Wychwood Festival

Ms Dynamite and more added to Wychwood Festival lineup

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The 12th annual Wychwood Festival has announced another wave of acts to play in 2016. Brighton promoters Smashing Blouse once again take control of The Big Top, using their musical savvy to book the best of established and up and coming acts including Ms .Dynamite, Hunter & The Bear, Cash + David, The Ooks Of Hazard, Rag n' Bone and Anteros, with plenty more to come. Set on the glorious Cheltenham Racecourse beneath the idyllic Prestbury Hills, Wychwood is incredible value for money and offers an amazing array of events for all the family. Day tickets have just gone on sale with adult tickets starting at just at £45 and discounted prices for children. Wychwood takes place 3rd – 5th June. For tickets and further information visit wychwoodfestival.com.

A pioneer and legend on the urban music scene, Ms. Dynamite is as relevant now as she's ever been and set to delight Wychwood revellers with her enigmatic blend of r&b, grime and electronic music. The Londoner has been wowing crowds for years and Wychwood will be no different thanks to her high energy performances. A perfect addition to the line-up.

Smashing Blouse curate the Big Top once again in 2016. The Brighton tastemakers pride themselves on booking not only established acts but the most diverse and exciting names around, making Wychwood the ideal place to dicsover your new favourite band. This year they have a plethora of up and coming bands from around the globe, including visceral rockers Hunter & The Bear, electro-pop duo Cash + David, the excellently named LA based ukulele troupe Ooks Of Hazard, Australian upstarts Rag n' Bone and synth pop stunners Anteros, all set to keep crowds dancing all day long.

Over the past 11 years Wychwood Festival has cemented itself as one of the country's favourite family friendly weekends. Welcoming all generations, the festival curates a packed programme year on year with timeless greats, upcoming music, literature, comedy, children's entertainment, food and drink and more.

Wychwood continues to offer great value for money – adult weekend tickets are priced at just £135, concessions at £110, 10-15 year olds at £65, 5-9 year olds at £25 and under 5 year olds go free with an adult. Day tickets are also now on sale, starting at £45 for an adult ticket. Full ticket price breakdown can be found below and as always with Wychwood Festival tickets, all are inclusive, with no additional booking fees and no hidden extras to pay on site.

WYCHWOOD FESTIVAL 2016 PROGRAMME
MUSIC
Peter Hook & The Light / Bill Bailey
Ms. Dynamite / Kate Rusby / From The Jam / Craig Charles / Matt Berry & The Maypoles
Hunter & The Bear / Cash + David / Ooks Of Hazard / Rag n' Bone / Anteros

Peter Hook and The Light, Craig Charles and more join Wychwood Festival lineup

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Joy Division and New Order co-founder Peter Hook and his band The Light, are set to play Wychwood's opening night. The foursome have become a live tour-de-force since their formation back in 2010 and, as well as playing their own critically acclaimed tracks, have been known to perform mesmerising renditions of classic Joy Division and New Order material. 

One of the country's leading lights in folk for over 20 years, Kate Rusby will grace the mainstage on Saturday with her soulful vocals and unrivalled talent for musical storytelling. The Jam founding member and bassist Bruce Foxton and his touring band From The Jam join Kate on the Saturday along with TV funnyman Matt Berry, who will showcase his revered musical talents with the help of his band The Maypoles. No Wychwood Festival would be complete without the legendary Craig Charles painting the Big Top red with his stellar mix of funk and soul, fans will be glad to know that the broadcaster and DJ will join the festival once again in 2016.
 

Wychwood Festival announces Comedy lineup and more

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As a regular face on '8 Out Of 10 Cats', 'Would I Lie To You?' and many more the BAFTA nominated Michael Legge will perform alongside 'Gloucestershire's number 1 diabetic comedian' Jon Wagstaffe and hotly-tipped student funnyman Jamali Maddix on day one. Making his name on both sides of the Atlantic Irish-born Keith Farnan and Edinburgh fringe regular Mitch Benn keeps the laughter rolling alongside musical comedian George Rigden, Russel Howard's Good News regular Jarred Christmas and the interactive comedy of Howard Read. New up-and-coming talent Jenny Collier, Jack Heal, Sam Chaplin,Becky Brunning and many more will also keep the Wychwood audience in stitches throughout the weekend. 

Further musical additions to this year's Wychwood have also been announced. With a performance on Later With Jools Holland and a release on the esteemed Africa Express label, Songhoy Blues will perform their debut show on the main stage while Josephine & The Artizans will showcase their unique 'Hip-Hopera' over at the Ecroticity Big Top alongside 3-piece Pocket Club. Citing inspirations ranging from The Horrors to Fleetwood Mac, Object Object take residency on the main stage while Coventry four-pieceQuarry and Leader will perform at the Big Top and the Hobgoblin Stage. 

Wychwood's Pomme Stage has been revealed, featuring some of the finest local talent in association with the University of Gloucestershire. Heading up the stage across the weekend will be the likes of alt-rockers All Ears Avow, Cheltenham's own Spice & The Readies, experimental hip-hop trio SPOILS and former busker and rising singer-songwriter Ben Cipolla. Also appearing will be brooding songstress Gigi St. Fallow, Bobby Scaife, Katie Collins, Megan Timms, Joe Buckingham, Dan Walton and Maxine Stacey from Cheltenham and from the Black country comes Neil Morris and David Young.

Adding to the exciting literature programme on display at Wychwood comes yet more esteemed writers set to educate and influence on the Children's Literature Stage. Author of 'Twelve Minutes to Midnight' and 'Shadows of the Silver Screen', Christopher Edge will share his tales alongside Roald Dahl Funny Prize winning author Philip Ardagh and the writer of the 'Compton Valance' series Matt Brown. The feline friendly Anna Wilson, Waterstones Children's Book Prize winner Steve Anthony and 'The Grunt' and 'The Grouch' author Tracey Corderoy will also be on hand to inspire the children and adults of Wychwood. 

Created in 1996 to provide clean, green and renewable energy for all, Ecotricity's founder Dale Vince will debate the importance of sustainable green energy with organic food supplier Guy Watson of Riverford. Chaired by the BBC One Show and Observer journalist Lucy Siegle the topics up for discussion include the sustainability of Energy, Transport and Food, three very important topics that will undoubtedly make for an informative and inspiring debate. 

Riverford founder Guy Watson said: “I’m happy to be taking part in the ‘Green Britain Chat’ this year at Wychwood. We’ll be talking about a whole bunch of things we can do towards helping Britain be great and greener. I’ll be focusing on the Food side of things, with organically grown food being an important part of this; I can talk for ever about vegetables until someone tells me to shut up; fortunately my fellow panellists talk can about our Energy and Transport if they can get a word in; plus the importance of making space for Nature!”

New for 2015 Wychwood Festival will this year be taking festival-goers back to a time that was both glamorous and gritty. On one side there were the dive bar dwelling anti-establishment anger of Sex Pistols, on the other the decadent sounds of Donna Summer and thew exclusivity of Studio 54. When it comes to Punk vs Disco, which side will Wychwood festival-goers choose? Wychwood is inviting revellers to release their inner-anarchist or dancing queen to create a sense of Saturday Night Fever on Cheltenham Racecourse.

FESTIVAL LINE-UP

MUSIC
Ladysmith Black Mambazo / UB40 – Ali Campbell, Astro, Mickey Virtue reunited / Boney M
The Undertones / Justin Fletcher / The Proclaimers / Craig Charles / Andy Kershaw / Dreadzone / Basseskou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba / Mad Dog Mcrea / Dr & The Medics / Songhoy Blues / The Outcast Band / The Going Goods / Talk In Code / A Way With Words /  The Edwin Starr Band ft. Angelo Starr / Electric Swing Circus / Rusty Shackle / Pocket Club / Ghostpoet / Lucy Rose / Mt. Wolf / Plastic Mermaids / Fickle Friends / Monsieur Doumani / The Wonder Stuff Acoustic / Darlia / Demob Happy / TED ZED / Black Honey / Palace / Zak Abel / Lanshapes / Syd Arthur / Henry Green / Hunter & The Bear / Loud Mountains / Cooper Black / Object Object / Josephine and the Artizans / Sophronie / George Montague / Danni Nicholls / The Black Feathers / John Adams / Grace Palmer / James Michael / All Ears Avow / Spice & The Readies / SPOILS / Ben Cipolla / Gigi St. Fallow / Bobby Scaife / Katie Collins/ Megan Timms / Joe Buckingham / Dan Walton / Maxine Stacey / Neil Morris / David Young

BBC Introducing Coventry & Warwickshire: Grassroutes, Rosetta Fire / Yes Sunshine / Reece Bahia /Quarry / Speak Brother / James TW / Emily Burns / The Commonjets / Joe Doloman

BBC Introducing Hereford and Worcester: Cantaloop / Ronin / Clark Carmody / Tom Forbes / Interior Castle / Crowsaw / 7shades / The Dale Von Minaker / Fictonian / Chase The Deer

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE FESTIVAL
Ali Sparkes / Petr Horacek / Giancarlo Gremin / Steve Anthony / Steve Cole / Chris Edge / Paul Strickland / John Dougherty / Anna Wilson / Karen Langtree / Tracey Corderoy / Philip Ardagh / Cathy Cassidy / Philip Adagh / Tracey Corderoy / Matt Brown / Tony de Saulles / First Draft

WYCHWOOD COMEDY IN ASSOCIATION WITH EFESTIVALS
Michael Legge / Jenny Collier / Jack Heal / Chris Turner / Jay Cowle / Jamali Maddix / Jarred Christmas / Becky Brunning / Sam Chaplin / David Jordan

Wychwood Festival announce 30 more acts

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Wychwood is one of the best loved family festivals on the summer calendar, renowned for booking a sensational mix of heritage, world music and up-coming talent along with an elcectic roster of entertainment for all the family.

Joining the likes of UB40's Ali Campbell, Astro, Mickey Virtue reunited, The Proclaimers and Boney M on mainstage across the weekend will be Mad Dog Mcrea with their raucous mix of folk, pop, rock, jazz and bluegrass along with psychedelic rockers Dr & The Medics, The Outcast Band, The Going Goods, Talk In Code and A Way With Words. Angelo Starr also heads to Wychwood leading his late brothers sensational soul band The Edwin Starr Band now also known as Angelo Starr & The Team.

The BBC Introducing Stage is set to return to Wychwood Festival this year, presenting the best upcoming local talent the area has to offer. On Saturday BBC Introducing Coventry & Warwickshire host performances from their youngest and brightest stars including 17 year old four piece The Commonjets, singer songwriters Emily Burn, James TW and Joe Dolman as well as Speak Brother,Grassroutes, Rosetta Fire, Yes Sunshine, Reece Bahia and The Folly Brothers. BBC Introducing Hereford and Worcester take over proceedings on the Sunday with soul man and The Voice runner upClark Carmody, funk four-piece Cantaloop, rock visionaries Ronin and Evesham producer Tom Forbes. Also appearing will be Interior Castle, 7shades, The Dale Von Minaker, Fictonian, Chase The Deer and blues rockers Crowshaw.

On Friday Wychwood's Hobgoblin stage will welcome the likes of the barnstorming Celtic rockers Hunter & The Bear, Americana folk bands Loud Mountains and The Black Feathers, country/foilk songstress Danni Nicholls and Welsh busker and songwriter John Adams. Also will appearing will be Sophronie, James Michael, Cooper Black, Gloucestershire's own Grace Palmer and YouTube jazz musician sensation George Montague.

Wychwood is excited to reveal the full line-up for the Children's Literature Festival in association with Waterstones including renowned authors Anna Wilson, The Shapeshifter series creator Ali Sparkes, award winning author and illustrator Petr Horacek, along with Waterstone Children's Book Prize nominee Giancarlo Gremin. The weekend will also see appearances by a host of literary talents including Steve Antony, Steve Cole, Chris Edge, Paul Strickland, John Dougherty, Cathy Cassidy,Philip Adagh, Tracey Corderoy, Matt Brown and Tony de Saulles. In a Wychwood first, a music band made up entirely of authors will take to the stage and meeting for the first time at the festival the band, First Draft, will perform well loved book and writing inspired songs.

Well known for curating an all encompassing programme of family activities and entertainment, Wychwood's 2015 offering is bigger than ever. Aashiyana Arts bring the flavours of the East with Stories From India, Bhangra Dance and a Bollywood Heat Dance workshop for anyone who wants to dance like a Bollywood star. Solo Circus and Circus Kaos join together for a fun filled Circus Workshop, Wychwood's favourite 'bubbleolgist' SamSam the Bubbleman is back with his unbelievable bubbles plus for all those who love wildlife, the British Ecological Society bring Sex and Bugs and Rock and Roll for a hands on and fun look at the world of ecology. Wychwood revellers can also expect Samba, Belly Dancing and Hula classes, puppet shows, cabaret, arts and crafts, face painting, Ukulele performances and so much more.

Wychwood will be showcasing some of the best range of food from across the world including the festival's famous tea bus, The Tea Stop, purveyors of the best vegetarian Mexican Pura Vida and wonderful wraps from Warpper's Delight. 

Always looking to increase the festivals green credentials, Wychwood is proud to be teaming up with Grallo, a coach company making festivals greener, more fun and more accessible by crowdfunding coach routes to events from all over the country.
 

FESTIVAL LINE-UP

MUSIC
Ladysmith Black Mambazo / UB40 – Ali Campbell, Astro, Mickey Virtue reunited / Boney M
The Undertones / Justin Fletcher / The Proclaimers / Craig Charles / Andy Kershaw / Dreadzone / Basseskou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba / Mad Dog Mcrea / Dr & The Medics / The Outcast Band / The Going Goods / Talk In Code / A Way With Words /  The Edwin Starr Band ft. Angelo Starr / Electric Swing Circus / Rusty Shackle / Ghostpoet / Lucy Rose / Mt. Wolf / Plastic Mermaids / Fickle Friends / Monsieur Doumani / The Wonder Stuff Acoustic / Darlia / Demob Happy / TED ZED / Black Honey / Palace / Zak Abel / Lanshapes / Syd Arthur / Henry Green / Hunter & The Bear / Loud Mountains / Cooper Black
Sophronie / George Montague / Danni Nicholls / The Black Feathers / John Adams
Grace Palmer / James Michael

BBC Introducing Coventry & Warwickshire: Grassroutes, Rosetta Fire / Yes Sunshine / Reece Bahia / The Folly Brothers / Speak Brother / James TW / Emily Burns / The Commonjets / Joe Doloman

BBC Introducing Hereford and Worcester: Cantaloop / Ronin / Clark Carmody / Tom Forbes / Interior Castle / Crowsaw / 7shades / The Dale Von Minaker / Fictonian / Chase The Deer

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE FESTIVAL
Ali Sparkes / Petr Horacek / Giancarlo Gremin / Steve Antony / Steve Cole / Chris Edge / Paul Strickland / John Dougherty / Cathy Cassidy / Philip Adagh / Tracey Corderoy / Matt Brown / Tony de Saulles / First Draft

WYCHWOOD COMEDY IN ASSOCIATION WITH EFESTIVALS
Michael Legge / Jenny Collier / Jack Heal / Chris Turner / Jay Cowle / Jamali Maddix

Boney M to headline Wychwood Festival 2015

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One of the greatest party bands to emerge from the 70s, Boney M will take Friday night main stage by storm. Founded by German producer, Frank Farian the bands hits are unmistakable including 'Sunny','Rivers of Babylon' and Christmas favourite 'Mary's Boy Child'. Celebrating 40 years this year Boney Mhave unveiled an anniversary album packed with new songs and remixes that will kick-start the weekend's celebrations in true Wychwood style. Ahead of Friday's headliner, legendary punk rock and new wave band, The Undertones will perform at Wychwood. Having emerged from Derry in 1977 with high profile fans like BBC Radio One's John Peel, their punkpop gems 'Here Comes the Sun' and 'My Perfect Cousin'flooded the UK charts and with last year as the 35th year since the release of the iconic, Teenage Kicks, this is one not to be missed.

Revered for a variety of acclaimed world music, Wychwood's announcement of Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba is a wonderful addition. Bassekou Kouyate’s extraordinary musical journey shows that he is unquestionably the most innovative and exciting Malian musician to have emerged in recent years. Continuing to push the boundaries of his ancient musical heritage, bringing his music to audiences around the world with his phenomenal live band Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni ba and three internationally acclaimed albums, this performance is one not to be missed.

As the music comes in thick and fast Wychwood is extremely excited to welcome back the nation's favourite children entertainer and BAFTA Award-Winning, Justin Fletcher a.k.a Mr Tumble, who has starred in children favourites as The Tweenies, Timmy Time and Shaun the Sheep. Destined to draw in thousands of eager fans to the Sunday midday slot, Fletcher's performance will be a favourite for families across the weekend.

London promoters Smashing Blouse have once again pulled out all the stops with a talent packed programme for the Ecotricity Big Top. Leading the announcement is 90's grunge revival Darlia hotly tipped by the likes of Zane Lowe. The Lancashire three piece are undoubtedly revolutionising the UK music scene and having been dubbed the 'next Nirvana' by The Guardian. The announcement will also see distinctive, soulful vocals of Zak Abel who has been guest appearing with Bondax and Gorgon City, experimental four piece, Lanshapes primarily known for their heavy psychedelic alternative rock, unique Syd Arthur andHenry Green with his distinctive blend of indie, folk and electronica. 

Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Lucy Rose, and more onboard for Wychwood Festival 2015

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One of the country's favourite family festivals just got better as Wychwood organisers reveal another wave of heritage, world music and fresh-faced talent to join the likes of UB40's Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue, The Proclaimers, Ghostpoet and Monsieur Doumani.
For over 50 years Joseph Shabalala and his Ladysmith Black Mambazo have been delivering evocative and powerful songs inspired by their native South Africa. Rising to global success after collaborating with Paul Simon on Graceland in the '80s, the all-male choral group have won an incredible four Grammy Awards with a further nine nominations, they've worked with artists across the globe including Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton, Sarah McLachlan and David Guetta and they were even publicly named 'South Africa’s cultural ambassadors' by the late Nelson Mandela. Wychwood 2015 is set for a triumphant close when the Ladysmith Black Mambazo take to stage on Sunday evening in what will be an unmissable performance by one of the world's greatest singing groups.

Wychwood's newly-named Ecotricity Big Top has become the go to destination at the festival for young and rising musical talent and headlining on the Sunday is Lucy Rose. The young songwriter's emotive folk music and beautiful vocals will have crowds enthralled as she performs music from her successful debut Like I Used To and material from her eagerly awaited followup out later this year. Joining Lucy on the Sunday is Isle of Wight five-piece Plastic Mermaids. The islanders merge folk melodies, multi-layered instrumentation and electro pop and are already being tipped for great things. Mt. Wolf are another act unveiled for the Ecotricity Big Top today. The electro-folk trip made a well-received return with new material at the tail end of 2014 after a year long hiatus and are a very welcome addition to Wychwood 2015.

Barron Knights, the nations' favourite comedic rockers of the '60s and '70s will be entertaining all the family at Wychwood this year. Their unique mix of rock n' roll and comedy rocketed the band to success in the '60s and they haven't stopped touring since, becoming the only band to tour with The Beatles and twice with the Rolling Stones. Another band who are no strangers to touring are trio Thrill Collins, who have been known to play over 150 shows a year. A firm favourite for Wychwood regulars, the group return to the festival in 2015, reworking well-loved contemporary pop songs with a raucous Skiffle twist.

Craig Charles and Andy Kershaw added to Wychwood 2015 lineup

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Soul and funk maestro Craig Charles is back by popular demand, armed with an extensive collection of dance floor hits to raise the beats and bass of the Big Top attracting thousands of Wychwood revellers to dance the Sunday away. Excited to be invited back, Craig comments, “We Play funk & We Play Soul, 3rd Year back at Wychwood Festival’s Big Top, lets have it!”. Saturday's Big Top invites another legendary DJ to take to the stage with Andy Kershaw. The much lauded DJ started his broadcasting career at Radio One in 1985 where he presented for 15 years delivering an incredibly eclectic range of music inviting dance fans to enjoy his irresistible tunes that span Soukouss to salsa, roots reggae to Rai, Soca to South African Township Jive. Speaking about his Wychwood debut Andy says, "I'm thrilled and flattered to be invited to DJ at Wychwood this year. Many friends have told me it's a delightful festival and the perfect gathering, with the best crowd, for me to get the place jumping to some red hot African and Caribbean dance music."

CBBC favourites Dick and Dom have reigned supreme on television becoming pan-generational household names. Entertaining children and parents up and down the country for the past seventeen years with their unstoppable range of comedy sketch shows and silliness they are now the most recognisable children's television presenters. The pair are responsible for the BAFTA-award-winning Dick and Dom in da Bungalow and BAFTA nominated Diddy Movies as well as authors in their own right with Slightly Naughty But Very Silly Words and the hilarious new handbook Whoopee Book of Practical Jokes. The dynamic duo head up Wychwood’s very own Children's Literature Festival in association with Waterstones, with an interactive show. The rest of the programme will be coming soon.

London based promoters Smashing Blouse who take the reigns of the The Big Top, have announced their second wave of artists. Famous for showcasing the best in up-and-coming artists, previous years have seen Bipolar Sunshine, Wolf Alice and Kyla La Grange all perform Wychwood. This year Ghostpoet and Fickle Friends will be joined by Black Honey, Ted Zed, Jamie T's tour support, Palace and Zane Lowe's future radio of 2015, Demob Happy. 

UB40, Astro and more set for Wychwood Festival 2015

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Off the back of its 10th anniversary, Wychwood looks to 2015 for another stellar year as the country's favourite family weekend. Welcoming all generations, the festival curates a packed programme year on year with timeless greats, upcoming music, literature, comedy, children's entertainment, good food and drink. 

UB40's Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue are the first headliner revealed for next year, joining a long list of world famous acts to grace the Wychwood stage including The Boomtown Rats, The Human League, Supergrass, Duffy and more. Responsible for a myriad of hits in the 80s and 90s including Red Red Wine, Kingston Town and Falling In Love With You, the band's founding members reunite for a thrilling performance on Saturday night. 

Also performing on the Saturday are Scottish brother duo The Proclaimers. Currently battling for Christmas number one with their charity single cover The Farm’s All Together Now, the pair have been making music for decades and their extensive touring makes them the perfect live veterans for Wychwood's busy main stage. Vintage samples, electro beats, gypsy-jazz guitar, electric double bass, keys and live drums will be performed by the sounds of Electric Swing Circus delivering a consistently dazzling show, whilst indie folk band Rusty Shackle will perform on Sunday's mainstage. Providing the sounds and the beats for Friday's opening night celebrations, the mighty Deadzone return to Wychwood after popular demand providing a show-stopping performance and a firm favourite for all Wychwood fans.

Strong supporters of innovative new music as well as heritage acts, Wychwood will once again team up with London promoters Smashing Blouse who take over the popular Big Top stage. Headlining on Saturday is the mercury-nominated, lyrical wizard and astounding live performer Ghostpoet, plus Brighton pop outfitFickle Friends.
 

Graeme Merifield, Festival Director comments, "We are hugely excited to welcome UB40 with the exceptionally talented Ali Cambell, Astro and Mickey Virtue back together for what I have no doubt will be an incredible Saturday headline performance on our Wychwood mainstage. The tenth birthday celebrations this year was an absolute delight and with this firmly in our mind, Wychwood 2015 is set for even bigger and better things and we cannot wait to share the three wonderful days with you all."

Wychwood Festival returns to Cheltenham Racecourse from 29th to 31st May 2015. Early bird weekend tickets are priced at just £119 for adults, £94 for concessions, £54 for 10-15 year olds, £18 for 5-9 year olds and under 5 free. All tickets and more information is available from www.wychwoodfestival.com. 

Wychwood Festival announce BBC Stage lineup

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Wychwood today reveals that the dedicated BBC Stage will be returning to Cheltenham Racecourse once again with a hand picked selection of acclaimed newcomers and ones to watch from the surrounding regions. As the number one source of new music in the UK, over the years the BBC have discovered some of the biggest acts in music today, from Jake Bugg to Florence and the Machine. Aiming to follow in their footsteps hotly tipped Coventry band Pretty Rascals will play alongside a variety of acts across the weekend including singer songwriter Stylusboy, experimental synth 4-pieceBunsen Honey and Emma McGann, a favourite of Kylie Minogue. Both hailing from Coventry, indie/folk act The Fallows and electronic/hip hop duo Duplex are set to excite the crowds over the weekend with their high energy performances, while the addition of Tori Amos inspired Nina Bakerand punk/rock act Jet Pack will make the BBC Stage one of the main highlights of the weekend.

In addition to these amazing acts London promoters Smashing Blouse today announce 6-piece indie/pop act Haus, Manchester's No Ceremony, 5-piece Macclesfield band, Racing Glaciers, who will all be performing on the curated stage alongside King Charles, Bipolar Sunshine and Wolf Alice. Whilst the main arena welcomes singer songwriter Bela Takes Chase with her acclaimed four-piece band, producer and songwriter James Michael, plus Oxford's 20 piece Cuban Big Band Ran Kan Kan with their sizzling array of horns, flutes, guitars and string. 

Dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged children through literature and education, the Booktrust Children's Reading Fund will welcome the popular CBeebies presenter and children's author Cerrie Burnell for a special reading. Booktrust is a national charity that changes lives through reading and whose vision is a society where nobody misses out on the life changing benefits of reading. Booktrust will take their Rhymetime and Story sessions to the festival, incorporating song, rhyme, rhythm and movement to help children develop a love of books and of hearing stories.

Wychwood is also proud to support and partner with  World Vision, the world's largest children's charity bringing real hope to millions of children in the world's hardest places. Their dedicated 'Hope House' will allow festival-goers to take part in ‘Calabash’ and be transported to Sierra Leone and hear remarkable and inspirational stories of children living from these areas. Wychwood festival also partners with Toybox for the first year, a charity on a mission to end the injustice of street children, one of the world's most vulnerable groups. Presenting a marquee packed with fun activities for the whole family, creative muscles will be flexed and pop up piano played out with a tree of life, story telling, workshops and entertainment. 

Anyone who has been to Wychwood before will know that the festival offers an unrivalled selection of activities for children, and this year is no exception. As former National Street Theatre champions and regulars of Jools Hollands' yearly Hootenanny celebration, Electric Cabaret will bring their always exciting, and often surreal mime performance to the Cheltenham Racecourse. Utilising anything that they can get their hands on, Stomp-inspired SoundSketch create high energy and exhilarating pieces of music using brooms, kitchen sinks and dustbin lids, with their own imaginations being the only limitation. While young and old alike can learn the basics of Bhangra dancing, become a 'bubbleologist' with SamSam the Bubbleman and join the Brazilian/tribal inspired 'Glamba' drumming band, Wychwood really offers something truly memorable for the entire family. 
 
Festival revelers are invited to visit the healing and sculpture areas to relax with a soothing hot stone massage or reflexology session. Superspa DJ will also return to Wychwood this year, allowing festival-goers the chance to catch their favourite acts from the comfort of their own hot tub located directly opposite the main stage. It really is the best seat in the house.

More acts announced for Wychwood Festival

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Wychwood Festival announces even more music acts for their very special 10th Anniversary event this May. World Vision UK Artist Ambassador and Downton Abbey actress Elizabeth McGovern will be performing with her band Sadie & The Hotheads on this year’s Main Stage, following the release of the band's highly anticipated third album ‘Still Waiting’. In addition to her on-screen success, Elizabeth McGovern’s ‘Sadie’ along with the ‘Hotheads’ have received acclaim in their own right for their charming personality and often-heartfelt lyrics that define the band’s idiosyncratic music. 

Elizabeth McGovern commented, 

"I am really looking forward to returning to Wychwood Festival with my band as well as continuing to support World Vision UK – we played last year and had such a blast!"

As one of Wychwood's two major partners of conscience for 2014, World Vision is a remarkable organisation the festival is proud to have and continue to work with over the last five years. Transforming the lives of millions of children throughout the world over 150 children have been sponsored by the generous Wychwood festival-goers, helping create sustainable change that has high impact. Sam Shrouder, Festival Organiser & Ambassador for World Vision comments, 

"We are thrilled to be working with World Vision for this year's Wychwood Festival, an organisation that transforms the lives of children who are deeply suffering in this world today. Celebrating ten year's this summer, we look forward to sharing a wonderful Wychwood with Sadie & The Hotheads, Paul Ewing and the incredible acts that will perform across the three day celebration and raise awareness for such fantastic organisations like World Vision and Toybox."

Keen to support local artists from Gloucestershire and the surrounding areas, Wychwood has confirmed a number of acts for some of their primetime Main Stage and Big Top slots. Amongst these are Uke Junkies, a duo from Cheltenham who use the ukulele, bass and voice to create a unique sound. Joining them are The Black Hats, hailing from musical city Oxford. Their debut  EPs including ‘Austerity for the Hoi Polloi’s’ plus their anticipated album set to drop this year, has made them a force to be reckoned with on the festival circuit. Meanwhile Robbie Boyd along with his band joins Saturday’s Big Top offering, with his alluring style of folk-pop and support from Radio 2 and artists such as The Kooks make him one not to be missed at this year’s Wychwood. Finally, other bands include KSH & The Going Goods and their alternative take on acoustic hip hop, Swindon newcomers A Way With Words, The Vinyls and Funky Jets.

Continuing the local theme will be the return of the hugely popular Pomme stage run by the University of Gloucestershire with the festival’s very own radio station, Wychwood 87.7FM. The Pomme Stage champions the best artists from across Gloucestershire and surrounding areas and presents very special, exclusive acoustic performances. This year sees bands such as alternative rockers All Ears Avow, Cornish trio Blue Horyzon, Beat Harlows, plus many more rock the Pomme Stage.

Finally, London promoters Smashing Blouse will be taking care of new music on the Big Top and have added 'Cut Your Teeth' singer Kyla la Grange and group Champs, made up of brothers Michael and David Champion from the Isle of White and who's melodic folk-pop has made them a hit in 2013. Also joining them is London duo and Bad Life artist Fe, plus soloist FTSE. 

These artists join previously announced headliners The Boomtown Rats, The Stranglers and The Levellers, plus The Real Thing, Craig Charles, Newton Faulkner, Reef and many more, making the 10thanniversary celebration the biggest and best yet.