Parklife Weekender 2014 is almost upon us.
This weekend, on June 7 and 8, some of the world’s most in-demand acts descend on Manchester’s Heaton Park, And sure, Manchester’s never going to be Monaco or Madrid, but this weekend it’s the place to be – not only for Parklife festival, but for a staggering list of after-parties (naturally, we’d suggest heading straight to FACT and Now Wave’s shindig with Ryan Hemsworth and Oneman at the Deaf Institute). Over the next 10 pages, we offer our picks for Parklife.
Captain Murphy
Unlike his Dr. Jekyll, Flying Lotus’s voice-lowering, virgin-deflowering alter-ego Captain Murphy is yet to really do the live circuit, and his Duality mixtape remains an oft-overlooked treat. This should be a stack of fun.
Andrew Weatherall
As with most festivals, Parklife’s line-up draws from many of the circuit’s most popular DJs. If the likes of Route 94, Ben Pearce and Dismantle don’t wet your whistle, however, then a) congrats, you’re probably a grumpy fucker like half of FACT’s staff, and b) never fear, because self-styled Luddite and hypnobeat connoisseur Andrew Weatherall is also on the bill. Find a corner and a snout, and mong the fuck out.
Ben UFO & Midland
Sure, saying ‘go see Ben UFO!’ is down there with ‘don’t eat yellow snow’ in the stating the obvious stakes at this point, but seeing him go plate for plate with Midland should be a treat.
Kerri Chandler
This is Kerri’s world, we’re just living in it. Deep house – most of which, let’s face it, gets about as deep as a melted Cornetto puddle in a hot car – is on this Summer’s festival menu like never before, so there’s never been a better time to pay tribute to one of the sound’s true idols.
Krystal Klear
Best known for his spins on classic house and disco, Krystal Klear’s DJ sets take in everything from Daft Punk to Justin Timberlake – whose Justified he recently repped for FACT – with a healthy wedge of lost gems in between.
Happa
Stationed on the Red Bull Music Academy stage, the eyebleed techno whippersnapper will be repping for the harder stuff. It’ll probably sound like this, mixed with a slice of this.
A$AP Rocky
Sure, his album didn’t quite contain the same charms as his Live.Love.A$AP debut, but Rocky live – preferably flanked by several side-men with their mics too loud – can be a raucous, unstoppable live proposition. Miss him at your peril.
Snoop Dogg
Yes, he’ll play music from the last five years – however, he’ll also make up for it with ‘Drop It Like It’s Hot’ and some tracks from Doggystyle, and everybody will go home happy.
Matt Jam Lamont
Because no Summer festival is complete without some UK garage, and good luck getting anywhere near the front for EZ.
Julio Bashmore
OK, nobody needs to hear ‘Au Seve’ at a festival again, but Bashmore’s a top DJ, and his sets don’t just draw for the anthems – expect to hear wiggy house from his Broadwalk label, FunkinEven’s Apron gear and cuts from his forthcoming album.
