Nottingham’s outdoor music festival is back after last year’s cancellation – and it looks set to be better than ever.
Bloc Party, Kaiser Chiefs, Travis and Nottingham’s own Jake Bugg will headline the two-day event at the city’s iconic Wollaton Hall deer park on 19 and 20 July.
Clean Bandit, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Natasha Bedingfield and Vicky McClure’s Our Dementia Choir are among the other artists who will play across six stages – with a ‘Day Fever’ daytime disco stage headed by the Line of Duty actor new for this year.
Splendour began in 2008 and has since grown into a 30,000-capacity two-day event. The festival didn’t take place last year after delays in the tendering process left insufficient time for organisers DHP Family to organise the event in time for June.
George Akins, DHP Family’s Managing Director, said: “Splendour has become a standout weekend for families and seasoned gig-goers alike and an important event for the cultural and economic value it brings to the region.
“We’re very pleased to finally be back with another brilliant line-up, now spread across two days and six distinct stages, offering great value to everyone coming to enjoy the weekend with us.”
Splendour has a long-term partnership with Nottingham Trent University with many students working at the festival – be it in behind-the-scenes roles in lighting and sound or performing on the big stage.
The festival also showcases emerging artists from the local music scene with more than 150 artists from the East Midlands having been given the opportunity to play in front of thousands since 2008.
Michael Marsden, NTU’s School of Art & Design Executive Dean, said: “As a university that’s recognised for providing its students with real-world work experience, it’s great to see Splendour return to Nottingham; allowing our students to put what they’re taught into practice.”
Post-punks Echo & The Bunnymen, blues icon Seasick Steve, folk-punk band The Levellers, Scottish rock band The Fratellis and Elvana – the Elvis-fronted Nirvana tribute – will also take to stages across the Wollaton Park grounds.
Other acts announced on Wednesday include Kingfishr, Cardinals, Elvana, Kezia Gill, Brooke Combe, Overpass, Lyvia, The Publics, Pentire, The Amy Winehouse Band, TSSFU and Tom A. Smith.
Day and weekend tickets, starting at £69, are now on sale. As well as discounts for city residents, the festival has lower price tickets for 11 to 17-year-olds and free entry for children aged ten and under. For information go to splendourfestival.com.
Image Credit: DHP Family