An Open Air festival and a club all in one, I LOVE LEEDS FESTIVAL kicks off with a bang this summer featuring a DJ-led roll call of the hottest talent from Yorkshire’s best promotions including FILTH, THE ZOO PROJECT, BACK2MINE, HABIT, FIDGIT, BLACKOUT and 4CLUBBERS.NET including DJ’s Micky Slim, Escobar & Vito, D & G, Heavyfeet, Danny Savage, Little Bastard, Eddie Zanetti, Dale Castell plus many more an surprise special guests all with a hedonistic, fired up, Yorkshire atmosphere to make your body rock.

Never before has anyone ever assembled such a huge Leeds based line up outside of the city. Spread over four big open air arenas at the abandon Zoo in Ibiza, the event runs from 4pm – 12am and will see a fusion of music styles, from deep house to electro and techno with a bit of everything in between. With pool party madness, random entertainment and fun and games, this is a festival and a party like no other.

The Zoo’s stonking new Soundsystem has been fully road-tested and tweaked to perfection, and ready to pummel you into submission. Throw in some of the most in-demand names in dance music and Leeds most exciting DJs, and a feisty, friendly up for it crazy crowd, and you’ve got the formula for I Love Leeds. Expect a roadblock event as Filth bring a bit of Leeds to Ibiza….

PLEASE JOIN THIS GROUP FOR ALL I LOVE LEEDS UPDATES: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=18093028108

The full two hour show is now available to download in the iTunes store, with new episodes appearing every Friday night. The first episode went live on Friday August 1 and already reached No.3 in iTunes’ music podcasts chart over the weekend.

Paavo from Above & Beyond said: ‘Podcasting is possibly the greatest and easiest way to hear a radio show on demand, and we’re thrilled to finally be able to offer our show in this way. Wherever you are in the world, as long as you can connect to the net, the show gets delivered to you automatically: I’m looking forward to getting all the shows on my iPhone on Fridays too!’

Trance Around The World features the hottest new releases from the world of trance and progressive, as well as the latest cuts from A&B’s own anjunabeats and anjunadeep labels. Each episode also includes a guest mix from one of the scene’s leading DJs.

Above & Beyond rank among the world’s top 10 DJ’s according to DJ Mag and are former winners of Radio 1’s Essential Mix Of The Year. The trio just released Oceanlab “Sirens Of The Sea”, an album collaboration with Justine Suissa. For more information on the podcast, go to www.aboveandbeyond.nu, where you can also sign up to receive weekly tracklists via email. Delivery and licensing of the podcast is handled by Hi-Fi entertainment, a leading UK media company

The team behind Sankeys know how to put on a party. And that’s putting it mildly. The club was recently voted 17th best on the planet in DJ magazine, and what made that special was the fact it was voted for by DJs and music industry professionals. The esteemed Canada-based website The Fresh Page went one better by putting Sankeys firmly in the top 10, as its impact resonates across the pond and across the planet. People are therefore understandably excited by this next project, from the people who bought you Sankeys. “We all get older,” says Sankeys main honcho David Vincent, “and I’ve designed the club that I would want to go to.”

Taking things back to their core, the Sankeys team spent some time travelling the world to see what makes a good club tick. On their travels, the team drew strong influences from two creative and electric cities - Berlin and New York - and returned with a vision to create something truly visionary in Manchester, with a policy of promoting underground electronic music, giving a stage to young producers and DJs, nurturing the next generation of music talent in this country, as though in a disco incubator.

A completely new club space, the key note of Spektrum will focus on intimacy and connectivity, with a deliberately cosy capacity of 350 and a concentration more on production, sound (a half Funktion 1, half Phazon beast) and creating a space with high impact, as soon as you walk through the doors. A new take on top-end drinks… on comfort (with bookable booths)… on a brand new LED lighting system that will actually run across the ceiling in tempo with the music… everything has been carefully considered to create a grown-up, futuristic clubbing experience.

The team have been very proactive in their hunt for the ultimate clubbing experience, with the aim to do nothing less than take clubbing in Manchester to the next level. With a lighting and sound system set to be the envy of many clubs across Europe, Spektrum really will bring Berlin to the streets of Ancoats…

5th September - Spektrum Opening Party 1 - Theo Parrish and Cut Loose DJs
6th September - Spektrum Opening Party 2 - Matthias Tanzmann, Greg Vickers & Ellesse
12th September - Micron kicks off its new residency at Spektrum with Ben Klock from Berlin and support from the Micron DJ team
13th September - Kaluki - Joris Voorn, Ellesse, Arnaldo, Tom Thorpe
19th September - Shift, with Demi and residents Snoopy, Myco, Terry Pointon and Bodidily
20th September - Back To Front - Guillaume & the Coutu Dumonts (Musique Risquée, Circus Company), Dave Sandford, Tom Craven, Adam Shelton
26th & 27th September - Sankeys 2nd Birthday - Connected Weekend
On this weekend Spektrum will join with Sankeys as part of Sankeys’ 2nd Birthday Celebrations - one ticket will get you into both clubs! Details for Spektrum:
Part 1 - September 26th - Jackin the Groove
Part 2 - September 27th - Robert Babicz LIVE, Greg Vickers, Ellesse

It would be difficult to name a new artist who has had more impact on the scene over the last couple of years than Dirty South aka Dragan Roganovic. It was 2006 and Dirty South’s killer remix of Evermore’s ‘It’s Too Late’ that his career really began to skyrocket. The remix was easily among the year’s biggest tracks in clubland and in addition to being licensed to over 30 compilations worldwide, the track was nominated for ‘Best Alternative Dance Release’ at the International Dance Music Awards in Miami. Since that pivotal moment Dirty South has gone on to remix countless world renowned artists such as Depeche Mode, Mark Ronson, Tracy Thorn, Snoop Dogg, Tiesto and Roger Sanchez among many others. By no means purely a remix specialist, Dirty South has produced an impressive number of high quality EPs and singles. ‘Let It Go’, ‘Open Your Heart’, ‘Minority’ and The Doors sampling ‘The End’ have been all been club-smashing anthems that have received support from right across the board.

The strength of this double disc release lies with a carefully selected array of floor-destroying House tracks that have been hand-picked from a vast array of production talent from across the globe. There is a cunning blend of classic US sounds, techno and electro-influenced cuts and Dirty South’s own releases that bubble together in a mammoth, musical melting pot.

CD1 begins in epic fashion with Kemistry’s remix of the Buzzin Fly classic ‘Insomnia’ by Rodamaal. There is an early theme of melody-rich numbers that includes Studio Apartment’s ‘I’m In Love’ and Gui Boratto’s ‘Anunciación’, which both set the tone perfectly for the introduction of the more full-on club bangers for which Dirty South is famed. As Samuel L Session’s remix of Jerome Sydenham’s ‘Ebian’ rolls into the picture a little later you can feel the pressure being gradually ratcheted up a couple of notches. Dirty South’s own track ‘Minority’ blazes into the mix around the halfway point, keeping the intensity levels stoked as it does. Skylark’s Miami-conquering remix of Xpress 2’s ‘Music Xpress’ and Solomun’s ‘Deadman’ sit back-to-back in the home- stretch of the mix and serve as an insight into what anthems sound like past and present. The versatility of the mix is epitomized by the closing choice of James Holden’s remix of Nathan Fake’s ‘The Sky Was Pink’ with its neo-trance synths and glitchy flourishes of white-noise.

Conversely CD2 is more of a straight-up peak time affair that is laced with occasional vocal numbers and accapellas that keep the flow fresh and always interesting. Kicking off with Dirty South’s recent Axwell collaboration ‘Open Your Heart’ the mix immediately moves through darker musical shades than on the previous disc thanks to Dubfire’s devastating remix of Booka Shades’s ‘Charlotte’. Toolroom boss Mark Knight’s remix of Dave Spoon’s ‘88’ is cleverly layered with an acappella version of Paul Harris & Dirty South’s ‘Better Day’; a deft touch that takes an already thrilling track to another level. There is an abundance of contributions from the influential Swedish House Mafia with Sebastian Ingrosso & Laidback Luke’s ‘Chaa Chaa’, Steve Angello & Sebastian Ingrosso’s ‘Partouze’ and Steve Angello’s ‘Gypsy’ all being weaved into the mix. German producer Tocadisco turns in a show-stopping interpretation of ‘The End’ to round the disc off in frenetic fashion.

Off the back of his awesome production output, Dirty South has toured extensively throughout Europe, the UK, the US, Canada and UAE in addition to numerous performances back home at Australia’s biggest festival events. 2008 also saw him secure an exciting monthly residency alongside Erick Morillo at Pacha, Ibiza for his legendary Subliminal Sessions parties.

CD1

CD2

Blank & Jones, loving to work with great singers and other minds from different musical worlds, have made, mixed and arranged electric mood music in collaboration with such individual talents as The Cure’s magical Robert Smith, the uncompromising poet provocateur Anne Clark, the hyper emotional Canadian singer Sarah McLachlan and Propaganda’s surreal chanteuse Claudia Bruecken.

Their latest collection The Logic Of Pleasure continues their tradition of teaming up with unique singers and temperaments and features some tantalising collaborations. The combination of Blank & Jones and the enigmatic, iconic, tender voiced Bernard Sumner, of Joy Division, New Order and Electronic, is naturally a dream, as Sumner’s fragile yet bouyant melancholia slips beautifully into, and out of, Blank & Jones very own electronic sense of the epic. Blank & Jones also continue their relationship with Dusseldorf and London’s Claudia Bruecken. As always she fits perfectly into the Blank & Jones human-machine scheme of things, her dramatic voice and their dramatic dynamic totally in synchronicity. Confirming their inspired eclectic taste and their love for experimentation, Blank & Jones also team up with audacious New York electro-erotica torch singer Vanessa Daou, cult electro-pop classicists Trademark and deviant German pop singer Bobo of Bobo in White Wooden Houses (she appeared on dark rock group Rammstein’s 1997 song Angel.) Also included is Blank & Jones remix of Canadian electro-popsters Stars homage to the afterhours, The Night Starts Here.

The Logic Of Pleasure has itself been mixed in collaboration with Bob Kraushaar, the Pet Shop Boys engineer of choice for the past two decades. As always Blank & Jones discriminating, open minded musical judgement is impeccable, and they’re forever committed to looking into dark eccentric corners, as well as the obvious lit up pop places, for inspiration and surprising potential partnerships.

Blank & Jones pursuit of the esoteric continues through to the artwork for The Logic Of Pleasure conceived by journalist, record label founder, pop star, broadcaster and social commentator Paul Morley, credited for being co-founder of 80’s pop label ZTT, a member of art poppers The Art Of Noise and guiding Frankie Goes To Hollywood to global stardom, amongst a plethora of other successes.

Download it now from Beaport

‘Crash Jack’ could simply be described as a no-nonsense, club smash. It’s clear Darren had his Techno roots in mind at the conception of the record owing to its Detroit-leaning synths and sharp percussive overtones. An incessant riff drives the track forward in a stomping electro fashion while fizzled flashes of synthesis crash playfully in and out of the mix as Darren hints at the massive breakdown that’s to follow. This is the kind of track a DJ could build their set around and is capable of providing a real ‘impact’ moment should the mood of the dance floor dictate it.

Majik Johnson’s remix takes a slightly funkier but no less club-orientated approach. The bassline shakes-up the bottom frequencies alongside a vibrant selection wiggling synths that offer the listener some tasty ear candy. For that hands-skyward moment, the breakdown is still retained but with a shifted emphasis of sound and generous lashings of reverb to boot.

Darren’s ‘Uruguay’ and ‘Singapore’ mixes for the Global Underground series were revered by fans and critics alike so it is with genuine excitement we announce that Darren’s third Global Underground compilation will follow later this year. This seems like perfect time for Darren and Global Underground to rekindle their long-standing and fruitful musical relationship – long may it reign!

CreamTVfields will have a dedicated TV set on site in the fields amongst the crowd, providing the backdrop to a unique blend of street culture mixed, mashed and blended with the work of some of the UK’s most cutting edge contemporary artists. All this will be churned up and re-presented in a digital stream of online film, moving image, videocasts and sound.

With the help of FACT.TV, CreamTVfields and Cream News will be broadcasting live and direct throughout the weekend, online and on itunes. The station will capture the magic of the fields as an interactive experience with contributions by musicians, artists and festival-goers to be broadcast on the Main Stage big screens throughout the weekend.

The CreamTVfields open air studio has been designed by curator/producer Sam Skinner with architect Ken Martin and incorporates a chicken house facade by the bang-on-trend Pablo Bronstein. Sam has also devised Paint Jam which will see the brightest stars of Merseyside’s graffiti, illustration and graphic art scenes battling it out to paint the studio’s walls live over the two days. Revelers will witness and inspire an extraordinary unfolding of creative folly. Artists from Zap Graffiti will create work encompassing bugged-out characters, swirling psychedelic forms and general wonderment, reflecting and celebrating the heady and colourful mix of Creamfields. There will also be the opportunity for festival goers to make their mark alongside other artists, for what promises to be a unique expression of the festival.

Paint Jam artists include: Kev Grey / QuangoWangism / Sketchy Beast and Zap Graffiti

To provide the content for CreamTVfields, international art organisation Grizedale Arts are commissioning a jaw dropping live performance by Marcus Coates and bringing artists from its stable of international projects to contribute and collaborate with sound, video and graphics. These artists will include: -

William Pope L, Nathaniel Mellors, Pablo Bronstein, Jen Liu, Nina Pope and Tim Olden, juneau/projects/, Guestroom, Bedwyr Williams, Myvillages, Harold Offeh, Kai Oi Jay Yung, Gelatin & MOMS

All of the projects produced by Site and Grizedale for CreamTVfields will enable festival-goers to get creative like never before and the talented bunch of artists on board can’t wait to get going.

Sam Skinner: “It’s going to be madness, all the artists for Paint Jam can’t wait to get busy and create some dazzling eye candy for the party.’

To be in with a chance of winning, simply complete the ‘contact us’ forum selecting ‘Competition Entry’ as the subject. Good luck!

Following on from 2006’s huge FMIF album and 2007’s pan-European platinum Pop Life, FMIF International 2 showcases what has made Guetta the No1 House DJ on the planet.

Showcasing both aspects of his character, CD1 is packed with peak-time future hits; the hottest platters spun weekly at FMIF in Pacha Ibiza. CD2 takes you on the type of trip David explores in underground spots like Space, Miami, where he recently played an 8-hour set after clubbers refused to leave until well into the afternoon.

Highlights include exclusives from the man himself (‘Jack Is Back’ & the Tocadisco mix of his forthcoming single with Chris Willis ‘Tomorrow Can Wait’), sizzling twelves from Benny Benassi, Eric Prydz, Underworld, Felix Da Housecat and Meck’s ‘So Strong’, which samples seminal OT Quartet’s early 90s smash ‘Hold That Sucker Down’.

In the past twelve months, Guetta has established himself firmly in a class of his own, balancing mainstream success with global street credibility. Playing in over 130 countries in just 12 months, his touring regime is tireless. He won a World Music Award (with the live performance beamed to billions across the planet), has been voted the No1 House DJ in the DJ Magazine Top 100 and has taken America by storm. Billboard commented that they haven’t seen anything like it in the past decade – and last year’s UK smash ‘Love is Gone’ has become something of a phenomenon, still sitting at No1 on Itunes Dance since its debut in March. The video has enjoyed a staggering 17 million hits on Youtube – and is still growing.

David played to 2 million people at this year’s carnival in Brazil, an experience even he’d never had before. And just this month, he played at Stade De France for 50,000 fans: the biggest ever electronic music event in the nation’s history, promoted by his wife and FMIF partner, Cathy Guetta.

Though Guetta has long been a household name in his native France it’s only in the past couple of years that the rest of the world caught up. He may now be a multi-million selling producer across Europe, chart-topping recording artist and superstar DJ – but it wasn’t always this way. F*** Me I’m Famous evolved because he wanted to grab people’s attention with a little - how shall we say? - provocation.

The brand started as an ironic name for a party, based on his observations on celebrity culture. Fast forward a few years and the name ‘Fuck Me I’m Famous’ has done more than grant David the arena in which to share his talents; it’s almost as globally recognized as he is.

With events now at the Cannes Film Festival, in Shanghai, London and at the Montreal and Monaco Grand Prix, the party, like David, exists in different worlds,
somehow transcending the divisions he observed all those years ago.

“The original idea was to have people who don’t normally mix,” says David. “Clubbing had become like ghettos again, so when it comes to my own night I try to do something different. At my party the social barriers come down. It’s about being inclusive and giving everyone something exclusive at the same time.”

Part of the mystique is that A-listers join the pilgrimage to party with hard-core clubbers at the flag-ship event at Pacha Ibiza, fired up by David’s skills as an irresistible club DJ. “My wife brings the glamorous people,” he admits, “and I bring the crazies.”

The occasional parties proved so successful that this season FMIF is weekly on Thursdays – and is stronger than ever. David is reveling in the residency, which has seen Will.I.Am jamming freestyle and impromptu in the booth with David and Tocadisco.

But while FMIF is all about the mix of people who come to get down, it is equally re-knowned for the caliber of DJs who guest with David - 2ManyDJs, Sharam, Bob Sinclar, Martin Solveig, Laidback Luke, Seb Ingrosso and Steve Angello to name a few this season.

What also makes FMIF parties stand-out is the lavish production and the outrageous performers. Simulated sex on the trapeze could sound sleazy, but done Parisian style, it’s definitely more art-house erotic than top-shelf trash.

And then there is the exceptional artwork. Previously Mondino and Terry Richardson have captured the essence of David and quirky elegance of his stunning wife. This season’s theme is celebrating David & Cathy’s enduring marriage – 15 years together – and Ellen Von Unworth has captured their passion perfectly in a photo-story (for the CD booklet).

CD 1

CD 2

The imprint will plug in to UK heavy-weight independent Pinnacle for distribution. With the label’s superb resources (which includes the state-of-the-art Green-List system), it will allow Rich the infrastructure with which to raise the label’s profile by many levels. Henceforth Richard will be taking over the A&R reigns at Solaris… As with his insatiable label, he will be continue to bring weapons-grade music from the trance & progressive spectrum through the label’s front door!

The Solaris International Show: Moving forward, Deepblue Radio has been re-named Solaris International. Presented by scene leading-lights Solarstone & Agnelli and Nelson, it will continue as a weekly highlight for trance enthusiasts worldwide. The show will feature a raft of new features, with the audience playing a far more interactive part in the show. Broadcast on 34 stations (including Ministry of Sound) to, globally well in excess of 1 million listeners, it gets its first airing each week through the Solarstone website and is also available as a hugely popular Podcast download through iTunes.

Rich, himself, says of the major changeover to Solaris: “Often you have to move in order to grow and progress. The solid backing I have at Solaris will help me develop the label into a major player in the global trance field. I feel that the scene needs something new and exciting, and that something is Solaris!”