110th Street DJs
Funk soul brothers the 110th Street DJs have been running the Friday night show in the Red Box all year, they’ve brought over their share of International DJs and will be looking forward to bringing their soulful grooves to a whole new audience in the dance tent.

ALPHASTATES
Critically acclaimed for their stunning mix of ambient electronica, catchy left-field rhythms and the hook-laden, ethereal vocals of Catherine Dowling, dream-pop trio Alphastates are rapidly emerging as one of the most promising acts on the Dublin independent scene.

APPLETON
Following the dissolution of All Saints, the sisters decided they were gonna have to do it for themselves. And having already firmly re-established themselves in the public consciousness courtesy of a brace of typically classy pop singles, Nicole and Natalie Appleton look well-positioned to repeat the Saints’ massive success with their forthcoming album.

ARVEENE
Arveene is one of the most well known DJs in the capital. He plays hip-hop, breaks and house and last year had the whole dance tent bouncing, even finding space for Madness in his set.

AUTAMATA
Ken McHugh’s excellent debut My Sanctuary was one of the most exciting releases to have emerged from the Dublin underground scene in recent times, a superb collage of Aphex Twin style dreamscapes and skewed electro-acoustic material. The group also have one of the most impressive live shows around, with trippy, hypnotic visuals – not to mention the truly mesmerising vocals of The Tycho Brahe’s Carol Keogh – lending the group an otherworldly edge.

BADLY DRAWN BOY
Damien Gough deals in charmingly deadpan bedsit madrigals, but his live form is predicated on flagrant disregard for indie etiquette and a great big Bruce fetish. Plus he’s got the added pedigree of a certain J Marr esquire in his line-up.

*THE BANDITS
Scouse six-piece and psychedelic muso-voyeurs The Bandits have got Oasis on side with new single ‘Take It And Run’. They are, as a certain Burnage alumnus once asserted, mad for it! And so will you be. ‘Take It And Run’ looks set to be the preferred listening for the boys of summer over the coming months.

THE BASEMENT
Wondering what the underground sounds like these days? Then just head down to the Basement for a prime slice of jingle-jangle-u-like, West Coast-flavoured garage rock action. Signed to the same label as fellow Liverpudlians The Coral, this Irish/Scouse four-piece are set to take over the pocket-symphony, dream-pop vacancy that’s been crying out for a new tenant ever since The La’s left the building.

BELL X1
The Dublin indie cognoscenti will undoubtedly be out in force for this band’s performance. Along with fellow back-to-basics guitar-slingers Turn and Future Kings Of Spain, Bell X1 are spearheading a long-overdue renaissance in good-old fashioned rock ’n’ roll uproar in the capital’s music joints and speakeasies.

BERKELEY
The diverse appeal of Steve Albini-endorsed Donegal outfit Berkeley has seen them play support slots with visiting international acts of the calibre of Jimmy Eat World, The Cooper Temple Clause, The D4 and Death In Vegas. Circumstances unfortunately resulted in an abbreviated appearance at Witnness in 2002 – the band made do with a brief 3-song set in the TV tent after the Upstage was flooded – but hopefully this year everyone can get up early enough on Sunday to catch this most promising of groups.

CALEXICO
Even in a genre noted for its preoccupation with loners, drifters and oddballs, styles don’t come much more twisted than alt.country heroes Calexico’s brand of southern noir – featuring as it does mariachi-fried tales of Barry Gifford-esque losers and geeks passing through endless successions of heat-crippled nowhere towns. Always a live experience to savour, you’re best advised to save the whiskey stash for this lot.

CANE 141
Initially a loosely assembled bunch of like-minded vinyl junkies who collectively trawled Galway’s independent record stores in the mid-’90s, Cane 141 have since metamorphosed into a rock outfit of some promise, with a brace of acclaimed EPs and a series of accomplished live performances to their name.

* THE CARDIGANS
A sugar-spun pop confection with homicidal metal tendencies? An alt-country diva backed by indie graduates? The Cardigans come in many colours, but the tunes are invariably gorgeous. The unwary are advised not to trip over Simon Roche’s tongue when the divine Nina Persson takes to the stage.

PADDY CASEY
Since the release of his debut album, Amen (So Be It), last year, the 24-year Dubliner has graduated to the premier division of singer-songwriters, playing a series of prestigious support slots with the likes of REM, Ani DiFranco and Ian Brown, in addition to a string of acclaimed headline gigs – not to mention a triumphant performance at the FA cup final of music festivals, Glastonbury.

DAVE CLARKE
Dave Clarke is no stranger to rocking Dublin crowds with his abrasive techno and electro sets. He’s never afraid to drop a few dance classics or even a few punk ones if he’s feeling daring. Of course, fans can always expect some astounding scratching over Clarke’s trademark burnt rubber techno.

COLDPLAY
Coldplay arrive at Witnness tooled up with the two most essential qualities required of a festival headliner: a set full of anthemic tunes and a couple of years’ worth of experience spent taming the slavering beast that is the US stadium circuit. Expect the festival’s lighter fuel supplies to be stretched to breaking point during the group’s rendition of ‘Yellow’.

THE COMPLETE STONE ROSES
Popular tribute to the Stone Roses.

THE CORAL
James Skelly and co. rocketed to the forefront of the English indie scene on the back of their stunning 2002 debut LP. Since then, mightily impressive follow-up singles such as the rollicking funk/psychedelia workout ‘Don’t Think You’re The First’, have only further confirmed the band as the finest Merseyside export this side of Echo And The Bunnymen.

DAVE COUSE
Rumours of his demise have been greatly exaggerated. The former frontman with dearly departed art-pop heavyweights A-House is back in business with a new album (the excellent Genes), and a dynamic stageshow that will knock yer socks off.

THE DATSUNS
Time to get dirrty. New Zealand rockers The Datsuns kick out the jams courtesy of the scuffed AC/DC riffs and scuzz-rock hooks of tunes like ‘Fink For The Man’ and ‘Motherfucker From Hell’. The most electrifying old-school rock action since The Wildhearts.

DEATH IN VEGAS
Death In Vegas combine rock and dance in a way which few other acts have managed. Collaborating with superstars like Liam Gallagher, Iggy Pop, and Paul Weller, they create droning gothic dance music which they reproduce live to stunning effect. Like a darker, more twisted Primal Scream, Death In Vegas will appeal to a wide spectrum of people.

DJ SNEAK
DJ Sneak’s reputation is as large as the burly American’s belly. He plays filthy funky house music with an American feel to it but has also been a major influence on popular acts like Basement Jaxx and Daft Punk. You don’t need to be a dance expert to enjoy the time-honoured approach of DJ Sneak; move their asses first and their minds will follow.

ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN
Currently enjoying a long-overdue revival thanks to glowing references from a new generation of hipster fans such as Coldplay and Donnie Darko director, Richard Kelly, the Bunnymen can be expected to work their spellbinding brand of orchestral torch-pop. Ian McCulloch remains the drop dead cool template for the Ian Gallagher/Liam Brown archetype, whilst the back catalogue is quite simply one of the most formidable around: ‘The Killing Moon’,’ The Cutter, ‘The Back Of Love’ etc etc.

EIGHTIES MATCHBOX B-LINE DISASTER
A sure fire winner of the ‘Best Named New Band’ category, these nascent Brightonians peddle an especially corrupting brand of violent, gutter-punk blues punk-rock that steams in the raw, primal force of The Birthday Party or The Cramps. Cheap, nasty and sordid, we like the sound of these chaps already.

EISLEY
An intriguing mix of Beatles-esque melodic prowess and Björk-style electro experimentation, these hugely promising US alt.rockers are brewing up a storm on the US underground scene, garnering copious plaudits for their Laughing City EP, and recently completing a stint as resident support act for newly crowned arena-rock kings, Coldplay.

* THE FLAMING LIPS
On record, The Lips construct elaborate, panoramic pop vistas. Live, they are a surrealist theatrical revue involving broken blood capsules, glove puppets, fluffy bunny costumes and trippy back projections. Sure to be a monumental experience, although this may not be the most opportune time to dabble with any hallucinogenic substances.

FLINT
Last we’d heard of Keith Flint (according to arch satirist Chris Morris), he was being rushed to hospital after claiming he could eat sodium. Prodigy fans will doubtless be relieved to hear that the man with pyromaniac tendencies has since recovered and returns to the live arena with a brand, spanking new rock band, who feature ex-Pitchshifter member Jim Davies on guitar, utilise the theatre-of-cruelty shock tactics for which Flint is notorious, and specialise in an especially corrosive brand of hard-edged punk. Bring the kids!

* THE FRAMES
The Irish band most likely to steal U2’s live mantle, The Frames couldn’t be better placed to run away with this year’s Witnness, what with 13 years of stagecraft and a number one live album under their belts. It’s a long way from the Clifden Blues Festival.

THE FUTUREHEADS
The latest addition to the Fantastic Plastic roster, Sunderland eccentrics The Futureheads are the resident DJs at the School Disco for the dispossessed. Think along the lines of a Frankenstein monster with various elements of XTC, Wire, Devo and Gang Of Four (whose Andy Gill produced the band’s debut EP) as its constituent parts and you’ll begin to get the idea. Make no mistake – these geeks shall inherit the earth.

LAURENT GARNIER
Laurent Garnier is just one of the many French DJs who have consistently altered the canvas of modern electronic music. Garnier plays a funky brand of techno, and Witnness is a rare opportunity to see him play it. Unquestionably a dance legend.

MARK GEARY
Singer/songwriter Mark Geary relocated to NYC in 1993, where he swiftly became recognised as one of the East Village’s favourite performers, even playing with Jeff Buckley at the legendary Sin E café. Ten years on, Geary has proven himself one of Ireland’s most successful musical exports, holding his own at live shows alongside the likes of Elvis Costello, Joe Strummer and The Tindersticks, and delighting audiences with his repertoire of pop-flavoured acoustic ballads.

* BETH GIBBONS AND RUSTIN MAN
Haunting and ethereal are the words regularly used to describe Beth Gibbons and Rustin Man’s downtempo sounds. Beth Gibbons is famous for her work with Bristol’s Portishead while Rustin Man was a member of Talk Talk. Their album Out Of Season is a beats free, serious affair, which means their presence in the dance tent might provide a chance to rest your feet.

DAVID GRAY
Fresh from a successful consolidation campaign for his most recent album, A New Day At Midnight, adopted Irishman David Gray comes armed with a back catalogue familiar to every Irish citizen and their dog, plus a festival CV as long as your arm.

ASHLEY HAMILTON
Having executed a smash ‘n’ grab raid on the charts with thunderous debut single ‘Wimmin’, and lined up a none-motlier crew of collaborators – including Tommy Lee and the Beasties’ Mixmaster Mike – one can only surmise that George Hamilton offspring/Rod Stewart stepson Ashley Hamilton is smarter than the average kid with a 90210 address. Brace yourself for a kaleidoscopic rock ‘n’ roll revue, with likely highlights including the achingly tender ‘If I Fall’ and a monstrously funky cover of INXS’ ‘Need You Tonight’.

HAR MAR SUPERSTAR
La Mar’s influences shine through in his self-titled debut, which has been compared to the likes of R.Kelly, Bobby Brown, Jamiroquai, and even Prince. As he will undoubtedly demonstrate at Witnness, the patented “stream of sexual-ness”, flow and silky smooth voice are not the only reasons why people are in such a lather over Har Mar Superstar.

ED HARCOURT
The former chef and member of indie adolescents Snug has extended his range of ingredients, progressing from bass guitar to almost any instrument you care to name. Reverberating from a range of top class influences – Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, the Beasties, At The Drive In – the mercurial Harcourt sound is sure to blow a few minds on July 12.

PHIL HARTNOLL (ORBITAL)
A DJ set from Phil Hartnoll promises house and breakbeat delights, and of course a few classic Orbital tunes. Orbital are widely regarded as the dance act who converted a million indie fans. Hartnoll has seen it all as far as dance is concerned, and is unlikely to disappoint.

RICHIE HAWTIN
Richie Hawtin is worshipped by techno fans all around the world for his storming quickfire sets. He jams more tunes into even a short set than any other DJ around, and is always a popular visitor to these shores. Not for the faint hearted but when have dance tents ever been worried by that?

GEMMA HAYES
The Ballyporeen chanteuse has spent the majority of 2003 consolidating the huge success of her Mercury Music Prize-nominated debut, Night On My Side. Having emerged triumphant in the Best Female Artist category at the hotpress Awards earlier this year, Ms. Hayes’ slot at Witnness will doubtless see her career path continue on its ever-ascending trajectory.

HEADZINC AND JOHNNY MOY
Headzinc are the brainchild of Moy and Rob Spectrum, and their sound is a mélange of punk and disco. This is their first live show. Their setup encompasses two guitarists, decks, and a vocalist, and is sure to provide some eclecticism to the dance tent.

INME
Fusing the corrosive punk-riffing of ‘Scentless Apprentice’-era Nirvana with the spectral urban desolation of Joy Division, these 21st century boys are inheritors of the sacred rock ‘n’ roll text marked, ‘The Art Of Darkness’. Colonel Kurtz will see you shortly, kids.

* JERRY FISH & THE MUDBUG CLUB
Mr Fish could well commandeer the Polyphonic Spree’s 2002 award for most unlikely hit of the weekend. Having successfully transformed himself from full on rock god to song and dance man with his Be Yourself album, G. Whelan has the cheek, the tunes and the threads to pull off a real coup.

THE JIMMY CAKE
The Cake have come to be regarded as kings of the Dublin underground post-rock independent scene, drawing on free jazz, weird French music and open-ended drone rock to make the most gloriously cacophonous wall of sound this side of Godspeed.

MARIA DOYLE KENNEDY
Having released her debut solo album Charm last year to widespread critical acclaim, Kennedy has since consolidated the record’s success with a sell-out European tour and a nomination for Best Album at the Meteor Music Awards earlier this year. Her live shows are a beguiling mix of soulful balladry and hip-shakingly groovy blues workouts.

KINGS OF LEON
Comprised of three brothers and a cousin, the Kings Of Leon story is a particularly extreme form of Southern Gothic, like Falkner filtered through JT Leroy. When the boys were very young, their father swapped a life of crime for a career in the Pentecostal church, subsequent to which the family roamed the Southern states evangelising and sleeping in cars, trailers and churches. The boys soon turned to music as a means of escape, and as you might expect, The Kings Of Leon sound is a whiskey-soaked ode to the dreamers, drifters and deadbeats encountered during their peripatetic lifestyle.

LADYTRON
If David Lynch had featured a discotheque in the post-industrial lunarscape of Eraserhead, the kids at said establishment would both look and sound like Ladytron. Ever since the group formed in 1998, their unique, Human League-meets-Blade Runner futurist aesthetic has induced pandemonium amongst the hipper-than-thou elements of the Brit style/music press. Pop along to the Witnness Rising stage on June 13 to discover precisely why.

LEMON JELLY
Wacky downbeat dance is the dessert of the day with Lemon Jelly. Last year’s acclaimed Horizons album should be showcased in full. Dance music for people who don’t like dance music, Lemon Jelly are the perfect festival act.

To read The complete lineup, continued, click here.