So, without further ado, the headliner is…
example
That’s right, the staple of UK dance, the one who dwells within every self-respecting gymnasium’s speakers, the writer of such hits as ‘Kickstarts’, ‘Changed the Way You Kissed Me’ and ‘Midnight Run’, is coming to Exeter to headline Exefest. Radio 1 love this guy, and he’s been pretty consistent in the charts as well with two UK number ones, eight top tens and 15 top 40s to his name. Example’s pumped up set full of feel-good dancehall bangers is sure to be an exemplar and fitting climax to the festival.
PRivate Agenda
Berlin-based disco dreamboats Private Agenda knocked our socks clean off with their totally electrifying performance at the Poltimore Festival Launch Party at Phoenix earlier this year (check out the review here), and we’re hyped that they will be returning to dish out their dancey swagger to Exefest goers.
SWEAT
A sleazy, apocalyptic pop five-piece, Sweat’s grooves touch upon 80s glam swagger and sex-fuelled dance music. With heavy acclaim for both their live performances and recorded material, this Peckham quintet will surely provide a steamy, pulsing set of hedonistic, baggy bass, with inflections of yesteryear and a timeless rhythm.
The Hoosiers
Did someone say The Hoosiers? Hell yeah! These guys owned the mid-noughties pop rock scene with songs like ‘Worried About Ray’ and, yep, ‘Goodbye Mr A’. These guys will be great fun live and should deliver some happy-go-lucky, danceable pop-rock for nostalgia-lovers to bop along to.
AMber Run
Next up on the bill are Nottingham indie-rock kids Amber Run, who specialise in cinematic, introspective pop and are currently touring their sophomore album, For A Moment I was Lost. Their chilled out, sombre vibes along the lines of Kodaline and Get Inuit are sure to culminate in a classic festival set. Check out our interview with them here.
Cascada
One of the most successful dance acts ever and one of Germany’s best-selling artists – with sales topping 30 million – Cascada will also be taking advantage of the Ram’s burger and a pint deal. ‘Evacuate the Dancefloor’ and ‘Everytime We Touch’ will be unmissable.
Wheatus
They’re the Wheatest! These noughties smash-hit sensations will almost definitely be performing ‘Teenage Dirtbag’, have you heard of it? I’m willing to bet the most musically reverential moment of your life happened on a balmy Summer’s eve where you and the gang formed a frothing pit of nostalgia and lilted, ‘I’ve got two tickets to Iron Maiden, baby. Come with me Friday; don’t say maybe’.
To have all these big names step on the same ground that you maybe chundered on in a wacky freshers week shenanigan is very exciting. It should be one of the best musical events this summer, and it’s right on our doorstep.
