Latest exciting news from Wychwood Festival
One of the most revered singing groups on the planet is set to close Wychwood festival in an incredible finale as Ladysmith Black Mambazo are revealed as Sunday headliners. The South African veterans join another wave of acts revealed today including British songstress Lucy Rose, electro-folk three-piece Mt. Wolf, psychadelic Isle of Wight quintet Plastic Mermaids, tongue-in-cheek rockers Barron Knights and skiffle covers trio Thrill Collins. Injecting plenty of laughter into the Wychwood 2015 programme are some of the best established and rising talent on the comedy circuit including the BAFTA nominated Michael Legge, award-winning Jenny Collier, Edinburgh regular Jack Heal, Chris Turner, Jay Cowle and Jamali Maddix. Wychwood is also incredibly excited to reveal that independent, green energy suppliers Ecotricity will be the official sponsor of the festival's popular Big Top stage. Wychwood Festival takes place 29th - 31st May at Cheltenham Racecourse. Weekend and day tickets are on sale and available with more information at www.wychwoodfestival.com.
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.
In a unique partnership this year, Wychwood Festival is teaming up with Ecotricity. The world's first green energy company celebrates 20 years this year and now supplies over 150,000 people across the UK with energy sourced from its wind and sun parks. Ecotricity will be the official sponsor of Wychwood's Big Top stage and will also be hosting an interactive on-site forum revolving around four key green issues; energy, food, transport and nature.
Speaking about the move, Wychwood organiser Graeme Merifield said: "We're ecstatic to be working with Ecotricity this year. It's the perfect partnership given our shared values and belief in making the country greener"
Dale Vince, Ecotricity founder, said: “We’re looking forward to festival season and to summer – it’s great to get outdoors, do a bit of camping, meet lots of people and talk about the things that matter – and, of course, enjoy the music. Wychwood has a great reputation, not just locally but across the country, and it will be fantastic for us to be there for the first time.”
Wychwood Festival returns to Cheltenham Racecourse from 29th to 31st May 2015 featuring an eclectic line-up of music, comedy, literature and family entertainment. Weekend tickets are priced at just £129 for adults, £104 for concessions, £62 for 10-15 year olds, £22 for 5-9 year olds and under 5 free. Day tickets are available from £42 for adults, £32 for concessions, £22 for 10-15 year olds and £10 for 5-9 year olds and under 5 free. All tickets and more information is available from www.wychwoodfestival.com.
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25 February 2015
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