Greenbelt's main Glade Stage has announced the addition of The Travelling Band for the first time. With close connections to Manchester Aid to Kosovo – an artist-led charity chaired by Badly Drawn Boy – TTB make irresistible rock music in that fine Mancunian indie tradition but with a whole extra measure of bright-eyed optimism thrown in.

“If you consider the term ‘Mancunian Americana’ to be an oxymoron… try listening to The Travelling Band. Brilliant” ­ Marc Riley, BBC 6Music

Also confirmed on the music bill for Greenbelt 2014 are, Lotte Mullan, Jasmine Kennedy, Hannah Scott and Levi and Marcus Hummons of The Hummons fame. 

Ideas

Meanwhile, their Ideas programme continues to take shape with the latest names confirmed including: Mitri Raheb, theologian-pastor of the Lutheran Church just off Manger Square in Bethlehem; Hannah Lownsbrough, Campaigns Director at 38 Degrees; Kit Beazley, Head of UK Finance at ethical bank Triodos; theologian Marika Rose; peace activist Pat Gaffney; and climate thinker and campaigner Ruth Valerio.

Comedy

Howard Read will be joining us them this year with two shows – Little Howard, a show for all ages and his more adult comedy show, Stand-Up Animator (both featuring the world’s only live interactive animation).

And of course, what Greenbelt comedy-cum-music lineup would be complete without an appearance from festival favourites Folk On. 

Performing Arts

The performing arts bill continues to shape up, with the latest bookings including a one-woman show from performance artist Bobby Baker called Ballistic Buns andMisunderstood Monsters, a children’s show from the inimitable Half Moon Theatre Company.

Literature

The latest names confirmed to join Anne Lamott including Julia Golding, Martha Sprackland, Simon Parke, and Matt Haig, fresh from the rave reviews his novel The Humans has been receiving.