247 Spring 2014 issue

Music | Style | Culture | Sport | Clubbing | Food | Films | Street Art | Listings

Spring 2014 // FREE

ULTIM ATE SOUTH W FE TI EST VAL GUIDS E Your s INSIDE u m sorted mer

Snoop Dogg

Coming to the South West this summer

Lightknife // Mad Dog Mcrea // Skaters: NY

IN SUPPORT OF:

SN ONAT WO WATAT B U YB UTBYIUCYTKIETCTIKCSEKTNESOTW

AKA SNOOP LION

B U YS TNIOCKET ATS N O W AT U YS TNIOCWKET BUY TIC KET WBAT

Thursday 17 – Monday 21 July 2014 Castle Hill, North Devon

SUBJECT TO LICENCE

TICKETS FROM

£45 + BF

A five day summer camp of music, adventure and outdoor living in the heart of the South West SATURDAY 19TH JULY

SUNDAY 20TH JULY

JACK JOHNSON

BEN HOWARD

AMADOU & MARIAM

HISS GOLDEN MESSENGER CATFISH & THE BOTTLEMEN SIERRA LEONE’S REFUGEE ALL STARS

HALF MOON RUN

UK FESTIVAL EXCLUSIVE 2014

FINK BOMBINO NICK MULVEY NEIL HALSTEAD CROWNS

Happening across the five days

COMMUNION PRESENTS

CAMPFIRE FEASTS

THINGS TO MAKE & DO

CURATE A 3-DAY LABEL SHOWCASE

GASTRONOMIC DELIGHTS FROM THE ETHICUREAN OUTLAW’S FISH KITCHEN FIFTEEN CORNWALL & PITT CUE CO

FUN & MADNESS WITH BEARDED KITTEN, THE AWARD WINNING GURUS OF GIGGLES

LATE NIGHT FOREST PARTIES 3 NIGHTS OF HEDONISM IN A HIDDEN GLADE

THEATRE & SPECTACULAR A FORAY INTO THEATRE, IMAGINATION AND TIMELESS SKILLS FLYING TRAPEZE SCHOOL CIRCUS SKILLS WORKSHOPS - LEARN ACROBATICS, TUMBLING, UNICYCLING, GLOBE WALKING AND MUCH MORE

POP-UPS PEARL LOWE’S GYPSY TEA PARTY THE SHALLOWFORD ARMS COUNTRY PUB

KIDS CAMP - LET THEIR IMAGINATIONS RUN WILD WITH A HOST OF FUN CREATIVE ACTIVITIES ART & CRAFT CAMP - EMBRACE YOUR CREATIVE SIDE WITH ACTIVITIES AND CRAFTS APLENTY

WILD WELLBEING

EXMOOR EXCURSIONS & SEASIDE TRIPS

YOGA WORKSHOPS & CLASSES, ACRO YOGA, WILD FITNESS, PERSONAL TRAINING, BAREFOOT RUNNING, FACIALS AND MASSAGE

INCLUDING SURFING, PADDLEBOARDING, COASTEERING FALCONRY, POWER KITING AND MOUNTAIN BIKING

SOMERSAULTFESTIVAL.COM

EDITORS LETTER:

ISSUE 143 SPRING 2014 PUBLISHING DIRECTOR: Nigel Muntz nigel@outofhand.co.uk

EDITOR: Rachael D’Cruze rachael.dcruze@outofhand.co.uk DESIGN: Neil Hendy Mike Lisowski ADVERTISING: Nigel Muntz nigel@outofhand.co.uk CONTRIBUTERS: Laura Williams, Arash Torabi, John Barker, Backbone, Alan Butler, Louk, Sophie Prescott, Nicolas Emerson, Matt Joy, Matt Crane, Stephanie Broad.

Welcome to the Spring issue of 247 Magazine, which marks our 14th Birthday. This special edition contents our mammoth festival guide. You can’t beat a good festival with your mates and living in the South West you’ve lots of choice from free one-day events to full on raves and camping extravaganzas featuring some of the best artists in the world. There really is something on for everyone from folk fans through to punks and drum & bass party heads – take your pick and go in hard!

Enjoy this issue and see you at a festival soon

Rachael & the 247 Magazine team REGULARS

News 6 // Recommended 8 // Lightknife 10 Mad Dog McRea 12 // Skaters 13

FESTIVAL GUIDE

Festival essentials 16 // Music 19 Art and Culture 30 // Food 32 // Action 23 National 24 // VW 19 // European 20

STOCKISTS: Want to stock 247 Magazine in your shop or venue? Call 01752 294130 CONTRIBUTIONS: Article and photo contributions are welcome. Work is sent at the owner’s risk and although every care is taken, Out of Hand Ltd. accepts no responsibility for loss or damage.

Please email text & photos to 247@ outofhand.co.uk or post them to the above address.

LEGAL BIT: Copyright © 2014 Out of Hand Ltd.All rights reserved. Nothing in this magazine may be reproduced in whole or part without the express written permission from Out of Hand Ltd. Information on events, products, reviews and anything else does not necessarily imply recommendations by Out of Hand Ltd.We have done our utmost to make sure all the content in this magazine is correct and accurate, but would emphasise that we, Out of Hand Ltd, accept no responsibility for any mistakes or omissions.All opinions expressed in this magazine are that of the individual contributor and are not necessarily shared by Out of Hand Ltd. ISSN 1750-9017

Illustration by Carmel Green Arts This emotive and stylish watercolour piece was created by Carmel Green of Carmel Green Arts.

You can buy her very reasonably priced art at www.etsy.com/shop/Carmelgreenarts. Follow Carmel on Instagram: Carmelgreenarts and like her Facebook page: Carmel Estelle Green Arts.

FIND US ON: Search 247 Magazine www.twitter.com/247magazine www.myspace.com/247magazine

Published by: Out of Hand Ltd. Grosvenor House Belgrave Lane Plymouth, PL4 7DA Tel: 01752 294130 247@outofhand.co.uk www.247magazine.co.uk

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News WHERE HAVE WE BEEN? The hole in your life has been filled: 247 is back with this special festival issue! But alas, times are hard in publishing and as such you’ll have to just cope with us on an ad hoc basis – if we can put out a printed magazine we will, but we won’t be a monthly offering anymore. We aren’t abandoning you though – we’re having a sparkly new mobile responsive website built, which will offer you the very best of what’s happening across the South West online. Want to know what’s going on? Head to www.247magazine.co.uk. We have a new weekly newsletter you can sign up to, regular competitions and exclusive interviews and music to download. Our new site is great for promoters too, as you can post your own listings.

You could say we’ve gone digital and are helping to save the trees, but we’re still nostalgic enough to put out the odd mag now and again, because let’s face it: magazines smell nice.

THE SOUTH WESTS ULTIMATE LISTINGS GUIDE - ONLINE

DO FESTIVALS FOR FREE

GO HIGH-VIS

The days of sneaking into festivals are long gone.

It’s all about the high-vis approach now. Work as a festival guardian: check tickets, give directions and go on patrol, while you soak up the tunes and atmosphere. See www. oxfam.org.uk/Stewarding, www. greenstewards.com or www.festaff. co.uk

MOVE ON

Thousands of people opt to travel to festivals by car, coaches and shuttle bus services. Regardless, there is going to be a lot of traffic in and around the site at all times. Car park marshaling secures you both free entry and, should the sun shine, a sun tan. See www. greenstewards.com, www. cashandtrafficmanagement. com or www.festaxi.com for driving around on site

OFFER SUBSTANCE

It’s a bold statement but when you see our new online listings guide at www.247magazine.co.uk we hope you’ll agree. With a unique, easy to view layout that you can change at your leisure, we have pulled together all the great things taking places across the region, so now you don’t have to rely on being friends with the right people on Facebook to know where the decent gigs and parties are happening. We have over 2,000 events listed covering cultural and arts, films, gigs, club nights and festivals so now there’s no excuse for saying you don’t know what is going on!

If you’re an event promoter or venue owner, you can submit them free on the website and you can even sync your event calendar to automatically upload onto our site when you add them from Facebook or Google, so is a total time saver. Go and explore at www.247magazine.co.uk

Everyone needs to eat, so it stands to reason there are loads of jobs to be had cooking up a storm. A free ticket and all the sugared doughnuts you can it? Yes please. Same goes for service up beverages from beer to bellinis – it’s a cushy job. See www. eventstaffing.co.uk, www. workersbeer.co.uk, www. peppermintbars.co.uk or www.peppermintstaffing. co.uk

SAVE THE DAY

If you have basic First Aid training, why not work with St John’s Ambulance, or an on call emergency service, that are factored in for festivals? You can help those with sunstroke and hangovers from hell, then party hard the rest of the time. See www1. festival-medical.com

STEWARDING

Be the first person to meet and greet ticket holders, check their tickets and give them a wristband when they arrive at the gates of all the biggest festivals such as Isle of Wight, Bestival, Creamfields, Sonisphere, Electric Daisy Csrnival, Wickerman, Rewind, Camp Bestival, V Festival, Wakestock, Rockness, Belladrum and Download – Sign up at www.festaff. co.uk or for Latitude, Reading & Leeds, contact www.hotboxevents.com

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Recommended 01-11 MAY FOOD CONNECTIONS FOOD FESTIVAL 04-20 APRIL TRURO FESTIVAL TRURO Throughout the fortnight, the county capital city will be bustling with a menagerie of exciting events - expect live dance and music performances, literary trails, live storytelling and workshops, culminating in a massive outdoor music event on Lemon Quay. The Computers headline on 18 April, Backbeat Sound System on 19 April and nine local bands mark Record Shop Day on the 20 April. Six pop up festival huts will be appearing and moving around, taking the festival feel to all corners of the city. A huge number of weird and wonderful mini events will be taking place in these huts including; Exhibitions, Museum workshops, Recipe swaps, haircutting, storytelling, theatre, street art, live music, face painting, Punch and Judy, charity challenges and more. www.enjoytruro.co.uk

19 APRIL RECORD STORE DAY ACROSS THE SOUTH WEST Now in its seventh year and celebrating independent record stores and their unique culture, this is the one day that all of the independently owned record stores come together with artists to celebrate the art of music. Special vinyl and CD releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the day and hundreds of artists across the globe make special appearances and performances. The Computers are playing live at Drift Records, Totnes, Head and Rise in Bristol having various bands playing. www.recordstoreday.co.uk

BRISTOL A groundbreaking partnership between the BBC and the people of Bristol who have all come together to create a unique food event that truly represents the cities independent and maverick character.

The 10 day festival of food aims to connect people of all ages and backgrounds through the enjoyment of good food. Over 150 events are taking place alongside a food trail, producer markets, the unique and popular Eat Drink Bristol Fashion in Queen Square, BBC Food Village in Millennium Square, BBC Food & Farming Awards, workshops and more much. Most events are free, see the full details at www. bristolfoodconnections.com

01-31 MAY BRISTOL FESTIVAL OF PHOTOGRAPHY BRISTOL A simple series of independent exhibitions over multiple sites, the festival encompasses more than 100 stimulating and exciting exhibitions from local and international artists, talks, workshops and things to get involved in at a wide variety of galleries, cafes and community space across Bristol. www.bfop.org/

29 APRIL–03 MAY NATIONAL THEATRE CONNECTIONS FESTIVAL 2014

02 MAY RINSE-IT 2ND BIRTHDAY

PLYMOUTH Each year the National Theatre asks ten writers to create new plays for performance by young theatre companies all over the country. From Scotland to Cornwall and Northern Ireland to Norfolk, Connections celebrates great new writing for the stage – and the energy, commitment and talent of young theatre-makers. The Theatre Royal Plymouth is one of 26 venues across the UK hosting a showcase festival with new plays performed by young people from the South West www.theatreroyal.com

PLYMOUTH / EXETER Celebrating two years of Drum and bass parties, the Rinse-it crew have booked none other than Wilkinson to headline this special party at the Hub / dBs Live in Plymouth – Wilkinson smashed it with ‘Afterglow’ and his latest track, Halflife looks set to be just as big. Support comes from Mr Nice, Re-Defeat, Dom Jay and friends. Over in Exeter at the Lemon Grove on the same night, Rinse-it have BBC Radio 1Xtra’s Charlie Sloth headlining, supported by Johnny G, King Farmer and more. www.rinseout.co.uk

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Recommended 16 MAY OUTLOOK FESTIVAL EXETER LAUNCH PARTY

03-04 MAY MASKED BALL PORTHLEVEN Without doubt one the highlights of the Cornish party calendar, held on the cliff tops overlooking the English Channel. With amazing themed areas, improved camping facilities for those that need to sleep (think Tipi’s and Hobbit huts) and their biggest line-up to date, headlined on Saturday night

by Groove Armada playing a special DJ set. Other acts playing include The Cuban Brothers, Light Knife, Dreadzone, DJ Format, Shit Robot and many more. Sunday is more relaxed with Rob Da Bank and Rebel Bingo taking charge of the Sunday Service. Definitely our favourite party of the year, see www.maskedball.net for tickets.

EXETER Returning to Exeter Phoenix after their last sell out show back in January this time the Deep End crew are teaming up with Europe’s top Soundsystem music festival, Outlook, to put on dubstep’s Top producer and Best Vocalist/MC (as voted in the Dubstepforum 2014 awards) - Kahn Support comes from Flowdan and residents Ollie 303, Dutty Dan, Pulsar, Mystery and Siege MC www.exeterphoenix.org.uk/ events/outlook-festival-exeterlaunch-party/

03-05 MAY PIRATE FESTIVAL BRIXHAM, TORBAY Ahoy there captain, pirates of all shapes and sizes take over the town centre for three days of piratical mayhem. It’s all free and visitors are expected to dress up, there are also military and period re-enactors with guns and cannons to make plenty of noise. Buskers, jugglers and other entertainers will perform around the streets and harbour and over 16 bands playing include Mad Dog McRea, Hornswaggle and Pyrates. www. brixhampiratefestival. co.uk

15-25 MAY MAYFEST BRISTOL Adventurous theatre for playful people, from intimate encounters in small rooms to large-scale performances in public places, Mayfest 2014 has cabaret, live art, ballet, circus, music, dance, installation, storytelling and all manner of uncategorisables in between. Over the final weekend, Requardt & Rosenberg (who presents the Electric Hotel in 2010) return with their new outdoor show, The Roof performed in Millennium Square. www.mayfestbristol.co.uk

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25 MAY KISSTORY BRISTOL The sell-out London club night Kisstory is returning to Bristol on the 25th May 2014 at Sydicate. Kiss FM’s daily Kisstory show at 11am provides the best in old skool & anthems and bringing the biggest garage, house & R&B anthems to Bristol will be Kiss DJ’s NEEV, Freddie Dj Swerve alongside a live PA from Shola Ama who will be performing her huge hits including “Imagine” “Taboo” and “You Might Need Somebody. Kisstory nights are all about the best dance, hip-hop, R&B and garage anthems, tickets are on sale now at www.fatsoma.com/events/108306/ so get them before they sell out! For more info check kissfmuk.com

28 / 29 MAY THE KLAXONS PLYMOUTH / FALMOUTH In 2007 Klaxons did what pretty much no band have done since: arrive with a fully-fledged ideology – new rave. It might be hard to remember now, but back then it was strange seeing a high street normally shifting outfits in various hews of bland flooded with weird neon clothing. Fast forward to June 2014, and Love Frequency, Klaxons’ third album drops. Three years in the making, you can hear the new tracks at these exclusive intimate gigs in the South West – Plymouth’s White Rabbit and Falmouth’s Princess Pavilions. magazine | 9

LIGHTKNIFE

Since the breakup of Rosie and the Goldbug in 2009, vocalist Rosie Vanier has been enjoying life as a solo artist. In November 2013 however, she announced her latest regeneration as part of a three-piece band under the name Lightknife. She seems more ready than ever to get back on the road as part of an ensemble once again.

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Rosie has worked with the likes of Marco Pirroni, once a member of Adam and the Ants and Siouxsie and the Banshees. There is a definite post-punk feel to Lightknife and Rosie underlines that the ethos of the post-punk movement resonates through their music.

She also cites Kate Bush as a major influence and just as Bush has announced a much anticipated tour in 2014, Lightknife cannot wait to get back on the road this summer.

In a break between practices sessions before a busy weekend of gigging, Rosie made it clear that she was enjoying the newfound sense of camaraderie that being in a band brings. Lightknife, the current project, sees Rosie team up with a former Goldbug Lee Matthews or “Pixie” as she affectionately refers to him: “We can’t get rid of each other… I guess we’re musically linked”.

“I think we may have missed the festival wave a bit”

Rosie admits that “We are still very new to the scene as Lightknife and in many ways are still finding our feet”. This is not surprising given that Rosie’s latest incarnation only arose in November.

“In many ways it’s like starting up a new business but we are gradually reconnecting with the world!”. She has a refreshing air of confidence about where the band are heading.

Lightknife are based in the Cornish port of Porthleven where they have “a studio space and a piano set up in the middle of nowhere, it’s perfect”. The tranquillity of Porthleven is a far cry from where Rosie and the Goldbug once called home. Being based outside of London means that Lightknife can make as much noise as they want without “waking up the neighbours, because there aren’t any!”.

“I think we may have missed the festival wave a bit” she adds, with many festivals being fully booked up by fellow musicians by the time Lightknife had come into being. Nonetheless there are countless chances to see them perform in the coming months so there are no excuses for missing them. From 3rd to 4th May this year, Lightknife are due to play The Masked Ball, a biannual summer festival held in their hometown of Porthleven, headlined this year by Groove Armada. Rosie explained how the band couldn’t wait to perform at the event: “We’ve been going as punters for years so it’s about time we played it”. Friends of festival organiser “Kelv” (Kelvin Batt) Lightknife will be among familiar faces when the festival is in full swing in early May. At this point the interview takes an unexpected turn. Rosie lets out a yelp before explaining over the phone that boisterous “Bubs” the drummer had just whipped out his very own… ahem… Lightknife and proceeded to press it against the window of the van where she had taken refuge. It’s always the drummer… Rosie assured me that she could send a photograph via Instagram for the readers of 247 but we politely declined her offer. The realities of being back in a band of boys were surely hitting home at this point!

Maybe avoid Instagram for the time being. For all the latest on Lightknife keep an eye out on Facebook for upcoming gigs and news. Rosie and Lightknife are eager to make an impression on the music scene and their unerring drive ensures that they most likely will.

Upcoming shows: Blue Bar, Porthtowan - Saturday, 12 April 2014 at 21:00 The Royal Inn, Saint Austell - Friday, 18 April 2014 at 21:00 Komedia, Brighton - Sunday, 27 April 2014 at 19:30 The Cellars, Southsea - Monday, 28 April 2014 at 19:30 The Masked Ball, Porthleven - Saturday, 3 May 2014 at 20:00 South Devon Arts Centre, Totnes - Friday, 23 May 2014 at 20:00 Blue Bar, Porthtowan - Saturday, 12 April 2014 at 21:00 The Royal Inn, Saint Austell - Friday, 18 April 2014 at 21:00 Komedia, Brighton - Sunday, 27 April 2014 at 19:30 The Cellars, Southsea - Monday, 28 April 2014 at 19:30 The Masked Ball, Porthleven - Saturday, 3 May 2014 at 20:00 South Devon Arts Centre, Totnes - Friday, 23 May 2014 at 20:00

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Mad Dog Mcrea We talk festivals, playing live and new material with Michael Mathieson

Do all the members of Mad Dog Mcrea live in Plymouth, how long have you been together and how long have you lived in the South West?

We all live in and around Plymouth. The band name has been around for about 15 years but the lineup and style has changed considerably since we started. I would say the current incarnation of Mad Dog Mcrea has been around for 10 years. Most of the current band are all from the South West but I came over from Donegal in Ireland about 20 years ago when I was a teenager. I fell in love with Devon but frequently return to Ireland when there is a good wedding or funeral going on in my village!

Tell us about your new EP? We released a 5 track EP this week. The EP is a cross section of old and new songs that have been in our set over the years. We recorded it live in a studio in Devon because a lot of our audience wanted to hear the raw live energy, warts and all that they hear at gigs. The EP has good energy. Also we have a song called ‘Little Black Fly’ that we have never recorded properly so that’s on there too.

And there’s a full album due out soon, right?

Yes, we are working on it as we speak. We are nearly ready to record and we have been airing some of the new material at recent gigs so we can get feedback from the audience, which is all-important. So far the new songs have been met with a positive response and have gone down well. It’s invaluable getting feedback from fans as they are usually very honest about what they hear. Playing them live before we record is the best way to gauge if they will work or not on an album like ours.

Your song ‘Bees Wing’ is on repeat here at 247 HQ, it gives me goose bumps. Is it about a relationship you’ve had?

I wish I did write that song! Richard Thompson, an English folk legend originally from ‘Fairport Convention’ wrote that song. It’s a brilliant song and so emotive and I had been playing it around campfires and parties for years and someone suggested we record it. We put a different arrangement and our own stamp on it and were happy the way it turned out. I have heard Richard Thompson has heard it and really likes it.

Who writes your material and how do you come up with ideas for new songs?

Dave Podmore our banjo player and myself are the main songwriters in the band. A lot of

our songs come from direct experiences or stories we may have heard from fans or friends. A lot of ideas come from exchanges of silly banter between the band in our ‘Happy Bus’ on the way back from gigs in the little hours.

What have been the best highlights of your career so far?

Playing on the Avalon stage at Glastonbury was a huge highlight last year and we were given a very good slot and about 2000 people turned up to watch. It’s always a good vibe playing Glastonbury on the smaller stages too. Before that we used to have a yearly slot headlining the Sunday night at Maker Festival in Cornwall; this was always the highlight of the year for us.

Impressively, we read that you’ve performed with Mick Jagger too?

We were asked to play a garden party in Richmond London last year.

We hadn’t a clue what or who the party was for. When we arrived we set up in the garden, which was the size of a small park. It was a garden dinner party and after the dinner around 30 guests seated themselves in front of us and in walks Mick Jagger, Ronnie Wood and Bob Geldof among other celebrities. Mick Jagger sat right in front of us. It was daunting preparing to perform in front of one of the greatest front men on the planet but luckily we weren’t given too much time to think about it. He really got into what we were doing and grabbed a tambourine and came up to join us. He requested an old Irish song he knew because he had recorded it with The Chieftains and as luck would have it we had our own version of the song. The song is called ‘The Rocky Road to Dublin’. The whole thing was very surreal but he was very friendly and commendable.

Festival season is upon us soon – what are your favorite SW festivals and where will we see you play this year?

My favorite local festival now has to be ‘Volksfest’ in Plymouth. We have been playing that festival since it started and this year we have been given the honour of headlining the main stage on the Friday night. This is a huge deal for us and we are a bit nervous but can’t wait all the same.

Lemonfest in Newton Abbot is also a great festival and we are playing there again this year too.

Interview: Rachael D'Cruze-Sharpe

Visit Mad Dog McRea online at www.maddogmcrea.co.uk. See them live this year at Plymouth VolksFest (23-26 May) and Lemonfest (31 May).

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SKATERS We chat to New York rockers before they play Bilbao BBK Live 2014 Hello! Tell us how you guys met?

Mike: Me and Noah met in Junior High. We played in a punk band called Danny Scissorface. We knew Dan because he was in our favorite band growing up, called the Lot Six. But the band really formed in the summer of 2011 when I met Josh at a party in LA, and we decided to start a band within minutes of meeting.

Do you like skateboarding or is there another reason for your name?

Noah: The idea came to me cuz my sister would always say, "later skater" and I was like, "I'm not a skater", for the band its more about the idea resurrecting our youthful spirits.

You got signed pretty early on, right? How did that come about?

Noah: Just played a show and I guess the right person was there. It was probably one of our better shows or something.

You’ve spent a lot of time in the UK recently – do you like it hear and have you visited the sunny South West yet?

Noah: Yeah, we played a show in Cornwall, but the only people that showed up heckled us and then threw up at our feet. (Wow, better luck next time – Ed) Tell us about your single Deadbolt – we read it was about a shooting you witnessed?

Noah: Yeah, I had a little writers block and looked out my window and there was a really crazy gun shooting, so I decided to write from his perspective.

Your debut album, Manhatten is just out, what’s the response been like so far?

Noah: It’s been great, people now come to our concerts!

All of your tracks seem honest, autobiographical even – do you think it’s important to write about what you know?

Noah: Of course, social commentary is so last year.

What and who influenced Manhatten – we reckon we can hear some 70s/80s punk rock vibes and maybe a nod to The Beastie Boys?

Noah: Yeah, that’s it, it was intentional to wear our influences on our sleeves.

Who are you listening to at the moment – know of any new bands SKATERS fan might enjoy?

Noah: We're touring with Team Spirit right now, they're really rad.

What is the most exciting/memorable day you’ve had as a band to date?

Noah: Maybe the day we played Ms Teen Massachusetts for the first time - it was one of those ‘try not to smile’ moments but you couldn't help it.

What festivals are you playing at this year, where can we see you?

Noah: No clue. We're like children chauffeured around a museum. I don't even know where I am right now!

What three things would you never go to a festival without?

Noah: Wellies, weed and beer.

Lastly, if you guys weren’t in SKATERS what would you be doing now?

Noah: We'd be in a different band, probably.

We can’t wait to see SKATERS at Bilbao BBK Live 2014.

Check out the rest of the line-up at www.bilbaobbklive.com You can travel direct to Bilbao with www.brittany-ferries.co.uk from Portsmouth or go from Plymouth to Santander.

Flying? Go from Bristol or London Heathrow airports.

WIN

We have a pair of 3-day tickets to Bilbao BBK festival in Spain worth £180 to giveaway, enter at www.247magazine.co.uk

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One Big Summer Party 12th July, 2014

Dinham House, Nr Wadebridge

Abee Hague

The Boscastle Buoys

From 11am on

Tickets

Sat 12th July

available from

Nr Wadebridge, Cornwall Camping available

www.rockoysterfestival.co.uk

WELCOME TO OUR BIGGEST EVER FESTIVAL GUIDE Following on the amazing summer last year, we are getting into the mood for another long summer of partying with mates and seeing some great bands and DJ’s at festivals across Devon, Cornwall, Bristol and beyond. As always, there are some great events taking place this year – some well established, others not so well known but deserve your attention none the less. Check out our most comprehensive guide to South West and West of England festivals we’ve ever produced on the following pages and we hope it inspires you to go out, try something different and have an amazing summer.

Festival Essentials Festival Essentials. As the sun begins to show its face, it’s time to start preparing for the festival season! Got your ticket sorted? Here’s your shopping list…

Parrot Wellies

These parrot wellies are sure to get you noticed! If, like ACDC you’ve got big balls, why not opt for the matching Kigoule that have come about via a JuJu collaboration with animal-onesie legends Kigu.

Waterproof fancy dress – awesome.

Wellies by JuJu x Kigu, £40, www. jujushoes.co.uk and Kigoule by Kigu, £30, www.kigu.co.uk.

DryShampoo

Banish oil & boost body with totally tropically fragranced dry shampoo by Batiste because lank, greasy hair is never a good look. £2.99, Boots, www.boots.com

Cool Bag

There’s nothing nicer that a good ol’ festival picnic which is why we love this cheerful cool bag containing everything you need (really everything – you even get a chopping board and salt and pepper shakers!) for a four-person feast. Expect jealous looks all summer. £65, Cath Kidson, www.cathkidston.com

Nixon Lodown

Speed Split Tank

Keep your cool and get a tan without looking random and topless.

Speed Split Tank by Alpinestars, www. alpinestars.com.

Compiled by Stephanie Broad

You’ll need to know what time bands are playing and you’ll probably want a Nixon Lodown Watch anyway. This waterproof beauty comes with pre-programmed tide information for over 200 beaches until 2021 and features dual time, alarm, countdown timer, wave counter, chrono and light. Nice. £109.99 by Nixon@Surfdome, www. surfdome.com.

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FieldCandy magazine

With a tent as alluring as this Limited Edition Wild-Life wonder by Tord Boontje at FieldCandy you’ll be sad to go home. £495 by FieldCandy, www. fieldcandy.com magazine

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Frogskin Sunnies

These unisex Oakley Frogskin Sunglasses in Emerald are the bomb!

Comfort and looks – what more do you want? £139.99 by Oakley@Surfdome, www.surfdome.com

Poncho

You’ll be glad of this when the heavens open. Plus, think of the Snapchat possibilities… £1.99 by Easy Camp@ Surfdome, www.surfdome.com

Bangle Jangle

Nothing says festival chic quite like a wide brimmed woven straw hat and the ‘Bangle Jangle’ is just perfect. £24.99 by Volcom@Surfdome, www.surfdome.com

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MUSIC

APRIL

THE TRURO FESTIVAL

HIT THE DECK 19 April Various venues in Bristol

This great one-dayer adds in a Bristol date this year for the first time and we are glad! The line-up is looking loud with Brand New, Saves The Day, Brutality Will Prevail, Ghouls, Gnarwolves, The Blacokut, Kids in Glass Houses, Hands Like Houses, Memphis May Fire, More Than Life, Nai Harvest, Palm Reader and many more confirmed. Tickets cost 27.50 or £32.50 with after show. www. hitthedeckfestival.com

2-4 May

Motion, Bristol With Bristol’s thriving alternative music scene we can’t think of a better place to have Temples, which is a heavy music festival coving a range of genres and featuring a heap of both international and domestic artists including Clutch, Electric Wizzard and Moss. Expect over 40 artists, multiple stages, live art, local food vendors and some other interactive attractions too. Weekend tickets cost £85 (day tickets available) www. templesfestival.co.uk

11 May

FA FRIEMILY NDLY

Lostwithiel, Cornwall Lost fest is a brilliant free family event, which sees Lostwithiel become a mass of street arts, crafts, antiques, music, workshops dance and entertainment.

It’s a popular event love for its unusual mix and quirkiness – a great day out.

Although free to attend all donations go to local charity, FLEET who provide equipment for the local 999 Ambulances. www.lostfest.co.uk

DOT TO DOT FESTIVAL 24 May

4-20 April Various sites in Truro, Cornwall

The Truro Festival is always hotly anticipated and this year’s fortnight of events will see the festival grow even bigger and better. Events will take place all across the city, will live dance and music performances, literary trails, live storytelling and workshops and much more all on offer, ending on a high in a massive outdoor music event on Lemon Quay! Some events, including Ministry of Sound, Gig on the Quay are ticketed, others are free. www.enjoytruro.co.uk

MAY

TEMPLES FESTIVAL

LOSTFEST

F E S T I VA L S

Various venues across Bristol This great annual one-day festie bring together up and coming bands and DJs from the UK and international scenes, from indie, rock, dance and pop music spheres. On the line-up are Peace, The Midnight Beast, Caveman, Real Estate, Kyla La Grange, Barbarossa We Were Evergreen, Wolf Alice and Courtney Barnett plus loads more. Tickets cost £20. www.dottodotfestival.co.uk

SUMMER MASKED BALL

VDUB FESTIVALS

MODIFIED MOTORS MEET MOOZIC! BRISTOL VOLKSFEST

Washingpool Farm, Bristol 6-8 June FAM

FRIE ILY New for 2014 NDLY Bristol Volksfest will be hosting the UK Lowrider Nationals 2014 – so expect lots of awesome lowridz from UK and Europe in attendance, as well as all the usual great VW displays. There’ll also be a BMX/Skate ramp area, which will be shared by urban street artists and performers. Music line-up is yet to be announced so keep an eye on the website. Adult tickets cost £25 (Young adults £12 and under 12’s free) See www. bristolvolksfest.co.uk

May 3

Beacon Crag, Porthleven, Cornwall This year’s much anticipated Summer Masked Ball pledges even more ‘glitz and glam’ and a line-up to make you squeal.

Dance heavyweights Groove Armada have confirmed a DJ set as headliners, Disco legends Horse Meat Disco from the legendary Glastonbury venue NYC Downlow feature alongside LCD Soundsystem’s favourite tuneslayer Shit Robot and Marcus Marr from the New York DFA label in a lavishly decorated ballroom. Expect also jazz, funk and rare groove maestros Jelly Jazz, who’ll be running the funkiest club south of the North Pole in The Soul Circus Tent! With Dreadzone, The Cuban Brothers and Light Knife amongst the many others on the line-up it looks set to be one of the most hedonistic 12 hours of the summer!

Tickets cost £45. www.maskedball.net

DART MUSIC FESTIVAL 16-18 May Various venues in Dartmouth, Devon

Dart Music Festival has been around since 1997, offering ‘Music for All’ (and mostly free to all too!). Events take place in lots of interesting venues including a Victorian bandstand and an ancient fort.

Genres catered for are incredibly varied – expect everything from rock, folk and jazz to Gospel, Taiko Drumming and Opera! dartmusicfestival.co.uk

DEVON DUB FEST Bicton College, Devon 25-27 July

FA FRIEMILY NDLY

This is the fourth year of Devon Dub Fest, which is a family festival for VW lovers, providing a weekend of fun for all – even dogs are welcome!

CLIC Sargent is the events chosen charity and every penny of profit that is made from the event is donated to them. As we’ll as BIG Bug Love (all about the Beetles, innit), Show ‘n’ Shine and traders there’ll be a great music line-up with Farfisa, Shoot the Moon and The Loose Cannons the first to be confirmed.

The Saturday night fancy dress theme is Gnomes!

Adult weekend camping tickets are £30 (children £15, families £79.99). See www.devondubfest.co.uk

MUSIC RECOMMENDED EUROPEAN FESTIVALS OPEN’ER

Gdynia, Poland 2-5 July

The well-established Heineken Open’er Festival, which is now in its 11th year, takes place in Babie Doly Airfield in Gdynia, Poland. It boasts an impressive 75 hectares of space, a campsite and a beach to soak up the sun on! The line-up is even more impressive with Pearl Jam and The Black Keys headlining and Ben Howard, Lykke Li, Wild Beasts, Banks, Bastille, MGMT, Foals, Metronomy, Foster The People and Rudimental all on the bill too. The organisers have thrown NGO’s, films, theatres and performance into the mix too – we approve! See www.opener. pl, 4-day tickets from £106.

BILBAO

Bilbao, Spain 10-12 July

This three-day festival takes place on top of a hill surrounded by mountains offering spectacular views over the vibrant city of Bilbao, in Northern Spain.

One if the great selling points of this pocketfriendly festival is that you can the festival itself, plus the city and the beach, which is incidentally home to some great surfing! Acts we can’t wait to see include Franz Ferdinand, Jack Johnson, Poliça, Phoenix, The Lumineers, The 1975 and Elliott Brood!

See www.bilbaobbklive. com, weekend tickets from £85.

EXIT FESTIVAL Novi Sad, Serbia 10-13 July

Fancy partying in a Fortress? Then get yourself across to Exit Festival in Serbia, which is being held in Petrovaradin Fortress, Novi Sad – sick location and a sick line-up…

The 15th edition of this great festie sees a great mix of genres including rock, dance, indie, latino, reggae, electronica, chill out and regional music, over 500 acts and 20 stages. The line-up includes Rudimental, Disclosure, Albarn, Skrillex, Andy C,

F E S T I VA L S

MAY

VOLKSFEST

RUN TO THE SUN

This is brilliant family friendly weekender offers six music stages and three days and nights of entertainment for everyone.

The line-up is arguably the best ever with The Feeling, Razorlight, Heaven 17, Hayseed Dixie, Toyah, Johnny Borrell & Zazou, Moriaty, The Rising, Coda, Melosa, The Scribes, Electric Swing Circus, The Retro Gents and loads more set to play. There’ll also be a comedy tent, children's entertainment, cabaret tent, open mic, burlesque, stalls and of course the Show'n'Shine VW displays, which are always awesome. Weekend tickets cost £75 (under 5’s free). See www.plymouthvolksfest.co.uk

Newquay View Resort, Cornwall, 23-26 May

It’s back from the dead! After the announcement last year was the final chapter of the legendary Run to the Sun it’s back with new ownership! As one of the largest Custom Car, VW and dance festivals in Europe we couldn’t be happier it’s keeping the summer as it should be! On the line-up is Decade Of Viper, Jaguar Skills, Artful Dodger, Matrix And Futurebound, MistaJam, Krafty Kuts, Wideboys, Brookes Brothers vs Prototypes, Koven, Cyantific, Eddy Temple Morris, DJ Klimax, and hosts Illaman, and Rhymestar with loads more and others yet to be announced. Expect lots of other entertainment and the best in custom cars too. Weekend tickets cost £75 (and include eight nights camping).

See www.runtothesun.co.uk

LOVE SAVES THE DAY Castle Park, Bristol 24-25 May

New for 2014, Love Saves The Day is now a two-day event, adding in the Sunday, which was previously known as Love Saves Sunday. This great festival is always a massive success and this year looks to be the best yet with Andy Butler, Annie Mac, Apex, Crazy P, Black Butter, Bodhi, Christophe & Lukas, A Sagittariun, A.Quake, Aba Shanti-I, Breakage, Congo Natty with Nanci + Phoebe, Crack, Digital Soundboy all on the awesome line-up.

Weekend tickets are sold out, days cost £35/£39.50. www.lovesavestheday.org

SUNRISE CELEBRATION Chepstow, Wales 29 May- 1 June

FA FRIEMILY Sunrise Celebration prides NDLY itself on being more of a way of life that a festival – it’s an ethical, feel-good, inclusive festie! The festival is all about showing brilliant artists in amazing settings with a wonderful atmosphere. It’s an empowering festive where you have lots of opportunities to get creative and connected. Adult weekend tickets cost £99 (family/child/ concessions available). www.sunrisecelebration.com

TOGETHER

Camarthen Showground, Wales 31 May

2014 is the first year of Together Festival, which becomes Wales’s only dance music festival. Expect a variety of arenas coving House to Trance, Techno and Hip Hop. The extensive line-up includes MarcoV, Aphrodite, Technoboy and Laura Jones. Tickets cost £37.50. www.togetherfestival.co.uk

Newnham Park 23-26 May

WYCHWOOD

Cheltenham Racecourse 30 May-1 June

FAM Every year, Cheltenham I Racecourse becomes home FRIENDLY LY to Wychwood Festival which is a relaxed and family friendly three-dayer, encompassing everything from silent disco’s, to workshops, to comedy. The lineup includes Boomtown Rats, Newton Faulkner, Gentleman’s Dub Club and lots more big names to get excited about! Adult weekend tickets cost £125 (kids/ concessions available). www.wychwoodfestival.com

LEMONFEST

Newton Abbot Racecourse, South Devon 31 May

This is the fifth years our summers have been sunnier for the addition of Lemonfest! This year’s apt them is ‘yellow’ so get planning your outfit!

There’s a great line-up for this one-dayer with camping on the Saturday night, including Gentleman’s Dub Club, Mad Dog Mcrea, The Correspondents, Luke Friend, Hysteria, Tourists, Phat Bollard, The Other Tribe and Will And The People.

Tickets cost £20 or £30 with camping. www.lemonfest.co.uk

BATHFEST Bath Racecourse, Somerset, 31 May

Bathfest 2014 is offering 50 artists across four stages and five after parties! The lineup looks like it’s going to going off at the Racecourse with Pendulum, Wilkinson, Foxes, Grandmaster Flash, Eton Messy all on the bill. You can also expect amusement park rides, fireworks, Red Bull truck, Jager Bar and Pimms Garden.

Tickets cost £40. www.bathfest.fatsoma.com

MUSIC

SEASONS

New Perran Holiday Park Goonhavern, 31st May

A new festival for Cornwall born out of a chance meeting between the venue owners and event promoters Individual Events. Set in a lush holiday park with a musical line up featuring blend of acoustic, reggae, rock, indie and a little of Cornish heritage with The Crowns headlining. Other acts appearing include Sam Green, The Midnight Hiest, Shanty, The Aggie Boys Choir, Charlie Wingfield, Ben Jordan and Keiza amongst others.

Not forgetting the Busk Stop where ticket holders and rock up and perform themselves, this is set to be an annual festival. www.seasonmusicfestival.co.uk

JUNE INK FEST

Sand Bay Holiday Village, Weston-super- Mare 13-16 June

F E S T I VA L S

LETS ROCK BRISTOL FAM 6-8 June Ashton Court Estate, Bristol

FRIE ILY NDLY

This family friendly festival is dedicated to the 80s! Expect a great line-up bringing you the best of the 80s including Level 42, Bananarama and Rick Astley as well as lots of general 80s madness! Great for families as there are lots of attractions to keep the children happy, including Bigtopmania circus, funfair and soft play areas. Adult weekend tickets cost £70 (family and day tickets available) www.letsrockbristol.co.uk

ELECTRIC BEACH Warergate Bay, Newquay 7-8 June

It was great last year and previous artists have included Soul II Soul and De La Soul. This year US Hip-Hop legend Grandmaster Flash headlines supported

by Zion Train Dizraeli and the Small Gods, Land Of The Giants and many more all on the beach, without any mud in sight. www.electricbeachfestival.co.uk

This festival of tattoo art and alternative music is back for a third year. Held at Sand Bay Holiday Village, all tattooing and bands will be on this site giving an amazing atmosphere and holiday vibe.

There are a ton of tattoo artists from all around the UK and so as far as Sweden and the US. The music line-up looks sweet and included The Damned, The Sharks, Long Tail Texans and The Rocker Covers. Weekend tickets cost £50 (day tickets available). www.inkfest.co.uk

3 WISHES FAERY FEST

After a break in 2013, the International Barbican Jazz & Blues Festival is back!

This is a great free music event that sees some of the best names in Jazz and Blues play - from local groups to international names. Events will take place across the Barbican, with a Jazz parade, Jazz market and Swing Sunday. The event will be held alongside the stylish La Solitaire du Figaro yacht race. www. barbicanjazzandblues.blogspot.co.uk

This family friendly festival celebrates the wonderful world of faeries and boasts a lovely friendly atmosphere. The line-up includes Professor Elemental, 3 Daft Monkeys, CoCo and the Butterfields and The Dolmen. You can also expect guest musicians and bands, a faery procession, craft market, art exhibition and a themed ball. Adult weekend tickets cost £30 (children free but you must get a ticket) www.faeryevents.com

TEIGNMOUTH FOLK FESTIVAL Various venues in Teignmouth, Devon 20-22 June

Back for the 16th year the Teignmouth Folk Festival, will be held at a number of different venues in lovely Teignmouth.

Confirmed acts include The Old Dance School, Vin Garbutt, Barron Brady, Old Gaffers, Halfway Harmony, City of Plymouth Pipe Band, and Flash Co. Expect also Morris, Border and Appalachian dancers! Ticket prices are yet to be announced. www.teignmouthfolk.co.uk

CONT...

Fred V and Grafix featuring Dynamite MC, Sub Focus, TC and Dimension.

See www.exitfest.org, adult tickets cost from £95.

FORT PUNTA

Christo, Croatia.

3-7 Sept

If you like bass, you’ll love Outlook Festival which brings you the biggest names in drum & bass, broken beat, reggae, hiphop, dubstep and dance-floor soul music.

Held in a secluded site in beautiful Croatia (by the sea near Paula), Outlook Festival is the largest Bass music and Soundsystem Culture festival in Europe.

The line-up looks outrageous with Lauryn Hill, Busta Rhymes, Submotion Orchestra, Fatima, DJ Marky, Andy C, Grooverider and Michael Prophet & Dub Asante Band. See www. outlookfestival.com, five day passes cost £140.

SONUS

THE BARBICAN INTERNATIONAL JAZZ AND BLUES FESTIVAL The Barbican, Plymouth 13-15 June

RECOMMENDED EUROPEAN FESTIVALS

Mount Edgecumbe House, and Country Park Cornwall FA FRIEMILY 20-22 June NDLY

EDEN SESSIONS

Eden Project, Cornwall 21 June onwards

The Eden sessions are The Eden Project’s festival type offering and truly spectacular: world-class bands and artists performing in front of beautiful Biomes with the amazing acoustics created by the natural amphitheatre!

The line-up for this summer includes Ellie Goulding, Pixies, Dizzie Rascal and Elbow, with others yet to be announced.

Tickets cost £35/£40 depending on the act. www.edensessions.com

Pag Island, Croatia 18-22 August

This electronic music festival is held on Croatia’s famous Zrce Beach, on Pag Island, which is home to two renowned clubs; Papaya, and Kalypso.

You can expect paradiseesque turquoise blue sea, wonderfully warm weather and DJs spinning tunes down at the beach as well as the main venues. The line-up will het techno fans seriously excited, with Dixon, Loco Dice, Ricardo Villalobos, Chris Liebing, Jamie Jones, Luciano, Marco Carola and Richie Hawtin as part of the 50 plus international acts set to play. The boat parties are legendary but sell out early (you buy tickets separately for these) so get in quick!

See www.sonus-festival. com, packages start at £117

MUSIC

JUNE FIELD OF DREAMZ

7th June Torrington, North Devon

Born out of the free party loving Marland Mash Up crew, this new family friendly all day festival is raising money for Cystic Fibrosis. Acts playing on the main stage and dance tent include The Breaks Collective Lazy Shaun, Creature Criag, Liqidators, N.U.M.B and many more, covering all styles of music such as Reggae, ska, breakbeat, indie, pop, drum and bass, soul and rock. With tickets only £12, its great value. www.fieldofdreamz.co.uk

GOLOWAN FESTIVAL

Penzance, Cornwall 28 June

F The Golowan festival, which FR AMILY IEND is Cornish for midsummer LY is the festival of St. John and is held in Penzance each year on Mazey Day – it’s an old tradition. This year ‘Golowan Goes Global’ with Penwith and Truro College and as such you can expect more youth music events.

This great festival offers something for everyone with music, poetry, dance, food and theatre. www.golowan.org

ST PAULS CARNIVAL Bristol // 5 July

This year’s theme for the incredibly colourful St Pauls Afrikan Caribbean Carnival is ‘HOME- Inna we yard’, which is ‘Promoting participation in the Education and Appreciation of African and Caribbean Arts and Culture’. This is the best street party in the South West – an awesome spectacle, loads to see and a brilliant atmosphere. www.stpaulscarnival.co.uk

PRIDDY FOLK FESTIVAL The Green, Priddy, 11-13 July

The Priddy Folk Festival FA started as a fundraiser in the FRIEMILY NDLY village hall and has grown considerably since then but still remains true to its roots. A great family event, where you can relax on the green and listen to good music.

Confirmed acts include John Langan Band, New Rope String Band and Old Somerset Russets. All money raised goes to the village school and other village projects. Weekend tickets cost from £56. www.priddyfolk.org

F E S T I VA L S

GOLD COAST OCEAN FEST Croyde 20-22 June

At the heart of Oceanfest is the competitive sports that culminate over the festival; skateboarding, surfing, beach volleyball, beach soccer, ultimate frisbee, surf life saving, Ironman and Diamond Lady events, the Nipper Challenge and Beach Aquathon! It’s a brilliant weekend of action and music with Natty, Mason Jennings and Josh Record among the first acts to be confirmed. Adult weekend tickets cost £50. www.goldcoastoceanfest.co.uk

GLASTONBURY Worthy Farm, Pilton, Somerset 25-29 June

Glastonbury festival really is one of a kind and unlike any other festival in the world. Over five days Worthy Farm becomes home to over 100 stages offering every music genre you can think of. Acts confirmed already include Arcade Fire, Dolly Parton, Lily Allen, Disclosure, Blondie and The Black Keys.

There’s also the best in cabaret, theatre, circus, poetry, healing, green crafts and children’s entertainment. It’s the biggest most vibrant festival there is with an unbeatable atmosphere. Tickets cost £210 but have sold out. www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk

MUSIC & ACTION SPORTS FESTIVALS

Festivals that fuse big headliners with adrenalin fuelled sports get the 247 thumbs up!

WAKESTOCK

Cardigan Bay, North Wales. 11-13 July

It’s hard to believe that Wakestock began back in 2000 as a party in a car park for 500 people and a wakeboard contest during the day! It’s mahoosive now, attracting over 20,000 people but still takes place where it all began, on the beautiful Llyn Peninsula in Cardigan Bay. Wakestock Gwyl Y Mor (Festival Of The Sea) is hosted right next to the beach, and featuring a competition for the wakeboard title as well as offering three days awesome music. The line-up looks great and includes Razorlight, Tom Odell, Frank Turner, Fred V and Grafix Ella Eyre, Frightened Rabbit, Redlight, Chris Sheldon, and DJ NCK. Weekend tickets cost £115, www.wakestock.co.uk

JULY KEYNSHAM MUSIC FESTIVAL

Various venues in Keynsham, Bristol // 1-7 July 2014 marks the 14th anniversary of Keynsham Music Festival, which aims to promote a week high quality performance and community co-operation for all. The festy also provides a great programme of music and cultural events combining a local focus with an international flavour.

Most of the events are free too! A real family and community event. www.keynshammusicfestival.co.uk

2000 TREES

Upcote Farm, Cheltenham 10-12 July

FA 2014 is the eighth year of this FRIEMILY brilliant independent festival NDLY celebrates the best of the new and underground British music scene, catering for most genres.

They’ll be over 100 live acts across the two days including Band Of Skulls, The Bronx, Kids in Glass Houses, DZ Deathrays, Maybeshewill, The Computers and Turbowolf. Weekend tickets are £75. www.twothousandtreesfestival.co.uk

PAIGNTON BIKE FESTIVAL Paignton Seafront 2-4 May

This festival is run ‘Bikers make a difference’ (BMAD), which started in 2002 by a group of bikers who decided to arrange a social event on the beach and raise money for local charities.

This grew to include the festival, so now during the May Bank Holiday weekend each year, Paignton Green is transformed into a wonderland with live music, stunts, a beer tent and loads of stalls. www.bmad.co.uk.

NATIONAL FESTIVALS

GOTTWOOD

Anglesey, Wales 19-22 June

If there’s one weekend that’ll get everyone raving again, it’s electronic music and arts festival Gottwood. Held deep in the Anglesey forest, with provides a stunning backdrop, this is a boutique, independent festival which offers a diverse, genretwisting line-up bringing you the best underground electronic music on offer as well as pioneering veterans. There are a yon of acts announced already including DJ Format, Calibre & Mc Drs, Craig Richards, Crazy P Soundsystem and Dense & Pika with more being added regularly.

See www.gottwood.co.uk, weekend tickets from £85.

SECRET GARDEN PARTY Abbots Ripton, Cambridgeshire 24-27 July

The Secret Garden Party is a literally the best, most creative and eclectic garden party you can imagine. Set in a 220 acre landscaped garden, bordering a river and lake, it’s a beautiful place to be with loads going on for both adults and children. There are eleven stages and a brilliantly varied line-up which includes Morcheeba, Dub Pistols, Sub Focus, Rosie Lowe, , Little Dragon, Fat Freddys Drop and Clean Bandit.

See www. secretgardenparty.com, an adult weekend ticket costs £180.

GLOBAL GATHERING

Long Marston Airfield, Stratford Upon Avon 25-26 July Global Gathering never disappoints and this year, which is the festival’s 14th anniversary, looks set is set to be the biggest, most diverse and genresmashing to date. The line-up is simply killer, covering the whole of the dance music spectrum and includes The Prodigy & Chase & Status live, DJ sets from David Guetta, Alesso, Knife Party, Annie Mac, Jamie Jones, New World Punx, Dixon and Maya Jane Coles. Expect more than 150 world-class DJs, over 16 arenas and up to 50,000 people. See www.globalgathering.com, weekend tickets cost £120.

MUSIC

NASS

JULY

Shepton Mallet 11-13 July

FA FRIEMILY Three days of raw action NDLY sports, music and party-hard living. Land at NASS and you'll find yourself smack bang in a world where ravers and athletes go hard... No matter if you’re moshing at main stage, raving in The Warehouse or watching our World Class Skaters, Inliners and BMXers killing it in the pro park, there’s not a minute of the day that isn't going off at NASS Headliners include Cypress Hill, Netsky, Andy C, Funeral for a Friend and many more. Tickets from £83 for the weekend. See www.nassfestival.com

BRISTOL PRIDE

Castle Park, Bristol // 12 July

FA FRIEMILY NDLY

Bristol Pride has quickly become one of the largest Pride events in the UK and is so good it’s even won a few awards.

Expect a most colourful parade, massive outdoor music festival featuring multi stage entertainment, onsite play and creative activities along with dedicated community and much more. The festival is dedicated to being accessible so entry is by donation. www.pridebristol.co.uk

BRISTOL HARBOURSIDE FESTIVAL F FAMILY Bristol Harbour 18-20 July

F E S T I VA L S

RIEN DLY

Bristol Harbour Festival is the city’s largest free festival and boasts a wonderful mix of live music, dazzling dance, street theatre performance and scintillating circus displays! In a nutshell it’s Bristol’s chance to showcase its rich musical and performance roots, which sees over 250,000 festival fans head down to the historic waterfront to party, dance and relax. www.bristolharbourfestival.co.uk

PORT ELLIOT

Earl of St Germans Cornish Estate, Port Eliot, Cornwall 24-27 July Port Eliot Festival had a FA year off in 2013 and is now FRIEMILY NDLY back bigger than ever. This is a magical, Bohemian that’ll really capture the imagination. Expect a diverse offering or arts and entertainment encompassing music, literature, poetry, comedy, film and art. The Line-up includes Public Service Broadcasting, Gruff Rhys, Jimi Goodwin (Doves), Sean Hughes, John Shuttleworth, Shami Chakrabarti and Martin Parr. There’s a special supervised kids’ area featuring magic and puppet shows and slam poetry sessions with DJs, dance and more for teens. Adult weekend tickets cost £165 (children and day tickets also available)

THE ROCK OYSTER FESTIVAL

FA FRIEMILY NDLY

Rock, Cornwall // 12 July

Head to this beautiful part of the Cornish coast, with a day full of brilliant music and Celtic charm. You’ll be able to sample some of the best Oysters, Mussels, and other local produce around with the new open air Farmers Market. Whatever your music taste the 2014 line-up is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face while you dance through another great night. It’s a great family friendly event with the kids will be taking over the “little” Big Top, our main stage, from 1pm to 5pm!

Adult weekend tickets cost £20 (Children cost £5/10). www.rockoysterfestival.co.uk

CHAGSTOCK

Whiddon Down, Chagford, Devon // 18-19 July

Head to this beautiful part of the Cornish coast, with a day full of brilliant music and Celtic charm. You’ll be able to sample some of the best Oysters, Mussels, and other local produce around with the new open air Farmers Market. Whatever your music taste the 2014 line-up is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face while you dance through another great night. It’s a great family friendly event with the kids will be taking over the “little” Big Top, our main stage, from 1pm to 5pm!

Adult weekend tickets cost £20 (Children cost £5/10). www.chagstock.info

URBAN MASH UP Club Ice, Westbury, Wiltshire // 19 July

Urban mash Up Festival will be a true Rave experience with the main Indoor and Outdoor arena’s being hosted by some of the biggest brands spanning the DnB and hardcore spectrum, partying through till 6am. Dreamscape, Jungle Mania, Sweet Tooth and Rough Tempo are just a few of the confirmed artists.

Tickets cost £35. www.urbanmashup.co.uk

SOMERSAULT FESTIVAL

Castle Hill Estate, North Devon 17-21st July

This brand new five-day summer camp of music, adventure and outdoor living looks set to be a riot. Jack Johnson and Ben Howard are headlining and campers can enjoy surf trips to nearby Woolacombe, as well as trying handplaning, coasteering, wind surfing, kite surfing, sailing, canoeing and paddleboarding, horse riding, trekking, moor running and mountain biking, all in the local area. We are looking forward to the crafts, culture and fireside festivities too! Tickets cost £99 for the long weekend. www.somersaultfestival.com

BOOMTOWN FAIR

Matterley Estate, nr. Winchester, Hampshire 7-10 August

2014 marks the sixth year of BoomTown Fair, which offers the ultimate feel good party atmosphere and an array of music, theatre, comedy, art, and Arcadia.

With the main line-up being ska and party bands from around the world - The Cat Empire, NoFX, Hot 8 Brass Band, Chas & Dave, Hayseed Dixie, Phoenix City All-stars are all playing, and there’s gypsy, folk, reggae, dub and country and western music on offer as well. Add into the mix cabaret, comedy, spoken word, an anarchist theatre and on-site art and you’re in for one hell of a weekend. They get extra points for their eco-friendly initiatives too. See www. boomtownfair.co.uk, adult weekend tickets cost £150.

MUSIC

AUGUST

LAPSTOCK

FARMFESTIVAL

Music at the Mill returns as a two day festival this year, offering a familyfriendly mix of music, performers, and workshops. Line-up includes Ten Zero One, Urban Tourist, Shadow Factory, Aunt Fanny’s Handbag, Kelly’s Heroes, Moor Reason, Lee Hall Band, Revolvin Door and Eat the Rich. Camping is available too. Adult tickets cost £13.50 (£5 for children, under 5’s free). www.lapstock.org.uk/lapfest

Somerset // 1-2 Aug

FA Farmfestival started in 2006, FRIEMILY as a festival for friends and NDLY has stayed that way – they don’t believe in hype or inflated prices, which is great news for us festival goers! You can expect a great line-up of alternative music, amazing charities and local produce against an amazing Somerset countryside backdrop. On the bill are Public Service Broadcasting, Melt Yourself Down, Alpines, DJ Food, Channel One Soundsystem, The Kelly Twins and loads more. Adult weekend tickets cost £52.50 (children & family tickets available). www.farmfestival.co.uk

REDFEST

St George Park, Bristol // 2 August

FA FRIEMILY NDLY

Redfest is a yearly community run arts and music festival that takes place every year in St George Park, Bristol - run by the community for the community. It’s free too. Details for this year are yet to be announced so keep an eye on the website. www.redfestbristol.co.uk

BOARDMASTERS

Fistral Beach & Watergate Bay, Newquay, 6-10 August

SHAMBALA FESTIVAL

A secret country estate in Northamptonshire 21-24 August

The August bank holiday is reserved for the legendary party that is Shambala Festival. This year overs 200 diverse musical acts across 12 live stages, world-class cabaret, an amazing array of workshops, stand-up comedy, inspirational talks and debates, jaw dropping circus and acrobatics, interactive theatre and nationally acclaimed poetry!

It’s a pioneering, intimate and innovative festival with creativity and togetherness at its heart. This awardwinning green event is family friendly, there’s no separate arena from the campsite, and there's no restriction on alcohol. Lineup is yet to be announced.

See www.shambalafestival. org, adult weekend tickets cost £135.

F E S T I VA L S

If there’s one festival that encapsulates summer in Cornwall it’s got to be Boardmasters! A weekend of beach-side surf living along the beautiful Cornish coastline and the best line-up! By day you can watch pro surf competitions, chill on the beach or go surfing yourself while you get ready to see acts including Chase & Status, Snoop Dogg (aka Snoop Lion), Bastille, The Cribs, Peace, Duke Dumont and Ben Pearce. You can also look forward to Beach Session gigs, surf art, photography, beach bar and BBQ, skate and BMX demo and a healthy dose of retail therapy. Weekend tickets cost from £109. See www.boardmasters.co.uk

Lapford, Devon 25-26 July

KNEE DEEP FESTIVAL Saltash, Cornwall 1-2 August

The fifth annual Knee Deep Festival will be taking place at a secret location near Saltash, in Cornwall. The festival is known for showcases emerging indie talent, established bands and DJs, although year’s line-up hasn’t been released yet.

Eyes on the website people! www.kneedeepfestival.com

LEOPALLOOZA Lower Exe Farm, Week St Mary // 1-3 August

This year marks the 9th Leopallooza and once again this amazing boutique festival will be taking place within ‘The Wyldes’ a custom made festival site set in a scenic, lush valley! Billed as ‘the greatest house party…in a field’ this festival has a brilliant atmosphere and will host big names as well as new names with line-up yet to be announced. A weekend ticket costs £70. www.leopallooza.com

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA Ashton Court Estate, Bristol // 7-10 August

DARTMOOR FOLK FESTIVAL South Zeal, Oakehampton 8-10 August

This friendly traditional Folk Festival is a friendly traditional festival. Expect ceilidh, stepdance and broomdance championships, Dartmoor fayre, craft displays, dances, Sunday ramble, craft tent and much more. This is the 37th year of the festival which always attracts some of the top national and local artists – line-up yet to be announced. Camping is available. www.dartmoorfolkfestival.co.uk

The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is now in its 36th year and is world famous spectacle! One of the UK’s most iconic events, it’s a great place for friends and family. There’s so much to see from ‘breakfast and balloons’, to the spectacular Nightglow or you can ever make a full weekend of it and stay at the official campsite. As well as the balloons throughout the four days there will be a wide array of attractions on the site including model aircraft flying displays, inflation races, balloon tethering, appearances from the EXIT Parachute Display Team, a Spitfire Memorial Flight, an exhilarating display by the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team and the world’s premier aerobatic team - the legendary Royal Air Force Red Arrows.

See www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk

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BESTIVAL

Robin Hill country Park, Isle of Wight 4-7 September

Ah, beautiful Bestival – it’s a real treat. Expect big names, plus a plethora of surprises, secret stages and colour and fun in abundance. The immence line-up includes Paloma Faith, Basement Jaxx, Outkast, beck, Foals, Busta Rhymes, London Grammar, Sam Smith, Green Velvet, Chase & Status (DJ Set), Andy C and Rob Da Bank.

The fancy dress theme is a must and this year’s is 'Desert Island Disco' – get planning! See www.bestival. net, weekend adult ticket costs £195.

AUGUST BATH FOLK FESTIVAL

Various venues in Bath 6-17 August

Bath Folk Festival is a grass roots festival entering it’s fifth year with an established a reputation as one of the most exciting new folk festivals to emerge in recent years. This year’s headliners are Martin Carthy and Sheelanagig with the rest to be announced soon. Tickets available soon. www.bathfolkfestival.org

BEAUTIFUL DAYS FESTIVAL 2014 FAM IL

F E S T I VA L S

GREEN MAN FESTIVAL Glanusk Park, Powys, Wales // 14-17 August

This legendary folk-centric festivals will see over 100 FA FRIEMILY acts play, taking in indie, NDLY psychedelia, Americana, folk and folktronica with DJs playing everything from dub- modern electro to stoner rock. It’s a family friendly festival, which offers children’s areas, as well as film, literature, theatre, poetry, workshops and more. The lineup includes Beirut, Neutral Milk Hotel, First Aid Kit, Kurt Vile & the Violators and Daughter. Adult weekend tickets cost £159 for adults (student, teen and children tickets available too). www.greenman.net

Escot Park, Devon 15-17 August

FESTIVAL NUMBER 6

Portmeirion, Wales 5-8 September

Festival Number 6 returns for its third year to the gloriously picturesque village of Portmeirion, Wales, which is a wonderfully bizarre interpretation of a Mediterranean villa, built between 1925 and 1975!

The festival takes places across the entire place, from the promenade and bay through to the town hall. Beck and London Grammar are headlining with a third act yet to be announced. The line-up generally looks great with Bonobo, Neneh Cherry, Steve Mason in the mix and DJ sets from Julio Bashmore, Andrew Weatherall and Danny Kravit plus many more.

See www.festivalnumber6. com, adult weekend tickets cost £170.

FRIE Y NDLY This is The Levellers own festival which is a 247 Magzine favourite for the great community spirit and consistently awesome line-ups. This year’s acts include Steve Earle, Seasick Steve, Jimmy Cliff, Dead Kennedys.

SEEED, Bellowhead, Tinariwen. Seth Lakeman and of course the Levellers themselves. This is a family friendly festival with plenty on offer for kids including a seated Theatre Tent comedy, music, acrobatics, mime and magic, as well as theatre. Fancy dress is a must on the Sunday, but the theme is yet to be announced. A weekend ticket costs £130 (children £60/£30/£5). www.beautifuldays.org

LOVE SUMMER FESTIVAL Secret meadow location in Devon // 15-17 August

Once again this year’s Love Summer festival will be held at FA a beautiful but secret Green FRIEMILY NDLY & Lush Devon Meadow complete with a lovely River and beautiful woods no less!

This year’s theme is Disco, with the days being about children and the nights for partying. This festival is limited to only 450 people and asks for a contribution of £35 (children £15/£10/Free). OAPs are free should you want to bring a babysitter! www.lovesummerfestival.com

CORNWALL FOLK FESTIVAL Cornwall 22-25 August

FA 2014 sees the 42nd Cornwall FRIEMILY NDLY Folk Festival! The August bank holiday will be filled with street entertainment, live artists, workshops, children’s events, dance sets and more at various venues in Wadebridge. Expect a variety of folk styles as well as an array of local bands and Cornish music, including Wizz Jones, Flossie Malavialle, Jez Lowe and Geoff Lakeman. Early bird weekend tickets cost £45 (children are half price). www.cornwallfolkfestival.com

WATCHET FESTIVAL 22-24 August

Watchet Festival is an affordable family friendly music festival that offers over 50 music acts over three stages and amazing views of the stunning West Somerset coastline and beyond. The lineup includes Bad Manners, Toploader, Eric Faulkner’s Bay City Rollers and as always ‘house band’ The Wurzels will perform too. There’s also open Mic Tent, The Something Else Tea Tent, food court, workshops, festival market, real ale and cider bar and kids corner. Early bird weekend adult tickets cost £50 (children and family tickets also available). www.watchetfestival.co.uk

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CULTURAL FESTIVALS FOWEY FESTIVAL OF WORDS AND MUSIC Fowey, Cornwall 10-17 May

Brought to you by the du Maurier Festival Society, the Fowey Festival of Words and Music is an exciting week-long event held in various locations around beautiful Fowey. Events include a whole Family Fun Weekend, Fowey Arts Trail, Bookbinding workshop, Wind in the Willows' river cruise and The House on the Strand by Daphne du Maurier: A Reading Group with Dr Laura Varnam. A full prorgramme with details (including ticketing info) can be found on the website. www.foweyfestival.com

MUSIC

AUGUST

3 CHORDS FESTIVAL

ARCTANGENT Fernhill Farm, Bristol 28-30 August

FA FRIEMILY NDLY

ArcTanGent is the UK’s only festival catering for mathrock, post-rock and noise rock.

Expect 70 bands across 4 stages, a silent disco. The line-up includes Russian Circles, This Will Destroy You, Jamie Lenman and Tera Melos. Weekend tickets cost £65 (children are free). www.arctangent.co.uk

MAYFEST Bristol 15-25 May

Mayfest is a one-of-akind event, dedicated to presenting a broad range of contemporary, unusual, playful and ambitious work locally and beyond. Spaces across the city are used and the programme is huge and varied. We like the look of ‘Made in China’: a razor sharp and darkly comic exploration of our universal desire to win (£12/£8) and I Wish I Was Lonely (£10/£7) which is one for anyone who is glued to their iPhone…Full programme with prices on the website. www.mayfestbristol.co.uk

ART8

Newquay, Cornwall 23-26 May

Art8 is Newquay's Arts & Culture Festival, back for it’s third year and running over four jam-packed days. Expect top-class artists and performers in a festival schedule with more workshops than ever before. With everything from photography and crafts to film, theatre and comedy on offer you’re sure to find something to inspire you. art8newquay. co.uk

BATH FRINGE 23 May-8 June

17 days is barely enough time to cram in all of the artforms Bath Fringe Festival includes, with the collaboration of many of Bath’s population, which gives a nice local flavor to this exciting cultural festie.

Things to look forward to

F E S T I VA L S

Trereife Estate, Penzance 23-24 August

Pasty ‘n’ punk for the bank holiday weekend in pretty Penzance? Proper job!

The line-up looks great with UK Subs, TV Smith, Subhumans, Demob, GBH, The Surgeons, Potential Victims and many more confirmed. Punk most certainly isn’t dead! The first 200 tickets will cost £45. www.3chordsfestival.co.uk

FOLKFEST OVER THE HILL Perran Quay Touring Park, Newquay 29-31 August

Over the Hill was first planned as a large local gig with the view to showcase local talent from the southwest but has grown into a great three day music festival with over 60 acts from Cornwall & Devon and a few select international guest too! Lineup to be announced soon, so keep an eye on the website. www.overthehillfestival.com

LITTLE APPLE CYDER FESTIVAL Healey’s Cyder Farm 12-14 September

After an amazing first year, Little Apple Cyder Festival is back with a fantastic showcase of bands and talent from all over, plus a huge selection of delicious cyders. Expect three days of incredible festivities, sea shanties, a huge selection of world-class bands and musicians, dancing and lots of other fun. A great family event – kids will especially enjoy the tractor rides. Early bird weekend tickets cost £25 (family tickets available too). www.cornwallciderfestival.co.uk

28-31 August Burnham-on-Sea,Somerset This is the ninth free acoustic festival in Burnham-on-Sea FA Somerset. Expect free FRIEMILY NDLY activities in pubs around the town centre including dancers, workshops, exhibitions, market, refreshments and kids’ entertainment. There are a ton of acts already confirmed including The Urban Folk Quartet, RSVP, The Drystones, The Merry Looters, MOD and The Schmoozenbergs. The concert on Friday night costs £10. www.folkfest.co.uk

SEPTEMBER LOOE MUSIC FESTIVAL 2014 Looe, Cornwall 19-21 September

End the summer in style with Looe Music Festival. We love this festival as the whole town is transformed - everywhere is the venue, everybody’s welcome to the party. Expect a big, vibrant event with excellent bands – the line-up hasn’t been released yet but recent acts include The Darkness, The Stranglers, Levellers, Reef, The Skints, and Seth Lakeman. A threeday adult ticket cost £67.50 (day tickets available). www.looemusic.co.uk

Insight: Rock Oyster Festival Over the past four years, the Rock Oyster Festival has carved a niche for itself and build a hard won reputation for combining great food and music with a unique Cornish atmosphere. Born from the simple idea to highlight the fantastic oysters grown in the Camel Estuary, acts that have put the rock into Rock Oyster over the past four years include Easy Star All Stars, the Destroyers, Blair, the Bees, Dub Pistols, Charlotte Church and Slamboree to name but a few.

We caught up with festival promoter, Charlie Anderson ahead of this year’s event.

How did the Oyster Festival originally come about?

We thought it would be a good idea to shout about the fantastic oysters grown in the Camel Estuary, summer, great food and music - an irresistible combination, it has grown from there.

What makes the Oyster Festival unique compared to other food / music events in Cornwall this summer?

There are plenty of food festivals and a handful of quality music festivals but none of them put the two together to make a great party.

With a firm focus on quality Cornish seafood, who, in your opinion serves the best Oysters at the festival?!

Luckily an easy question to answer, the oysters from the Camel estuary, the festival is held on the banks of the Camel Estuary a stones throw from the oyster beds.

What special things can festival goers look forward to at the event this year? Without doubt the music, the Rock Oyster stage managers team put together a great line up year after year. This year is no exception with the Destroyers, Backbeat Sound System and Kitten and the Hip. It promises to be a great party!

Quality food, good ale and fine music is a great combination, how do you go about picking the bands playing at the event to ensure it keeps the right atmosphere? A long time ago I asked a mate who works for RAK Records what kind of music he liked (I was stuck to trance, acid jazz and nothing else at the time), his answer was "all kinds of music". I learnt from him, opened up an interest in a far wider range of music and now have great fun being introduced to all and every genre. The brief for choosing acts follows this idea, so for Rock Oyster "anything that is good vibe, dancing smiling music" is what will get on the lineup. I also love to introduce a few bands that will have not played in the South West, just to keep it fresh.

With that in mind, acts confirmed this year include the seductive threesome - Kitten & the Hip – a mix of powerful vocals, a world class horn section, electro swing, some R & B, a bit of camp disco, a dollop of drum and bass, a smidge of dubstep, hooky pop songs and there you have Kitten and The Hip. After a great response in 2011, The Destroyers return for more Oyster fun with their Bulcan beat, mega-folk mentalism.

SW based 8-piece funk band, Freshly Squeezed bring the funk to the festival and real must be seen live. Anther 8-piece performing, Backbeat Sound System are a band laden with groove, their uptempo songcraft drawing from funk, ska, reggae, pop, and dub. These combine in creation of a tight, uplifting, sun-clasped sound- seemingly designed for festival fields and hazy, elated dancing. The line-up is rounded off by The Bookshop Band who write songs inspired by books, and play them in bookshops and The Boscastle Buoys who keep the age-old tradition of shanty singing alive and flourishing.

So if you want good music, fantastic Cornish food, farmers market, Sharp’s beer alongside a huge selection of Cornish tasting ales and of course the oysters, it certainly makes for a memorable day out!

Rock Oyster Festival takes place at Dinham House, Nr Wadebridge on 12th July. Info and tickets from www. rockoysterfestival.co.uk Photos: Jo Ward

include Spiegeltent, Bedlam Fair street festival, Kids' festival, comedy, theatre, music, writing and of course lots of visual art too. www. bathfringe.co.uk

FAL RIVER

Falmouth, Cornwall 23 May-1 June

The Falmouth University Fal River Festival is an 10 day festival is a not-for-profit community festival which encompasses over 150 events including gig racing, swimming, walking, arts, heritage, drama and of course music. It's a chance to embrace the places, people, history, culture, sport & industry that are connected by the Fal River. See www. falriver.co.uk.

EXETER RESPECT

Belmont Park, Exeter 31 May-1 June

This is the cities annual celebration of diversity, where performing and creative arts are used to promote multi-cultural understanding and say no to racism and all forms of prejudice. It’s a lovely free family friendly event. Music line-up yet to be announced but you can expect multiple stages, play area, dance workshops, cabaret and more. See www. exeter-respect.org.

BIG GREEN WEEK

Bristol city centre 14-22 June

Bristol is European Green Capital 2015, the first ever UK city to win this award so it’s a great year to attend this festival of eco ideas, art and entertainment. The two weekends of free family entertainment and nine days of inspiring talks, workshops, art, music, poetry, comedy and films will offer something for everyone. We are looking forward to FareFashion; an evening of fair and local food and drink, eco-fashion, recycling and sustainability hosted by The One Show’s Lucy Siegle. www.biggreenweek.com.

FRINGE THEATREFEST Barnstable, Devon 19-22 June

Back for its eighth year, Fringe TheatreFest is a lively, friendly celebration of theatre in its varied forms, held in Barnstable, Devon. It’s a great opportunity to discover new theatrical work from within the event’s full and varied programme. We like the look of surreal, comedy horror, Birdhouse and If You Ever Leave Me, which reinterprets Western folktales from an Asian-Pacific perspective to explore the family ties that bind us. See www.theatrefest.co.uk

FOOD

APRIL EXETER FESTIVAL OF SOUTH WEST FOOD & DRINK 24-26 April Exeter Castle & Northernhay Gardens

This annual festie is always a huge success – it attracted 20,000 visits last year and is set to be bigger and better this year. It offers a great opportunity to indulge in top-notch South West food and drink, see national TV celebrities, watch cookery demonstrations and participate in workshops. The Festival After Dark Events with live music, chef demos have a great atmosphere too and are well worth checking out.

Adult weekend tickets cost £17.50 (consessions and day tickets available). www.exeterfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk

BRISTOL FOOD CONNECTIONS

Various locations around Bristol // 1-11 May

The main sites for Bristol Food Connections will include a BBC Hub on the waterfront and Eat, Drink, Bristol Fashion in Queen Square, but all corners of Bristol will become hives of activity during the 11 day festival. Events include producer markets, a huge food trail, debates, good food walks and cookery classes and demos. Many of the events are free and those ticketed are affordable.

We’ll see you at the Wild Booze walk! www.bristolfoodconnections.com

JUNE GRILLSTOCK

Bristol Harbourside 7-8 June

This awesome two-day festival is all about the three m’s: Meat, music and mayhem. Probably not one for the veggies, there’s a smouldering hot US low ‘n’ slow BBQ competition, with teams from across the world competing!

As nothing goes with a good BBQ better than good music (well…maybe beer) there are over 40 bands playing the best of Americana rock, funk, blues and country. Headliners are Hayseed Dixie, Vintage Trouble and Fun Lovin’ Criminals.

Weekend tickets are currently on offer at £20 (day tickets also available). www.grillstock.co.uk

FOODIES FESTIVAL Bristol Harbourside 11-13 July

A haven for all foodies, this is a summer food and drink festival that’s sure to inspire. There’s so much going on with a Chefs Theatre, where Michelin-starred and top chefs cook before your eyes and share their techniques, Pop-up restaurant tents and street food avenue and world food pagodas, allowing you to try anything you’ve ever fancied! There’s also a producers market, Childrens Cookery Theatre and live local music. Adult three day tickets cost £18 (day tickets and concessions available). www.foodiesfestival.com

F E S T I VA L S PORTHLEVEN FOOD AND MUSIC FESTIVAL 25 -27 April Porthleven Harbour

The action kicks off with a Friday night fundraiser featuring Ben Waters supported by Keiko Rise. Saturday is to be opened by Antony Worrall Thompson and you’ll see more of Cornwall’s best in the Chef’s Theatre. As well as tantalising your taste buds, the festival boasts a tasty selection of hand-made and locally grown films, which will be shown throughout the festival. If you’ve got kids in toe, they’ll love the festival arena designed for the younger folk, with music, a treasure hunt, cake decorating, mini funfair, face-painting, hot food stalls and theatre. The event promises some great live music too with three stages.

Fundraiser tickets are £10, other days are free. www.porthlevenfoodfestival.com

MAY VEGFESTUK

Bristol // 23-25th May

If you’re a veggie yourself or you’re simply a foodie interested in healthy ethical eating you’ll enjoy Vegfest. It’s basically a celebration of veggie diets with a rock ‘n roll twist. There’s always a nice atmosphere and the music line-up for this year is looking sweet and includes Boney M ft. Maizie Williams, Gwen Dickey's Rose Royce, Peter Hook and the Light, Ruts DC and Zion Train. It’s free to go in the day but you need a ticket for the evenings.www.vegfest.co.uk

DARTINGTON FOOD FAIR

31 May – 1 June Shops at Dartington

This foodie festival, back for the fourth time, will take place at the Shops at Dartington, one mile from Totnes in the beautiful South Hams area of Devon. On for two days, this festival showcases the best of local produce with over 50 local food producers, as well as arts, crafts, children’s entertainment, competitions and other activities – a great family day out. This fab festie is free to all. www.tasteofthewest.co.uk

SOMERSET CHEESE, CIDER AND MOOZIC FEST 20-22 June Nether Stowey, Somerset

You can’t get much more Somerset that this fantastic annual celebration of Cheese, Cider and Moozic! Expect the finest cheese and cider makers and local bands as well as some typically Somerset shenanigans - cheese and cider games like no other! Music line-up looks great with Sound of The Sirens, Wille & The Bandits, Rodney Branigan & Tim Snider, The Britpop Collective, Slimdown Dog and Mangledwurzels. Dogs (and even cows apparently) are welcome and there’s camping too! A family ticket for two adults and two children costs £50 (loads of other tickets types available). www.somersetciderandcheesefest.co.uk

Insight: Volksfest Britain’s ocean city, Plymouth has always lacked a high profile music festival until Volksfest launched back in 2007.

We spoke with the promoters to find out what they have planned for their biggest event to date at the end of May. There have been many previous attempts by other promoters to hold successful music festivals in the city such as the council sponsored Soundwave Festival on Plymouth Hoe back in the mid nineties that saw the likes of Muse headline, the ill-fated Total Eclipse in 1999 which had the Sugarhill Gang and Orbital headline, Parklife and the Plymouth Music Festival, unfortunately all failed to gain viable ongoing support from music fans.

Plymouth Volksfest has changed all that. Despite the name, (people could be for forgiven for thinking its a car show) it has naturally evolved and whilst retaining the VW element, is firmly focused on creating a flagship music festival for Plymouth.

Having launched in 2007 at the beginning of the recession it originally aimed to create a more family focused alternative to the other VW gatherings in the UK, the festival now attracts over 10,000 people with a strong music line up catering for all tastes from bands to international dance DJ’s. Set in Newnham Park on the edge of Plymouth, this unique setting (complete with a river running through the valley) is the foundation to the festival atmosphere as it feels like the middle of nowhere, but you're only 10 minutes from Plymouth city centre.

Promoter Vince Davies said “We’re proud of the festivals heritage, however, we realised by the third year that the festival had taken on a life of it's own - although the V Dubs, old and new, are still a big part with the popular Show n Shine on Sunday, we are now firmly centred around bringing together both local and national bands and DJ’s to suit all tastes and ages as well as catering for a wide variety of other arts and a strong emphasis on keeping the kids busy”.

Having become Plymouth premier music festival, over 300 acts across six stages have been confirmed for 2014 including The Feeling, Razorlight, Dreadzone, The Boomtown Rats, Heaven 17, the hugely popular Mad Dog

McRea, These Reigning Days, Land of the Giants and Toyah amongst others.

Promoters have added a Live and Local Jammin and Cabaret stage and an all-new dance village with multiple arenas (topped off with a beach!) hosted by the likes of outdoor party legends, Universe, Rinseout, Hindsight, ElectroStatic, Liquid Pulse, Wonderlust, Kitchen Disko and Souloud over the weekend. Over 75 acts are booked, headliners include Judge Jules, Danny Bryd, Top Buzz, Brandon Block, John Kelly, Graham Gold, Mark EG and DJ Rap playing everything from hard style, old skool, house, techno, drum and bass and more. There is also a cinema that will be showing cult classics, as well as some great underground films from all over the world - many of which were featured in Robert De Niro's film festival in America last year.

Plymouth Volksfest runs from 23 - 26 May at Newnham Park, Plympton, Nr Plymouth. Discounted weekend tickets from £85 and day tickets are only £35, get them from www. plymouthvolksfest.co.uk Keep up to date at Twitter @plymfest2014 facebook.com/ volksfestplymouth

DJ Rap Razorlight

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The Fee

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WIN TICKETS TO NASS

Three day National Adventure Sports Show (NASS) festival returns on 11-13 July at Royal Bath and West Showground, nr Shepton Mallet with massive music acts including Cypress Hill, Netsky, Noisa, and Big Reel Fish, the best in international BMX, skate and inline competitions, live graffiti, street art, break dancing and rave mischief that could only take place in the massive warehouses unmistakable to NASS. We have two pairs of tickets to giveaway, enter at www.247magazine.co.uk

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Quentin Tarantino reckons it the best film of the year – Big Bad Wolves involves a series of brutal murders that puts the lives of three men on a collision course: The father of the latest victim now out for revenge, a vigilante police detective operating outside the boundaries of law, and the main suspect in the killings – a religious studies teacher arrested and released due to a police blunder. We have five copies of the DVD to give away, enter at www.247magazine.co.uk

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The UK’s biggest vegan event takes over Bristol’s Harbourside on 23-25 May with a unique hybrid of vegan food/info and workshops during the day and headline music acts in the evenings. Acts playing include Boney M ft.

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