THE ALTERNATIVE STAGE – Leeds And Reading Festivals

• 7th Aug 2007

150 bands playing on six stages, a host of campsite and late night entertainment and the biggest and best headliners of the year preparing to take to the stages over the August Bank Holiday.

The Alternative Stage this year has a host of entertainment across both sites from midday to the early hours, here’s what you can see, at either site:

At The Carling Weekend: Leeds Festival

Thursday 23rd August

Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies – a brand new audio visual treat, see intro page for details.

Dream Of An Opium Eater – a unique horror film meets thrash collaboration, see intro page.

American Hardcore – the classic US punk film, see intro page for more details.

PLUS DJ Johnny Truant.

Friday 24th August

The NME Question and Answer Session – NME writers and a band tba will take part in an open discussion with you, the audience, so get thinking of your questions.

Comedy From

BARRY & STUART, Magicians – The stars of Channel 4’s award nominated series ’Magick’ and the proud recipients of a place in Ofcom’s 20 most complained about programmes because of their stunts bring their subversive show to the twin sites. link

SIMON AMSTELL – The hit comedian in a headline set, see intro for details.

RUSSELL KANE – A performer with the instincts of a “rabble rouser” according to Time Out, Russell was also heralded by Chortle.co.uk as the “most exciting comic discovery of the year”.

JIM JEFFRIES – With a sold out debut at Edinburgh for his ‘Porn Idol’ show, Australian Jim Jeffries “catalogue of PC no-nos” (Chortle.co.uk) has made him one of the world’s most sort after stand-ups.

ROGER MONKHOUSE – Described by the Evening Standard as “shaven-headed, topical, good, and nothing to do with Bob”.

HUGH LENNON – The world’s only canine hypnotist that we know of is back for his unique show that sees the dog hypnotise audience members with interesting and hilarious results.

TERRY CLEMENT is a psychedelic comedian who performs surreal comedy skits and/or dirty songs. His show consistently pushes the boundaries of reality, taste and modern humour.

ANDREW BIRD – Acclaimed by Time Out as “one of the hottest prospects in stand-up”, Andrew is a great exponent of conversationalist comedy and a regular on the UK stand-up circuit.

COLE PARKER – A host of radio and tv credits to his name since he burst onto the scene in 2000 with the Evening Standard praising him for being “wonderful, upfront and hilarious”.

BEN HURLEY – Winner of New Zealand 's two biggest comedy awards The New Zealand Comedy Guild Best Male Comedian in 2004 and The 2004 Oddfellows Billy T award.

The Evening Entertainment

TRANGRESSIVE RECORDS PRESENT:

Exclusive Audio Visual Sets From

ABSENTEE / 3 TRAPPED TIGERS / BATTLE / NOAH & THE WHALE / EMMY THE GREAT / MECHANICAL BRIDE / LUCY & THE CATERPILLAR / JEREMY WARMSLEY / BEANS ON TOAST Plus Trangressive DJ’s and Videos.

London’s uber hip indie label brings its roster to Leeds for an exclusive evening of unique collaborations, see intro for more details.

Saturday 25th August

Climate Change Short Films and Q & A – a series of short films detailing the process of climate change plus an open discussion with a panel on the situation and how best to protect the planet.

Comedy From

TIM MINCHIN – Our headliner, has gone from strength to strength with his recent ‘So Rock’ show nominated for best show at the prestigious Melbourne International Comedy Festival in his native Australia. A multi-instrumentalist who blends music into his brand of dark, comedic cabaret, Tim is a sure fire name for continued greatness, with Time Out firmly planting their flag in his corner, saying “Tim Minchin will be the next big thing in musical comedy.”

DAN ATKINSON – A stalwart of the stand-up world with the BBC declaring “Tickets for Dan Atkinson¹s comedy club normally sell out within a few days, and, having seen the show, I think I know why.”

MICKEY DEE has performed in festivals and tours throughout the world to great critical acclaim with The Independent heralding “a world class talent”.

AL PITCHER – One of the stars of Edinburgh with his upbeat and unpredictable stand-up. Described by the Daily Mail as simply, “Brilliant”, Zoo magazine recently voted him into their Top 10 of New Comedians at Number 6.

TOBY FOSTER – “Laugh Your Ass Off Comedy” according to The List, Toby is a regular on the UK stand-up circuit.

MATT BLAIZE – “Britain’s answer to Bill Hicks” according to TV Quick, you are well advised to check out the fast talking East End boy before his name explodes.

JASON ROUSE is fast becoming the most celebrated oddball in comedy today with his clever combination of devilishly crafted jokes and freak show theatrics.

LLOYD LANGFORD – Described by Paramount as “the new Prince Charming of comedy” Lloyd is a rapidly rising star on the UK comedy circuit.

PAUL TONKINSON – Familiar to us all as the face of first The Sunday Show and then The Big Breakfast, Paul is one of the best loved and most successful names in British comedy.

STEVE GRIBBIN – After nearly a decade as half of Skint Video, Steve embarked on a solo stand-up career that, for over a decade, has seen him wield his guitar based comic songs and acute observations around the globe to constantly packed venues.

The Evening Entertainment

Exclusive Audio Visual Sets from:

DJ ELECTRIC LADY & LUNG / SHITMAT / LADYSCRAPER & EBOLA (see intro for more information) / THE RALFE BAND / CRAZY GIRL LIVE (see intro for more information) / BEENY ROYSTON & JADELL (see intro for more information) / TIM TEN YEN (see intro for more information).

A mash up of Warp sounds and videos alongside Brighton’s finest noise pioneers all constructing unique sets for the festival crowd. The Ralfe Band’s debut album ‘Swords’ was praised by MOJO as “the work of one vivid imagination and fans include The Mighty Boosh’s Julian Barratt and Radio 2’s Mark Radcliffe.

Sunday 26th August

Crazy Girl Shorts – Comic short films from one of our favourite new finds.

Comedy From

LUKE WRIGHT is one the UK’s most successful stand-up poets. With a combination of witty accessibility and a mean acerbic streak, Wright entertains audiences at comedy clubs, music festivals and literary readings.

TIM CLARE – Sharp comic poetry from the presenter of C4’s ‘How To Get A Book Deal’.

DEREK MEINS – An engaging mixture of songs and off the wall performance poetry, Derek Meins puts on a highly entertaining and at some points extremely amusing show.

CARL DONNELLY – One of the most exciting new comics currently climbing the comedy ladder.

ANDREW LAWRENCE – His debut Edinburgh show in 2006 was nominated for the if.comeddies best newcomer title and Andrew’s dark musical comedy is seeing his name grow.

CRAIG CAMPBELL – A unique ability to find humour in the mundane, coupled with his own natural eccentricity makes for truly inventive storytelling.

DAVE JOHNS has gained a reputation as an inventive, exciting and extremely funny comedian winning applause from his audiences, respect from his fellow comics, and rave reviews from the critics.

ED BYRNE – Our headliner today, Ed is one of Britain’s best loved comedians with a host of television credits to his name alongside numerous critically acclaimed and commercially successful tours. A master story teller, this is a very special set for the twin sites.

MATT REED – A master joke teller and a favourite of Happy Mondays Shaun Ryder who declared him, “Funny as f*ck”.

JUNIOR SIMPSON – Familiar from his TV programme, ‘In The Dark With Junior Simpson’, a top stand-up who has survived the “New Lenny Henry” tag to become one of the UK’s best loved stand-ups.

DAVE FULTON easily demolishes two misplaced national stereotypes: that Americans have no sense of irony, and that they’re all a bunch of right-wing gung-ho warmongers.

KEVIN BRIDGES – A “born stand up” according to the The Herald, Kevin is a rising star of UK comedy.

The Evening Entertainment

TIM TEN YEN – A second set from the ‘Singing Salaryman’ – see Saturday for details.

THE YOUTUBE LOUNGE – using your favourite YOUTUBE clips, Irish film maker Eoghan Kidney creates a unique visual DJ set.

STARS UP YOUR ARSE KARAOKE – use our dressing up box to become your favourite star and entertain the crowd.

Cabaret and Comedy From

FANCY CHANCE COMEDIC CABARET / WARLORDS OF PEZ / MISS BEHAVE / THE FIRE TUSK PAIN PROOF CIRCUS with DJ GOLDIEROCKS.

An evening of burlesque, cabaret and comedy to close the stage. Warlords of Pez bring shlock horror metal music to entertain whilst Fancy Chance puts the grin into burlesque alongside Miss Behave. See intro for details of the Fire Tusk Pain Proof Circus.

At The Carling Weekend: Reading Festival

Friday 24th August

Climate Change Short Films and Q & A – a series of short films detailing the process of climate change plus an open discussion with a panel on the situation and how best to protect the planet.

Comedy From

PAUL TONKINSON – Familiar to us all as the face of first The Sunday Show and then The Big Breakfast, Paul is one of the best loved and most successful names in British comedy.

KERRY GODLIMAN – One of the stars of Channel 4’s ’Spoons’, Kerry is one of the UK’s leading female comedians.

DAVE FULTON easily demolishes two misplaced national stereotypes: that Americans have no sense of irony, and that they’re all a bunch of right-wing gung-ho warmongers.

TIM MINCHIN – Our headliner, has gone from strength to strength with his recent ‘So Rock’ show nominated for best show at the prestigious Melbourne International Comedy Festival in his native Australia. A multi-instrumentalist who blends music into his brand of dark, comedic cabaret, Tim is a sure fire name for continued greatness, with Time Out firmly planting their flag in his corner, saying “Tim Minchin will be the next big thing in musical comedy.”

WOODY BOP MUDDY’s Record Graveyard allows you, the audience, to vote on whether records should be saved or sent to ‘Record Heaven’ via destruction in a manner of ingenious ways.

LLOYD LANGFORD was described by Paramount as “the new Prince Charming of comedy” and is a rapidly rising star on the UK comedy circuit.

JASON ROUSE is fast becoming the most celebrated oddball in comedy today with his clever combination of devilishly crafted jokes and freak show theatrics.

MATT BLAIZE – “Britain’s answer to Bill Hicks” according to TV Quick, you are well advised to check out the fast talking East End boy before his name explodes.

ROB ROUSE will be familiar from BBC 3’s ‘Grown-Ups’ and ‘The Friday Night Project’, and has seen critical acclaim from all quarters for his stand up with Time Out declaring him “a born clown, a latter-day Stan Laurel”.

STEVE GRIBBIN – After nearly a decade as half of Skint Video, Steve embarked on a solo stand-up career that, for over a decade, has seen him wield his guitar based comic songs and acute observations around the globe to constantly packed venues.

The Evening Entertainment

Audio Visual sets from

YOUTHMOVIE SOUNDTRACK STRATEGIES / RALFE BAND / SHITMAT / CRAZY GIRL / BEENY ROYSTON & JADELL / WARLORDS OF PEZ / SOUND OFF DJ’s plus DJ Nic Gadget.

A mash up of Warp sounds and videos alongside Brighton’s finest noise pioneers all constructing unique sets for the festival crowd. The Ralfe Band’s debut album ‘Swords’ was praised by MOJO as “the work of one vivid imagination and fans include The Mighty Boosh’s Julian Barratt and Radio 2’s Mark Radcliffe plus CRAZY GIRL and the bizarre world of WARLORDS OF PEZ.

DIRTY SANCHEZ WORLD PREMIERE – see intro page for details.
Saturday 25th August

The NME Question and Answer Session – NME writers and a band tba will take part in an open discussion with you, the audience so get thinking of your questions.

Comedy From:

DEREK MEINS – An engaging mixture of songs and off the wall performance poetry, Derek Meins puts on a highly entertaining and at some points extremely amusing show.

BEANS ON TOAST – One man and his guitar. Big on social commentary, big on laughs.

ED BYRNE – Our headliner today, Ed is one of Britain’s best loved comedians with a host of television credits to his name alongside numerous critically acclaimed and commercially successful tours. A master story teller, this is a very special set for the twin sites.

MATT REED – A master joke teller and a favourite of Happy Mondays Shaun Ryder who declared him, “Funny as f*ck”.

KEVIN BRIDGES – A “born stand up” according to the The Herald, Kevin is a rising star of UK comedy.

JOHN FOTHERGILL – With his blend of cocky insults and slick banter, Fothergill has the experience to know how to command an audience.

HUGH LENNON – The world’s only canine hypnotist that we know of is back for his unique show that sees the dog hypnotise audience members with interesting and hilarious results.

TERRY CLEMENT is a psychedelic comedian who performs surreal comedy skits and/or dirty songs. His show consistently pushes the boundaries of reality, taste and modern humour.

JUNIOR SIMPSON – Familiar from his tv programme, ‘In The Dark With Junior Simpson’, a top stand-up who has survived the “New Lenny Henry” tag to become one of the UK’s best loved stand-ups.

ANDREW BIRD – Acclaimed by Time Out as “one of the hottest prospects in stand-up”, Andrew is a great exponent of conversationalist comedy and a regular on the UK stand-up circuit.

BEN HURLEY – Winner of New Zealand 's two biggest comedy awards The New Zealand Comedy Guild Best Male Comedian in 2004 and The 2004 Oddfellows Billy T award.

The Evening Entertainment

THE YOUTUBE LOUNGE – using your favourite YOUTUBE clips, Irish film maker Eoghan Kidney creates a unique visual DJ set.

TRANGRESSIVE RECORDS PRESENT:

Exclusive Audio Visual Sets From

ABSENTEE / BATTLE / NOAH & THE WHALE & FAY SEA BUZZARD / MECHANICAL BRIDE / JEREMY WARMSLEY / BEANS ON TOAST Plus Trangressive DJ’s and Videos.

London’s uber hip indie label brings its roster to Leeds for an exclusive evening of unique collaborations, see intro for more details.

PUNK ROCK KARAOKE – the legend returns, pick your favourite punk song and belt it out.

THE FIRE TUSK PAINP ROOF CIRCUS – Lucifire and Dave Tusk entertain – see intro for more details.

Sunday 26th August
The Vox n Roll Music Quiz – your chance to test your music knowledge.
Crazy Girl Shorts – Comic short films from one of our favourite new finds.

Comedy From:
SIMON AMSTELL
HAL CRUTTENDON
BRIAN LAZERNICK
SEAN COLLINS
BARRY & STUART
IAN COGNITO
RICKY GROVER
JOHN MALONEY

MILTON JONES

BOOKING INFORMATION

ALL WEEKEND TICKETS FOR BOTH SITES ARE NOW SOLD OUT

Day Tickets which do not allow camping are priced at £62.50 plus booking fee.

Day Tickets are currently available for the Friday at Reading and all days at Leeds but availability is limited.

Online – tickets available from: link, link,
www.seetickets.com

Children under 13 (12 and under) are admitted free but MUST be accompanied by a ticket holding adult. Please note there is no separate children's area at this event.

Mean Fiddler Information Hotline (Mon-Fri 10am – 6pm) 020 8963 0940