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CONCRETE JUNGLE STAGE

Reading Saturday 25^th and Leeds Sunday 26^th August

The Concrete Jungle is a new day at Reading and Leeds dedicated to the hugely popular skate punk and ska scene which originated in California with (now) household names such as Offspring and Rocket From the Crypt (this year’s inaugral headliners). The scene is now global and the UK provides many of the bands playing the day which is sure to attract a huge number of dedicated, some would say fanatical, followers of this burgeoning musical tribe. 

THE DANCE STAGE HOSTED BY THE END

The Carling Weekend, Reading and Leeds Festival, already acclaimed as the Number One live event of the summer by The Independent Information, is proud to announce the line-up for this year’s Dance Stage, sponsored for the first time this year by London’s The End nightclub.

The End has been at the forefront of the capital’s music scene since its inception. Co-owned by ex Shamen man, Mr. C., The End is home to Skint’s Big Beat Boutique, the Milk ‘n’ 2 Sugars birthday party and club night and hugely rated techno mash up As One. With their involvement in this year’s Dance Stage confirmed, the cream of the underground dance scene will be gracing the stage over two days at both sites.

Headliners confirmed for the weekend are GREEN VELVET, RICHIE HAWTIN (DJ set), WOOKIE, ROOTS MANUVA and OXIDE AND NEUTRINO. 

 Known for his onstage flamboyance and the infectious House sound of classics such as “Preacher Man” and “Flash”, both released on his Relief records label, Curtis Jones aka Green Velvet is one of the best performers in the business. With Relief focusing on techno, Curtis also ran the Cajual house label on which he released the hugely successful “Brighter Days” single in 1993. As a longstanding lynchpin of the US dance scene under his various guises, Green Velvet’s live appearance at this years festivals is ure to be one of the talking points of the summer in the dance scene.

Less flamboyant but no less a name in the world of dance, Richie Hawtin brings his DJ set to Reading and Leeds on the back of a superb live performance last year. As the man behind Plus 8 records and Plastikman amongst many projects, Hawtin is rightly recognised as one of the most innovative and genre busting artists in the dance scene, his “Decks, FX and 303” LP redefined the concept of a DJ mix. Making their first Reading and Leeds appearance, Backyard Dog are a name that has risen rapidly in the last few months on the back of the Radio 1 endorsed “Baddest, Ruffest” single. With German techno meisters Mouse on Mars, recent award winners Kosheen, (their debut single “HideU” being voted best single at the Drum and Bass awards) and Kermit (ex Black Grape) fronting his new act Big Dog live this is a day for all dance heads to remember. And, as if that wasn’t enough already there is also the genius of Twisted Nerve head honcho Andy Votel, former Death In Vegas man Steve Hellier’s new project Original Bedroom Rockers and Spek to mak ethe day get going with a big beat and a groovy tune.

Whilst Reading goers will have to wait until Sunday, the Leeds crowd will get to see the unique joint headline of WOOKIE and ROOTS MANUVA. WOOKIE is Jason Chue (Chue to Chewbacca who is a Wookie for those who don’t know their Star Wars characters) but more importantly is one of, if not the , hottest name in two step to emerge from the scene in the last few years. Dubplates of early tunes “Battle” and “Scrappy” have become closely guarded vinyl gold whilst his debut LP “Wookie” has been heralded across the board as a possible genre definer in years to come. ROOTS MANUVA is undoubtedly the biggest name in UK hip-hop at the present time. Releasing through Ninja Tune offshoot Big Dada records (an excellent showcase for the best of UK hip-hop), his debut LP, “Brand New Second Hand” was Album of the Month in UK hip hop bible Hip Hop Connection and Album of the Week in Update, The Observer and The Independent. The single, “Juggle Tings Proper” gained an NME Single of the Week whilst his live shows have been met with the kind of praise usually reserved for hip hop visitors from across the Atlantic. 

Recent top 5 visitors, OXIDE AND NEUTRINO, bring the “casualty” theme tune and a host of fast forward tunes to the tent in support whilst the madness that is REGULAR FRIES live makes a welcome return to both sites. The pretend money and foam letters may be a thing of the past but The Fries are always guaranteed top dollar and this is an early chance to hear the new tracks that will form their third LP later in the year. Sandwiched between the two, FREESTYLERS make a welcome return to the festival with their beats and raps party style. A real treat is the appearance by Californian hip hop trio DELINQUENT HABITS. Still an underground name but with a large and dedicated following, their Latin influenced, horn driven hip hop sound has seen them tour the UK with the likes of Korn and their appearance should not be missed by anyone with a hip hop head. UK based SO’ SOLID CREW are another special edition, making their Carling Weekend debut on the back of monster club single “Sentimental Things” this London collective number over 20 people, ranging from rappers to singers to producers. Quite how many will be onstage isn’t known but it is safe to say that the tent will be full to the back for this unique taste of UK two step at it’s finest. With Sweden’s INFINITE MASS bringing more hip hop stylings from the European mainland and recent Essential Mix (Radio 1) man Ben Onono opening proceedings it is fair to say that this year’s Dance Stage is the best yet.