The ATP Festivals are going from strength to strength. They have now consolidated the idea of linking their two winter events – celebrated over two consecutive weekends and curated respectively this time by Godspeed You Black Emperor (Dec 3rd – 5th) and Belle & Sebastian (Dec 10th – 12th) at the usual Butlins resort in Minehead – with the 4 night mini-festival ‘In Between Days’ aimed at those hardcore ATP attendees who will go to both events and want to remain in the premises or for those who want to have a taste of the ATP experience at a more affordable price.This edition will be curated by toy designers Amos and the likes Of Caribou, Four Tet, Emeralds and Autolux have been confirmed to appear.
The organizers have put together a mixtape that samples the sounds of participating artists. It can be downloaded here. Click below to see the full tracklist.
As usual this year’s ATP was split over two weekends, the first saw shoegaze legends My Bloody Valentine curate a lineup that included Sonic Youth, De La Soul and The Horrors. The second event was slightly different, as it tied in with the festival’s tenth anniversary, the organisers put together an appropriate line up to celebrate. In what can only be described as a “best of ATP” 10 Years Of ATP was littered with former curators including Shellac, Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks,The Mars Volta and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. For those who are unaware, ATP takes place in a Butlins holiday camp. Something of a British institution, Butlins usually hosts families with rowdy kids, taking advantage of the sites veritable activities. Tents are exchanged for chalets and the stages are located within the vast walls of the resort’s centre. Hosting a festival that showcases the best in alternative music within a venue that contains garish games machines and fast food outlets is quite a juxtaposition, but it’s one that strangely works.
Last week it was announced the reunited godfathers of college rock, Pavement, would be curating All Tomorrows Parties next May. As if that wasn’t enough for the discerning festival goer, this week the bods behind ATP have also stated that the line up for their second festival, also held in May, will be put together by the creator of The Simpsons and Futurama; Matt Groening.
Those who may doubt the organisational prowess of Groening need only look at the last event he was put in charge of. In 2003 he curated ATP in the US, which saw performances from the likes of Iggy & the Stooges, Sonic Youth, The Mars Volta and Modest Mouse. Considering the endless cameos of bands in both the Simpsons and Futurama, it’s safe to assume Groening will have no problem attracting a wealth of bands.
As yet, no acts have been confirmed for the Minhead festival which takes place on 7th-9th May next year. However, looking back at the bands Groening has previously worked with gives some mouth watering prospects. Considering ATP’s recent love of all things nostalgic, we may just see some surprising reformations. A dream line up would include Smashing Pumpkins, Beck, Metallica and Cyprus Hill – however hearing Sonic Youth perform The Simpsons Theme would be worth the ticket price alone. For more info head to the ATP website.
