Rizla’s Invisible Players number Jazzie B, Jon Carter, Micachu, Super Furry Animals’ Gruff Rhys, David Shrigley and Andrew Weatherall among their ranks and have been bringing the party to club nights and Festivals all Summer long. Read about their latest exploits below…
Next stop for the tour was The Big Chill, in the beautiful Malvern Hills at Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire. Having been mobbed all weekend at last years event, the arena was increased to 850, ensuring more people could join in the party.
After a downpour on Thursday night, the sun came out on Friday morning, festival-goers arriving early for Gruff Rhys to kick off the weekend. By the time Coyote, a DJ duo from Nottingham took to the van the arena was almost full, their beautiful Balearic tunes matching the weather perfectly. Jon Carter got the party really started with a mix of party bangers, acid house and hip-hop. Flown over especially for this gig from Norway, Todd Terje, (named after his hero; Todd terry) played one of the stand out sets of the weekend with classic party tines and disco re edits. The arena was packed for the arrival of Belgium act The Glimmers who played a Saturday night party set spanning classic house to pop tunes and everything in between.
The sun continued to shine on the festival as heavy heads and bleary eyes wandered around the festival searching for the first vibes of the day. David Shrigley, the popular artist and Guardian newspaper illustrator played a lovely mixed set as people lay back on the bean bags and chilled in the sun. The crowd swelled for the live performance from Man Like Me, a London based band gaining fans at a quick rate due to their engrossing live act. The arena was bouncing, rounded off by lead singer Johnny jumping up on the van roof and singing the last song. Greco-Roman Soundsystem and Ross Allen stepped up to continue the party before being joined by the much-hyped Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs. Check out the photos to see their crazy get up! Legend producer and composer Four Tet played a special three-hour set blending electronic sounds as he upped the tempo for the arrival of Chris Duckenfield. Playing a classic house set, Chris guaranteed a packed dance floor until close.
Sunday saw Heavenly Jukebox and Micahu get things underway, with bass line and dub step beats galore. The Heatwave took the party up a notch, MC Rubi Dan got the crowd going with his sharp and silky skills on the mic, before Soul II Soul’s Jazzie B and fellow crew member H took to the van and hosted an awesome three hour party spanning soul, garage, funk and house. Unabombers, the Manchester based DJ’s who run classic night Electric Chair, headlined and played a banging set that got the place jumping and rounded off a busy, fun and hot weekend!
Next stop for the tour is Bestival, on 11-13th September. Check out the massive line-up.
