Quickly becoming one of the years strongest festival line-ups, Beacons Festival - set in the stunning surroundings of the Yorkshire Dales – has once again come up trumps with its most varied and interesting rosters to-date. Although boasting a superb array of talent across the weekend (August 17th-19th), we’ve done our best to pick out what we believe will be this years highlights…
Friday 17th
Mount Kimbie
In a real coup for the festival, the electronic duo of Dominic Maker and Kai Campos bring their bright and beautiful beats to the main stage on the Friday night. It should prove to be one hell of a party.
Factory Floor
One of the most varied and interesting bands ON THE ENTIRE PLANET, Factory Floor make dark and intense aural soundscapes to lose your mind and body too. Really shouldn’t be missed.
Julio Bashmore
2011′s Battle For Middle You made our top twenty ‘songs of the year’ list and the Bristol producer continues to go from strength-to-strength on his recent work with the much-hyped Jessie Ware.
Cass McCombs
One of favourite singer-songwriters of the last couple of the years. His recent LP ‘Wits End’ had the same irresistible charm as his previous work, including the wonderful County Line;
Splashh
Otherwise known (solely to me) as the band with the most GFP ‘Track Of The Day’ titles to their name. The band look set to take over the indie blogosphere when they get around to dropping their debut LP. Pick any track from their ever-growing back catalogue and fall head-over-heels in love with them.
Pins
A strong contender for the ‘most-hyped band of the year’, you shouldn’t let that put you off as Pins could quite comfortably compete for the ‘best new band in the world‘ title as well. If the sun is shining then go and indulge yourself in their glorious, reverb-soaked fuzz.
Saturday 18th
Still Corners
One of the most mesmerising gigs we’ve been to this year was Still Corners in Bristol. We’re not sure how it’ll transfer to a daytime festival slot, but their gorgeous, sun-soaked melodies could prove to be one of the weekends highlights.
Stalking Horse
Formed out of the ashes of This Et Al, we’re yet to catch Stalking Horse live yet but if they can live up to the brilliance of their debut LP then it’ll be a show worth catching for sure.
Japandroids
THE BEST ROCK AND ROLL BAND IN THE WORLD.
Sunday 19th
The Felice Brothers
You might think that you don’t like The Felice Brothers. Hell, you even might think you don’t like country music. Just go and watch this band live anyway and have the absolute time of your life. One of the most perfect festival bands around.
Errors
Always value for money, be it either on the live stage or on record, the electronic Scottish wonders are quickly becoming a national treasure. The new album has been out for long enough now for this show to be a real celebratory affair. Go and dance like a loon to A Rumour To Africa and make it the highlight of your weekend.
Cloud Nothings
Close contenders in our ‘albums of the year’ race, we’ve fallen hard for the latest LP’s bone-cruncing riffs and Nirvana-esque levels of pain and angst. If there has been a better rock song than Wasted Days this year then we’re yet to hear it.
Tall Ships
With their debut album now confirmed (It’s out in October, FYI) the Brighton-via-Falmouth trio Tall Ships continue to their march from everyone’s ‘favourite little secret’ to, simply, everyones favourite band. New single Gallop is a leap forward for the band. Expect this one to be busy. You really should get there early, it’s one you don’t want to miss.
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Tickets are still available for the measly price of £85. Get them here.
http://www.greetingsfrombeacons.com/
Words by Tom Johnson