Beautiful Days has announced its first wave of artists for its return to Escot Park this August.
Set to headline Friday’s opening night is Grammy Award-winning Steve Earle and his band the Dukes. Saturday night headliners are lined up from American bluesman Seasick Steve and as tradition holds, the festival would be incomplete without a performance from the festival founders themselves, Levellers, who will close the event on Sunday night.
Lined up for the Main Stage so far is a heavy dose of reggae from Jimmy Cliff, SEEED, Easy Star All-Stars and Ruts DC. Also playing the Main Stage will be American punk band, Dead Kennedys; reunited Beautiful South duo, Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott as well as The Undertones, Dreadzone, Culture Shock, Reverend & The Makers, Public Service Broadcasting, Fisherman’s Friends, Skinny Lister, The Computers, Chris T-T & The Hoodrats, Orphan Boy, Rusty Shackle and Treetop Flyers.
Beautiful Days has also announced headliners for The Big Top to include eleven-piece folk band Bellowhead and blues all the way from the Sahara Desert from Tinariwen. The Big Top will also host folk music from Steeleye Span, Seth Lakeman, The Bad Shepherds and Cara Dillon.
Other artists added to the bill include African-Amercian string band Carolina Chocolate Drops and Britain’s most famous saxophonist Courtney Pine alongside La Chiva Gantiva, 3 Daft Monkeys, Beans on Toast, Ferocious Dog, Kim Churchill and Zervas & Pepper.
The Little Big Top currently stands to host Stanton Warriors, Matrix & Futurebound, Adrian Sherwood, Drumsound & Bassline Smith, Mad Professor, Bronzehead, Moody Boyz, Simian Frenzy, Mr Nice, Elle & The Pocket Belles, One Shot, Carnivala, Josh Flowers & The Wild, DJ Ambiessence, Harry Vinnicombe, Lewah, King Farmer, Maxii P, Jessica Joy, Raggadee, Jonny G plus The Silent Disco with Ritchie Rundle, Benny, Lex, Lee and Farmer.
Although a plethora of acts have been announced for the festival, plenty more are still to come with the remaining Main Stage artists to be released as well as the full line up for The Bimble Inn, The Band Stand and The Theatre Tent. New and unsigned bands can also now apply to play at the festival.
Beautiful Days is renowned for its non-corporate values, eco-friendly ethos and for attracting non-mainstream bands for a dedicated audience. As well as the music the site offers comedy, theatre, art and food and craft stalls. The festival is also family friendly with a child’s area and family camping available.
The festival will take place between 15-17 August. Tickets are now available, get yours here.
