First acts announced for this year's Camp Bestival

Bouncing with excitement, Camp Bestival organiser Rob da Bank says: "It seems only yesterday that we were basking in the sun singing along to Mr Tumble and then watching PJ Harvey captivate the whole site with her extraordinary solo performance but it's that time again to unveil what we've been planning thus far for 2010.

From Saturday night headliners the nutty boys Madness to Bill Drummond's inspirational new music project; from folk royalty Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick to DJ Yoda and Beardyman it's looking like a typically random yet happy family. Hope to see you there!"

Kicking off the first announcement, Camp Bestival will be welcoming Madness as the Saturday night headliner. The nutty boys are currently riding the crest of a critically acclaimed wave for their recent The Liberty of Norton Folgate album while their back catalogue is the envy of almost everybody, ever.

Synth-pop overlords The Human League will also be gracing Lulworth Castle with a superlative selection of their anthemic tunes, as will the living embodiment of funk, George Clinton with Parliament / Funkadelic.

Plus the current king of the pop tree, Calvin Harris, will be invading the stage and your brain with his indelible hooks, and MOBO Awards winning Chipmunk will be in the zone to keep on rhyming and shining.

One of the revelations of Camp Bestival 2009 was the mighty Mr Tumble. He proved such an enormous hit with the kids that he is back for 2010! This time though, he will be appearing on each of the 3 days of the event!  

With a series of slapstick and makaton sing-along performances and some extra-special meet and greets spanning the entire event, the tiny tots won't know what's hit them!

Also you can become part of an amazing musical art project. Bill Drummond the Choir Master ... become a member of The17: Bill Drummond's (KLF, Timelords etc) choir. In this exclusive UK appearance, Bill will work with 10 groups of 17 people to record one of his scores.

These will be combined and played back to the entire audience at Camp Bestival on Sunday night. To be part of one of the first 5 choirs to take part, email The17@campbestival.net with your name and mobile number to register now. All ages welcome!

The English National Ballet will also return for Camp Bestival 2010, after their showstealing performances last year. You can also feed your brain with mind-treats at The East Lulworth Literary Institute where you can relish rare live interviews with the likes of film director Andrea Arnold; learn How To Be DJ Derek with the man himself; discover 'ideas to live by' through expert sessions from the School of Life; plus loads of other diverse and fascinating special guests and sessions to be announced soon.

There's also the House of Fairytales a brand new art project headed up by renowned artist Gavin Turk, the Polka Tent, one of the massive successes from this year's Bestival, plus The World Famous will be back with the awe-inspiring pyrotechnical pleasures of their Son et Lumiere extravaganza.

Plus, the River Cottage Cafe will return in 2010 with a sumptuous selection of rustic nourishment. Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall commented: "Myself and the River Cottage Team had such a fantastic time at this year's Camp Bestival! We are really excited to be involved again with the River Cottage Café in 2010!"

You can also expect there to be hundreds of free things for kids to do, jousting from the Knights of Lulworth Castle, the Freestyle Sports Park including Mountain Bike, Skate And Parkour displays, madcap merriment from the Bestival Blue Coats and a new Kids Garden, which has doubled in size from 2009.

Plus there is the idyllic and spacious campsites, great family facilities, country fare, local foodstuffs. So make sure you have a fun-packed start to the summer hols and head to Camp Bestival!

Adult weekend tickets (including camping) are £145,(students £135), 11 - 17 year old £72.50 (inc. camping) and children 10 and under free (including camping, you MUST book children’s free tickets). For more details or to book tickets call 0844 888 4410 or visit www.ticketline.co.uk

More acts are due to be announced at the end of January. For a complete list of the acts confirmed so far visit www.campbestival.net

• UPDATE: Further acts were announced on January 28th, including Friendly Fires, Billy Bragg, Marc Almond and The Blockheads.

PICTURE: NUTTY BOYS - Madness will be Saturday night's headliners at this year's Camp Bestival

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