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.