The Big Chill is proud to unveil headliners Kanye West and Rodrigo y Gabriela, both UK festival exclusives, and The Chemical Brothers plus more as the first confirmed artists for 2011. Nestled in the idyllic surroundings of Eastnor Castle Deer Par
With Big Chill 2011 and yet another diverse line-up, spanning countless genres and corners of the globe featuring performances from superstars and rising stars alike, culminates in a tantalising offering for the festival. Crowning the Deer Park Stage on Friday night are The Chemical Brothers, a duo who can easily lay claim to the title of dance music royalty. Tracks cited as classics by fans and peers alike such as Hey Boy, Hey Girl, Block Rockin’ Beats and Galvanize are a regular fixture in clubs from the UK to Ibiza and beyond. They have proved their amazing abilities as a live act through many performances at Brixton Academy and festivals worldwide. The Chemical Brothers are bringing their Further Tour to The Big Chill, currently receiving rave reviews for its beats, visuals and light show which are blowing away fans and critics across the globe.
Saturday night’s Deer Park Stage headliner will be the boundary pushing hip-hop superstar Kanye West. The multiplatinum rapper and producer has sold over 15 million albums worldwide and has collaborated with a list of artists that reads like a true “Who’s Who” of popular music over the past decade including Jay-Z, Alicia Keys and Janet Jackson to name but a few. Kanye West’s performance at The Big Chill in 2011 is a UK festival exclusive; fans need look no further for the only place to catch this interstellar set featuring tracks such as Stronger, Gold Digger and Love Lockdown.
From the bars and pubs of Dublin to five consecutive sell out shows at London’s 10,000 capacity venue, Shepherd’s Bush Empire in November, Rodrigo y Gabriela’s rise to success has been meteoric. Despite meeting whilst playing in thrash metal bands the duo are now renowned for their folk and Latin style, played to a virtuoso level on acoustic guitars. The pair have scored number one albums both in Ireland and in the US, topping the American Billboard’s World Music Charts for 10 weeks, consequently they performed for US President Barack Obama at The White House. Rodrigo y Gabriela’s set at The Big Chill is yet another UK festival exclusive continuing the festival’s history of diverse and globe-spanning programming.
Also appearing on the Deer Park Stage on Friday will be Neneh Cherry, the BRIT Award-winning Buffalo Stance star’s performance will be her first UK festival appearance since Glastonbury 1997.
Saturday welcomes Soulwax side project and duo famed for their bootlegs and visuals, 2manyDJs, to bring the Deer Park Stage to a triumphant close. Armed with an Olympic standard set of vocal chords Jessie J has stormed the charts recently with her slick pop tracks now destined to play out for The Big Chill. Currently receiving rave reviews and gracing magazine covers Metronomy bring their quirky electro-indie-pop to the table while Janelle Monáe offers up an energetic performance of futuristic funk-pop sure to electrify the Deer Park. Electronic influences collide in the form of the Basque-influenced group Crystal Fighters and The Knocks prove their status as one of the ‘20 hottest producers in the world right now’ according to NME.
We are joined by a legend on Sunday as Robert Plant and The Band of Joy take to the Deer Park Stage. Named after Plant’s first band, The Band Of Joy’s blend of folk, blues and rock comes with true musical pedigree. Creating ethereal art-rock at The Big Chill will be taste-maker favourites Warpaint. Of celebrated lineage is Femi Kuti & the Positive Force, eldest son of afrobeat legend Fela Kuti and renowned saxophonist, band leader and world music icon brings with him rich international flavours. MBE and The Big Chill regular Norman Jay makes a welcome return in 2011, also performing are British reggae originals Steel Pulse. The Deer Park’s bounty as confirmed so far is completed by the improvisational About Group featuring Alexis Taylor from Hot Chip.
Headlining The Revellers’ Stage on Friday will be MOBO award winning rapper, Chipmunk who although only 20 years of age has scored an impressive five top 10 singles and a number two album with his debut I am Chipmunk. Following Chipmunk’s set is one of London’s most prominent DJs in the grime and dubstep scenes; Plastician. The soulful Californian solo artist Aloe Blacc also joins the line-up as well as New York DJ Andy Butler’s glittering disco collective Hercules and Love Affair. Another veteran of The Big Chill joins us in 2011 in the form of reggae and roots legend Horace Andy, not only has Andy performed several times at the festival but also audiences will know his voice well form his several guest appearances on Massive Attack albums. New Zealand’s leading hip-hop soul artist, originally part of all-girl crew Sheelahroc, Ladi6 is making waves now as a solo perfomer and also joins The Big Chill’s line-up. Slicing indie with electro and pop Fenech-Soler take to the Revellers’ Stage, as will Cubic Zircon a completing the line-up so for Friday.
Saturday at The Revellers’ Stage sees chart-topper Calvin Harris headline with a set of his infectious electropop featuring tracks such as number one smash I’m Not Alone. Blending pop with electro and rap Example, otherwise known as Elliot Cleave, has also enjoyed much chart success recently with his breakthrough second album Won’t Go Quietly and is sure to get The Big Chill crowd dancing this year. With over 10 million YouTube views for videos The Chemical Brothers Jessie J Rodrigo y Gabriela Femi Kuti
such as their risqué take on Ke$ha’s Tik Tok, comedy/music trio The Midnight Beast appear at The Big Chill alongside fellow Revellers’ Stage performers. Also stepping up to the mic will be Katy B, who has previously tackled vocal duties on tracks by dubstep heavyweights Magnetic Man and since gone on to carve her own path to stardom with the release of her critically acclaimed debut album Katy On A Mission. Completing Saturday’s line-up so far are leading grime MC Devlin and classical/techno cross over trio The Brandt Brauer Frick Ensemble who have assembled an increased ten-piece live band for The Big Chill set.
Bringing some sonic time travel to The Revellers’ Stage on Sunday will be Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings reviving the funk and soul sounds of the 60s and 70s, Quantic and his Combo Bárbaro, the DJ, musician and producer also brings soul and funk sounds to 2011’s line-up. Known as the father of Ethiojazz, Mulatu Astatke and his backing band for this special show The Black Jesus Experience offer up The Big Chill some international flavour. With a BBC Sound of 2011 poll nomination under his belt The Revellers’ Stage welcomes the soulful solo artist and Burial-produced Jamie Woon, and Chase & Status guest vocalist Liam Bailey.
Announced for Saturday’s Starburst are performers Kissy Sell Out Symphony of Light, Moda club promoters and up and coming radio DJs Jaymo & Andy George and a set by Craig Charles’ Funk and Soul Show following on from 2010’s popular live broadcast on BBC 6 Music from the site. Also featuring on the line-up will be Starz In Their Eyes singer/MC Just Jack (DJ Set) and Future Boogie DJs.
This and much much more are to be expected from this years festival. For the full linup visit the Big Chill page.
Published on 19 April 2011 by DavidCullingham
