Peace YOUR ULTIMATE SUMMER GUIDE, FEATURING...
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PLUS!
CHVRCHES
SORRY
WOLF ALICE
RAE MORRIS
+ MORE!
2018 Festival Guide
Ed’s note.
Wait. Wasn’t it just Christmas five minutes ago? And now we’re talking about summers spent in fields, a spring time of inner city pleasure with the buzziest of bands, and absolutely no hangovers what-so-ever? Yep, Dear Reader, it’s time for this year’s Dork Festival Guide, This time round we’ve made one bumper edition to keep you going all through festival season, packed with your fave bands, tips, and everything you need to know. Don’t leave home without it. You’ll also be able to stay updated with all the latest line-up news at readdork.com, obviously. See you not exactly at the front. We want to be able to get to the bar, right?
Editor / @stephenackroyd
DORK
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Index. 6. 10 BANDS YOU NEED TO SEE 10. THE GREAT ESCAPE 14. PEACE 21. LIVE AT LEEDS 24. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE, ‘THE BANDS’ 26. WOLF ALICE 28. FESTIVAL EXCLUSIVES 30. SLAM DUNK FESTIVAL 36. CHVRCHES 40. ASK ‘THE FESTIVALS’ 52. DRAHLA’S GUIDE TO WAKEFIELD 54. RAE MORRIS 56. FESTIVAL STORIES 58. ...AND ALL OF THIS 62. FICKLE FRIENDS
Buzz-tastic!
Here are 10 new bands you need to see this festival season Yes you read that right - ten new bands. Ten. Getting our list down to a non-ridic number was crazy hard, but, you know, there aren’t enough trees for all of ‘em.
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#1
Sorry
WHAT ARE THEY LIKE? Impossibly exciting, Sorry sound both familiar and like nothing else - just like all the best bands. CHECK OUT: ‘2 Down 2 Dance’ CATCH THEM AT: Latitude (12th-15th July), Truck (20th22nd July), Green Man (16th19th August).
Hey Louis, are you guys looking forward to festival season? Have you got lots planned?
Yeah, festival season should be a gas. We are playing Green Man, Latitude, Truck and some
other city festivals around Europe!
Can you remember the first festival you ever played? How’d it go?
Our first festival was Truck two years ago after we won the competition. We played on Friday at 12pm to about three people, met Big Narstie though and told him our name was ‘FISH’ to which he replied, ‘Mans a fish cuz’. It was quite weird; he looked very unhappy. Sexy Sean [Coyle Smith] from Shame also walked in on him doing a poo. I don’t think it was the best festival experience for Big Narstie.
Were you festival goers before you started appearing on bills?
Yeah for sure, we used to hit up a couple.
Was there a learning curve when you began playing them, or is the whole thing pretty straightforward?
It’s just like any other show, really. I guess you do need to win people over more, so gotta keep that in mind.
What’s the biggest festival disaster you’ve experienced so far?
None yet, but will keep you updated. I’m sure there’ll be some this summer.
What’s the most exotic place you’ve had the opportunity to play?
We played Oslo [in Norway] a couple of months ago which I guess is exotic. Made some pretty Scandinavian friends. Shout out, Lars.
Do you hang around events to chill out while you’re there, or do you head home asap?
We always like to hang out, or try to. It is a free festival after all.
You’re at Green Man this year, is there anyone you’re especially looking forward to seeing there?
Brian Jonestown Massacre will be fun, also Mount Kimbe and Solange. Been a fan of her since the music video with the weird dance moves.
What else are you working on at the mo? Your new single ‘2 Down 2 Dance’ is ace btw.
Thanks, our second mixtape [‘Home Demo(ns) vol. ii’] is out, and then another single in early summer we thinks. P
DOWN WITH BORING
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Give Peace a. chance...
Cover story With notoriously one of the best coat collections in music, and more props than you can shake a sword at, Peace are a must-see festival band. Words: Jessica Goodman. Photo: Sarah Louise Bennett.
DOWN WITH BORING
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Must sees
Who do you want to see this summer
‘the bands’?
Find out who your fave musicians will be seeing this summer, and some of the places you can find ‘em.
“Phoebe Bridgers: I’m completely in love with her, to the point where it’s almost unhealthy. She’s just perfect. She’s waking a really thin line between being grossly sad and spooky and unhinged, which I think is a hard balance to get. Her voice is flawless. I want to be her best friend.” - Fenne Lily
perform.” - Tove Styrke
CATCH KENDRICK LAMAR AT: Reading & Leeds (24th-26th August) “We’ve been waiting all year for a chance to see Superorganism; we rinsed their singles in the van while on tour. Fortunately, we’ve got the chance to see them, Bad Sounds and Sports Team all within one mile of each other thanks to Brighton band magnet The Great Escape.” - Thyla
CATCH PHOEBE BRIDGERS AT: The Great Escape (17th-19th May), Gold Sounds (19th-20th May), Green Man (16th-19th August)
CATCH SUPERORGANISM AT: Live At Leeds (5th May), The Great Escape (17th-19th May), All Points East (25th-27th May), Latitude (12th-15th July)
“I’ve wanted to see Kendrick Lamar for years; I feel like he’s probably the coolest person on the planet. And this is the best time in his career to see him
“We’ve got friends’ bands who are always amazing, and I always look forward to watching them on festival lineups. Bands like Black Peaks, Vukovi, Fizzy Blood, Bad Sign and Arcane Roots. Enter Shikari at 2000trees will be something special too!” - Luke,
Press to MECO
CATCH BLACK PEAKS AT: Handmade (5th-6th May), 2000trees (12th-14th July), ArcTanGent (16th-19th August) “I’m really looking forward to seeing At The Gates at Resurrection Fest in Spain.” -
James, Rolo Tomassi
CATCH AT THE GATES AT: Hellfest, France (22nd-24th June), Resurrection Fest, Spain (11th-14th July), Bloodstock (9th12th August) “I got to see some of my recent
favourites at SXSW last week Shopping and Lucy Dacus and Girl Ray. I missed Natalie Prass and Caroline Rose, both of whom I’d like to see this year.” -
Sadie, Speedy Ortiz
CATCH LUCY DACUS AT: End of the Road (30th August-2nd September) “I’ve been on an absolute Feeder binge lately, and we’ll be playing with them at Teddy Rocks, so that’s currently at the top of my list of bands to see. I’m also a big big fan of the Y-Not Festival line up this year.”
- Sam, Mallory Knox
CATCH FEEDER AT: Teddy Rocks (1st-3rd June), Isle of Wight (21st-24th June)
(probably my favourite band besides Fleetwood Mac), Not on Tour, Doe, Kamikaze Girls, Happy Accidents, Fresh, Honey Joy, Jesus and his Judgemental Father and loads of other mates - I am so excited!” - Ren, Petrol
Girls
CATCH KAMIKAZE GIRLS AT: Handmade (5th-6th May)
“Really looking forward to seeing The Big Moon, the DMAs, Peace, Spector and of course finding some new bands!” - Star, Geowulf
CATCH THE BIG MOON AT: Handmade (5th-6th May), Gold Sounds (19th-20th May), Neighbourhood Weekender (26th-27th May), Truck (19th22nd July)
“There are a lot of my good pals playing at ArcTanGent. I’m looking forward to watching people like Arcane Roots, Black Peaks, and Vennart for starters. Also, Glassjaw have been a huge band for me ever since their first record came out, so I’m going to be stuck to them like glue for their whole set, hanging around backstage trying to bump into them, making a big nuisance of myself.” - Jamie Lenman
CATCH ARCANE ROOTS AT: 2000trees (12th-14th July), ArcTanGent (16th-19th August)
“Desperate to catch Nick Cave at a festival. And if possible, Gwenno, HMLTD and Lemon Twigs too.” - Jake, White
Room
CATCH NICK CAVE AT: All Points East (3rd June) “We’re playing Booze Cruise in Hamburg with RVIVR
“Looking forward to seeing Pale Waves [at Reading & Leeds] for sure and we won’t even have to move stages. Shame will be awesome to see as well. None of us have seen them yet, and we listened to them loads on tour. Sigrid darting around the Main Stage - can’t wait for that! We’re really looking forward to Kendrick Lamar as well. Also, it’s safe to say Oli our drummer is looking forward to seeing Panic! at the Disco too.” -
Henry, Sea Girls
CATCH PANIC! AT THE DISCO AT: Reading & Leeds (24th-26th August)
goes on.” - Anteros
CATCH THE KILLERS AT: Isle of Wight (21st-24th June), TRNSMT (29th June-8th July), Latitude (12th-15th July) “I’m looking forward to St. Vincent at Coachella and St Paul & The Broken bones at Bonnaroo!” - Genessa, The
Regrettes
CATCH ST. VINCENT AT: End of the Road (30th August-2nd September) “We’re excited to see Solange and the Breeders at Latitude!” -
Trudy and the Romance
CATCH SOLANGE AT: Latitude (12th-15th July)
“We are huge fans of At The Drive In, so that will be awesome to see. I’ve also never seen Glassjaw, so that will be amazing at ArcTanGent.” - Will,
Black Peaks
CATCH AT THE DRIVE IN AT: 2000trees (12th-14th July)
“I’m looking forward to catching Blaenavon this summer at 110 Above. I loved their record last year but never got the chance to see them live. Gengahr, Bad Sounds and The Night Cafe are all on my ’not seen them live yet’ list. There are bands like Mystery Jets who I always try and see when they’re in town, and luckily they’re playing at Barn on the Farm as well as us, so that’ll give me a great opportunity to fangirl.” -
James, Marsicans
CATCH BLAENAVON AT: Live At Leeds (5th May), Truck (19th22nd July), 110 Above (3rd-5th August)
“There are so many artists we are looking forward to seeing this summer. The Killers, Avalanche Party, Sigrid, Jungle, Peace, Blaenavon, Gorillaz, Stereo Honey, Wolf Alice, Arctic Monkeys, Whenyoung, Tom Grennan, Alt-J, Florence, Childish Gambino… the list
DOWN WITH BORING
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Citadel 2018
Take it to...
Chvrches
They’re back! With a brilliant third album due this May, Chvrches are ready to hit the festival circuit again. At Citadel, they’ll appear on a bill that also includes the mighty Tame Impala, quite probably Britain’s most incendiary new band Shame, the always brilliant Horrors and loads, loads more. We caught up with Iain from the band to find out what we should expect.
Festival Fact File
Location: London, UK Date: 15th July 2018 Tickets: citadelfestival.com Cost: £49.50 Line-Up: Tame Impala, CHVRCHES, Leon Bridges, Goat, The Horrors, Honne, Shame, Gang of Youths, Sea Girls, Goat Girl, Hawkwind, La Femme, Sam Fender, Isaac Gracie + more
Photo: Sarah Louise Bennett You’ve got a new album coming out just in time for festival season. Are you looking forward to getting back out there and playing live?
Absolutely, yes. Getting to share the new songs that we have been brewing up is my favourite part of what we do. Writing in the studio is a lot of fun and very fulfilling too, but the songs really take on a life of their own on stage.
How are you feeling about playing the new songs live? It feels like tracks like ‘Miracle’ and ‘Get Out’ are going to be absolutely massive.
I feel like it’s going to be a pretty different experience. It’s been just the three of us since the beginning, and I always knew it was inevitable that we would get a drummer at some stage and now that time has come, and I can’t wait for people to hear how much energy the new songs have.
Does having a live drummer
change things? Your power trio is now a square.
We are yet to find out! Having just started rehearsals and played a radio session, it’s too early to comment on that definitively, but early signs are very exciting indeed. On stage, we have always felt like a rock band at heart, and now we are taking steps towards that.
Do you feel like there’s more pressure on you at a festival, playing to people who might not know much about you?
It can sometimes feel like that yes, but it’s best to see it as more of a challenge than a pressure. I would say that it makes us come out swinging, but when I think about it, that’s how we tend to approach every show. But there’s no question that the energy and nerves are a bit different to playing one of our own shows.
What do you want people to take from seeing CHVRCHES live?
I think the best live music can be a very cathartic experience.
It can make us think, laugh, cry, or just jump around and feel part of something communal, bigger than ourselves. All of those things feel powerful and specific to a live music experience. I hope that people who come to see us live will take from it what they need.
The best thing about festivals is discovering something new and unexpected, either seeing a different side of a band you love or falling in love with something you’ve never heard before. Did you have any moments like that when you were younger? I remember the first time I saw The Flaming Lips live. On record, they are exuberant, psychedelic and reflective. But their live show explodes all of those things and seems larger than life. It was quite a shock the first time I saw them and didn’t lose its power after having seen them a few more times. P
CHVRCHES play Citadel (15th July). DOWN WITH BORING
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In the know
Ask ‘the festivals’
“They should have booked INSERT MASSIVE BAND here!”, we all cry. “Why don’t they just put on more loos?”, we ask. Seriously, when it comes down to it, we don’t know much about running a festival. But that’s okay, because we’ve tracked down the people behind your favourite events, and asked them all the questions you’ll ever need to know.
Bestival
Rob Da Bank
Hey Rob, how’s it going? All ready for this year’s Bestival?
Well, we’re never ready until about five minutes before the gates open. I always think that’s the mark of a good festival. Seriously though, it’s such an ongoing project that we’re often booking acts the week before and changing the site plan the day before we open! We are really pleased with our line up though, and tickets are up from last year, so we’re kinda ready yes.
Tell us about the event’s beginning - what made you want to start a festival, and what were those early days like?
Well, a ragtag bunch of us thought it would be fun to gang up and put on a little festival. We never anticipated we’d still be running it 15 years later. It started as a 4000 capacity knees up with a strong fancy dress angle and Basement Jaxx and Fatboy Slim headlining. We doubled capacity every year and never looked back. It was a lot of fun in the early days as we were a bit more carefree and irresponsible, but it’s still a buzz now
What are your main points of consideration when 40
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curating the line-up, and has that changed over the years?
I try not to tread the same path as everyone else. It’s kinda easy to book those big radio-friendly acts and imagine it will put bums on seats but actually if you look at the reactions to many festival line-ups, they don’t all want the same acts. Aside from headliners, it’s crucial we have a fat middle line up and loads and loads of new bands which is our forte. Bestival has always been about everything from Balkan beats to trance, funk to folk, pop and rock.
Are there any acts still on your wish list that you hope to hit up for future events?
Absolutely - Kate Bush if you’re reading this please answer the doorbell, I just
want five minutes of your time to persuade you to come to Bestival.
You guys have won loads of awards, are there any that are particularly important to you? It must be nice to know people love what you’re doing.
Awards are good for propping up wobbly tables and nice for the staff, but we really don’t rest on our laurels on past glories. Festival land is moving so fast we just focus on the future.
Do you have any surprises in store for 2018’s event?
Always! Some great new spaces planned as well as some mystery guests. P
Bestival takes place from 2nd-5th August at the Lulworth Estate, Dorset.
.M.I.A. is set to headline Bestival 2018 S. DOWN WITH BORING
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