There has never been a better time for the ‘Festival’ format, both in Jersey and among our dear sister isles. With new events arriving, established events becoming ever stronger and even the resurrection of festivals gone by, we thought it best to get these beautiful offerings in one place, chronologically, so we can not only bat off our ponchos and cultivate our beards to an acceptably affected level of alternative, but so we can get our Channel Island festival calendar appropriately organised for ‘The Great Summer of 2015” (trust me, it’s going to be a reference). With offerings such as rock, dub, electronica, folk, opera, classical, comedy, performing arts & world music, it’s all to play for this summer. Here are our Gallery Magazine top festival picks:
Blkout
4th April 2015 9pm – 4am- Jersey
The insanely successful Blkout party in Jersey invites us back to Fort Regent for more on 4th April (Easter Saturday) for a mix of Nu School Drum & Bass, Hip-Hop, Grime and up-front, darn loud fun. Line up includes; DJ set from Netsky, Wretch 32, Ms Dynamite DJ set, Friction, Mike Skinner and Becky Hill. Local support comes from Nightshift, JE3, Spim and Terminal State. The Rocksteady clan is taking on Room 2 with Ben Newman, John O’Connell & Tharindu joined by the Channel Island’s finest young DJs including the incredible MoSteph, Brad Ferguson, Pressure (Guernsey) and Fund.
Liberation Music Festival
7th – 17th May 2015 – Jersey
This classical music event has now hit its sixth year with a line up boasting over 20 internationally acclaimed artists from around the world. The events, spread over 10 days, take place in a number of different locations across the island. This year it features performances from Russian violinist Boris Brovtsyn, Spanish classical guitarist Carlos Bonell, Israeli conductor & violinist Daniel Cohen, and Chinese classical pianist Wu Qian among others. You can also catch Berlin Philharmonic Octet, attend the Ballet Gala and enjoy the now infamous Jazz at Hampton with Clare Teal and her Trio performing, among others >>> www.liberationjersey.com
Sure Festival of Comedy 29th May – 6th June – Guernsey
Guernsey might not seem like the obvious place to find a laugh (jokes) but organisers of the Sure Festival of Comedy have been delivering sterling, laugh-a-minute line-ups for nine years now. This year is no different, with a series of top notch nights with gags provided by TV & radio’s Russell Kane, panel show darling Hal Cruttenden, Craig Campbell’s Thrilling Mic Hunt (say it slowly now) and family comedy provided by The Kagools, (described as mute, cute and an absolute hoot). For full line up details see >>> www.happyci.com
Folklore Festival
Sunday 14th June 2015 – Jersey
Back with a bang after a three year hiatus, Folklore (the event that in the past brought us Van Morrison, John Cooper Clarke & Lee Scratch Perry), will once again bring their blend of rock, folk, reggae and dub artists, as well as alternative music, comedy and poetry at their new sparkly location, Val de la Mar, in the west of the island. Acts this year include headliners James, Nerina Pallot, Gentleman’s Dub Club, Reef, Dreadzone and local support from Kevin Pallot and Pirate Party Brigade. Shooting for a relaxed and friendly summer’s afternoon atmosphere this is a day for all the family >>> www.folklore.org.uk
Reasons
Electronic Music & Arts Festival
Saturday 11th July 2015- Jersey
The inaugural Reasons Festival sets out to deliver 12 hours (between 11am – 11pm) of top quality electronic related music, from 30 artists, spread over four stages; The Electronic Stage, The Roots Stage, The Blkout Stage and Hospitality, all in Coronation Park. Showcasing the best in contemporary electronica, as well as joining the dots with the music that influences what we listen to today, this year’s confirmed line up so far includes Simian Mobile Disco, Maribou State, Aim, Tessellate, Jazzy B OBE, Avalon Emmerson, Wilkonson, Norman Jay, Jagerverb & Space Dimension Controller among others. Also expect art installations, artist Q&As and a pair of carefully curated after parties from 11pm onwards in St Helier >>> www.reasonsfestival.com
Vale Earth Fair
Sunday 30th August – Guernsey
The globally conscious Vale Earth Fair in Guernsey is nearly 40 years old now, and is an entirely voluntary organisation that brings people together to raise money for charitable causes. Expect a varied mix of artists from around the world joining local talent, performing over six stages. Acts confirmed so far include headliners The Jungle Brothers and Joe Driscoll with Sekou Kouyate, alongside Vienna Ditto, Of Empires, Robert J Hunter and The Bonsai Pirates. All proceeds from the event will be split between humanitarian organisations the Burma Campaign UK, Free Tibet, and Bridge2Haiti. Keep a keen eye out for more artist announcements here >>> www.valeearthfair.org
Jersey Live
5th – 6th September – Jersey
The Big Daddy of Channel Island festivals Jersey Live is reliably back once more with a storming line up of rock, indie, pop and electronic dance offerings. For the JL 2015 edition you can expect to be rocked by Rudimental (live set) headlining Sunday, with other main stage acts including George Ezra, Clean Bandit, Slaves, Cast, Years & Years, Circa Waves, The Bohicas, with a whole lot more announcements to be drip fed over the coming months. As with any Jersey Live, you can expect solid support from a range of seriously talented local acts, top class décor & production and a hospitality area that is now famed for creating some of the most memorable back stage musical treats the islands have ever seen. Keep your refresh button clicking here for more line up and ticket details >>> www.jerseylive.org.uk
