News

Summer Festivals 2013

It may be chilly outside but at the DistractTV.com headquarters were gearing up for a jam packed Summer full of Festivals. So far lined up for you we have Hideout Festival, Croatia, EXIT Festival, Serbia and also Global Gathering. We will be bringing all the backstage interviews and News to you.

Watch this space!!

 

MUSIC WEEK PRESENTS: BreakOut  December 2012

We will be at Breakout 2012!!  The lineup is even better showcasing the UK’s freshest new talent including Dot Rotten, Tom Prior and Rascals.  Check back for exclusive interviews from these guys.

Make sure you get down to Proud Gallery December 11^th

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Album Review

 

Rihanna-’Unapologetic’(UMG)

With Rihanna’s 7th Studio album due for release on Monday we get the chance to review ‘Unapologetic’.  This album has blown us away, this for us is the best album Rihanna has dropped for a long time, well since Rated R’ or at least  her debut.  Its the perfect mix of Dance, Dub-step and R&B.

Standout tracks are Nobody’s Business ft. Chris Brown,  Right Now Ft. David Guetta and of course the Number 1 hit Diamonds.
UK Release Monday

Distract rating 4  /5

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conor Maynard – Contrast (EMI)

Of the back of performing at HMV’S NEXT BIG THING back in February Connor Maynard drops debut Record ‘Contrast’.  This Album is electric.  Standout tracks are ‘Another One’, ‘Animal’ and definite future chart topper ‘Better Than You’ Feat Rita Ora.

Conor can do no wrong at the moment and has worked with the biggest names in Music on his first offering. We’ve also had the pleasure of meeting him and he’s actually really down to earth and knows what he wants -can he do no wrong… ?
He embodies everything current in Pop at the moment and In the words of Rita Ora who he has also worked with on the record Conor Maynard is ‘Hot Right Now’!!
Distract rating 4 ½ /5

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leona Lewis – Glassheart  (SyCo)

X Factor’s Finest Leona Lewis releases much anticipated third studio album Glassheart.  Distract TV have had the pleasure of listening to a few selected tracks.  Although the album has been delayed It has well been worth the wait.

Leona once against demonstrates that she’s queen of the Ballads.  Clearly living and breathing music, her album is gimmick free and all about the music with standout tracks being  80′s influenced ‘Shake You Up’, lead single ‘Trouble’ and dub step influenced ‘Come Alive’
Whatever you think about Leona- this girl is in it for the long haul!!

Distract rating 4/5

Copyright Distract TV Limited 2012.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Zoo Project Festival UK 2012

Across the Summer Distract TV attended some of the biggest and most Exclusive Festivals around from EXIT Festival,Serbia to Sziget Festival,Budapest to name but a few.

Zoo Festival for us however was easily the number 1 festival of the Summer. Taking place in the UK for the first time at Port Lymphe Wild Animal park, the festival brought impressive fire shows, themed dance stages, the finest Electro DJ’s on the scene- Julio Bashmore, Vision Quest , DJ Sneak, Blackhall & Bookless the list is endless . The crowds were electric! The Zoo Project Festival 2012 is a must for any festival lover!!

Make sure you get here next year!! the experience will change your life forever. If your still in mourning like us  check out our Exclusive Interviews or for more go to:  www.thezooproject-festival.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

SZIGET FESTIVAL 2012

We will be bringing you music, dance, and performances from this Years Sziget Festival, Budapest . Our Host Stephen Stallone will also be bringing you all the backstage gossip and Exclusive Interviews from local Brighton Lads Rizzle Kicks, Rockers Maximo Park and many more.

check out our Exclusive snaps at: www.flickr.com/photos/

 

 

EXIT FESTIVAL 2012

Distract TV.com were onsite at one of the Biggest Annual Festivals- Serbia’s EXIT Festival 2012.

So if you have never been to a festival before we would recommend this as the best starting point. We say  why not jump in at the deep end. You will not drown ( Distract TV scouts honor!). The Festival takes place in Serbia’s Novi Sad castle.  It hosted 400 international and Serbian performers on over 20 stages.  The music genres were vast ranging from Electronica, chill out to Rock, dance and Indie.  The Village itself also boasts  cafes, bars, restaurants and overflowing with culture and Art.

Our Highlights were catching  up with Little Dragon backstage and also meeting Sneaky Sound System whom we love at the Distract Headquarters.  Exit festival pulled in huge headliners from Azari & III, Guns N’ Roses, Gossip to Claude Von Stroke

It was an Epic journey back for the DistractTV Team, missed flights and the rest …as we were extremely hung over but it was so worth it!

This has to be hands down one the best festivals on the scene, great acts, amazing people and amazing weather it cannot be beaten we rate this festival 9/10.  We would have given it a 10/10 rating only if it was on twice a year!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WOODSTOKE FESTIVAL 2012

Distract TV  were live at Woodstoke 2012, Hackney LONDON bringing you exclusive Interviews and gossip from the UK’s newest bands.  Check out our Exclusive Videos.

POHODA FESTIVAL, SLOVAKIA

Distract’s Adam Šišulák was in Slovakia this year at Pohoda Festival for Distract TV. We bring you exclusive performances from Californian Dance DJ Eskmo, UK rock band Kasabian and International Rockers White Lies!!

DISCLOSURE  ‘The Face’ EP  9/10

Weve had the luxury of Meeting this duo backstage earlier this year at Regulate Presents EXIT Launch Party in London, But these guys have created by far one of the best EP’s this year. There remix of Jessie Wares ‘Running’ has received almost half a million hits and they have blown up in the UK and Europe covering a number of festivals this year.  There mum being a huge inspiration has hugely benefitted these two with there new EP ‘The Face’ failing to disappoint .  This is easily one of the finest two step grarage complications weve come across and with undertones of Dub these guys cannt be beaten. We would recommend this 10 times over.  We may even order a second copy!

‘The Face’ EP is out Now

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GOSSIP JOIN EXIT LINEUP

Gossip are back in 2012 and played an epic set at EXIT Festival!! Distract TV were on site to get all the gossip and coverage live from Serbia Novi Sad.

 

Cheryl Cole Premieres New Single ‘ Call My Name’  Collaboration with Dance DJ Calvin Harris  :  but will it be an International Hit..?? you decide.

 

Released June 10 NEW ALBUM:   A Million Lights June 18

 

 

EXIT FESTIVAL, SERBIA @ExitFestival

DistractTV were confirmed on location @ExitFestival Serbia 12 Jul 2012 – 15 Jul 2012!!AAAHH frekin lookout for EXCLUSIVES from Gossip and Headliners: MistaJam, Little Dragon,  and New Order.

 

HMV’s NEXT BIG THING!! @hmvnextbigthing

Distract TV’s Beth Granville and Stephen Stallone interview Cover Drive,  UK’s Bieber Conor Maynard , Rapper Bigz, Starboy Nathan, and   Clement Marfo & The Frontline   back stage at HMV NEXT BIG THING

 

RED BULL MUSIC ACADEMY @redbull/music

Distract are on site at london’s Elite artist show case in the Sky- Red Bull Music Academy where artists perform high!! ( in the sky on the London Eye…).  Got up close and personal with Kano,  gummy bear lover Lady D AKA Miss Dynamite, host Beth Granville challenges MAGNETIC MAN’s Benga to a WRAP OFF and ropes in co-host Stephen Stallone in the process. Also we ask Professor Green how if this is the highest hes ever been!!.

GLOBAL GATHERING @globalofficial

The UK’s biggest Electronic Dance Music Festival Global Gathering 2011 saw performances from Labrinth, Ms Dynamite, Tempa T, John Digweed and Yasmin to name but a few.  Distract’s Stephen Stallone was on site to bring you the best bits.

 

DISTRACT GO NEW YORK  @REALCAPPADONNA

Distract TV New York Correspondent aka  Globe Trotter Ms Gita Selli catches up with American Rapper and member of hip-Hop collective Wu- Tang Clan  Cappadonna.

 

OH VANESSA @CHANNEL 5!

Distract TV’s Beth get down with Channel  5’ Vanessa on the VANESSA SHOW.   So the initial planned chat about Entertainment, Music, and Fashion quickly turns into a discussion about the Royal wedding and Bride Zilla (#BORING!!) well at least Guest Host Beth Granville got a chance to finally get close to her childhood Sweet Heart –IM A CELEB/ X KATIE PRICE/ REALITY STAR Mr Peter Andre!! Vanessa no longer airs on Channel 5 but was fun while it lasted!!

 

 

SWEDEN WAY OUT WEST FESTIVAL @wayoutwestgbg

So DistratTV were invited to Sweden ( home of the beautiful people) To cover Sweden’s biggest Annual Music festival. The event featured the biggest,we mean BIGGEST acts around including Kanye West, PRINCE ( the ‘Symbol’) Janelle Monae , Singer Robyn, Pulp and Swedish Rockers the Hives.

 

 

ENTERTAINMENT REVIEW- HAY FEVER NOEL COWARD

 

Hay Fever – Noel Coward The Bliss family, (like most) are on many levels dysfunctional. They are rude, constantly at each other’s throats, disrespectful and manipulative. All these attributes make them a delectably entertaining family to watch, especially when you add four guests to the mix – A flapper girl, a diplomat, a seductress and a handsome young Judith Bliss fan.

Act 1 sees all characters are settled (though not always welcomed) in to the Bliss household. We return to Act 2, which was certainly stronger in terms of performance and treated us to a tremendously comical party complete with flailing games and game suggestions. The game they play leaves the audience sympathizing with the character Jackie Coryton, played endearingly by Amy Morgan. We too feel we wouldn’t take kindly to being put of in the vulnerable situation of having to ‘Dance winsomely’ in front of the ever critical and fastidious, ex actress, Judith Bliss. In other words, we are wonderfully entertained by a party we are glad we don’t have to be a part of. When a romantic farce ensues; each member of the family has a brief encounter and plays with the emotions of one of the other guests, (though not the guest that they had invited). More chemistry between the actors in these temporary trysts would have added to the excitement of these exchanges.

In Act 3, having not taken kindly to the Bliss’ inadequate hosting and constant toying with them, the four guests make a united decision to leave the house without saying their good byes. This is one of the finest moments in the play; the four guests tiptoe out of the house and go completely unnoticed by the Bliss family who are once again arguing. When the door closes they simply pause their quarrel, comment on the guests rudeness and rather poignantly carry on with what they were doing. For a dysfunctional family they seem to function rather well!

Every member of the cast gave a sterling and flawless performance with comic timing and dramatic Beckett like pauses being executed perfectly throughout. Diplomat, Richard Greatham, played by Jeremy Northam, who’s performance put me in mind of David Hyde Pierce, brought a wonderful physicality to the play.

A good old belly laugh at the members of high society is somewhat more enjoyable in these austere times, especially for those fascinated by the vanity of the celebrity. Very little actually happens in terms of plot, but as you can expect from a Noel Coward play, the magnificently drawn characters, consistent laughs and high farce is enough to keep you engaged and thoroughly entertained throughout. Howard Davies’ revival of Hay Fever is immensely enjoyable; written in 1924 and yet still relevant and hilarious today, Distract TV highly recommends.

Hay Fever runs from Thursday 23rd February 2012 to Saturday 2nd June 2012 Noël Coward Theatre, London

Editor: Beth Granville Distract TV

 

MUSIC

PROFESSOR GREEN

Distract TV are loving:…PRO GREEN!!

Distract Interviewed Professor Green back in 2011 and he was a gent. Really nice guy with talent to match. The UK Rapper has worked Emeli Sande and scored a number one with ‘Read All About It’. Whats planned for 2012? With a channel 4 reality TV show under his belt whats left for him… a few more hit albums we hope.

Look out for Single ‘At Your Inconvenience’

 

RECOMMENDED ALBUM

DRAKE: Take Care

An outstanding follow up Album from highly versatile artist DRAKE. Take Care is an emotional masterpiece. Honest to the core this Rapper is taking the HIP Hop/ Rap scene by the h**ns and is not letting go.

He’s written for Alicia Keys and has already worked with pop heavy weight Rihanna. US Singer Jojo has already covered album track ‘Melvin’s Room’ which has now had over 19MILLION You tube hits. Keep it Coming Drake…

 

02 Indigo : Mutabaruka with the Lloyd Parks Band Plus TheAbyssinians

We had the opportunity and pleasure of attending last night’s performance at the Indigo O2 in aid of Jamaica’s 50^th year of independence.  It was a feast of Jamaican culture from the traditional dress worn by the performers and many of the attendees, to the red, gold  and green lights that flooded the stage and audience area. The delicious smell of the Jamaican Patties and the delightful range of rum based drinks on offer made the experience all the more authentic.

Of course we must start with the Lloyd Parks We the People Band, who were brilliant at really getting the crowd going, before, during and after each performance. Their ability to blend with each performer made them a joy to listen to.

When a young lady by the name of Jah9 kicked off the show, we were captivated from the start. You could see her confidence blossoming with each song she performed. Her voice had a lovely tone and every note seemed to come from the heart (We are now actually interested in album details?!) She showed an appreciation for her audience that made us feel pleased to be there for her sake, as well as our own!

The Brummy Jamaican Benjamin Zephaniah brought tears to our eyes, using poetry and comedy to cover topics from the tragic death of Stephen Lawrence, to the idiotic annotations of George W. Bush, from mental health problems to politicians.  He had a musical quality to his performance which made us move rhythmically along with each poem, despite the absence of a band. We particularly liked the way he interacted with the crowd, and without feeling lectured, we felt far more educated about the issues Benjamin covered.

Then came Mutabaruka, a force to be reckoned. As soon as the name was out of the Mandingo’s (MC) mouth, the entire crowd seemed to surge forward, cameras in hand as he recited “Dis Poem” from his album “The Mystery Unfolds”. Never before have we seen such an attentive audience, collective breaths held whilst his powerful voice read of Haile Selassie I, a man obviously dear to peoples’ hearts. He followed this by a series of poems, which, with the help of the band, he got people moving their feet too!

Last, but most certainly not least, the show ended with the Abyssinians, 3 beautifully harmonized voices singing tales of Africa and the life of Rastafari. Being born and bred Jamaicans who formed a band in the late 1960s, who better than to end a show, dedicated to the celebration of Jamaican history and independence.

A truly enjoyable, cultural experience with an enthusiastic thumbs up from us.  Good job!

 

ARE YOU THE NEXT BIG THING??

If your a LONDON, UK based band with a unique sound and a decent following get in touch and we could feature you next !
contact:
HOT VOX PROMOTIONS: hotvoxuk@googlemail.com