Hi, this is Gemma Dempsey and welcome to another edition of The Global Gig Guide. This week we head to Belgium for Pukkelpop, Scotland for Belladrum, France for La Route du Rock and Wales for The Green Man Festival.
Pukkelpop is an alternative three day music festival in Belgium’s Hasselt-Kiewit district,twin citied with Mountain View in California. Founded by the politician Chokri Mahassine Pukkelpop attracted over 135,000 visitors last year, and judging by the line up for 2007, it’s likely to have just as many punters this year – there is Basement Jaxx, Arcade Fire, Kings of Leon, Mia, and Justice to name a few . Pukkelpop takes place August 16th – 18th and should not be mixed up with the Rimplerock festival that takes the weekend before at the same venue – according to Wikipedia this festival, translated as ‘Wrinklerock’ is for the older demographic …
As always, please check the Pukkelpop website for line up, travel, and all the latest information.
From Belgium we head to Scotland for the annual Belladrum Tartan Heart festival. Despite only being four years old, it already has a great reputation - according to Larry Gott of the band James, this festival has the original ethos of Glastonbury – eclectic and unique. Located near Inverness in the stunning Scottish Highlands , the festival can be reached by rail, road or even air – but if you are concerned about your carbon footprint check out the www.liftshare.com - you could make new friends on the drive there ,as well as help to save the planet.
The line up for Belladrum 2007 includes The Earlies, The Magic Numbers, Sandi Thom, Tunng and Duke Special. The festival is held on the majestic Belladrum estate and kicks off with the Crack it Open Ceilidh, then on Saturday night there is the Invenetian Masked ball – all festival goers are encouraged to attend in fancy dress this year. Two new things at this years Belladrum, Verb Garden for poetry, pontification and performance and organic mart to stock up on healthy comestibles.
From the Scottish highlands The Global Gig guide treks to France for the annual La Route du Rock festival. It takes place in the ancient city of St Malo in Brittany, Northern France which borders the English Channel. St. Malo can be traced back to the sixth century and was built up in the middle ages as a fortified island and became known as a hotbed for pirate mariners. Nowadays it’s a very popular summer vacation spot as well as being home to La Route du Rock – the line up features Art Brut, Elvis Perkins, Electrelane, The Go! Team, Justice and Sonic Youth performing ‘Daydream Nation’.
And finally we land in Wales in the rugged and beautiful area known as the Brecon Beacons for The Green Man festival. The actual venue is located in the Glanusk Estate, one of the largest privately owned estates in Wales. This is the fifth Green Man festival and features an eclectic list of artists such as Joanna Newsom, Clinic, My Brightest Diamond, Vashti Bunyan and Devendra Banhart performing on three stages over three days. There is also a kids area, a cinema tent and The Rumpus rooms were musicians and DJs will spin some of their favourite toons. And just incase you are worried about the recent bad weather in the UK, the festival’s website reports that the Glanusk estate is free of floods – but I would still pack a mac just to be on the safe side. NME describes The Green man Festival as being ‘perfect’ while The Guardian refers to it as heaven – so if you go please email me and let me know how it was for you!
That’s it for this weeks Global Gig Guide – as always we’d love to hear about festivals in your part of the world, so why not send us an email ? Global@kcrw.com.
Otherwise check back with us next week for more information on Global Gigging.
The Global Gig Guide is produced for KCRW.com by JC Swiatek and the theme music is composed by The Plush Interiors.
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KCRW Presents World Music Festival at the Hollywood Bowl
August 12 Reggae Night VI ft. Burning Spear; Sly & Robbie
September 9 Underworld, Paul Oakenfold with special guest Carmen Rizzo.
More festivals…
Seattle Sept 1- 3
The Shins, BRMC, Devotchka, Andrew bird – has been going for almost 4 decades!
FAIRPORTS CROPREDY CONVENTION
Where: Cropredy, UK
When: Thur 8/9/07- Sat 8/11/07
Headliners:
Main Stage
8/9- Jools Holland and His Rhythm and Blues Orchestra
8/10- Richard Thompson
GLASTONBURY ABBEY EXTRAVANGANZA
Where: Glatsonburry Abbey, Somerset
When: Fri 8/10/07- Sun 8/12/07
Headliners:
Main Stage
8/10- Van Morrison, Corinne Bailey Rae
8/11- The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
8/12- Ray Davies, Paolo Nutini
SOLFEST
Where: Tarnside Farm, UK
When: Fri 8/24/07- Sun 8/26/07
Headliners:
Main Stage
Badly Drwn Boy, The Levellers, Easy Star All Stars, The Undertones
Drystone Stage
3 Draft Monkeys, Bex Marshall, Katus, Silverwheel
CREAMFIELDS
Where: Daresbury, Cheshire, UK
When: Sat 8/25/07
Headliners:
Main Stage
The Chemical Brothers, Groove Armada, Kelis, Mark Ronson, LCD Soundsystem
CARDIFF CALLING
Where: Coopers Field, Cardiff, UK
When: Sat 8/25/07- Sun 8/26/07
Headliners:
Main Stage
8/25- The Streets, Super Furry Animals, The Automatic
8/26- Paul Van Dyk, Sasha, Roger Sanchez
CONNECT
Where: Inveraray Castle, Western Scotland
When: Fri 8/31/07- Sun 9/2/07
Headliners:
Oyster Stage
8/31- The Beastie Boys, The Jesus and Mary Chain
9/1- Primal Scream, Mogwai
9/2- Bjork, LCD Soundsystem, Scott Matthews, Regina Spektor, M.I.A.
Guitars & Other Machines Tent
8/31- Super Furry Animals
9/1- Modest Mouse, Echo and The Bunnymen, Rilo Kiley, Vashti Bunyan
9/2- Idlewild, The Polyphonic Spree