First acts for Rhythm Festivals 2012 line-up

Hawkwind, The Damned, Ken Boothe among acts

Daniel Fahey - 16 December 2011

Hawkwind and The Damned are among the first acts confirmed for the Rhythm Festivals 2012 line-up.

Ken Boothe, The Slackers and Wilko Johnson will also appear at the Bedfordshire event, which will take place at Mansion House, Old Warden Park from 24-26 August.

Other acts confirmed include The Beat, Peatbog Faeries, Wishing Well, Denis Alcapone, David Rodigan, John Otway Big Band and Crosstown Lightnin'.

Organisers are billing it as “three festivals in one”: Rhythm Festival, Rhythm Folk and Rhythm And Blues.

A statement reads: “All three festivals will operate simultaneously over the August Bank Holiday Weekend in different parts of the same 500 acre site, with some shared facilities (children's entertainment; camping, toilets and showers; certain bars and entertainment) plus unique, specialist stuff in the Folk and Blues Fields. A "Land Train" is being booked to ferry people around.”

Festival Director Jim Driver said: "This really is an exciting an innovative idea. Rhythm Festival Pass holders will have access to the whole site - much more than before - but if people want to spend less and just visit a Folk or a Blues Festival, they have the option. Rhythm Folk and Rhythm & Blues will be self-contained weekend events in their own right."

Early bird Rhythm Festivals tickets are on sale now priced at £99 for the weekend.

Click to buy Rhythm Festival tickets.