Macmillan’s Big Mix festival is set to be a melting pot of music, comedy, fashion and art across venues in Shoreditch on Saturday 18 June – and if the first line-up announcement is anything to go by, festival-goers are in for a treat.
First lady of festivals and BBC Radio 1 DJ Edith Bowman will be gracing the decks on the night, playing her pick of the latest and greatest from the world of indie and alternative music.
Edith, a long time supporter of Macmillan said: “I love how Macmillan have put the Big Mix together - they’ve got everything in there from folk artists and acoustic performances to late night DJ sets; comedy acts to burlesque. Sounds like the perfect way to spend a sunny Saturday in London if you ask me – I can’t wait.”
UK’s hottest singer songwriter Clare Maguire, tipped as the voice of 2011, will be belting out an acoustic set that is destined to be the soundtrack of the summer festival season. Catch her here first.
Over from LA, Charlatans front man Tim Burgess, will be showcasing his musical pedigree with a rare live UK DJ set. Having previously played launch parties for the likes of the Chemical Brothers, Burgess’s performance is not to be missed.
Also storming The Big Mix, which kicks off at midday, are the folk rockin' Treetop Flyers ahead of their Glastonbury debut; Grammy nominated electronic duo Zero 7 and PPQ’s Amy Molyneaux and Percy Parker with DJ sets; Manchester’s answer to the Gorillaz, Kid British, and the infectious electronic-pop quartet that is Friends Electric, amongst a host of others.
XFM’s new music legend John Kennedy is a patron of the event, alongside music-loving actor Rupert Grint, giving their seal of approval to other live acts including Spy Catcher, Town, Yunioshi, New Town Kings and I Am Harlequin.
If comedy’s your bag, there’ll be two dedicated comedy venues at The Big Mix featuring the likes of: Steve Hughes, thrash metal drummer who crossed the fine line into anarchistic comedy; Robert White, whose ‘enthusiastic unconventionality’ and spontaneous musicality saw him take away the award for comic originality at the Edinburgh Festival and Helen Arney: “Champion of musical whims”.
As if all this wasn’t enough, for those with a short attention span, why not enjoy a spot of hip hop karaoke , check out the art and photography exhibitions or have your likeness taken in the Mighty Booth pod? Ever fancied learning to swing dance? Now’s your chance. Or why not marvel at the cabaret shows or pick up some vintage - or new - threads designed by some of Britain’s best new fashion talent.
Like a bargain? A limited number of early bird tickets are now on sale for just £15. Visit www.thebigmix.co.uk to get yours and keep up to date with the latest acts as they’re announced by joining www.facebook.com/thebigmix and following @bigmixfest on Twitter.
