Bulgaria Welcomes Cypress Hill, Sean Paul, Fatboy Slim

The second edition of Bulgaria's Elevation music festival opens on Friday at the military airfield in the village of Dobroslavtsi near Sofia, featuring a string of top global music names.

Thus, on June 22, 23, and 24, Elevation 2012 will feature some of the stars on the world music stage: Cypress Hill, Sean Paul, Fatboy Slim, Erykah Badu, Groove Armada (DJ Set), Pendulum (DJ Set) & Verse, Nneka, Kosheen, Chambao, Roni Size feat. Dynamite MC, Rev Run & DJ Ruckus (Run D.M.C), Ed Solo, Breakbot, Mickey Moonlight, Breakage, Graviti Co, Skre4, Der Hunds, Kottarashky, Milenita, Rubikub, Ogi 23, The Top Stoppers, Roots Rocket Band, Southwick, Camp Session.

Run D.M.C. legend Rev Run and DJ Ruckus will be the first stars to appear on June 22 on the J&B DJ scene and kick open the festival. The party will continue late into the day with fans' favorite Ed Solo.

In addition to the top global music names, the Elevation festival will feature a number of entertainment venues and parties as well as a camping site with various fast-food spots and bars.

The organizers have pointed out that Sofia public transport buses No. 29 and 30 can be used to get to the center of the village of Dobroslavtsi, from where the fans can go to the nearby airfield on foot.

This will be the first time in the 18-year history of the Dobroslavtsi airfield that the military facility is used to host a public happening.

On June 24-25, 2011, Bulgaria saw the first ever Elevation festival event, which gathered Jamiroquai, 30 Seconds to Mars, Morcheeba, Stereo MCs, Delinquent Habits and Cypress Hill among others. The Bulgarian bands that took part in the festival were Ostava, Tri O Five, Monyx, Sepuko 6 and Odd Crew, as well as the Djs from Metropolis, DJ Marten, DJ Rawland and TV and radio host Krasimir Moskov.

The second day of the event was marred by a storm with gusty winds causing the ban of access to the site where the event was being held - near the mountain town of Razlog. The performances were scheduled to begin at 2 pm with Delinquent Habits, Gentleman, Cypress Hill and 30 Seconds To Mars taking the stage, but were cancelled over the damaged stage and dangerous weather. This was to be Cypress Hill first concert in Bulgaria. Morcheeba had their first gig in Bulgaria on June 20, 2010 as part of the summer music festival ParkLive.

• 1