A strong acoustic line-up featuring both new and acclaimed singer songwriters has been announced for North Yorkshire’s Willowman Festival (19-22 June 2014).

Willowman Festival 2014 will offer acoustic acts including Jamie Beau, one of the most exciting British singer songwriters to emerge in recent years, who will take to the stage alongside Thomas McConnell, who has been attracting the attention of Sir Paul McCartney,  former Mosaics frontman Dan McClew,  and local talent Charlie Thomas and Pip Mountjoy, who returns for another year.

Now in its fifth year, The Willowman Festival has gained a national reputation for offering an eclectic line up of both new and established artists, while keeping ticket prices affordable.

And the welcome additions to this year’s line-up, which also features reggae legends The Wailers, Ruts DC, The Blockheads, Ian McNabb, Ten Pole Tudor and BBC Radio DJ and star of TV’s Red Dwarf Craig Charles, who will bring his worldwide acclaimed Funk and Soul Show to the stage, is expected to draw the biggest crowd yet.

Director Steve Williams said: “Each year Willowman has grown, with a more ambitious and diverse line-up drawing in more and more people, making it the success it has become.

“We always look to cater to an eclectic range of musical tastes and this year’s line-up looks the best yet.”

Heading up the acoustic line-up and described as a “phenomenal guitarist and singer” Jamie Beau is known for blending percussive rhythms and melancholy tunes, taking influence vocally from the likes of Jeff Buckley and Chris Cornell.

Thomas McConnell meanwhile, who has just released a new EP called, “Worried About Thomas McConnell”, caught the attention of former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney recently after he posted a video of himself covering McCartney’s single, “New” on the day it came out.

This led to McCartney himself sharing the video on his official Twitter and Facebook accounts – with the video getting 20,000 views in just over a week from the ex-Beatle’s endorsement.

Thomas’ music-making, which is receiving a lot of airplay, takes influence from the great British pop/rock legacy of the 60s and 70s and his tunes are melodic, quirky and experimental.

Other acoustic acts at the family friendly festival, which is set to take place June 19 to 22, at Hillside Rural Activities Park in Knayton, near Thirsk, include Dylan-influenced new Teesside artist Charlie Thomas, one man piano and drums act The Shooting Of, Pip Mountjoy, Manchester singer songwriter Logan Stryx, Dan McClune and Teesside-based duo Winspear & William.

Steve Williams added: “We are now looking forward to having four days of fun in the sun in a great setting over summer solstice weekend. I can’t wait!”

Tickets are now available for a limited period at £65 (which includes four nights camping).

Willowman Festival 2014

Hillside Rural Activities Park, Knayton, Thirsk, North Yorkshire. YO7 4AN

Starts: Thu 19th to Sun 22nd June 2014

Tickets: Adult camping tickets from £65

Willowman Festival Details & Tickets