A HOST of acts have been confirmed as the Readipop Festival announced the first artistes on its 2022 line-up.
Top of the bill is American hip hop group Sugarhill Gang with Melle Mel and Scorpio from Furious 5.
Sugarhill Gang rose to fame in 1979, when their song Rapper’s Delight became the first rap single to appear as a Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
Joining them is soul and trip hop pioneers Morcheeba, who have sold more than 10 million albums worldwide.
The British group has produced 10 studio albums since 1995, mixing influences from trip hop, rock, folk, soul and downtempo.
Also headlining is indie singer-songwriter Badly Drawn Boy, winner of the Mercury Music Prize in 2000, following his critically acclaimed album The Hour of Bewilderbeast.
The festival will also feature a diverse array of new and established artists including Michele and Romeo Stodart from The Magic Numbers, electro-pop trio Stealing Sheep and turntablist DJ Format.
Scheduled to appear across the weekend is Grammy-nominated indie/dance innovators Jesus Jones, world and dance music fusionists Transglobal Underground and Nigel Clark of Britpop favourites Dodgy.
Supporting local talent is a key goal of the festival and this year is no different with an exclusive show from Reading reggae collective The Drop plus a showcase of aspiring musicians on the Readipop AAA programme.
Also representing the local scene is OSP, Amya-Ray, K.Kayne and Hatty Taylor who are all signed to Riser, Readipop’s new record label.
BBC Introducing in Berkshire will be selecting the opening acts on the main stage for Friday and Saturday with a takeover set for the Sunday.
This year, the festival will also debut its In Conversation sessions where established musicians, including Stephen Morris (New Order/Joy Division) and Richard Jobson (The Skids), will be discussing their careers.
In addition to the music, attendees can enjoy local real ales and craft beer served by Purple Turtle bars, delicious street food, a record store and Reading’s Indie Urban Market.
Pete Wheeler, Readipop Festival programmer, said: “This is definitely a moment we’ve all been waiting for.
“So many people held o nto their tickets over the last two years and we wanted to make sure we delivered our biggest acts to date as a ‘thank you’ to them for supporting us.”
The festival is set to take place over the weekend of July 8-10 on Christchurch Meadows, Caversham, and tickets are on sale now.
Adult weekend tickets are available from £49 each. Under 14s will receive free tickets when accompanied by an adult ticket holder.
For more information, or to book tickets, please visit: readipop.co.uk/festival
