ALABAMA 3 are today announced as the first headline act for Off The Tracks Spring Festival 2013. 

And in a second coup for the long-running event, acclaimed folk-rock band MERRY HELL will be using their appearance to launch their forthcoming, second album Bury Me Naked.

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Discount early-bird tickets are on sale for the festival, which takes place at Donington Park Farmhouse, near Isley Walton, Derbyshire, over the Bank Holiday weekend of May 24-26.

Founded in Brixton in 1985, Alabama 3 mix rock, house, blues, country, and gospel styles to incredible effect. The band are renowned for a full-on fusion of styles, lyrics full of ironic intent, humorous stage personas, and outrageous live performances.  Alabama 3 achieved international fame when the producers of hit TV series The Sopranos chose the track "Woke Up This Morning" for the show's opening credits. Their latest album Shoplifting 4 Jesus was released in 2011 and is described by frontman Larry Love as “the sound of middle England's worst nightmare, a celebration of all that is dynamic in club culture, and a finger on the pulse of those on the wrong side of the tracks”.

Merry Hell is a band founded on the ever evolving folk tradition – music made by the people and shared by the people. Rising from the ashes of the much-loved Tansads, the debut album Blink … And You Miss It garnered rave reviews and landed the band spots at major festivals throughout 2012 including Big Session, Wickham, Towersey and the Great British Folk Festival, as well as a sell-out hometown ‘Merry Helloween’ show in St Helen’s. Band founder and guitarist John Kettle says: “We want to express our massive gratitude to Off The Tracks. It was the first major festival we played, and to be coming back again is a real landmark for us – it means we’ve survived as well as grown. Being able to do the album launch at Off The Tracks really means a great deal to everyone in the band.”

 There’s plenty more yet to be announced,  including two more headliners.. The full line-up will include around 40 artists on two stages, as well as 70+ real ales, ciders and perries, excellent facilities on a year-round camping and caravanning site and a great, family friendly atmosphere.

Early Bird Advance Weekend Tickets are available for a limited time period only, priced £60 (adult) and £30 (age 12-16). Admission is free for under-12s.

Off The Tracks is also currently offering a ‘season ticket’ for both its 2013 festivals at the early bird price of £120 (£60 age 12-16). The Summer Festival, celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2013, will be held from Aug 30-Sept 1. 

All weekend tickets include camping and parking and are available HERE