'˜Iconic' full line up revealed for Fairport's Cropredy Convention

This year's Fairport's Cropredy Convention is to be one of the most iconic yet as the Beach Boys' co-founder Brian Wilson headlines the opening night show.

Fairport announced Wilson’s headline act on Friday to huge interest.

The band said: “We are delighted to announce that headlining Thursday (August 9) is the legendary Brian Wilson.

“Brian and his band will be presenting the iconic Pet Sounds album - and more.”

Thursday opens with host band Fairport Convention who will play a short welcome set.

The festival will be held from Thursday-Saturday, August 9 - 11 on its usual ‘field’ in Cropredy.

Ever-popular folkrockers Oysterband will make their first appearance at Cropredy since 2004 and they will be followed by Thursday’s headliner, Brian Wilson.

On Friday, Cropredy will open with a set by the BBC Young Folk Award winner followed by newcomers Midnight Skyracer.

Among Friday’s other treats are Mercury-nominee Kate Rusby (Folk Singer of the Year and Best Live Act winner at the BBC Folk Awards) making her Cropredy debut before Friday’s headline act Levellers celebrate their thirtieth anniversary with a welcome return to Cropredy.

Saturday sees BAFTA nominee Richard Digance getting the day off to a flying start.

Sets from Eric Sedge and The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican precede singer-songwriter Will Varley who makes his first appearance at Cropredy with his band.

Folk Award winner Sam Kelly and The Lost Boys are newcomers to the festival and so are Afro Celt Sound System who fuse traditional Irish and West African music in a thrilling mix.

They will be followed by a solo set from Scottish singer-songwriter Al Stewart before Fairport Convention and guests take the stage for their traditional two-hour-plus Saturday headline show.

Brian Wilson’s Pet Sounds, acclaimed for its ambition and sophistication, is widely acknowledged as one of the most influencial albums of all time.

It features hits such as Sloop John B, God Only Knows, Wouldn’t it be Nice and Don’t Talk (Put your Head on my Shoulder).

Released in 1966, Wilson’s masterpiece is number 2 in the Rolling Stone ‘500 Greatest Albums of All Time’ list, only beaten to the top spot by The Beatles’ Sgt Pepper.

For ticket information, visit www.fairportconvention.com/tickets.