Camper Calling

24 - 27 August 2023

Saturday

2016

Backbeat Soundsystem

Music Act, Saturday, Lakeside Stage

Backbeat Soundsystem are a different beast. In a UK reggae scene that has long eschewed bands in favour of sound systems, Backbeat brings 8 musicians to the stage and hail from far west Cornwall. And, while many of their peers are slavish in their attempt to recreate an authentic Jamaican-leaning sound, Backbeat Soundsystem are not afraid to go in totally different directions, pulling in influences from all across the music spectrum, to create their vision of modern reggae.

ABC

Music Act, Saturday, Lakeside Stage

A leading light of the New Wave scene of the early-’80s, ABC took the pop baton from the likes of David Bowie and Roxy Music and ran it up the UK top ten.

In 1982, ABC’s debut release, The Lexicon of Love spawned seminal synth-driven hits such as “The Look of Love”, “Poison Arrow”, and “Tears Are Not Enough”: Now founder Martin Fry has unleashed The Lexicon of Love II reaching number 5 in the UK album chart with singles “Viva Love” and “The Flames of Desire”.

With his ageless voice and ear for timeless hooks, Martin Fry will take you on a journey back to 1982 and everywhere in between at Camper Calling 2016.

This is the sound of an old master falling not far short of a standard that his youthful self set very high indeed.
— The Guardian

The Hoosiers

Music Act, Music, Saturday, Lakeside Stage

Hailing from Bracknell, Berkshire via Indiana, The Hoosiers have been purveyors of some of the finest vintage indie pop for the last decade.

Following the release of their 2007 chart-topping debut album The Trick To Life, which included the massive singles “Goodbye Mr. A” and “Worried About Ray”, their sound has evolved. That bombastic pop has matured into something more electronic and synthetic, but ultimately just as enjoyable.

With influences ranging from The Cure, The Flaming Lips and Giorgio Moroder, you can rest assured that their eclectic earworms will get you on your feet.

Toploader

Music Act, Saturday, Lakeside Stage

This Eastbourne band are the perfect fit for Camper Calling with a catalogue of tracks boasting the likes of “Achilles Heel”, “Time Of My Life”, and of course the iconic “Dancing In The Moonlight”. Toploader's live career began playing with the likes of Coldplay and Muse in small venues across the UK. They later went on to back the likes of Paul Weller, Robbie Williams and Bon Jovi, becoming the last British band to play the original Wembley Stadium.

With a style that echoes The Faces and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road-era Elton John, they shot into the limelight in 2000 with the release of their debut album, Onka’s Big Monka. 

Their keyboard-heavy, soulful sound brings a hazy feel-good vibe to the show, and we can’t wait to see them perform!

UK Foo Fighters Tribute

Music Act, Adults, Teens, Saturday, Lakeside Stage

It’s been a huge year for the UK’s premier Foo Fighters tribute band, and we’re glad that they’ll be making Camper Calling part of their 2016 story. 

With an expansive back catalogue of the American rock legend’s seminal tracks under their belt, the UK Foo Fighters Tribute will be bringing all the energy and bounce you’d expect from Dave Grohl and the gang!

It isn’t very often that you see such a wild reaction in a crowd at a tribute band gig, but on this occasion, it was completely justified – the UK Foo Fighters Tribute were already beginning to sound like a close, almost carbon copy of the Foo Fighters themselves.
— Nicola Claire Allen, The Demon
Jay, obviously loving every minute, somehow recreates that famous Grohl swagger without, at any point, losing his own identity as a fantastic performer and showman in his own right.
— Jacqueline Grima, Humanity Hallows

The Carnabys

Music Act, Saturday, Lakeside Stage

Hailing from London, The Carnabys are a frenetic five-piece making a big noise, and some of the biggest names in rock are listening. The band certainly aren’t lacking in confidence after having toured with Bruce Springsteen as winners of Hard Rock Calling 2013, and more recently Blondie!

Channeling the indie of the early-to-mid-2000s, The Carnabys specialise in a raw and energetic brand of songwriting similar to that of The Futureheads, Kings of Leon and The Arctic Monkeys.

What you’ll notice first about their sound is that guitars and vocals are both as strong as each other: Driving, powerful, but ultimately warm and attention-grabbing.


 

Their sound is fully grown. Lead singer Jack Mercer‘s young frame hides a deceptively husky voice, perfected for the balls-out garage-rock swagger that their swinging sixties name suggests
— VH1
The best support band we’ve had in years.
— Debbie Harry, Blondie

By the Rivers

Music Act, Saturday

Having supported the legendary Madness in 2013, and skirting the boundary between reggae and ska with joyous ease come Leicester’s By the Rivers.

Tight vocal stylings add an accomplished flourish to tracks punctuated by brass to create something infinitely danceable. 

Will and the People

Music Act, Saturday, Lakeside Stage

Brighton-born Will Rendle and his band of merry men will delight with their playful reggae-tinged pop offerings influenced by Bob Marley, Mott the Hoople, Elton John and Elbow. The band have also toured with an eclectic mix of artists such as Paolo Nutini, jamie Cullum and Girls Aloud!

2015 saw the release of their third studio album ‘Whistleblower’, and we sure can’t wait to see how they translate these new tracks to the live arena at Camper Calling in 2016.

Showcasing a variety of sounds and vibes that fuse indie pop with ska and glam rock, Will and the People have traversed a road as wild and unpredictable as their musical output.
— Louis Roberts, CultureFly

Jack Blackman

Music Act, Saturday, Bar

Jack Blackman has been making waves in the UK blues scene for quite some time now, and he is fast developing into one the country’s finest exports of acoustic roots.

Receiving international airplay with his exquisite fingerstyle guitar playing, Jack fuses his trademark classy songwriting with a folk sensibility to summon the ghosts of blues long gone.

We were absolutely blown away by Jack when he appeared at the Overton festival in May. Many people told us that he was the star of the festival and we had to agree. Rarely have we heard such talent on the guitar from someone so young.
— BluesInTheNorthWest.com