The world’s first and only strictly 13–17’s festival is returning to London for a sixth year this August. From the team behind fellow London day festivals Field Day and The Apple Cart, Underage Festival continues to become a respected event in the festival calendar and has become synonymous with credible and pioneering line ups, acting as a platform for teenagers to catch both established and hotly tipped emerging artists. Due to the London 2012 Olympics, Underage will now take place at the new location of Shoreditch Park at the later date of Friday 31st August. 

Among the first acts announced for Underage Festival 2012 are bright young East London boys and BBC Sound Poll nominees Spector, who set a fast and fervent precedent for Underage proceedings this year and Maverick Sabre, whose soulful infusion of reggae and hip-hop is the perfect fit for the Underage, whose ethos is to provide an eclectic range of genres and sounds. 

Sure to be splashing their psychedelic colours and sounds around Shoreditch Park are Oxford boys Fixers, who will be joined by the quirky sounds of Camden duo BIGKids and the frenzied rock of unruly Leeds boys Pulled Apart By Horses, notorious for their spectacular high-octane live performances. They will be joined by rousing Danish teenage punk band Iceage and Dry The River, who have been carving a niche in the musical landscape with their brand of folk rock, fusing rousing multi-instrumental builds with catchy singalong hooks and a distinct gypsy swagger. 

Always looking to introduce new and exciting sounds to the 13-17 year old contingency, Underage is also delighted to confirm Rustie for this year’s event. Having featured in virtually all the Top Albums of 2011 lists for his outstanding debut album Glass Swords, Rustie is frequently heralded as a true Renaissance man of electronic music for pioneering an altogether unique and innovative new sound. 

Those seeking more mellow sounds need look no further than boy-girl dreamy duo Summer Camp whose debut Welcome to Condale is aptly described as being ‘a definition of lost youth’ and depicts tales of broken hearts and growing up in a fictional town in 1980s America. Delivering equally catchy synth pop tunes will be London Theme Park alongside Outfit, whose unique brand of tribal melancholia-tinged pop has led them to regularly top ‘Ones to Watch’ lists for 2012. 

Tom Baker of Eat Your Own Ears says: "It’s incredible how quickly five years has gone. The first Underage Festival was an amazing event; the atmosphere and energy of the audience, everyone was buzzing from the bands and singing along to all the lyrics. The line up this year is really shaping up and I think will be more focused than ever as there are less stages, but no less thrilling than in previous years. It’s also exciting to be on a new site in Shoreditch Park" 

Underage Festival emerged in 2008 to provide a unique and safe environment for young people to enjoy live music and get a taste of the festival experience. Holding the title of ‘World’s First Festival for Under 18s’, Underage still leads the way for teenage events, with its unrivalled credible and innovative line ups. Previous highlights include Dizzee Rascal, Tinie Tempah, Bombay Bicycle Club, M.I.A, The Maccabees, Foals and many more. 

Ticket Info 

Early Bird tickets available for £19.50 Underage Festival Friday 31st August 2012 Shoreditch Park, London Tickets HERE