JACKS Abroad: Benicassim 2017 Preview
JACKS are headed overseas once again and we’re looking at seven acts you need to look out for at Spain’s top festival FIB Benicassim, this weekend.
Spain’s top festival kicks off on Thursday July 13 and has one of the most exciting line ups across Europes festival circuit. This year, JACKS are going to be there bringing you day by day reviews of what goes on. For now, we’re looking at seven acts across the weekend that are a must see on the Spanish coast.
Headlining this year’s installement of Benicassim are The Weeknd, Foals, Red Hot Chill Peppers and Kasabian. Yet we already know that these artists are already world class and what to expect, so we’re looking at who else on this lineup is just as exciting and could be within contention of one day topping the bill.
The Courteeners
One of the finest acts to come out of Manchester in recent years, Liam Fray and his band The Courteeners, are headed for the sunny coast of Spain on Benicassim’s opening night.
Recently, the Mancunians hosted two stunning nights at Manchester’s Old Trafford Cricket Ground, selling out both nights and blew the crowds away with their anthemic songs. Those shows proved they’re destined to be a headliner band. With songs made for festival sing-alongs and Fray’s charismatic performances as frontman, The Courteeners are going to kick off Benicassim 2017 in spectacular style and only a matter of time before they return as headliners.
The Courteeners perform on the Escenario Visa Stage on Thursday 13 July at 11:40pm.
The Sherlocks
Yorkshire lads The Sherlocks, have been rising here in the U.K. over the last few years and are set to unleash the debut album Live for the Moment, this August. With adrenaline pumping hooks and catchy rhythms, The Sherlocks are a band perfect for performing in sun-soaked Benicassim.
The Sherlocks perform on the Las Palmas Stage on Friday 14 July at 7:10pm.
Blaenavon
Hampshire band Blaenavon, have had an exciting 2017 so far, with the release of their debut album ‘That’s Your Lot‘ in April and an upcoming tour, including a night at the Arts Club in Liverpool this November.
Their indie rock tunes filled with breezy riffs on ‘ Let’s Pray‘ and then an ability to turn the mood dark with songs like ‘Alice Come Home‘ with heartbreaking intensity. Blaenavon’s set on the Escenario R3 FIB Club stage will be an exciting performance not to miss.
Blaenavon perform on the Escenario R3 FIB Club Stage on Friday 14 July at 10:45pm.
Liam Gallagher
Ons of the most prolific frontmen of the Britpop wars in the 90’s Liam Gallagher, is set to perform at Spain’s most exciting festival. Notoriously known for his instantly recognisable tracks with Oasis, Liam’s solo venture is to be a memorable moment at Benicassim.
His previous venture as part of Beady Eye in the aftermath of Oasis’ split was a dud but the Mancunian is back in a big way. With his track list for his debut solo album already released, including the mammoth ‘Wall of Glass‘, the infamous Gallagher brother is going to draw a huge crowd at this festival, like his brother Noel did in 2012.
As well as previewing his upcoming solo effort, Liam has been performing Oasis classics, such as ‘Rock n Roll Star‘ and in light of recent tragedies in Manchester and London ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger‘, making it a nostalgic set not to miss.
Liam Gallagher performs on the Las Palmas Stage on Saturday 15 July at 9:30pm.
Declan McKenna
Declan McKenna makes his debut at Benicassim this year and there’s almost no other solo artist that doesn’t suit the backdrop of the Spanish town any better than the Hertfordshire teenager.
Filled with uplifting songs like ‘Brazil‘ and quirky synth-enduced, Metronomy-esque tracks such as ‘Isombard‘, McKenna’s set is bound to be a talking point of the weekend.
Declan McKenna performs on the Las Palmas Stage on Sunday 16 July at 8:30pm.
Slaves
Cockney duo are at the heart of the punk revival in the U.K. and their in-your-face style hasn’t waivered in the wake of their second album Take Control, which came out in 2016.
A surprise performance at Glastonbury earlier this month in the intimate setting of the BBC Intorducint Stage showed they can make a small venue feel like an arena with their massive anthems. The aggression that they put out about their views on current affairs and modern society make for thrilling entertainment. Slaves are already high up festival lineups, it’s only a matter of time before they’re at the top of them.
Slaves perform on the Escenario Visa Stage on Sunday July 16 at 9:45pm
Rüfus
Australian electro trio Rüfus Du Sol grace the Mediterranean shores this year and with their first album Atlas cementing themselves in the Australian dance scene. Their follow-up Bloom, has blasted them into international dance headliners. Rüfus are currently on a world tour and are sure to bring their sultry Shaka vibes to Benicassim.
Numbers such as ‘Take Me’, ‘You Were Right’ and the hypnotic seven minutes of ‘Inner Bloom‘ are sure to make Rüfus worth sacricifing the last 15 minutes of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ headline set.
Rüfus perform on the South Beach Dance Stage on Sunday July 16 at 12:30am.
Check out the full lineup for Benciassim 2017 below!
