Sunrise Celebration promises to be a vibrant party while raising awareness about issues such as Tibet
Folk super-band The Imagined Village are set to headline the Sunrise Celebration festival this summer, alongside a huge line-up of alternative music artists performing at Gilcombe Farm, in Bruton, Somerset from 21-24 June.
Other headline acts at Sunrise include the versatile dub and electronica artist Gaudi, and dancefloor favourites The Egg.
Hyped by the New York Times and winners of a BBC World Music Award, having now played across four continents, the Polish outfit The Warsaw Village Band are also bringing their inspirational folk music to the Somerset event.
A holistic festival well-known for its sustainable ethos, warm vibes and intimate, friendly atmosphere, Sunrise will have six arenas this year.
The likes of Dizreaeli and the Small Gods – a seven piece English band playing a melodic and heartfelt reinvention of hip-hop – will be setting the bar for Sunrise’s showcase of innovative party music, while Laid Blak will also be taking to the stage to perform an infusion of reggae, hip-hop, drum ‘n’ bass and blues.
Other highlights include Edinburgh outfit Hidden Orchestra, who combine two live drummers with organic samples and dub basslines to make cinematic, emotive, percussive music. And, if you’ve ever seen King Porter Stomp busking on street corners, in packed festival tents or in venues around the UK, you’ll know these boys on the line-up came to party.
Festival-goers can also check out Coda, DJ Cheeba, Resonators, Kakatsitsi Master Drumers Of Ghana, R.S.V.P, Urban Folk Quartet, Ariya Astrobeat Arkesta and lots more.
For the first year, the event will host a Tibet Area, which will raise awareness of the ongoing problems for Tibetans both in Tibet and in exile around the world.
“Many people have heard about Tibet and have some idea of the issues Tibetans face, but lots are not aware of how severe the problems currently are,” say the event organisers.
In Sunrise’s Tibet Area there will be screenings of documentaries, talks, information stalls, market stalls, children’s activities, yoga and a cafe. The Dalai Lama will be in the UK on a lecture tour at the same time as Sunrise takes place.
Meanwhile, fun times await for big kids at the Games Arena. Expect giant pillow fights, water fights and wacky races. There’s also a street performance area and in the Happy Slap Boutique you’ll find make up artists, actors and circus performers putting on weird and wonderful interactive shows. Take part in free costume and circus workshops, get your crazy make-up done, enjoy a new style of burlesque, or join in with some rave aerobics.
And when you want to sit down and relax, as a media partner to the event Positive News will be providing free copies of its newspaper for festival-goers to read.
Tickets: Adults £115 advance, children £25, teens £75. Student and family discounts available.
