Shiiine On Weekender 2016

Shiiine On Weekender is a celebration of the Indie & Dance music from the late 80’s, 90’s onwards that fuelled the much revered 90’s popular culture. Headline acts include Echo & The Bunnymen, Shed Seven, Cast, The Wonderstuff, Black Grape, The Bluetones and a rare live set from Orbital’s Paul Hartnoll, as well as pool parties, film screenings, DJ sets and a new bands stage. With a little over 3 weeks before the epic three day weekender kicks off in the great setting of Butlins Minehead we had a chat to James, one of the curators to find out more …

Hey James, Thanks for taking time out to chat to us you must be very busy in the run up to the festival!  How did you and Steve meet, how long have you been working together? We met at a night Jon Brookes (The Charlatans) was dj-ing at in London in April 2012. Sadly, we met up again randomly outside a pub before Jon Boys Memorial gig in October 2013 and have been mates since. We started working on Shiiine On in early 2014 and it’s been non stop since. 

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Shiiine On has been going for a couple of years now, how did it come about? It seems to be born from a shared love of music? A drunken conversation and yes a love of shared music. The music we grew up on, if we have grown up, was no longer being catered for live and we decided to do something about it. All my mates remind me that I said for years I’ll get all our bands on a bill one day at Butlins and we did it.  

Do you share the same influences mainly and would you say you listen to a range of genres generally between you? We listen to all sorts as I am sure the bill reflects. We don’t like pigeonholing bands and scenes. A song is either good or shite in our opinion. Music for Music’s sake. We were spoilt for choice between 1988 and 1999. Steve actually had a top 41 hit in his younger days. I wouldn’t buy it personally like.  

What first turned you on to music in a big way? The Jam. Weller was my first musical hero. His tunes have stayed the test of time so I am glad I made the right choice at an early age. My Dad always played records in the house. Not the usual Beatles et al but he loved Country & Western. His hero was Jim Reeves.  

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There is a great line-up of acts along with film screenings, pool parties … is there something you are particularly looking forward to? Hopefully, UKE2 covering Arab Strap. Cellar Doors from San Francisco will be amazing. Every band playing will be great or they wouldn’t be playing. The Wonder Stuff where sensational last year and I’m sure they will surpass that this year. If we didn’t buy a band’s records back then, it’s unlikely we will book them now. People buzzing off Deja Vega, Psyence and Echo Raptors last year was a highlight of mine. We ask people to make an effort to go and support the bands they may not have heard off. Oasis didn’t start with the Sally song remember. The Pool Parties have potential mind….. 

Is there anyone in particular that you would say are so influential that if they didn't exist you wouldn't be doing what you are now? Our Parents, Peter Reid and Paul Bracewell. A special mention must go to Steve’s partner, Leanne Jones.  

echo & the bunnymen

Any advice for festival goers? As the festival is set in Butlins there won’t be weather or tent issues to worry about – happy days! Don’t act like a Dickhead. Last year the atmosphere was special and we would like the same again this year. Enjoy yourself is all we ask and if you can, say thanks to the staff at Butlin’s. They do an amazing job to get the show on the road. Finding your chalet after an all-day session is meant to be an issue. Head to the Inn on the Green on Sunday early afternoon and enjoy a sing-a-long with UKE2. Where else will you hear Half Man Half Biscuit performed on a Ukulele?   

Is there a band /artist at the moment really inspiring musically, or that you think will go far this year / would like to see more of?  We were made up to see the Sugarmen getting signed by Warner’s. Great lads and it gives other bands hope that if you are good enough you will be spotted. Quite strange that when I first had a meeting with Steve, we started off in Covent Garden at 1pm and ended up in Leaf in Liverpool watching the Sugarmen at 11pm. We also walked in to the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool when they were putting pen to paper with Seymour Stein. He hasn’t seen Dundee though. We are big fans of Deja Vega and Psyence. They are both on another level live at the moment. Catch them both at Shiiine On. You won’t be disappointed. Sulk’s third album will be a work of genius of that I am sure. Hi Fi Sean’s new album is brilliant.  

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How do you see the music scene generally in 2016. Is there anything you would change if you had a chance? Guitar music is dead. There will never be another Liam Gallagher or Ian Brown which is a shame. The element of tribalism has gone. Bands are no longer revered in the same way as your Football Team. We are catering to the masses to whom bands really mattered, people travelled miles around the country midweek to see their bands. Can you imagine this happening now? People’s love affair with their favourite band shouldn’t die. Just because the members get older it doesn’t mean their songs lose their appeal. We have been branded as retro and nostalgic. This is missing the point of what we are doing. 95% of the acts we booked are still actively recording new music. People need to be aware of this. The Inspirals last album was sublime and I doubt many have heard it. I think we have changed something though given the gratitude that has been expressed online towards the event. There is a lot of brilliant music about. The best music will never again chart. Does it matter? You shouldn’t need marketed to about new and old music in this day and age. 

Any surprises to look out for at Shiiine On this year? They wouldn’t be surprises if we told you know would they! Mike Flowers secret gig is the big one and there are rumours of the band who inspired the festival, The Shiiine performing their second ever gig. It’s unlikely but you never know. A Steven Naismith winner in the 90 minute would be a nice surprise for our Scottish pals. 

Check out the full line-up below!

Rockaway Beach Festival 2016 - Review / Galleries

Rockaway Beach Festival took over Butlins Bognor Regis again this weekend for the second year running with an impressive line-up including Suede, The Wedding Present, We Are Scientists, Wire and Killing Joke to name but a few. Having been to last year's we were expecting the same great atmosphere and eclectic line-up and were not disappointed at all!

Butlins is a really great place to host such a diverse alternative boutique festival, the staff are so helpful, warm and friendly and despite this being an adults only break there was such a sense of community it felt like a family with so many people of all ages coming together, all for the love of great music. There really was no need to leave the site with so much going on ... established and new bands, film screenings and Q&A sessions, all set in the luxury of a holiday camp - a sound roof over your head and mud free festival that makes you wonder whether you would slum it outdoors again soon.

With alternative music being played all over the site - not just on stage (even in the Spar) - this was a great touch which really added to the ambience and helped this to be a fully immersive and captivating festival experience, this was Butlins but not as you might expect. 

We kicked off Friday at Centre Stage with the hotly tipped Kagoule. Their sound has a bass-fuelled retro vibe that is refreshing in its purity with a unique rousing sound. This trio of childhood friends gel so well together, the quiet / loud dynamic of 'Gush' and 'Adjust The Way' really pack a punch live and along with newer track 'Magnified' they really teamed the dual vocals and heavier aspect together expertly, dipping into a more twangly intricate sound in places - especially in 'Concrete' with bassist Lucy rocking bags of charisma. These are definitely ones to watch out for, check out 'Magnified' here:

Manchester's electro-pop inspired Girl Friend were up next and were a good testament to the diverse variety of musical styles on offer over the weekend in this smaller more intimate gig-like stage.

We Are Scientists were a massive highlight of the weekend, their crowd interaction and sheer levels of enthusiasm are completely captivating. During 'Textbook' Keith came out into the crowd and Chris explained "he always does that .. he's collected 17 wallets this time". So many great tunes; 'Buckle', 'Chick Lit', 'I Don't Bite', 'The Scene Is Dead' and 'Great Escape' really got the crowd moving. We've seen them live a few times now and each time it is still fresh as they bring so much enthusiasm and passion to their performance and clearly have a great sense of humour. Combining just the right amount of banter to entertain, their sense of humour permeates through the set which adds an extra dimension and wins over any ditherers in the crowd every time. They pointed out their awesome artwork that was showing intermittently on the screens around the venue and requested it be put back up, dedicating the next song to the advertisers that just got cut off. Musically the delivery was spot on, as always. Chris asked us "do you think your soul is going to survive this weekend?" intimating that they would see us through ... "this next song is pretty danceable". Keith had some wise philosophical words for us too "music is like dewey petals .. they're round and dewey .. the upshot is, that music is good". They signed off saying they were off to hang out by the Time Crisis machine if people wanted to hang out ... unfortunately that part had already been closed off - we had already tried to find Time Crisis earlier that evening. A great set from an awesome band that always leave you with a smile on your face - there was your money's worth for the weekend right there on the first night.

Next up on this music packed first day were original indie pioneers The Wedding Present who delivered with gusto their bittersweet honest songs ... the darker guitar driven poetic sound a real treat for the beach-goers. 

Saint Etienne performed Foxbase Alpha in full, many saying it was their highlight with Sarah Cracknell poised with alluring, classy confidence as ever. The pure pop melodies of their 60's soul influenced hits went down a storm, not entirely our bag but good to watch all the same. The great thing about Rockaway this year was the absence of the Skyline stage leaving plenty of time to take in each and every act which is a great way to find yourself surprised with an act you might not normally have made the effort to watch.

Black Honey also had a 60's inspired tone to their beautifully textured and complex indie-pop melodies. Singer Izzy really made the show come alive with her honeyed vocals and captivating stage presence. They'd just jetted back in from the US where they made their debut video 'Hello Today' which came out this week, check it out here: 

Saturday dawned and we kicked off our day with Gang's awesomely sludgey stoner rock on the Centre Stage. They dedicated a song to "anyone with a watch or a phone ... without knowing what time it is you'd all be free, time is a concept man". Their demonic harmonies are sarcastically pertinent especially in 'Dead' which they introduced to us with the most poignant lyrics of the festival so far ... "I don't  want to feel better, I want to better feel". The song was fuelled with haunting chanting harmonies, as if from monks who had been on the Buckfast, a great dirty doom-filled rousing set and a great start to the day.

Bloody Knees were fantastically bassy and grunge-esque with a more modern spin and great breathy break-downs. The guys said they couldn't remember when they were last here, "you're too young" came a voice from the crowd, "nah ... I used to come here as a kid with my parents ... that's a boring story - let's play a song!" 'Daydream was a highlight a really well rounded indie rock song with a lingering melody. You can check out their husky screams here:

Wire really are timeless with their heavy and powerful textures. The simplicity of their classic art rock indie underpinned by dark and gloomy undertones has been highly influential and still retains that sought after punky edge. They played a great set and we enjoyed watching them for the first time as much as they clearly loved performing together.

Next up on Centre Stage were Luna with their dreamy indie-pop Americana. Another great contrasting act that although had a slower pace was still a pleasure to watch.

Some beach-goers had clearly been waiting a while to see Suede, the Brettettes were glued to the barrier. Suede fans are a highly excitable bunch, so much cheering even for the appearance of a drum tech on stage and when Suede started it wasn't long before the whole floor started bouncing as they were shaking their bits to the hits. From the second Brett bounded on stage he owned the whole room, working the stage like a true master, constantly traversing the space and up on the monitors reaching out to the beautiful ones. In the first few songs we had already head 'Trash' & 'Film Star' and the rest of the set did not disappoint.  

On Sunday we started off with TVAM, which is Joe Oxley and a VHS player, he combines visual footage and fills the room with unique electro-pounding noises as if he were his own one-man musical force. A highlight was 'Gas & Air' check it out here:

Man Made asked the audience "how are you enjoying your post-apocalyptic break? We came in through a different entrance when we arrived and couldn't see anyone ... thought something horrible had happened!". Nile Marr (yes that Marr) certainly gave the impression he loved performing in what was yet another great set of the day with their own melodic brand of indie-rock. 

Joanna Gruesome were energetic and full of punk attitude, although they didn’t really interact with the crowd so much as some would have liked, favouring their backs to the audience. 

FEWS brought us more twangly indie noises, their single 'The Zoo' a particular mathletic triumph, check it out here:

Jaz Coleman of Killing Joke gave a great Q&A session after the screening of 'The Death & Resurrection Show' which charted their history since their invocation on 28/2/79 when they started working their magic musically.  On his band mates he described how "the guys have that right side brain capacity to understand wider ideas ... they're an inspiration and they make me laugh my head off". He described how there is great interaction in the band with debating and philosophising, Jaz continued, "there's only one philosophy and that's freedom ... people are being moulded into a hive mind at the moment ... governments of today don’t like the arts as they are a hotbed of dissent". Ever political he told us he was still angry about Iraq and that he thinks Tony Blair should be in prison, "the only way to make effective change is to change ourselves". Jaz sees Killing Joke's legacy as self-education, that everyone can achieve mastery with your "true will", a gift he hopes each and every one of us will discover. When asked if he has a favourite period of Killing Joke, he answered "yes, it lies ahead" we can't argue with that ... their intense performance delivered with menacing expressions and a great deal of air- punching were testament to their ongoing longevity as highly relevant and influential industrial noise rock legends.

Best entrance on-stage of the whole weekend goes to Cat's Eyes who came out to the grandeur of the Twin Peaks theme tune, complete with trombone and choir ladies all in matching black leathers. Cat's Eyes are classically trained multi-instrumentalist Rachel Zeffira and Faris Badwan of The Horrors, and they played a great haunting and moving set, yet fun in its drama. Their song 'Chameleon Queen' has a hint of Pachelbel's Canon set over a Divine Comedy vibe ... their sound is totally unique and they obviously sway each other with various styles and influences. Faris reportedly introduced Rachel to the 60's girl group sound which is particularly relevant on the fabulously retro 'Be Careful Where You Park Your Car' check the track out here:

Great acts, lovely staff, fantastic food, we really can't can't fault it - a great value boutique festival with all the comforts of home and an eclectic line-up with something for a whole spectrum of alternative tastes. Same time next year then?