Orchard Stage

At the heart of the festival site and set in the auditorium of the Orchard is Nozstock’s main stage. Here you can expect to dance your socks off to a bill showcasing homegrown talent, alongside the pick of the national newcomer crop and the best of more established acts. A brilliant mix of bands from all over the world will pick up the pace with rock, indie, ska, hip hop, world percussion and some surprises.

This stage has seen action from the seminal Blockheads with Phill Jupitus, the Buzzcocks, . Nozstock 2011 guarantees you’ll be hooked on many a melody and dancing ‘til dawn!

IN 2011 THE FOLLOWING ACTS WOWED AT NOZSTOCK:

FRIDAY

The Jim Jones Revue

Cited as “a gangfight set to 12 bar blues” by the Guardian, The Jim Jones Revue recorded their first album in 48 hrs in a rehearsal space in Camden, and their rise to success sell-out gigs has occurred at a similar pace. A band of contrasts, their retrospective rock ‘n’ roll blues sound merges with a bold, raw, modern energy to create this blustering soundscape, with Mr Jones’ raspy tones right at the centre. High octane and a surefire delivery.

Adrian Edmondson & The Bad Shepherds

Deliciously melodic punk brought to you by renowned comedian Ade Edmondson and his skilled band of folksters, this show will bring you everything you desire from the perfect festy band this summer – serious amusement, skill and swing, tenderness & some real hip-shaking. With their own folk twists on “God Save the Queen” and “London Calling” how can you go wrong?

The Correspondents

Mr Bruce and Mr Chuckles collaborate to revamp vintage sounds for the modern ear. Resuscitating sampled relics with squelchy synths over dusty drum loops they’ve depicted the trials and errors of Love, Lust and Loss over foot-tapping toe curling “get your brogues on” dance floor Electro Swing.

Sonic Boom Six

Anti-authoritarian five piece, SB6 merge punk, ska, reggae and hiphop. Cited by Kerrang as playing “firmly for the dance-floor while retaining enough power and aggression to be an active fixture of the UK’s punk scene”,  2011 sees SB6 kick-off the year with a brand new single ‘The road to hell is paved…’ with a new album expected later in the year. Experience their vital and exciting sound.

Super Best Friends Club

After a brilliant set on the Bandstand last year this London based group are back with funky sounds from bass sax and drums. Comparing themselves to the likes of Animal Collective they list their influences as Terry Pratchett and soccer 96, come and see it to believe it !

Zebedy Rays

Worcestershire-based trio Zebedy Rays are purveyors of home grown indie rock and blues. The sound is a combination of sleazy guitar riffs, pounding basslines, and an onstage energy that is completely bursting at the seams.

Sid Sings [Sonicbids]

With a spate of UK performances and international showings Sid Sings have also headlined at London venue’s, The Barfly, The Borderline, 93 Feet East, The Garage and The Water Rats. Named band of the day at their gig in Italy the group have gone onto write theme song of the soon to be released film Jane Doe ,created three music videos and made and produced their own album. A big sounding band be sure to catch these Nozstock newcomers create a storm.

Little Giants [Sonicbids]

A group of talented 4 musicians fronted by husband and wife Martin and Ruth Nuttall the band play an array of instruments including the clarinet, guitar, banjo, fiddle and bass to name a few They have appeared in numerous UK venues as the main act and also supported Wiyos on part of their UK tour, they have also supported Emily Barker and red clay halo. Another new exiting band playing on this years Orchard Stage.

Chris Gallimore

Playing a blend of acoustic melodies the farm-grown witty lyricist is never seen without a shirt and tie.

Dog Section

Dogsection formed in Surrey, Eclectic tastes and eclectic output. The band has been going for four years, 110 gigs, 50 tracks and 2 film soundtracks later-here they are. Five members with an average age of 25 a band you either love or hate, mix the Doors with the Pistols with a dash of Bowie and Roxy and you may be half way there. More recently the band have completed the Gun of the Black Sun soundtrack  (A crime thriller starring Gary Douglas and the band’s lead singer Geoff)

SATURDAY

Alabama 3

Show-stealers at countless gigs and festivals, Alabama 3 bring something utterly original to any line up. Techno beats burst together with country instruments for the ultimate in ‘acid-house-gospel-country-blues.’ Pleasing every palette these deft-of-hand artists unite in a performance of wizardry and proper good old-fashioned, get-up-and-dance music. Don’t miss this most spectacular of billings, the full live show for your delectation. Enjoy.

C.W. Stoneking

American-born, Australian-raised blues singer-song writer and banjo player, C.W. has a sound that comes from another place and time altogether.  The owner of King Hokum Records, his sound is pure pre-war blues, jazz, 1920s calypso and folklore, with something of the phenomenally wise and ancient. His latest album, ‘Jungle Blues’ was inspired in part by Stoneking’s amazing experience as a survivor of a shipwreck off Africa’s West Coast. It’s sure to be a spine-tingler.

The Anomalies

Hereford’s favourite indie hip-hop officianados, The Anomalies take in musical elements from across the board, both in electronic sample based form and live instrumentals, This results in a fluid and modern sound that delivers a slice of sonic alchemy to appease everyone’s ear lobes, whilst retaining an authentic and alternative twist on music that they love.

Spunge

Spunge are the only band who has ever officially been given permission by the Marley family to change the lyrics of a Bob Marley song, on their cover of “No Woman, No Cry”. They have played over 300 gigs in two years, fusing metal with punk and ska to good effect.

The Zen Hussies

‘Born showmen with one eye on the absurd, The [Zen] Hussies play songs that lodge in the head like well aimed bullets, creating a sea of beaming revellers on a dancefloor bursting at the seams…’
- Venue Magazine 2005

Purveyors of the swingingest rockin’ stompska boogaloo, The Zen hussies have been dutifully administering original swing stomp and boogie at clubs, oubs, festival and speakeasys since 2001! Ladies & gentlemen, this is ECLECTRO SWING at its finest!

Life In Film

Cited by the Independent as “the lustrous recession musicians taking British pop away from disco tunes and towards dusty barroom dancefloors” Life In Film will offer you a soundscape reminiscent of American roots and country, but ultimately resulting in good old-fashioned melodic pop. By turns ethereal, dark, then belting out the chords, this band offer contrast and contradiction.

Two Man Ting

Two Man Ting was formed in 2004 out of the ashes of UK World/dance outfit Le Cod Afrique. Rapidly becoming firm festival favourites across the UK, the duo play original songs inspired by Jah-man’s Sierra Leonean roots and Jon’s love of West African and Latin guitar styles. The live show features melodic guitar lines, live loops, high energy rhythms and Krio words of wisdom on subjects ranging from childhood memories, hard-hitting political protest and …er…duvets.

Sashi and The Wild Beans

Fronted by lead vocalist Sashi Wild, the group consists of a wide range of performers and instruments including backing vocalists, keyboard, trumpet, guitar, bass and saxophone.

BSN:420

With their main interests stated as sex, beer, students, romance, art, farts and cups of tea, you won’t fail to be entertained by this Midlands-based indie ska collective.

Robbie Boyd Band

Featured on BBC radio 2 and performing to a sell out crowd at the O2 Sheppards Bush Empire this group consist of a variety of different instruments including violins wind chimes and guitars to name a few! Currently creating their own mark in the Folk,Pop, and Rock genre and consistently great performances at Beach Break Live they are sure to be a must see this year!

Nicholas Stevenson

Continuing the local theme, Nicholas has played many shows (some far across the sea), and supported artists such as Mumford and Sons and Frank Turner. Western Daily Press have described this Herefordian student as “a fine, haunting voice and well-crafted indie folk.”

Houdini Dax

“Superduper Supergrass blasts with lovely bendy 60’s pop bits. Most endearing.” Simon Williams, Fierce Panda

Houdini Dax are big news in Cardiff, and its not suprising with their head-bobby and catchy, clear lyrics, pompously embracing sixties pop in a fantastically feel good way. They are a band of tomorrow, but best of all you can see them now…well..in a couple of weeks! We can’t wait to witness their infectiously fun performance!

SUNDAY

The Wurzels

Formed in Somerset in 1966, and best known for their 1976 number one hit ‘The Combine Harvester’, the Wurzels are no throwaway comedy band. They deftly mix comedy with country, folk with scrumpy (!) to produce a warm and wonderful sound that belies its modest roots. These practiced purveyors of pop pastiche will pull a crowd of all ages and remain professionally comedic and dedicated to the provision of perfect summer tunes. Bottoms up.

Vintage Trouble

Vintage Trouble began their journey to notoriety playing local shows and late night speakeasies, combining their love for soul and rhythm & blues. Led by timeless vocal tone and presence and a mission to move as many people as possible, the band have quickly gained a reputation as a high energy, truly mesmerizing live act. With singles like “Gracefully” and “Blues Hand Me Down”, their sound will bring you back to the days of vinyl records and the essence of the soul movement.

By The Rivers

Leicester reggae band ‘By the Rivers’ formed in the Spring of 2010 by friends from birth, Nile Barrow and Jordan Birtles. The two got together to write songs in the style of music they had been listening to all their lives; Reggae. It was with a passion for the sound, culture and style of the music that they began to write songs with social comment, with positive messages as well as love songs and all things that affect the youth of today. This year, they will be sharing their Reggae passion for those of you who want to chill to music with a difference.

We Steal Thieves

Starring four of Nozstock’s most integral crew members and creatives, the freshly boxed We Steal Thieves will be bringing their mind-bending lyrics and instrumental artistry to the thousands this year. Theirs is a tale of strung out afterthoughts – It’s the kind of potent sonic brew that will leave you biting your lip to prevent yourself from involuntarily licking out your neighbour’s ears.

Stagecoach

Huw Stephens played their single ‘Map To The Freezer’ exhaustively on both his Radio 1 shows, before naming Stagecoach one of his BBC Introducing acts of the year. High-octane powerpop ready to meet high expectations.

Ricky Cool and the Hoola Boola Boys

Prolific performers, Ricky Cool and his Boys have brought a fresh injection to their sound. Ricky’s seen scenes go by and has linked up with many artists including Robert Plant, Andy Savoy and Mike Sanchez. Just let the Hoola Boola re-ignite your smile.

6 Day Riot

The 6 Day Riot sound always defies being pigeon-holed into a specific category, straddling pop, folk and indie genres with aplomb. Live, the band have really come into their own having supported Seth Lakeman on tour. Last year they acheived their first headline performance at Sark Folk Festival.

The Misers

These local boys met at college in Worcester and began writing and performing together soon after. Then came The Misers. Radio 2′s Janice Long has heaped praise on their album endorsing it as “a return to the 70′s golden era of song writing!” Due to release their first UK single this summer, we’re expecting great things from them.

Galanastra

Making a return after an incredible reception at Nozstock 2010, self-confessed fluke artists Galanastra will be forcing together folk roots, punk and ska.

Stinger

Stinger are a 3 piece band based in London, originally hailing from winchester. They play an adrenalin fuelled mix of pop, reggae and rock, or in other words, music that gets your feet moving. Their live performance is a fast paced, foot stomping, highly charged event, with bitter-sweet songs to pull your heartstrings out. Fresh from their main stage slot at Blissfields festival and headlining Camden’s Proud Galleries, Stinger will rock your socks off. Fact.