[T]he organisers of Keswick Mountain Festival (KMF) have revealed two big name acts who will headline this year’s live music programme.
Former Spice Girl Melanie C, and founding member of Joy Division and New Order Peter Hook, with his band The Light, will take to the stage during this year’s festival, to entertain thousands with the spectacular backdrop of Derwentwater and the Lake District fells. KMF will run from 8-10 June and tickets for the event go on sale this week, on Thursday 25 January.
Launched in 2007, Keswick Mountain Festival has grown into one of the UK’s best-loved outdoor festivals, attracting 20,000 people to Cumbria each June. Each year, KMF delivers a unique mix of live music, sporting events, outdoor adventures, high profile speakers, taster activities, exhibitor stands and camping for all of the family. This year’s live music line-up is the most high profile yet.
Headlining on Friday 8 June will be Peter Hook & The Light. Led by legendary bassist Peter Hook, the group has built an enviable reputation on the live circuit over the last eight years. Their set will showcase seminal tracks from the back catalogue of Joy Division and New Order, two of the UK’s best-loved bands.
On Saturday 9 June, Melanie C will provide the live music finale at Keswick Mountain Festival. Melanie C first made her name as one fifth of the world’s most successful girl group of all time, the Spice Girls. She has gone on to enjoy sustained solo success, with seven albums and two chart topping singles. Melanie C continues to tour the world, entertaining huge crowds with tracks that span her career. Along with her band, she will deliver a set full of sing-along hits that are known around the globe.
As well as Peter Hook & The Light and Melanie C, other acts will be revealed soon to complete the live music programme at the 2018 Keswick Mountain Festival.
Nicola Meadley, Keswick Mountain Festival director, comments: “We are very excited about this year’s live music line-up. Melanie C is one of the biggest names in pop and she’s coming to Keswick Mountain Festival! And Peter Hook is an iconic figure in the UK music scene, who has an incredible back catalogue. Once again, we have booked acts who appeal to a wide audience and are sure to create an amazing atmosphere for visitors to Keswick in June.”
As well as the live music, this year’s Keswick Mountain Festival sees an expanded sports programme on 9 and 10 June (booking for places is already open), with the addition of a 5K open water swim to the always popular line-up that includes trail runs (5K, 10K, 25K and 50K), triathlons (sprint and standard distance), aquathons (swim-run events), other open water swims (3K and 1500m), and a cycling sportive. The schedule offers options for adult and junior outdoor sports enthusiasts throughout the weekend.
Elsewhere, organisers have added more to the menu of outdoor activities available during Keswick Mountain Festival. Favourites return, such as guided walks, navigation courses, ghyll scrambling, water-based activities and rock climbing. New attractions will include outdoor cookery and other options that will be announced in the near future, along with a programme of films and speakers in the Theatre by the Lake.
Once again, the heart of Keswick Mountain Festival will be the Festival Village on Crow Park, owned and managed by KMF’s charity partner the National Trust. As well as hosting the live music and the start and finish of the sporting events and many of the outdoor activities, the Festival Village will be packed with exhibitors, including official retail partner Blacks Outdoor. A wide range of food and drink will be available on site and the Timothy Taylor’s bars will return with a variety of real ales and other refreshments.
Keswick Mountain Festival has its own dedicated campsite within walking distance of Crow Park, with pitches of all sizes available. The festival offers an extensive range of ticket options for visitors, for individuals and families, and for day visitors or those who want to stay for the full weekend. Tickets will go on sale at 10:00am on Thursday 25 January at www.keswickmountainfestival.co.uk. For full details, visit the website and for the latest updates follow @keswickfestival on Twitter and Instagram, and find Keswick Mountain Festival on Facebook.
