AIDA Recommends: Music | Glastonbury Festival
Every year we experience the great Glastonbury divide. Those who are going, those who are not. Those who care, those who don't. Regardless, Glastonbury remains one of the world's biggest music festivals, and 135,000 ticket holders will descend on the Somerset site this week to attend the legendary event.
Whether you've already packed your tent/pre booked your Tipi, or you prefer the comfort of the BBC-scheduled view from your sofa, we've picked apart the line up for you.
Here are a few personal recommendations, reasons why, and where to find them on the web. Just incase you're not 'bout that festival life (or you're reading this in November). Good music is still good music, right? And good music is G.O.O.D Music this year too... (sorrynotsorry)
Click each image to link to the artist's website
Check out our YouTube playlist of the featured artists HERE
YEARS & YEARS
Saturday 5pm - John Peel Stage
British Synth Pop/Electronica trio founded in London. On the list not because of chart-topping single 'King', but because of their unlikely and amazing Sean Paul/Blu Cantrell cover.
Selah Sue
Friday 12.30am - La Pussy Parlure
Belgian born singer/songwriter with Soul, Rap and Ragga influences, sitting somewhere between Lauryn Hill, Bob Marley and Erykah Badu. Production from DJ Farhot (Nneka), a duet with Cee-Lo, and a support slot for Prince sealed the deal.
the heatwave
Thursday 5.45pm - The Spaceport | Friday 3.30pm Stonebridge
London's Bashment badmen. The dancehall DJ collective have gone global in the last few years, with their weekly show on Rinse FM and high energy Hot Wuk club night hyping crowds world wide.
CHET FAKER
Friday 4pm - John Peel Stage
Australian Electronica musician, responsible for the unbeatable cover of Blackstreet's No Diggity which went viral in 2011. The bearded soul-ster recently collaborated with Flume, resulting in a delight for the ears (and eyes).
akala
Saturday 7.30pm - Left Field Stage | Thursday 10pm The Rum Shack (Lyrix Organix Presents)
Rapper, poet, journalist and creator of The Hip Hop Shakespeare Company, Akala is known for his socially conscious content and humanitarian efforts. Not forgetting his legendary Fire In The Booth appearances. Part one of three on the playlist.
Lyrix Organix are busy rewriting the rulebook for live music and spoken word - if you don't already know, find out HERE.
Jungle
Friday 4.30pm - Other Stage
Jungle are a modern soul/funk collective from West London, led by school friends Tom McFarland and Josh Lloyd-Watson. Known for a refreshingly anonymous beginning and a dynamic and captivating live show, by way of a Mercury Music Prize nomination.
Originally recommended by one of our SS15 Menswear models, the musically gifted Jaco
Mary J Blige
Friday 4pm - The Pyramid Stage
QUEEN (Pre B). Real Love, Family Affair, No More Drama, and this anthem of the 2000s: Be Without You spent SEVENTY FIVE weeks on the US Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart.
Gregory Porter
Saturday 5pm - West Holts Stage
Jazz man. King of cool. Just go listen. If you haven't already heard him on Disclosure's latest single 'Holding On'.
Andreya Triana
Saturday 1.30pm Sonic | Saturday 5pm Greenpeace
London born Soul singer/songwriter Andreya Triana has steadily built a name and reputation focused on longevity and 'great music' over flashy performances and quick fame. Which hopefully means lots more to come. A guest vocalist for Bonobo, now signed to Ninja Tune, she's provided guest vocals for Flying Lotus, Mr Scruff and British producer Breach.
FUTURE ISLANDS
Sunday 5.15pm - Other Stage
Synth-Pop trio originally from Baltimore, Maryland. Impressed US chat show host David Letterman with lead singer Samuel's 'rubber legged' dance moves so much, he made it in to a televisual split screen meme.
Dornik
Saturday 3pm - La Pussy Parlure
British Soul/R&B singer, producer and former drummer for Jessie Ware, now signed to PMR Records. He's been cited as the UK's answer to America's Frank Ocean/The Weeknd/Miguel 'modernist R&B' sub -genre.
Grandmaster Flash
Sunday 11pm - Sonic
Hip-Hop legend, innovator, pioneer. Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five were the first artists of the genre to be entered in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The infamous DJ created revolutionary turntablist techniques, and is now a celebrated figure in Hip-Hop history.
Tall Black Guy
Saturday 10pm - La Pussy Parlure
With some (very) healthy muso support in the form of legends Jazzy Jeff, Giles Peterson and Questlove, producer Terrel Wallace, aka Tall Black Guy, comes highly recommended. Hip-Hop, Motown and Jazz influenced beats from the now globally influential Detroit native.
Ed Solo
Friday 9pm - The Spaceport
British DJ and Electro/Dance/Breakbeat/Drum & Bass producer. Purely for his 'When I Was A Youth' track with fellow DJ/Producer Skool Of Thought.
George The Poet
Sunday 4.30pm - Sonic
Spoken word artist George The Poet is being hailed as the voice of a generation, making waves with his politically minded, introspective verses. One EP down, many great live performances on YouTube. Also excellent potential for collaborations, like his Mahogany Session with fellow Island Records artist (and one to watch), JP Cooper.
The Beatbox Collective
Fri/Sat/Sun 4pm - The Gateway | Fri/Sat/Sun 12am - Sensation Seekers Stage
Winners of the 2015 World Beatbox Championships in Berlin, The Beatbox Collective represent the UK with one of the most creative, exciting and unpredictable live shows you'll experience. All music, all live, all mouth made, it has to be heard to be believed.
Kanye West
Saturday 10.15pm - Pyramid Stage
Kanye and his unique brand of quote-ables might not be to everyone's taste, but he's nothing if not entertaining. His production credits and GOOD Music label namecheck serious Hip-Hop talent, and he remains one of the best selling music artists of all time. Check your kilt at the door.
For a playlist of the tracks above check out our YouTube page HERE
More live music on our AIDA Live Sessions pages HERE
Glastonbury Image by The Mirror
Festival Essentials - Shop RAINS (better safe than sorry)
