In recognition of 100 years of suffrage (today marks the centenary of the first big win for suffragettes, with women over the age of 30 gaining the right to vote), Saturday’s main stage at Larmer Tree will be fronted by some amazing women in music.
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First Aid Kit[/caption]
Swedish sister act First Aid Kit will be headlining, fresh from the recent release of their critically acclaimed album ‘Ruins’. They’ll be enrapturing the crowds with their very own blend of country-folk-pop, perfected wistful melodies, empowering vocals and their signature flawless harmonies.
They will be joined by Jake Bugg, who at 18 supported the Rolling Stones and Stone Roses with his style of skiffley blues. Now 23 years old, you can still hear influences of his adolescent love of Don McLean, the Everly Brothers and Johnny Cash. Since releasing his debut album in 2012 the young troubadour has seen a meteoric rise to success, with hits such as ‘Lightning Bolt’ and Slumville Sunrise’ garnering support and airplay internationally. Having released his fourth studio album ‘Hearts That Strain’ in September last year, Bugg’s time in Nashville Tennessee, certainly shines through in this new album – it is warm and glowing, perfect listening for summertime in the garden.
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Tune-Yards[/caption]
Joining them will be musical activists Tune-Yards. Fronted by the enigmatic Merrill Garbus, known for pushing herself as a musician and an artist with her genre-popping, ever-evolving music, Tune-Yards’ live shows are unforgettable - delivered with ecstatic energy, mashing-up pop, hip-hop, soul, folk, rock, 80’s house, African beats, and Caribbean music.
Also announced today are Susanne Sundfør, Nadine Shah, Elephant Sessions, Chris Wood, Naaz, Seamus Fogarty and Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker. Six out of the ten acts announced are either women or female-fronted, marking a welcome turnaround to the normally male-dominated festival line-ups, certainly important in the centenary celebration of suffrage. Larmer Tree are striving for equality in their programming and across the Festival.
2018 will also see the exciting addition of the brand new Larmer Spa to the Festival. Kernow Springs will be bringing their wild spa onsite, where Festival-goers will be able to indulge in hot tubs, a sauna yurt, and a cosy Bedouin chill out lounge complete with huge bean bags, rugs and throws which will sit alongside therapists and holistic workshops.
Festival Founder James Shepard said “We are thrilled to announce the first acts to be joining us for Larmer Tree Festival 2018. With plenty more names still to be announced, this is just the start of a fantastic journey towards our much-anticipated return in July.”
Creative Director Sarah Dennehy added: “It’s an honour to be involved with this longstanding, independent, super cool little Festival. And stoked to announce our first wave of acts; but there’s much more to be announced over the coming months, with one or two surprises!
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Tickets and info - larmertreefestival.co.uk
