrones fame; guitar maestro Martin Simpson; US old-time music genius Bruce Molsky; cheeky North East trio The Young’Uns; Bristol-based vintage-swing fusion outfit Electric Swing Circus; Leeds-based eclectic six piece Hope and Social, Galleon Blast featuring BBC Radio presenter Mark Radcliffe and many more.

To accompany the music, Underneath the Stars will feature a giant planetarium dome, creative crafts, storytelling and vintage fairground rides, plus music and dance workshops and artisan craft traders. Food and drink will be provided by Yorkshire-based producers and sellers.

Last year’s event attracted around 8,000 people over three days, and this year organisers have increased the festival’s capacity to entertain 15,000 people over the weekend.
Underneath the Stars is a not-for-profit organisation run by a board of directors which includes Kate Rusby’s brother and sister, Joe Rusby and Emma Holling.

Underneath the Stars’ official charity partner is Yorkshire Cancer Research, the largest independent regional cancer charity in England. It supports vital projects across Yorkshire helping people avoid, survive and cope with cancer.

More info:Underneath The Stars Festial Website

Final Big Name Act added to Bingley Music Live Bill (press release)

Scottish alternative rock band Idlewild are the final big name act to be added to the Bingley Music Live bill.

Idlewild, who formed in Edinburgh in 1995, released their eighth studio album 'Everything Ever Written' in February. It has been described as the band's 'most eclectic output to date' with strands of Scottish folk, Americana and 'Hebridean psychedelia'.

They remerged in October 2014 after a five year haitus with a new line up and an acoustic tour of the Scottish Highlands and islands.

Also joining the Bradford Council-run festival, set to run on 4-6 September, in Bingley's Myrtle Park are Radio 1 stars Huw Stephens, Scott Mills and Chris Stark and Propaganda DJs. They will be providing change-over DJ sets between acts over the weekend.

Huw Stephens is one of Radio 1s key champions of new music. On air from 10pm, Mondays to Wednesdays, he also hosts a weekly BBC Introducing podcast for Radio 1 as well as hosts his own live music nights in London. His shows have been broadcast as far afield as Texas and Barcelona, while Huw has travelled to Reykjavik, New Zealand, Nashville, Los Angeles and Manchester to seek out new music. Huw will DJ the main stage band changeovers on the Sunday of Bingley Music Live.

Scott Mills is the afternoon force of Radio 1 having joined the station in 1998 as an early breakfast show presenter. He now presents an afternoon show from 1-4pm. His radio career began at 16, on Power FM, when he was the youngest radio presenter in the UK. He has had stints at GWR FM in Bristol, Piccadilly Key 103 in Manchester and Heart FM.

Chris Stark, who is a regular co-presenter on Scott Mills' show, will join Scott Mills in DJing the artist changeover slots on Saturday 5th September at Bingley Music Live. Chris began presenting on hospital radio at 16 though has since worked for Galaxy, Real Radio, Virgin Radio and 6 Music before finding a home on Radio 1. He is also a club DJ, something he started at 15, and has DJ'd at student nights across the UK.

Propaganda is the UK’s Biggest Rock n’Roll Party with over 20 weekly club nights across the UK as well as regular events in Australia, Brazil and Ibiza. Over 25,000 people attend the club night around the world each week and even more listen to their weekly radio show on Xfm. They’re bringing their legendary audio-visuals extravaganza to Bingley Music Live on the Friday and Saturday of this year's festival.

Coun Imran Khan, Executive Member for Sport and Environment, said: "This year's line up is packed with big names, which makes it even better value for money.”

The other headliners include Super Furry Animals, Labrinth and James with support from Embrace, Ella Eyre, Ash, Cast, Scott Matthews, Peter Hook and the Light, Carl Barat of The Libertines, The Beat, Rae Morris and many more – a total of over 50 acts.

The winners of the Emerging Talent have also been announced, they are Nervous 'Orse, Francis, Rock Bottom Risers and The Incredible Magpie Band.

Tickets are just £49 for adult weekend tickets and £34 for child weekend tickets plus booking fee with an opportunity to still pay in instalments.

For tickets, regular updates and the full 2015 line up, visit www.bingleymusiclive.com

.

Apollo Festival 2015 (Press Release)

Saturday June 27th 2015 sees Apollo Festival return to York.  With over 50 acts performing it promises to be the best year to date!

We are thrilled to announce that the headline main stage act this year will be legendary Manchester band INSPIRAL CARPETS.

With 2014 seeing their first album release in 20 years, performances at T in the Park, Isle of Wight Festival and a highly successful UK Tour throughout December, the alternative rock outfit are sure to top the festival in style.

Following the announcement, singer Stephen Holt said: “We're really pleased to be playing the Apollo Festival in York. We’re on good form, don’t miss out. Cool As x.” We couldn’t agree more!

We can also announce Liverpudlian act SPACE will be joining us this year. Famous for their hit singles ‘Female of the Species’ and ‘The Ballad of Tom Jones’ and celebrating their 20th anniversary last year with a UK Tour, the indie rockers are ready to entertain the crowds of Apollo Festival.

In addition; RICK WITTER DJ SET, HIJACK OSCAR, KIMBERLEY KENNEDY, THE MOTHERS, BETH MCCARTHY, RUPERT STROUD, CRYBABYCRY, HAPPY DAGGERS, RIME SUSPEX, HELLO OPERATOR are just some of the class acts confirmed to be performing this June.

The Main stage is just one of 4 incredible stages at Apollo Festival this year.

Legendary front-man Rick Witter from top Indie band Shed Seven is taking control of the Premier Stage showcasing the best in up and coming music.

ATM Stage will be showcasing the best of the up and coming acoustic talent. With Ed Sheeran one of the many success stories over the years, will you witness the next big-name star on this stage?

Don’t forget to relax and groove in the BAR 1331 tent to NORTHERN SOUL, FUNK & SOUL.

Whether you're here for the music or not, we believe Apollo Festival will have something for you. Refreshments ranging from a mini food and drink festival to Cocktails provided by York’s very own Bar 1331. We are honoured to have mouth-watering Huckleberry’ American Diner, known for their stateside delicacies and awe-inspiring food challenges as a sponsor this year too.

The theme for the festival this year is HATS. With tickets to Apollo Festival 2016 the prize for the competition winner, the crazy, strange and wacky hats are all encouraged!
Coming with the kids? Fear not. Our kids section this year includes Roman and Viking villages, donkey rides, facepainting and welly wanging. For the ‘big kids’ amongst you, don’t forget to check out the retro sweets and funfair!

Apollo Festival prides itself on providing something for everyone and anyone.


Tickets:

Adult (16 years +) -  £15.00

Unders 16s - £5.00

Under 2s - FREE



Tickets are available from:

1331 ( Grape Lane, York City Centre )
York Sports Club ( Shipton Rd )
The Ainsty Public House ( Boroughbridge Rd )
The Spread Eagle (Walmgate York)


www.apollofestival.co.uk

@apollofestival

www.facebook.com/apollofestival

Super Furry Animals added to Bingley Music Live line-up (press release)

Musical revolutionaries Super Furry Animals are the latest headliners promised by Bingley Music Live along with a host more acts as it bring four headliners over three days to the Myrtle Park, Bingley site for the first time in the festival’s history.

Super Furry Animals will join the legends of the British music scene, James, and the multi-talented Labrinth as the festival with the reputation of the ‘North’s Last Great Party of Summer’ on 4-6 September.

The festival, with surely the best value for money around (Just £49 for a three day weekend!), will announce another ‘co-headline’ act shortly.

Super Furry Animals, who formed in 1993, have recorded nine albums. They are probably best known for singles, such as 'Rings Around the World', the Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder inspired ‘Juxtaposed with U’, 'Phantom Power', 'Radiator' and ‘If You Don’t Want Me To Destroy You’.

Music magazine NME once declared, “There’s a case to be argued that SFA are the most important band of the last 15 years”. Leading American music magazine Billboard also heaped praise declaring the band as, “One of the most imaginative bands of our time”.

SFA's 15-year-old classic album 'Mwng' has just been reissued and a book on the band's rise to fame, has recently been published.

Libertines front man and lead guitarist, Carl Barat and his band The Jackals also joins the bill that already includes Embrace, Ella Eyre, Ash, Cast, Scott Matthews, Peter Hook and the Light who will be playing the hits of his former bands New Order and Joy Division.

2-tone Ska band The Beat join this year’s lineup wielding their hits including “Can’t Get Used To Losing You” and “Mirror In The Bathroom”.

  

True to form, the festival will host some of the very best of both new and undiscovered talent on its Discovery Stage with a range of acts that already promises a collection Radio One favourites and exciting new acts. Rae Morris and Scott Matthews. Fickle Friends, Pixel Fix, Meadow Lark, Adam French, The Black Delta Movement, Weirds.

Deaf School won’t be a name known to everyone up at the Discovery Stage but that won’t stop BML urging music fans to check them out. The band has been together for decades and there may never have been acts like Blur without the influence of Deaf School. The band also includes the wife of Madness star Suggs and Clive Langer – the man behind the production desk of all the hits of Madness and Dexy’s Midnight Runners as well as clocking up international hits with artists like Elvis Costello, David Bowie and Mick Jagger to name just a few.

As ever, the Main Stage also gives opportunity to ‘tomorrow’s headliners today’ alongside internationally successful artists, as it introduces future giant acts to the Bingley crowd such as Nothing But Thieves, Kiko Bun and Vant.

Bingley Music Live Artist Booker, Lee O'Hanlon, said,

“I challenge anyone to find a better three day festival with such strength in depth for £49 anywhere in the country.

“We are so excited by the bill this year. This is a festival for real music fans with our Discovery Stage also delivering some of the very best new acts in the country. We can’t wait to announce a fourth headliner soon to complete this year’s exciting lineup”.

Tickets are just £49 for adult weekend tickets and £34 for child weekend tickets plus booking fee with an opportunity to still pay in installments.

For tickets, regular updates and the full 2015 line up, visit http://www.bingleymusiclive.com

Centre Stage 2015 Heats - Belgrave Music Hall 28th-30th April (Press Release)

It's year six of Martin House Children's Hospice's prestigious music competition for young, Yorkshire bands and musicians. Three nights of heats, and a music industry panel, will decide 2015’s finalists who will then compete at O2 Academy Leeds, in July, for a place at Leeds AND Reading 2015 and a music video by local film makers, Sodium.

Polo, last year's winner at the heats

Centre Stage 2015 kicks off from the 28th – 30th April, at the Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds, and promises to be swarming with local talent from the region. Whether or not you support any of the contenders, this is an event not to be missed if you care about music and the best up and coming talent in West and North Yorkshire. Previous winners The Mexanines, Polo and King No-One will also be performing throughout the week.

Contending acts include: Mallrats, Mesmer, Atlanta House, Jess Huxham, Lone Guns, Huw Eddy, Taxi for Bob, Bethany Butler, Porl Whos, Rafiki, Encranium, The Velveteens, Lewis Crossley & Harri Pitches, Blyss, Sugar Fury and Osea.

Mike Heaton, of Embrace, who works closely on the project, says “We have an exciting array of contenders so far, both soloists and bands. We can still accommodate a couple more acts, so I’d urge young acts to really seize this opportunity. It has been so satisfying to recently see past Centre Stage winners and finalists signing record deals and gigging the country.”

The competition, which continues to receive involvement and support from Yorkshire bands Embrace, Pigeon Detectives, The Cribs and Pulled Apart by Horses, invites young bands and soloists of ANY genre to enter. Participants must be between 11- 21 years old and from North or West Yorkshire. For one of the few remaining places, contact Sarah on 01937 844569 or at ssmith@martinhouse.org.uk.

Entering Centre Stage is an invaluable link to the local music industry, especially those supportive of unsigned, young artists. It has provided connections and opportunities for many contenders, including those with BBC Introducing and M.A.S. Records. Impressively, 2012 finalists ‘Carnabells’ played last summer’s Glastonbury Festival and previous winners, and contenders, have taken to the road and supported both The Pigeon Detectives and Embrace!

Aiming to hit the big £200,000 fundraising mark this year, the charity are always keen to

Last Year's Runners Up Conflare

hear from any companies or individuals who are keen to be involved and offer sponsorship. “Securing this would give us a huge boost and help us to make even more money for Martin House – we’d love to hear from people who would like to share our exposure and journey right through to Leeds Festival. We are so grateful to Blacks Solicitors who have extended their support to CS2015” says Centre Stage Organiser, Sarah Smith.

Overall, the competition is about YOUNG PEOPLE HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE!

The Heats will run from 28th-30th April at The Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds. Doors 6.15pm. Show starts 7pm. The event is pay on the door - £4.

Notes: 
To enter, please register online on the Martin House website, ensuring you read the rules and regs! http://www.martinhouse.org.uk/Centre-Stage

“Every year I’ve been impressed by the calibre of the young artists who participate, and blown away by the commitment and effort they put into their fundraising. I’m delighted to be involved as Centre Stage has gone from strength to strength.” Melvin Benn – MD Festival Republic

Oliver Pinder, media award

Centre Stage Background: The premise of the Centre Stage Competition is to give young bands a fantastic platform and exposure whilst raising vital funds for Martin House Children’s Hospice. Since its initial launch, by The Pigeon Detectives in autumn 2009, Centre Stage has so far provided a platform for over 150 young, Yorkshire acts and raised close to £180,000 for Martin House Children’s Hospice. The competition has the support of Embrace, The Pigeon Detectives, The Cribs, Pulled Apart by Horses and Festival Republic. In order to enter, artists must be under 21 years old and in North or West Yorkshire and must be committed to undertake their own fundraising for the hospice, or with the support of their school/college.

Martin House Children’s Hospice: Martin House Children’s Hospice cares for children and young people, throughout Yorkshire, who have a life limiting illness. They support their families too, through the life of their child and through their bereavement. On opening in 1987, they were only the second children’s hospice in the UK. They now have an established teenage unit, Whitby Lodge, which was the first in the world to open. Martin House needs to raise over £4.6m this year to run, receiving less than 18% from Government sources. 

Contact: Sarah Smith – Centre Stage Organiser:
ssmith@martinhouse.org.uk // 01937 844569
https://www.facebook.com/centre.stage.5
www.martinhouse.org.uk 


All photos by Shot by Sodium

New Acts Announed for Bingley Music Live! (press release)

Labrinth, Ash, Cast, Peter Hook and the Light,  Funeral For a Friend and Rae Morris are the latest five acts to join the bill for Bingley Music Live.

These new names join James, Embrace and Ella Eyre on the line up for Myrtle Park's 'last great party of the summer' between the 4th and 6th of September.

Labrinth is the second headliner announced for this year's Bingley Music Live, joining classic band of the British music scene and champions of the madchester era, James.

The multi-talented Labrinth is no ordinary performer and an extraordinary addition to the bill. With many strings to his bow, including singer, songwriter and producer Labrinth is not constrained by one music genre, straddling R&B, dance, soul, hip-hop, electronic, gospel, drum and bass, dubstep, grime and garage to name a few. Labrinth has collaborated with Tinie Tempah on 'Pass Out', who also featured on Labrinth's 'Earthquake', Professor Green and the number one smash hit with Emeli Sande, 'Beneath Your Beautiful'. Labrinth has also taken time out to feature on Sigma's current huge single 'Higher' further elevating him to one of the brightest stars of today's music scene.

Ireland's favourite sons, Ash will storm into Bingley following the release of their seventh studio album 'Kablammo!'.  They arrive armed with an arsenal of anthemic hits such as 'Girl from Mars', 'Angel Interceptor', 'Oh Yeah' and the Ivor Novello Award winning song 'Shining Light'.

Cast, John Power's band post seminal group The La's, emerging from the mid-1990s Britpop scene, they have a string of anthems for festival goers to sing along to, including 'Finetime', 'Sandstorm' and 'Walkaway'. After they split in 2001, the band reformed in 2010, with the single 'Baby Blue Eyes' released at the end of 2014 and a new album is due for release this year. Power has recently been in the studio writing and producing previous Bingley artist John Lennon McCullagh.

Peter Hook is a senior statesman of the British music scene as one of the founding members of both Joy Division and New Order. Peter Hook and the Light formed in 2010 and members include his son Jack Bates, on bass. The band's Bingley Music Live performance will feature the very best of Joy Division and New Order's albums. Guest vocalists at live shows have included Jane's Addiction's Perry Farrell, Moby and Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins.

Welsh post-hardcore rockers Funeral for a Friend will blast into Myrtle Park. Their has been no let up from the thunder of this awesome rock band since the 2003 release of their debut album 'Casually Dressed in Conversation'. Matthew Davies-Kreye and the band will bring the very best of their previous six studio albums as well as new album, 'Chapter and Verse', released in January 2015.

These five new names join James, Embrace and Ella Eyre. Returning Manchester indie legends James were voted the act that most fans would like to see return to Bingley and they return to the festival to headline the event this year.

They are joined by Ella Eyre who is ready explode onto the British Music Scene with her debut album, 'Feline' out this May it will also her Top 20 hits 'If I go' and 'Comeback'. From her collaborations with Rudimental on their UK number one single 'Waiting All a Night' to her smash hit 'Gravity' with DJ Fresh, Ella is fast becoming one of the most sought after new UK acts. 

While Yorkshire's favourite sons Embrace have also been added to the bill. The band's debut album, The Good Will Out, was one of the fastest selling releases in British history.

Having already clocked up three number one albums with Brits Award winning producer Youth, six top ten singles and a string of sold out arena shows.  Embrace have plenty of their own self-penned mobster tracks though and will treat the Bingley Music Live crowd to a host of anthems such as 'Come Back To What You Know,' 'Fireworks,' and 'All You Good Good People' ringing out around Myrtle Park.

This year Bingley Music Live has renamed its 'Second Stage' the 'Discovery Stage' bringing the very best of new talent from around the country as well as some more established acts that festival-goers may yet be to discover.

Staying true to the mantra of giving a platform to discovering 'next year's talent today' and 'your favourite new bands', the Discovery Stage will continue this commitment that saw last year's second stage give birth to acts like Prides, Port Isla, The Wytches, Neon Waltz, Woman's Hour who have all gone on to great success.

Rae Morris is the first of headliner of the Discovery Stage artists to be announced.

Having been long listed in the BBC Sound of 2015 poll, Rae has recently delivered superb sessions for Fearne Cotton on Radio One and debut album 'Unguarded'.

Tickets are now on sale at £49 for adult weekend tickets and £34 for child weekend tickets plus booking fee at http://www.BingleyMusicLive.com 

Bingley Music Live Announces First Headliners (press release)

The legendary James have been announced as the first of the headliners at Bingley Music Live 2015

In a double whammy for fans of the festival, not only are the Myrtle Park faithful set to see the return of James, but tickets are to be frozen at last years prices of an incredible £49 for three days of international acts with the option to pay by installments for those that are quick off the mark.

James are the first headliner to ever be asked to play the festival a second time after a poll on the festival’s social media saw them voted the band most people would like to see return to the festival that has earned itself the reputation of being the ‘North’s Last Party of Summer.’

James need little introduction, since forming in Manchester in 1982, James's enduring creativity and musical legacy has made them one of the most influential British indie bands. Amongst 20 Top 40 singles in the UK, James’ anthemic hits include:  ‘She’s A Star’, ‘Laid’, ‘Born Of Frustration’, ‘Sometimes’, ‘Getting Away With It (All Messed Up)’, ‘Come home’, ‘How Was It For You’ and ‘Sit Down’ and are behind some of the biggest hits in the past 30 years selling millions of albums worldwide.

Their 13th studio album La Petite Mort was released last year to critical acclaim and hailed as one of the “Best Albums of 2014” by The Guardian featuring the singles ‘Moving On’, ’Frozen Britain’ ‘Curse Curse’ and “All I'm saying”, all mainstays on BBC6 Music.

In a career spanning over 3 decades, top 10 albums like ‘Gold Mother’, ‘Seven’, ‘Laid’, ‘Whiplash’ and ‘Millionaires’ have contributed to over 13 million worldwide album sales and have helped to build one of the most intensely loyal fanbases in the business. Famed for their incendiary live performances,
James can be sure of an ecstatic reception on their return to Bingley Music Live.

Tickets are now on sale at £49 for adult weekend tickets and £34 for child weekend tickets plus booking fee.

For more details see www.bingleymusiclive.com 

Slam Dunk Festival Press Release

Earlier this month, SLAM DUNK FESTIVAL announced its huge return to the festival circuit with headliners YOU ME AT SIX.  The festival, which takes place over the May bank holiday weekend at 3 sites in Leeds, Hatfield and Wolverhampton, announced a massive increase in capacity at all events late last year. 2015 sees the Leeds event return to its original home, Millennium Square.

Joining YOU ME AT SIX will be friends of SLAM DUNK FESTIVAL, DON BROCO.  These recent Kerrang! cover stars have been one of the fastest growing bands in the UK with many a BBC Radio 1 playlist, sold out tours and an increasingly expanding loyal fan base. They are currently working on their 2nd album, which is set for release this summer.

DON BROCO: "We’re very excited to be returning to Slam Dunk, it’s one of our favourite festivals and the line up this year is sick!"

Perhaps one of the most talked about new bands in the world right now, PVRIS will be making their UK festival debut at SLAM DUNK. Debut album ‘White Noise’ dropped late last year and the first single went C List on Radio 1. Expect massive things from this band after Slam Dunk.  Singer Lynn Gunn of PVRIS says: “We've always heard about Slam dunk and we've seen our friends performing at it. We're very excited to get back over to the UK and finally get to play it ourselves!”

One of the most exciting, ferocious and downright brilliant UK metal bands,

WHILE SHE SLEEPS return to SLAM DUNK after a 3 year absence, armed with new album 'Brainwashed' and a front man (Loz) with newly fixed and better than ever vocal chords (thanks doc!). This will be a must see, do not miss them at SLAM DUNK 2015!

Also joining the line-up includes probably one of the most perfectly chaotic bands TRASH TALK, that will no doubt rip SLAM DUNK apart in the best possible way, Boston’s A LOSS FOR WORDS playing one of their final shows, THE BRONX will be flying in exclusively to bring the party whilst their alter ego MARIACHI EL BRONX will be sure to have everyone dancing. 

As always, ska & punk will be a big fixture at the festival with old favourites, ZEBRAHEAD and BIG D & THE KIDS TABLE. Also following in the Slam Dunk tradition of having classic bands reform specially to play, UK ska punk heroes LIGHTYEAR, will be back! Long island, NYC’s PATENT PENDING will also be bringing their "psychotically fun and dramatically moving” live show to the festival.

Continuing to fly the flag for all those of you who like to be in the pit will be New York’s EMMURE and Sydney, Australia’s THY ART IS MURDER who make their festival debut.

Columbus Ohio 5 piece BEARTOOTH fresh from their sting on the 2015 Kerrang tour and excellent debut album 'Disgusting'.  Post-hardcore Illinois 5 piece, THE COLOR MORALE return to the UK following their Billboard Top 30 album ‘Hold On Pain Ends’.  Finally, much loved emo-rock band TRANSIT and New York punks SUCH GOLD complete this 2nd announcement.

Ben Ray, Founder Slam Dunk Festival

“This will certainly be year of unique performances! After already announcing Bane’s final ever UK Festival appearance, it’s especially sad to see the A Loss for Words guys’ final show, as we’ve become close over the years. Although to balance things out it’s good to see the return of Lightyear!”

LINEUP SO FAR:

DON BROCO
PVRIS
WHILE SHE SLEEPS
BEARTOOTH
THE COLOR MORALE
THE BRONX
MARIACHI EL BRONX
TRASH TALK
ZEBRAHEAD
PATENT PENDING
LIGHTYEAR
BIG D & THE KIDS TABLE
TRANSIT
SUCH GOLD
A LOSS FOR WORDS
EMMURE
THY ART IS MURDER
YOU ME AT SIX
TAKING BACK SUNDAY
LOWER THAN ATLANTIS
THE WONDER YEARS
NECK DEEP
BAYSIDE
KNUCKLE PUCK
FIREWORKS
REEL BIG FISH
MILLENCOLIN
GOLDFINGER
CROSSFAITH
GALLOWS
H2O
COMEBACK KID
BANE

Saturday 23rd May – Slam Dunk Festival North - Leeds - City Centre (Millennium Square, O2 Academy, Leeds Beckett Uni, Ba Bar and 2 other outdoor stages).

Sunday 24th May – Slam Dunk Festival South - Hatfield – The Forum, University of Hertfordshire Campus (22 mins direct train from Kings Cross)

Bank Holiday Monday May 25th – Slam Dunk Festival Midlands - Wolverhampton – City Centre (Wulfrun Hall, Civic Hall & Bar, Green Room, and 3 outdoor stages.)

Tickets are £39 (STBF) or £44 (STBF) with infamous Slam Dunk after party entrance included. For ticket outlets please visit www.slamdunkmusic.com

Live in Barnsley Press Release

LIVE in Barnsley, the town’s first metropolitan free music festival that first took place in June 2013, is now into its third year.  This year’s LIVE in Barnsley FREE Music Festival takes place on Saturday 20 June 2015.
​
Applications for bands wishing to play at this years festival opened last Friday and the organisers were overwhelmed with the response.  Organiser Dave Pearsall told us, “We had over 300 bands apply in the first 48 hours, which is amazing.  To put it in perspective, we had just over 300 bands in total apply for the first festival in 2013.  It’s great to see even more new bands from Barnsley applying.  It has been sad to see festival favourites like Mynas, Demographic and Hitomi splitting up but we’re really excited at the new projects that are springing up out of those bands.”

The Torn, from Doncaster, came into being in 2008 and comprise of Nick Berry (Lead Guitar and backing vocals), Tim Taylor (Bass Guitar) Ben Mullins (Drums) and Damian Dalton Smith (Lead Vocals, Rythm Guitar).  Damian is actually the brother of well known actress, Sheridan Smith, who recently won a National Television Award for her amazing performance in the ITV docudrama, Cilla, about the early life and times of Cilla Black.  You may also have seen Damian appear on the BBC’s The Voice a couple of weeks ago but unfortunately he lost his voice on the day and struggled to hold it together on the night of the live performance in front of judges Tom Jones, Rita Ora, Will I Am and Ricky from Kaiser Chiefs.  Undettered Damian vowed to continue singing with The Torn.

The band’s musical journey so far has seen them perform across the UK at many well known venues alongside the likes of The Mystery Jets, Reverend and the Makers, The Bluetones, The Specials and Tom Hingley  (ex-Inspiral Carpets).  Their style of  indie rock has won many followers, gained airplay/interviews on several local radio stations including some brief TV appearances.

The band release their new single, ‘Take It’, on 9th March through Sound Hub Records.

Bands wishing to apply for this years festival go to www.liveinbarnsley.co.uk and apply online.

Social Media

Twitter:         @liveinbarnsley
Facebook:    live-in-barnsley
Instagram:    liveinbarnsley​

Beacons Festival Press Release

BEACONS WAVES GOODBYE TO SKIPTON AS IT SETS SIGHTS ON BIGGER FESTIVAL IN LEEDS, LIVERPOOL AND MANCHESTER

Beacons Festival is evolving. 2015 will see it step away from the home of Skipton and move to the cities of Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester. Under the new name of Beacons Metro, it will encompass a series of cutting edge events, taking place across the different cities. Film, music, art and food will continue to be at the heart of Beacons Metro. Further details are expected in March.

Beacons Metro spokesman Simon Stevens said:
“After a great deal of careful thought and consideration, the Beacons team would like to announce that for 2015, Beacons Festival will bidding farewell to the green fields and valleys of the Yorkshire Dales to take up a series of exciting residencies in Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool, 3 of the North of England's most vibrant and creative cities.
Despite then feeling that 2014 was the best Beacons Festival so far, the feedback we received from the vast majority of festival goers in 2014 was that the cost of attending a traditional, camping festival was becoming increasingly difficult to meet. 

Our desire to make Beacons more accessible combined with the opportunity to work with some amazing partners at some truly unique spaces, was enough to convince us that the time was right to move onto the next stage of the festival's evolution. 

In October 2015, Beacons will be taking over an incredible 3 storey, former textile mill in the heart of Leeds city centre. We'll be collaborating with some amazing partners to deliver a full 12 week program of cutting edge music, art, film and food events in over 11,000 square feet of previously unused space.

In Manchester and Liverpool the Beacons team will be collaborating on a number of exciting events in some amazing spaces.

Full venue, programming and ticketing information for all events will be released over the coming weeks but for now we're thrilled to announce a host of amazing partners for 2015 including Crack Magazine, Last.fm, Resident Advisor, Belgrave Music Hall, Now Wave, Super Friendz, 2020Vision, Noisey.com, Leeds International Film Festival, Light Night, No Gloss Film Festival, Flux, Leeds Indie Food, Vice Films, Recon Festival, Village Bookstore, Melodic Records, Balearic Social Club, Welcome Skate Store and Bad Vibrations.
Finally, we'd like to apologise to all those who have already purchased early bird tickets for 2015. We have already contacted all customers and will be arranging full refunds as soon as possible. The team would also like to thank everyone who's attended Beacons Festival in it's various guises over the past years, we hope you're as excited as we are about our plans for 2015! “

The following brands and partners will be collaborating with us on carefully curated events during Beacons Metro season.

Crack Magazine
Last.fm
Resident Advisor
Now Wave
Super Friendz
2020Vision
Noisey.com
Leeds International Film Festival
Light Night
Belgrave Music Hall
No Gloss Film Festival
Flux
Leeds Indie Food
Vice Films
Recon Festival
Village Bookstore
Melodic Records
Balearic Social Club
Welcome Skate Store
Bad Vibrations
& more

Website- http://www.greetingsfrombeacons.com/

Twitter - @BeaconsFest

Instagram: @BeaconsFest

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/beaconsfestival