THE SPACEPORT LINE-UP REVEALED
The legendary Port remains missing, its whereabouts unknown but Bestival’s brand new, revolutionary monolith of sound, The Spaceport, is shaping up to be the greatest dance stage ever! Throbbing to an intergalactic soundscape of epic proportions, our seven storey symbol of the future will transmit Bestival’s unique vision of our dancefloor destiny as we unveil the crack squad of space cadets, who will be joining previously announced Spaceport headliners Diplo, Carl Cox, and Fatboy Slim & Dub Pistols sound system to blast us into the unknown this coming September on the Isle of Wight.
Bestival rave-master Rob da Bank says: “Prepare for lift off my futuristic friends, this is going to be the stage of the summer of UK festivals. A dream team of Josie da Bank, our mate Paul Normandale, who’s Bjork and Coldplay’s lighting designer, super set designers Spatial and a host of madcap inventors are building an incredible imaginary Spaceport for you to rave at and take off into The Future. In that rocket will be no less than rave veterans Fatboy Slim, Carl Cox, Diplo, DJ Yoda and Candi Staton propped up by newbies like DJ Barely Legal and Mele and Monki… The Future is almost here”.
Following an out of this world opening ceremony, we’ll be heading into orbit as we ramp up the rave action with a cavalcade of advanced selectors including Benji B, Destructo, DJ Barely Legal, DJ Yoda, Dub Pistols Soundsystem, Eats Everything, James Zabiela, Kenton Slash Demon, Klose One and Mella Dee.
And hitting the decks to take us beyond the solar system of sound will be Mount Kimbie, Mumbai Science, Norman Jay MBE, NRG Flash: Monki & Mele, Oneman going back to back with My Nu Leng, Purple Rave Prince Tribute from Heidi, Rob da Bank & Tayo, Riton, Sink The Pink presents No Limits with Candi Staton & Livin’ Joy, Skream and The Heatwave.
The epicentre of the inevitable and the future of the dance, The Spaceport is where the party’s at. Don’t miss it.
Last week the Dub Pistols returned to Meribel in the French Alps to take part in the annual 3 Valleys Charity Day.
The fifth annual 3 Valleys Charity Day (& 15th charity event since it started in La Tania in 2002) that was held on Wednesday 6th April 2016 in Meribel Village last week was another outstanding success.
After three years of incredible sunny weather at the event this year we were faced with an uncertain & unsettled forecast for the actual day. The Gods smiled upon us as always though and the rain held off for the entire day. The lack of sunshine certainly did not dampen spirits on the day or hamper advance ticket sales. Thanks to Luke and the guys at Alpine Intent we had a large tent in place covering the majority of the venue in case of the rain that was forecast. Despite the forecast by 14.00pm the venue was almost full.
This year we saw a record attendance of almost 2000 people at this year’s event. The increased attendance certainly made a difference with the Pub Le Ski Lodge bar serving a pint every six seconds throughout the day!
Many thanks to everyone from all the different stations of Three Valleys that attended and bought a ticket either in advance or on the day. You have all made the event such an incredible success again.
This years slogan of we could be heroes this years was inspired in the most part by David Bowie’s sad passing in January. We did feel though that the message of we could be heroes was a really positive one for our event and could in some way spur us onto greater efforts to raise even more money for our two charities The Sebastian’s Action Trust and the Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer
For the first time in the history of our event our Ziggy Stardust motif inspired tee shirt design meant that the official charity day tee shirts were a total sell out. This is an incredible effort so thanks to everyone who bought a charity day tee this year meaning that even more profit goes direct towards our charities.
Radio DJ legend and Glastonbury presenter Jo Whiley returned again this year as our main presenter and MC bringing us a brilliant presence on the main stage and a wider level of recognition & credibility to our event.
The Dub Pistols who have now become synonymous with our event returned this year to headline the line up and brought the house down once more with their set to close out the event. Many thanks to Barry and the guys for their enthusiasm and their big love of our event!
Alongside Jo Whiley and the Dub Pistols we had our usual line up of incredible local bands. It’s worth stressing that many of the local bands on Wednesday gave up paid gigs and their own time to play at our charity day. It cannot go without saying how much we appreciate all the local bands for doing this and without you the event would not be the success that it is. You all know who you are so to quote Barry from the Dub Pistols – Big Yourself Up…
I would also like to thank Rich, Westy, Stevie, Gareth and Dougal of the newly formed Piste Productions Audio for the hours they put in on the Tuesday and Wednesday to make the sure the event sounded absolutely brilliant. I’m not sure those petit vin blancs at 11.00am on Tuesday during set up were a good shout though…
At Wednesday’s event there were too many highlights to mention here individually so make sure you check out all the photos of the action on our facebook page facebook.com/3VCharityDay
The fancy dress competition went down a storm this year with some great costumes on show during the day including a white walker from Game of Thrones, the Alpine Elements minions and various characters from Star Wars The Force Awakens all representing. The winner of the best fancy dress though as voted by the crowd was the homemade and truly unique upside man by Tom Flack. Well done Flacky!
As always at the 3 Valleys Charity Day it’s all the volunteers that assist me and give up their own free time and lend their support to make the event happen that are my true heroes. A massive shout as always goes out to everyone who helped me organise this event this year – again you all know who you are!
On a personal note thanks to Tim “one take” Wall for providing advice, support and the usual comedy value including the hung over radio jingle at Radio Meribel, one of my highlights of this years preparations.
To finish then on a year when we could have been heroes – thanks to all of you that attended the event and partied hard and those who gave up your own time and volunteered, you all were indeed heroes…
See you all next year!
Ralph Corner
3 Valleys Charity Day
The Big Issue caught up with Barry Ashworth ahead of this summer’s festivals
This summer the six piece band play an impressive number of festivals, but Barry Ashworth tells Big Issue North why Beat Herder, in Lisburn Forest, 15-17 July, is the one they call home.
How would you describe your sound?
Our sound is a blend of dub, reggae, hiphop and electronic. We fuse many styles but live we like to keep the shows full of energy.
Tell us what you’ve been up to since last summer?
We have been recording a new album, which is almost finished, we have been to Jamaica to record with Beenie Man and Cutty Ranks as well as working with other artists such as Earl 16, too Many Ts, Navigator and the Ragga Twins. I think this is sounding like our biggest album to date. We have also been touring the world non stop, including our first ever live shows in Australia and New Zealand which went down a storm.
What festivals are you playing this year?
Our favourite and a place we call home – Beat-Herder – as well as Glastonbury, Kendal Calling, Blissfields, Isle Of White, Electric Castle (Romania) and Exit (Serbia), to name a few.
Who else are you excited to see at the festivals?
Primal Scream, Easy All Stars, Chronixx.
If you could curate your own festival with artists dead or alive what would the line-up look like?
Nirvana, Bob Marley, The Jam, Beastie Boys, Radiohead, Stevie Wonder, Prince, David Bowie, Chemical Brothers, The Specials (original line-up), Red Hot Chilli Pepers, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Marc Bolan.
What’s your best festival memory?
Always hard to have a memory after most festivals as the brain cells have normally been destroyed, but this year’s show at New Zealand’s Spore festival was pretty special. It was the first time we had played in the country, the main stage was set on a beach in the middle of a national park, which is breathtaking, and the crowd just went crazy. It really was one of those moments that will live with you forever.
What’s in your festival survival kit?
Lager, vodka, cocktails, headache tablets, a torch, bacon sandwiches and a spare phone charger.
Apart from music, what should the ideal festival have?
For me festivals are not about bands – they’re about meeting strangers and everyone entertaining each other. I love the crazy things people do when they get in a field, I love it when people dress up and take on a new persona, so I would say a good fancy dress shop.
Antonia Charlesworth
– See more at: http://www.bigissuenorth.com/2016/03/festival-qa-dub-pistols/17649#sthash.sV6fP0jF.dpuf – See more at: http://www.bigissuenorth.com/2016/03/festival-qa-dub-pistols/17649#sthash.sV6fP0jF.dpuf – See more at: http://www.bigissuenorth.com/2016/03/festival-qa-dub-pistols/17649#sthash.sV6fP0jF.dpuf
Congratulations to our good friend Father Funk who picked up a UK Glitch Hop award this week for his amazing remix of Dub Pistols “Real Gangster”. The track taken from the bands “return of the pistoleros” was released as a single in July 2015 we a string of remixes commissioned and the father funk remix reached number 1 in the Beatport Glitch Hop sales charts.
Real Gangster remixes available here https://pro.beatport.com/release/real-gangster-remixes/1569339
The dub pistols uk tour is now in full swing and the band have been tearing down dancefloors across the country, last weekend they hit Manchester and reports coming in have said it was by far their best show ever at the much loved Sound Control venue. Many of the shows have been sold out and this week’s upcoming show are all getting close to selling out so we here at Pistol HQ recommend you grab your tickets whilst they are still available.
Tickets available from http://www.seetickets.com/tour/dub-pistols
https://www.facebook.com/events/220558704951592/?active_tab=posts
UK Tour dates
17th March The Forum, Tunbridge Wells
18th March Esquires, Bedford
19th March The Boiler Room , Guildford
22nd March Think Tank, Newcastle
23rd March Fibbers, York
24th March Duke Of Cumberland, whitstable
26th March Guildhall, Gloucester
27th March Ska & Mod festival, Bristol
31st March 100 Club, London
Tonight the dub pistols main man and DJ Barry Ashworth will be hitting the french alps with his partner in crime Mc Sir Real, the boys will be heading up to the beautiful ski resort of Meribel where they will be causing mayhem in a Pistols style at the famous Mountain Movers night in O’Sullivans. It’s gonna be a roadblock for sure and as always the place will be jumping till the early hours
advance Tickets:
€7 with a MM card
€10 without a card
On the door:
€10 with a MM card
€15 without a card
Get your advanced tickets from the following bars in Meribel from Tuesday!
– Jacks bar
– Meribar
– Lodge du Villiage
– La Taverne
– The Den
Find Vicky at the Rond Point apres on Wednesday or Thursday or call her on 06 66 58 08 63 for group bookings!
Sign up to the Dub Pistols mailing list and grab yourself a copy of the brand new exclusive single “Say Goodbye” feat TK and Ashley slater.
We caught up with Mr “rumpa pum pum” Jack Cowens ahead of the Pistols upcoming show @ soundcontrol in Manchester read what he had to say below
1: Dub Pistols are playing in Manchester this weekend, what is it about the city and the Soundcontrol crowd you like so much ?
Manchester is almost like a second home for the Dub Pistols. The people are super passionate about music and the crowds at Sound Control are proof of that. They know how to bring the party! I’ve seen that crowd bounce so hard I’m amazed the building is still in one piece!
2: How’s the tour been going so far?
We’re 3 shows in and every one has been brilliant! Croydon was special for me and Barry personally as we had a lot of friends and family turn up! I just can’t wait to get crackin with the rest!
3: You support Manchester United what are your thoughts on the current team and manager?
United are in a tricky position at the minute. I think the club are torn between the tradition and ethos of the club, and the need for immediate success that comes with modern football. There’s no doubt performances haven’t been brilliant but this season especially the manager has tried to keep promoting our younger lads and that’s been a big plus point for me. We need to bring back that exciting Man United playing style though. Failure to qualify for the champions league will be a disaster and I think it might then be time to look at new managers. I’d love to see Giggsy get the job but it might be a step up too soon.
4: Are Man United the new Liverpool?
Haha not just yet! Liverpool’s ‘transition’ period has been goin on for 15 odd years! We’ve had 3 since Fergie left. But this summer is incredibly important for us as a club to make the right choices in all departments.
5: what festival shows are you most looking forward to this year?
Exit is gonna be special as its been on my ‘to do’ for a few years now. That along with Electric Castle and Beatherder. They’re the highlight of my summer.
6:Is it true that sitting in the back of the Pistols tour bus is a bit like being inside a tumble drier?
Yes, and it’s even worse when you’ve got a 7am start and you only got home at 4am.
7: Describe yourself ?
Excitable, determined, energised, team player, grateful.
8:What new music have you been listening to?
I’m listening to a lot of Goldlink and Floating Points at the minute as well as Snakehips, FKJ, bonzai and anything on Roche Musique! A lot of UK music as a whole is really exciting at the minute.
9: Tips for surviving the Tour?
Enjoy every minute of it! You have the best job in the world!
10: Most annoying Pistolero on tour?
To be honest I think we all have our annoying points. But Jonny’s constantly clinking bag does my head in but I’ll say no more about that.
Dub Pistols “Killa Sound” Tour hits Sound Control, Manchester 12th March 2006
https://www.facebook.com/events/455990687931883/
Tickets available http://www.soundcontrolmanchester.co.uk/events/dub-pistols-4/
The Pistoleros are heading out around europe this summer and are set to play some of the biggest and best festivals in the world including Electric Castle (Romania) Exit Festival (Serbia) Pohoda Festival (Slovakia)
DUB PISTOLS EUROPEAN DATES
6th April 3 Valleys Charity Day, Meribel, France
8th April CSO Gabrio, Turin, Italy
9th April Riders Palace, Laax, Switzerland
14th May 20 years of Radio RaBe, Basel, Switzerland
8th July Pohoda Festival, Trencin, Slovakia
9th July Exit Festival, Belgrade, Serbia
16th July Electric Castle Festival, Cluj, Romania
1st Aug Secret Sound Festival, Skyros, Greece