Afro Celt Sound System, Treacherous Orchestra & The Elephant Sessions are the first bands acts confirmed for HebCelt 2015. The Grammy-nominated Afro Celt Sound System, will also be marking their 20th year in 2015.

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The internationally acclaimed HebCelt, was voted Best Event or Festival at the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards in November, and will take place in Stornoway 15th-18th July 2015.

Musician, composer and producer of the band, James McNally, said: "Afro Celt Sound System are delighted to be heading back to Lewis to perform at Heb Celt 20. It is one of our favourite festivals on the planet.

“We know that 2015 is a very special year for the festival with it being the 20th anniversary and the main reason we wanted to celebrate with you all is that it's our own 20th anniversary too. Let's just say it's going to be one hell of a party."

The band’s Eamonn Coyne said: "Treacherous Orchestra can't wait to play material from our new album 'Grind' live at HebCelt 2015."

HebCelt director Caroline Maclennan said: “Our first three acts for 2015 offer an exciting and diverse mix of music for our audience.

“The Afro Celt Sound System draw on music from across the world and are a fantastic act to see as well as hear. Treacherous Orchestra have some absolutely wonderful musicians and are a powerhouse on stage. The Elephant Sessions are one of the fine, new generation of bands, as their recent award success has shown.

“We are determined to make this year one of the best parties in HebCelt’s history combining some festival favourites with the best of emerging artists and our programme should reflect that.”

The festival’s landmark 20th year kicked off on 1 January, as part of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations, when artists representing HebCelt performed at a special ceilidh being held as part of a series of free live gigs in the Old Town. ‘HebCelt:Land’ was one of two of events held as part of ‘Scot:Lands’ to receive a 4 star-review.

This year’s HebCelt aims to build on a successful 2014 event which staged its biggest ever programme of 40 acts, headlined by Big Country, Levellers and Donnie Munro.

A huge influx of music fans from overseas made up the estimated 14,000 strong audience which proved a major economic boost for the islands.