NEW! Show of Hands, Lau, The Ian McMillan Orchestra, David Knopfler, The Travelling Band, Richard Digance, Lucy Ward, Katriona Gilmore & Jamie Roberts, Jamie Smith's Mabon, The Moulettes...
Joining Scott Matthews, Peatbog Faeries, The Strawbs, The Men They Couldn't Hang, Wishing Well

Rhythm Festival, held as a single event in Bedfordshire since 2006, becomes 3 linked festivals in 2012 with the addition of Rhythm Folk and Rhythm & Blues and takes place at Old Warden Park in Bedfordshire over the Bank Holiday Weekend of August 24-26th.

Organiser Jim Driver today announces the (almost) complete line-up for Rhythm Folk Festival, which mixes the finest emerging New Folk talent with the best of classic British Folk and Roots. The "new" arrivals include Show of Hands (with Miranda Sykes) and Edinburgh's exciting and vibrant three-piece Lau, who join Ivor Novello Award winner Scott Matthews as Sunday headliners. Also appearing on Sunday are the fast-rising (and totally uncategorisable) Moulettes, Radio 2 Horizon Award nominees Katriona Gilmore & Jamie Roberts and Britain's best known Pagan musician Damh The Bard.

On Saturday, David Knopfler, founding rhythm guitarist with Dire Straits, veteran comedian and Folk singer Richard Digance, The Ian McMillan Orchestra, featuring acclaimed poet Ian McMillan with a variety of musiicans, and highly regarded young Alt-Folk outfit The Travelling Band join The Strawbs and Australia's Wishing Well. Bedfordshire's leading New Folk band Faeries Wear Boots open proceedings with a (rootsy) bang.

The Friday Rhythm Folk line-up now includes 2012 Radio 2 Horizon Award Winner Lucy Ward and young World Music-inspired Alt-Folkers Jamie Smith's Mabon, who joins the previously announced Peatbog Faeries and The Men They Couldn't Hang (Acoustic).

Born through the desire of a group of young Bedfordshire women to dance Morris, Hemlock Morris will be attendance and performing throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday. Other slots at Rhythm Folk will be announced later.

BARGAIN PRICED TICKETS which allow access to the Rhythm Folk only are currently available at just £70 for the weekend (including a free child/ youth aged 5-16) plus camping or THE EARLY BIRD ALL FESTIVALS WEEKEND PASS is still only £99 + camping (includes free Child/Youth ticket). Under 5's are always free. It is not expect that day tickets will be available.

On "other stages", Rhythm Festival is to have 2 stages: Big Rhythms and Happy Rhythms whilst the two new events, Rhythm Folk and Rhythm & Blues will each have their own areas, dominated by huge big-top stages. Camping and lots of other attractions (see below) will be shared.

The emphasis in 2012 is on bringing gifted young performers into Rhythm Festivals, joining the veteran acts who have always been its main-stay.

Also New for 2012 and available to ticket-holders for all three Rhythm Festivals are Fringe Theatre performances in the The Old Dick Theatre and a huge programme of Literary & Poetry Events. Details of BIG NAME attractions on these stages will be announced soon. Comedy (again programmed by Jesterlarf Comedy Club of Cambridge) will return in 2012 as will other old Rhythm avourites, including the Groovy Movie Picture House (free sola-powered cinema), DJ Wheelie Bag in the Tavern Bar and even more children's entertainment, including Panic Circus and the Junior (London) Olympics. Many more new attractions will be added and announced in the coming weeks.

TICKET HOTLINE NOW OPEN:
01767 626 262 
Credit Card Hotline operated by The Mansion House and operates during office hours, 9am-5pm, Monday to Saturday. 5% booking fee will be added to all telephone orders.
No booking fee (£1 handling charge per order) on tickets bought from the official website

The confirmed line-up so far:
Friday 24th August:
RHYTHM FESTIVAL: Hawkwind, The Slackers (USA), The Beat, Three Bonzos & A Piano, Eddie & The Hot Rods
RHYTHM FOLK: Peatbog Faeries, The Men They Couldn't Hang (Acoustic), Lucy Ward, Jamie Smith's Mabon
RHYTHM & BLUES: Wilko Johnson, Mitch Laddie Band

Saturday 25th August:
RHYTHM FESTIVAL: The Damned, Denis Alcapone (Jamaica), Here & Now
RHYTHM FOLK: The Strawbs, The Ian McMillan Orchestra, Richard Digance, David Knopfler, Travelling Band, Wishing Well (Aus), Faeries Wear Boots
RHYTHM & BLUES: Big Boy Bloater, Lucy Zirins

Sunday 26th August:
RHYTHM FESTIVAL: Ken Boothe (Jamaica), Crazy World of Arthur Brown, David Rodigan, John Otway Big Band, King Hammond
RHYTHM FOLK: Show of Hands featuring Miranda Sykes, Lau, Scott Matthews, The Moulettes, Katriona Gilmore & Jamie Roberts, Damh The Bard
RHYTHM & BLUES: Crosstown Lightnin' (featuring Charles Shaar Murray), Cherry Lee Mewis Band

TICKET PRICES:
ALL FESTIVALS EARLY BIRD ADULT WEEKEND PASS: £99 includes one free child/ youth (5-16). Extra kids £60 each. Under 5's free.
RHYTHM FOLK ADULT WEEKEND TICKET (only): £70 until May 31st, then £80. Includes one child/ youth (5-16 years) free. Extra kids £35 each.
RHYTHM & BLUES ADULT WEEKEND TICKET (only): £70 until May 31st, then £80. Includes one child/ youth (5-16 years) free. Extra kids £35 each.
CAMPING (any festival): £36 per tent, £50 per campervan/ caravan.
Tickets will be sent out from March.

More on this totally unique festival concept in the coming weeks.