Playgroup Festival

Live Music • 2-piece • Based in Brighton, UK • Improvised electronica

Warring drum kits, vintage synthesisers, effects and electric sweat.

You will never hear the same AK/DK set twice and you will always be amazed.

Sounds Like: the simultaneous Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire, as documented by a European version of Battles.

Live Music • Solo artist • Based in Brighton, UK • Looping one woman band

Stunning vocals, combined with guitar, kick and snare drums, and a loop pedal, to produce soulful tunes with wit and verve.

Sounds Like: the love child of Nick Cave and (a happy) PJ Harvey.

Live Music • 9-piece • Based in Tel Aviv, Israel • Modern funk orchestra

A heavy drums, bass and horns band, with two world-class scratch DJs and a console wizard. Signed to Freestyle Records, they blend North American jazz, funk and hip-hop traditions with North African and Middle Eastern tribal styles.

Sounds Like: A soaring magic carpet ride over a desert valley of brass and beats.

Live Music • 8-piece • Based in Cornwall, UK • Up-tempo reggae

Made with movement in mind. Traditional reggae music slapped upside the head with a party stick. Stomping bass, dub synths & steady grooves.

Sounds Like: Summer.

Arts & Music • Collective • Based in Brighton • Arts and insanity

Live Music • 3 Piece • Based in London, UK • Hip Hop

A modern day Gil Scot Heron, Adrian Lawrence’s detour thorough his own life puts everything on trial and demands answers, newness becomes a demand and freshness the result of an artist seeking the truth. I make no apologies for such a poetic introduction there is simply is no other way to introduce a poet! This alt Hip Hop act from London are someth

Half-man, half-monkey, (and burning 3 million candles on his birthday cake) Benji Boko defrosted in Brighton, UK, where his style of music is shaped by the records he finds in some of the 2nd hand shops & flea markets. One mans rubbish is another monkeys gold!

Benji is the future! His ‘Can I MIX it?’ show is FRIKKIN’ MEGA!”
(DJ Yoda)

Live Music • 5-piece • Based in Brighton, UK • Mystery pop

An ‘extraordinarily pretty-sounding band’. They sing about creepy crawlies, love, animals and consumption. They use pure youthful tones and skippy rhythms to craft harmonious twee sounds with a melancholic edge. They do it very well.

Sounds Like: Wise optimism.

Live Music • Solo Artist • Based in Brighton, UK • Electronica

Bunty uses just her voice, looping, FX pedals, beat-boxes, claps, stamps and produces frenzied harmonies to create her music live from scratch. Each show is different relying vastly on improvisation- flitting deftly from beautifully serene choral sounds and psyche-folk, to stomping funkadelia and arabian hip-hop.

The Blackfields blend together their influences of country, blues, rock and gypsy folk. Their live performances are gritty, strong and proud. Charismatic, energetic and great story tellers, they put themselves and the audience into the creative pictures painted by the dramatic song subjects and punchy rhythmic back line. Woah, that’s intense, right?

Live Music • 1-piece • Based in Brighton, UK • Skweee

Skweee? You’re telling me you’ve never heard of it? Shame on you! It’s only the latest musical trend to hit these great shores from the harsh wastelands of Scandanavia (actually – it’s quite lovely there). Using nothing but 1980’s and 70’s synths, Skwee pioneers make sweet electronic funk music for dancing, relaxing and loving. Boss Kite AKA Ross Flight is Brighton’s finest proponent of the scene in the UK. Have a listen – you may have just discovered your new favorite music.

Live Music • 9-piece • Based in Brighton, UK • Kick-ass party hip-hop

One of the crowd’s favourite artists from recent Playgroup Brighton shows – we’ve promoted them supporting Wax Tailor, Alice Russell and A State of Mind, among others, and always to rapturous applause.

Sounds Like: smooth basslines, roaring brass, fat beats and good time choruses.

DJ • 5-piece • Based in Brighton, UK • What don’t they play?

Self proclaimed “idiots with a soundsystem”, Brighton party legends and all round mischief makers, Bust the Box DJ sets are a mish-mash of everything that will make you smile – dirty drum’n’bass rubs shoulders with Gloria Gaynor – you’ll love it.

Live Music • 5-piece • Based in Brighton, UK • Spooky gypsy horror folk

Carnivalesque stomping folk music with a macabre edge and gypsy twinges. Dark twisting melodies, maudlin lyrics and intense breaks give this new band, who debuted in Brighton last Hallow’een, their ethereal power.

Sounds Like: the gate has swung shut behind you at the abandoned fairground.

Live Music • 45-piece • Based in Brighton, UK • Carnival orchestra

A dynamic group of musicians who combine drum ‘n’ bass, breakbeat percussion, reggae, funk, house and other dance influences – played on traditional Brazilian instruments – with a hot horn section, excellent dancers, guitars, bass, electronics and innovative vocalists. Sounds Like: a sexual safari for the heart and mind.

Live Music • 2-piece • Based in London, UK • Swing-hop

They first played for Playgroup in Brighton back in 2007, since when their blend of vintage swing and jazz, together with modern drum ‘n’ bass and breaks, has gone well and truly overground. Let’s welcome Mr Bruce and Chuckles back in style!

Sounds Like: Black and White in 3D.

Live Music • 5 Piece • Based in Brighton, UK • Lively Americana

Live Music • 5-piece • Based in Brighton, UK • 50′s Rock’n'Roll

Conceived late one night in Brighton’s ever-pregnant musical underbelly, Derriere delivers a playfully raunchy mix of old school rock and roll, vintage soul, rockabilly and jumpin’ rhythm n blues. Singer, Sarah Gardner has the best voice and sassiest attitude in Brighton – serious soul music.

Live Music • 9-piece • Based in Reading, UK • Roots dub and reggae

This roots-rock-reggae outfit have built a reputation for infectious melodies and an authentic heavy roots sound. Part of the ‘small but significant frontline of new-wave British reggae bands’. Sounds Like: “The best thing to come out of Reading since Huntley & Palmers’ biscuits,” DJ Derek

Magic • Solo Artist • Based in Brighton, UK • Paul Daniels on Speed

Anyone who travelled on one of the buses Damian compered last year will realise what an astounding performer he is. Damian has been performing magic professionally for 15 years. He has worked as far afield as India, Thailand, New York, Paris and The Natural History Museum in London,

Talks • Solo Artist • Based in Brighton, UK • Eccentric Stories

A magpie by nature, Dr Bramwell is the creator of the successful Cheeky Guide series and founder and host of Brighton’s Catalyst Club. He’s written books on subjects ranging from difficult words to fetishism, had work featured on BBC Radio 1,2,3 & 4; and (together with singer Eliza Skelton) entertained festival and cinema audiences with “Sing-along-a-Wickerman”. He’ll be presenting his second one-man show, the No9 Bus to Utopia, based on a year spent travelling round communities in Europe and America in search of a better life.

DJ • Solo Artist • Based in London, UK • Disco

Amazing italo disco synth duo from the ranks of beatabet. incendiary keyboard-electro tunes. Bring your best dancin’ shoes!

Early Ghost is a six-piece based around the South of the UK that have already shared the stage with artists such as Beirut, Matthew & The Atlas and Freelance Whales. With twisting folk melodies and a rather large dash of deep southern country, their music is simply the perfect way to spend a summers afternoon.

DJ collective • Based in Brighton, UK • Dirty breaks and dance

Underground electro, dirty breaks and bone-shaking dance music from a troupe of dapper, but not dainty, DJs. Sounds Like: somebody let the dogs out.

DJ Format is one of the worlds leading exponents of rare hiphop, soul and funk, having performed with pretty much everyone, Format is basically an absolute legend and we’re incredibly chuffed to have him performing for us here at Playgroup Festival 2011!

Cabaret • 2 Piece • Based in Brighton, UK • Burlesque

Miss Ruby Demure and Miss Infinity Favour are established burlesque performers in their own right. In 2007 they decided to combine their considerable talents to the delight and delectation of crowds across the country. Theirs is a distinctive brand of burlesque; dark comic surreal stories told in a style that is all their own. With a smattering of drunkeness and physical violence.

Live Music • 6 Piece • Based in Brighton, UK • Electronica

Live Music • 2-piece • Based in Brighton, UK • Psychedelic electronic pop

Andrew Phillips is an award-winning film soundtrack composer, who performs live programming, vocals, and guitar, alongside classically-trained Marcus O’Dair on double bass, keyboards, Stylophone and toy piano. Together they produce some truly beautiful electronic music. Signed to Ninja Tune, their debut album received universally rave reviews. Sounds Like: Heaven must be missing two angels.

Live Music • 8-piece • Based in Brighton, UK • Funk & pop

On a mission to take the thrill of power pop and the swagger of funk and blend them into party-starting dance numbers.

Sounds Like: Rocket-powered live disco.

Live Music • 4 piece • Based in London, UK • Balkan Mash-Up

Gypsy Hill is the latest project to come from London DJs / producers: DJ Kobayashi and Herbert Newbert. In Gypsy Hill they bring together the balls and the brass from the Balkans, surf-rock Mediterranean guitar lines, Arabic & Jewish melodies, massive bass-lines and a whole heap of electronics, scratching and beats. What a mix!

DJ • Based in Brighton, UK • Dubstep

DJ, producer, remixer extraordinaire, kingpin label head at Suicide Dub Records, international dubstep superstar, dirty bassline pioneer… When not found posting mischievous Missing Cat signs, or speeding away from Graceland, Will Rankin is often glued to his workstation hammering out pure iron for the dancefloor.

Sounds Like: the world’s best wobbles played by a madman with a moustache.

Live Music • 5 piece • Based in Brighton, UK • Country

These guys must be doing something right, because they’ve got everybody talking about them. Contry music without the yodelling wales, rock’n'roll with a smile. Undeniably, the soundtrack to any American road trip – Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda in Easy Rider would love this.

Live Music & Visuals • 1-piece • Based in London, UK • AV Electronica

For a long time the VJs of choice for both The Big Chill and Ninja Tune, they developed into a fully-fledged force of entertainment through ground-breaking collaborations with David Byrne of Talking Heads in Lisbon, contributions to onedotzero, and the first ever AV show at the Guggenheim in Bilbao.

Sounds Like: that’s only half the picture.

Talks & Workshops • Collective • Based in Brighton, UK • Guerilla Gardening

Harvest Brighton and Hove is all about growing your own and eating local food. From window boxes to community allotments, there are opportunities for everyone to join in. Harvest has brought together lots of different organisations interested in food who will help you learn to grow your own, make use of surplus produce and eat more tasty local food.They’ll be running seedling potting workshops for both children and adults to enjoy.

Talks • Solo Artist • Based in London, UK • A Short History of Mermaids

Part time mermaid, part time jewelry designer, Hannah the Mer-made knows more about these creatures of the sea than a basking shark, a seahorse and a pirate added together, and will be sharing her love of  these mystical creatures in her own unique way.

Poetry • Collective • Based in Brighton, UK • Epic Slam Battles

Komedia favourites, Hammer and Tongue bring their much vaunted performance poets to Playgroup Festival for a spoken word event unlike any other.

Arts and Cabaret • Collective • Based in London, UK • Immersive Time Travel

Talks & Workshops • Collective • Based in Brighton, UK • Mad Scientists

The IUR is a hub for researchers, artists and mad scientists! Presenting their research through performative and experiential methods, engaging the public and new audiences in their ideas. Rosie Sedgewick, Head of Stitches and Sutres will be presenting her Flight of Ideas installation, exploring mental health issues in an interactive way, and Luciana Haill,  head of Augmented States of Consciousness will be creating music and visuals live, using a volunteer’s brainwaves. Wow!

Live Music • 10-piece • Based in Brighton, UK • Afro-Latino funk orchestra

A heavy mix of Fela Kuti-inspired brass lines, a Latin percussion section, Afro-Psych organ and James Brown-style funk riffs. Long-standing Playgroup favourites.

Sounds Like: tunes from the heart of 70s Nigeria, fused with those from the carnivals of Cuba, the backstreets of Brazil and beyond.

DJ • Based in rural Sussex, UK • Jigsaw beats for the dancefloor

John Peel picked him for a session all the way back in 2002;  he signed to the ace Tru Thoughts label in 2006; he counts Toddla T and Mark Lamarr among his fans – yet Hint somehow remains one of clubland’s best kept secrets. His sets take in hip-hop, house, drum ’n’ bass, dancehall, electro, garage, breakbeat and disco, piecing them together like a jigsaw enthusiast and never losing the flow. Sounds Like: “Forward-thinking awkward dance music, brimming with genius,” Mr Scruff

Talks & Workshops • Collective • Based in Brighton, UK • Guerilla Gardening

Author of Seedbombs: Going Wild With Flowers (Leaping Hare Press), founder of seedfreedom,net, horticulturalist and guerilla gardener, Josie Pearl Jeffrey, will be teaching children and adults alike how to create seed bombs and help  save the planet.

Live Music • 4-piece • Based in London, UK • Rhythm ‘n’ Blues Punk

A Japanese dude, one French man, a Caribbean fella and one Spanish guy got together and formed the world’s best R ‘n’ B punk band… Signed to Dirty Water Records and with a repertoire encompassing many of the greats of the 50s and 60s you’ll be electrified. The King howls like Screaming Jay Hawkins with Bo Diddley chasing his coat-tail and with Andre Williams trying to offer up some of his bacon fat.

Sounds Like: vintage rockabilly, desperate rock’n'roll, and a bit of soul, with fire!

Live Music • 8-piece • Based in Brighton, UK • Ska, hip-hop, dub

If you’ve ever seen King Porter Stomp busking on street corners, in packed festival tents or in venues round the UK, you’ll know that these boys came to party. King Porter Stomp bring together their own blend of ska-funk-dub and afrobeat and top it all off with a coating of well crafted conscious rhymes. With massive horn lines, heavy bass and intricate guitar work, they have pulled on heart strings and won over the dancing feet of crowds across the UK and Ireland.

A harmony heavy trio of strung songs, frayed melodies, twisted synth–pop, , treasure trove tunes, lemony love songs for wretched folk, violas and toys-hop beats, with beautiful soaring strings and crashing skiffle-based percussion , singing songs of the sea, capillaries and stick insects.

Live Music • 4-piece • Based in Brighton, UK • Country and Hillbilly

Lock up your sister unless you want one-eye’d nephews all covered in fur. Self- penned as the best worst bluegrass band outside the USA. Leonard and Bubba’s Delicious Goo Goo Cluster are what happens when Alabama meets Brighton. Raucous and skillfull good fun (though not necessarily clean and wholesome)

Live Music • 5-piece • Based in Brighton, UK • Electro and Pop

Kovak, described as the rising quintet of England and “Novocaine for aching feet” explode through speakers with their Dance-Rock rhythms. Kovak’s Sleazy electronica combined with the catchy riffs of indie, means that Kovak certainly know what order of the day is when it comes to pleasing masses

Live Music • 6-piece • Based in Brighton, UK • Ska, funk & Gypsy

General troublemakers and a non-stop party riot, Los Albertos have been gracing the festival scene, drinking lots of cider and making people very sweaty for a long time. Playing the best in ska, gypsy, funk and a dash of special brew punk, they’re one of our favorite bands and we’ve never seen them play a bad gig. Fact.

Live Music • 2-piece • Based in Brighton, UK • Funk

We’ve got some great bands for you and all of that Malarki… Yes, Malarki – that  lively 6 piece band with a brilliantly unique sound. Their extensive list of influences forms the origin of their sound which is a mix of Funk, Soul, Reggae and ska, Rock, Blues and everything in between.

Live Music • 2 piece • Based in Brighton, UK • Electronica

Live Music • 8 Piece • Based in Brighton, UK • Ska

Live Music • 5-piece • Based in Brighton, UK • Funk and nothing but the Funk

“This band eats funk for breakfast.” Mean Poppa Lean are an extreme force of nature with energetic performances and an overwhelmingly fun stage presence- these guys are guaranteed to get you up and moving. You’ll be wanting Funk, served up by Mean Poppa Lean, for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Live Music • 8-piece • Based in Brighton, UK • Ska

After 6 years of relentless gigging, New Groove Formation have qualified as one of the UK’s most entertaining and energetic live acts on the underground festival and club circuit. They fuse Funk, Ska and Reggae, mix in some horns, didge and percussion, then add energetic tones and electrifying rap into an incredible performance that will leave you desperate for more.

Live Music • 2-piece • Based in Brighton, UK • Blissful electronica

Nordic Giants, a two-piece experimental outfit based in Brighton have created a unique concept – combining the visual story telling of a cinema experience, with the raw energy of a live gig and it’s grand. This fantastic sensory experience is certainly unmissable.

Live Music • 5-piece • Based in Brighton, UK • Gypsy & Rock’n'Roll

How to make an Origami Dinosaur? First you need four delightfully eccentric chaps and chapettes with an abundance of English charm and a heavy dose of Willy Wonka flair, add a bit of Funk, Swing, Gypsy, Reggae, Doo Wop and good times Rock n Roll and mix vigorously! Congratulations, you have something unhinged, unapologetic and absurdly fun! Say hello to your new favourite band!

Live Music • 5-piece • Based in Brighton, UK • Sweeping soundscapes

Five dashing chaps form this unique 5-piece band. Phoria produce provocative dark pop, combining innovative structures and heartfelt climaxes to deliver an intense and truly uplifting experience.

Arts and Cabaret • Collective • Based in Brighton, UK • Etiquette School

Join the right royal Playgroup Princesses for a complete BTECH course in how to be a true princess. They also have real a real prince available to teach all the boys how to become a prince charming. The never ending story which started at last year’s playgroup festival will be returning with the Princesses so that the Playgroup Fairytale can continue to unfold. Feathered Quills and Pink Ink will be provided by the Princesses so that everyone can help continue writing the story.

Arts and Games • Collective • Based in Brighton, UK • Mechanical Music Machine

The collective’s latest incarnation is a fully acoustic, fully mobile art-marching band. The device wields a magnificent array of horns, voices & trash percussion, with a relentlessly pulsing, mutant Victorian-pram-kit at it’s core. It regurgitates swing, twisted pop, poly-rhythmic grooves, jubilant melodies, choral vocals & Dada-fueled theatricals to create a truly astonishing experience.

Live Music • 5-piece • Based in Brighton, UK • 60′s revival

Get ready to see the Peppermint Beat Band play a soulful blend of pop and psychedelic music. Their hip – shaking party music with references to good old 60’s rock and roll will have your toes tapping and your ears twitching.

Live Music • 3-piece • Based in Brighton, UK • Dirty Bootybass

Brighton based Electro ‘hip-steppas’, Prjct Myhm are vocalist Princess Sections, Producer Captain Clamp and their mysterious masked drummer Troystick, all students of their chosen arts, their crossover sound with raucous lyrics, massive bass and slamming breaks. They are the epitome of dirt.

Live Music • 7-piece • Based in Cartagena, Colombia • World & Latin

“A multicultural band of exceptional musicians who provide an explosive sonic snapshot of the ever-evolving musical landscape of the Americas”. We say – they are one of the most extraordinary acts you’ll ever see on a sunny day, blending Cuban and Latin folk music with funky riffs, their music feels fresh while still being true to its traditional origins. They rarely get together to play England and seeing them in such an intimate atmosphere will be mindblowing. Signed to Tru Thoughts Records.

Live Music • DJ • Based in London, UK • Dubstep and Grime

Reso is simultaneously moving a whole spectrum of electronic genres forward while further cementing his place as the overlord of hi-tech dubstep. With Reso wobble, hypercrunk, breaks, wonky, hip-hop and D n B all receive the treatment. Reso’s deep musicality, incredible skill, intricate programming and wildly diverse references place him at the peak of a new breed of electronic producers.

Live Music • 5-piece • Based in Brighton, UK • Gypsy Folk music

‘Beggars and blighters, and ne’er do-well cads.’ Rory Mulligan & The Imaginary Band play music of questionable parentage; developing music from their eponymous debut, a unique and twisted mix of rum-fuelled drunken jazz & gypsy folk has been formed and we love it

Talks and Workshops • Solo Artist • Based in Brighton, UK • Mad Science

Founder of Brighton Science Festival, puppeteer, author and performer, this man’s bow has so many strings that there isn’t a violin in the world big enough for him to play. He created numerous popular science shows for television, including ‘The Big Bang’ (CITV) and ‘The Riddlers’ (YTV), helped set up and perform in the first series of  Spitting Image, and will be bringing his unique blend of science magic to the Playgroup Forest of Thoughts.

Live Music • 8-piece • Based in London, UK • Ska

An amazing eight piece band from South London. Combining the tightest rhythm section with the rowdiest horns, mixing funk, ska, and cuban sounds with a touch of Jazz. Size Nine are all about the live show, producing a high-energy thats guaranteed to have you on your feet.

Live Music • 5-piece • Based in Brighton, UK • Folk

A Skinny Lister gig is an experience that spins you round, lifts you up and puts the diddle in the middle of your smiling face. Quintessentially English to the core and with folk in their hearts their barnstorming music; equal parts traditional folk and ramshackle pop, rip roaring and rum-totingly exciting will have you cheered to the bone.

Games and activities • Collective • Based in Brighton, UK • Surreal Adventures

Live Music • Solo Artist • Based in Brighton, UK • Dirty Electro & Hip Hop Mash-Ups

Raised at the altar of Elvis and The Cramps, baptised in the fire of sonic fuzz and primitive stomp, Screaming Tupelo is a one man ear-pounding, heart-thumping blues-punk evangelist, delivering his testimony of raw blood and tears, Rock ‘n’ Roll.

DJ • Based in Bristol, UK • Electroswing & Dirty Breaks

Smerins Anti-Social Club have built up such a reputation, it’s getting harder and harder to write nice things about them that haven’t already been said before. Sure their ‘Doctor Who’ cover came out on Tru-Thoughts, and has become everyone’s new favourite song, but they’re not just a one-trick dancing monkey – they got aces up their sleeves! This is an exclusive DJ set from the original Mr Smerins

Live Music • 2-piece • Based in Brighton, UK • Rock’n'Roll

With influences in their music taken from the genres of garage and even blues, the Slytones have got their mouth-watering flavour customised for ultimate satisfaction. This five-piece band are vividly colourful, with quirky lyrics and solid tunes insane blend of Psychedelic Garage Blues.

Arts & Live Music • 2 piece • Based in Brighton, UK • Saw Based Sounds

Live Music • 5-piece • Based in Lewes, UK • World Music

Solskala are a UK based global music collective, They have travelled the world to bring you mellow, wild, ethereal, soulful, sensuous, harmonious, innovative, blissful, trippy, romantic, urban, sexy, sublime aural delights in latino arabica trip-hop dub jazz. We know that’s a lot of adjectives- all for just one band, you’re really just going to have to see them for their brilliant electiveness to sink in.

DJ • 2-piece • Based in Brighton, UK • 50′s Rock’n'Roll

Officially the ‘sickest’ DJ’s in the South, Stay Sick will mostly be playing filthy Rock’n’Roll, dirty Funk’n’Soul and whatever takes the fancy of these Bourbon soaked geniuses with a seamlessly never ending record collection. If you’ve never experienced a Stay Sick clubnight, you’ve probably never fallen over, had beer poured all over your head, been groped by go-go dancers and drank a litre of Makers Mark – and that’s a crying shame.

SuckMyRock.com, the crazy festival photographing memorabilia crew grace Playgroup! Fresh from their rip-roaring successes at Burning Man and Decompression, be sure to come find us at our fantasy forest photo stage, and have your delightfully debauched antics diligently documented for posterity by one of our professional photographers, where we will shoot you and photoshop you into picturesque perfection all free of charge!

Live Music • 5-piece • Based in Brighton, UK • Rock

SuperJanet is a gestalt entity whose total number of contributing personalities can most confusingly be expressed as: x = z + or – y

where x is the number of contributors, z equals 5 and y equals 1.

SuperJanet is firmly convinced that she has independently written a number of songs which, to the casual observer, sound remarkably like the hits of famous people.  It’s true.  She is a massive plagiarist.  But she has a saving grace.  She rocks harder than them all.



Live Music • 4-piece • Based in Brighton, UK • Bluegrass & Folk

Are you ready for some ‘Baroque and Roll’? If you were looking for a mix of folk, bluegrass and post punk, than SWEET SWEET LIES will give you everything you ever wanted. Sweet Sweet Lies draw reference from such influences as Johnny Cash,  Nick Cave, Willie Nelson, Tom Waits and Kurt Weill, but of course this could all just be a sweet sweet lie… You’ll have to go check them out to see if we’re telling porkies.

These guys have close affiliations with the Good Times Music nights, so a lot of you will have probably already seen them, whether you realise it or not. They’re a spanish party band mixing rumba and reggae here for one summer only, so we’re incredibly delighted to have them on our line-up this year.

Live Music • 6 piece • Based in Brighton, UK • World Music

You may have already spotted these guys around town, or maybe you’ve just seen the trail of sunshine their mix of afro-beat and traditional brazilian funk has left behind. Maybe you’ve even been down to one of their Club Maassah! nights at Pop-Up Playgroup (formerly Hector’s House, recently purchased by Playgroup). Whatever the circumstance, this time we’re bringing 1960′s Rio to the fields!

Talks • Discussion • Based in Brighton, UK • Comics and Sex

Live Music • Solo Artist • Based in Brighton, UK • Reggae & Soul

Not that you need to be reminded, but this female fronted Reggae, Hip-Hop and Soul 6 piece has had the whole of the UK bouncing up and down for the past few years. Having shared the bill with The Herbaliser, Finley Quaye, and found themselves as a favourite on the Chai Wallah circuit, I dare you to find a stage their skanking funk hasen’t already tainted.

Arts and Cabaret • Collective • Based in Brighton, UK • Circus Madness

Hello. We are the Tripsies! We do Tripsie things in a dotty and spotty way. We  walkabout. We create impromptu Tripsie worlds as we meander. We will have space hoppers. And coloured circles to move around on. We have a Tripsie Twister and we will doTrips-o-robics. We will also give away Tripsie presents. Tripsies for world domination!

Live Music • 13-piece • Based in London, UK • Klezmer

Probably the only band at Playgroup festival to have been arrested by the Serbian army – A 13 piece Balkan Brass Band, based in London, you’ll be very happy to hear them deliver a grand blend of Balkan ska, klezmer reggae-Russo-Mexican trumpet tunes, Afghan love songs and Ottoman battle marches. “The Sex-Pistols of Balkan Brass” – Time Out

Arts • Collective • Based in London, UK • Movie Magic

Ever wanted to be in the movies? Well here’s your chance people! Videopia is an interactive movie making activity that casts, shoots, & screens miniature tributes to Hollywood classics. This summer Videopia will be premiering their mobile movie studio at Playgroup, inviting revellers to step aboard its converted vintage horsebox to undergo a DIY silver screen treatment. The miniature masterpieces will be screened onsite before being uploaded onto the Videopia blog for your family, friends and newly acquired fan-base to watch. A very silly memento of a brilliant weekend!

Live Music • 3-piece • Based in Tunbridge Wells, UK • Jive & Swing

The musical equivalent of your dream date – The Violet Jives have pulled together to make music that is both voluptuous and alluring. Their retro Swing sound with feverish Latino curves, Hip-Hop head nods and a cool dark Alternative rock twist, is sultry, sexy and damn fine.

Arts and Cabaret • Collective • Based in London, UK • Puppeteers

In an intimate woodland cocoon at the fringe of the festival, from a smoking pile of the discarded litter of a wasteful society obsessed with all things shiny and new, We, the WARTY NEWTS. Whether you know it or not, you are already infected – with NEWT SICKNESS: the Divine Madness. We hope to inspire you – with puppetry, performance, ritual, movement, music, and foolishness – to create with us a world of amphibious poetry: vulnerable, imperfect, real, full of beauty and wonder, spontaneity and silliness.

Live Music • 8-piece • Based in Brighton, UK • World music

The Wide Eyed Order originated in January 2008 as a group of experimental musicians who got together to jam. This lead to the formation of a lyrical gypsy- jazz, soul, funk- punk fusion ensemble; The Wide Eyed Order. They’ll have you more than wide eyed, they’ll have you open-mouthed with your jaw dropping in delight and wonder.

Live Music • 3-piece • Based in London, UK • Glitch-hop

You like triangle heads? You like expertly produced glitch-hop? What’s glitch-hop you say? Well, we had no idea what is was either till these 3 guys with triangle heads turned up and started to educate us in this awesome dubstep, electronica, chimera of badass bass

Live Music • 2-piece • Based in Brighton, UK • Folk

Folk-roots sensation Zora & the Tatsmiths burst onto the Brighton  music scene in spring 2009. They quickly gained reputation with their fresh, punky, folk-pop sound and their raw, outspoken and often funny lyrics. Fronted by Zora’s powerful, gritty and soulful vocals, the Tatsmiths are becoming a force to be reckoned with!

Live Music • Solo Artist • Based in Brighton, UK • Dirty Electro & Hip Hop Mash-Ups

Drums, sample pads and sweat…& i produces a fast-paced, eclectic set of mash-up mayhem. Bringing the drummer to centre stage…& i’s set of master drumming and sample cutting is not to be missed.