Tom Morello - The Nightwatchman confirmed for Saturday July 14th

We're very excited to announce that Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman is confirmed for Saturday, along with six more new acts across the weekend.

Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman is the solo project from the Rage Against the Machine / Audioslave guitarist. Few rock guitarists in the 90s were as groundbreaking as Tom, who incorporates a myriad of different styles into his guitar playing.

The Nightwatchman, Morello’s acoustic/folk alter ago, is a politically inspired solo project mixing acoustic melodies with his legendary electric guitar riffs. He's released four studio albums and one live album under this alias, and this summer marks his debut solo performance at Hard Rock Calling.

Tom joined Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band in 2008 in Anaheim, US, collaborating on The Ghost of Tom Joad, which Rage Against the Machine also covered. They reunited again last month on the first of Bruce Springsteen’s comeback dates in the US, joining up for a mind-blowing four-song set.
 
Other exciting additions across the weekend include hotly tipped Karima Francis, and fresh from their tour with Korn, Brit rockers the The Dirty Youth are added to the bill. London-based teen heartthrobs Lawson are also confirmed. The band have been busy touring with The Wanted, Will Young and Avril Lavigne, and are causing hysteria across the country with their debut single When She Was Mine.

Irish singer/songwriter Ryan Sheridan, rockers The Night, and hotly tipped Rough Trade Records signing Dylan LeBlanc are also confirmed.

See you down the front!
 

18 acts join the HRC2012 lineup

18 vibrant new acts will join the 2012 bill, supporting the weekend's iconic headliners for what is sure to be a once in a lifetime lineup, blending rock legends and today's hottest up-and-coming talent.

Black Stone Cherry, Kids in Glass Houses, Christina Perri, Guillemots, Big Country and Amy Macdonald are amongst those confirmed, joining headliners Soundgarden, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band and Paul Simon in London’s Hyde Park on July 13-15^th.  

Black Stone Cherry will jet in fresh from their US tour to join the Friday July 13^th bill. Also confirmed for this year’s rock spectacular are Welsh rockers Kids in Glass Houses; Skindred, combining reggae and dancehall with searing thrash and punk; and indie rockers Life In Film.

Saturday July 14^th sees Scotland’s Amy Macdonald return to Hard Rock Calling. She shot to fame in 2007 with the release of This is the Life, an album which sold over three million copies. Following a storming performance at this year’s Coachella, Dawes have been added to the bill, as well as the acclaimed saviour of blues, Gary Clark Jr, South Carolina’s NEEDTOBREATHE, rockers The Night and American singer/songwriter Jonathan Wilson.

Christina Perri, American songstress andJar of Hearts hitmaker, is back on UK shores and joins the Sunday July 15^th lineup. She has recently been on tour with James Blunt and her album Lovestrong debuted in UK Top Ten. Following their 2010 reformation, internationally renowned Scottish rockers Big Country founding members Bruce Watson, Tony Butler and Mark Brzezick will play their first Hard Rock Calling.

Other exciting Sunday July 15th additions include BRIT-nominated indie band Guillemots, progressive bluegrass band Punch Brothers, and virtuoso on the pedal steel guitar, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, who were chosen by none other than Eric Clapton to join him on tour.

US acoustic country/folk singer songwriter Robert Ellis and London born musician Marlon Roudette and Marcus Foster also join the bill.

This year Hard Rock gave fans a chance to have a say in who plays on the Hard Rock Calling 2012 main stage through the Hard Rock Rising global battle of the bands competition. A competition like no other, Hard Rock Rising had more than 12,000 band participants from 86 Hard Rock Cafe cities across the globe, more than 275,000 fan votes cast and celebrity judges including Hard Rock Calling 2012 performers Steven Van Zandt of the E-Street Band and Fyfe Dangerfield of Guillemots. The Hard Rock Rising winner will be given the opportunity of a lifetime – a spot on the bill with rock icons at one of the world’s most anticipated music festivals.  Visit www.hardrock.com for winner announcements.
 
Committed to supporting music and emerging artists around the globe, Hard Rock International hosted more than 17,000 live music events worldwide in 2011.  The brand continues its dedication to live music and support of up-and-coming artists in 2012 with the Hard Rock Rising Battle of the Bands, providing a forum for today’s hottest new talent.  
 
"The Hard Rock Rising competition is a great opportunity for bands to be seen and heard - you get to end up playing on the same bill as Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band for a start!" said Fyfe Dangerfield.

"And it's great that it's international - a band from pretty much anywhere in the world could win this. I'm really looking forward to watching the winners play their slot at Hard Rock Calling, whoever they may end up being!"
 
Complementing a star-packed main stage will be the Hard Rock Rising stage. New to this year’s festival, the Hard Rock Rising stage showcases Hard Rock International’s connection to the new music scene and commitment to new bands. To bring fans the hottest new artists, Hard Rock again tapped into veteran rockers Van Zandt from The E-Street Band and Dangerfield of Guillemots, who will each curate the Hard Rock Rising stage for a day of the festival.

“It’s great to play a role in giving new artists valuable new exposure and the experience of a lifetime at Hard Rock Calling.” said Steven Van Zandt. “As someone who has played the festival before, I know there’s no stage like it!”

Our 2011 shows saw over 150,000 music fans flock to Hyde Park for an unforgettable weekend of live music. See you in July for another epic festival!

Friday - Soundgarden

One of the forefathers of the renowned Seattle alternative rock scene in the 90s, Soundgarden reunited last year following a 14-year hiatus and are set to release a brand new album later in the year. The band – Chris Cornell, Kim Thayil, Matt Cameron and Ben Shepherd - along with their contemporaries Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam and Nirvana, were all pivotal in the creation of a brand new sound in alternative rock during the 90s which centered on Seattle. ‘Grunge’ became a worldwide phenomenon, not only impacting musically but on wider culture and fashion too.

The band’s 1991 album Badmotorfinger produced the singles Jesus Christ Pose and Rusty Cage whilst its follow up, 1994’s Superunknown, which reached No.1 on the US Billboard Chart and No. 4 on the UK Album Chart, featured the singles Black Hole Sun, Fell on Black Days and Spoonman. Soundgarden have sold over 21 million albums worldwide.

Black Stone Cherrywill jet in fresh from their US tour to join Friday’sbill. Also confirmed for this year’s rock spectacular are Welsh rockers Kids in Glass Houses; Skindred, combining reggae and dancehall with searing thrash and punk; and indie rockersLife In Film.

Joining them on Friday’s line up are the godfathers of punk Iggy & The Stooges, whose high energy live shows and onstage antics always get the crowds going. The band are one of the most influential groups of the past 50 years, with the 1973 critically-acclaimed album Raw Power being cited by Kurt Cobain amongst many others as one of their top albums of all time. Multi-million selling Cold Chisel have also been confirmed, playing their tough breed of seventies style rock and blues. Their new album No Plans was released earlier this year.

“Soundgarden were innovators in the Seattle grunge music scene, and we are honored to have them take the 2012 Hard Rock Calling stage and add a different genre of music to an already incredibly diverse lineup,” said Hamish Dodds, President and CEO of Hard Rock International.  “We are also truly excited to soon announce the winner of Hard Rock Rising and give an up-and-coming band the chance to live out their dream and perform at one of the UK’s most anticipated music festivals.” 

Live Nation’s Vice President of Promotions, Toby Leighton-Pope commented: “The lineup is looking really strong. We’re thrilled to have Soundgarden confirmed as a headliner, after 14 years it’s great to welcome them back to the UK and their first gig in Hyde Park is going to be a big one.”

Saturday - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band are back. This is the second time they have played the Hyde Park show following a mammoth performance back in 2009. Expect some of their biggest and most loved hits plus a few surprises. 

“Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band’s 2009 Hard Rock Calling performance proved to be one of the greatest live performances in the festival’s history,” said Hamish Dodds, President and CEO of Hard Rock International. “We look forward to having them back for Hard Rock Calling 2012, for what is sure to be another iconic show.”

Live Nation’s Vice President of Promotions, Toby Leighton-Pope commented: “It’s great to welcome Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band back to Hyde Park. They always put on a fantastic show and 2012 is set to be a special one.”

Saturday July 14th also sees Scotland’s Amy Macdonald return to Hard Rock Calling. She shot to fame in 2007 with the release of This Is The Life, an album which sold over three million copies.

Following a storming performance at this year’s Coachella, Dawes have been added to the bill, as well as the acclaimed savior of blues, Gary Clark Jr, South Carolina’s NEEDTOBREATHE, rockers The Night and American singer/songwriter Jonathan Wilson.

John Fogerty and Lady Antebellum have also been announced as support acts for the Saturday, helping to shape this year's festival into an absolute must for any live music fan.

Download the new Soundgarden single for free for a limited time

It features on the soundtrack to the Hollywood blockbuster The Avengers,  and is the first song to be fully recorded since the band officially reformed in 2010.

The single is free until Monday, so make sure you download it this weekend.

Take a look at some studio footage and a sneak preview of the song here:



Download the single for free here. We can't wait for Friday 13th July!

Sunday - Paul Simon

Paul Simon will headline Hard Rock Calling 2012 on Sunday 15 July in Hyde Park, performing the groundbreaking Graceland in its entirety, along with some of his greatest hits.

Graceland is one of the most influential albums of the last three decades, and this performance will be part of its 24th anniversary celebrations. He'll be joined on stage by Jimmy Cliff on songs including Harder They Come and Too Many Rivers To Cross, before Ladysmith Black Mambazo take to the stage for a Graceland reunion, a UK first since 1987!

The wonderful Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas also join the line up in what promises to be one of the biggest weekends in the music calendar.

Christina Perri, American songstress andJar of Hearts hitmaker, is back on UK shores and joins the Sunday July 15^th lineup. She has recently been on tour with James Blunt and her album Lovestrong debuted in UK Top Ten.

Following their 2010 reformation, internationally renowned Scottish rockers Big Country founding members Bruce Watson, Tony Butler and Mark Brzezick will play their first Hard Rock Calling.

Other exciting Sunday July 15th additions include BRIT-nominated indie band Guillemots, progressive bluegrass band Punch Brothers and virtuoso on the pedal steel guitar, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, who were chosen by none other than Eric Clapton to join him on tour. US acoustic country/folk singer songwriter Robert Ellis and London born musician Marlon Roudetten and Marcus Foster also join the bill.

Tickets for Soundgarden on Friday 13th July at Hard Rock Calling are on sale now

One of the founding bands of the infamous Seattle grunge scene of the 90s, Soundgarden reunited last year following a 14-year hiatus, and are set to release a brand new album later in the year.

The band - Chris Cornell, Kim Thayil, Matt Cameron and Ben Shepherd - along with their contemporaries Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam and Nirvana, were all pivotal in the creation of a brand new sound in alternative rock. Grunge became a worldwide phenomenon, not only impacting musically but on wider culture and fashion too.

Other additions to the lineup include the godfathers of punk, Iggy & The Stooges, whose high energy live shows and onstage antics always get the crowds going. The band are one of the most influential groups of the past 50 years, with the 1973 critically-acclaimed album Raw Power being cited by Kurt Cobain amongst many others as one of their top albums of all time.

Multi-million selling Cold Chisel have also been confirmed, playing their tough breed of seventies style rock and blues. Their new album No Plans was released earlier this year.

Click here to buy tickets!

Bring on the summer!

Tickets for Paul Simon on Sunday at Hard Rock Calling are on sale now

We're delighted to confirm that Paul Simon will headline Hard Rock Calling 2012 on Sunday 15 July in Hyde Park, performing the groundbreaking Graceland in its entirety, along with some of his greatest hits.

Graceland is one of the most influential albums of the last three decades, and this performance will be part of its 24th anniversary celebrations. He'll be joined on stage by Jimmy Cliff on songs including Harder They Come and Too Many Rivers To Cross, before Ladysmith Black Mambazo take to the stage for a Graceland reunion, a UK first since 1987!

The wonderful Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas also join the line up in what promises to be one of the biggest weekends in the music calendar.

Tickets for Sunday at Hard Rock Calling are on sale now.

Vodafone customers can buy tickets 48 hours before they go on general sale. Get yours from 9am, Wednesday 21 March at www.vodafone.co.uk/vip

Paul Simon joins Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band who were announced to headline Saturday 14 July in London’s Hyde Park.

On Friday, John Fogerty and Lady Antebellum were announced as support acts for the Saturday, helping to shape this year's festival into an absolute must for any live music fan.

See you down the front!

 

 

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band to headline Hard Rock Calling 2012

Hard Rock International and Live Nation have confirmed today that Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band will return to headline Hard Rock Calling 2012 in London’s Hyde Park on Saturday July 14th, marking the first act to be announced in what is sure to be one of the hottest festivals of 2012. 

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band are back. This is the second time they have played the Hyde Park show following a mammoth performance back in 2009. Expect some of their biggest and most loved hits plus a few surprises. 

“Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band’s 2009 Hard Rock Calling performance proved to be one of the greatest live performances in the festival’s history,” said Hamish Dodds, President and CEO of Hard Rock International. “We look forward to having them back for Hard Rock Calling 2012, for what is sure to be another iconic show.”

Live Nation’s Vice President of Promotions, Toby Leighton-Pope commented: “It’s great to welcome Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band back to Hyde Park. They always put on a fantastic show and 2012 is set to be a special one.”

Hard Rock Calling takes place 13-15 July 2012. The 2011 shows saw over 150,000 music fans flock to Hyde Park for an unforgettable weekend of live music.

Tickets are on sale now. Click here to buy tickets!