– NEW ACTS + AREAS ANNOUNCED –

Following a speedy sell out in its inaugural year in 2010, Parklife responded by doubling to a two-day event for 2011, becoming the Parklife Weekender. The festival’s second year has proved every bit as popular and is now sold out. A limited number of 250 weekend tickets will be released and only available at the Parklife Weekender’s official pre-party, headlined by Caribou and taking place on Saturday 4th June at The Apollo.

As well as the 90+ bands, DJs and performers already announced, the Parklife Weekender is laying on a mix of live art and performance of all shapes and sizes. Auditioning hopefuls for cabaret and busking stages featuring at this year’s Parklife Weekender, ANTICX bring a host of performers to the table. The diverse offering programmed by the Manchester-based creative collective makes up an all new feature of the Parklife Weekender – the Roshambo show.

ANTIXC cabaret stage sees dance troupes, live music, comedy, spoken word and theatre. Amongst a cast of talent are Manchester Metropolitan University’s Pop & Lock society, funk group, the Effektuators and all-female theatre company from the Contact Theatre, the Eggs Collective. Also appearing are improvisational dance collective Mixed Movement featuring Baba Isreal, folk-pop outfit My First Tooth, comedy sketch troupe The Animals of Butter Bridge, Urban Music Artist, Bugsy Malone and many more.

The Busker’s stage offers up acoustic sounds from the likes of The Happy Soul and Manchester’s harmonious five-piece She Choir. Performances will include Schmucks Theatre’s “Artist Unknown” and rising comedy collective FunBox. Spoken word comes in the form of Chris Jam, speak easy, feminist performance poet Anna Percy and Freestlye Footballer Ollie Hayes demonstrates sporting and physical feats. The Roshambo Area stage also lays on DJs of their very own all weekend including Knockout Ned’s Social Club.

Just when you thought things couldn’t get more bizarre, Parklife Weekender unveils The Hidden Wombs and The Tunnels of Love. In homage to the procreation process, don your sperm costume and head through giant passage ways to discover hidden parts of the festival site.  Somewhat more dainty will be The Rose Garden, featuring a large scale fabric art installation from Donna Jeves and the Elephant Collective will this year provide a tranquil oasis. From whether picking up new shades or the obligatory bonkers festival hat, the Parklife Market will be trading all weekend. Promising a caravan full of other-worldly wonders and curiosities is Cabinet Fatalia and for the more flamboyant festival goer is the boutique fancy dress emporium known as Spangle Box. Also popping up across the park will be giant novelty furniture plus a number of charity and campaign stalls.

Making a welcome return will be the Mad Ferret’s Garden, housing a Truly Tremendous Treehouse stage. Here the crowd will find Manchester’s silent disco DJ talent. Audience members looking for a breather can head to Veg Out and do just that – reclining on giant vegetable seating in an area hosted by Electronic club night promoters Audio Farm.

A feast for the eyes comes in the form of live art and installations curated by Richard Birdseed. The young Manchester-based illustrator, designer and artist brings together a number of names who will be making live street art and graffiti as well as many other creative happenings across the weekend.

Around the rest of the Parklife Weekender can be found Evolve Manchester Parkour and Circus Skills, The Up Stage, The Crazy Carnival Tube Stage, The Four Live Lounges, The  Cone Stage, The Earthlings & Aliens Stages, Obertrons Toenail Turrets andThe Tundenium Domes.

Parklife Weekender’s mix of electronic, indie and crossover artists performing for 2011 includes headliners Chase & Status and Two Door Cinema Club as well as many more names such as Simian Mobile Disco, 2manyDJs, Annie Mac and Jamie XX.

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Edited by Joe Crouch