ROSEHILL STREET

Saved by her wardrobe: Elderly woman miraculously escapes gas blast that blew huge hole in house… after closet fell on her

• Brave firefighters spent two hours rescuing the pensioners from her devastated home
• A second dust covered young woman was led to safety after being found on top of the rubble
• Neighbours described how they too cheated death, with one passing the house moments before the explosion

By LAWRENCE CONWAY

PUBLISHED: 10:02, 11 May 2012 | UPDATED: 14:56, 11 May 2012

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A pensioner whose house was destroyed in a gas explosion miraculously survived the blast after a wardrobe fell on her and saved her life.

The blast last night was so powerful it blew out the windows of every house on the street in Cheltenham and could be heard half a mile away.

Neighbours of the woman, named locally as Betty Hodgkiss, said it was a miracle no one was seriously injured in the explosion.

Scroll down for video

Obliterated: This aerial view of the house Cheltenham which blew up in a gas explosion shows the scale of the damage

Roof: Tiles were torn from one of the neighbouring terraced homes, but the roof of the second was untouched

The devastating blast ripped through the property in Rosehill Street sending debris shooting 50ft into the air.

The pensioner was buried under rubble and it took firefighters nearly two hours to rescue her from the rubble.

Amazingly she somehow avoided serious injury and was still conscious when she was finally pulled from the debris.

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• You’ve gotta be soaking! Burst water main sends 100ft fountain shooting over homes… on estate called RUNNING WATERS
• Terrified couple and young children rescued from car roof after getting trapped in swollen river as flood alerts move north

 

Witness Jules Annan said: ‘It’s almost unbelievable that no one was killed. The damage was so bad that anyone walking down the street at the time would likely be dead.

Household: A washing machine, circular dining table and other household goods are among the personal possessions left scattered in the property’s back garden

 

‘Betty survived after a wardrobe fell on her and protected her from the worst of the blast. The street looks like the pictures you see of The Blitz.

‘The houses on either side and across the road have all been condemned and the windows have been blasted out for streets around.

‘I was having dinner with a friend who lives opposite at about 8pm last night when it happened. The noise was just incredible.

‘It’s amazing nobody was walking down the street at the time as the whole house was completely destroyed.’

Cold light of day: the house opposite is visible after a gas explosion totally destroyed a terraced home

Aftermath: Neighbours were left surveying the devastation which has affected every house in the street

 

Devastation: The whole street was covered in debris which emergency services spent the morning clearing away

 

Jumble: The remains of the woman’s possessions are visible amongst the rubble of her Cheltenham home

The force of the blast blew Betty’s front door off its hinges and sent it flying through the window of a house across the street.

A bewildered young woman, believed to live next-door to the explosion, was found up perched on top of a pile of rubble.

She was led to safety by passers-by and is also believed to have avoided being seriously hurt.

Residents on Rosehill Street described today how they also cheated death as debris were hurled up the road.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2142801/Cheltenham-house-gas-explosion-Elderly-woman-Betty-Hodgkiss-miraculously-escapes.html#ixzz1ubUJaVoV

Alfie Boe announces forest concerts

 

Alfie Boe is the latest act to announce participation in this year’s Forestry Commission Live Music with a brace of concerts this summer.

 

The classically trained tenor has become well established as one of the country’s most popular artists with acclaimed, sell-out, live concerts and 2 Top Ten, ‘platinum’ selling albums in the last twelve months. Theatre-goers have witnessed sensational performances in shows such as ‘Les Misérables’ in the West End and ‘La Bohème’ on Broadway; and with albums like ‘Alfie’ and ‘Bring Him Home’, Alfie Boe’s interpretation of the most revered and timeless songs has ensured an ever-growing fan base. Alfie’s forest debut will see him performing from his current albums as well as from classical and proms repertoire.

 

Forestry Commission Live Music concerts are renowned for their relaxed atmosphere, and income generated from ticket sales is spent on improving the local forest for both people and wildlife.

 

Exclusive to Westonbirt’s Alfie Boe concert, you can enjoy a gourmet picnic provided by local caterers Relish. Find out more and pre-order your picnic at www.forestry.gov.uk/music.

 

Commenting on the shows, Alfie Boe said, “I am delighted to be asked to appear at Westonbirt Arboretum andThetfordForestas part of Forestry Commission Live Music. It is going to be a real privilege to perform at such prestigious outdoor venues with beautiful trees as backdrops”.
Alfie Boe plus Orchestra and ‘special guest support’ will be performing:

Friday 13^th July, Thetford Forest, nearBrandon,Suffolk.

Saturday 21^st July, Westonbirt Arboretum, near Tetbury, Gloucestershire.
Tickets £35.50 (subject to booking fee) from the Forestry Commission box office tel 03000 680400 or buy online at www.forestry.gov.uk/music

Info:

www.alfie-boe.com

www.forestry.gov.uk/music

The Wanted for Westonbirt!

Pop sensation The Wanted will perform a West Country concert this Summer at Westonbirt Arboretum. This is the final act to be announced at the venue as part of Forestry Commission Live Music 2012.

 

Just 18 months since their huge Number One debut single ‘All Time Low’, The Wanted has already become one ofBritain’s biggest, most brilliant pop bands, living a dream that has far surpassed even their most optimistic expectations. Hard working and quite plainly loving every single second, the band have already notched up a succession of hits, been viewed a staggering 30 million times on YouTube and sold 400,000 copies of their eponymous debut album. ‘Battleground’ their second album is keeping a pace having already generated the hits ‘Lightning’, ‘Gold Forever’, ‘Warzone’ and the Number One Summer dance smash ‘Glad You Came’.

 

Forestry Commission Live Music concerts are renowned for their relaxed atmosphere, and income generated from ticket sales will be spent on caring for this internationally important tree collection. Westonbirt Arboretum hosts six concerts each summer with full on-site facilities and parking plus a dedicated taxi and private car drop off/pick-up zone.

 

The band’s Nathan Sykes, who is from Gloucestershire said, “It’s so cool for me to do a home show in such a great place. I’m sure you’ll be glad you came!”

 

The Wanted plus guests will be appearing:

 

Friday 20^th July, Westonbirt Arboretum, Nr Tetbury, Glos

 

Tickets £27.50 (subject to booking fee) go on sale at 9.00am Friday 10^th February from the Forestry Commission box office tel 03000 680400 or buy online at http://www.forestry.gov.uk/music

 

Info:

http://www.thewantedmusic.com

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/music

STEPS AT WESTONBIRT ARBORETUM

Steps into Westonbirt Arboretum

 

Pop phenomenon, Steps, have announced they will be bringing their reunion tour to Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire, this summer, as part of Forestry Commission Live Music.

 

Steps dominated the charts over a 5-year period including an impressive run of 14 consecutive top 5 singles that got the nation dancing like: ‘One For Sorrow’, ‘Heartbeat/Tragedy’, ‘Love’s Got A Hold Of My Heart’, ‘Deeper Shade Of Blue’, ‘After The Love Has Gone’, ‘When I Said Goodbye/Summer Of Love’ and ‘Stomp’. Their live shows captured the hearts of fans, selling out multiple dates at venues nationwide, making them one of the most successful acts on tour.

 

The Brit-award winning group comprising Lee Latchford-Evans, Claire Richards, Lisa Scott-Lee, Faye Tozer and Ian Watkins (aka H) reformed last year for a documentary series on Sky Living titled Steps: The Reunion. They also announced aUK arena tour which is proving one of the hottest tickets for 2012 and released a Greatest Hits album, ‘The Ultimate Collection’ that entered the charts at the top, becoming the band’s third UK No1 album.

 

Forestry Commission Live Music concerts are renowned for their relaxed atmosphere, and income generated from ticket sales is spent on improving the arboretum for both people and wildlife.

 

Commenting on the Westonbirt show, Ian Watkins said, “We are all really up for performing our hits in such a fantastic setting and promise a Steptacular show.”

 

Steps plus guests will be appearing:
Sunday 22^nd July, Westonbirt Arboretum, Nr Tetbury, Glos
Tickets £36 (subject to booking fee) go on sale at 9.00am Friday 27^th January from the Forestry Commission box office tel 03000 680400 or buy online at www.forestry.gov.uk/music

Info: www.forestry.gov.uk/music
End.

Release:  Monday 23^rd January 2012

 

Media enquiries: James Delanoy james@delanoy.co.uk / tel 01223 812533

Note To Editors

 

Forestry Commission Live Music takes place each summer in seven forest locations around the country. Woodland clearings are temporarily transformed into a concert arena creating a safe and relaxed atmosphere for gig-goers.
Over 987,000 people have previously attended Forestry Commission Live Music concerts.

 

18% of the country’s woods and forests are managed by the Forestry Commission. InEngland, more than 50% of the population live within 10km of a Forestry Commission managed wood or forest.

PRESS RELEASETu…

PRESS RELEASE Tues 20th March 2012

Parklife Weekender confirms 2012 will be its last year at Platt Fields Park as the festival heads towards its third consecutive sold out event       Ambitions and appetite for the hugely successful festival outgrow its Fallowfield home   Parklife Weekender  Only 12 weeks are left until what is set to become Parklife Weekender’s third consecutive sold out festival, seeing revellers fillPlatt Fields Park in Manchester on 9th and 10th June. Promoters have now confirmed that 2012 will be the festival’s final year at its current location as plans for ever more impressive production and next-level line-ups supersede the potential of the current venue. Those wishing to join The Flaming Lips, Dizzee Rascal and many more of the best pop, indie, electronic and crossover bands, DJs, producers and artists are strongly advised to purchase their tickets as soon as possible. In both its first and second years Parklife Weekender has sold out many weeks in advance, all indications point toward a repeat of this ferocious demand in 2012. Parklife Weekender co-promoter Sam Kandel comments: “Platt Fields provided a great start for The Parklife Weekender and we’ve been really grateful.  In 2010 when Parklife was just an idea, it was really an unknown as to whether it would work. If we had known only three years on we would be moving onto a new site to develop and grow the festival to meet demand – it would have saved many sleepless nights!  The park hosted our launch year and last summer’s expansion to a full weekend festival and will always hold fond memories from ourselves and our customers alike.  A new location is not yet confirmed but plans are in the pipeline. In the meantime we’re really looking forward to bidding farewell to Platt Fields in style.  Goodbye Platt Fields.” In addition to the spectacular talent and kaleidoscopic variety on offer at Parklife Weekender, tickets are quite possibly the best value for money offering across this summer’s festival season. At only £64.50 for a full weekend ticket Parklife Weekender offers a vastly more affordable option for cash-strapped festival-goers who are being charged up to £200 for other events. Line up: Sat 9th June   Mainstage The Flaming Lips Noah & The Whale Kelis The Cuban Brothers DJ Yoda Krysko & Greg Lord + special guests: Chic ft. Nile Rogers Metroplex  Nero (Live) Pendulum (DJ Set) Zane Lowe Sub Focus (DJ Set) Jaguar Skills Tempa T DJ Hype Goldie 16 Bit North Base Crosstown Rebels   Damian Lazarus Art Department Maceo Plex Clive Henry Danny Daze Subb-an Now Wave  Crystal Castles Tom Vek Spector Friends Spector Django Django Phenomenal Handclap Band Stay+ To Kill a King Now Wave DJs Will Tramp! + special guests: Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaus Thrasher  Redlight Pearson Sound Araabmuzik Jackmaster Ben UFO Thundercat presents Archimedes (Live) Daedelus  Space Dimension Controller Lone B Traits Damu Chibuku   Fake Blood James Zabiela Simian Mobile Disco Tensnake D/R/U/G/S Justin Robertson Screendeath James Rand Kaluki  Heidi Marco Effe & James Mile Romano & Luca Bear Ellesse & Josef K Us & Them Pete Zorba     Line up: Sun 10th June   Mainstage  Dizzee Rascal Labrinth Azealia Banks Delilah (Live) Murkage Mista Jam Juicy DJs + special guests De La Soul Metroplex  Justice (Live) Annie Mac Erol Alkan Madeon Busy P Will Tramp + special guest: Jacques Lu Cont Now Wave  The Rapture Mount Kimbie Gold Panda Ghostpoet Twin Shadow Other Lives The Field  Jessie Ware Now Wave DJs + special guests: Factory Floor Hospitality  High Contrast Netsky London Elektricity Danny Byrd Loadstar Logistics Nu:tone SPY Jessie Alan Fred V & Graffix MCs: Wrec, SP & + special guests: Zinc (Jungle set) Wax:On  Maya Jane-Coles Claude Von Stroke Julio Bashmore Todd Edwards Joy Orbison Miguel Campbell Eats Everything Kysko Ape Carnival Sounds  Fresh (Live) Buraka Som Sistema (Live) Caspa Shy FX David Rodigan Dam Funk & Master Blazter Dot Rotten Toddla T Onemand DJ Derek Rich Reason Footwork Soul Clap Wolf & Lamb DJ Harvey Floating Points Bicep Drop The Mustard Zutekh DJs     Ticket info: Standard weekend ticket £64.50 Day ticket £38.50 Hospitality weekend ticket £94.50 Hospitality day ticket £49.50 Box Office info: Parklife.ticketline.co.uk 0161 832 1111 Skiddle.com 0844 884 2920 Venue info: Platt Fields Park Wilmslow Road Fallowfield Manchester M14 6LA Media Partners: Editors notes:   From the same team behind The Warehouse Project, The Parklife Weekender is Manchester’s newest and most in demand summer event. Born as a one-day festival in 2010, the inaugural year was a sell out success and lead to an expansion in 2011 to a full weekend party. Year two also proved a big hit once again seeing all tickets flying off the shelves weeks in advance. The Parklife Weekender is Manchester’s official start to the summer and fast becoming the UK’s best value for money festival.   Website/Social Media www.parklife.uk.com www.twitter.com/parklifefest www.facebook.com/parklifefestival *ENDS*   PR contacts   Sean Harwood sean@wearefullfat.com 07912 756 444 Dan Walsh  dan@wearefullfat.com 07775 770 37

JUAN ZELADA AT GLOUCESTER GUILDHALL

 

nGloucester Guildhall Presents

JUAN ZELADA
‘High Ceilings & Collarbones’

BBC Radio 2 Album of the Week

Release date 16^th April 2012

Juan Zelada will be the first musician ever to offer a money-back guarantee to the audiences on his 26 date tour of the UK.  Times are hard and people want to know they will get value for their money, few people are taking chances spending on the unfamiliar.  What’s an artist to do?  How about guaranteeing them a good time or they’ll get their money back in full. 

Hotly  tipped Juan is already a favourite at radio making it onto radio A-Lists throughout the country.  His sold out shows have built through rave reviews and word of mouth, the BBC have tipped him as one to watch. Juan’s fanbase was recently widened when he was the guest artist for Mumford & Sons nationwide tour, says Ben Lovett of M&S “Juan Zelada is without question one of the most exciting live acts of 2012. We challenge you to leave without a smile on your face!”

 

Juan who played in Amy Winehouse’s band on her infamous Back in Black tour is serious about the money back guarantee.  Says Juan, “I think people are reluctant to spend money doing things they wouldn’t normally do, I love new people coming to my shows, this is a great way to encourage them, I know they will have a great time.  This way they have nothing to lose, I’m guaranteeing it.  Shops guarantee stuff you buy, people send back food in restaurants if it’s not good, why shouldn’t they be able to get their money back if they feel my show wasn’t good enough? 

Juan’s spreading his money back guarantee message through a national press ad in The Guardian on March 1^st and social networking.

Juan, who can count Paul McCartney and Paloma Faith amongst his fans, transforms any room into a wild party. Throwing heart and soul into every performance, his joy is infectious, spread through a simple smile, a head-nod, or dancing with abandon. Nobody can remain seated during his gigs; Juan gets everyone on their feet, singing and dancing.

GREENBELT 2012-LINE-UP ANNOUNCED

 

Widely regarded as the leading family festival of arts, music and spoken word in the UK, Greenbelt is delighted to be able to announce that Mercury Music Prize winner Speech Debelle; audience favourite Bruce Cockburn; live folk sensation Bellowhead and the fantastic, sell-out OperaUpClose are among the first clutch of acts to be confirmed for 2012. Hosting a rich programme of visual and performing arts, spirituality, comedy, talks and debate Greenbelt takes place from 24th-27th August at Cheltenham Race Course. Tickets are on sale now and available from the festival website. MUSIC This year, Greenbelt will offer festival goers the richest and most diverse cultural programme available anywhere on the UK festival circuit in what will be a triumphant celebration of the arts, music, justice, tolerance and community. Critically acclaimed South London artist, Speech Debelle will bring her soulful and raw blend of poetic and powerful rhymes to the Greenbelt mainstage, combining tracks from her Mercury Music Prize-winning album with the recently released new album ‘Freedom of Speech’. With her devotion to politics and social issues and musically inspired by the likes of Michael Jackson, Tracy Chapman and Meshell Ndegeocello, this South London wonder is the perfect act to join the Greenbelt party this summer. Canadian-born Bruce Cockburn brings his ever-evolving folk brilliance to Greenbelt’s Friday mainstage. Having been compared to the likes of Neil Young and Joni Mitchell, Cockburn is known for his virtuoso guitar playing and powerful political lyrics including hits “If I Had A Rocket Launch” plus “Wondering Where The Lions Are”. Joining Cockburn, fellow folk sensation Seth Lakeman will bring his bow-shedding violin riffs and driving tenor guitar rhythms, creating a magical atmospheric vibe filled with charismatic and passionate energy. Bellowhead will perform for the first time at Greenbelt with their “full throttle…rare and exhilarating” (Q Magazine) live showcase, rousing crowds to their feet in what is set to be a sensational performance. Described by the Daily Mirror as “one of the country’s greatest live outfits”, the 11-piece collective are previous winners of the Best Live Performance award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and have recently returned from their sell-out UK tour. Audiences should prepare to dance like they’ve never danced before! Further additions to the line-up include BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards winners The Imagined Village plus “hot property” (The Guardian) folk revival band Megson with their infectious sounds and heavenly vocals, lush harmonies and driving rhythmic guitars. Thomas Traux will stun festival goers by using his bespoke inventions of strange self-made instruments in a surprising spectacle. Last but by no means least for the festivals music stage, Brooklyn-based, multi-instrumentalist and former member of American indie rock band The Hold Steady, Franz Nicolay, who is famed for combining the accordion and piano in unique way, will be making his debut at Greenbelt in 2012. KEYNOTES & SPEAKERS Greenbelt cements its firm reputation as offering much more than any other festival experience in the UK by today announcing the first of its speaker programme. Former University lecturer Dr. Andrew Tate joins the festival to discuss his reflective interest in postmodern fiction, theory and spirituality, Professor Mary Grey will offer insight into her vast knowledge of Feminist Liberation Theology and Spiritualities, Editor of New Humanist and former music journalist Caspar Melville will also be part of the 2012 offering. Esteemed lecturer in philosophy and author of several books on the modern world, Giles Fraser will speak at Greenbelt and after his recent, highly publicised departure from St Paul’s in October 2011, Fraser is an exciting addition to the speaker programme. Nationally acclaimed magician and author Mark Townsend will be part of the 2012 bill using his magic and mind-reading to unlock people’s inner wonder. This astonishing, slightly unsettling but life-affirming act is not to be missed. The “articulate, charismatic…and sophisticated operator” (Daily Telgraph) that is Rose Hudson Wilkin, who is tipped as the leading contender to become Church of England’s first female bishop joins Greenbelt’s speaker programme. Having fought for equal rights throughout her life, Wilkin’s talk will be both engaging and thoughtful revealing what it’s really like to live a double life in a parish where gang members roam, contrasted to her time spent as Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons. Ruth Gledhill will also speak and as a prestigious and longstanding correspondent for The Times, her appearance at Greenbelt will be both informative and tantalising. Reverend Richard Coles, broadcaster, writer and priest, is best known for being one half of 1980s band The Communards who enjoyed three UK Top Ten hits including ‘Don’t Leave Me This Way’ and ‘Never Can Say Goodbye’. Coles’ multi-talented reputation meant he was an obvious addition to Greenbelt’s diverse offering. Radical partner of The Simple Way, Shane Claiborne will also engage audiences with his fascinating experiences ranging from spending ten weeks alongside Mother Theresa in Calcutta to his recent three weeks spent in Baghdad with the Iraq Peace Team. Plus BBC Radio 2 Presenter Simon Mayo will be speaking about his debut children’s book Itch, a fantastic action-packed thriller. A sure hits with the kids at Greenbelt this year. THEATRE & COMEDY Greenbelt is excited to be welcoming OperaUpClose, the boutique opera company who will be bringing their experimental but hugely popular sell-out production of La Bohème to the festival. Having wowed audiences and reviewers alike and recently awarded the prestigious accolade of the 2011 Olivier Award for Best Opera Production, OperaUpClose unique approach to their discipline firmly embraces the thos of Greenbelt. Kevin Tomlinson’s Kepow Theatre returns to Greenbelt for a show-stopping performance of improvisation and comedic hilarity. Having received five star reviews at Edinburgh Festival this year followed by a sell out tour, this is one show not to be missed, while fellow award-winner Tayo Aluko will also perform in the play “Call Mr Robeson” accompanied by an orchestra propelling his unusual baritone voice across the fields. “We’re thrilled to announce the first names to Greenbelt’s 2012 Programme. With such diverse acts from the likes of Speech Debelle, OperaUpClose and Bellowhead, this year’s offering really does set Greenbelt aside from others on the festival calendar. This year we’ve developed the line-up to offer credible acts from around the world showcasing the best in the arts, music, visual and performing arts, comedy, talks and discussion. We look forward to seeing you in the field.”Paul Northup, Festival Director. Greenbelt 2012 – Saving Paradise – takes place 24th-27th August on Cheltenham Racecourse. Celebrating 39 years on the festival calendar, year-on-year over 20,000 people enjoy the fantastic offering. Delivering a rich and diverse programme, Greenbelt committed to its support of the arts while encouraging and embracing the values of tolerance, dialogue, justice, faith and hope. A festival that gives so much, Greenbelt provides all that attend with a spellbound and life-affirming experience. Tickets are now available from the Greenbelt festival website or via 020 7374 276. Prices are fixed until 30th April 2012 and adult weekend tickets are £99.00; adult concession weekend tickets are £68.00; under 18 weekend tickets (5 to 17 years) are £55.00; family weekend tickets (2 Adults, 2 Under 18s) are £259.00; single parent family weekend tickets (1 Adult, 2 Under 18s) are £165.00 and infants (0-4 years) go for free. – QUOTES – “No matter who you are or where you come from or what you believe in, if you’re open-minded and care about the arts, or think for yourself and forge your own opinions, you’ll be at home in this place.” Art Rocker “Britain’s greatest festival… The content, the opportunities to be challenged, affirmed, welcomed and angered as well as entertained and introduced to new things… it’s enough to make me nostalgic the day after it finishes.” The Huffington Post “I believe in dialogue, and that’s what Greenbelt is all about.” Peter Tatchell “Have to say, Greenbelt totally surprised me… after Glastonbury, my favourite festival this year.” Mark Thomas “I was deeply impressed by the mood and spirit of the festival. Most people were Christians and almost all had some religious faith but there was absolutely no dogmatism. Everyone was welcome and there was a shared spirit of belief in justice and caring.” Clare Short “I believe in dialogue, and that’s what Greenbelt is all about.”Peter Tatchell “People here are very questioning, not merely of other people, but of their own thoughts and beliefs too. It’s a very thoughtful festival.” Robin Ince “Greenbelt was an eye opening experience. Here was a Christian festival where I was made to feel welcome and included. Here were people, like me, committed to a better world, where poverty and injustice were no more and who were prepared to put their faith into action.” Mohammad Imran

 

Editors Notes Greenbelt Festival takes place annually over the August Bank Holiday weekend, gathering together artists, musicians, speakers and performers, alongside 21,000 festivalgoers at Cheltenham Racecourse. Celebrating 38 years on the festival circuit, Greenbelt is firmly rooted within a Christian tradition that is politically and culturally engaging. The festival is a family-friendly celebration, inclusive and accepting of all, regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexuality, background or belief.	Tickets Tickets can be purchased directly from the festival website: www.greenbelt.org/festival/tickets Or by calling the booking hotline: 020 7374 276 Greenbelt 2012 Weekend Tickets (Price until 30th April) Adult Wknd Ticket: £99.00 Adult Concession Wknd Ticket: £68.00 Under 18 Wknd Ticket (5-17 years) £55.00 Family Wknd Ticket (2 Adlts, 2 Und. 18s) £259.00 Single Parent Fam. Wknd Ticket (1 Adlt, 2 Und. 18s) £165.00 Infant Wknd Ticket (0-4 years) £0.00	Contacts Press Information info@wearefullfat.com Interviews / Images / Press accreditation / Competitions ella@wearefullfat.com 07817739905
Line Up Bruce Cockburn, Bellowhead, Seth Lakeman, Speech Dabelle, Andrew Tate, Casper Melville, Giles Fraser, Mark Townsend Imagined Village , Kepow Theatre, Mary Grey, Megson, OperaUpClose, Richard Coles, Shane Claiborne, Tayo Aluko, Thomas Truax, Simon Mayo, Ruth Gledhill,	Links Website: http://www.greenbelt.org.uk/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/GreenbeltFestival Twitter: twitter.com/greenbelt

Dizzee Rascal, Chase and Status, Friendly Fires, Nero, Labrinth and more set for Beach Break Live 2012

 

Beach Break Live, the much loved UK student festival, announce their biggest ever line-up with Chase and Status [live], Dizzee Rascal, Friendly Fires, Nero, Maverick Sabre, Labrinth, Wretch 32 and many more.

DJ Fresh will be performing live as well as Ben Howard, Delilah, Ghostpoet, Skream, Benga [live] Mistajam, The Whip, Scroobius Pip, Toddla T, The Milk, Clement Marfo & The Frontline and the legendary Hostpitality will be bringing their artists to Beach Break Live 2012

 

Beach Break Live has today announced its biggest, best and boldest line-up to date, which features some of music’s brightest stars and hottest new talent. Taking place from 14th – 18th June in Pembrey Country Park the four-day extravaganza will welcome the mighty Chase and Status, who will be performing live on Friday, grime maestro Dizzee Rascal who will be topping Saturday’s bill and Friendly Fires, who will raise the roof on Sunday, closing what is without doubt the most exciting festival line-up of the summer. With tickets priced from just £109, Beach Break Live will be buzzing with festival goers enjoying the epic line-up and four fun-filled days in the sun which will see everything from Roller Disco’s to The Celtic Games.

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After Beach Break Live gave Chase and Status their first ever headline show in 2010, the duo have risen to global stardom pioneering drum and bass in the UK singles chart and bringing the genre to the forefront of the music industry. They will be joined by multi-talented producer and artist in his own right Labrinth, who shot to fame in 2011 with his numerous collaborations and hugely successful singles ‘Let The Sun Shine’ and ‘Earthquake’. BRITs Critics Choice-nominated Maverick Sabre will stun the crowds with his beautiful voice while hotly tipped London band Clement Marfo & The Frontline will be skanking down in their uniquely urban style. The coveted Delilah will no doubt be performing her single ‘GO’ which has received huge critical acclaim and resonated with fans across the UK. Dubstep chart toppers Nero will bring hits such as ‘Me And You’ and ‘Promises’ to the Beach Break Live Dance Stage.

As with Chase & Status, Beach Break Live is hugely excited to be welcoming the return of another festival favourite, BRITs awards winner Dizzee Rascal who will headline The Dell Main Stage on Saturday. Having stuck with Beach Break through the infamous 2009 site move to perform his first ever headline festival show, Dizzee returns as the notorious icon of the UK grime and urban scene to blow the minds of 20,000 festival goers in Wales. Festival goers will be going ‘Bonkers’ for everything Beach Break this year, from Zorbing down the 8-mile beach to horseriding through the waves, this festival offers everything fun in one place.

DJ Fresh, who has just reached No. 1 in the UK singles chart, will be showcasing his new live tour, which includes a full band and a tonne of technology as a back drop to his hard hitting bass lines. Since 2010 Wretch 32 has been steadily rising up the charts thanks to breakthrough singles from his hugely successful album ‘Black and White’. 2012 is set to continue that trend, if not garner even more success for the grime MC when he performs at this year’s Beach Break Live 2012. Embarking on UK tours this February, Beach Break is delighted to be welcoming both Manchester indie rockers The Whip and lyrical genius Ghostpoet to the festival for the first time while the newly appointed BBC Radio 1 contingent Benga [live] and Skream will be offering up the kind of cutting edge drum ‘n’ bass that has seen them become two of the most talked about DJs and producers in the business.

The infamous Ghetto Blaster stage is returning yet again to Beach Break Live, true to form artists will be keeping festival goers up into the small hours with a mash up of unique dubstep from Toddla T, Rinse FM’s very own Oneman and Glasgows champian DJ and Numbers label founder, Jackmaster, will be spinning the decks with a frenzy of electronic bass and beats. Blawan will also be joining the boys on the Ghetto Blaster stage, hotly tipped producer of 2011 will no doubt be bringing even more to the dance table in 2012. Festival circuit pros DJ Parker, DJ Cheeba and DJ Moneyshot will be spinning the decks in Chai Wallah whilst rising talents Mystery, SDM, MTD and Dutty Dan will also be performing around the site. Propaganda will be starting the post main stage party in the ActionAid tent every night, with some secret DJ sets to top it off!

With the highly anticipated second album from Friendly Fires tantalisingly close to being released, there’s little doubt that the St. Albans trio will be a festival highlight for many a Beach Breaker in 2012 when the boys close proceedings on the Dell Main Stage on Sunday. They will be joined by Beach Break regular and rapidly rising singer songwriter Ben Howard while Merlin’s Forest is set for the ultimate drum ‘n’ bass takeover when the one-and-only Hospitality unleash their collective on Sunday. High Contrast, Netsky, Camo & Krooked, Danny Byrd and more will take to the decks for what promises to be a unforgettable show.

Editors Notes Beach Break Live has become the destination for thousands of Students over the last five years, now in its sixth successful year the team are still striving to make it bigger and better than ever. A brief foray in TV stardom on the Dragons Den to the near miss of the infamous ‘Zoo Break Live’ has lead to a sell-out 20,000 student celebration of the end of exams and the beginning of the summer.	Links Website www.beachbreaklive.com Video http://bit.ly/AdKqfy Tickets http://bit.ly/zvgNBq	Contacts Press Information info@wearefullfat.com Interviews / images / press accreditation megan@wearefullfat.com
FRIDAY LINE-UP CHASE AND STATUS [live] CLEMENT MARFO & THE FRONTLINE DELILAH EATS EVERYTHING FREE PEACE JAKWOB LABRINTH MAVERICK SABRE MISTAJAM NERO RANDOM IMPULSE RODIGAN THE SAVAGE NOMADS	SATURDAY LINE-UP BENGA [LIVE] BROTHER & BONES DIZZEE RASCAL DJ FRESH [LIVE] DOORLY GHOSTPOET JACK BEATS ONEMAN RUSKO SCROOBIUS PIP SKREAM & SGT POKES THE WHIP TODDLA T WRETCH 32	SUNDAY LINE-UP ABANDONMAN AYAH MARAR BEN HOWARD CAMO & KROOKED DANNY BIRD DRY THE RIVER DYNAMITE MC FRED V & GRAFIX FRIENDLY FIRES HIGH CONTRAST JESSY ALLEN NETSKY THE MILK WREC & CARASEL YOUTHSTAR

KANYE WEST & JAY Z CONFIRM 1ST DATES FOR EUROPEAN “WATCH THE THRONE” TOUR

KANYE WEST AND JAY Z CONFIRM FIRST DATES OF EUROPEAN ‘WATCH THE THRONE’ TOUR

AWARDED GRAMMY FOR ‘BEST RAP PERFORMANCE’ FOR ‘OTIS’

“It’s rare that a show of this magnitude lives up to its hype, but Kanye and JAY Z actually managed to exceed it. From the Tron-inspired laser show to the hydraulic-powered stages at either end of the ACC to the pyrotechnics, it was a visual masterpiece. And then, of course, there was the music.” –National Post

Tuesday 21st February 2012– After the phenomenal success of their chart topping album WATCH THE THRONE, a 35 date sold out, critically acclaimed North American tour and hot on the heels of their huge success at the 2012 Grammy Awards, winning the award for ‘Best Rap Performance’ (for their track ‘Otis’), superstars Kanye West and JAY Z’s collaboration ‘The Throne’ have today announced that they will be bringing the WATCH THE THRONE tour to Europe in 2012. The European leg will visit arenas in the UK, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Belgium, Germany and Ireland. JAY Z and Kanye West WATCH THE THRONE tickets will go on sale at 9am on Friday 24^th February priced at £60.00/£49.50/£39.50 London and £55.00/£47.50 Regional (subject to booking fee) and will be available from http://www.livenation.co.uk/artist/jay-z-and-kanye-west-watch-the-throne-tickets?c=pr_ext_watchthethrone_150212

For this project, music icons and pop culture visionaries JAY Z and Kanye West joined their extraordinary talents to form the group ‘THE THRONE’ and released the most anticipated album event of 2011, WATCH THE THRONE. On Monday, August 8^th last year, THE THRONE’S extraordinary once-in-a-lifetime, Platinum selling Roc-A-Fella / Def Jam Recordings / Roc Nation album collaboration, WATCH THE THRONE, debuted at number 1 and has garnered several Grammy nominations.

The longtime friends and music innovators inspired each other to new heights with their collaboration on WATCH THE THRONE recorded in person at various locations around the world. Over a year in the making and a truly global affair, the duo recorded in London and Bath in the UK, Abu Dhabi, Sydney, Paris, and New York City. The album features production from The RZA, The Neptunes and Kanye’s longtime collaborator Mike Dean. The short list of featured vocals includes Frank Ocean, Beyoncé, Curtis Mayfield and Mr. Hudson. The lead track, “OTIS,” brilliantly weaves Otis Redding’s “Try A Little Tenderness.”

The production is classic Kanye West soul, with the two MCs trading couplets over a sample manipulated the way only West can. “Sounds so soulful, don’t you agree?” intones JAY Z, and the two launch into a treatise on swagger, claiming their rightful place at the top. Since the track’s release, the flood of praise for the track has been nothing short of deafening. Entertainment Weekly declares the track “the most well-executed rap song of the year.” “Otis” can be streamed at watchthethrone.com/otis.

Both JAY Z and Kanye West have each appeared as guests on the other’s stage, and now they come together for never-before-seen performances not only from their collaboration, WATCH THE THRONE but also songs from their classic catalogue.

“This show demonstrated how much can be accomplished with a few small decisions: as on the album, JAY Z and Mr. West worked smart, not big.” “The collaboration isn’t merely a power-sharing arrangement or a union of equals but an application to be rap’s greatest duo.” – New York Times

“It’s a wonder to behold — and a throne well worth watching.” – LA Times

WATCH THE THRONE EUROPEAN 2012 TOUR

MAY 2012

Sunday 20 O2 Arena London

Thursday 24 Zurich Hellenstadion, Switzerland

Saturday 26 Herning Arena, Denmark

Monday 28 Oslo Telenor Arena, Norway

Tuesday 29 Stockholm The Globe, Sweden

JUNE 2012

Friday 1 Paris Bercy, France

Saturday 2 Paris Bercy, France

Sunday 3 Antwerp Sportpaleis, Belgium

Tuesday 5 Frankfurt Festhalle, Germany

Friday 8 Dublin O2 Arena, Ireland

Monday 11 Manchester Arena

Wednesday 13 Birmingham LG Arena

Additional dates to be added

Tickets go on sale 9am on Friday 24^th February priced at £60.00/£49.50/£39.50 London and £55.00/£47.50 Regional (subject to booking fee) and are available from http://www.livenation.co.uk/artist/jay-z-and-kanye-west-watch-the-throne-tickets?c=pr_ext_watchthethrone_150212

QUEEN WITH ADAM LAMBERT , KISS AND FAITH NO MORE TO HEADLINE SONISPHERE 2012

QUEEN, WITH ADAM LAMBERT,EXCLUSIVE HEADLINE SET CONFIRMED FOR SONISPHERE 2012

KISS EUROPEAN EXCLUSIVE AND FAITH NO MORE UK EXCLUSIVE ALSO CONFIRMED TO HEADLINE, TIM MINCHIN LEADS COMEDY ELEMENT WITH HEADLINE SLOT ON SATURN STAGE

Earlier on there were rumours of us splitting up, but I mean – f*** ‘em – how can you split up when you have an audience like this.”   Freddie Mercury. Knebworth Park, August 9, 1986 With a quarter of a century having since passed, rock legends Queen are to return to play a second concert at the venue that provided them with the setting for one of their biggest and most historic concerts. Queen’ Brian May and Roger Taylor today confirmed the band will headline the second day of this year’s Sonisphere Festival appearing at the festival home ground Knebworth Park, Stevenage, on Saturday July 7. Knebworth was the setting for Queen’s final concert with Freddie Mercury in August 1986. May and Taylor also confirmed that for this special one-off concert they will be joined by US singer-songwriter Adam Lambert. Since first encountering each other during American Idol Season 8 in May 2009 where Lambert joined the band to perform We Are the Champions the two have repeatedly hinted at a future collaboration, most recently with Taylor telling Billboard Magazine “He (Adam) has grown into a really great performer with an astonishing voice with a range that’s great. We would like to work with him again. There’s nothing signed just yet but …it could be very exciting.” After their brief meeting on American Idol, the potent chemistry between Queen and Lambert finally broke the surface when at the invitation of Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor Lambert joined them for the closing showcase at the recent MTV Europe Awards where Queen were present to collect their Global Icon award. Their eight minute MTVE set ignited an immediate reaction across the internet with social network sites buzzing with excitement and campaigning for a more formal union between Queen and Lambert. The Sonisphere 2012 Knebworth stage will at last provide an eager public the opportunity to see May, Taylor and Lambert delve deeper into exploring their very evident artistic appreciation of one another. Says Brian May: “Judging by my incoming mail, this decision will make a lot of people very happy. It’s a worthy challenge for us, and I’m sure Adam would meet with Freddie’s approval! And what better place to revisit, and walk those emotional paths than Knebworth? It will be a rush.” Lambert adds: “I’m completely in awe of the Queen phenomenon. The thought of sharing the stage for a full set is so beautifully surreal. I’m honoured to be able to pay my respects to Freddie’s memory. He’s a personal hero of mine and I am deeply grateful for the chance to sing such powerful music for fans of this legendary band. I know the evening will be a huge milestone for me, and with the support of Brian, Roger and the rest of the band I know magic will be on display.” Queen’s previous performance at Knebworth Park, close on twenty-six years ago ,  August 9, 1986, was set up to be the glorious last stop for the band’s monstrously successful Magic Tour which had spread out across Europe over eight weeks of that summer.  Over a million people had already paid to see them. Now riding one of the highest crests in their career, Queen drew a record crowd of 120,000, their biggest ever UK audience.  Coming on the back of two stunning shows at Wembley Stadium – to this day regarded as among their finest performances – anticipation was high. Queen delivered the goods, winding up the crowd by arriving above their heads in a custom decorated helicopter, and then going on to perform a Queen textbook set to a deliriously enthusiastic audience, winding up with an emotional ‘God Save the Queen’ and Freddie wishing his audience ‘sweet dreams’. What no-one in that Knebworth Park audience, and as far as we know, not even the band could anticipate that day, was that a new chapter in Queen’s history was being written: after more than 700 concerts together, what was taking place was the very last live concert of Freddie Mercury with Queen. With the exception of an appearance in 1988 with Spanish operatic soprano Montserrat Caballe to launch Barcelona’s successful bid for the 1992 Olympic Games performing their duet ‘Barcelona’, Mercury would never again be seen performing to a public audience. On what will undoubtedly rate as one of this summer’s most highly anticipated and emotionally charged concerts Queen’s Roger Taylor says: “I remember Knebworth as being the most incredible gig, with the most amazing audience and the sound on stage was utterly perfect. It was a fitting last stand before a live audience for Freddie. It will be a real challenge to complete the circle by returning with Adam.” Shooting rockets. Blood spitting. Face Paint. Shiny Boots and utterly jaw dropping triumphant live shows: SONISPHERE is proud to announceKISS as Friday’s headliner. With a reputation for being perhaps the most flamboyant and entertaining band on the planet, the American Kings will bring their stage extravaganza to SONISPHERE as their only European performance of 2012. For the final, Sunday night, SONISPHERE KNEBWORTH is proud to announce the legendary FAITH NO MORE as the headline act on the APOLLO stage. Mike Bordin, Roddy Bottum, Bill Gould, Jon Hudson and Mike Patton are poised to set KNEBWORTH on fire when they close the last night at SONISPHERE with their only UK appearance in 2012. Of their set Gould comments:“It was over 2 years ago when we decided to reform and play those amazing UK shows. The good news is, we’ve had a couple of years to improve our skills; moving our song to error ratio down 3.5 full percentage points. Watch out UK, we’re going to do it right this time!!”   Joining the three superb headliners are some of the biggest names from the world of rock and metal including: WITHIN TEMPTATION – only UK show of 2012, EVANESCENCE – only UK show of 2012,THE DARKNESS,INCUBUS – only UK show of 2012, MARILYN MANSON – only UK show of 2012, ANDREW WK – only UK festival show of 2012, REFUSED – only UK show of 2012,MASTODON – only UK festival show of 2012, THE BLACKOUT and more. As well as the exciting names from the world of rock, SONISPHERE once again shows it’s forward thinking nature, and invites musician/comedian TIM MINCHIN to headline the Saturday night on SATURN. Since his first appearance at SONISPHERE back in 2010 theTIM’s success has gone from strength to strength, resulting in his first UK arena tour, his first West End Musical (Matilda The Musical) and numerous high profile TV appearances. After the astounding success of Bill Bailey’s SATURN slot last year, TIM – with full backing band in tow – is bound to deliver a much talked about and highly memorable show atSONISPHERE. Tickets on sale to the public from 9:00am Thursday 23rd February fromwww.sonispherefestivals.com / 0844 871 8803priced at £145 for a weekend ticket (£180 with 4-day camping, £170 with 3-day camping), with a very limited number of day tickets available for £75. To spread the cost of the festival customers can pay a non-refundable deposit of £50 to secure their weekend tickets and then pay the balance off anytime before 30th April 2011. SONISPHERE KNEBWORTHtakes place July 6th – 8th at KNEBWORTH HOUSE. On top of the host of talent on offer at SONISPHERE KNEBWORTH, organisers are offering the first weekend ticket buyers a very limited number of tickets to SONISPHERE MADRID, which takes place 25th and 26th May. Headliners METALLICA – who play their Black album in its entirety – are joined by an impressive cast featuring the likes of SOUNDGARDEN, andSLAYER and many more. Two Sonisphere festivals for the price of one! www.sonispherefestivals.com LINE UP SO FAR: Headline sets from: KISS (European Exclusive) – QUEEN (World Exclusive) – FAITH NO MORE (UK Exclusive)- TIM MINCHIN ANDREW WK * THE BLACKOUT CYPRESS HILL EVANESCENCE** FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM FLOGGING MOLLY * GHOST * GOJIRA * I KILLED THE PROM QUEEN INCUBUS** KATATONIA * LACUNA COIL * MARILYN MANSON** MASTODON * REFUSED** SWITCHFOOT * THE DARKNESS WITHIN TEMPTATION ** WOLFMOTHER ** *denotes exclusive festival appearance **denotes only UK show of 2012

Ticket info: Fan Club presale starts 8:00pm Monday 20thFebruary, tickets on sale to the public from 9:00am Thursday 23rd February fromwww.sonispherefestivals.com/ 0844 871 8803 priced at £145 for a weekend ticket (£180 with 4-day camping, £170 with 3-day camping), with a very limited number of day tickets available for £75. Venue info: Knebworth Park Knebworth Hertfordshire SG3 6PY

Contact info: Music Press: Adam Sagir adam@thenoisecartel.com 020 8202 4314 Music Radio/TV: Nelly Liger nelly@thenoisecartel.com 020 8202 4314 All news / mainstream media: Sean Harwood sean@wearefullfat.com 07912 756 444