Second wave of acts announced for Bath Festival Finale Weekend
Posted on: 12 Feb 2018The Bath Festival Finale Weekend is shaping up nicely this year, with another set of acts just announced for the event on the 26th and 27th May 2018. The announcement includes Imelda May, Midge Ure, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and more to join headliners Tears For Fears and Robert Plant on the weekend.
With Bath's own Tears For Fears and special guest Alison Moyet already announced before Christmas, the latest additions provide even more depth to the line-up, meaning this year's Bath Festival Finale is absolutely not one to be missed.
Perhaps the most exciting news is the involvement of BRIT Award-nominated singer-songwriter Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Having come to prominence in the late 90s, she's had a swathe of Chart hits, reaching Number 2 in the UK Album Chart with the double-platinum selling Read My Lips, which also spawned three top-three singles including the now-infamous Murder On The Dancefloor. Sophie also sang on the worldwide smash hit Groovejet (If This Ain't Love), which of course reached Number 1 in the UK and numerous countries around the world. In recent years, Sophie has released two albums (in 2014 and 2016) to widespread critical acclaim.
Also among the announcement was 23-year-old Londoner Freya Ridings, who released her debut single in May last year. It shot past 1 million Spotify streams, and she has since released Maps, a breath-taking cover of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' original song of the same name.
Midge Ure OBE is also a part of proceedings this year, an unmissable act given his glittering past that has seen him recognised with an Ivor Novello Award, Grammy Awards and an array of gold and platinum records. His catalogue of hits features classics from Slik, The Rich Kids, Thin Lizzy, Visage and more, and he's also known for his involvement in the Band Aid track Do They Know Its Christmas, which went on to raise £8million for starving children in Africa.
Performing in the Big Top on Sunday is folk singer-songwriter Seth Lakeman. He has been touring recently with Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters, becoming a part of Robert's band in addition to his solo performances. Over the years, Lakeman has performed with artists such as Jools Holland and Billy Bragg, and has been considered for prestigious awards including a Mercury Prize.
Other artists include Rhys Lewis and Jade Bird alongside the previously announced acts. The full Bath Festival programme in 2018 runs from 11th-27th May, celebrating the city through music and literature, engaging the community and bringing Bath's vibrant streets to life.
Ian Stockley, Chief Executive of Bath Festivals said: “It is hugely exciting to be able to announce these additional acts that are shaping further the two-day finale weekend experience for the community. Bringing to Bath up and coming artists with the likes of Freya and Rhys Lewis to perform alongside those fully established on the global stage is a huge part of our programming across the 17 day festival.”
To book tickets and to find more information on the Bath Festival 2018, or the Finale in particular, visit the Bath Festival website or check them out on Facebook.
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