Main Stage Headliners Announced!

53 comments

• Carole Green

  08 March 2013, 10.35am

  Great bands so far, but I'd really like to see the Peatbog Faeries, Seth Lakeman and the Lancashire Hot Pots back this year!!! x

• Anne Harrison

  10 March 2013, 1.41pm

  This will be my 8th year of Solfest and the bands getting worse every year. Last year was atrocious and so far this year is following suit. Absolute junk and the prices are gettting higher. Says it all when the early birds have not gone yet. Get your act together Solfest it your 10th anniversary ....

• victoria noble

  12 March 2013, 1.46am

  Attended solfest for the first time last year and really enjoyed it, Im a festival regular and saw Maximo Park at Glastonbury a few years ago and they were fantastic, so no complaints here, roll on Solfest 2013.

• Tom

  12 March 2013, 10.33am

  Looking at the line up I'l have to disagree with Anne when it comes to punk/ska bands, well worth going if only just to see Flogging Molly- keep up the skankin' work Solfest!

• christine winder

  13 March 2013, 9.57pm

  i always love Solfest no matter what the music is!the whole point is to soak up the atmosphere,meet friends and experience new and different music!whilst we all have our favourites i,ve never been disappointed with any solfests so continue as you are please!!!

• ALISON COWEN

  14 March 2013, 7.10pm

  Last year was an amazing line up, The South were fantastic, Billy Bragg was inspirationally brilliant, Waterboys and Adam Ant were past their sell by date but I knew that before we went, daughter desperate to go and see maximo park, she loves Paul Smith!

• Sandra Dempsey

  15 March 2013, 11.11am

  How can anyone say the bands are getting worse! Maximo Park are amazing! Ashamed to say I have never been to Solfest - perhaps I can tick it off my list this year!

• Michele

  24 March 2013, 6.54pm

  Any chance of Billy Bragg and the Levellers???

• Paul

  26 March 2013, 12.27pm

  Levs would be tops. Uncle Bill was on form last year and Jazz Spanner Punks - A new experience for me. Still waiting for some band names to get me hooked, albeit Floggin' Molly almost doing it!

• Mickey Lloyd

  31 March 2013, 6.06pm

  My sixth solfest this year. Must say some questionable headliners in recent years. Levellers, James and Waterboys have been the best ive seen. Wondering when a headline act from the 80's electro pop era will surface, human league, OMD, Gary Numan? Solfest please bring back the miscellaneous/open mic tent next to weird cafe! Who decided to ditch that! Scandalous!

• Glen

  02 April 2013, 8.01pm

  I agree with Anne's comments, The line up so far this year is terrible. I will be giving it a miss at this rate. Surely some decent groups will be added soon ? Cock Rock a lot smaller but better line - ups

• Jacqui

  10 April 2013, 7.00pm

  The Victorian Trout Conspiracy are the best live band I have seen in years......believe me you won't be disappointed.

• Keith Searby

  10 April 2013, 10.15pm

  The Main Stage line up needs someone like The Levellers, James or The Manic Street Preachers to beef it up a bit. Line up so far is okay but as yet hasn't quite lit the blue touch paper for me or justified the ticket price.

  I'll still be going but I must admit I was expecting something a little bit more. And as for the comment about Cock Rock......it's nowhere near the quality of Solfest. (Poles apart) wake up lad.

• spyatree joe

  11 April 2013, 8.26pm

  The music last year was the best for years.

  I certainly hope there is some mainstream bands to be announced before long, solfest need to remember that there is a varied audience and some people actually would like to hear a song they recognise during the weekend. Large price rise is nowhere near justified with this years bands and it could all backfire, come on surely some biggies up your sleeves

• David Ni blett

  11 April 2013, 9.24pm

  I agree with Ann, its getting worse every year will not be going again until it gets better. Dont think it will ever James,the place was bouncing. Solfest sort it out

• David Ni blett

  11 April 2013, 9.27pm

  I agree with Ann, its getting worse every year will not be going again until it gets better. Dont think it will ever top James,the place was bouncing. Solfest sort it out

• Plsputyourbigbandsupifyouhaveanymore

  13 April 2013, 8.12am

  I bought 2 early bird tickets based on the promise of big things for 10 years, actually thinking of selling them now as there are no big things. I love all the bands I don't know as its always a nice treat to hear new sounds but its nice to know your gonna see someone you have grew up with. All the past line ups have been bands who made it then toured years on and that's good as we can all sing along. Solfest u need to sort this as lots of people are complaining especially as you have increased the prices. I'm guessing the new committee are struggling. If you do have some bigger bands please put them on the site as a lot of people who have been regulars are thinking of not coming. If solfest had not promised a big year I probably wouldn't be saying this and to also put prices up too, not good.

• John

  17 April 2013, 1.39pm

  Kendall Calling - Primal Scream, Basement Jaxx, Public Enemy, Charlatans etc....£115

  Solfest - Maximo Park, Flogging Molly, Joy Formidable, Alabama 3 etc.....£109

  .........hmmm?

  Spend most of my time in the tents but shockingly poor band line-up so far.

  Its either a decision to 'get back to the small festival' thing or the beginning of the end for Solfest

• Ann-Cathrine Andersson

  20 April 2013, 11.53am

  I always enjoy the DryStoneWall-stage gigs the most. Feels more like the soul of Solfest than the big stage. Get Baghdaddies on there!!!

• derek cripps

  22 April 2013, 7.41pm

  Deaf School brilliant worth the ticket money alone. See all you Deafsters there

• Tin Head

  26 April 2013, 2.38pm

  I presume there are more headline bands to be announced ???

• Maggie Gee

  27 April 2013, 9.23pm

  Alabama 3 & New Model Army - seriously awesome! I'm off to find my clogs! Love The Army - best line up I've seen. Would come just for them!

• Cat

  03 May 2013, 1.23pm

  Would go regardless of the line up- It's always been great discovering new music. Some great acts this year- Afro-Celts for instance!!

• Wish I Hadn't bought early bird before I seen line up

  05 May 2013, 5.59pm

  Still no more proper headliners. C'mon solfest make us smile and pull a nice rabbit out the hat.

• Price and quality check What?

  08 May 2013, 5.05pm

  Wow, was just looking at the link on Facebook about the festivals and noticed a festival who also have maximo park at a fraction of the price, maybe it's only a 2 day festival but its only 15 for each day. And it doesn't end there, they have level 42, reef, Charlotte church, I will stop there as there is loads more famous headliners. Don't get it, 2012 brought loads of well known acts and this year is no where near the same. And pls don't expect us to accept deaf school as a headliner, they won't be able to get their Zimmer frames up the steps especially as they will have left them in the last working mens club or pub they played.

• J Smith

  11 May 2013, 8.27pm

  There isn't enough to fill a day never mind 3 days. Well done. If I'm wrong maybe it's time to put the full line up on the site as I'm thinking about selling my early bird tickets now.

• Rich Hinton

  14 May 2013, 12.50pm

  Yep, agree with much of the above. I've been to 7 or 8 Solfests (lost count - sorry), and I'm not even considering it this year due to ticket price and line-up. There also seemed to be less traders last year round the back of the site.

• Mike Stephens

  14 May 2013, 4.52pm

  Solfest must also be against any half decent rock bands, were not all into folk etc, etc. Plenty commented last year how there was a big lack of any rock music and Solfest has a lot of rock fans who go and they used to have a few on at least !

• disappointed

  15 May 2013, 11.17am

  Bought early bird tickets to bring my kids to first festival after going to Solfest last year for first time & thoroughly enjoying the whole experience!

  Can I have a refund for this year please?? Really wishing I hadn't been so quick off the mark this year!!!

• al pls

  15 May 2013, 4.50pm

  i agree, loved last year. can i also have a refund i jumped too fast to get earlybird as the ticket price was up, really regret it. some good uns in the line up but not enough and no big names like previous years. its not a good mix anymore, we all like the bigger bands and the smaller ones to make a festival work.

• Teresa

  16 May 2013, 3.02pm

  Surely there are more mainstage headliners to be announced? When will these be announced? I've persuaded others to but early bird tickets on the strength of previous years' line ups. I can't believe Solfest wouldn't come up with goods, especially in their anniversary year. I'm ever hopeful.

• Steve

  20 May 2013, 5.57pm

  I have been to 7 Solfests and usually there is very little that I want to see. I go because it is a great little festival with a cracking atmosphere.

  Every year I have really enjoyed it and always had a few pleasant surprises at the various stages, unknown bands or bands I wasn't struck on giving some great performances.

  This year, however, there are loads of bands which I love and know I will really enjoy. New Model Army are a fantastic band that just keep getting better and better with age. Flogging Molly are one of the best live acts I have seen never failing to get the crowd going, Alabama 3 are also a great live band. Then we also have Afro Celt Sound System, Oysterband, Bombscare and my good friends Pikey Beatz.

  Its going to be awesome, to those who are disappointed with the line up, do what I have done in previous years and come with an open mind ready for a great weekend. I'm sure you wont be disappointed.

• BackAgain

  21 May 2013, 2.07pm

  It's all a matter if taste! I can't say I really know Maximo Park, but I'm sure it'll be decent enough - I've bought my ticket for Oysterband and Afro-Celt. Like a few years back, Kula Shaker and the Charlatans on the Sunday night were - to me, at least - outdated 90's bands trying to stage some last-ditch grab for pennies. They were completely outshone by The Beat and The Blockheads on the Saturday. I even wandered off during the Charlatans set to watch Miles Hunt and Erica Knockalls on the Drystone, and they were awesome. Nothing's ever going to be to everyone's taste, but hey.

• will im not

  21 May 2013, 6.28pm

  yes, it all depends on the taste in each individual, but when the ticket price is increased and the promise of a big year due to the 10 years anniversary is promised surely more is expected. the line up is the smallest they have ever had unless theres a bag full of goodies to come.

• Teresa

  28 May 2013, 1.53pm

  just found last year's programme, looks to me like there's only 3 or 4 more name to be added to the main stage line up

• Twenty

  29 May 2013, 6.37pm

  I wouldn't hold your breath !!!

• spyatree joe

  31 May 2013, 9.08pm

  Please can the committee make some sort of statement that there are some major bands to be announced,i am like hundreds if not thousands of others itching to go but need enticing. Specials,jam,anything

• Poppy

  01 June 2013, 4.28pm

  I understand that for some people Solfest is about meeting new people and enjoying the atmosphere but for a lot of people, us included, it is first and foremost a music festival. We got to lots of concerts throughout the year and it's always been great to be able to go along and spend a few days with our friends and see good live music at Solfest which is just up the road. This is the first year we've chosen not to buy tickets. We just feel that the line up isn't enticing enough to make us want to brave potential bad weather and have chosen to go to an alternative small festival which, although further away, is offering more music choices which we feel we will enjoy. I'm sure the festival will still be great but, like many others, I think we were hoping for more for the ten year anniversary

• Let Down

  01 June 2013, 9.13pm

  Just been checking wicker man festival. Solfest u don't come anywhere near for a similiar type festival. Think this year solfest has blew it.

• Tin

  02 June 2013, 5.58pm

  Totally agree with the Wickerman comment. Not much bigger than Solfest but the line makes Solfest's look amateur

• Lol Lol

  08 June 2013, 12.15am

  Just been looking at spyatstock and seems u are sharing a main stage act, may break my bank to pay ten quid to see em there. Lol.

• John

  08 June 2013, 2.33pm

  When can we expect an announcement about the other headline acts? People are starting to get fed up waiting to hear about the something special to celebrate ten years of solfest. Is there anything? I bought my tickets early bird as I do most years having been six in total. A couple of which have been very wet, last year especially. If this year looks to be poor weather without a better lineup people might just decide to give it a miss and stay home.

  Solfest give us some info!!!

• John

  10 June 2013, 11.08am

  I have been thinking about the whole thing about wanting premium acts at solfest over the weekend. Someone compared solfest to Kendal calling and the calibre of acts on there for a similar price. But solfest is keeping the cost to the festival goer a lot cheaper than Kendal is so does not have the same kind of budget.

  Kendal charges £122.50 for an adult ticket and also £6 parking. Also they do not allow booze into the arena which means they make a lot from sales in the beer tents. At solfest you pay a very fair price for a drink but if you wanted you can take your own and spend nothing.

  I would still like to see something a bit special being the 10th anniversary but understand how as a non profit, keeping cost down kind of festival, they might not pull it off.

  Still going, still going to have a great time. Long live solfest.

• Gerard

  13 June 2013, 8.06pm

  A fair few acts that have been mentioned were just not available to book this year, either because they were not touring or other festivals have them on an exclusivity deal.

  On festival comparisons, Kendal calling have over 13,000 people going to an event where you can't take drink into the arena and Wickerman has an even bigger capacity daily.

• Freddie

  14 June 2013, 12.34pm

  The committee work really hard all year round to make Solfest the best it can be.

  Like somebody already said, we are a not-for-profit organisation, we're not sponsored by a huge corporate institution, we are not paid for the work that we do, we do not charge a booking fee and there no hidden extras to surprise you.

  Once you come on site all of the activities are FREE. We do not charge our punters to have a hot shower, you can camp next to your vehicle, have a campfire AND take your own booze into the Main Arena (in suitable containers, of course!).

  No - not all the bands will be to everyones' taste - they never are and we'll always get mixed comments.

  Yes - ticket prices have increased due to the rising cost of pretty much everything :-(

  But - we guarantee that we'll be doing everything possible to make our 10th anniversary party extra special and would still love for you to join us.

  You might discover something new :-)

  Peace.

• Solly

  16 June 2013, 9.10am

  It's always been non profit and all the other years the line up was bigger so why you using that as an excuse for a poor 10 year lineup. And yes the rules for the festival are great about the drink and campfires but again its always been like that and still always a better line up than the one you currently have on the site. Yes I and thousands more do love to see new unknown artists but the point to make is the promise that was made of the 10 year celebration and its promise of a bigger better year. You just can't make promises and not deliver. I love the atmosphere and the whole vibe from the festival but there are not enough big headliner acts in comparison to previous years and although I will enjoy myself I feel a bit let down by you this year.

• Craig

  16 June 2013, 1.57pm

  radical idea.... quit bitching and go Kendal Calling... another name would be great to the line up but who would it take to please everybody?? it's an impossible task and this year it isn't pleasing you,deal with it.I know I won't be going Kendal Calling even if the line up was stella and I was on the guest list.

• clare mcmahon

  17 June 2013, 10.45pm

  Does everyone at a festival drink alcohol? No so taking it on site it not a selling point for everyone. Don't think there's many festivals that down allow your own drink anyway?Also not everyone comes in cars so parking next to a tent is again not a selling point added to that if you do want to drink you cant carry a lot. The selling point for a lot is the music, perhaps the one time of year some folks get to see a live band. I am sure we all appreciate your a non profit festival and there's obviously been problems with a more known line up but a hundred quid is a lot of money. Bit sad really especially if your gonna lose folks to other festivals.

• clare mcmahon

  18 June 2013, 6.33am

  Does everyone at a festival drink alcohol? No so taking it on site it not a selling point for everyone. Don't think there's many festivals that down allow your own drink anyway?Also not everyone comes in cars so parking next to a tent is again not a selling point added to that if you do want to drink you cant carry a lot. The selling point for a lot is the music, perhaps the one time of year some folks get to see a live band. I am sure we all appreciate your a non profit festival and there's obviously been problems with a more known line up but a hundred quid is a lot of money. Bit sad really especially if your gonna lose folks to other festivals.

• clare mcmahon

  18 June 2013, 11.07pm

  Does everyone at a festival drink alcohol? No so taking it on site it not a selling point for everyone. Don't think there's many festivals that down allow your own drink anyway?Also not everyone comes in cars so parking next to a tent is again not a selling point added to that if you do want to drink you cant carry a lot. The selling point for a lot is the music, perhaps the one time of year some folks get to see a live band. I am sure we all appreciate your a non profit festival and there's obviously been problems with a more known line up but a hundred quid is a lot of money. Bit sad really especially if your gonna lose folks to other festivals.

• pls be honest

  21 June 2013, 5.19pm

  an honest answer solfest, are there any more headliners to be announced?

• Tin

  21 June 2013, 8.38pm

  I think this thread is finished now.

  At the end of the day the line up is terrible !

  There's 5 of us who go every year will be missing this one. Too much money to fork out for a crap line up. 10th anniversary ? Solfest must be in money trouble with what they have lined up. I can't see the festival lasting much longer after 2013.

  Every person I have spoke to says how bad the line up is and that they won't be going. I would like to know how the tickets are selling compared to previous years.

  Its a real shame as its such a good festival. But there has to be bands playing to attract people.

• Tin

  21 June 2013, 9.13pm

  I think this thread is finished now.

  At the end of the day the line up is terrible !

  There's 5 of us who go every year will be missing this one. Too much money to fork out for a crap line up. 10th anniversary ? Solfest must be in money trouble with what they have lined up. I can't see the festival lasting much longer after 2013.

  Every person I have spoke to says how bad the line up is and that they won't be going. I would like to know how the tickets are selling compared to previous years.

  Its a real shame as its such a good festival. But there has to be bands playing to attract people.