Next weekend sees DiS head along the M56 to Prestatyn for All Tomorrow's Parties' 2.0 Nightmare Before Christmas event. Taking place at Pontins Holiday Centre in the North Wales seaside resort from Friday 27th to Sunday 29th November. This year's line-up sees a number of Drowned In Sound favourites both old and new including Australian songstress Courtney Barnett, whose debut album Sometimes I Just Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit is expected to feature prominently in Drowned In Sound's end of year best-of list, Canadian outfit Viet Cong (main picture), who no longer wish to be known by said name and veteran noise-rock duo Lightning Bolt among others.

As a preview to the weekend's festivities, DiS asked some of the participating artists what to expect from their sets, who they're most looking forward to seeing and what tips they wish to share for fellow ATPers.

Iceage

Are you looking forward to playing ATP next weekend?

Yeah!

What makes ATP different from other festivals?

Usually the line up is pretty good and they take good care of you.

It's set in a holiday camp as opposed to a field. Do the surroundings make a difference to how you'd normally approach a show?

I'm not sure. Usually when it's in a field I approach the show expecting it will most likely sound horrible. We've never played a holiday camp before as far as I'm aware so let's see.

The event has been curated by The Chapman Brothers. Are you fans of their work?

I'm not familiar with their work but now I've looked them up it looks quite interesting.

Which other bands on the line up are you most looking forward to seeing?

Total Control and Om.

What can fans expect from your set at the festival?

Pure magical beautiful brain numbing heavy swinging rock music.

Do you have anything special/extraordinary planned for the festival?

It wouldn't be special if I told you would it!!!

What are your plans for the rest of the year/foreseeable future?

Practicing and playing with a German orchestra called Stargaze at their festival which will be very exciting. And having a wonderful Christmas time in the land of the rising sun.

Do you have any tips for festival goers over the weekend?

You snooze, you poose!

Loop

Are you looking forward to playing ATP next weekend?

Yes, very much so. I enjoy playing live, so it’s mostly a good experience if the circumstances are right. To be honest, I’m not a festival type person really, never have been. I’m not entirely sure why, but even as a punter, I’ve always tried but failed to get into the spirit. Perhaps I haven’t actually been to enough over the years or had the right alcohol/drugs balance. It’s a mystery and it confuses friends, who take the piss, but I don’t lose sleep over it these days. Once you hit 50, you recognise that everything truly does have it’s place, and obviously, mine isn't at a festival. Loop never really were asked that often to play festivals. I think I’ve actually played more as Main than ever in Loop.

What makes ATP different from other festivals?

I don’t believe I’m the right person to answer that due to inexperience. It’s not in a field.

It's set in a holiday camp as opposed to a field. Do the surroundings make a difference to how you'd normally approach a show?

Well, it gives you a chance to go all Hi-Di-Hi for a bit! I still laugh at the almost Stalag 17 list of rules and regulations stapled to the wall at Camber Sands. I’m not sure if people actually take any notice, of course. Fuck playing in a field. Fuck mud and fuck camping. I think I’ve actually found the clue to why I’m not a festival type. Back in the day, the sound was always appalling outside. I believe that it has improved dramatically over the years, but I do break out in hives when I have to think of playing in a field. Never really been able to see Loop as an outdoors type band really, when it boils down to the sound. I’d think some of the intensity is diminished. Indoors always swings it for me. And a very large P.A.

The event has been curated by The Chapman Brothers. Are you fans of their work?

Not everything. But they were always my favourite of the YBAs. They obviously have a very keen sense of humour and I’ll always admire anything that has a great deal of the mischievous involved.

Which other bands on the line up are you most looking forward to seeing?

I’m afraid I won’t be staying for the whole festival. I’m being entirely honest in saying that I’m not actually sure of the entire line-up even on the day we play. I really like Max Richter’s work, but I think I might be suffering from my normal attack of stage nervousness to see his entire set as we are on directly after him. But I’ll be sure to catch some of it. OM will be worth a look-see too I’m sure. I never really settle when we are ‘playing’, so find it hard to focus on much. I can’t actually remember who else is on that day. I know, I’m terrible.

What can fans expect from your set at the festival?

Smiles, giggles and some rather risqué humour that would make Frankie Howerd and Max Miller blush!

Do you have anything special/extraordinary planned for the festival?

Getting out in one piece. You never know, we might have to dig tunnels.

What are your plans for the rest of the year/foreseeable future?

This will be the last live show for a while. We are currently working on the Array 2 & 3 EPs and hope to find some more live action in the late spring and early summer. I personally plan to get very acquainted with some fine Margaux over the xmas period, eat plenty of cheese and try and fit into my trousers on January 1st.

Do you have any tips for festival goers over the weekend?

Er… Don’t take the Brown Acid.

Andrew Hung

Are you looking forward to playing ATP next weekend?

Yeah for sure; check out the new location, hang out with the old crew. It's always a blast at ATP.

What makes ATP different from other festivals?

Their production is second to none really. And they were the first ones to do the whole outside curating thing. First to bring bands back from the dead. They have done things their own way.

It's set in a holiday camp as opposed to a field. Do the surroundings make a difference to how you'd normally approach a show?

Not really. When I first went to an ATP and saw that we got our own beds with a kitchen and our own toilet; it was absolute bliss! It makes you feel really comfortable so you're more willing. Maybe?

The event has been curated by The Chapman Brothers. Are you fans of their work?

Like is a strong word in the art world. The Chapman Brothers don't really make art that you can stick in your living room and "enjoy" but of course I do recognise their impact and significance. I like what they do.

Which other bands on the line up are you most looking forward to seeing?

Holly Herndon and Courtney Barnett

What can fans expect from your set at the festival?

I've been putting a lot more emphasis in the fun aspect of my music so hopefully that translates to the live show. I think the live show is energetic, bouncy... fun yeah!

Do you have anything special/extraordinary planned for the festival?

I'm definitely going to wear my lucky socks!

What are your plans for the rest of the year/foreseeable future?

Make more music, be a better person.

Do you have any tips for festival goers over the weekend?

My biggest tip for ATP is you have to pack the right clothes. Because it's really cold outside but really warm inside; so you need something that is versatile. Go to the pub quiz on the Sunday with your hangover, that's always good. And come to this DJ set at 12am on the Friday night, apparently the DJ is incredible, both in skill and looks. Just what I heard!

Braids

Are you looking forward to playing ATP next weekend?

We’ve played one ATP in the past, and it was our favourite festival to play in the whole world. It’s a very special festival and we’re VERY excited to play it!

What makes ATP different from other festivals?

More than anything, ATP has an artistic dedication that is a breath of fresh air. ATP festivals aren’t corporate sponsored, there isn’t an explosion of beer and vodka ads all over. The focus is on the music – they rent the best PA’s, and they ensure the stages look amazing. Being guest curated, the festivals always end up with intriguing line ups. I am a big fan girl of ATP and what they contribute to the festival “scene”.

It's set in a holiday camp as opposed to a field. Do the surroundings make a difference to how you'd normally approach a show?

From large shows to small shows, our approach is often the same. For us, what most influences a show is how the audience feels – the energy they bring and how we feed off that. Environment definitely has an impact, and a festival like ATP will likely bring about a focused and grounded energy. It’s more intimate than the standard large-field festival, which for us is a nice perk – it gives us the chance to develop an emotional back-and-forth with the audience across the set.

The event has been curated by The Chapman Brothers. Are you fans of their work?

I’ve only recently began looking into their work since hearing that the Chapmans are curating the festival. I’ve never seen it in the flesh. Just online, and it looks very shocking. It seems to challenge religious values a lot. My father would really really like it. I was going to try to see if I could view some of their work in London while I’m here.

Which other bands on the line up are you most looking forward to seeing?

VIET CONG! They are the best band in the world right now. They really are. Also Andy Stott, Holly Herndon, Empty Set.

What can fans expect from your set at the festival?

Whatever I say will come off as oddly self glorifying, but I’ll say it anyways, but then I must knock on this wood table after. It will be intense, powerful and moving. knock knock knock!

Do you have anything special/extraordinary planned for the festival?

More than anything, we’re excited to see friends and bands we’ve looked up to over the years.

What are your plans for the rest of the year/foreseeable future?

We are moving to LA for the winter as we’re very tired of Montreal winters. We’re going to take time away from the city and then return in the spring. We’re all pursuing our own things to get prepped for writing the next record. We feel we all need to build up some experiences and new talents before diving into recording. I’m so excited for the sun! It feels like a bit of a stereotype to be moving to California for a bit, though I like that I am partaking in something that so many people do. I don’t know why, it just feels good to do something that pretty much every musician does at some point. I guess the difference is that we don’t have stars in our eyes, we just want some dang sunshine!

Do you have any tips for festival goers over the weekend?

Don’t drink too much, take it slow, drink water, bring warm clothes, wear earplugs sometimes, maybe bring some nuts in case you get hungry and they run out of food late at night. Also bring a little roll of toilet paper as sometimes they run out and bring extra socks because England is very wet right now and you will greatly appreciate it when your feet are damp.

Younghusband

Are you looking forward to playing ATP next weekend?

More than any festival we've played so far this year. And we haven't played many but most of them are shit and don't like Younghusband.

What makes ATP different from other festivals?

Catfish and the Bottlemen.

It's set in a holiday camp as opposed to a field. Do the surroundings make a difference to how you'd normally approach a show?

No, we're not hippies.

The event has been curated by The Chapman Brothers. Are you fans of their work?

Saw one of their exhibitions once. Was OK. A bit wanky.

Which other bands on the line up are you most looking forward to seeing?

JC Flowers, Death, Thee Oh Sees.

What can fans expect from your set at the festival?

Whatever they let themselves take away from it.

Do you have anything special/extraordinary planned for the festival?

Nope.

What are your plans for the rest of the year/foreseeable future?

Christmas.

Do you have any tips for festival goers over the weekend?

Is this the NME?

Here's our 40 song playlist featuring many of the artists playing at the weekend to get you in the mood.

Tickets can still be purchased here.

More information about ATP 2.0 Nightmare Before Christmas is available here.