Preview: Annie Mac Presents Lost & Found

Fast becoming the queen of UK music, Annie mac is working tirelessly to cement this title. Having seen her two weeks ago at the House of Vans Birthday it’s easy to see how she meets the needs of a variety of crowds. Her stature in the UK scene (and worldwide) has culminated in her having the pull to convince thousands of Brits to head to Malta in early April for her very own festival.

We aren’t going to deny, that the lineup isn’t groundbreaking in terms of programming, but it’s a safe, talented bill which will do the job for the audience present.

Here’re our top five sets to see over the festival.

1.Hudson Mohawke b2b Mark Ronson

For us the most exciting set of the festival. Mark Ronson is one of the most prolific producers of our time. He’s a producer that unlike most, presents himself as the artist. He still, however, puts in a strong amount of DJ sets. Accompanying Ronson is another world class producer who has been working with the likes of Drake And Kanye in recent times and that is Hudson Mohawke. This promises to be a memorable set.

2. Martinez Brothers 

One thing for sure the Martinez Bro’s Know how to bring the party. They May be labelled as circuit DJ’s but it’s for a good reason. You can’t go wrong with these guys.

3.  Bicep

The Northern Irish lads have really risen to prominence over the last the couple years, which now see’s them high up on most line up’s in today’s leading electronic music festivals. We are looking forward to hearing them drop some of their rare finds.

4.  Stormzy 

Off the back of multiple performances at SXSW, Stormzy is Gracing Malta with his domineering presence. In what’s a predominantly dance orientated lineup, Stormzy brings the live factor to the festival, showing  some of the best that Britain has to offer.

5. DJ EZ

After Completing his 24 hour set for Cancer Research, we couldn’t not include EZ. Not only that but his incredible mixing style cements him as one of the best DJ’s around. We are looking forward to him gracing the stage with his presence.

We will also be bringing you videos and images, live from the festival Via our Instagram.

Bloc. The Last of an Era

Attending an electronic music event within the family holiday resort of Butlins is enough to make anyone think twice about their life choices. I can only begin to think what the Butlins staff, accustomed to upstanding citizens enjoying a leisurely weekend next to the pool must think of the absolute carnage that befalls on Butlins once a year. Perhaps it’s the obscurity of Butlins, with its archery range, go-kart tracks and creepy fairground music that actually make it an ideal place to party. There is definitely something about the land of redcoats that gives Bloc an added sense of uniqueness that other events have failed to fully monopolise on. Anyway, to avoid this review seeming like an analytical look into the bizarre world of Butlins, it’s probably best I move onto the music itself.

There were a few really pivotal moments for me at Bloc this year. On Friday night in particular, after many of the nighttime shenanigans had taken place, the Gateway to Zen showcase was 3 straight hours of unforgettable music. Nick Craddock completing the night with the techno anthem, The Bells by Jeff Mills is a moment of Bloc history I won’t forget. Saturday was just as entertaining with sets from Magic Mountain High and Motor City Drum Ensemble being the main talking points for the night. Sunday really reflected the eclectic nature of the Bloc programme, with showcases from Metalheadz and I love acid, really depicting the diversity of bloc’s lineup. Our Sunday was completed with a set by the Detroit grand master himself Omar S, with such an incredible mixing style he really completed the Bloc dynasty with style.

Bloc was always that special event sitting in the weekenders calendar that separates the seasonal winter gloom with the good times of summer. That is why it truly saddens me to have to say goodbye to Bloc in its current capacity, as the organisers will hopefully be moving onto bigger and better things. But overall it’s the little things I’m going to miss most about Bloc; the scandalous smell that each stage had, unique to its own, ranging from old man musk to shaggy wet dog, or the knowledge that someplace somewhere in the crowd snooker legend Steve Davis was getting down to some industrial techno, or perhaps it’s just sitting in front of the peculiar films on Bloc t.v. too messed up from the night before, whatever it is we’re going to miss you Bloc!

Trax we heard at Bloc.

Here’s a link to a few trax we’ve added to our YouTube channel, identified during our time at Bloc. Sad that it was the last Bloc ever… but we’re hoping they’ll be returning back for newer and bigger things in the future. We’ll do a write up later in the week when we’ve fully recovered.

Also head over to our Instagram for a look at some exclusive photos.