A South African electro-pop group and a trailblazing international flautist are amongst the latest additions to the eclectic line-up at a South Yorkshire music and arts festival.
Bye Beneco, from Johannesburg, and Manchester-born flute and whistle virtuoso Michael McGoldrick will perform alongside headliner Kate Rusby at the Underneath the Stars Festival at Cannon Hall Farm near Barnsley in this summer.
The event, now in its third year, runs from 22nd-24th July and is organised by Kate’s family production team, Pure Records.
Leeds based alt-indie band Dancing Years; Scottish fiddle master Duncan Chisholm; 2016 BBC Radio 2 Folk Award nominee Damien O’Kane; and North East pop four-piece Joy Atlas have also been announced as performing at the festival.
Also added to the line-up are Tantz, with their klezmer-tinged grooves; and Gary Stewart & The Tin Foil Collective, who will perform their re-creation of Paul Simon’s ‘Graceland’ album.
To coincide with the latest artist announcements, day tickets for the festival have just been released. Weekend tickets are still available too, both with and without camping.
Emma Holling, festival director and Kate Rusby’s sister, said: “We are really excited to announce the latest names in the line-up. With about 100 days to go, the festival is shaping up to be another fantastic family-friendly event with a really wide range of musical performances.”
The latest line-up of artists will join performers announced last month, which include; Vieux Farka Touré, Dervish, The Demon Barbers XL, Blair Dunlop, Olivia Chaney and King Zepha. So far, 30 names have been announced and even more will be added to the line-up in coming weeks.
The artists will all perform in big-top style tents with seating, meaning festival-goers can stay dry during performances – whatever the weather.
And alongside two stages of music, Underneath the Stars will also feature family activities including storytelling and street theatre, music and dance workshops, an artisan crafts village, creative kids tent and a giant planetarium. Food and drink offerings include a real ale bar and award winning street food.
Emma said: “We’re hoping to attract first-timers as well as seasoned festival goers, as the huge variety of musical performances and family activities means there really is something to appeal to everyone, whether they come along for the day or for the weekend.”
Camping with hot showers is available for those who choose to make a weekend of it, as well as luxury ‘glamping’ pitches.
Published on 11 April 2016 by Ben Robinson