BoomTown Fair has announced the first batch of headline acts for the summer’s most immersive independent festival.
Representative of the genre-spanning, head-spinning ethos, Madness, Damian ‘Jr Gong’ Marley and New Zealan seven-piece dub afficionados Fat Freddey’s Drop will provide the soundtrack for Chapter 8’s theme of revolution. Rebels are set to gather in the shadows as the Mad Hatters continue their revolution from last year against the tyrannical Mayor Comrade Jose.
Fantasy once again descends upon the Matterly Estate in our neighbourly Winchester on the 11-14th August for the pleasure of 50,000 citizens across nine individually themed city districts. The suits, sunglasses and flying saxophones of UK ska powerhouse Madness will take over the Town Centre, while New York City’s Fun Lovin’ Criminals will join Suggs and co. in the house of fun with their suitably eclectic vintage in tow. Bad Manners and their special brew of 2-tone ska are back by popular demand, as well as beatbox wizard Beardyman, who will bring his loop pedals and his phenomenally dextrous tongue to the stage – should musical comedy take your fancy.
Madness will headline the festivities.
Righteous reggae royalty is set to take over the Lion’s Den, the UK’s biggest temple of reggae, as Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley welcomes you to jamrock. Alongside Fat Freddy’s Drop, BoomTown will also be welcoming back the first lady of the dance hall, Tanya Stephens to the heart of TrenchTown. The line up is peppered with popular requests and stands as testament to the open ears of BoomTown.
Imelda May will also be tying up her steed and hanging up her saddle on her way to The Old Mines stage in the Wild West, headlining BoomTown’s home of folk. Joining her is the UK folk favorite and 2005 Mercury prize nominee, Seth Lakeman.
BoomTown’s latin district, Barrio Loco, will continue its carnival tradition burning with a spirit born of spice and fire. The Poco Loco stage will rock to the sound of New York hip-hop giant Pharoahe Monche whilst the UK’s very own Jackmaster, Skream and Shadow Child will make the Mi Casa stage es su casa.
The vowel-shy DSTRKT 5 is home to Comrade Jose’s crowning glory, the Bang Hai Palace, which holds a shimmering vigil over some of the biggest names in drum and bass. Critical Music join Full Cycle in celebrating their 20th year, alongside DJ Hype b2b DJ Hazard. DSTRKT 5 also boasts three new stages this year; the dystopian android Robotica stage will host Koan Sound whilst the HQ of chapter 8’s revolution Sector 6 is soundtracked from both sides of the pond with DJ Craze and So Solid Crew. Muuti’s Scrapyard will be home to hardcore rave carnage thanks to the likes of Angerfist and Dr. Peacock.
You can view the line-up here and further announcements will be made at 1pm on Tuesdays and Fridays from February 9th. Tickets are available here for £170 and full details of the event can be found at the Boomtown website.
