Bath will sing along to the sounds of Van Morrison after he was announced as one of the headline acts of this summer's Bath Festival.

The legendary singer-songwriter will headline the finale weekend on June 1 and 2 on The Rec alongside chart-toppers Clean Bandit.

A musical finale to the multi-arts festival was held for the first time last year and it proved a huge hit.

Festivalgoers enjoyed performances from stars including Paloma Faith, Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Midge Ure.

This year's Bath Festival begins on Friday, May 17 with the annual 'Party in the City' event when venues across Bath throw their doors open to the public with live music.

It will run until Sunday, May 26 - and then pause during the week before returning for a finale weekend.

The weekend has been billed as an "extravaganza of music, fun and great food and drink, with something for everyone".

"There will be two music stages, a spoken word stage and a fun-filled family zone with craft, workshops, music and storytelling," organisers said.

Van Morrison

Van Morrison
Blues legend Van Morrison

In a career that spans five decades Van Morrison has produced classics such as Gloria, Here Comes the Night and Brown Eyed Girl, along with a string of enduring albums.

This international music titan has a successful track record on both sides of the Atlantic.

Awards and accolades include a knighthood, a Brit, an OBE, an Ivor Novello, six Grammys, honourary doctorates from Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Ulster.

He was entered into The Rock n Roll Hall of Fame and the French Ordres Des Artes Et Des Lettres – all attesting to the international reach of Van’s musical art.

His recently released 40th studio album The Prophet Speaks is out now, and his Bath appearance comes hot on the heels of a series of shows in the US.

Clean Bandit

Musical trio Clean Bandit have headlined major UK festivals
Musical trio Clean Bandit have headlined major UK festivals

Clean Bandit have consistently pushed the boundaries of modern pop with their diverse blend of electronic, dancehall, classical, R&B and pop.

Their breakthrough success came in 2014 with the single Rather Be, feat. Jess Glynne, a Grammy award-winning worldwide hit that has now surpassed 10 million global sales.

In 2016, they released their 10 million-selling single Rockabye feat. Sean Paul and Anne-Marie.

Shooting to #1 in more than 40 countries and having spent nine weeks at the top of the charts in the UK, the track became the longest-running UK #1 in 22 years surpassing Wet Wet Wet’s Love Is All Around.

They recently received two BRIT Award nominations for their 2018 smash Solo feat. Demi Lovato, which became their fourth UK number 1. The band have now notched up 9 UK top five singles, more than Bruno Mars or Adele.

'Global talents'

 

Bath Festivals chief executive Ian Stockley
Bath Festivals chief executive Ian Stockley

 

The festival’s chief executive Ian Stockley said: “Our music programme features concerts with some of the most gifted talent emerging on the global stage performing alongside internationally acclaimed performers.

"There are events for runners and football fans, foragers and parents, crime novel readers and anyone who’s ever got stuck doing a crossword.

"The festival continues to go from strength to strength as we collaborate with many individuals, venues and businesses who support The Bath Festival to make it an event with local, national and international appeal.

"Having the legendary singer songwriter Van Morrison on the Rec is the perfect way to close this year’s festival.”

Bath Live will reveal the full line up at 10am on Thursday (February 21).

Tickets

The Rec proved a stunning venue for the Bath Festivals finale weekend in 2018
The Rec proved a stunning venue for the Bath Festivals finale weekend in 2018

There are a range of different tickets available.

A Saturday adult ticket costs £45 and it's half price for juniors.

Sunday adult tickets cost £50 and £25 for juniors.

A weekend adult ticket is £90 and it's £45 for youngsters.

VIP versions of all of these ticket types are available at double the cost, apart from the weekend junior VIP ticket which is priced at £85.

Finale weekend tickets will go on sale on Friday, February 22 at 10am.

They will be available from the Bath Festivals website, Ticket Master here and from the Bath Box Office on 01225 463362.

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