Music

We are fascinated by what makes authors tick and by the role music plays in our identity. Daniel Rachel is the award-winning author who's book Isle of Noises, digs deep into the creative process and psyche of some the UK's finest songwriters. Discover the tracks that have inspired him and marked some of his most significant moments.

By Sunday afternoon (usually) the sun is blazing, and everyone is beautifully mellow from a weekend of delights. The perfect soundtrack to this has been a site-wide DJ set to match the mood. Previous years have seen Justin Robertson, DJ Paulette, Greg Wilson and Dave Haslam wreaking sun-laden havoc across the hearts and minds of the blissed-out crowd. 

Listen to the stories and facts behind Also's Album of the Festival - Blondie's Parallel Lines. Award-winning author, musician, and aficionado, Daniel Rachel explores the impact and legacy of this seminal album, and why it stills feels so fresh and relevant 40 years on.

Combining electronica and dance floor influences with emotional song writing, Jono McNeil brings his latest album Broken Lives to Also. A product of his musical and personal reinvention, the lyrical content cuts deeply into his coming out experiences, it is also a journey of triumph and reconciliation. All captured in smooth electronic sounds, deep beats and rich vocal soundscapes. 

This engaging singer-songwriter believes in the unifying power of music to transcend age, gender, ethnic, political and cultural differences. Her artistry explores a "fearless search for freedom, meaning and inner peace in this world of wonders and mysteries."

This Moscow-based indie rock band creates hymns of beauty, freedom and the love of life. Honest, open-hearted music with catchy melodies, sparky guitars and atmospheric synths.

Feast on that hot gypsy swing adorned by Franco-Irish folk songwriting. Scratchy Beard journey you through an upbeat, playful and sincere collage of trans-European roots music.

Imagine a night out with the Kaiser Chiefs and Dua Lipa and that's Flo Gallop. Bringing a bright splash of neon to monochrome indie sensibilities, Flo mixes a raucous musical edge with pop star vocals.

Steve Parry dons his funky hat alongside his partner in crime Nick Gartland. These two have been together for many a year and are as good at banter as they are at DJing. Fun, Funk and Soul with eclectic sides. Anything goes! This will be a great party to kick-start the Bunker on Friday night. Fun for funk's sake. 

Picture This. Learn to sing this classic track from Blondie's Parallel Lines, under the expert guidance of singer, musican and vocal coach Kaya Herstad-Carney. All are welcome - no experience needed, but bring your coolest pop star attitude.

In this hour-long treasure hunt of song lyrics, key lyrics from famous songs will be acted out around the festival site. It's up to you to decipher the lyrics being acted out in front of your very eyes, and the song it comes from.  Imagine a man in leopard skin jeggings in a boat zipping across the lake with his sails a-flutter. It's Rod Stewart's 'I Am Sailing'. Simple!  Meet at The Information Tent. 

After you've learnt the ropes in the DJ-ing for Kids masterclass, sign up to our Dusted Vinyl for Kids session. This is an Also Festival exclusive session where you get to choose the tunes and introduce the audience to the music that you LOVE, and it means you can literally have fifteen minutes of fame at a festival.

Musician and writer Dave Randall will be at ALSO to explain 'Sound System - The Political Power of Music'. His book is a brilliant exploration of how music and politics came together from the banned chords of the 12th Century - through the slave rebellions - to the free festival movement, and he’ll explore just how music can be used to change the world. 

Cabaret? West Side Story? Jesus Christ Superstar? If you're a fan of emotions getting so high you've just gotta sing - you won't miss this session for the world. If not, don't worry the venue for this event is completely soundproofed. However, we KNOW some of our ALSO-ers are looking for the opportunity to belt out 'I Know Him So Well' and their like, with a live piano accompanist, and we want to be the ones who make that dream come true. You're welcome.

One Way or Another. Learn this classic song from Blondie's seminal Parallel Lines album with one of the UK's leading vocal coaches, Also Festival's Juliet Russell. All are welcome - no experience needed, just a post-punk attitude and a hint of festival glamour.

As a guitarist, composer and producer, Dave Randall is renowned for his work with Faithless, has contributed to multi-million selling albums by Dido and performed globally with artists including Baaba Maal, Michael Stipe, Neneh Cherry and Sinead O'Connor. He has spent his life immersed in music, writing and politics; all beautifully combined in his book Sound System. Discover what drives him, what inspires him and get to know the tracks that have have accompanied his seminal moments.

One half of Also faves, General Disco Procedure, DJ Dan McHarg takes over at the late, late night bunker session. For thsoe who love to dance into the small hours dance blends, beats, beeps, catchy hooks and deep grooves.

Dr Catherine Loveday and Professor Simon Zagorski-Thomas will be at ALSO to discuss musicology on neuroscience and neuroscience on music.

This megatastic, ukelele-based band has six ukes, a bass uke and a cajon drum to beat! Skilful masters of reengineering classic and modern pop songs. From Stealer's Wheel to the Uptown Funk, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re 'Dancing in the Dark' or 'Dancing in the Moonlight' ya'll be dancing and that's what counts!!

Karaoke + a choir = Choralaoke. New to the Also Festival and quite possibly the world, this is karaoke with a whole new twist. All the classic ingredients of a karaoke, you, a mic, the music, the lyrics, an adoring crowd plus London International Gospel Choir. Let's be the first festival to raise the roof - in a tent.

Australian concert pianist Chris Lian Lloyd plays and explains how the avant-garde classical musicians at the beginning of the century influenced each other and how they imagined a future for music.

Singing is a huge part of Also Festival and every year we invite our fantastic crowd to become part of our Saturday sunset experience. Learn a specially composed song and be part of a one-off a cappella choir, under the expert guidance of composer and choir director, Juliet Russell (The Voice, Michael McIntyre's Big Show, The Voice Kids). First rehearsal is at 12pm in the Bunker, second rehearsal meet at the Bunker at 8:30pm with the performance later on to coincide with the procession.  

Neuroscientist, Dr Catherine Loveday and Planet of the Grapes' Matt Harris ensure your cooking for friends and family is enhanced by your playlist as they explain how the taste of wine can be enhanced (or ruined) by the sound you hear at that time. Enjoy a selection of wines and music and understand how they can affect each other.

As the last remnants of daylight fade, it’s time to head to the Lake stage, feeling the warm embrace of music and laughter, reveling in the outdoors. Get deep down and dirty in the evening. Back for the fourth year at Also, General Disco Procedure's Dan McHarg is here to rock Friday frisky with a riotous set of house, disco, techno, and God-knows-what. Hips to the left, feet to the right, back and forth to the beat.

Marie White is the real deal. A young singer-songwriter from Hastings with insight beyond her years, she creates her own uncompromising sound.

This emotionally driven, haunting singer songwriter tells indiscreet tales of love and longing. Described as "absolutely stunning" by Janice Long (BBC Radio 2)  and "a touch of class." by the independent Review, (Glastonbury).

This live performance workshop combines original songs with audience  participation. Francisco, accompanied by Philip Garret, will take us on a musical journey of melodies and rhythms from Latin America, Africa and the world, turning the audience into an impromptu orchestra and becoming part of the show. If you love to be involved and spend time immersed in wondrous rhythms, you will be in your element!

While surrounded on all sides by some of the biggest brains, deepest thinkers and dazzling musicians, this is all about creating a safe space for those/most of us who just like having a go. This is a musical session to celebrate enthusiasm. Think of it as live karaoke.  Take your pick from our tunes in the songbook and our guitarist will definitely remember nearly all the chords. Remember, for acoustaoke volume beats melody every time. If you've ever belted out a song while alone in the car or shower, this is your moment to show off in front of an adoring audience. This is your time.

Hailing from Miidlands, the home of Two-Tone, who better to treat us to a very special Ska and Two-Tone DJ set than award-winning author and musican Daniel Rachel?  Combining influences from Jamaican music, such as ska, reggae and Rock Steady with elements of punk and new wave, this music shaped a generation. Did someone say skank?

Iko Chérie is the moniker of the French born, London based musician Marie Merlet, whose fabulous three-piece band perform hazy, blissful indie pop gems with a DIY punk aesthetic.

If you want understand the creative process of some of the UK's most successful songwriters, musician-turned-award winning author, Daniel Rachel will be at ALSO to discuss his exclusive and enlightening conversations with some of the UK’s greatest living musicians -  the subject of his book Isle of Noises – Great British Songwriting.

If you love to sing or just want to try something new, join Juliet Russell, the vocal coach from ITV's The Voice, Voice Kids and BBC1's Michael McIntyre's Big Show. We'll learn how to warm up, how to improvise and how to juse our voices in lots of different ways, building to a group song.

We revisit our Northern Soul Session for Saturday evening with our guest DJ Tim Mason. Bring the talc and a change of clothes as we go deep down and soulful.