This 3 day festival of far-out fuzz and fun is happening over August bank holiday at the Firebug in Leicester, perfect for getting hot and bothered to a host of unruly and rulin’ bands and rowdy record wranglers. With the guys from Biff Bang Pow bringing the left-field indie and garage, and the girls from The Lava Lounge bringing the rock’n’roll and trash, this festival is an exciting mix of the finest vintage and new sounds!

Friday 27th (8pm-4am) sees the folks from the Biff Bang Pow club spinning up the soul, psyche, 60s garage, funk and left field indie, whilst the stage will be swinging to the hip sounds of:
THE SEE SEE / WE THREE & THE DEATH RATTLE / JAMIE SAYS / KICK IN THE EYE
Saturday 28th (8pm-4am) is helmed by the Lava Lounge who’ll be twistin’ and shakin’ ‘till late to wild R&B, sloppy soul, Rock n roll, garage, punk, surf, beat & other choice tunes, with four riotous live bands:
KING SALAMI and the CUMBERLAND THREE / THE HANDSOME DICKS /
THE DESPONDENTS / THE NO-BRAINERS
Sunday 29th (1pm-6pm) is a child-friendly affair with a record fair & retro market, fantastic fete with foolish games, beer garden BBQ & bands:
THE LONELY TOURIST / PLAYER PIANO / CHRIS OLLEY / CHARLES RANDOLPH RIVERS SLIM RYTHM REVUE
As well as the superb:
DJ WHEELIEBAG
Sunday 29th (7pm-3am) will be an adult aural blowout including:
DAVID PETER AND THE WILDE SECT / THEE VICARS / THEE LUDDS / DAYLIGHT FREQUENCIES / THE VITAMIN SEES
With DJs across 2 rooms, more fun, drinking, merriment, stupidity, thrills and wild dancing! A real blow-out finale…you’ll be stirred, shaken and stimulated! NOT TO BE MISSED!!! And remember, you’re not at work on Monday so it’s going to be a real party! Come down and LOSE YOUR COOL!

And even though Englebert will NOT be playing, It’s the hippest, hottest happening Leicester has ever seen!
Advance price for each day is £5 or £10 for a weekend pass, available from We Got Tickets: Lose Your Cool!
All festival profits go to Macmillan Cancer Support and Alzheimer’s Society.

The free picnic will take place in Spinningfields from 12.00pm to 2.00pm on Wednesday 28th July and TV presenter and adventurer Ben Fogle will be there, encouraging everyone to take a break from their busy day. As well as free lunches for the first 2,000 people, there will be entertainment including a live jazz band and giant garden games, as well as the chance to have your picture taken with Ben himself. Or, if you prefer just to kick back and relax, there will be a ‘chill-out zone’ with hay bales to rest on and books and magazines for you to read.

The event is being held by Nature Valley, one of the UK’s favourite snack bar brands, and has the support of urban dweller, Ben Fogle, who is encouraging as many Manchester folk as possible to come along.

So, whether you can escape for a full hour, or only spare a few minutes, make sure you sign up to receive full event details at www.facebook.com/NatureValleyUK, where you will also be able to vote for the flavour of Nature Valley snack bar that goes into the picnic lunches. And if you don’t get down to Spinningfields in time to grab a free lunch, there will still be plenty of Nature Valley snack bars to feast on!

To discover more places in Manchester to take breaks during your day, visit www.secretspots.co.uk where you can also get loads of information about ‘secret spots’ in urban areas (not just Manchester), including leafy hideaways and lesser known corners near you!

Ibiza Rocks have announced the launch of an exclusive app for BlackBerry smartphones, which provides the ultimate guide to getting the most out of your holiday in Ibiza with listings, gig reviews, interviews with Ibiza Rocks talent and the latest news on trends throughout the season.

Stay up to date while on the move; the app will unlock all of Ibiza’s best kept secrets exclusively for BlackBerry users. The full Ibiza Rocks line up is just a click away, and the Ibiza Rocks team of intrepid island reporters will be updating the app every week with exclusive interviews with some of the bands performing at Ibiza Rocks, along with reviews of all the gigs.

There is also a handy guide to all Ibiza’s must-visit destinations – from choosing the best beach for a spot of sun-worshipping, to planning the restaurants, bars and clubs to hit on a night out, the app brings together loads of insider knowledge about the island.

Users will also be able to create their own Ibiza Rocks guide via the ‘Your Ibiza Rocks’ feature, which allows you to upload your own place recommendations and photo galleries. And to make sure everyone at home knows just how much fun you’re having, this feature can be linked up to your Twitter page so that all your friends can follow your Ibiza adventures.

Ibiza Rocks takes place every Tuesday until 14^th September; highlights include Dizzee Rascal, Florence and the Machine, Maximo Park, Ian Brown and Calvin Harris with The Prodigy, LCD Soundsystem, Kele, Delphic and DJ Rob da Bank playing the Ibiza Rocks 5^th Birthday Party in July.

The official Ibiza Rocks BlackBerry application is available to download from BlackBerry app world or www.ibizarocks.com

Described by organisers as “an outbreak of cheeky, thought-provoking and sometimes raunchy spree of eccentricity (sounds like the 69 office), turning the city into a playground and the people into performers. HAZARD MMX sets out to both amuse and entertain whilst showing people that contemporary art need not be po-faced or exclusive.”

Launching the programme on Friday 16 July is the return of “Odorama” or scratch’n’sniff cinema – with British classic, My Beautiful Laundrette being given the fragrant treatment.  Friday’s screening at HUB M3 gallery in Salford will be accompanied by an exclusive question and answer session with the film’s star Gordon Warnecke.

The two previous outings of Hazard have seen the bold and the beautiful, eccentric and extreme crop up in every possible location. Cathedral Gardens swaddled in Hazard Tape, gothic clog dancers and giant dancing traffic cones have all featured in Manchester’s micro-festival of incidental intervention and sited performance.

A flash of yellow and black might be all you need to realise that you have become part of HAZARD MMX, but if that whets your appetite, then Larkin’ About offers a full programme of pervasive gaming – computer games brought to life in the city – all kicking off from Manchester Arndale’s Hallé Square.

Further outbreaks of mischief and mayhem will see a man recreate every demonstration he has ever been on, a group of Liverpudlians land on the moon and a faded aristocrat give the image of banking a make-over.  With over 20 events taking place throughout the City Centre, it will be hard to avoid some form of hazardous activity.

To keep up to date with information and the inside knowledge on Hazard, visit:

www.hazardmcr.org or follow @hazardmcr on Twitter.

Independent UK Dance Label Toolroom Knights, returns with the impressive double line up of Tocadisco and DJ/Producer Chris Lake so we caught up with the pair as they embarked on their busy worldwide tour.

How did the Toolroom Knights CD come about?
Tocadisco: It was a simple request if I would be interested to mix the CD. It took around one year though until we could arrange everybody’s schedule.

Over your CD you move through a wide range of house styles, and its not until later on in the mix where we are exposed to the big room Chris Lake sound that people perhaps know you best for
Chris Lake: Crossing genres in my DJ sets I feel is one of the signatures to my sound, and something I’ve always felt is important to separate me from other DJs on the circuit. I like so many styles of dance music that I find it difficult to feature everything I like into two hours.

Was it your intention to cover such as diverse range of sounds?
T: I wanted to represent the styles that I play when I DJ. I play everything from 300 person nightclub to 50.000 people festivals. I love to work with different styles. You can also see this in my productions and remixes. Its always different then the one before. I dont like to repeat my self.

Are there any records in there that people wouldn’t expect to hear?
C : Well it depends what people expect from me. People who follow my work closely will be aware that I’ve made all sort of stuff over the years, and there are definitely projects and music out there that nobody knows is me. I love expressing myself through music, and my expressions are not tied to one sound or genre.
T: I think in general the people have a picture that is just reduced on some hit records that I have made. It happens a lot that I talk to people and tell them what I have done and who I have remixed and they are very surprised. I love electronic music in all it different styles. You can also hear that in my two albums that I did. Very versatile.

How’s the first half of the year been for you guys?
C: This first six months of 2010 has been extremely full on for me. I’ve been writing new music like crazy and doing a few remixes along the way. Now this summer is time to get a lot of this music out there for people to hear. As well as completing my Toolroom mix compilation I’ve been working on a debut Chris Lake and Marco Lys album which I’m super excited about. I’ve been doing my monthly podcast, collaborating with various people like Michael woods, Deadmau5, Lys, Nelski, Nightriders, Funkagenda etc. It’s always good to vibe with other people and have fun with your music.
T: Its getting more busy and crazier every year. I always think ok that s it this is the top you cant go only down from here and then there is another amazing opportunity. I’m building my companies now. I was very lucky when I met my wife. She understands my passion for music and starts to get more and more involved in the business side. For me that’s a present from heaven. I was always hoping for someone like Natasha. We already lunched our party “TOCACABANA” which goes hand in hand with the TOCACABANA RADIO SHOW” which is broadcast on several radio stations around the world. My wife is also the boss of our booking agency “MORUMBI BOOKING” She will exclusively book me now worldwide from September on.

Your busying touring heavily Chris, what’s the sound of Chris Lake people will hear and is there any where in the world that your really enjoying spinning at the moment?
C: Always expect to hear a variety of styles from me in my sets, as I like so much of it. I always try to keep things varied and individual. As for where I’m enjoying playing, I’ve loved the USA for the past few years now. It’s really come a long way and some of the clubs and events out there are amazing. I’ll be in Brazil again though for the world cup finals. I hope it’s England against Brazil, and we manage to give them a public spanking on the pitch!

Roman your super busy with gigs, what about you?
T : My “sound” is very versatile. I don’t like to play the same records every night. I m interested in all kinds of music and styles and I try to combine them into “my sound”. I’m so lucky that I get all this great music upfront from the labels. This is like a dream! I have hundreds of emails every month with only the freshest dance music of the moment. I play underground and I also like to play hits sometimes. Everything that I think is right to play at the moment and place.

Tocadisco do you have certain goals with you head into the studio or are you records the outcome of a more organic process.
T: I never think like this. I go into my studio and start with a beat. How it ends I don’t know. It’s like a journey. It can be bumpy or a smooth ride. Always depending on the vibe I have at the moment. I consider myself very lucky that the people like my music.

Tell me a little about the exclusives on the album and how did you both approach producing a track specifically for a compilation mix?
C: Well the track I wrote for the album is called “Amiga” It’s more of a visit back to my older sound, as it’s quite progressive in style and approach, but with a 2010 twist. I got my wife to do a few little bits of chanting for fun, and I liked it so much that i left it on the record. It feels like a Good end of night record also as it’s quite euphoric. I’ve also put my next single called minimal life on there, which I made with Nelski, a fantastic new artist from the UK who also sings. I’ve got some wicked remixes of that track in by filthy rich and DJ pp since I mixed the album which are really really good too.
T: I remixed the track “Stoppover” by Mark Knight and Dirty South. I know both the guys and we always bump into each other on festivals. I liked the track. It s different and I had a lot of fun to remix it.

During the writing process did you have a definite place and arrangement to where you would be slotting it in?
C: I didn’t no. I just wrote the track and hoped and prayed it would work . It did thankfully, I think..
T: I imagined myself playing the terrace of SPACE, Ibiza that I was playing this year for the first time. I had a lot of fun.

How do you feel about the resurgence of a very original house sound in 2010, and are there any artists around at the moment that are really catching you attention?
C: I love the fact that house is back. It always does, and for me, it’s a very good thing. House is mostly about positive vibes, and the slightly negative side about the sound of 2009 was that some of it was quite negative. This I felt transmitted to the dance floor in a bad way. House alleys makes me feel good. As for exciting producers, I’m loving artists like DJ pp, Funkerman, Siwell, Lys, Imbernon, Coyu etc. Loads of great music out there right now.
T: I think there are many new talents out there. And I have the feeling that at the moment there are so many good tracks out and a lot of different new evolutions. Institubes “Sound Pelligrino” label from France is doing great stuff at the moment. Very different.

Tocadisco what’s coming up for you for the rest of the year?
T: Huge summer for me touring and I’m also at alot of festivals. I will also do some more of my party TOCACABANA. A lot of remixes on my label and for some of my friends too.

On Friday 25^th June – for one day only – the entire Pandora shop window will be adorned with beautiful gold jewellery boxes.  The first 90 customers to make a purchase will have the chance to win a piece of Pandora jewellery from a life-size jewellery box. Prizes include a charm bracelet, a LovePods ring and selected charms.

If you can’t make this special event – fear not, as Pandora certainly has something for everyone, no matter when you visit.  Pandora’s signatue charm bracelet is a big favourite of ours and makes the most extraordinary gift, as no two beads or bracelets are ever the same.  Choose from thousands of handcrafted sterling silver and 14-carat gold charms, including stunning diamond-encrusted beads, Murano glass or wooden beads, a little suitcase to remember an exotic holiday, a plump heart for your loved-one, or a beautifully decorated cake to celebrate a special someone’s birthday.  It’s bespoke jewellery that is as invidual as you are – and can be added to over the years to make it really special.

The new Leicester store will also offer a beautiful array of 18-carat gold jewellery including Pandora’s LovePods collection; an exclusive premium jewellery range in yellow or white gold, inspired by the simplicity and purity of nature.

Pandora is now open at Humberstone Gate, Haymarket Shopping Centre, Leicester.

www.pandora-jewelry.com

When we got there DJ Subb-An was rocking the crowd with his minimal synergies and progressive electro beats. This was only complimented by the Cellar Door’s sleek and ambient interior – quite a welcome yet unexpected contrast from the Courtyard upstairs. Within half an hour of his set, the sound system had warmed up and I could see why the Rainbow team are already describing it “as hot as Hades”.

Clubbers danced to their favourite Below resident and the atmosphere was sublime. Dj Julietta was up next, a seasoned pro who learned the art of techno in her home territory of Germany at events such as the Berlin love parade.  Julietta had great presence on the decks and just a casual look now and again ensured she worked the crowd into hysteria (I’m her new biggest fan).  At that point in the night, the venue did get Uber hot, so much so that whenever you went to cool off in the “smokers cage” outside, no sooner had you walked back in were you melting again. This isn’t a problem for me, but some people looked like they were suffering as a result. Low ceiling basement clubs are notorious for being a little on the Dr Faustus side i.e. red hot but luckily Cellar Door has got a thumping and crystal clear sound system and the décor is clean enough to still make you feel right at home.  Legendary DJ Matthias Tanzmann, also from Germany, a veteran of deep electro house brought a new dimension to tinnitus with his Earth shattering baselines and minimal escapades. By the end of the night there wasn’t a single person who wasn’t complaining about how much their feet hurt, which leads me to think that this is without doubt Birmingham’s new hotspot, and definitely one to watch for the rest of the summer.

-Alex Evans

The likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Beverley Knight, Ellie Goulding, Robyn, Train, Gabriella Cilmi and Scouting For Girls are the latest celebrities to sign up for Birmingham based radio station BRMB’s Celebrity Trainer auction to raise money for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity.

The charity supports injured soldiers returning from Afghanistan and hopes to develop a new military rehabilitation facility. This facility will assist military patients to cope with their injuries whilst creating a ‘home from home’ where they can relax with their families and fellow soldiers.

A very special online public auction will open for bidding on Monday 24^th May and will feature a signed collection of trainers by all of the above celebs   as well as international tennis star Maria Sharapova and chart topper Tinchy Stryder. Ex-Busted bassist Matt Willis and his ‘Live From Studio Five’ presenter wife Emma Willis have also lent their signatures to the cause.

The highest bidder on the Ellie Goulding trainer will receive the trainer custom made in their size. All other celebrity trainers will be in a standard size.

The auction is part of BRMB’s campaign to ‘build a home for the brave in Birmingham’ which includes a twenty-six mile Walkathon taking place on Sunday 6^th June. It is hoped that 10,000 people will take part in the BRMB Lookers Vauxhall Walkathon which is also being sponsored by the Midlands chocolate institution, Cadbury World.

To bid on the trainers, go to myworld.ebay.co.uk/brmb_walkathon/

For more information about how to bid for the trainers or participate in the BRMB Lookers Vauxhall Walkathon please visit www.brmbwalkathon.co.uk.

Take a look in our gallery for a few of the celebs signing the trainers!

The National Space Centre in Leicester has been voted the East Midland’s Large Visitor Attraction of the Year (by Visit Britain and Enjoy England) so if you haven’t been before what better time to go along and see the six interactive galleries, Rocket Tower and UK’s largest planetarium than this Bank Holiday weekend when they have even more fun for all you space cadets to enjoy.

This month the European Space Agency will be celebrating 35 years of space exploration and as well as telling the exciting story of the past, present and future the National Space Centre will be inviting visitors to take a trip back to the 70s with an interactive Retro Gaming exhibition. What? Games are very intellectual. Try your hand at Pong, Asteroids, Space Invaders or even the 1979 classic Pac Man! Not that any of us here is old enough to remember those. *cough*

Visitors will also be able to find out how the UK leads the world in space and meet real Rocket Scientists as the National Space Centre team are joined by Professor George Fraser from the Space Research Centre at the University of Leicester.

There will be free ‘Build your own Martian Rover Robot’ in the craft sessions and even a Mars Yard robot challenge using the unique test facility built to put multi-million pound robots through their paces prior to heading off to Mars in 2018. Wow.

Even better, anyone who buys tickets in advance can upgrade to a FREE annual pass at www.spacecentre.co.uk

The celebrations take place from Saturday 29th May to Sunday 6th June 2010.

Standard entrance charges apply and some activities will incur a small charge. Details at www.spacecentre.co.uk

The interactive entertainment experience which has put thousands of potential CSI Agents forensics skills to the test is making a last call for members of the general public who wish to earn their stripes, have a fun day out and learn more about life as a CSI agent.

Inspired by the global hit TV sensation, CSI: The Experience allows visitors to take on the role of forensic scientist for the day, utilising the latest in toxicology, entomology, and DNA technology to crack three grizzly cases.

Upon arriving at the Experience, visitors will be ushered into a briefing room with Las Vegas boss, Gil Grissom who will introduce you to three highly confidential cases. It is upto the trainee agents to decide which of the three cases they wish to solve before moving onto the crime scene itself. It is here where they will pick up all the vital clues needed to solve their chosen case.

Rob Dudley, General Manager at CSI: The Experience says:

“We’ve been blown away by the response from the general public. On numerous occasions we’ve found queues outside the shutters when we’ve come to open up. We have had a fantastic response from schools across the region, with many asking if we’d be back next year as they’d like to integrate it into their science courses.”

You won’t be able to see the CSI experience anywhere else in the UK, and not for much longer, so if you fancy playing ‘Forensic Scientist’ get yourself down to the Bullring Shopping Centre in Birmingham before the 31st.

CSI: The Experience is open at Bullring Birmingham until Monday 31st May on the Middle Mall West.

Price: Adults £9.75, Children [ages 5-17] £7.00, Children under 5 Free.

Group bookings discounts and concessions are available. Minimum age of the exhibition is 12 years of age unless supervised by an adult. Parental guidance is suggested for children below the age of 12 years of age.

Monday – Saturday 11am – 8pm ,Sundays 11am – 5pm.

For more information about CSI: The Experience log onto www.csibirmingham.co.uk or www.csiexhibit.com.