With just eight weeks to go, what seems to be the pick of this summer’s boutique festivals, Rhythm 2011, has announced its final line-up and managed to insert several new acts into an already packed bill. These include Aside from Rod, featuring guitar heroes Jim Creggan (Family, Joe Cocker, Katie Melua), Robin Le Mesurier and Gary Grainger, who close the Le Mesurier Stage on Sunday night. They first got together when Rod Stewart left the Faces in 1975 and they helped write some of his classic songs, including Hot Legs, I’m Only Joking and Mandolin Wind. And yes, Robin is John’s son.
Rythym Festival
Rhythm Festival will also, in conjunction with BBC Three Counties Radio, be presenting the cream of young local talent from the area, including Pearl Handled Revolver and Kilto Take, (Sunday), the Brays, CC Smugglers, Howlin Hootin Owls Cocconi and the Metatrons (all Friday on the BBC Introducing Stage).
TV comedy magician Paul Zenon also join the bill, appearing on the Ronnie Barker Comedy Stage on Sunday afternoon.
They join the previously announced acts, including Toots & The Maytals, Imelda May, Nick Lowe, Jack Bruce, Buzzcocks, Steve Cropper & The Animals, Terry Reid, The Blockheads, Dodgy, Oysterband, Burns Unit, Mud Morganfield, Sandi Thom, 9 Below Zero and Curved Air.
Tickets for the festival, which is being held at Old Warden Park, near Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, over the Bank Holiday weekend of 26th-28th August, are available from www.rhythmfestival.com Weekend tickets are £99 until midnight on Saturday 30th June, when they rise to £110.