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This year, DrownedinSound.com is expanding its horizons and making inroads into the magical world of continental Europe.
We've plenty to announce and unveil over the coming months, but we're more than happy to start by letting you know about one of the biggest and most exciting of all: the inaugural Hovefestival, in Norway, with which we are in close media partnership.
Hove is a five-day, Monday-to-Friday event featuring three stages during the day and four in the evening. Hove will have one of the most eco-friendly attitudes towards festival organisation in history: from simple ideas like promotional items being printed on recycled paper, through to proper, organic food and 1,000 bikes for free use around the beautiful site, the festival will do its bit for the planet.
Additionally, all transport and generators on site will be running on bio-ethanol, a sustainable eco-friendly fuel and Hovefestival will be neutralising all carbon emissions by funding a rainforest regeneration charity to balance all carbon outputted throughout the course of the whole festival.
Across the course of the five days, Hovefestival will play host to 40 international acts and 40 Nordic artists, plus DJs well into the night, with a progressive and all-encompassing attitude towards booking that has highlighted festivals like All Tomorrow's Parties so well in the UK.
From the 5,000 capacity amphitheatre, dug into the side of a hill, to DJs and live PAs in the woods and on the beach throughout the day and night, Hovefestival will be a week to remember for a long time - and that's before you've even seen who is playing. On-site camping and chalets are available, and Hove is the world's first festival with an option to stay on a boat moored in the festival site's harbour.
Stages will be hosted by DrownedinSound.com, Domino Records, Rough Trade Records, The Luminaire and respected London-based promoters Eat Your Own Ears. Tom Baker of EYOE spoke to DiS earlier today and commented on the festival:
"I'm really excited to be hosting a stage in a new territory, particularly at a festival with an amazing setting."
Personally, I think Tom is most excited by the hot tubs on the beach. He's good like that.
DiS is the worldwide on-line media partner for Hovefestival 2007 and you can expect exclusive line-up announcements (seriously, you'll want to know those), live coverage from the site, package deals and more. Stay tuned.
Hovefestival 2007 runs from June 25th-29th and you can look at more photos now by clicking this link; the UK site launches 1st February. Enjoy and stay tuned for inital line-ups real soon.
