Festival: Bloc
The fellas at Bloc show how summer should be done with this, their first London-based bash after their Butlins-set weekenders, and they’ve orchestrated one hell of a line-up of new, established and underground talent. Straddling genres to incorporate everything from experimental psych-rock and hip hop, to dubstep and techno legends, the bill is marked by its diversity. Snoop Dogg brings his ho-bashing raps to the Friday night as mainstage headliner, supported by Richie Hawtin and Steve Reich. Snoop’s lyrics might not be politically correct, or palatable to the reasonable, but he knows how to work the crowd.
Returning rave-sters Orbital headline the Saturday, continuing their Wonky summer tour into east London. The Hartnoll Brothers find support from the likes of electro messiah Gary Numan, alongside Flying Lotus, Jeff Mills, audio-visual drum ‘n’ bass star Squarepusher, and Texan noisesmiths Battles, whose remix Dross Glop earlier this year is already one of 2012’s long player standouts.
Taking up residency in the London Pleasure Gardens, Bloc has found itself a venue whose character matches that of its acts. Set in 60,000sqm of waterside docklands, with a backdrop of the towering warehouse blocks that used to mark this formerly industrial area of London, the Gardens will boast a 30m geodesic dome, the majestic Hub stage from Glastonbury and an audio-video experience with imposing installations, that make the setting as much of a performer as the stage-bound musical acts.
London Pleasure Gardens, Royal Victoria Docks, E16 2BS
July 6-7 | Doors at 2pm | £99 (weekend)
Station | Pontoon Docks DLR
blocweekend.com
Festival: Creamfields
This three-day dance fest in Cheshire has a kaleidoscopic line-up that runs from tech and house to trance and upstart dubstep oiks – and everything, and everyone, in between. David Guetta, Deadmau5, Calvin Harris and Tiesto perform alongside LA‘s Skrillex, Sub Focus, Example, Andy C and Erol Alkan. There’s something to keep you dancing all weekend, the hardcore among you taking it all in in one go.
Daresbury Estate, Hall Lane, Cheshire, WA4 4AR
£130 (weekend camping) Aug 24-26
Station | Runcorn
creamfields.com
Gig: Marilyn Manson
He was once scary, upsetting the funless Stateside with his goth-shock act; then his rock institution placement saw the outrage factor dim. The man christened Brian is back now, with album nine, Born Villain. Whether you’re dedicated to wearing black all year round or not, his live show is a spectacle worth catching.
Brixton Academy
211 Stockwell Road, SW9 9SL
Thurs, July 5. 7pm £30
Tube | Brixton
o2academybrixton.co.uk
Gig: Wireless
Hyde Park is taken over by pop and dance this weekend as the big-eared Deadmau5 brings his electro-techno to town on Friday and hop-hop and r ‘n’ b star Drake headlines Saturday with a rare London show. Pop superstar Rihanna brings this massively fun party to a close on the Sunday night. The Roots, Nero and Jessie J are among the support. Please don’t stop the music.
Hyde Park, W2 4RU
July 6-8. 12pm £52.50+
Tube | Queensway
wirelessfestival.co.uk
–
Gig: Gaggle
This 21-piece alternative all-female choir are something unique. Marshalled by chief gaggler Deborah Coughlin, the troupe is abrasive and loaded with attitude, their songs focusing on “being honest about things from a female perspective”. New album From The Mouth Of The Cave is out now, too.
Village Underground
54 Holywell Lane, EC2A 3PQ
Wed, july 4. 7.30pm £10
Station | Shoreditch High Street
villageunderground.co.uk
Club: Toast Underground Basement Party
Ibiza’s Circo Loco resident Clive Henry and Camden-born Leroy, who’s quickly establishing himself as one of the capital’s most up-and-coming DJs, headline this tech-house party in north London. Toast Underground residents Steve Kurz and Ian Grimwood join the line-up for a night of true underground sounds.
The Camp | 70–74 City Road, EC1Y 2BJ
Sat, July 7. 10pm-4am £10
Tube | Old Street
residentadvisor.net
Club: Stafford Brothers @ Ministry of Sound
The Aussie DJ duo (pictured) hit south London’s club lynchpin for this, one-night-only show. Having toured the world (last year they headlined 35 shows across three continents), played at the most prestigious clubs and become a festival- scene mainstay, siblings Matt and Chris are headed for the very top.
Ministry of Sound
103 Gaunt Street, SE1 6DP
Fri, July 6. 10.30pm-6am £16
Tube | Elephant & Castle
thegallery-club.co.uk
Club: Mau5trap Warehouse Party
Canadian electro-tech star Deadmau5’s label Mau5trap hosts its first warehouse party in the capital, with NOISIA headlining, along with rap-dance group Foreign Beggars, Bare Noize, Tommy Trash, The Frederick, Koven, Slugz and Boyson and Klose One, who’re but a handful of the names on this impressive bill.
Great Suffolk Street Warehouse, SE1 0NR
Sat, July 7. 10pm-6am £17.50+
Tube | Southwark
londonwarehouseevents.co.uk
