The barmiest festival in all the land, the treasured Beat-Herder returns in 2017 with its unrivalled and eccentric party in the Ribble Valley, Lancashire.
One of the few remaining independent festivals in the UK, Beat-Herder is a place where different musical tribes congregate as one. Throughout the event's 12 year history, they have united the subcultures of dance music and beyond: dub, reggae, house, psytrance, techno, indie, rock, psychedelic, drum & bass and dubstep are all presented across 21 stages.
Performing on Saturday will be anarchic music duo Sleaford Mods, in what will be their only UK Northern festival appearance of 2017. Joining them will be Danish multi-instrumentalist Trentemøller, who will take to the main stage with a full live band. In addition, musical innovators from all corners of the globe, each having led the way in their respective fields: dub hero Lee 'Scratch' Perry, progressive ska and rocksteady legends Toots and the Maytals, celebrated UK figure David Rodigan (MBE), and the hugely influential hip-hop group The Sugarhill Gang.
Other acts announced today include true dub luminary and On-U Sound honcho Adrian Sherwood, and German group Milky Chance, who will bring their own blend of folk, reggae and electronica infused pop. Hospital Records icon High Contrast will play The Ring - a 100ft diameter bank of earth with imposing walls and a stonehenge style entrance, paying tribute to the Ribble Valley's mystical heritage. Elsewhere, Techno act Slam, and the all-conquering Glaswegian duo OPTIMO (Espacio), celebrate 20 years of their now legendary eponymous party with a special anniversary set in The Fortress, a giant steel citadel complete with fire-spewing turrets.
The Toil Trees stage is the beating heart of the festival. Discovering this special place will lead you back in time to where it all began; an electrifying party in the woods. A stage surrounded by unspoiled pine trees, it's a favourite meeting place for revellers to grab a beer, discover secret venues, or simply take in the magical surroundings. This year, legendary founding fathers of British electronic music Faithless, Shadow Child,party-starter Skream and one of Glasgow's finest exports, Jackmaster, will all play amidst the Toil Trees.
Spinning his mix of funk, jazz, reggae and more, Beat-Herder stalwart Mr. Scruff returns, alongside dubstep experimentalist Artwork. Post-industrial band Factory Floor, Ninja Tune's Romare (full live band), Black Butter's SHY LUV, Richy Ahmed, Mercury prize nominee Jon Hopkins and Denis Sulta, who recently skyrocketed up RA's Top 100 DJ poll to number 26, are also confirmed.
Published on 16 February 2017 by Ben Robinson
