Gate To Southwell Festival, Nottinghamshire

The Raghu Dixit Project, The Dog Show Sessions (Show of Hands & Track Dogs), John Smith, Tarren, Nine Below Zero, Martyn Joseph...

This summer’s Gate To Southwell Festival (June 29-July 2) looks certain to be the most international, entertaining and musically diverse event yet.

The highly-acclaimed and immensely danceable London Afrobeat Collective have joined the festival headliners; eight musicians who create politically-charged funk inspired by late Nigerian superstar Fela Kuti with his perfect blend of soulful jazz horns, hi-life and mighty Yoruban rhythms. There’s also a strong African influence to the music of the Stone Jets, uniting the distinctive voice of Given Nkanyane with the guitar skills of Manfred Klose.

In total contrast, heading for Southwell from Wales, there’s the raving steampunk-style nu-metal-meets-traditional Welsh music of NoGood Boyo (appropriately taking their name from the bad boy character in Dylan Thomas’ Under Milk Wood!). And last but far from least of the recent festival recruits…Martyn Joseph, unquestionably one of Britain’s finest singer-songwriters, will also be appearing. Martyn’s a jaw-dropping guitar player with a unique percussive style who's even been branded “The Welsh Springsteen”. “One of the most charismatic and electrifying performers in Britain today”, according to Tom Robinson on BBC 6 Music.

They join an already global sounding line-up featuring The Raghu Dixit Project from India, The Dog Show Sessions (combining English roots stars Show of Hands with Madrid-based Irish-American quartet Track Dogs), American singer-songwriter Tom Russell, bluegrass boys The Hoth Brothers from New Mexico, Italian ragtime and old time from Max & Veronica and Irish traditional music stars Gatehouse. Plus there’s top quality rhythm & blues from Nine Below Zero, English folk from Tarren and one of the UK’s finest singer-songwriter guitarists in John Smith, whose songs such as ‘Save My Life’ and ‘Far Too Good’ have been streamed many millions of times.

With more artists soon to be announced, there’ll also be great camping and glamping facilities, excellent family entertainment, dance, spoken word & comedy, pub gigs, workshops, Camp Fire, craft stalls and top-quality food and drink. The event will again take place at the beautiful lakeside setting in Kirklington, Nottinghamshire (NG22 8NX). The festival received great reviews last year including RnR Magazine’s verdict: "excellent cast list...too many good performances to mention. It has become a great favourite and if you haven't been already, try it."

Disabled Facilities: Yes very good disabled facilities - see website please.