Lip Sync Battles @ ALSO 17
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.
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.
The Also Festival is a rare chance to learn from leading UK TV vocal coach Juliet Russell (ITV’s The Voice, Michael McIntyre’s Big Show). For 2018 she has curated an incredible roster of opportunities to develop, understand and use your voice. Join Juliet’s in-festival choir to train and perform as part of the Saturday night spectacular, understand classic tracks by joining her Icons series (this year is a celebration Blondie’s Parallel Lines.) Also in 2018 kids can join Juliet’s vocal coaching session to understand how to shine on stage, and she will be hosting our Saturday night Lip Sync Heroes session.
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!!
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.
The Saturday Night Bunker Session is the one where everyone lets go and finishes off the night in style. Steve Vertigo will be driving us over that hill and into the morning.
The year is 2018 in a futuristic society where corporations have replaced countries, sound familiar? Don’t worry – it’s only the plot for the 1975 film Rollerball – which was originally set in the future world of 2018. So to celebrate 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!
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?
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.
At just 16, Joe Loveday is fast establishing himself as a talented songwriter and pianist. With influences from Tim Minchin and Ben Folds to The Beatles, his performances offer a delightful, humorous and insightful take on everything from politics to teenage angst.
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.
Rockers Pretty Thieving are a group of four young local lads who, since forming last summer, have released a single called 'Bootleg'. They recently their debut EP, "Sunday Morning 9AM, which includes their killer track 'My 23' - recently played on BBC Introducing. With epic and anthemic choruses, they bring an energetic fresh take on indie rock.
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.
We have DJ sets a go-go. Don’t miss our Isle of Noises DJ set from Daniel Rachel on the floating stage, Steve Parry and Nick Gartland get the party started in the disco bunker on Friday evening, there’s punked-up power pop from The Surrey Women’s Bridge Club, Northern Soul rocks the bar, and for 2018 our legendary sunny sunshine Sunday afternoon set from superstar DJ Steve Vertigo. Many more across the weekend.
Introducing RUEBIN, the artist formally known as Ruby Blu*. We guarantee you will leave a fan, pursued for days by his catchy hook lines and chanting lyrics as if you’d heard them 1,000 times over.
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.
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.
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 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).
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.
Oh yes, we're back, bigger and badder than ever and this year IT'S JUST FOR THE KIDS. You have 2 minutes... to take to the mic and synch for your life! Last year we had gymnastics, a parrot costume, tacos and some absolutely stunning Lip Synch performances. Don't be fooled by their youth and friendly exteriors, our Lip Synch Heroes mean business.
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.
Dr Catherine Loveday and Professor Simon Zagorski-Thomas will be at ALSO to discuss musicology on neuroscience and neuroscience on 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.
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.
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.
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.
Combining a rich musicality with continent-spanning influences, Cassia play their own brand of calypso-flavoured, tropical rock, resulting in a deft balance of the quintessentially British and the unequivocally exotic. Recent highlights include festival appearances at The Great Escape, Leeds & Reading and a European tour. Relentless touring to ever growing audiences is now becoming the norm for the Macclesfield tropi-poppers.
The KLF were famed for burning a million pounds in a boathouse on the Isle of Jura and saying they would not talk about it for 23 years. Guess what, the 23 years are up – and they have spoken about it – to John Higgs – and he’s at ALSO to explain all.
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.
Marie White is the real deal. A young singer-songwriter from Hastings with insight beyond her years, she creates her own uncompromising sound.
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.
For the brave, the foolhardy, the beautiful and the free, and the ones who can't remember where the exit is, the ALSO Closing Party is a chance to look back and allow the weekend to soak in accompanied by great music from covers band Little Blue House. Take in the stunning view, drink in hand, whilst coming to terms with the amount of information, thought, ideas and downright fun you've been subjected to. Sometimes the only thing for it is to sit and think. And drink.
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.
Info & TicketsIn 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.
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.
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.
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.
Formed in haste when their useless sons failed to turn up for a scheduled gig, these busy, working mums know how to step in and save a show. Whilst usually peddling a line in punked-up power-pop, for ALSO the ladies will be rocking a late night DJ set in the Orangery honouring the founding females of hip-hop.
Sophie is a fresh young singer from Hampshire, who performs across the south coast, With a mature sound and pop sensibility, she adds a soulful tone to modern lyrics alongside old-time R&B classics.
Rooted in the ancient folk traditions we know intimately, yet with a voice and lyricism that resonates unlike anyone before him, Will Varley, along with his band, headlines Saturday night, performing songs from his latest album Spirit of Minne and choice picks from his four other artist albums.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Understand all eastern and western philosophy has to offer – whilst listening to music as we present Salon London’s Dao of Jazz. Combining innovation, improvisation, and collaboration, Jazz is the music maverick that went mainstream. Philosopher Dr Julian Baggini explores the relationship between Jazz and philosophy and reveals what we can learn about how to live, just by listening a little closer. Accompanied by our in house jazz pianist and tracks performed live by Juliet Russell.
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.
We are excited to explore Margaret Heffernan's inner life through her musical choices. Margaret is an entrepreneur, CEO, writer and keynote speaker - and a huge part of Also 2018. Her writing challenges the status quo and encourages us to think bigger, work better and collaborate more generously. Join us for this unique and enlightening in conversation with a difference.
Throwing parties with the likes of Groove Armada on a Sydney roof-top and 808 State in his student kitchen, Mash is dipping into his rather extensive vinyl collection for some lake side dance action. Guaranteed to get toes-tapping, heads-nodding and Also party people dancing with his eclectic collection from Hip-hop to Funk & Soul and some very mellow beats indeed.
5 – 7 July 2019 Park Farm, Compton Verney, Warwickshire
