Poole Harbour Festival – the biggest names and the greatest hits!

British reggae superstars UB40 are set to make it a summer to remember when they headline Poole Harbour Festival – their first show in the town for more than five years – which runs from 25 to 27 July in Baiter Park.

It’s now 45 years since UB40’s first hit, Food For Thought, to which the band went on to add three chart topping cover versions with Red Red Wine, Can’t Help Falling In Love and I Got You Babe. With more than 70 million record sales, UB40 are one of the most commercially successful reggae acts of all time and when Poole Harbour Festival regulars were polled to find who they would most like to see – UB40 were among the most popular acts.

“It’s a real pleasure to be presenting UB40 at Poole Harbour Festival, and the band have let us know how much they are looking forward to playing by the shores of Poole Harbour – it’ll be a real moment to remember,” says festival organiser Ben Dyas.

And they’ll be in great company with fellow headliners including multi-platinum pop punk heroes Feeder with founder members Grant Nicholas (vocals/guitar) and Taka Hirose (bass) joined by drummer Karl Brazil and guitarist Tommy Gleeson showcasing fan favourites from early hits like High and Buck Rogers to songs from last year’s well received double Album Black/Red.

Also billed are indie survivors Happy Mondays, influential American art rockers We Are Scientists, British dance originals Dub Pistols, Europe’s number one party band The Vengaboys, and a very welcome return to Poole Harbour Festival for chart toppers The Hoosiers and N-Trance.

“Ever since Poole Harbour Festival started nine years ago we have listened to what the people who come here have told us,” adds Ben. “We love hearing what a great time people have, but perhaps even more importantly, we also take on board their suggestions and observations.

“People feel very attached to Poole Harbour Festival; it’s their festival, they make it what it is. That fantastic family-friendly feeling and the good time atmosphere are what people bring with them – and that’s really special.”

And it’s not just live music – the dance tent hosts a DJ bill featuring household names like Judge Jules and Dave Pearce, as well as rising star Woody Cook, son of Fatboy Slim and Zoe Ball, the multi-million selling DJ Sash!, pioneering trance act Thrillseekers and hard house duo Tidy Boys.

Up to 15,000 music fans are expect to visit this year’s festival with more than 60 acts promised across five stages, including the new Smugglers Inn venue, as Poole Harbour Festival takes its place on the UK summer festival map.

Poole Harbour Festival opens at 5pm on Friday, noon on Saturday and Sunday, closing at 11pm on Friday and Saturday and 8pm on Sunday.

Tickets available now at www.pooleharbourfestival.com