Shiiine On Weekender 2016

Shiiine On Weekender is a celebration of the Indie & Dance music from the late 80’s, 90’s onwards that fuelled the much revered 90’s popular culture. Headline acts include Echo & The Bunnymen, Shed Seven, Cast, The Wonderstuff, Black Grape, The Bluetones and a rare live set from Orbital’s Paul Hartnoll, as well as pool parties, film screenings, DJ sets and a new bands stage. With a little over 3 weeks before the epic three day weekender kicks off in the great setting of Butlins Minehead we had a chat to James, one of the curators to find out more …

Hey James, Thanks for taking time out to chat to us you must be very busy in the run up to the festival!  How did you and Steve meet, how long have you been working together? We met at a night Jon Brookes (The Charlatans) was dj-ing at in London in April 2012. Sadly, we met up again randomly outside a pub before Jon Boys Memorial gig in October 2013 and have been mates since. We started working on Shiiine On in early 2014 and it’s been non stop since. 

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Shiiine On has been going for a couple of years now, how did it come about? It seems to be born from a shared love of music? A drunken conversation and yes a love of shared music. The music we grew up on, if we have grown up, was no longer being catered for live and we decided to do something about it. All my mates remind me that I said for years I’ll get all our bands on a bill one day at Butlins and we did it.  

Do you share the same influences mainly and would you say you listen to a range of genres generally between you? We listen to all sorts as I am sure the bill reflects. We don’t like pigeonholing bands and scenes. A song is either good or shite in our opinion. Music for Music’s sake. We were spoilt for choice between 1988 and 1999. Steve actually had a top 41 hit in his younger days. I wouldn’t buy it personally like.  

What first turned you on to music in a big way? The Jam. Weller was my first musical hero. His tunes have stayed the test of time so I am glad I made the right choice at an early age. My Dad always played records in the house. Not the usual Beatles et al but he loved Country & Western. His hero was Jim Reeves.  

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There is a great line-up of acts along with film screenings, pool parties … is there something you are particularly looking forward to? Hopefully, UKE2 covering Arab Strap. Cellar Doors from San Francisco will be amazing. Every band playing will be great or they wouldn’t be playing. The Wonder Stuff where sensational last year and I’m sure they will surpass that this year. If we didn’t buy a band’s records back then, it’s unlikely we will book them now. People buzzing off Deja Vega, Psyence and Echo Raptors last year was a highlight of mine. We ask people to make an effort to go and support the bands they may not have heard off. Oasis didn’t start with the Sally song remember. The Pool Parties have potential mind….. 

Is there anyone in particular that you would say are so influential that if they didn't exist you wouldn't be doing what you are now? Our Parents, Peter Reid and Paul Bracewell. A special mention must go to Steve’s partner, Leanne Jones.  

echo & the bunnymen

Any advice for festival goers? As the festival is set in Butlins there won’t be weather or tent issues to worry about – happy days! Don’t act like a Dickhead. Last year the atmosphere was special and we would like the same again this year. Enjoy yourself is all we ask and if you can, say thanks to the staff at Butlin’s. They do an amazing job to get the show on the road. Finding your chalet after an all-day session is meant to be an issue. Head to the Inn on the Green on Sunday early afternoon and enjoy a sing-a-long with UKE2. Where else will you hear Half Man Half Biscuit performed on a Ukulele?   

Is there a band /artist at the moment really inspiring musically, or that you think will go far this year / would like to see more of?  We were made up to see the Sugarmen getting signed by Warner’s. Great lads and it gives other bands hope that if you are good enough you will be spotted. Quite strange that when I first had a meeting with Steve, we started off in Covent Garden at 1pm and ended up in Leaf in Liverpool watching the Sugarmen at 11pm. We also walked in to the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool when they were putting pen to paper with Seymour Stein. He hasn’t seen Dundee though. We are big fans of Deja Vega and Psyence. They are both on another level live at the moment. Catch them both at Shiiine On. You won’t be disappointed. Sulk’s third album will be a work of genius of that I am sure. Hi Fi Sean’s new album is brilliant.  

sex pissed dolls

How do you see the music scene generally in 2016. Is there anything you would change if you had a chance? Guitar music is dead. There will never be another Liam Gallagher or Ian Brown which is a shame. The element of tribalism has gone. Bands are no longer revered in the same way as your Football Team. We are catering to the masses to whom bands really mattered, people travelled miles around the country midweek to see their bands. Can you imagine this happening now? People’s love affair with their favourite band shouldn’t die. Just because the members get older it doesn’t mean their songs lose their appeal. We have been branded as retro and nostalgic. This is missing the point of what we are doing. 95% of the acts we booked are still actively recording new music. People need to be aware of this. The Inspirals last album was sublime and I doubt many have heard it. I think we have changed something though given the gratitude that has been expressed online towards the event. There is a lot of brilliant music about. The best music will never again chart. Does it matter? You shouldn’t need marketed to about new and old music in this day and age. 

Any surprises to look out for at Shiiine On this year? They wouldn’t be surprises if we told you know would they! Mike Flowers secret gig is the big one and there are rumours of the band who inspired the festival, The Shiiine performing their second ever gig. It’s unlikely but you never know. A Steven Naismith winner in the 90 minute would be a nice surprise for our Scottish pals. 

Check out the full line-up below!