Give it a Name, also known as GIAN (and Give It a Name Incoming in 2009), named after an At the Drive-In song, was an annual British rock music festival, normally held on the weekend nearest to the end of April. The first festival took place on 2 May 2005 at Alexandra Palace, North London. In 2006, Give it a Name became a paired, two-day festival, taking place at the MEN Arena, Manchester, and Earl's Court, London. 2007 saw the festival extend to three days"Live!: The Week's Best Gigs – Give It a Name", NME, 12 May 2007, p. 45. and six different locations, including events for the first time in Scotland, France and Germany. The festival tended to feature post-hardcore, indie rock and alternative bands.
Give It a Name went ahead in 2009 despite the controversy of it possibly being cancelled. Rumours were dismissed when the official Myspace page of Give It a Name was seen to contain only a countdown clock expiring on 4 February. It was then announced on 3 February that Taking Back Sunday and Enter Shikari will headline the 2 day festival over 2 venues by Kerrang!'s Myspace page and official website. In 2009, the festival underwent some slight changes, with it being scaled down from the usual arena venues to smaller sized academy venues, along with it being renamed to Give It a Name Incoming and with only 14 bands playing over the weekend. In 2010 for the first year in its history, there was no festival, only a small five band UK tour.
Give it a Name 2005 Main Stage Monday 2nd - LondonFuneral for a Friend Finch Coheed & Cambria Rise Against Alexisonfire Mae The Lucky Nine Fightstar MC Lars mewithoutYou
Give it a Name 2006 Main Stage
Saturday 29th - London Sunday 30th - ManchesterSunday 30th - London Saturday 29th - ManchesterMy Chemical Romance The Ataris Atreyu Thrice Panic! at the DiscoJam, James (13 May 2006). "Live!: Give It A Name 06", NME, pp. 48–49. Underoath The BledLostprophets Angels & Airwaves Taking Back Sunday Goldfinger We Are Scientists Aiden Silverstein
Second Stage
Saturday 29th - London Sunday 30th - ManchesterSunday 30th - London Saturday 29th - ManchesterBilly Talent Men, Women & Children Drive By Paramore The Honorary Title TaintHundred Reasons Say Anything Classic Case Bayside Gym Class Heroes The Blackout
Give it a Name 2007 Main Stage
Saturday 28th - London
Sunday 29th - BirminghamFriday 27th - London
Saturday 28th - Birmingham
Sunday 29th - GlasgowFriday 27th - Birmingham
Sunday 29th - LondonFriday 20th - Cologne
Sunday 22nd - BerlinTuesday 24th - ParisWednesday 25th - ParisBrand New The All-American Rejects New Found Glory Motion City Soundtrack Enter Shikari Senses Fail Madina LakeHIM The Used Alexisonfire Fightstar Biffy Clyro (Glasgow only) Juliette and the Licks (Birmingham and Glasgow only) Mindless Self Indulgence Kill Hannah Cry for Silence (London and Birmingham Only)AFI Jimmy Eat WorldPill, Steve (27 April 2007). "Sure sign all's well with emo: Give It a Name 2007", Evening Standard, p. 17. The Automatic (London Only) Sparta Hit the Lights The Receiving End of Sirens Boys Like Girls Attack In BlackJimmy Eat World Sparta Senses Fail mewithoutYou Lagwagon (Cologne only) Motion City Soundtrack (Berlin only) The Sleeping Mindless Self Indulgence MxPx Voodoo Glow Skulls Gallows Grown at Home One Fine DayAFI Jimmy Eat World Enter Shikari Motion City Soundtrack Aiden The Sleeping Tracy Gang PussyNew Found Glory The Used MxPx Sparta Saosin Senses Fail mewithoutYou Minimum Serious
Second Stage
Saturday 28th - London
Sunday 29th - BirminghamFriday 27th - London
Saturday 28th - Birmingham
Sunday 29th - GlasgowFriday 27th - Birmingham
Sunday 29th - LondonCute is What We Aim For Saosin Kevin Devine Zebrahead Kids In Glass Houses The Zico ChainFightstar The Sleeping Ignite The Pink Spiders LostAloneHellogoodbye The Audition mewithoutyou MxPx Beat Union
Give it a Name 2008
Failsafe were MC Lars' backing band.
Main Stage
Saturday 10th - London Sunday 11th - SheffieldSunday 11th - London Saturday 10th - SheffieldParamore Plain White T's Alkaline Trio Finch Set Your Goals Cobra Starship ChiodosThirty Seconds to Mars Billy Talent Glassjaw Silverstein The Blackout Strike Anywhere Envy On The Coast
Second Stage
Saturday 10th - London Sunday 11th - SheffieldSunday 11th - London Saturday 10th - SheffieldThe Audition All Time Low My American Heart MC Lars Mayday Parade Meg & Dia Broadway CallsAnti Flag Armor For Sleep You Me At Six State Radio The Color Fred Four Year Strong Mexicolas
Give it a Name Incoming 2009
2009's scaled-down and renamed festival took place on 17 and 19 April at London's Brixton Academy and on 18 and 19 April at the Manchester Academy. A total of 14 bands played, with seven playing on each day on just the one stage. Tickets went on general sale on 6 February at 9am on all ticket websites across the UK.
Main Stage Sunday 19 April - London Saturday 18 April - ManchesterFriday 17 April - London Sunday 19 April - ManchesterTaking Back Sunday Underoath Thursday Escape The Fate Innerpartysystem VersaEmerge Whole Wheat BreadEnter Shikari The Blackout The Academy Is The King Blues Emery Lights In This Moment
Give It A Name Introduces 2010
Various Cities in the United KingdomThe Swellers Anarbor The Dangerous Summer Rio The Wild
References