| Rockit Music Festival 2003 October 25 & 26 2003
The Rockit Festival 2003 brings a full-scale festival to Hong Kong for the first time. A festival in the vein of Glastonbury, The Big Day Out, Summer Sonic and The Fuji Rock Festival - where likeminded people converge to watch established music acts and discover new ones, to sample food and drinks from around the world, and take in the alternative entertainment. The event is suitable for all ages with a musical diversity to cater for everyone.
Set against the neon craze of Causeway Bay's skyline - The Rockit Festival offers a true city festival experience like no other in the world. Featuring the best in established and emerging musical talent from UK, US, Japan, France, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand and, of course, HK. The Rockit Festival is designed for the entertainment of Hong Kong people, at a venue that provides a unique experience for festival goers.
1. Main Stage
Diversity is the key. Headlining, and appearing in Hong Kong for the first time, Britain's captains of poppy punk, the much lauded SUPERGRASS who need no introduction. From the vibrant sunny, sashaying, salsa of the Latin Grammy nominated SPANISH HARLEM ORCHESTRA, the sheer thrill of the act currently creating more havoc than Godzilla in Europe and US - ELECTRIC EEL SHOCK (a.k.a. the rock and roll monster from Japan), to the typically French chic, electronica of RINÔÇÉRÔSE. European festival favourites SIX BY SEVEN from the UK and GOLDRUSH, fresh from a US tour appearing with MARK GARDENER (from UK band Ride). Hong Kong born and UK sensation LESLIE LOH will also perform. Brazilian flair and beats from world renowned DJ MARKY, XRS featuring STAMINA MC and world class Drum and Bass from ex-Reprazent crew member DJ SUV will have you dancing the day away.
2. International Food Festival
Food stands providing a wide array of international cuisine provided by an array of Hong Kong based restaurant groups.
3. Licensed Bars
More of what you're looking for! Bars and beer provided by Asahi will be scattered around the festival site should thirst ever grab you. Stand with a drink and watch the music or relax in the Beer Garden sampling the atmosphere.
4. Performing Artists
Exact scheduling to be confirmed.
Supergrass
After the successes of three platinum selling albums, 'I Should Coco' in 1995, 'In It For The Money' in 1997, and 'Supergrass' (aka 'The X-ray Album') in 1999, Supergrass have recently released their fourth album 'Life On Other Planets'.
This talented group of musicians formed Supergrass in 1994 after failing in the job market as factory worker (Gaz Coombes), plunger-dishwasher (Mick Quinn), dinner lady (Danny Goffey) and astrophysicist (Robert Coombes).
They are a band who make joyous, moving, vivid vignettes to the madness of human existence, whose string of successes include, 'Caught by the Fuzz', 'Alright', 'Richard III', 'Sun Hits the Sky', 'Going Out', 'Pumping on Your Stereo' and 'Moving'. Eight years of touring has established Supergrass as one of the most highly regarded and accomplished live bands in the UK.
It's the band's obscure take on life, it's darkness, joy and humour that make Supergrass so unique. Supergrass are a band with a singular identity and a universal spirit.
Listen to Supergrass because life is too short not to.
Electric Eel Shock. AKA: The Rock and Roll Monster From Japan
With a beat that sounds like Godzilla trampling Tokyo underfoot, Electric Eel Shock mean business, after seeing them you will truly believe that Rock & Roll Can Rescue The World... Do not miss EES." - Kerrang!
Creating more havoc around Europe and US than Godzilla, Electric Eel Shock's ferocious live set and stamina defying touring schedule have tagged them one of THE bands to watch out for in 2004. Lauded as "the new Metallica", Electric Eel Shock play an energetic mix of Metal and Garage rock that leaves destruction and devastation in its wake. Perhaps the first Asian rock act to break the UK and US markets - all hail the Asian heroes Electric Eel shock - the rock and roll monster from Japan. This is a band that has really earned and deserves the label “Not to be missed…â€
"Tokyo’s soon to be infamous Metal warriors conquer London..." Kerrang!
“Electric Eel Shock may be from Tokyo… but their music and fan-base is routed right here in the USA…†MTV USA
“Anyone who saw Electric Eel Shock at Roskilde Festival could not argue that this simply mind-blowingly awesome Japanese trio are indeed destined to be the New Metallica…†BT, Denmark
Rinôçérôse
Rinôçérôse, the French electronic / organic duo, once described their music as "house with guitars." Their style is experimental in nature, yet it works well. Some tracks are upbeat and rhythmic, yet their more profound ones are mellow enough to chill to, encompassing a wide variety of musical ingredients. Strong guitars weep to synth-y bleeps, while Latin percussion creates the tempo for a frolicking flute on "Mes Vacances a Rio." Classic rock meets electro funk on "I Love Ma Guitare." It’s well produced, thought out and downright creative. makes mixing genres look easy. Rinôçérôse goes in for fuzz guitar, acoustic guitar, talk-box guitar, bottleneck guitar, flamenco guitar, e-bow guitar, wah-wah guitar, even lap-steel guitar almost all the six-string flavours house-resistant music lovers go for.
The hooks and tunes non-househeads might grasp for are fairly low-key, and all except the most open-minded rock fans still get a little uncomfortable when they hear that four-on-the-floor kick drum - even now, after more than 20 years, disco still sucks. But for anyone up for a slinky new take on a familiar old sound, Rinôçérôse is a must see.... and hear...
The Spanish Harlem Orchestra
The Spanish Harlem Orchestra remind us how thrilling Salsa music can be. A forceful, finely tuned ensemble of alumni from the great salsa bands of Tito Puente, Ray Barretto, Willie Colon, Ruben Blades and other these seasoned sidemen have been spearheading the current resurgence of classic salsa from the 1960s and '70s.
Under the direction of pianist and arranger Oscar Hernandez (well known for arranging the title music for HBO's world famous Sex In The City series) The Spanish Harlem Orchestra will stick mostly to hard-driving standards such as Colon's "La Banda" and Barretto's "Vale Mas Un Guaguanco." To salsa die-hards who know all the words, these songs have the joyful, nostalgic appeal of Beatles tunes. Plus, they make you get up and dance, with or without a partner. This merry band of baby boomers taps into the good-natured, communal spirit characteristic of salsa at its timeless best. It sweeps up even the many young fans in the crowd who were not yet born when this music was popular.
Tauntingly unpredictable these crack musicians rev up their complex, precision polyrhythms and fire up five-part horn harmonies. Hernandez, who offers intricate though somewhat cerebral piano solos, often allows local musicians on stage for a fiery finale of "Muneca," the Eddie Palmieri-Ismael Quintana hit.
The near-anarchic, party-like climaxes of SHO performances remind fans of the final lesson in classic salsa: Never leave before it's over.
Leslie Loh
It's easy to see why people are beginning to notice Hong Kong born Leslie Loh. Her sold out UK tour in March and April 2003 and appearances supporting Liberty X and Blue at regional UK Festivals left crowds wanting for more. She has appeared in numerous commercials and featured in the movie 'Tempting Hearts' shown at the Cannes Film festival. And now this rising star is returning to Hong Kong for the Rockit Festival 2003.
Her UK hit Satisfied has left her anything but satisfied as she reaches higher. Following the Boom Bang Bang tour, a track taken from her forthcoming album released on 25th August on VF Records has an infectious hook and has garnered airplay on UK national radio and excellent exposure on The Box TV
Her emergence as a live act is set to reach new heights in November and December as she appears with the BRIT award nominees Atomic Kitten on their extensive UK tour. This is one star to watch this year and best of all she's a Hong Kong girl through and through.
Six By Seven
British drone-pop trio Six by Seven was formed in Nottingham, England in 1991. Their self-released debut single, "European Me," released in the autumn of 1997 was hailed as "one of the all-time great debut singles" by the NME, the record sold out in a week and a contract with Beggars Banquet, which issued The Things We Make in the spring of 1998. The Closer You Get followed two years later followed by last years The Way I Feel Today. Festival favourites in Europe this year.
Gold Rush and Mark Gardener
Press information to follow
DJ Suv
As a crucial member of the respected Full Cycle and Roni Size's Reprazent stables as well as Bryan Gee's V Recordings, Suv has undoubtedly contributed his fair share to the development of Drum n Bass and definitely to the Bristol sound.
Never afraid to look into the past and roots seldom explored, Suv's Desert Rose EP and his recent release of 'Follow the Sun' kicked up a storm and has appealed to everyone from the likes of Grooverider & Fabio to eclectic leftfield DJs like Giles Peterson and John Peel.
DJ Suv Live Showcase plays the Dance Tent at Rockit.
DJ Marky and XRS
Although only 28, DJ Marky is already a veritable superstar DJ in his homeland Brazil. Based in Sao Paulo, the clubbing and dance music capital of Brazil, Marky is well established as one of Brazil’s biggest DJs and producer talents.
DJ Marky began making a name for himself in the early 90’s pioneering the sounds of UK Drum & Bass/Jungle, appealing to lovers of dance music of all styles for his sheer artistry on a pair of Technics 1210’s.
He is currently resident DJ at the Bunker in Rio De Janeiro and at the fashionable Lov.e club in Sao Paulo where he was talent spotted in ‘98 by UK jungle legend Bryan Gee and Bulldozer. Without hesitation they invited him back to the UK, fulfilling a lifelong dream to play in London where he is now a Movement International Resident.
He created an immediate impression, smashing up the dancefloor at Movement and was instantly invited by Jumping Jack Frost to do a mix on his Kiss 100FM radio show.
In 2002, DJ Marky was publicly voted into 52nd place in the prestigious DJ Magazine Top 100 DJ's in the World poll. DJ Marky was again nominated at the Muzik Magazine awards for Best Breakthrough DJ as well as appearing in the Hot 100 poll in URB magazine.
Now DJ Marky is heading to Hong Kong for Rockit where a whole new crowd will experience the artistry of this Brazilian powerhouse.
Stamina MC
Known as the voice of 'LK' from DJ Marky's & XRS' U.K Top 20 smash hit, Stamina MC, the soulful mic controller made a visit to Hong Kong recently. A vocalist of rare ability, Stamina's dextrous delivery combines a seamless flow with a truly unbelievable approach to music: Whether it be singing, rapping ragga lyrics, firing out rhymes or displaying his natural instinct for hyping any crowd, his skills are guaranteed to serve a groove. Be prepared at Rockit to be entertained as Movement's No 1 MC takes you on a lyrical trip!
He will be supporting DJ Marky at Rockit.
Local Acts
Robot Live
The Academy
Audio Traffic
Whence He Came
Uncle Joe
Plus more to be announced…  |
