Toots and the Maytals for Rhythm Festival (and on TV tonight)

Toots and the Maytals have been confirmed as Sunday headliners for this year's Rhythm Festival held over August bank holiday.

Toots and the Maytals will headline Rhythm Festival on Sunday 28th August, appearing with previously announced acts, including Steve Cropper & The Animals, The Blockheads and From The Jam.

Tonight BBC4 hosts a couple of programmes which include Toots and the Maytal at 9pm the air 'Toots and the Maytals: Reggae Got Soul' a film telling the never-before-told story of one of Jamaica's most influential and legendary artists, Toots Hibbard, and features rare archival footage from throughout his career. The film includes intimate acoustic performances and interviews with Toots, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Rait, Jimmy Cliff, Marcia Griffiths and many band members and family.

Then at 11.30pm BBC4 airs a live set from Toots and the Maytals from last year's Glastonbury Festival.

Other acts announced today for the 6th annual Rhythm Festival include The Burns Unit, Nine Below Zero, the recently reformed Slim Chance, Missing Andy, Parker & The Flowing Wow, abd Three Bonzos And A Piano.

Rhythm takes place at the Mansion House, Old Warden Park, near Biggleswade, in Bedfordshire from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th August 2011.

Festival organiser Jim Driver said, "2011 sees a subtle change in direction in that we're going for bigger and better headline acts as well as even more emphasis on new talent. We will still feature the best classic acts like 9 Below Zero and The Blockheads - who are both superb live - but there are some brilliant new acts out there and I'm adding as many as I can to the Rhythm Festival bill this year."

The event features acts from the realms of Rock, Blues, Folk, Ska and World Music including big name headliners who will join the line-up over the next few weeks. Rhythm Festival 2011 expects to feature three live music stages (including one named after plus comedy and "fringe events".

Early bird adult weekend saver tickets are priced at £99, (£110 from 1st July). Weekend tickets do NOT include camping.
Infants (under 5 years) are free when accompanied by adult ticket-holders.
One child (5-16 years) is free with each adult ticketholder; additional child tickets are available priced at £50. Day tickets will go on sale in March.

Camping tickets charged per tent/ caravan (not per person) are priced at £30 (Buena Vista Field a quieter, family-centred site) or £35 (Vegas Field nearer the Main Arena), Campervan tickets are priced at £30 (Buena Vista Field) or £35 (Vegas Field).

To buy tickets, click here.


Anyone who bought Supersaver tickets thinking Rhythm Festival was going to be held earlier in August and who cannot now attend should and does require an immediate refund, they are asked to email organisers using the subject line "Rhythm Festival Refund" and giving full details of their order.

As previously reported, following events after last year's bad weather, it was impractical for both the Rhythm Festival and the venue's own Glenn Miller themed Twinwood Festival to be held at Rhythm's old home at the Twinwood Arena.

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