Garden Stage

The Garden Stage hosts a diverse and eclectic brew of bands and DJs providing alternative sounds spanning all genres from throbbing dance, funk, and hip hop, to blues, rock and acoustic musings. At the right time, you might even hear a burst of opera. Ideally situated on the hillside overlooking the Farm’s lake and with the Garden Bar just around the corner, this is the perfect spot to sit in the sun and wet your whistle to beautifully blended guitar riffs, stoking the fires for a late night dance to some filthy electronic beats.

2012 promises a diverse and fruitful pick of the best bunch from it’s homegrown Garden Stage.

IN 2011 THE FOLLOWING ACTS WOWED AT NOZSTOCK:

FRIDAY

Toddla T & MC Serocee

Toddla T started DJing at the age of 14 in the clubs and bars of Sheffield and was pursuing a full time career in the industry by 16. He will be bringing his bleepy, clangy, jump-up ragga noise to Nozstock: The Hidden Valley’s Garden Stage this year. As Guardian writer Tony Naylor states, “Toddla’s stuff has serious pop nous, and doesn’t take itself too seriously. There’s a ready, very British sense of humour…”

Like Toddla’s other regular vocalists, Trigganom and Mr Versatile, Serocee has a rich sense of the absurd, hence his references to Louis Armstrong and oompah loompahs! Serocee has been described as the epitome of the consummate professional.

Dub Mafia

Dub Mafia are an explosive new dub heavy live drum and bass band from Bristol who have been taking the UK and Europe by suprise, with a unique combination of talented musicians forming a live dance music sensation.’ 100% live, no backing tracks, diverse upbeat unique combination of drum n bass, dub, dubstep, bashment, breakbeat and world.

Saint Tropez Javelin Experience

A 5-Piece Funk group formed in early 2011 – sounds like 70′s funk which is where they get all of the inspiration for their work. Bound to be a great groove sound at this years festival!

Scubaroots

A whole host of festivals this year accomplished already including Glastonbury and Beach Break Live, Scuba roots made up of 10 members provide up lifting vibes of funk and Ska, sure to uplift what ever the weather decides to do! Influences range from The Beastie boys and James Brown to the Specials.

Dex and Windy

Nozstock’s longest serving DJ, Dex is back with a set of fidget breaks and festy classics while Windy delivers more bass than you could fit in your transit!

Jay Robinson

This up and coming producer has already got enough expereince under his belt that most retired Dj’s would be happy with He has playing for brands such as Cream, Godskitchen, and Speaker Freaker. His work has been praised by Armin Van Helden and Laidback Luke to name a few. Jay has also played along side the likes of Pete Tong, Annie Mac, Zane Lowe, Kissy Sell Out. Come and see this talented young DJ and Producer as he plays a variety or original music from Dubstep to hard-hitting Electro.

Ragtime Ewan

Playing his original take on a mish mash of genres including ragtime, blues and minstrel music.

Amoriste

Hailing from Essex this group of four alternative Indie members are likened to sounds from early Coldplay and The Feeling according to ‘Indie London’.

Physics

The four piece band formed at Hereford sixth Form College. Recently new on the music scene, they have already impressed Hereford Courtyard and BBC Hereford and Worcester with their performances. Plenty more festivals and gigs are sure to come from this up and coming band whos style is new wave and alternate.

Aulos

Having received airplay from Bethan Elfyn, this progressive electro rock trio have already gained some celebrity
fans and a stellar local reputation…

SATURDAY

Foreign Beggars

Orifice Vulgatron, Metropolis and DJ Nonames will be bringing you their raw fusion of warming basslines, grooving melodies, with anarchic, on-the-money lyrics to inspire you and get you skankin’ with the best of ‘em. Averaging well over 100 shows per year, the Foreign Beggars could never be accused of not putting the time in and are totally devoted to their fans. Cited as one of the most prolific and versatile outfits to emerge from the UK, they were nominated for best European Hip Hop Act at the 2010 Urban Music Awards, alongside nominees Roots Manuva, Ken Ring, Professor Green, La Fouine and Tinie Tempah.

Jazzsteppa

Born of a Berlin experiment, Jazzsteppa a.k.a. Gal Bar-Adon & Gal Moore, both jazz musicians, found a growing fascination in the world of sound experimentation and electronic music. Widely renowned for playing live dubstep with acoustic instruments, Jazzsteppa are a surprising boundary-breaking collective.

Sonny Wharton

Sonny shot to fame by winning a DJ Mag mix-tape competition and has since been Toolroom knighted “a certified member of the house music elite”. 2011 sees the launch of his own ‘Sound Of Whartone’ events in London and new releases lined up on Stereo, Nocturnal Groove, Skint and Positiva. Prolific and productive, his artistry on the decks will get you bounding.

Dr Meaker

Dr Meaker are one of Bristol’s prize assets. Whilst their music has been compared to the likes of Reprazent and Massive Attack, many have been won over by their energetic live performances, tight production, quality writing and their ability to effortlessly mix soul fused drum n bass with heavier licks.

Dubheart

Dubheart started playing out in 99, after various additions and losses to the line up the core players have remained the same being Mark Shepherd on bass, Gavin Sant on drums, Richard Ramsey on guitar, Dave Mountjoy on keys and Steve Parsons on percussion and djembi, and have recently been joined by three superb vocalists and songwriters UK/JA roots reggae singer Zacheous Jackson, Parisien ragga/hiphop MC Tenja, and UK roots reggae singer Prince Jamo. Dubheart continues to deliver original live roots music to those who still want to hear heavyweight positive vibes!

The Pull

Formed from the music scene around the Malvern Hills, The Pull started innocently enough: three old friends got together for a quick jam and realised they were onto something. Although they come from diverse musical backgrounds, The Pull quickly managed to craft their own easily recognisable sound.

Fight the Bear

A dynamic mixture of ska, punk and indie. Fight the Bears sound is centred around infectious songs,colourful riffs and grooves.

Capac

This post-rock infused electronica are made up of three members and provide progressive harmonys and ambient textures. With other festival dates planned for this year there seems to be plenty more in store for this easy listening group.

Billy Whizz

The group have been together all be it in various forms and members since 1993, they have played with the Buzzcocks and many other bands over the years, their wealth of stage and performance experience guarantees a great show this year!

Skewhiff

An alternative indie outfit from Worcester. The group of 4 describe themselves as “possibly agricultural cidercore”

Jon Morgan 

Also DJ Octo Pi. resident Nozstocker, aka. Jon Morgan, is a singer/songwriter/producer from Swansea, he has performed with many bands over the years, mainly as a drummer. Realising he had a talent for songwriting he decided to pursue this path. Influences include Radiohead, Jeff Buckley, Cinematic Orchestra and Midlake.

AND INTO THE WEE HOURS, DUB BAIT PRESENTS…

Capac

Capac weave a tapestry of progressive harmony and ambient texture. 2011 has seen the release of a number of high profile remixes from Capac as well as the continued success in syncing their music with FiveTV.

Prymedia present Tri Hita Karana

An award winning live-cinema performance, this documentary explores the Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana and how disregard for this balance has culminated in the loss of cultural values.  Produced/ Directed by Thomas Buttery and Joel Bates. Music by Mark Thompson and Ben Garman. Prymedia are Thomas Buttery and Thomas E Price, a moving image collective whose work has been featured at some of Europe’s leading festivals.

Bigtellydisco & Mash Cinema

Bigtellydisco is an AV artist and VJ who has provided visual content for Koko London and The Big Chill. Collaborating here with Mash Cinema for an exclusive performance of ‘Past Futures’ a multi projection audio visual trip through the style of the early 60’s.

Plaebac

UK drum and bass act from Bristol, from original work to remix’s of destiny’s child

Larsey

A very busy local Producer and DJ plays an infused mix of Dancehall, Dubstep, Cumbia, Moombahton & Future Garage. He runs a number of club nights and is a regular on the club circuit from Hereford to Cardiff. Played and worked along side the likes of Reso, Benga, Grooverider and Shy FX to name a few!

SUNDAY

Stumasta b2b Subverse

..Established in 2006, Deep Soul Music is the brainchild of Stumasta & Subverse, two stalwarts of the drum & bass scene with jungle and hip hop influences.

Dub Boy

DJ, promoter & producer from Bristol, who plays a variety of bass heavy, soundsystem music styles. His sets range from karnival house, soca & bashment vibes, to dancehall & rub a dub vibes, to heads down roots & dubstep and everything inbetween.

DJ Staf and MC Tenja

DJ Staf is a regular night runner and DJ at Bournemouth’s Dubnium. He mixes his styles up from dubstep, reggae, hip hop, jungle including as he says ‘everything in between’ . A well respected name in the South and South West, MC Tenja is the reggae part and influence of the group Dubheart, he also performs at monthly events at Dubnium in Bournemouth.

Nozstock All-Sorts!

A proper selection box of our local DJ talent. Nothing but the biggest drum and bass sounds with a bit of liquid and dubstep mashed in for good measure! Get your Sunday shimmy on.

MC Remidy

His versatile ‘laid back’ but rolling under-lying original style has been snapped up due to him really being ‘a DJ’s MC’, never over running the show but providing a live uplifting presence that can be adapted to D&B, tech, dub, liquid & hardstep.

Folie Ordinaire

The five piece group provide 80s keyboard mixed with guitar synth and bass, fresh and interesting sounds with influences including Daft Punk Michael Jackson and Rage Against the Machine.

Dex

Nozstock’s longest running resident DJ who mixes up so many styles, he’s more versatile than an egg! Revel in this delightfully schizophrenic set…

Peter Bruntnell 

NME said that Peter’s alt country music was so good it should be taught in schools.  With a recent album featuring in Americana Album Of The Month in MOJO Magazine and one of Q magazine’s Americana Albums Of The Year, the independent describe him as ”One of the finest songwriters in Britain”

BBC Introducing in Hereford & Worcester present…

As part of the introducing stage this year – hosted by the Garden Stage on the Sunday, we have the following musical gems…

Zophia Amey

Zophia’s sound has been described by The Troubadour London as Country Alternative with a Pop/Folk Twist. A sassy and Sultry Singer.

Shaking Trees

Described as a ‘soul-rock’ fusion with our own unique sound, these guys are fresh from a gig at Arleyfest and are set for big things.

Jeaga

Formed in January 2010, expect classic rock from the Gloucester four piece influenced by the likes on Bon Jovi and Jimmy Eat World.

The Fiction

Described as ‘painfully awesome’ these teens are here to give your musical tastebuds a kick with their alt rock sound.

Laid Blak

Bristol based Seven piece, ‘A diverse mixture of musicians, Laid Blak produce a very unique sound that is familiar to many genres but resides firmly in none. With infusions of reggae, hip-hop, the occasional influx of Dn’B and even blues, they have brilliantly proven themselves eclectic without becoming a novelty act.’

Post 9pm, you’ll be treated to visual wonderment from some sterling VJ talent including:

Mash Cinema 

MASH Cinema have performed at Glastonbury, Glade and the Big Chill Festivals, amongst others. Returning to Nozstock for the 3rd year providing visuals onsite plus an extra audio visual collaboration with Bigtellydisco on the Garden Stage.

Pry Media

A range of talent in visual and media, Prymedia’s recent shows include visuals at Simple Things Festival 2011. They have also performed at Outlook Festival 2010, as well as being featured on the Resident Advisor website.

Bigtelly Disco

Bigtellydisco is an AV artist and VJ based in Hereford who has previously provided visual content for Koko London, The Big Chill and Freerotation Festivals. Bigtellydisco is also collaborating with the mighty Mash Cinema this weekend for a one off performance of ‘Past Futures’ a multi projection live audio visual trip through the retrofuturistic style of the early 60’s. Hold on to your jetpacks.