THE Amped tent is a new tent for 2013’s Basingstoke Live.

It takes the place of the 100% Tent but retains the same ethos – give some of the town’s best talent a platform on which to perform, mix them in with some top talent from elsewhere, then sit back and enjoy the party!

This year’s Amped Tent is run by Rockbitch Music, one of Basingstoke’s longest running live promotion teams. Having done over 500 shows in and around Basingstoke (including bringing OPM, Frank Turner , Listener and Enter Shikari to the town back in the day), they’ve used their experience and know-how to craft a line-up which encompasses the best of both established bands and up and coming stars of the future.

COMPERE: Andrew MacIntyre

Jon Rockbitch says: “Andrew is one of the Basingstoke music scene’s more colourful characters, mainly known for his bass-abusing duties band Glow In The Dark Shark.

“He has also been seen with The Dead Poets and The Bloody Thumbs – as well as looking slightly like someone in Skronky Jam Fest, but we’ll forgive him for that!

“With his slightly off kilter mind (which isn’t always in sync with what comes out of his mouth), Andy is the perfect fit for announcing what’s coming up on the Amped stage.

“The rest of the Rockbitch team have fed him with false information about the bands – so this could be an interesting one...”

SATURDAY

Saturday is the more ‘indie’ day of the festival. Headlining the tent for the first time (and also the first time they've been able to play the festival at all) are Yearbook. Having been main support to Lower Than Atlantis and toured with the Xcerts in the last few months, now they’ll be seen centre stage in a rare local show.

A look at some of Saturday’s other acts

Treasures: Main support comes from Treasures, one of only two bands on Amped who played the festival last year) who packed the tent out last year, so they had to come back.

Treasures is a five-piece alternative rock band based in the Basingstoke area. Currently, taking the local music scene by storm, they want to share their music with as large an audience as they can capture.

Their energetic style, mixing alternative, rock and indie punches with influences from bands such as Kids In Glass Houses, Deaf Havana and Lower Than Atlantis, ends up as a very intriguing prospect.

They are currently in the process of recording more fresh material to push forward with their forthcoming EP Sons Of Our Fathers, and with this have managed to build up a strong following in the six months they have been on the scene.

Looking to the future, Treasures want to go as far as they can, and as anyone can see the future looks bright.

Amberline: Since releasing their debut EP Soundtrack Of Your Life in 2011, Guildford pop-punk boys Amberline have had an incredible couple of years.
Gig highlights such as a sold-out Camden Barfly and festival spots at Defest, Step Up Festival and 100% Bitchfest have not only established their name but also their reputation as one of the UK's fast rising young bands.

Their exciting stagecraft has gained them incredible suppport slots alongside bands including Attack! Attack!, Kids Can't Fly, Lost Boys, We Start Partys and many more.Amberline bring a re-energising twist to the typical formula of the pop-punk sound, citing their influences from mighty greats like Funeral For A Friend, ADTR, Enter Shikari and Blink 182.

Kilkovec: Made up of three guys with a multitude of inspiration, Kilkovec formed in late 2012. Driving their energetic loud melodies with the addition of sarcastic, dramatic and lyrics telling tales of modern life they create their own sound. Kilkovec are soon to return to the studio and will release their début EP in late 2013.

We Deny: We Deny are a female-fronted, five-piece, pop-punk band from the Basingstoke/Winchester area who have been providing upbeat, rocky sounds since late 2010. Their energizing performances coincide with their upbeat set list to make them an act to watch.

They released their first EP in July 2012 and are currently still writing and performing.

With the rest of the line-up ranging from the one of a kind experience that is TwoThirtyTwo, to the newly signed The Lost Sound, the Saturday will bring something for everyone.

SUNDAY

Sunday's line-up is possibly one of the heaviest line-ups to hit the festival. Headliners are Orestea and main support goes to High Hopes, who have spent the last year bringing their brand of metalcore to the UK and Europe.

Add to that the stupidly heavy Fires of Tartarus , the country tinged hardcore of Eagleburner and (playing their first gig in five years) the slightly unusual Placidstorm, the Sunday will be one of the most insane days to hit the town in a while.

Headliners: Orestea

This group have made Basingstoke their second home having played numerous packed out shows in the town over the last three years.

They’ve already played Download, Bloodstock and Guilfest, but Basingstoke Live will signify their first festival headline appearance.

Their hard-graft approach and down-to-earth work ethic saw them self-release their debut EP Shadows Of Yesterday within their first year and head out on the road touring extensively in the UK.

Displaying a level of professionalism seldom seen on a debut album, Love Lines & Blood Ties brilliantly showcases their remarkable diversity and heavy intensity and was soon picked up for a Japanese release by Spinning Records.

Orestea were joined in early 2012 by drummer Jack Slade and guitarist Jake Parvin. Hard-working and enthusiastic as ever, they immediately set about writing and releasing EP This Is An Overture in September 2012, setting the stage for a second, full length album in 2013.F

Fires of Tartarus: In Greek mythology Tartarus is the fiery underworld of endless torture that exists below Hell. Fires of Tartarus's goal is to create the soundtrack to that nightmare landscape!

Formed in late 2011, FoT combine brutal old-school death metal with epic, melodic textures that make them one of the brightest hopes on the UK metal scene.

Their 2012 self-produced, five-track EP received stunning reviews across the board. Kicking off 2013 with an expanded line-up and renewed focus, FoT released a concept mini-EP Deathless Gods based on the origins of the Chaos myth, before bringing it to audiences across the UK in a punishing live show that is already getting the band much attention.

Eagleburner: A four-piece combining elements of blues fuelled rock, creating what they call Country Devastation Doom Blues. Formed in late 2011, Eagleburner is Chris (guitar), Sam (bass), Nick (vocals) and Oliver (drums).Having self-released a five-track EP, supported by a UK tour in late 2012, Eagleburner are currently writing their follow up album, set for release in the latter half of 2013, while booking shows throughout the UK and Europe for summer.

Find out more about Rockbitch Music by calling 07825160078 or take a look at their Facebook page Facebook.com/rockbiatchmusic.