Aberystwyth University May Ball 2012

Here it is - our biggest line up ever with 5 big name acts on the main stage plus the comedy zone, tribute tent, headphone disco & chill out marquees, fairground and much much more...

See below for details of all the acts playing at MAY BALL 2012! Tickets on sale from midday in the Union shop.

***MAIN ARENA***

ZANE LOWE
After 6 successive years of trying to get this man on the line up, ZANE LOWE is finally confirmed for 2012 and going to tear the roof of the Ball with a trademark set of epic proportions.

Forget all the other radio DJ sets you’ve ever seen – this man works miracles on the decks. Hyping the crowd with a mix of massive tunes and an intense energy that will have you bouncing throughout.

A truly eclectic set, Zane has supported everyone from Muse & Foo Fighters at their stadium shows to recent shows with Nero, Skrillex and DJ Shadow.

After almost 10 years presenting Radio 1s flagship new music show, Zane continues to be at the forefront of the greatest of the latest not to mention the well-earned status of modern day national treasure.

See him do what he does on the main stage...

http://www.zanelowe.com/

THE HOOSIERS
Upping the feel good factor on the main stage, we are delighted to welcome joyous purveyors of electropop THE HOOSIERS to this years May Ball.

Their debut double Platinum selling album ‘Trick to Life’ included the HUGE singles ‘Worried About Ray’, ‘Cops and Robbers’ and ‘Goodbye Mr A’ and the band have earned a well deserved reputation for amazing live shows – a heady mix of pop sensibilities, on stage antics and solid tunes underpinned by truly great musicianship.

www.thehoosiers.com

ROLL DEEP
Since the East London collective formed back in 2002, ROLL DEEP have generated household names far and wide with ex-members including Tinchy Stryder and Dizzee Rascal.

Following early hits with ‘The Avenue’ and ‘Shake a Leg’ it was their most recent album which brought their biggest chart success to date with two number one singles ‘Good Times’ and ‘Green Light’ smashing the UK charts with a newer urban clubby direction.

http://www.rolldeep.co.uk/

MS DYNAMITE
Kicking off her career in impressive style with critically acclaimed debut album ‘A Little Deeper’ winning the coveted Mercury Music Prize as well as scooping two BRIT awards including Best British Female.

Miss Dynamite has re-emerged lately with new solo work and BIG collaborations with contemporary artists such as DJ Zinc, Katy B and Magnetic Man.

www.msdynamite.co.uk

TOPLOADER
Their debut album ‘Onka ‘s Big Monka’ sold over 1 million units alone and stayed in the top5 of the UK album chart for over 6 months featuring the top 10 single ‘Achilles Heel’ and worldwide smash ‘Dancing in the Moonlight’ which remains a floor filler in clubs up and down the land to this day.

Having split in 2003, the band has reformed following an extended hiatus with their faultless live reputation still intact. Part of their UK and European dates this summer, we look forward to them joining us on the main stage in May.

http://toploaderofficial.com/

***TRIBUTE TENT***

A huge success last year, we’ve mixed up the tribute tent with an original covers act alongside one of our favourite guest DJs of the past 12 months keeping the marquee rocking til 4am.

THE FILLERS
Since forming in 2006, The Fillers have toured constantly across the UK, Europe and the USA playing to audiences of up to 30,000 people following the global domination of Brandon Flowers & co.
One of the UKs most in demand tribute acts, The Fillers have received the highest praise from The Killers themselves with legendary band member Ronnie Vannucci Jr joining them on stage and taking care of the drumming for their version of ‘All These Things I’ve Done’ at one of their shows.

Bringing a greatest hits sets from one of the biggest bands in the world today to the tribute tent, in the words of Brandon Flowers himself “...you should check ‘em out”

http://www.thefillersmusic.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgC2nCpP8Wc&feature=related

182 – A TRIBUTE TO BLINK
South Wales based trio formed by fans of Blink 182 and wanted to spread the love! Injecting energy and passion into their set where traditional tribute acts fall way short this, their set pleases everyone from casual listeners and hardcore fanatics of Messer’s Hoppus, DeLonge & Barker.

http://www.facebook.com/182uk

THE RINKY DINKS
Formed in 2006, The Rinky Dinks’ musical philosophy has always been about borrowing well-known songs and giving them a ukulele twist. The potential set list is endless and the band reflect their diverse roots in the music – imagining tunes as bluegrass, ska, swing and house to name a few.

Underpinning this is a rock and roll attitude which sets The Rinky Dinks apart from their ukulele peers. Make no mistake, this a band not an orchestra! Creating music that makes people smile, laugh, dance and sing along is The Rinky Dinks’ measure of success and it is this participation and connection with the audience which has cemented The Rinky Dinks’ reputation as one of the most enjoyable, entertaining and original live acts around.

Having done the rounds of various festivals including The Big Chill and Bestival, The Rinky Dinks touch down at the May Ball 2012 for a proper good knees up. And cider.
http://www.therinkydinks.com/

DJ JINX
Kerrang! resident and Aberystwyth favourite, DJ Jinx has played a few times in the Union (twice along with the Headphone Disco boys) and absolutely ROCKED it each time. A quality DJ not to mention a lovely chap, Jinx will be on hand for musical interludes between live acts plus a headline rock / metal set to close the marquee at the end of night. Fatigue will be a distant memory once Jinx gets on the decks!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dj-Jinx/104184587951

***COMEDY ZONE***

Another new addition last year that we had to bring back! Kicking things off for the first part of the night we bring you some of the best emerging talent from the UK stand up circuit in the Comedy Zone, including a couple of favourites that have graced our very own Comedy Works stage this year. Your court jesters are:

JOHN ROBINS
John has quickly made his name as one of the most quick-witted, engaging comedians on the circuit. He’s the latest maverick to burst out of Bristol’s hotbed of talent and he has stories to tell, banter to have, and bombs to drop.

As Seen on ‘Russell Howard’s Good News’

"An endearing and hugely watchable act…good storysmith with bags of material and confidence" Chortle
"Fresh and Original" BBC
“Like discovering buried treasure” Fest
“funnier than all of them ... his self-depreciation and Olympic ad-libbing would have you skipping happily down even the darkest alley” Venue

http://johnrobins.net/

HORSE & LOUIS
Nick Phillips & Louis Fonseca, better known as Horse & Louis, are a sketch act disguised as a musical comedy duo who have been confusing and delighting audiences in equal measure since forming in Cardiff in 2008. Musical Comedy Award finalists (2010) and hosts (2011), they received airplay on BBC Radio 2 earlier this year and made their full Edinburgh Fringe debut in the summer.

Musical Comedy Awards – runners-up (2010), hosts (2011)
BBC New Comedy Award – semi finalists (2011)
Up-the-Creek’s One To Watch – third-placed (July 2011)
Amused Moose Laugh-Off – semi-finalists (2011)
Welsh Unsigned Stand-Up Award – finalists (2011)

‘Endearing and funny… well work a look.’ THREE WEEKS
http://horseandlouis.com/

JARED HARDY
Stand-up comedian Jared Hardy performs quirky stories and hilarious tales from what he sees in an energetic way, infused with wit and observational humour. Since winning the Stand Up For The Big One final on his third gig, Jared has performed at Glastonbury festival, been a semi finalist in two national competitions (Amused Moose and Laughing Horse).

“Extremely funny - ★★★★” THREE WEEKS
“Jared Hardy, a young, up-and-coming comedian, showed an amazing ability to humour the audience with self derogatory comments and wit.” festbuzz

TOMMY ROWSON
WINNER OF THE SO YOU THINK YOU’RE FUNNY AWARD 2011

Newcomer Tommy Rowson scooped last years SYTYF award – a high accolade indeed with previous winners including Lee Mack, Peter Kay and Dylan Moran.

Firmly establishing himself on the UK comedy circuit have a look for yourself as Tommy joins the line up on the Comedy Zone.

http://www.ginriot.com/

BEN VAN DER VELDE
Winner Comedy Cafe New Act of the Year 2011

“Whipsharp…with an air of mischievous mayhem…his hit-rate is impressive, while his in-the-moment style creates a buzz of excitement in the room…a life-giving compere.” Steve Bennet, Chortle

“highly promising…accomplished comic.” Time Out
”left the audience beaming from ear to ear with satirical quips and hilariously sinister tales.” BBC3
“exquisite comic timing... wonderfully clownish physical comedy” British Theatre Guide
“absolutely fantastic MC.” Paul Sinha
http://www.benvandervelde.com/

***HEADPHONE DISCO ARENA***

The Headphone Disco gang descend again for hours of silent partying til 4am!

***CHILL OUT MARQUEE***
featuring bean bags, oxygen bars and fish pedicure!

TICKETS ON SALE 12pm MONDAY 23rd APRIL 2012 - CASH OR CARD ONLY (max 6 per person) FROM THE STUDENT UNION.