SCOTTISH walking warblers The Proclaimers, Fairport Convention co-founder Richard Thompson and singer songwriter Beth Orton have been announced as headliners for Towersey Festival 2018.
Cornish sea shanty merchants the Fisherman's Friends, the Sharon Shannon Band and Daphne's Flight have also been revealed for this year's festival at Thame showground on August 24 - 27.
It's been 31 years since Scottish twins Charlie and Craig Reid, aka The Proclaimers, came to widespread public attention.
Port Isaac's Fisherman's Friends
Calling on folk, country, rock 'n' roll and punk, the brothers have built up an impressive back catalogue, with such hits as I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles), Letter From America and King Of The Road.
Richard Thompson, meanwhile, is no stranger to Towersey, having last appeared at the festival solo/ acoustic back in 2015. For his latest appearance, the Fairport Convention co-founder brings his acclaimed Electric Trio.
Singer-songwriter Beth Orton's mix of acoustic and electronic elements have won her huge acclaim. Her 1999 record Central Reservation picked up the BRIT Award for Best Album, and her recent releases, Sugaring Season and Kidsticks, continue to beguile.
Hula hoop juggler Jessii O'Toole performs at Towersey 2016.
Celtic rock band Big Country's hits include Field Of Fire (400 Miles), In A Big Country and Wonderland. The Live Aid veterans visit Towersey to perform their acoustic set.
Other notable acts on the bill include award-winning Irish accordion player Sharon Shannon; Cornwall’s chart-busting eight-piece Fisherman’s Friends, who are credited with kick-starting a revival in shanty-style choral singing; singer-songwriter Martyn Joseph; and a reunited Daphne’s Flight, featuring five of the most acclaimed female singer-songwriters from their generation (Helen Watson, Melanie Harrold, Julie Matthews, Chris While and Christine Collister).
Oxford's Sol Samba at Towersey 2016.
They’ll be playing alongside 10 times winners of the National Brass Band Champions of Great Britain, the Brighouse and Rastrick Band; rising Americana/ roots trio Wildwood Kin; a collaboration between Peter Knight (Steeleye Span) and John Spiers (Bellowhead); and Whetstone Brinsford Kirkpatrick, recreating Dave Whetstone’s landmark mid-90s folk album The Resolution for an exclusive Towersey appearance.
Towersey Festival director Joe Heap said: "We’ve got a great mix of big names making their Towersey debuts this year as well as some real returning favourites, such as Richard Thompson.
"We’re especially pleased to welcome The Proclaimers for the first time - they always put on a great show and have so many fabulous songs.”
Punters at Towersey 2016.
But as Mr Heap also teased fans, saying he had one more 'incredible headline act' to announce soon.
Established in 1965, Towersey is one of the UK's longest continuously running independent music festivals.
Boasting 11 venues, the festival also features 24 hours of ceilidh, daily workshops, a well-stocked bar, street food, spoken word, film screenings, events and activities for children and younger festival-goers, and more.
Tickets for Towersey Festival are available now from £119 (adult), £115 (conc), £84 (youth), £59 (child). See towerseyfestival.com
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