VOLT FESTIVAL 2009

This year’s VOLT is presenting cult stars. Returning after years of silence with a studio album and live tour is LIMP BIZKIT, along with another comeback artist of Western European festivals, the provocative metal icon, MARILYN MANSON, as well as British super-group of the moment FRANZ FERDINAND are all coming to Sopron for the first weekend of July. Among the first confirmed performers is the seldom touring French techno producer LAURENT GARNIER, who will be presenting a live show, as will the British FREESTYLERS crew, bringing sparkling breakbeat to the base of the Alps. Also returning to the City of Fidelity by popular demand is LTJ BUKEM and MC CONRAD.  

VOLT Festival at Sopron will be held from the 1^st of July, featuring 200 local and international stars performing on 10 stages in the City of Fidelity. So far six performers have been announced, but according to some rumours there are great reveals yet to come. Tickets are available nation-wide. For further details go to www.volt.hu.   LIMP BIZKIT – It has been nearly ten years since one of the most successful nu-metal bands conquered the world, but Fred Durst and his band are launching another full-frontal assault this year. They pioneered a new musical style and achieved everything there is to achieve in the business: platinum record, sold out tours, and over 67 million albums sold. The band that was the leading edge of the new wave of metal went on an artistic break for a few years, but last year they were rumoured to be working on a new album after their prolonged sabbatical. And the rumours were true! So much so, that they will be presenting their brand new album at major European festivals during their world tour.  

MARILYN MANSON – The iconic figure of metal, the provocative and outrageous artist continues to shock middle-class sensitivities and about release a new album shortly. The PR genius always gives the dailies something to chew on, and his outrageous, visually orgiastic live shows attract more and more followers every year. Reports say that the group has a rock hard gift in store for their fans this Valentines Day.  According to Marilyn their seventh studio album is true to their old form, it will be ruthless and violent. MM promises their concert at VOLT to be an overwhelming rock orgy.  

FRANZ FERDINAND – The most popular guitar-pop band of recent years earned a permanent place among the greats with Tonight, their first album after a three year break. The Glaswegian foursome has been on an unbroken winning streak ever since their debut album, garnering critical acclaim, showered with prizes by the industry (including the Mercury Music Prize, an Ivor Novello and two Brit Awards) as well as the unabated enthusiasm of audiences. From an intellectual indie favourite they grew into giants of the mainstream music universe. Alex Kapranos and his band produce quirky, dirty pop hits seemingly effortlessly. Although they withdrew for a while from the exhausting cycle of year-long album tours, their come back suggests that 2009 will be their year. They announced their return as headliners of major European festivals, including the sold-out Glastonbury. And they will be the opening act at the VOLT Festival too!    

LAURENT GARNIER – live – An all-rounder artist, record label owner, and legendary figure of French techno, who bravely pushed the boundaries during his career of more than two decades. His first encounter with electronic music dates back to the late 80s, he got a taste for deep house and Detroit techno in British clubs, and in Manchester’s Hacienda club his music inspired the likes of the Stone Roses and the Happy Mondays. Garnier’s versatile talents are equally at home performing for thousands at a House party as at the Montreaux Jazz Festival. The artist who has lately been flirting with jazz (amongst other things) first attracted attention with his live shows, and the album ‘Public Outburst’ featuring artists like the noted Swedish keyboard player Bugge Wesseltoft, is a testament to how live and electronic music can be  artistically combined.   

 FREESTYLERS – live – Chart topping remix champions, hosts of off the hook parties, the mood enhancing effect is guaranteed wherever the breakbeat collective performs. The success of the group lies in their versatility (amongst other things); they freely heap electro, jungle or hip hop on top of breakbeat foundations- the only thing that matters is the overwhelming, irresistible energy. The collective that started in ’96 as a trio has since swollen to 11 constantly changing members. It has been as successful in the charts as at parties. 4 albums, more than 40 singles and about a hundred remixes so far testify to their talent. Naturally, they too will be bringing a live show to VOLT.  

LTJ BUKEM & MC CONRAD – Drum and bass legend, record label owner, and frenetic party starter with accomplice sound jongleur MC Conrad. Bukem, who grew up on classical music and jazz played a key role in drum and bass conquering the world in the early 90s from its origins in London clubs. Thanks to his unmistakable style not only his, but his label’s name made an indelible mark on the musical landscape. Representing the softer, more accessible side of the genre, Good Looking’s big score was the mix series “Progression Sessions”, but he also gave countless new talent their break (Makoto, Peshay, Nookie and Utah Jazz amongst others are on the label’s endless discography). His joint performances with his faithful sidekick, the genius MC Conrad, prove time and again that drum and bass can attract wider audiences than just the fans of broken beats in front of the stage.