aaamusic | On 17, May 2011

Not content with providing the biggest and best names in music for festival goers at Reading & Leeds Festival – The Alternative Stage also hosts some of the finest names in comedy and performance.   MARK WATSON, THE RUBBERBANDITS and ANDREW O’NEILL are just some of the famous names who join the weekend and will endeavour to keep you laughing till you cry till the wee hours.  Then the dancing begins!

These join the previously announced MARK THOMAS, RUSSELL KANE, TIM MINCHIN, HENRY ROLLINS and LEE NELSON to this ever popular stage.

Just some of the artists confirmed for this year’s festival include:  MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, THE STROKES, PULP, MUSE, BEADY EYE, JANE’S ADDICTION, 2 MANY DJ’S, THE STREETS, UNKLE Sounds, SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO,  MIGHTY MIGHTY BOSSTONES and DESCENDENTS.

Reading & Leeds Festivals take place on Friday 26^th to Sunday 28^th August at Little John’s Farm in Reading and Bramham Park in Leeds.

Many more names are still to be announced for this stage as well as the full line-up for the Festival Republic Stage and BBC Introducing Stage.

ON THE ALTERNATIVE STAGE

According to MARK WATSON, he is a comedian, author, sports pundit and husband. He was born in 1980 and according to life expectancy for his socio-economic group and Body Mass Index, will die in 2056.  According to the Evening Standard he is “A scholar, a gentleman and a brilliant stand-up”.  Known for his appearances on countless TV and radio shows, he is also a writer and has won many awards for his hilarious shows.

www.markwatsonthecomedian.com (Leeds Sunday)

POPCORN COMEDY is a comedy show created by Jon Petrie and Holly Walsh in January 2009. It presents some of the strongest, sharpest and funniest videos online. The show also features the country’s best comedians as they showcase their own short comedy films. Previous live performers have included Peter Serafinowicz,Tim Key, Adam Buxton, Josie Long, Robert Popper, David Cross and Graham Linehan. Popcorn Comedy is a Time Out ‘Critic’s Choice’ and has featured on the Culture Show (BBC2).

www.popcorncomedy.com (Leeds Saturday, Reading Sunday)

SAUL WILLIAMS is an American poet, writer, actor and musician known for his blend of poetry and alternative hip hop.  He has collaborated with some of the coolest musicians on the planet, appeared in lots of films and released several albums and books.  His latest record release ‘Volcanic Sunlight’ has found him more fans as will this exciting appearance.

www.saulwilliams.com (Reading Friday / Leeds Sunday)

RUBBERBANDITS are the award winning comedy hip-hop duo of Blind Boy Boat Club and Mr.Chrome from Limerick, Ireland.   A cult hit with millions of You Tube followers this anarchic pair have broken into the mainstream at home and walked off with the Best Irish Act at the entertainment.ie Awards and an IFTA (Irish Film and Television Awards) earlier this year.  With prank phone calls, songs and riotous live shows Rubberbandits have emerged as the country’s surrealists beyond compare. Comedic genius or verbal diarrhoea. Decide for yourselves.

www.therubberbandits.com (Leeds Friday / Reading Sunday)

LATE NIGHT GIMP FIGHT are David Moon, Lee Griffiths, Matt Ralph, Paul Biggin and Richard Campbell. The most talked about new sketch group around will wear you down and make you laugh at the most ridiculous things. It may leave you feeling violated, but in a good way! We challenge anyone not to let out a chuckle with these five lads, check them out at this year’s Reading & Leeds Festivals.

www.latenightgimpfight.com (Reading Saturday / Leeds Sunday)

One of comedy’s most acclaimed rising stars, SEANN WALSH has garnered multiple awards and nominations, and has appeared on ‘Mock the Week’ (BBC2), ‘Grouchy Young Men’ (Comedy Central) and ‘Russell Howard’s Good News’ (BBC3). Described by Time Out as “This generation’s Dylan Moran, with the looks, gags and charm to become something quite special” and “near-impeccable” by Chortle, these shows are not to be missed.

www.gloriousmanagement.com (Leeds Saturday)

ANDREW O’NEILL is a unique entertainer.  A celebrated stand up, he is also an out and proud metalhead and an amateur occultist.  He also has a steampunk band called The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing – a true original talent and one we welcome to Leeds wholeheartedly.  Having gained rave reviews for his tours to date this is a performance you do not want to miss.

www.andrewoneill.co.uk (Leeds Friday)

“As he goes about his life AL PITCHER sees a lot of ordinary things – but he rarely sees them in an ordinary way” was how one critic appraised his show. With a CV stretching back over a decade Pitcher has found his ground and Time Out described him as “sitting in the improvising, rambling freewheeling camp as inhabited by the likes of Ross Noble and Eddie Izzard”. Al will be performing at both Reading and Leeds this summer but be warned, he’ll have you crying with tears of laughter.

www.alpitcher.com (Reading Friday / Leeds Saturday)

A relative newcomer, JOSH WIDDICOMBE hit the stage in 2008 and has since made a remarkable impact on the comedy circuit and is held in high regard having appeared at most of London’s comedy venues. Alongside his stand up Josh has written for the likes of TV’s ‘Mock The Week’ and ‘8 Out of 10 Cats’ whilst also drawing plaudits for his sketch show Superclump at the Edinburgh Festival in 2009 and last year winning The Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year award.

www.joshwiddicombe.co.uk (Leeds Saturday)

A Canadian by birth CRAIG CAMPBELL now resides in the UK where he has appeared on numerous TV shows including amongst others ‘Russell Howard’s Good News’, ‘Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow’ and ‘Dave’s One Night Stand’. Having toured last year as support for Frankie Boyle on his sold out UK tour, Campbell is currently performing his debut stand-up tour before making another debut at this year’s Leeds Festival.

www.moosefucker.com (Leeds Friday)

Not many people can claim to have been on The Inbetweeners and CBBC’s ‘Big Babies’ (for which he also sang the theme tune) but DOC BROWN is not your usual artist.  A comedian and ex. rapper who’s recent shows have told of ‘A humbling and hilarious hip-hop salute to nearly making it’, Doc has been winning accolades for his live performances since he left the music industry and moved to comedy full time.

www.docbrown.co.uk (Reading Saturday)

Since winning The Chortle Student Comedian Award in 2007, TOM DEACON became the face of the BBC ‘s ‘5:19’ youth show, he has also taken part as a member of  Edinburgh’s longest running group comedy show The Comedy Zone.   With relentless gigging and solo shows under his belt Deacon also has his own show on Radio 1 on Sunday nights.  An impressive CV for a bright new star.

www.tomdeacon.co.uk (Leeds Friday / Reading Sunday)

STEVE HUGHES is a wiry rocker with a mass of hair and beard, so should feel at home at Reading this year. In the 1980s and early 90s, Steve was a heavy metal drummer in bands such as Slaughter Lord, Mortal Sin and Primordial. After laying down the sticks, he made a name for himself in comedy. In Australia he has been a presenter on MTV and has performed on shows including ‘The Live Floor Show’ and ‘The World Stands Up’ on these shores. Thought provoking to the end, he isn’t afraid to air his views on anything and everything.

www.stevehughes.net.au (Reading Sunday)

Winner of the FHM Search For A Stand-up competition, MARLON DAVIS, is a young comedian, improviser and actor who embraces his work with energy and charisma. Marlon’s act is inspired from his upbringing, looking at urban Britain and tackling its social issues with skilful characterisations. With a ‘Brown Eyed Boy’ series on MTV under his belt, big things are expected.

www.marlondavis.co.uk (Reading Friday / Leeds Saturday)

One of the world’s best human beat boxers, THE PETEBOX is heading to Reading and Leeds. His incredible performances are more similar to that of a full band as he builds each layer of his tracks live using a loop pedal to form fully crafted songs. These skills have won him a Channel 4 Talent Award, and also saw him crowned Radio 1’s beat boxing champion in 2005. Expect drum & bass, jazz, house, garage and rock and get ready for the journey of a lifetime with The Petebox.

www.thepetebox.com (Reading Friday / Leeds Saturday)

Described as part Ziggy Stardust, part Victoria Wood, BRIGITTE APHRODITE, arrives at Reading & Leeds as one of the most talked about new artists of the year. Brigitte released her debut single ‘I Dream Myself Awake’ in April on Kate Nash’s new Have 10p label and hit the road with Nash to rave reviews earlier this year. Having bowled over unsuspecting audiences throughout, these shows are not to be missed.

www.brigitteaphrodite.co.uk (Reading Friday / Leeds Sunday)

For the fifth year running, TRANSGRESSIVE RECORDS – possibly the coolest record label, live promotions, publishing and management outfit in the country – and friends take over the Alternative Stage at Leeds Festival. As ever, they will be providing live performances from tomorrow’s musical heroes, plus unique visuals and special guest DJ’s. And to mark the big Five Years, Transgressive’s involvement has increased to curating not just their traditional ‘closing party’ slot on Sunday evening – but now Saturday night too. Promising their most eclectic and biggest line-up so far, further details will be unveiled in due course. Past artists to have made an early live appearance at the Transgressive take-over at the Alternative Stage include Noah & The Whale, Laura Marling, Two Door Cinema Club, Pulled Apart by Horses, Warpaint and Everything Everything.

www.transgressiverecords.co.uk (Leeds Saturday & Sunday)

Chortle described STEPHEN GRANT (MC) as having “The kind of comedy vision that can see round corners”- he’s certainly one of the UK’s funniest, hardest working and most respected comedians.  The resident and award winning compere at the Komedia Krater Comedy Club in Brighton has performed all over the world as well as working on TV and radio.

www.stephengrant.com (Reading Saturday)

GOLDIEROCKS is Sam Hall; DJ, presenter and party planner du-jour. Renowned for her energised DJ appearances, invading parties and aftershows all over the world – at some point in time, Sam’s probably hijacked your fave electro/indie haunt.  Sure to pack the tent with her provocative sense of ‘style, finesse and foresight’. Listen to her create the ultimate Electro-Rock N Roll Disco.

www.goldierocks.co.uk (Leeds Saturday)

No matter what your mood, you really can’t help but warm to rising star DAVE TWENTYMAN (MC). He recently won the St Helens Comedian Of The Year competition and was promptly tipped to follow the success of fellow St Helens comic Johnny Vegas. Naturally funny & quick on his feet, he holds the room in the palm of his hands & keeps the laughter flowing.

www.dave-twentyman.co.uk (Leeds Sunday)

TICKETING INFO

Weekend tickets £192.50 plus booking fees • Day tickets Fri, Sat, Sun £82.50 plus booking fee • Early entry permits £15 • Weekend ticket prices include camping.

Tickets are strictly limited to a maximum of four per household for those booking by telephone or online and two per person for personal callers to walk in stores.

Credit Card line: 0870 060 3775 or online at:

www.festivalrepublic.com www.seetickets.com www.readingfestival.com www.leedsfestival.com

Selected HMV stores, see websites for store listings.

Reading tickets can be bought at face value, in person when paid for in cash at the Reading Arts & Venues Box Office, The Hexagon.

Leeds tickets can be bought at face value, in person when paid for in cash at Leeds Visitor Centre. Also in person from Crash Records and Jumbo Records subject to booking fees.

Please note that picture ID/proof of address will be required at the time of booking. Tickets are subject to availability.   Limit of 2 per household/person for personal callers.

Children under 13 (12 and under) are admitted free but MUST be accompanied by a ticket holding adult. Please note there is no separate children’s area at this event.

For a full list of national and regional outlets please visit www.readingfestival.com www.leedsfestival.com