Boomtown has long been my favourite UK festival – check out the photo feature documenting the last three years there – and the organisers have just announced the line up for this year – and it’s looking good!
The festival is themed as a ‘city’ complete with eight districts, each one wonderfully decorated and with its own distinct vibe.
This year’s line-up is massive, with over 500 acts covering ska, folk, gypsy, reggae, world, punk, pirate, disco, electro-swing, jazz, blue-grass, bass, jungle, techno, plus all sorts of crazy performance art and more.
It’s a true festival experience and a million times better than the trudge of corporate fests.
Check out all the details below in the press release – and I hope to see you there in August!
Boomtown 2015: All eight districts and over 500 artists announced for BoomTown Fair!
Plus Chapter 7 trailer released
Stephen Marley / Flogging Molly / Gogol Bordello / Matisyahu / SOJA / Barrington Levy / John Butler Trio / Squarepusher / Spor / Noisia / Caravan Palace / Black Uhuru / Infected Mushroom / Less Than Jake / Streetlight Manifesto
MATTERLEY ESTATE – WINCHESTER
Chapter 7: Thursday 13th – Sunday 16th August 2015
Over the past few weeks BoomTown Fair; a 49,999 capacity, four-day immersive extravaganza held at the Matterley Estate nr. Winchester (UK)13th – 16th August, has been releasing their eight district line-ups every four days, keeping the dedicated citizens on the edge of their seats with a veritable bounty of mega star names mixed in with home grown talents, underground legends and unknown gems! With each of the districts being likened to a mini festival within the fair, BoomTown followers have been treated to headline names such as Stephen Marley, Flogging Molly, Gogol Bordello, Matisyahu, SOJA, Barrington Levy, John Butler Trio, Squarepusher, Spor, Noisia, Caravan Palace, Black Uhuru, Infected Mushroom, Less Than Jake and Streetlight Manifesto topping the bill across the various districts!
For those yet to discover the fantasy land of the fair, BoomTown rose up from the underground in 2009 to become one of the UK’s wildest and most inspiring independent festivals. A sprawling metropolis and home to every species of creative miscreant, its thousands of citizens embark on an immersive audio visual journey of discovery, dancing through its labyrinth of streets on a non-stop weekend adventure to a soundtrack of ska, folk, gypsy, reggae, world, punk, pirate, disco, electro-swing, jazz, blue-grass, bass, jungle, techno and all in a spirit of unity and freedom! Check out the newly released 2015 trailer to get a glimpse of what all of that in one almighty city looks like: 2015 OFFICIAL TRAILER.
The sheer expanse of genres covered at BoomTown is enough to make any music fan feel a bit lightheaded with seemingly infinite acts to discover, so let’s get to the root of what each ‘district’ is about and figure out what the line-ups have in store at the Fair this summer…
ONE CITY, EIGHT DISTRICTS:
OldTown – Balkan, Gypsy, Gypsy Punk & Pirate
‘The dark back streets and shady alleyways of BoomTown’s ancient city port lure the unsuspecting traveller beyond the confines of the map and into another world of seductive sirens singing under street lights and pirate parties storming every tavern…’
Which basically means festival goers get to roam free among a fully interactive pirate village!! OldTown’s main venue isThe Jolly Dodger, a 90ft long Pirate Ship and will welcome the masters of jaw dropping performances and mystery, The Invisible Circus and their pillaging Pirate Show along with headliners from across the seven seas including; Gogol Bordello, Dubioza Kolectiv, Amsterdam Klezmer Band, La Pegatina, Kumpanra Algazarra.
TrenchTown – Reggae, Dub, Dancehall
Unifying a whole spectrum of reggae, dub, dancehall from all over the globe, TrenchTown district is as spiritual as it is bass rumbling! Venues include the 40ft Aztec temple of The Lion’s Den, sound system culture of Tangled Rootswoodland clearing and the beach party vibes of the Hidden Woods.
District headliners include: Stephen ‘Ragga’ Marley, SOJA, Matisyahu, Alborosie & Shengen Clan, Barrington Levy, Anthony B, Protoje & The Indiggnation, Black Uhuru, Cham feat. O, Cutty Ranks.
ChinaTown – Ska, Ska-Punk, Punk
‘Behind the opulent frontages of ChinaTown trouble is brewing among the resident punks and ancient anarchists… Their future is uncertain, but one thing is for sure, there will be mosh-pits and flat-out skanking from dawn to dusk!!!’
The pulsating venues filled with the most raucous of trombone flailing musicians include; Devils Kicks Dancehall &ChinaTown Courtyard with headliners Less Than Jake, Streetlight Manifesto, Fishbone, The Beat, Dub Pistols, King Prawn, Snuff, The Interrupters, Ruts DC, Capdown.
Mayfair Avenue – Electro-Swing, Swing, Vintage remix
On the face of it husband and wife team Mr and Mrs Fitz-Sloane pledged to uphold the areas exclusivity by keeping out the ‘riff-raff’ and ensuring that only the most well-to-do attend their famed Electro-Swing soirées!!
Glitzy and glamorous Mayfair Avenue is, as the name suggests, top draw and sparkles galore! Venues include The Ballroom and The Bandstand with headliners; Caravan Palace, Deluxe, Scarecrow, Dirty Honkers, Bart & Baker, Mr B the Gentleman Rhymer and a whole load more of the very best Electro-Swing from all over Europe!
Wild West – Folk, World, Bluegrass, Hillbilly, Yeehaa, Cow-Punk
The cowboys of the west are back in town with their all-powerful Sheriff leading the way and the Mayor in their pocket! This rambunctious bunch have ambitions set far beyond their designated district having already taken control of the Old Mines. The Wild West is now an almighty powerhouse of thigh slapping, Stetson slinging, cider swigging sounds with the very best in folk, roots, world, hillbilly and a whole lot of Yeehaaaa! Venues include: The Old Mines, Rusty Spurs & Crazy Calamities Saloon
Headliners providing jump up folk and soul soothing sounds include; Flogging Molly, John Butler Trio, Amadou & Mariam, Dreadzone, Transglobal Underground, Peatbog Faeries, Songhoy Blues, Ibibio Sound Machine, Edwards II, Beans on Toast.
DSTRKT 5 – Bass, Drum n Bass, Jungle
A timeless place where past and future becomes one, industrial buildings stand tall and dark smoke filled alleyways loom with danger and debauchery. Some call it the red light district, others know it as deeper DownTown, its true name is DSTKRT 5!
The naughty night spot for any discerning BoomTown citizen, DSTRKT 5 venues with the ultimate in bass heavy beats including; Boombox, The Bodyshop and the brand new nine story high Bang-Hai Palace!! (See preview video here)
District headliners include: Squarepusher, Noisia, Spor, 20 Years of Metalheadz, Mr Scruff & Norman Jay (MBE), Deekline, Benny Page, Luke Vibert, PRSPKT Takeover.
Barrio Loco – Hip hop, House, Bass, UK Garage
Currently the ruling district of BoomTown, the vibrant community of Barrio Loco love nothing more than to fiesta ‘til dawn!! That was, until The Mayor turned her back on them and channelled all public money into an outrageously ginormous Palace to prove her dominance and power… Unrest is stirring, the people are rising, what does Chapter 7 hold for the streets of Barrio Loco??
Barrio Loco is a beautiful community of party loving, hip-hop beats and garage classics! Venues include; Poco Loco, Circo Baile, The Dance-Off and spontaneous street parties galore!! With headliners across these three stages including: DJ EZ, Swamp 81, Toddla T & DRS, The Bug and Flowdan, Phil Hartnoll (Orbital), Critical Records takeover, Kurupt FM, Sherwood & Pinch.
Psychedelic Forest – Tribe of Frog – Hi-Tech Stage: Psy-Trance, Goa-Trance
Forest parties and woodland dwellings are constantly evolving within the city of Boom! 2015 will see the ultimate psychedelic party to date with three different woodland locations pumping out the definitive Psy-trance with acts including:Infected Mushroom (Old School Live set), Astrix, Ace Ventura, Perfect Stranger, Liquid Soul, Sub 6, Dickster, Juno Reactor headlining just the Psychedelic Forest party!
Keep up-to-date with all BoomTown news via facebook and twitter or sign up to the BoomTown Chronicles via the website.
FULL LINE-UP: STAGE BY STAGE
Town Centre (Acts representing a variety of districts from across the fair in a central location!)
Flogging Molly / Gogol Bordello / Caravan Palace / Less Than Jake / Streetlight Manifesto / Fishbone / Goldie Lookin Chain / The Beat / Dub Pistols / Slamboree / Deluxe / DJ Yoda presents Breakfast of Champions / Scarecrow / Dubioza Kolektiv / Smerins Anti-Social Club / Babyhead / Los Albertos / Big Red Ass
Jolly Dodger Pirate Ship (OldTown District)
Invisible Circus Pirate Show / Amsterdam Klezmer Band / La Pegatina / Kumpania Algazarra / Soviet Suprem / Antwerp Gipsy-Ska Orkestra / Jabul Gorba / Sheelanagig / The Carny Villains / Gypsy Sound System Orkestra / Giufà / Glitzy Baghags / The Woohoo Revue / The Real Tuesday Weld / Full Attack Band / ED Cox / Balkan Hotsteppers / DJ Sacha Dieu / Gypsy Unit / My Bad Sister / Bare Knuckle Parade / Tantz / Black Friday / Seas Of Mirth /Johnny Kowalski + The Sexy Weirdos / Jackson Scott / Ushti Baba / The Recks / Holy Moly & The Crackers / The Rubber Duck Orchestra
Lion’s Den (TrenchTown)
Stephen ‘Ragga’ Marley / SOJA / Matisyahu / Alborosie & Shengen Clan / Barrington Levy / Anthony B / Black Uhuru /Protoje / Cham feat. O / Cutty Ranks / Turbulence / Ward 21 / Katchafire / Shy FX feat. Stamina MC / David Rodigan / Chopstick Dubplate feat. Jah Mason & Demolition Man / Gentleman’s Dub Club / Natty / Mungos Hi-Fi feat YT & Charlie P / Serial Killaz & General Levy / Potential Badboy feat. Yush & Junior Dangerous / Mr Benn Live Show feat. Blackout JA & Eva Lazarus / Necessary Mayhem Showcase feat. Curtis Lynch & Mr Williamz / Jacky Murda / Solo Banton / Strikez
The Old Mines (The Wild West)
Flogging Molly / John Butler Trio / Amadou & Mariam / Dreadzone / Transglobal Underground / Peatbog Faeries / Songhoy Blues / Ibibio Sound Machine / Edward II / Moulettes / The Men They Couldn’t Hang / Sierra Leone Refugee Allstars / Beans On Toast / Mad Dog Mcrea / Monster Ceilidh Band / RSVP Cocos Lovers / Honeyfeet / 47 Soul / La Complet Mandingue / Firepit Collective / No Go Stop! /John Fairhurst
The Palace (DSTRKT 5)
Squarepusher / Noisia / Spor / Machinedrum / Surgeon Live / 20 years of Metalheadz ft: Goldie b2b Dillinja, Ulterior Motive b2b Dom and Roland, Jubei b2b Ant tc1 Hosted by SP:MC / A Guy Called Gerald (Jungle Set) b2b LTJ Bukem / Truss / Break / Ratpack / Tango & Ratty / Top Buzz / DJ Sy / MC Ribbz
Boombox (DSTRKT 5)
Norman Jay MBE & Mr Scruff present…Keep the Good Times Unreal / Benny Page / Deekline / Stickybuds / Scratch Perverts / J.Pod / Inspected Records Showcase ft: Culprate, Emperor, Asa, Sorrow, ZES, Inspected Dubplate / SP23 – Renegade Street Party
Devil Kicks Dancehall (ChinaTown District)
Capdown / King Prawn / The Mahones / The Rumjacks / The Snuff / The Interrupters / Subhumans / M.D.C / Inner Terrestrials / Demented Scumcats / Random Hand / The Restarts / New Town Kings / Johnny Cage and the Voodoo Groove / P.A.I.N / China Shop Bull / Beat The Red Light / Roughneck Riot / AOS3 / Bar Stool Preachers / The Junk / Victims of Circumstance / The Sporadics / The Defekters / Ducking Punches / The Pisdicables / Last Gang in Town DJ’s
ChinaTown Courtyard (ChinaTown District)
The Dualers / 7 Seconds of Love / Maroon Town / R.D.F. / The Simmertones / King Porter Stomp / 1Eye / The Talks / Popes Of Chillitown / Chainska Brassika / The Skarsoles / The Stiff Joints / Counting Coins / Johnny Cage & The Voodoo Groove / Mad Apple Circus / Cut Capers / Cartoon Violence / Will Tun & The Wasters / Crinkle Cuts / Regime / Broken 3 Ways / Dive / Guns of Navarone / The Apocryphalites / The Snare / Rags Rudi / Shoot The Moon / Oscillator /Jr Bill & The Scallies / Melosa / Bigtopp
Hidden Woods (TrenchTown)
The Heatwave / Horseman & the Upper Cut Band / Ras Demo / Earl Gateshead / Symbiz Sound / Dreadsquad / Run Tingz Cru / Laid Blak / Friendly Fire Band / The Hempolics / Shepdog (Nice Up!) / Blend Mishkin / Jamie Bostron / Fogata Sound / Steppa Style / Jaundis-I / The Rhythmites / Toguna / The Majestic / Kibir La Amlak / Souldja / The Floating Bridges / Wicked Squad / The Undercover Hippy / The Future Dub Project / Shanty / Babilondon / Messiah Dub Club / Daddy Nature (Rompa’s Reggae Shack) / Uprooted / Titan Sounds / Shanti Squire & MC Little Tree / Jeremiah Ferrari / Ben Russell & The Charmers / Robert Lee / Dubmatix
Tangled Roots (TrenchTown)
Aba Shanti-I / RSD & Joe Peng / Gorgon Sound / OBF & Shanti D / Orange Hill Productions feat Ras Kwame & Junior Tubby / Riddim Tuffa / Serocee / Aries / Born On Road Showcase ft Skibadee, Dirty Dike, Jam Baxter & Dabbla / Krak in Dub / Dub Smugglers / Danny T & Tradesman feat. Parly B / Adam Prescott / King Yoof / Tuffist & J Man / Unit 137 / Trinity Music London / Ghost Writerz / Sleepy Time Ghost / Lionpulse / Hylu / Jago / Ed West / Zico / Galak Spiritual / Stivs / G.O.L.D / Rubberdub Soundsystem / Escape Roots Sound feat. Tom Spirals / Kelvin 373 / Jam Jah & Lion Art / DJ Snuff & Amy True / Gardna / Disorda / DJ Feva / Papa B / The Sea / Sasha Steppa / Samson Sounds / Escape Roots Sound feat. Tom Spirals
The Ballroom (MayFair Avenue District)
Dirty Honkers / Bart & Baker feat. Elle & The Pocket Belles / Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer / Swingrowers / The Gaslight Troubadours feat.Professor Elemental / Odjbox / Brass Band Remix: Dutty Moonshine Big Band / DJ Tofu Vs Brass Funkeys, The Fontanas, Trans-Siberian March Band / Grant Lazlo / The Real Tuesday Weld / Big Swing Soundsystem Feat. Hypeman Sage / Too Many Ts / Phil Mac / C@ In The H@ / James Copeland / Don Mescal / Don Johnston / DJ Pony (Montana) / Kiwistar / The After Hours Quintet / The Underscore Orkestra / The Woohoo Revue / Formidable Vegetable Sound System / The Chicken Brothers / Jenova Collective / Rumba De Bodas / The World’s Tallest Dj / Jitterbug /Madame Electrifie / Mad Apple Circus / Mr Tea & The Minions / Captain Flatcap / Rumpsteppers / The Rin Tins / Freakeasy Cabaret / Swing Patrol / Symphonica feat. Mr Switch
Rusty Spurs (The Wild West)
Kim Churchill / Curtis Ellers American Circus / Pronghorn / The Boot Hill All Stars / Cody Jasper / Skimmity Hitchers / Leonard & Bubba’s Delicious Goo-Goo Cluster / Louis Barabbas & The Bedlam Six / The Goat Roper Rodeo Band / Hightown Crows / Gentlemen Of Few / Dead Plants / Cash Converted / Railroad Bill / Crazy Arm / Poor Old Dogs / Black Hearted Riders / Screamin’ Miss Jackson & The Slap Ya Mama Big Band / Funke & The Two Tone Baby / Slapface & The Hoagies / Lady Winwoods Maggot / Quinns Quinney / The White City Shakers / United Stoats of America / Johnny Boxcars / Jack Ratts / The Maddison Tar Heels / Ben Gunn and the Junk Yard Angels /Dog House Boatboys
Crazy Calamities (The Wild West)
Manushka / The Inexplicable / The Slytones / Conway / Dub The Earth / Captain Accident / Treehouse Fire / King Zepha / Lion Star / NewRising / Feel Good Culture / Bare Jams / The Piratones / Euphony / Fingertrap / Offbeat Offensive / The Slytones / Conway / Key Lime Pi / AlbaRoma / Manushka / Town Of Cats / Fat Sandwich / Backyard Rhythm Orchestra / Dantanna / The Tribe / Hornman / The Vegetable Collective / Bison Theory / Kingz Of Vocals
Floating Lotus (Whistlers Green)
Lucy Ward / Will Varley / Harp & A Monkey / Whiskey Moon Face / The Eskies / Gypsy Rebel Rabble / Rioghnach Connoly / Flight Brigade / Tadhg Daly / Worry Dolls / Kit Hawes & Aaron Catlow / Tim Holehouse / Deferred Success / KOG & The Zongo Brigade / Hoopy Frood / Bear & The Woods / Hedge Gods / Dexter Selboy / Kezia /Jordan O’Shea / My Crooked Teeth / Kimberley Newell / Ned Dylan / Efa Supertramp / Davy Watson
Bandstand (MayFair Avenue District)
Professor Elemental / The Underscore Orkestra, / Elle & The Pocket Belles / The After Hours Quintet / Louis Barabbas & The Bedlam Six / The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing / Dr Schwamp / Deferred Sucess / Alex Blood & The Diggers / Great Scott / The Rin Tins / Lounge Cat Ideals / Mother Ukers / Shambolique / Papa Shango /
Bodyshop (DSTRKT 5)
Luke Vibert / PRSPKT Takeover – Hellfish vs Producer, Bryan Fury, Thrasher, Switch Technique / Simon Underground / Vandal /Nicky Blackmarket / Bizzy B / Randall (92-94) / Jerome Hill / Crystal Distortion / Renegade Hardware 20th Anniversary -Takeover ft Maztek, Loxy, Ink / FFF / Stivs
Circo Baile (Barrio Loco District)
DJ EZ / Toddla T & Drs / Swamp 81 Presents Loefah, Paleman, Benton ft. Chunky / The Bug & Flowdan / Phil Hartnoll (Orbital) DJ Set / Critical Soundsystem (Kasra x Enei x Foreign Concept) / Kurupt Fm / Sherwood & Pinch / Cause & Affect / Monki / Preditah / DJ Q / Woz / Matt Jam Lamont / DR Meaker / Amy Becker / Hybrid Theory / Durkle Disco feat. Lamont, OH91, Lojik & Koast / Wonka-Vision
Poco Loco (Barrio Loco District)
Kate Tempest / Jungle Brothers / Goldie Lookin Chain / High Focus Takeover The Four Owls / Fliptrix & Verb T / Leaf Dog & BVA / Dead Players / Dirty Dike Jam Baxter / Ed Scissortongue / Mr Key / Onoe Caponoe / Ocean Wisdom / Molotov / DJ Sammy B-Side / DJ Madnice / DJ Yoda AV set / Akala / The Mouse Outfit feat. Sparkz & Dr/ Dr Syntax & Pete Cannon / Cheeba Av Set / First Degree Burns / Subculture Sage / Slowly Rolling Camera / The Anomalies / Alice In Wasteland / Lea Lea / Moose Funk Squad / DJ Jaffa / Sounds Of Harlowe / Ewan Hoozami
See our comprehensive coverage of Boomtown 2012-2014 here.
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