Hardwick Live 2015, which returns to County Durham on August 22, is being headlined by James, with special guests Razorlight, 10cc and Embrace.
For the first time ever, the one day festival will also boast a second, Discovery Stage, giving festival-goers the opportunity to see ‘tomorrow’s acts today,’ as they play alongside one of the nation’s most successful bands, Cast.
Cast, who emerged from John Power’s post-seminal band, The La’s, released a string of anthems, including Finetime, Sandstorm and Walkaway, before splitting in 2001.
The band reformed in 2010, with hit single Baby Blue Eyes released in 2014 and a new album due later this year.
Cast will headline Hardwick Live’s new Discovery Stage, where they will be joined by a host of upcoming acts from across the UK, including North East duo Smoove & Turrell, Sheffield band, The Sherlocks and Scotland’s Randolph’s Leap.
Smoove & Turrell’s unique style of Northern funk has already earned them airplay on BBC Radio 2 and 6music, as well as a sought-after spot supporting Nile Rogers and Chic. The Newcastle-based duo, whose tracks have been used on various television programmes, released their third studio album, Broken Toys in May last year.
Since making their Hardwick Live debut in 2014, The Sherlocks have sold out shows from Dundee to Southampton, toured with The Enemy and been lauded by North East favourites, Reverend and the Makers.
They’ll be making a welcome return as one of the most promising, unsigned bands in the UK, having had two self-released singles chart just outside the UK Top 40.
Randolph’s Leap, whose recent single, Weatherman was accompanied by a video featuring former BBC weatherman Michael Fish, are also enjoying growing success
The band’s joyous, brass-tinged folk-pop music, incorporating the self-deprecating, humorous and heart-warming lyrics of frontman Adam Ross, has already been championed by BBC 6music’s Steve Lamacq and Marc Riley, as well as Q magazine.
Other acts taking to the Discovery stage at Hardwick Live 2015 will include Kingston upon Hull’s Black Delta Movement, who recently supported Jesus and the Mary Chain and new RCA Records signing, Redfaces, who join Mark Ronson and Justin Timberlake on the iconic label.
Dexters, who have been described by as having “svelte, high energy anthems” and singer/songwriter Hayley McKay are also on the bill, with more acts still to be announced. .
Event organiser, John Adamson, said: “Hardwick Live 2015 already has a stellar line-up, with performances by headliners James and special guests Razorlight, as well as 10cc, Embrace and more.
“This second stage is all about giving the very best new and emerging acts the opportunity to shine and I’m delighted that it is being championed by a band with the musical calibre and heritage of Cast.”
Tickets for Hardwick Live 2015, priced from £8 children and £49 adults, are available online atwww.hardwicklive.co.uk/tickets and in person from various ticket merchants, including Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield.
For more information, including a full list of performers and accommodation packages, visit www.hardwicklive.co.uk.