Unfortunately, due to the rubbish weather, Lodestar has had to be cancelled this year

FESTIVAL IN THE FENS

All attention may be on this years Glasto, but there's a newbie on the festival scene that's worth keeping on your radar.

Lodestar is Britain’s newest indie-rock festival, born from a love of music, a belief in community and a desire to give something back. The brainchild of landowner Doug Durrant, LodeStar is the realisation of a teenage ambition to stage a festival on the land his family has worked for four generations. His aim? To pull together a snapshot of, in his own words, 'a thrilling era for live music”.'

Line up

LodeStar, in association with BBC 6 Music, launches with a stellar line up of credible indie acts, taking in everything from the jagged art-rock of The Rakes and The Hot Puppies to Badly Drawn Boy. For fans of the next big thing, The Pigeon Detectives fly in as Doug's hot favourites.

With the likes of Idlewild, The Bees and Alberta Cross also making appearances on the 70 plus line-up, across three stages, this event will showcase some of the best breaking acts of 2007. Taking place on the 165 acres of his farm he has put down to grass, three quarters of a mile outside the village of Lode near Cambridge, Doug hopes to make the weekend one to remember

NEW ADDITIONS TO THE LINE UP

After the initial wave of success,LodeStar is pleased to announce new additions to its line up.

LodeStar has now confirmed even more reputable acts to join for the three-day musical extravaganza. First up the delectably odd British Sea Power who, after the release of two albums, have acquired a loyal following and critical acclaim.  Australian wonder kids Architecture in Helsinki join the jaunty guitar fuelled Good Shoes and Liverpool’s The Wombats to create one of this summer’s hottest festival bills.

New, breaking bands are a predominant feature of LodeStar and kicking this off is the Anglo – Franco electro indie pop of The Teenagers. The Angular delights of the Winterkids, We Start Fires and I Was a Cub Scout support the wave of new talent at this inaugural music festival.  Not only this but LodeStar will be drawing from the Cambridge’s vast pool of musical talent giving local, undiscovered music a real chance to shine through.      

BBC6 Music

BBC 6 Music will be broadcasting live from site throughout the weekend, bringing you the best of the festival from across the weekend on DAB digital radio, digital TV and online at bbc.co.uk/6music.

Commenting on the partnership Live Music & Event Producer for BBC 6 Music John Pearson said:

"BBC 6 Music is delighted to be partnering The LodeStar Festival in its first year. The excellent line-up, and the range of artists on offer, reflect our audience's own wonderfully eclectic musical tastes. We're very much looking forward to bringing our listeners a brand new festival experience to round off the summer season!"

Doug Durrant added:

I’ve dreamt of this happening for my entire life. This festival really is about people – I’m ecstatic about the line-up we’ve got together. LodeStar will be an event made by the people and artists who make their way here at the end of August. The enthusiasm of everyone has helped take LodeStar forward into becoming an awesome event.”

Charities are also to benefit from LodeStar, including WaterAid, East Anglian Children’s Hospice, Headway Cambridge and Arthur Rank House.