THE FESTIVAL THIS YEAR (2009) IS CANCELLED. WE ARE CURRENTLY TOO INVOLVED IN THE MUSICAL CAREERS THAT ARE TAKING OFF FOR SOME OF THE IKARUS ARTISTS AND WILL HAVE TO POSTPONE THE FEST UNTIL 2010 IN AVDOU, CRETE. THIS SITE WILL STAY UP UNTIL THE 2010 LINE UP, DATES, AND INFO ARE READY FOR POSTING. THANK YOU AND KEEP THE MUSIC ALIVE AND KICKIN'!
www.ikarusrockfestival.com (our official website) will be updated shortly for 2010
Welcome to IKARUS ROCK FESTIVAL: myspace page
This page is dedicated to promoting IKARUS ROCK FESTIVAL and raising its PR level on an international level.
If you have experienced the IKARUS ROCK FESTIVAL or you are planning to go this year, please e-mail or ADD me.
Let's spread the word, the positive energy and keep the creativity flowing. Thank you for stopping by and showing your support to this myspace site & IKARUS ROCK FESTIVAL.
2008 was 'simply amazing' and the 2008 documentary film "Transcending ART" about The Ikarus Artist Commune and the festival by TolaFilms is being edited and we expect a final edit shortly.
Here are two live! music videos below taken by www.videokriti.com of the 2008 fest, more on their site.
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Find more videos like this on www.VideoKriti.com
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Find more videos like this on www.VideoKriti.com
Take care and hope to see you all in Avdou. Much love and "Peace, Love, & Rock n'Roll!"
(CANCELLED: READ ABOVE MESSAGE!!!) Saturday, July 25, 2009: IKARUS ROCK FESTIVAL '09 - see you there!!!
IKARUS ROCK FESTIVAL 2009 Line-Up:
Fastlane Roogalator (UK), Angwish (USA), Black Ocean (USA/GR), Pirate Casino (UK), Nirvena (USA), Barb Wire Dolls (USA/GR), Andrew Wessen (USA), Taste Of Grief (GR), Xipoliti Stratia (GR), Syd J. Spencer (UK), Neil Ivison (UK), Vincent Robert Trocchia (USA), Sean Gadd (UK), Spirit of the Muse (USA), MC: Queen Isis of Barb Wire Dolls, and Special Guest Apperances TBA.
CRETE, GREECE'S BIGGEST ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL ROCK FESTIVAL
IKARUS ROCK FESTIVAL is Crete, Greece’s Biggest Annual Rock Festival held in the festival grounds of the Traditional village of Avdou.
With only a 10 Euro entrance fee, starting at 5pm on Saturday, July 25th 2009, over nine bands from the USA, UK, and Greece will be performing, with Acoustic Acts in between stage changeovers. Until sunset there will be a Pro Skate Demo with the Element Skaters on the mini-ramp in the parking lot next to the stage.
The festival attracts and brings together thousands of local Greeks and vacationing European youths, who annually travel to Crete during the hot summer months to party and experience a new kind of freedom not usually found at home. The festival's intention, along with exposing Upcoming Bands from around the World, is to melt Modern Rock Music and the festival audiences with Traditonal Cretan hospitality and culture; creating an experience unique unto itself.
The festival's main organizers Nikos Kounenakis (Captain of OFI FC) and Tas (of band Black Ocean), along with the Cultural Affairs Council of Avdou are working diligently to make IKARUS ROCK FESTIVAL in Crete the biggest and most vital rock festival next to Athen's massive music festival RockWave.
The Cretan festival brings together the youth of Europe together in one place, at one time, in a setting that is totally Cretan and purely magical. In the mountains of Avdou, where legend has it that Minoan Palace architect Daedalos and his son Ikarus took flight from the cave above the village, tourists will not just see the glitz and disco-hip hop clubbing scene in the heavily populated beaches of Chersonissos and Malia, but will actually take a drive through the mountainside and experience another side and perspective of Crete and its world famous culture while on their short-visited vacation.
The festival site Avdou, is centrally located and easily accessible from many city and touristic hubs like Heraklion, Chersonissos, Malia, and Aghios Nikoloas. The festival site is surrounded by mountains and rolling hills full of olive groves, and a Byzantine Church on the grounds adds to its natural charm. IKARUS ROCK FESTIVAL is part of the summer concert series of Avdou, which is nationally recognized, always bringing the local Cretan positive vibe to its neighboring citizens.
IKARUS ROCK FESTIVAL was created by the founders of THE IKARUS, an Artist Commune nestled quietly within the village borders. Artists from all over the world have been living and creating Art in Avdou for many years, from painters to world famous musicians, including the bands/acts that play the festival. THE IKARUS also has an Art Gallery, Recording Studio, and Holistic Healing Center in the village center that is open to the public during the summer months.
IKARUS ROCK FESTIVAL is promoted by THE IKARUS (www.TheIkarus.com) and MySpace.com/GreekRockBands, the Number One website promoting Greek Rock Bands via the net.
A Title Sponsor will be announced shortly.
IKARUS ROCK FESTIVAL 2009 BANDS INFO: (not in order/more info to come)
BARB WIRE DOLLS (USA/GR)
Barb Wire Dolls, a glamorous Punk-New Wave band from Greece are fronted by the young and bombastic fashion model Queen Isis, with three sleazy boys dressed in drag on guitar, bass, and drums backing her up.
Barb Wire Dolls draw their main influences from the late 70's and early 80's Punk and New Wave scenes, from CBGB's in New York City (Blondie, New York Dolls, Patti Smith), the 100 Club in London (Sex Pistols, Siouxsie Sioux, The Clash), to The Whiskey A G0-Go in Los Angeles (X, The Go-Go's, Eurogression).
BARB WIRE DOLLS "Let It Out" Music Video
PIRATE CASINO (UK)
PIRATE CASINO "You" Music Video
FASTLANE ROOGALATOR (UK)
Formed by the half-Greek brothers Tom and Syd in the summer of 2003 for a tribute gig to their late English father, the legendary singer/songwriter John B. Spencer, Fastlane Roogalator IS "Johhny Cash meets The Clash", performing wild versions of their father's classic songs by adding Ska, Punk, Country, and Rockabilly to the mix.
Fastlane Roogalator, an entertaining five piece, have appeared at the Glastonbury, Trowbridge, Trowersy, Sidmouth and Rhythm Festivals, attracting a fanatical following with their distinctive sound. The bands' live show creates a natural 'good time' atmosphere, played by a band who look and act like there's nowhere else they'd rather be but on stage rippin' it up.
FASTLANE ROOGALATOR "Sweet Dreams Baby" Music Video
ANGWISH (USA)
Captivating audiences from New York to the real South, with unbridled passion and energy, Angwish emerges as North Carolina's hottest alternative rock band. Their influences range from all genres and time periods of the rock world, being clearly influenced by the work of Nirvana and Weezer.
Frontman Bryan Bielanski (guitar, vocals) joined by Rachael Malmberg (bass, vocals) and Paul Robinson (drums) give the band their contagious sound described in the press as "Power-Pop Indie Rock". Unique, emotional, sometimes irreverent lyrical content and bittersweet vocal harmonies make this band stick out from the rest. Live, they rock in true Rock n' Roll fashion.
ANGWISH "At Last" Music Video
BLACK OCEAN (USA/GR)
Voted Top 20 Upcoming Bands in UK Press and fronted by Pro Surfer and x-Pro Skater Tas: "A Greek rock band with the power and conviction to make you truly believe. Juggling hardcore, epic rock, grunge and country punk, Black Ocean are kinda like Nirvana meets The Lemonheads meets The Meat Puppets meets Fugazi. 'The Zen Of Rock And Roll' is the debut album, recorded and mixed by Steve Albini (Nirvana, Pixies, Stooges) and chock full of genuine promise.
Echoing the likes of Nirvana's debut record or the early Soundgarden, Tad and Mudhoney material - these are dynamic pop songs with a hardcore edge, replacing slickness for a gritty live feel and rock attitude. Black Ocean have delivered a record that shifts from grimy hardcore menace to a country punk groove with the odd epic rock moment thrown in for good measure, and as such deserves to be heard and loved by as many people as humanly possible." -- Mike Bond/UK Music Search
BLACK OCEAN "Black and Blue" Music Video
XIPOLITI STRATIA (GR)
XIPOLITI STRATIA Music Video
***MORE VIDEOS AND SONGS COMING SOON TO THIS PAGE***
* MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FESTIVAL:
FOOD & EXTRAS: Arts and Crafts Booths will be available at the festval site. Henna Tattoos, Hair Braiding, Asian and Silver Jewelry, Band and Festival Merchandise. Full Food (Greek BBQ) and Beverages (beer, liquor, and local Cretan wine) will be available on site. Toilet facilities will be available at the festival site.
DIRECTIONS: Avdou is directly on the main road that goes to Lasithi, only one road off of the main highway. Take the exit for Chersonissos/Kastelli/Lasithi (also for Golf Course/Aqua Plus Waterpark) and follow the signs for Kastelli/Lasitihi (NOT Chersonissos - that's the opposite way, going to the beach). Head 9km inland to the mountains. You will pass the Golf and Waterpark, and simply stay on the road, passing the right turn off for Kasteli, and continue towards Lasithi. You will pass the village of Potamies 3km before reaching Avdou. The festival site is approximately 10 minutes walking distance through the center of the village. Do NOT drive your car through the center, the roads are small, quaint, and not always passable for two cars. Enter across from the main big Church which is directly on the main road. Write down these directions, print them, or get a Map of Crete, it's easy to get to Avdou.
PARKING: Plenty of Free parking in the festival parking lot. Once you arrive to the city limits on the main road, you may park anywhere on the side of the road if you choose, but there is Free festival parking just past the big Church and main entrance to the village center. Follow the "Festival Parking" signs past the Church and you will be directed to turn left at the end of the village city limits(approximately 200 meters). The parking lot holds over 500 cars and is directly next to the festival site. Please drive slowly and carefully once entering the viilage, being extremely cautious of older citizens and children.
AIRPORT: Heraklion International Airport (HER) is thirty minutes away from Avdou.
BOAT PORT: Both Anek and Minoan Lines operate four times a day from Pireaus (Athens) to Heraklion Port and there are also daily boats arriving from The Cyclades Islands (Santorini, Ios, Mykonos) to Heraklion. The Heraklion Port is opposite the bus station and ten minutes walking distance to the center of Heraklion.
TRAVEL DISTANCE: Avdou is 30 minutes from Heraklion, 15 mins from Chersonissos, 15 mins from Malia, 40 mins from Aghios Nikolaos, 90 mins from Rethymno, 90 mins from Sitia, 90 mins from Ierapetra, and 150 mins from Hania. Avdou is easy to get to from all directions.
TRANSFERS: Taxis from Chersonissos and Malia will be charging approximately 20 Euros (4 people) per transfer. There will also be transport from Chersonissos and Malia by private buses/vans every hour or so until festival closing at a cost of 5 Euros per transfer/person. Pick-up/drop-off locations to be announced.
HOTELS: Accomodations are not needed, but in the event you wish to stay in Avdou, there are only two luxury country style hotels in walking distance, both with swimming pools and individual tavernas: Avdou Villas (www.avdou.com / [email protected] / +30-2810-300540) and The Velani Country Hotel (www.horseriding.gr / +30 28970 510 80). Prices vary, starting at 50 Euros a room. There are numerous Rooms To Rent in Chersonissos and Malia, and there is a Camping Grounds next to Star Beach in Chersonissos. Contact the Camping Grounds at +30-28970-22902.
CAR and BIKE RENTALS: Go to www.Holiday-Autos.gr or call +30-28970-29246 and Fax: +30-28970-29247. You can reserve your choice of car or bike on-line and have easy pick-up and drop-off at the Heraklion International Airport.
TAKING THE LOCAL BUS SYSTEM: Take the bus from any destination that will get you to Chersonissos or Malia, and from there take a taxi or the festival bus transfer. There are only two local buses per day that go past Avdou on their way to Lasithi.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: If you would like to volunteer during the festival, please contact the committee. Festival T-Shirts, Meals, and a festival CD Sampler will be given to all volunteers.
AT THE PRESENT TIME, THERE WILL BE NO CAMPING ALLOWED THIS YEAR AT THE FESTIVAL SITE OR IN THE AVDOU CITY LIMITS. PLEASE RESPECT THE LOCAL CITIZENS OF AVDOU AND THEIR MAGICAL VILLAGE. IT IS THEIR HOME. THANK YOU.
* The festival this year is being held in loving memory of Bob Marley, Joe Strummer, Kurt Cobain, John B. Spencer, Bon Scott, John Lennon, Jim Morrison, Sid Vicious, Nikos Xylouris, and Johhny Cash. And in patient anticipation of the 156.
