The line-up is huge and although Snoop Dogg has pulled out there are plenty of other artists and DJ’s to keep you entertained. The list includes DJ Shadow, Example, Groove Armada, Fatboy Slim, Labrinth, The Vaccines, Chase & Status, The Whip and loads more.

As one of the largest and most highly regarded resorts in the world Mayrhofen is completely taken over for a week long party of hedonistic adventure and extreme sport. The resort also boasts some of Europe’s most lavish spas so you can relax and enjoy the amazing spring sunshine and snowy mountains of one of Europe’s most snow-sure, late season winter resorts. The nearby Tux glacier (Austria’s highest lifted point) is also only a short (free) bus ride away, and although open all-year round, it’s at its best in spring.

Snowbombing is an entertainment and accommodation package, where you can choose a variety of accommodation options to suit your preferences and budget; from 5 star luxury Spa hotels, to pocket friendly pensions.

You can add a variety of extras to build a package to suit you including a variety of lift passes, bespoke parties, including the infamous Arctic Disco and the bonkers Backcountry Party plus ski & snowboard lessons, equipment hire and airport transfers.

Prices start from £289 for accommodation and all the entertainment.

1 WEEK / 14 UNIQUE VENUES / 5 MOUNTAIN STAGES / 4 IGLOO RAVES / 5,000 STRONG STREET PARTY / 1 AWARD WINNING BOARD PARK / 18 SPAS AND POOLS / 639KM OF PISTE

Snowbombing 2012
April 9-14
Mayrhofen, Austria

Eight hours of motorway driving, counting endless sheep, and mind-numbing attempts at pronouncing the road signs passed by and finally James Drakeford and friends arrive at what could have been mistaken as ‘the arse end of nowhere’…

We had arrived at Pembrey County Park for the fifth instalment of Beach Break Live. The British equivalent of America’s Spring Break. 20,000 students raving it up at the Dragon’s Den endorsed festival which marks the end of the exam period and the start of summer; four glorious days of music, sun and sand in the South of Wales.

Instantly the flaws of this comment came to fruition. It doesn’t take a weatherman to tell you that South Wales is notoriously wet so come Thursday night, it was time to set the tent up in the pouring rain and gloomy darkness. But, like all good festival crowds this did not deter the short-shorts, the beaming smiles, and the late night partying.

As Friday rolled by, the weather remained consistent with its reputation. Regular festival goers were telling me that they felt under-prepared – only packing ‘shorts and summer stuff’ after being led astray by the word ‘beach’. The sports events on the beach remained deserted and the main stage had opened quietly. Not looking promising.

Then comes rising star Maverick Sabre. He did well to wake things up playing hotly tipped single ‘Look What I’ve Done’, and even put his own spin on Oasis anthem ‘Wonderwall’. Speaking to Fused Magazine after his set, he said:

“I played Isle of White festival last week and there were about 8,000 people in the tent and it went crazy. I thought it was going to be really tough for anyone to match that. Then today, I played to a quarter of that, and it went off the hook. They really got into it from the start.”

Ed Sheeran got the crowd singing with his acoustic prowess, and Professor Green followed to get the crowd dancing. All of this was warming up nicely for arguably the biggest act on the bill, Tinie Tempah, who was the first main stage headliner of the festival. If anything was going to dispel the rainy-blues the antidote was always going to be the Brit award winners energetic and charismatic set.

With everyone now well and truly in the party mood it was time to head over to Merlin’s Forest for Zane Lowe’s late night DJ set. It was a very hit and miss set that frustrated the crowd by teasing crowd pleasers only to cut them in favour of songs that didn’t quite gel (to the extent that the crowd continued to sing to the song before long after it was cut). But even still, the day was a success.

Saturday had sunglasses and suntan written all over it (albeit with the odd attempt of rain just to remind you that you’re still in Wales). The masses flocked to the stages nice and early to enjoy Will And The People putting on a fantastic set with highlights including catchy tune ‘Mr Sketchy’, and Pixies cover ‘Where is my Mind?’.

Beardyman created a huge frenzy when he took to the main stage. The crowd began throwing colourful chalk in the air and before long the pit area looked like one massive tie-dye. Thousands of students roared with excitement with the exception of one or two who had greying hair and wearing thick raincoats as they shook their heads with bemusement as they ‘just didn’t get it’.

The set was void of the beatboxing that was used as a platform for the former UK Beatboxing Champion’s career. Beardyman claimed afterwards that:

“Beatboxing is a load of rubbish, its novelty.” He added: “I didn’t do any today, and I’m sure there will be a couple of purists who will be a little pissed off. But you can’t listen to purists if you have a dream and I have a dream to move forward.” Either way, the move seemed to pay off because the crowd couldn’t get enough of it.

With Ms Dynamite’s flight being delayed; We Are Scientists, Example, and White Lies rounded off the strong line-up on the main stage, before dance acts Nero, Shy FX, and Sub Focus joined Ms Dynamite in Merlin’s Forest to keep the crowd buzzin’ well into the early hours of the morning. It makes you wonder how they can afford to get so much on for just £100 a ticket.

Before you know it, it was already Sunday. We learnt that festival favourite Newton Faulkner enjoys chilling backstage playing guitar hero in the Jagermeister tent, having skipping competitions, and just jamming acoustically for us all to enjoy. A great laugh which was almost as good fun as his solid set on the main stage which included his own acoustic rendition of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. Who could’ve guessed that one man and a guitar could grip people’s attention so avidly?

The main stage then went out with a bang as Katy B warmed up the punters before dub-step super band Magnetic Man blew them away. The perfect combination given that the two acts have collaborated so frequently.

And then the big finale, if you’re going to start the festival strong, the key is to end the festival in an equally memorably fashion. Cue Mark Ronson. Following DJ Yoda in Merlin’s Forest, Ronson ensured that everyone would be returning to the real world the following day craving more.

It’s a shame that the weather was so hit and miss because this unique blend of holiday/festival could never reach its true potential. Then again, strolling down to the acres of beach to watch the sunrise in the morning after a heavy night was the perfect way to cap off a remarkable festival. Overall; a fantastic value for money, and I’m definitely looking forward to 2012.

Words: James Drakeford

Godfathers of electro dance Chemical Brothers headline. With Kasabian and highly influential artist DJ Shadow also among the acts, RockNess has been tipped as ‘the place to be’ in 2011 for festival-goers.

Rockness – 10-12 June
The Village of Dores, Inverness, Scotland

LINE UP:

GLASVEGAS, THE WOMBATS, TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB, MAGNETIC MAN, GROOVE ARMADA PRESENTS RED LIGHT, DJ SHADOW, THE CRIBS, WE ARE SCIENTISTS, 
FRIGHTENED RABBIT, EXAMPLE, KATY B, SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO, MARK RONSON

Friday: KASABIAN / Two Door Cinema Club / 
Groove Armada presents Red Light / DJ Shadow
 / Mark Ronson DJ set / Annie Mac / Erol Alkan / Zane Lowe /

Saturday: THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS / The Cribs / Frightened Rabbit / Magnetic Man / Example / Howard Marks
 
Sunday:
PAOLO NUTINI / Glasvegas / The Wombats / We Are Scientists / Lissie / Katy B / Boys Noize / Simian Mobile Disco / Fake Blood LIVE / DJ Yoda / 
Rob da Bank / Optimo / The Cuban Brothers

TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Student offer – £145 weekend camping/non camping plus free coach travel in Scotland and selected UK destinations from Citylink pick up points.
General offer – £149 weekend camping/non camping
General offer – £159 weekend camping/non camping weekend camping/non camping plus free coach travel in Scotland and selected UK destinations from Citylink pick up points

COMPETITION - We have a pair of tickets and free travel to ROCKNESS.
How to enter:
QUESTION - In the festival section of our sister publication Area Culture Guide we mention that THE CURE will be headlining a Saturday Night at one of the festivals. Just tell us which festival….

Send your answer along with: Your name, date of birth, address and telephone number to competitions [@] fusedmagazine.com.
Please put ‘ROCKNESS’ in the Subject Box.

Deadline for entries is 4th June.