Festival No. 6 reveals first bands for 2017
Flaming Lips and UK exclusive shows from Mogwai and Bloc Party top the bill in Portmeirion, north Wales
Wayne Coyne and co top the line-up for the sixth running of the festival at the home of cult TV mystery The Prisoner, and they're joined in the headline slots by Bloc Party and the only UK festival spot from Glasgow post-rock royalty Mogwai.
The electronic portion of the line-up features Mr Scruff, Horse Meat Disco, Hot Chip's Joe Goddard and Goldie among others. Charlotte Church's anarchic Late Night Pop Dungeon also features on the bill, alongside Jagwar Ma, Scottish indie legends Arab Strap, poet and rapper Kate Tempest, Steve Mason, Honeyblood, XamVolo and Public Service Broadcasting.
Following last year's David Bowie tribute, the 'special attraction' for this year's Festival No. 6 is a collaboration between The Bootleg Beatles and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra to celebrate 50 years since the release of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. There's also a tribute to Factory Records founder Tony Wilson, and events celebrating the life of electronic music pioneer Delia Derbyshire.
Elsewhere, No. 6's poetry line-up features Skinny favourites Hollie McNish, Salena Godden, Luke Wright and Rob Auton, while actor Maxine Peake will curate her own Peaky's Parlour stage. Snooker legend turned techno DJ Steve Davis will be in conversation with Kavis Torabi and Goldie, and The Good Immigrant co-authors Coco Khan and Vera Chok appear in conversation.
Festival No. 6 founder Gareth Cooper said: “It’s a very special year for us as we’re celebrating our sixth birthday and we’re marking the occasion by really going back to our roots. It has to be our most diverse bill to date with amazing artists from across the globe packing every stage, from the woods to the main stage – it’s going to be incredible."
Festival No.6 is at Portmeirion, north Wales from 7-10 September. Check out the full line-up on the festival's website, and read our review of Festival No. 6 2016.