News

Leeds and Reading Alternative Stage Announced

• 20th Jul 2010

With five stages full of the biggest artists in the world and the best music you can hear, the Reading and Leeds Festival provides something for everybody, but if you are looking for a break from the tunes fear not, as the ALTERNATIVE STAGE hosts the finest names in comedy, performance art, cabaret, film and plenty to keep you dancing after the main stages have closed for the night.

The headliners of this stage are as ever, some of the funniest comedians in the world – EMO PHILIPS, JASON BYRNE, STEPHEN K AMOS, KEVIN BRIDGES, RUSSELL KANE and RUFUS HOUND are set to perform at both sites and each bring their inimitable and unique brand of humour. They are joined by a mix of the best established and new names on the block.

Between the laughs there will also be some amazing artists appearing including human beatbox supremo BEARDYMAN, the lyrical talents of rappers RINSE, WARIKO and AFRIKANBOY and indie superstar EDDIE ARGOS.

Later in the day, the Alternative Stage shows films for those wanting to relax before the club action starts. Needless to say, this is where the ravers and rockers unite to dance until 2.30am with the coolest DJ’s, so save some energy till the wee hours. SMASH N GRAB, SWAP-A-RAMA, REBEL BINGO, DJ GOLDIEROCKS and TRANSGRESSIVE RECORDS will all host nights to round off your festival.

The BBC Introducing Stage is still to be announced, which will be the sixth and final stage. The READING & LEEDS FESTIVAL is held on 27th – 29th August 2010 at Little John’s Farm in Reading and Bramham Park in Leeds. Tickets for this event are now sold out. The full line up and further information can be found at link and link .

ALTERNATIVE STAGE

Comedy on the Alternative Stage:
The surreal yet super funny EMO PHILIPS is warmly welcomed at Reading & Leeds Festival to play this headline set. Having won over fans in the UK for over 20 years this Chicago born comedian has travelled the world with his quirky observations and hilarious child-like one-liners like “I'm not Catholic, but I gave up picking my belly button for lint”. This is his first visit to the festival which is eagerly awaited.
www.emophilips.com (Reading Friday 27th/Leeds Saturday 28th)

JASON BYRNE’s inspired, original brand of high-energy lunacy ensures that there is no other comedian presently like him. His fast, free-wheeling style, fused with an array of offbeat props, makes his act a helter-skelter of a show. The Irish funny man has appeared on radio and tv with his own shows, and all over the world with his awards winning stand up performances. Making a dash to Reading and Leeds from his 14th Edinburgh Festival shows we are thrilled to have him as one of our headliners in 2010.
www.jasonbyrne.ie (Reading Saturday 28th/Leeds Sunday 29th)

A regular on UK tv shows, STEPHEN K AMOS is one of our funniest UK comedians. Having appeared on Have I Got News For You, Mock The Week and Live at the Apollo amongst others he released his debut DVD last year. Another of our headliners making the trip from Edinburgh, who appeared their first in 2001. appearing there first in 2001.
www.myspace.com/85665609 (Reading Friday 27th/Leeds Sunday 29th)

You may have first heard of RUSSELL KANE when he popped up on TV for the launch of channel Five Live when he appeared in several funny travelogues, however he won his first award for comedy in 2004 and worked all over the world since. A stint on Big Brothers Big Mouth followed alongside lots more tv and radio.
www.russellkane.co.uk (Reading Sunday 29th/Leeds Friday 27th)

Glaswegian KEVIN BRIDGES was only 17 years old when he started out as a stand up comedian, however within a few short years he was being nominated for awards and this year made his debut on Michael MciIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow on BBC1. This saw him elevated to playing the SECC Arena in Glasgow and win the 2010 Breakthrough prize at the Chortle Awards.
www.kevinbridges.co.uk (Reading Saturday 28th/Leeds Friday 27th)

RUFUS HOUND is not only a gifted presenter, stand up comic and actor, he’s also cultivated some of the finest facial hair in the business! Best known for being the blue team captain on the TV series ‘Argumental’ or for dressing up as Cheryl Cole for 2010’s Let’s Dance for Sport Relief, his wit has recently been described as ‘sharp, sarcastic and at times a little sick!’
(Reading Sunday 29th/Leeds Friday 27th)

A regular at Edinburgh’s fringe, ROBIN INCE has appeared regularly on both Radio 4 and TV including BB2, Channel 4 and Sky – both as a writer and a performer. Most recently he has been seen touring his Robin Ince vs. the moral majority throughout the UK whilst series 2 of the science/comedy show he presents with Brian Cox – The Infinite Monkey Cage has just aired on Radio 4.
www.myspace.com/robinnce

The popular comedy night POPCORN COMEDY comes to the festival this year and is hosted by Jon Petrie + Holly Walsh with guests Cardinal Burns and Stephen Grant. They show some of the strongest, sharpest and funniest videos online and also feature the country’s best stand up and character comedians as they showcase their own short comedy films. The Sun called it “ … a joy to behold’, don’t miss this excellent way to start the day.
www.popcorncomedy.com

ABANDOMAN are an Irish improvising hip-hop trio, led by Rob Broderick, who won the 2010 Hackney Empire New Act Competition and the 2010 Musical Comedy Awards. They create hilarious musical sketches at lightning speed live – no two gigs are ever the same.
www.robbroderick.com/about/

MIDNIGHT BEAST are most noted for their parady version of Ke$ha’s ‘Tik Tok’ which has drawn tweets from the lady herself…”Holy. Shit. This is better than my version.” The trio needless to say have a huge following via facebook, twitter and youtube, watch the videos, hear the songs, but catch ‘em live this summer at Reading and Leeds.
www.myspace.com/midnightbeastuk

A near veteran of the Edinburgh festival and one of the best comedians on the International circuit, ADAM BLOOM with his sporadically silly, profound and thought-provoking routines has been described as comic genius. His brand of manic humour has bridged the gap from stage to both TV and radio with acclaimed results moving one critic to say of his stand-up; “…no puns, no ersatz nostalgia, Just Adam-Bloomness”. link

‘A pocket sized dynamo’ so said one critic of this young comedian. MATT KIRSCHEN’s precision wit and impish style shot through with an intelligent and skilful talent has already merited an impressive reputation on the UK comedy circuit. He has played most of the major comedy venues, done the University tours and picked up an array of awards and this summer sees a welcome return to Reading and Leeds festivals. link

Currently riding high on the UK comedy scene, MC DAVE TWENTYMAN is one of the most affable and naturally gifted comedians you’ll see this year. Hailing from the town of St Helens, his tales of home, work and the universe are delivered in a stream of consciousness both mesmerising and friendly.
www.dave-twentyman.co.uk/

JJ WHITEHEAD (or Jason John to his family) will bring intricately woven anecdotes and sharply crafted gags with an edge. Having performed all over the world the Canadian makes his first appearance at Leeds.
www.jasonjohnwhitehead.com (Leeds Only)

Sunderland comedian MATT REED has gained a reputation as an amazing comedian and compere for the best part of the last decade. Described as a ‘cheeky, smutty little chappy’ he will bring his enthusiasm and energy to Leeds this year.
(Leeds only)

If you haven’t yet, it’s probably time to start getting excited about JAMIE KILSTEIN. The stand-up comedian co-hosts the online radio podcast Citizen Radio with Alison Kilkenny and those who like their comedy passionate, political and delivered like machine gun-fire are in for a treat.
www.myspace.com/jamiekilstein (Leeds Only)

Inventive Canadian stand-up GLENN WOOL has made a name for himself with his wide ranging comedy which veers between sagely political and gleefully silly. Described by The Independent on Sunday as a ‘cross between Jack Black and Meat Loaf’ and hailed by The Guardian as ‘effortlessly funny with an affability that other comics can only dream of’.
www.myspace.com/glennwool

A member of Rich Hall’s Perrier Award winning team the Black Liars, CHRISTIAN REILLY is a stand-up comic who is also a guitar hero. From indie rock to rocked out hippy, Christian can play and please them all. With his unique take on life and skilled improvisations, his comic songs, sharp wit and youthful energy delights audiences wherever he performs.

CHARLIE BAKER is a versatile talent, not only a much in demand stand-up comedian, but also an accomplished, highly acclaimed jazz singer and musician. Recently, Charlie won the prestigious Mervyn Stutter ‘Spirit of the Fringe’ award for his debut Edinburgh Fringe show ‘Charlie Baker – The World’s Greatest Show Off’ and has performed warm up slots for ‘Never Mind The Buzzcocks’ and ‘Friday Night With Jonathan Ross’.
www.charliebakerlive.com

Music and Performance on the Alternative Stage:
BEARDYMAN, the former UK beatbox champion incorporates a lot of humour into his innovative set which sees his mind boggling skill of producing scratches, clicks and musical acrobatics with his voice. Flagged up by the BBC as the “King of Sound and Ruler of Beats’, Beardyman has collaborated with like-minded individuals with the resultant multi-media shows proving a totally unique experience. link

Now resident in South East London but originally from Nigeria, the grime/afrobeat MC AFRIKAN BOY came to prominence when he guested on M.I.A’s Kala’ album. Currently juggling university studies with his musical career, Shola as he likes to be known is preparing several new releases and these shows will see an artist finding his own path through words and rhyme.
www.myspace.com/afrikanboy

With work well underway on the new Art Brut album, EDDIE ARGOS takes time out from the studio for a very special stripped down acoustic set at this year’s Reading and Leeds Festival. Playing re-workings of Art Brut, Everybody Was In The French Resistance, Glam Chops and Art Goblins songs, this show is not to be missed.
www.myspace.com/eddieargos

4Talent award winner LUKE WRIGHT might just be the hardest working man in poetry. He has four solo poetry stage shows, all of which played to sold out audiences at The Edinburgh Fringe and got five star reviews. Described by The Observer as ‘the best young performance poet around’ while Metro hailed him as ‘performance poetry’s key revivalist’.
www.lukewright.co.uk/

Poet, illustrator, novelist, spoken word artist, Brit School graduate and chum of Kate Nash LAURA DOCKRILL is only 23 but has already made her name on the poetry scene with her stories of modern life.
www.myspace.com/lauradockrill

Having come the unlikely route of via Scotland, Nigeria, Trinidad and London, rapper RINSE arrives at the Reading and Leeds Festivals. He will be performing alongside Nottingham Grime MC WARIKO
www.myspace.com/rinsemusic / link

INSTIGATE DEBATE (artists and speakers tbc)
Instigate Debate is the counterculture project formed by a collective of musicians and journalists including Carl Barat, and Jon ‘The Reverend’ McClure. They have argued all over the UK including at the Oxford Union, expect a diverse panel of guests will discuss political points from across the spectrum, expect passion and forthright debate

Clubbing at the Alternative Stage:
Trangressive Club Night – a message from the label …
2010 marks the fourth year of label/promoters/publishers/managers Transgressive's presence at Leeds Festival.
The format is the same each year – audio-visual treats and the best new emerging acts performing intimate shows on the closing night of the festival, from a mixture of Transgressive acts and our friends… We're trying to make it a proper closing night hurrah for those that still have the will and spirit to party very, very hard, carrying long into the night after the headliners have finished on the other stages.

Prior acts to have graced our stage in recent years include Leeds' own hometown heroes Pulled Apart by Horses, Two Door Cinema Club, Future of the Left, Young Knives, Noah & The Whale, Laura Marling, and many more besides. This time, however, we reckon we've got our best line-up yet – the evening is headlined by an exclusive, centrepiece performance from Johnny Flynn & The Sussex Wit, with other acts including manic electronic duo Chew Lips, youthful wizard pop from Egyptian Hip Hop, uplifting soulful pop gems courtesy of Slow Club, and, of course, a 22-piece-all-girl-dubstep-pop-choir in Gaggle.

In between all the live action, Transgressive and Rockfeedback DJs will play big and cool tunes in equal measure, whilst we welcome back both Two Door Cinema Club and Pulled Apart by Horses this year to take part in a 'versus' dual on the decks. Who the hell will win? Stay up late with us and find out.
Leeds Only – Sunday Night

A Reading and Leeds Festival legendary experience from the first time they appeared, SWAP-A-RAMA is a simple idea, yet executed in stunning style. The Concept: Every time the klaxon sounds each reveller must swap an item of clothing with someone next to them. Attendees are advised to wear clothes they don’t mind never seeing again. God knows what they’ll be going home in! Expect ridiculous clothes, dancing on the bar, confusion, elation, grown men fighting over frocks, sweating, a hangover…soundtracked by an unpredictably intoxicating mix of Rock & Roll, Soul, R&B, Sixties Shakers, Ska, Boogaloo, Hip-Hop, Dancehall, Pop Music & Party Classics.
www.swap-a-rama.co.uk

‘How Can You Go Wrong When Every Song’s A Love Song’ is the manifesto for the DJ’s at SMASH N GRAB. The Queenz of Noise have made this London club into the must be spot in town for ‘kissing and dancing’ and they bring their inimatible fun and tunes to Reading and Leeds. Expect music from the last 50 years and expect to dance till you fall down.
www.smashandgrabclub.com

REBEL BINGO is dangerous and addictive, the authorities are after them! It started after finding a bingo kit at a party in a church, these people soon became addicted and now it’s out of control, and coming to Leeds (only). They are joined by electro/indie DJ GOLDIEROCKS who’s invaded parties and aftershows all over the world and is becoming a festival favourite for anybody willing to dance till they drop.
www.rebelbingo.com / link

Movies showing at the Alternative Stage:
Forget Twilight, SUCK is a rock and roll vampire thriller directed by Rob Stefaniuk and filmed in Toronto. It follows the tale of hapless rock band The Winners who tour the US and Canada chased by a Vampire Hunter who is afraid of the dark. Featuring rock legends Iggy Pop, Alice Cooper, Henry Rollins and, er, Moby – this will hopefully not scare you too much so you can make it back to the campsite …

THE DOORS, WHEN YOU’RE STRANGE reveals an intimate perspective on the creative chemistry between drummer John Densmore, guitarist Robby Krieger, keyboardist Ray Manzarek and singer Jim Morrison — four brilliant artists who made The Doors one of America’s most iconic and influential rock bands. Using footage shot between the band’s 1965 formation and Morrison’s 1971 death, the film follows the band from the corridors of UCLA’s film school, where Manzarek and Morrison met, to the stages of sold-out arenas. The film is written and directed by Tom DiCillo (‘Johnny Suede’, ‘Living in Oblivion’) and narrated by Johnny Depp.

The delightfully titled TRASH HUMPERS follows a small gang of sinister ‘elderly’ peeping toms through the shadows of a nightmarishly familiar suburban landscape. Their shocking and sociopathic behaviour makes for unbearably compelling viewing that scorches itself onto the mind’s eye. Written and directed by Harmony Korine (Kids, Gummo), The Guardian described the film as the “cinematic equivalent of listening to black metal”