Music (2019)

Now in their thirtieth year, the DiY Collective of DJs, producers, club promoters and free party people was instrumental in melding the original acid house concept into a new narrative, throwing legendary parties suffused with righteous anger and libertarian idealism.

An acoustic set of honest and thought-provoking tunes from singer-songwriters Alo and collaborator Tom Lennard, on themes of love, loss, power, ecological insanity and the celebration of our common humanity.

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.

Denis Coleman is a a dynamic young singer-songwriter from the USA, based in London. His music blends catchy pop with US R&B and hip hop influences. He released his debut single You last September and is fast becoming an independent pop sensation, catching the attention of the industry by winning the Future Music Songwriting competition. Fresh from The Power of Music schools tour, Denis has been spreading positive messages of anti-bullying through performances and interactive chats with students. Watch him blow up the main stage!

Singers gather to warm up and rehearse for the Also's Saturday night extravaganza!

Portobello Live Choir is the capital's rock and roll community choir. Singing classic songs by west London artists such as Gorillaz, Paul Weller, The Clash and Hollie Cook and mixing in gospel, soul and African flavours. Join them for this singing workshop, led by Juliet Russell.

DJ Mash returns to the Costa del Also, this year battling with Justin James, a fellow vinyl junkie to bring you a relentless selection of killer tunes from their armory of vinyl. Dropping soul, roots, hip-hop, funk and whatever genre they see fit to get ALSO moving and our Saturday night started.

From ornate Spiegeltents the other side of the world to art deco cabaret spaces in Soho, the Gallic legend once again brings his late-night extravaganza to a tent in the Midlands. Expect special guests, spontaneous happenings, a live band and Gallic superiority. “One of the finest nights in our fair city” - Time Out London

Vinyl Richie Is a Ibiza based DJ and purveyor of fine musical flavours, showcasing a celebration of Balearic sounds. With a diverse set of influences, infused with rich groove of tomorrow & yesterday. From Italian house, to soul, and yacht rock fit for poolsides and  beaches, to oddities from the likes of Peter Gabriel and Ruff Dug

Portobello Live Choir is the capital's rock and roll community choir. Singing classic songs by west London artists such as Gorillaz, Paul Weller, The Clash and Hollie Cook and mixing in gospel, soul and African flavours.

Enjoy Millie's beautiful vocie as the perfect accompaniment to your mindful swim or head on down to the Lake stage without to hear her without getting wet! Millie Underwood is a classical singer and songwriter, who has perfomed at some of the Uk's most prestigious cultural and sporting events.

This distinctive vocalist fuses indie sensibilities with jazzy pop and soulful vibes. She has a gorgeously unique tone, that she accompanies with edgy, melodic electric guitar. Oozing pop star attitude and style, Lola will be playing songs from her debut  EP Naked and the singles Makin' You Mine and Lost in My Days.

We’re setting up a boutique pop up roller disco on the Saturday evening – think Studio 54 on wheels. You'll need to bring your own skates and your optional glittery leg warmers and let’s go! 

Boost your serotonin and endorphins, lower your heart rate, raise your oxytocin levels by joining this year’s massed sing, led by Juliet Russell, vocal coach on two of the UK’s biggest entertainment shows The Voice UK and Michael McIntyre’s Big Show.

Learn the tricks of the songwriting trade with creative tour de force Sophie Garner.  She uses songwriting as a powerful tool for building confidence and creative expression with children from 7 to 70+! This session is for 11-18 year olds. 

Kids! Get lost in music and learn authentic samba rhythms, fusing African beats and South American grooves, with Brazilian maestro Marcos Santana and his amazing Tribo drummers. A regular fixture at Europe's biggest Caribbean street party, the Notting Hill carnival, Tribo bring tradition, energy and knowledge together in an uplifting drumming workshop. No experience necessary.

Pronounced 'Frooog' - it was the mid-1960s dance craze and as we like to challenge our in-festival choreographer - Fiona Ring we've asked her to deliver a Fosse-inspired workshop in the field. Fiona is no ordinary choreographer - in no time at all she'll be helping you access your inner monkey, chicken, and heavy weight.

It’s back! Got the moves? Got the lyrics down? Got the backing track? The heat is on! This year we’re looking for the best kids AND the best adults to vie for the Lip Synch Battle crown. Last year we had air grabs, flossing, gymnastics and some pretty fantastic performances. Who’s ready?

Feeling Groovy? Come to Dining where's there's gorgeously glittery fashionable folk revival! Yes, bedroom DJs 'Bubbles and Sprinkles' are in the house with their hour-long homage to Simon and Garfunkel. Wigs welcome - wigging out expected.

As you would expect at ALSO we will be putting our own unusual take on the silent disco. Join us deep in our woods for our two pop-up 'Strident Disco' sessions and see if you prefer poetry, political speeches or music? The choice is yours.

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 fifth 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.

Jill on Top blazed a trail as half of the DJ/Production duo Girls on Top, immediately becoming part of the Mixmag reviews team, topping the bill at DJ gigs all over the UK and featured in iD, DJ Mag, The Face, & TV shows BPM, Hypnosis and Rapture. And they still found time to remix legends like Farley ‘Jackmaster’ Funk, Loletta Holloway, Byron Stingily and Gizelle Jackson. Exhausted, Jill finally hung up her headphones to start her own DJ agency in 2003, only coming out of retirement these days for special one-offs like ALSO!

Comedian Alexis Dubus unearths an overlooked national treasure, Merseyside’s cult band Half Man Half Biscuit, whose lyricist Nigel Blackwell was described by John Peel as “our greatest living poet and satirist.” A 16-album, 33-year retrospective in one hour. Dubus unpicks the cryptic lyrical codes, plays some favourite excerpts and celebrates one of Britain’s smartest, funniest and most reclusive social commentators.

This dynamic singing and movement session uses the musical theatre classic Rhythm of Life as a basis for creating a new vocal and choreographed piece. MT vocal coach Amelia Carr specialises in working with young voices, including preparing them for roles in the West End, TV and film. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn the tricks of the trade from a pro and have fun while you do it. All levels experience welcome.

Join Juliet in easing your body and voice into the Also day. Tuning in through a series of deep breathing exercises, energising stretches, followed by simple chants, nature-related songs and rounds.

We're a new pop rock band from Stratford Upon Avon, and we’ll be bringing our Lake Stage set to ALSO to move you through sad ballads to fast paced rock.

Inspired by the likes of John Martyn, Joni Mitchell and Neil Young, Katherine's haunting vocals and lilting melodies accompany strong poetic lyrics inspired by landscapes of her Lake District heritage and travels around the world since leaving home. We are delighted to welcome her as part of the ALSO Lake stage line-up.

Enjoy our music programme from rising stars and undiscovered gems to gypsy jazz and Ibizan chill out up at The Costa del Also's famous, floating lake stage.  Even better with a cocktail from the Rum Shack or a plate of pinchos from Getaria.

This Is A Recording are a live improvised electronic duo performing on analog synths mangled up through FX pedals and tripped out guitar, layered over slo-mo pulsating beats. Their music ranges from ambient, Balearic grooves to psychedelic walls of sound. Think stratospheric harmonics, cosmic melodies, and conscious vibes! 

We have an in-festival choreographer, Fiona Ring (Founder of My Charleston Dance Company) - so whether you're a dancing queen or you dance like a member of the royal family - we'll find a few moves for you to be involved in our Saturday Night Extravaganza. 

Like karaoke, but with a whole choir and who better to accompany you on the Also Main Stage, than London International Gospel Choir? No one, that’s who. We’ll provide lyrics, music, a glamorous host and twenty backing vocalists. You provide star quality and your best insta-friendly outfit.

Playing music for the enjoyment of others has propelled Ferdie since he saved up for his first boombox. From rocking university halls with his Maxell C90 mixtapes to graduating with DJ honours onto festival stages. Barrio boss man Ferdie can now be found at the helm of his DJ bars across London, feeding the masses with his own colourful take on music, accompanied by a few choice cocktails along the way. A keen collector of remixes and re-edits, expect an excursion on well-loved versions. With no genres left unturned and no songs out of bounds, Ferdie’s unashamed mash-up of party-beats and singalong classics will get you all in a funk-frenzy!

Playing a mix of 60s Soul, Funk, Dirty Grooves, Hot Rockin' Rhythm & Blues, Jazz, Ska, Rock'n'Roll, New Orleans, Gospel, Blues & Boogaloo - all on vinyl 45s

Vertigo is back in his favourite Saturday night slot where the perty goes off in The Bunker at midnight. Buckle up your dancing boots... 

Get lost in music and learn authentic samba rhythms, fusing African beats and South American grooves, with Brazilian maestro Marcos Santana and his amazing Tribo drummers. A regular fixture at Europe's biggest Caribbean street party, the Notting Hill carnival, Tribo bring tradition, energy and knowledge together in an uplifting drumming workshop. No experience necessary.

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