eFestivals Exclusive: Alborosie for Boomtown Fair

eFestivals can exclusively reveal that MOBO award winner Alborosie, ska-punks Reel Big Fish, Jamaican Godfathers of ska Skatalites, Jamaica's number one female reggae artist Tanya Stephens, the indo-dub bass stars Asian Dub Foundation and gypsy-punk global fusionists Balkan Beat Box lead the first acts for this summer's Boomtown Fair 2012.

Sicilian born Rastafarian Alborosie knocked Damian Marley and Nas out of the running for the Best Reggae Act at the 2011 MOBO awards. He first hit the music scene back in the early 90's with his band The Reggae National Tickets before becoming a solo artist. His debut album 'Soul Pirate' followed along with hits including 'Kingston Town' and 'Kingdom of Zion'.

Also joining the line-up for this summer at Boomtown are The Slackers, Gappy Ranks, Jah Shaka, David Rodigan, Zion Train, Stanton Warriors, Kill The Noise, and Caspa.

The Town Centre and Devil Kicks dancehall stages will play host to Movits, Dunkelbunt, Babyhead, The Urban Voodoo Machine, The Meteors, Batmobile, Mad Sin, Molotov Jukebox, and The Filiments.

As usual there's a heavy ragga, dub, dancehall emphasis with the reggae stage hosting Macka B, Trojan Sound System, South Rakkas Crew, Blak Twang, Mungos Hi Fi, Channel One, The Heatwave, General Levy, Lady Chan, and MC Soom T.

Fans of serious rave and bass heavy music can look forward to the Arcadia and Bassline Circus line-up which features Stanton Warriors, DJ Hype, Breakage, 16bit, Benny Page, Marcus Visionary, Roska, The Nextmen, Plump DJs, Krafty Kuts, RackNRuin, Foamo, Far Too Loud, Engine-Earz, Dub Phizix, Tomb Crew, Freestylers, Dub Mafia, and Slamboree.

The town committee have been flat out for the past few months, tweaking, organising, booking and generally scheming and as well as a whole new host of venues, street parties, mutated vehicles and crazy sideshows, and the Arcadia Spectacular.

Now in its fourth year the festival will offer an array of music, theatre, comedy and art and will take place at Matterley Bowl, nr. Winchester, Hampshire, from Thursday 9th until Sunday 12th August 2012.

Saver tickets are priced at £109 plus a £5 eco bond deposit (part of the new 'keep the town tidy' scheme). A Deposit Scheme is also available priced at £50 + £5 refundable eco bond deposit. Teen tickets (13-17 years inc) are priced at £75 + £5 refundable eco bond deposit, a child ticket (6-12 years inc) is priced at £10, and under 6's can attend for free (but must register). Car parking passes are priced at £15, a campervan/caravan pass is priced at £40. Coach and ticket deals are also available.

A Deposit Scheme is also available priced at £50 + £5 refundable eco bond deposit. Teen tickets (13-17 years inc) are priced at £75 + £5 refundable eco bond deposit, a child ticket (6-12 years inc) is priced at £10, and under 6's can attend for free (but must register). Car parking passes are priced at £15, a campervan/caravan pass is priced at £40.

To buy tickets, click here.

2012 sees the 'luxury' camping options at BoomTown getting hugely upgraded! An exclusive new camping area including Tipis, Bell-Tents and Podpads, perfect for those who like to sleep in style and comfort.

BoomTown offers a weekend of cabaret, gypsy, folk, reggae, dub and more within the confines of a whole 'pop up' town. Organisers have revealed that next year the site layout is having a complete overhaul and everything is being upgraded, adapted and expanded. Although the city walls are expanding the actual town population will stay at 13,000.

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