THE latest additions to this year's Stendhal Festival have just been announced, offering even more entertainment choices to revellers at the Limavady-based music event on August 11 and 12.
Headlining proceedings on Saturday August 12 will be English indie rockers The Magic Numbers, who join the Stendhal line-up along with a further selection of home-grown acts including Wake America, Brand New Friend, Lisa McHugh, Empty Lungs, Gareth Dunlop, Making Monsters, Katie and The Carnival, Brash Isaac and Thee Rag 'N' Bone Man.
These artists join previously a raft of previously announced names including Ulrich Schnauss, The 4 of Us, Sharon Shannon, Ciaran Lavery, Ryan Vail, Flash Harry and Friday August 11's headliners, Ash.
"Topping our bill year-on-year is getting harder and harder to do each year but I think we have managed it again," said festival organiser Ross Parkhill.
"We are so happy that The Magic Numbers are coming to play. They are band that radiate warmth, charm and happiness and in many ways they encapsulate what Stendhal is all about."
Stendhal have also announced A Set for Stevie, a special tribute to the late Irish musician Stevie Martin, AKA Rainy Boy Sleep, featuring performances by a host of local artists with a connection to Stevie, who sadly passed away last year.
Also for 2017, the festival will be teaming up with Derry's electronic and dance music driven event Celtronic to present Phil Kieran and Deep Fried Funk.
Belfast's Oh Yeah Centre will celebrate their 10th anniversary at Stendhal with a showcase of new musical talents: Owen Denvir, Larks, The Over The Hill Collective, Brand New Friend, Girls Rock School and Emer Maguire.
Derry's Nerve Centre is back with its annual residence showcasing new bands formed during their summer projects, including Music Hothouse, GSWM, Pulse, Tuned In and Camp Rock.
The Antidote Sound System returns to Stendhal following a year's hiatus to bring live rap and hip-hop sounds to festival goers. Their 2017 line-up features Phili 'n' Dotz, Steve Loc, Waking Android and Militant Vinylist.
Another addition to the 2017 bill is Antoni O’Breskey's Nomadic Piano Project, featuring collaborators Davide Viterbo (cello) and Enio Marfoli (oboe). The trio will bring an eclectic selection of international styles to Stendhal with classic and minimalist compositions for piano, oboe and cello.
There will be yet more sophisticated sounds on offer this year courtesy of Northern Ireland Opera, who are set to present performances by Rebecca Murphy (soprano), Laura McFall (mezzo-soprano) and pianist Kristine Donnan.
"We have so many top notch artists that it is hard to pick out just one or two to specifically discuss," adds Parkhill.
"We will be putting up links to all our acts on our Facebook page over the coming weeks so we implore you to check them all out as they are all truly worthy of your time."
"It is shaping up to be a really, really good year at the farm. Tickets are flying out and we are on target to make this this biggest Stendhal ever, again."
:: Tickets are on sale now via Stendhalfestival.com
