Cats Cradle Stage

"Dancing Room Only" Live music and electronica. The only rule is you gotta dance. An eclectic mix of bands and DJs for your delight, all guaranteed to ignite the party, hopefully not literally bringing the house down around our ears. Visuals created to reflect the future vision and soundscape are provided by our in-house VJs, Opticfibre. www.catscradle.org.uk

Tribal Vibrations celebrated its Tenth Birthday at Sunrise Celebration May 31st - June 4th last year 2007 co producing the Cats Cradle stage. what a gig..We can confirm that we will be returning in 2008 to Sunrise Celebration to once again co produce The Cats Cradle Stage. This year we can be found in the exciting new Green Innovations arena. www.greeninnovations.org.uk We will be welcoming old friends and making many many more amongst the amazing new bands performing

UNITY: THROUGH MUSIC AND CULTURE

The Phoenix Rose

Mixing western music with eastern spirituality to create something wholly original. “Curry flavoured indie band”.
THE PHOENIX ROSE is a musical concept primed for the world... *Classical Indian music is played byGURDEV and NIRVINDA SINGH
www.myspace.com/thephoenixroses

Dub The Earth

Dub the earth formed back in the early 80s. The main exposure Dub the Earth had was on the free festival circuit of the late 80s and early 90s. By the mid to late 90s they had also played festivals like Glastonbury, Womad and the Kingston green fair. In the last years of the 1900s and first few of 2000 the band only done studio work, , recording as Dub the Earth and also under the name True Earthers. 2007 the band went down a storm at The Glad and Sugerhill.

The Mentalists

The Mentalists! believe in the power of poptimism. Their DIY ethos means they do everything themselves: from their piste-punk brand of arse-shaking anthems to directing all artwork, videos and photos themselves. Creative control freaks they are and proud of it! "... from the sort of tune Raincoats/Slits/Kleenex would have been proud to have as an a-side with jagged whooping wordless backing vocals, to perky pop ska-esque Madness type tunes with raw-riffy-roughed up guitar stabs, and then there's a glorious classic girl group type song (Snow Queen) which would make a Spector pop fan blush happily... Hurray for dancing. Hurray for Mentalists." - Artrocker. "Now this has GOT something. The dog yelps suggest it may be scurvy...But beyond the crude riot grrrl frenzy, it has an appealing poppy centre and for all that, singer Kim E. Leon sounds like Hazel O'Connor. Her sheer INTENT soon obliterates your defences. "Sleazy listening" is how the band describe themselves. Very apt." - Colin Irwin (Mercury Music Prize judge)
www.myspace.com/thementalists

The Wind Whistles

Tom and Liza are the Wind Whistles and they live together in Vancouver, BC, Canada. As an indie folk duo they both sing and play acoustic instruments: Tom on guitar and Liza on bass. At home they often play with many other instrumentalists, ranging from electric guitar and drums to trumpet and cello, while on the road they stick together as a duo. They can often be seen inviting audience members onto the stage to join in on the fun withhand percussion andvarious trinkets and noise-makers. Beginning in the spring of 2006, they've done the usual artist thing: demo, radio, festivals, tours, friends and lots and lots of shows. Having just released their first full length album,'window sills,'the Wind Whistles are now embarking on a 6 month tour, including Canada, the US, the UK and Europe. "...they more than successfully evade the trap it seems more and more acoustic artists are falling into these days: being boring.' - Jesara Sinclair of The Link (Montreal) 'Using nothing more than an acoustic guitar, acoustic bass, good sets of lungs and years of song crafting knowledge, the Wind Whistles deliver a positive, uplifting musical experience that's appeal cannot be denied.' - Fraser MacLean
www.myspace.com/thewindwhistles

Rachael Dadd

Rachael plays piano, guitar, clarinet and banjo. Her singing is completely un-forced and verynatural. It hits you like a Heron, gliding forwards and just missing your face,but with complete precision and calm. Her sound is gentle and enchanting and ata live performance you could not be blamed for feeling that she is playing toyou and you alone. Her new album The World Outside is in a Cupboard is rich and varied and is to beRachael Dadd's third album. It's a largely D.I.Y. affair with the majority of songs having been recorded in her bedroom. At times it is sparse and at othersfull with harmonies, banjo, clarinet and violin. In places she usesexperimental loops made from samples of clattering cutlery and ticking clockswhich act as a beat and sound very organic and human. There is also one songwith piano accompanying a family gathering starring her Grandma. "The true star of a stage positively brimming with quality. Authentic, unpretentious and lightened by Ms Dadd's loveable persona, the bands ethereal folk seduced an audience already spoilt with highlights. Sumptuous harmonies, pastoral melodies and banana grins abound." - Venue Magazine
www.myspace.com/rachaeldadd

Trouble & Mischief

In 2007 Tor Rubble and Ali Luia formed 'Trouble and Mischief' - A force to be reckoned with. Together they have used politics, observational comedy and performance poetry and mixed it up with punk, dub, swing, jazz n bass beats, they explore the many different relationships between men and women, like a modern day Bonnie and Clyde they are putting the world to rights. “Trouble & Mischief have merged the best of the worlds of electronic music and poetry to bring a musical and theatrical treat that's a little some thing for everyone. Suited to both intimate settings and festival dance tents, these guys give a performance that's intense and intelligent and hard for anyone to ignore. Tor and Ali have created something special that is not to be missed.'- Bryce Dumont,Word Commands,
www.myspace.com/troubleandmischief

New Groove Formation

The band formed in early 2004 when four local musicians got together and starting jamming in sleepy Bedfordshire. Having a mutual respect and desire to play the same sort of music the band quickly started writing material. Playing music they all love from, dirty funky beats, grooves and breaks to reggae, dub and ska. Every member has brought something different to the band which comes together to give an electrifying performance. The band has a great time together on and off stage and this comes across in the performance. Gigging at a multitude of pubs, clubs and festivals across the country and appearing on local radio stations, New Groove Formation have crafted a unique show with lots of energy and plenty of good vibes! "You WILL Dance!"

Wobbly Squadron

Wobbly Squadron formed in the summer of 2004 when Llama ( bass), Garf (drums), Timmy (guitar), AshHo/Leaf (synths/samples/sequences) and Moz (synth) joined psychedelic forces. Bringing individual influences and a plethora of styles they spawned the world of WOBBLE. After parting company from Moz the wobblers focused their attentions on honing their sound and creating a unique live performance. In November 2006 the family grew with the addition of BonJoe (percussion/gob iron) and Shiny Wench (wind) adding icing and decoration to the magical mix. The first gig with this line up won the Horsham Battle of the Bands in front of 600 newly converted wobblers. Following this early success Wobbly Squadron went on to play sets at the Glade festival, Lounge on the Farm, Ambient Picnic and supported Gaudi at Mindzai in Winchester. These were a few highlights from a successful and fully booked summer. With an album release set in early 2008 the future is looking wobbly. "Wobble on the Wobbly squadron, wobble like pink jelly on a spotty plate. Wobble like Mr Blobby on acid. Spaghetti isn't nearly as wobbly as you, neither is a donkey with 3 legs, and i bet he wont be as sexy either, Wobbly Squadron I salute you! You are as good as Marmite and beans on toast only better!"
www.myspace.com/wobblysquadron

Jon Sterckx

Tradition meets innovation meets cutting edge technology in the hands of one musicians solo performance. A unique and exciting solo multi-percussion performance on a range of percussion instruments combined with electronic loop sampling technology & digital audio processing. Layer upon layer of percussion is played, sampled and multitracked live, building up into highly energised rhythmical journeys. Indian tabla, Egyptian darabuka, Frame drums, Djembe, Cajon, Udu, Shakers, Woodblocks, Vocal Percussion & more find their place in the mix. Versatile percussionist Jon Sterckx has worked across a wide range of musical styles, from traditional musical forms to contemporary experimental styles, theatre & dance collaborations, live percussion loop sampling and many fusion collaborations. "A highly energised exciting performance, which hooked the audience from the first beat." - Kevin Johnson, Barbican Theatre, Plymouth.
www.myspace.com/jonsterckx

The Guessmen

Pioneers of the contra-pop sound, the Geordie trio's off-kilter beats and bizarre woodwind and laptop-derived sounds combine with dark tales of mermaids, animals and robots to create a free music that is still recognisable as pop - but only just. So extreme is their magpie mix that it prompted Isaac Hayes to exclaim "Hey, you guys got some crazy shit!" A unique and exciting solo multi-percussion performance on a range of percussion instruments combined with electronic loop sampling technology & digital audio processing. In winning the Diesel-U-Music award in 2003, a new category had to be invented to encompass their sound. They have since gone on to worry the genre purists with every song they construct. "Somehow, Guessmen merge Aphex-mangled mechanics, Herbert-like saxophone swells and Beefheart-y word weirdness into a storm that goes bump, blip and bang on the night" said Plan B Magazine, "a worthwhile ramshackle blend of electro blues and fuzzy junk yard funk" said DJ Magazine. "Pure lunacy" said BBC Radio 3's Mixing It. The Guessmen live show is a shock and awe display of huge bass, junk percussion and slick electronic manipulation. The songs warp and stretch beyond the limits of the recorded versions to a mind-melting wall of sound with the trio linked on a level of pure groove. "They ably prove that they bang like the highest heeled unshaven Warp signed glam band ever" - brainwashed.com . "If you haven't seen or heard Guessmen before, here's a quick lesson. Distorted beats, fat bass-notes rumbling your guts, blasts of trumpet and bassoon, songs about mermaids and all-day breakfasts and one of the bestest front men that you'll ever see." - Narc magazine
www.myspace.com/guessmen

DJ Cous Cous

DJ Cous Cous... (Souk Sound) Mixing styles from the Mediterranean, Middle East and the Balkans to Latin America and Africa, CousCous brings the beating heart of the world to the dance floor. Fusing western electronica and pulsating beats with traditional instruments and organic rhythms. He explores music that transcends style and genre and is rich in political, humanitarian and environmental content. A real get up and dance DJ!

Sicknote

Sicknote have been frightening the locals in Wales for a couple of years now and are about to burst across the UK . Their frighteningly dirty, menacing, harrowing electro punk sounds like a coalition of early 80s post punk, the first Public Image Ltd album and The Prodigy - rave era stuff, with Mark E Smith on vocals. This is what a nervous breakdown sounds like, this is psychopathic music from the edge of sanity, this is Dante's Inferno the musical. Sicknote are a collective of musicians, visual artists and dancers who cross many musical boundaries, mixing punk with rave culture and cabaret with techno. As a result they are one of those rare bands who can and do appeal to any audience. "Rampant Party Kings of the alternative scene" - Metro Weekender
www.sicknote.tv

Dust21

The natural progression of 15 years of Drum n Bass culture has resulted in a new generation of musicians playing & experimenting with DnB, and forming bands worldwide. DUST21 are one of those bands, and have been representing Drum n Bass livestyle for 5 years now Having impressed an industry audience at the prestigious In The City Urban showcase, DUST21 were then selected to play at The Best OF ITC Urban at London's, Carling Academy where they once again stole the show. That was last year though, and this year DUST21 have gone from strength to strength and are about to burst back on the scene with a dynamic new sound and stage show.
www.myspace.com/dust21theband

Sunfish

In the summer of 1997 Jon Kerry formed Sunfish as a live Techno/ Psychedelic Trance outfit using synths, computers and projected visuals. 'Jabber' the first CD was released in December of that year and became an underground classic. The band expanded to include Sacha Holloway, a storming female guitarist.. As a live act, Sunfish became big on the dance scene with their combination of live Psy Trance and interactive visuals. Sunfish went one step further and introduced Ali Luia, a superb live vocalist. Ali brings an exciting dynamic to tight new songs with solid grooves that are guaranteed to keep an audience dancing. With Tor Rubble also providing vocals and an energy not to be missed!! 2007 saw Sunfish re-launched as a live act, and with their new format they played across the south west festival circuit, finishing the season with the celebration of ten years of Sunfish, playing the main stage at The Waveform Project Festival. Through out 2007 they received outstanding reviews.
www.myspace.com/isunfish

Hayashi

Breaking away from the guitar based band format, and being influenced by Drum 'n' Bass, Alt and Electronica, Hayashi is a band playing music which would usually be performed using computers or sequencers playing drum loops. Hayashi play it live. It is a melodious break-beat experience with great big bass complemented by darkly beautiful vocals. The band play a high energy live set with sampled sounds complementing the music to create the same sound as the recorded material. They recently appeared at the Leeds Carling Festival and have played with the likes of Pendulum and Prime Cuts (Scratch Perverts). “Hayashi put out serious groves with vocal complexity and supremacy to die for and beat continuity that will keep you moving from start to finish. See them anywhere you've got room to move." - Rob Wright, BBC Leeds — Live in Leeds
www.myspace.com//hayashimusic

The Urbanizer

The Urbanizer — 'purveyor of the finest drum and bass since 1996' — has been terrifying the population of Leeds for some time now with his breaks, awesome bass lines and evil paranoia. His all original set has an eclectic set of influences but just one aim: If you're not dancing and/or pulling a face like you've just been really dirty, then you've got no ears. A debutant in the South of England, The Urbanizer hopes to deliver pain and pleasure in equal measure. So brace yourself in the middle of the dance floor, and wait…

Untimely Skank Soundsystem

Untimely sound are a loose dj collective led by the inimitable andykisaragi - tirelessly wandering the musical globe to bring you the best of music with roots, music with toots, and above all, music with a skank... Untimely sound’s net is cast wide and pulls in gypsy, balkan, latin, ska, swing, bluegrass and a whole host of tunes they haven’t even thought of genres for yet. the boys have a particular taste for covers & mashups and are not averse to venturing into this territory themselves, as you can hear on this page. So come hear for yourselves - untimely sound can be found rocking venues around the south west and wales on a regular basis and are available for parties, chillout rooms, not-so-chilled-out rooms, weddings and in-car entertainment.
www.myspace.com/untimelyskanksoundsystem

BschmangL

BschmangL (aka Brendon Rowen) has been an active participant in the global psytrance scene since '95. His unique style is rooted in South African trance, where he learned to appreciate the skills and talent of good international DJs & live acts like Flying Rhino, Shpongled, Infected Mushroom & Cosmosis. Millennium Party on Wilderness Beach 2000 was the stage for BschmangL's memorable set, a 5-hour morning journey that ushered in the new millennium with delightful psychedelic majesty and magic. In 2001 Brendon migrated to the UK , where, after a 3-year break, psychedelic music production became the next natural step in his progression. The creation of Butterfly Baseline Records in late 2007 saw the production of BschmagL's first album Universal Language. A mixture of definitive basslines, subtle psychedelic frequencies and unique sound design prove BschmangL a delightful addition to the ever-changing world of the psychedelic trance. Universal Language is being released independently through Butterfly Baseline Records and will be performed LIVE for the first time at Sunrise Celebration Festival 2008. Take-off is Friday 30th at 12:30am, flight lasts 45min and ends atl 1:15. B there to B'schmangL'd. www.myspace.com/butterflybasslinerecords

The Bloody Tentacles

Formed through teenage angst, a common interest in punk music and a general lack of interest in the mainstream, James Bennett , Amy Laurence, Nick Croucher and Ian Crosland (The Bloody Tentacles) set out to create a sound that could only be described as noise, and had little interest in making it big but more, having laugh with each other. However, with every member at this time being only 15 years of age (2003), it became clear with time that each different members perception of music was changing as they were growing older and certain previously unexplored goals became an interest. The Bloody Tentacles (TBT) moved away from screeching vocals heavy guitars and punk covers and started to develop their own style of writing which had no simplistic genre and has only been described as sci-fi electro pop/rock/punk. In 2006 TBT, after playing a few minor gigs in Cornwall and a small festival in Bournemouth , got an excellent opportunity to get an album recorded. With the help, know how and skill of Barnaby Ray, who recorded produced and mixed the album, TBT finally finished the album in 2007. Such a relationship with Barnaby was developed that when all seemed bleak and the time came for the drummer, Ian, to leave for his 6 month holiday to Asia, Barnaby stepped in as a new member of TBT. An increase in musical maturity and ranging influences from such bands as the Joy Division Cocteau Twins, Radiohead and The Smiths, have started a new, exciting chapter in the bloody tentacles song writing process and they are currently writing for a second album. www.myspace.com/bloodytentaclesthe

The Nouvelle Croix Quintet

The Nouvelle Croix Quintet, consisting of bass player Jerrelle Jacobs, drummer Ferry Lawrenson, vocalist Justin Marshall and guitarists Archie Marsh and George Risk, are a modern day gypsy swing band. Our style is indebted to the 1930s Parisian gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, though the new outfit takes its influence from a much wider range of styles. Old influences, such as Errol Garner, Art Tatum and Zither player Anton Karas are combined with new and contemporary groups, The Invisibles, Acoustic Ladyland, and 4Hero, whilst DJ's RJD2 and MF Doom also play a part in the sound. With such a broad palette of inspiration, Nouvelle Croix attempt to take the gypsy style in a more free and improvised direction. www.myspace.com/nouvellecroix

Ramshackle Ed

‘Ramshackle ed’ plays tunes you can move to. From funk to folky fiddle, ska, swing and rock and roll……this is something not to take seriously. Come let loose, dance loosely and loose nothing. www.myspace.com/theramshacklefaculty - www.myspace.com/awalkaroundbritain

Digital.Is

In a fit of rage and despair, the Karma Kanic and Smokey P set out on a mission to rectify the Northwest’s distinct lack of live organic dance music. Their aim is to provide music that people can’t help but get off their bee-hinds and bust a move to…… Digital.is (pronounced digitaliz) are redefining the live dance scene with an eclectic mix of dirty beats, synths, live drums and electric percussion culminating in irresistibly foot-stomping tunes. Featuring Miklos on guitar and Gemma’s killer vocals, Digital.is look set to accomplish their simple aim of making people Dance. Setting them on the road to success, Digital.is performed at a variety of festivals and venues in 2007 supporting the likes of System 7, Subsource, Ixindamix (Spiral Tribe), Loonaloop and The Herbaliser. Their explosive performances at The Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal Calling and Solfest have secured them a staunch local fan base, especially after the recent sell out success at Kendal Brewery Arts Centre where the likes of Fat Freddy's Drop, Mr. Scruff, London Elektricity and British Sea Power have played. Digital.is have been likened to such artists as Red Snapper, Trentemoller & Fat Freddy’s Drop. They effortlessly combine many different genres such as Electronica, Breakbeat & Drum & Bass with influences of Funk, Reggae, Latin and Dub. www.myspace.com/digitalis76

Hedluv

Hedluv and his bestfriend The Passmanare the freshest act around at the moment, with some people estimating that they are 'three years ahead of London'.The duo from Cornwallare turning heads, bending ears and making people smile againwith their casiotone playing, drum-pad bashing catchy rap music. Check it out. www.myspace.com/hedluv

The Lewis Floyd Henry ONE MAN BAND

London based artist, Lewis Floyd Henry is a singer songwriter, and guitarist one-man band extraordinare. Having played shows around the UK and Ireland with his band of 9 years called Kn0wn, The Lewis Floyd Henry One Man Band (a spin off of Kn0wn) takes his bands usual busking styles to a new level, appealing to all ages and mindsets from the very young to the very old. If you happen to stumble upon The Lewis Henry One Man Band, you will be entertained for hours upon end without hearing the same song twice (as long the batteries don’t run out!!). He has many musical influences which make him an eclectic musician with a strong love for blues, rock, jazz, soul, hip hop, punk, folk, grunge, classical,etc. www.myspace.com/thelewisfloydhenryonemanband

DJ Scifax

Scifax (or 'Alex' as his mum calls him...) is a producer, DJ, and musician living on the sunny (yeah whatever...) South coast of England. Raised in Bristol on a diet of hip-hop and heavy metal, after I got into d'n'b in about '98 I decided to get some decks anyway, just for the hell of it. Then I learnt to mix, then scratch. I now also play tenor sax, a bit of keys, and spend hours gazing at a computer screen making tunes. My background as a musician means that I tend to focus on the musical aspects of my production, and even the harder tunes I produce tend to have musical structures with a lot of focus on chords and melodies, rather than just trying to make the filthiest, most ear wrenching sounds possible. Not that there's anything wrong with filthy, ear-wrenching sounds. They have their place....www.myspace.com/Scifax

Revolution

"An anthemic Stone Roses kinda rush of a band, loads of onstage fire, so much so we may need to put up disclaimers regarding the smoking ban." - Bugbear Bookings. 'Revolution' formed in Horley (Surrey, England) September 2001. Winners of BBC SC Unsigned, nominated for the BBC Electric Proms, 'Artist Of The Month' at Hitquarters.co.uk and Songquarters 'Artist Of the Week'. Revolution have headlined packed out venues such as The Underworld, The Garage and the London Astoria 2 etc...etc... The band has just confirmed a support slot with Idlewild at the Sellindge Festival and they are through to the semi-finals of Emergenza which if successful could see the band appear at Taubertal Open Air Festival in Rothenburg Germany. They recently finished recording their 'Revolution EP' with Joe Fields (Sway/Amy MacDonald) and plan to record again, possibly later this year. Keep the light on. www.revolutionmusic.co.uk

Cut a Shine

'Cut A Shine' are London's sole new-wave Barn Dance troupe, replete with callers, gingham clad dancers and a live band. Determined to put social dance back on the map of London night life, Cut A Shine have been running sold out barn dance nights for nearly 3 years at kitsch venues across London and Hackney, to much critical acclaim. Now also a stable show at all the major mainstream festivals (Glastonbury, LoveBox, Secret Garden, Shambala, Electric Picnic, Bestival, Paradise Gardens, StokeFest, etc etc..), Cut A Shine are surely putting barn dance back on the map. www.myspace.com/cutashine