Franz Ferdinand, Friendly Fires and more announced for Festival No.6

The new announcements join the previously announced headliners, The The

Having previously announced The The as bill toppers for Saturday night, Festival No.6 have today announced that Franz Ferdinand and Friendly Fires for this year’s festival.

Following a brief hiatus, indie rockers Friendly Fires are back with a vengeance and headlining the Friday evening at No.6. Promising to “herald in a new era”, the band will be showcasing brand new tracks and an incendiary live show for which they are rightfully renowned.

Since changing the indie-pop scene forever way back in 2004 with Take Me Out, Franz Ferdinand have headlined festivals the world over. Described as “a band reborn” by the NME, the new album Always Ascending has enjoyed critical acclaim from all quarters and is set to be this summer’s indie soundtrack and an unforgettable performance at No.6.

The Charlatans need no introduction. With almost 30 years at the pinnacle of UK alternative rock they have achieved legendary status with a back catalogue of 12 innovative studio albums – including three no.1s – and show no sign of slowing down with last year’s top 5 hit Different Days reaching new audiences and delighting their legion of die-hard fans.

The Manchester Camerata Orchestra will collaborate with renowned No.6 Composer-in-residence Joe Duddell to perform the very best of Northern Soul and Motown classics on Sunday afternoon. Billed as “Britain’s most adventurous orchestra” by The Times, and famous for remarkable collaborations with a spectrum of artists, from classical superstar Martha Argerich to the legendary New Order, the live orchestra will fuse an unforgettable set of the much beloved Motown and Northern Soul.

Fresh from enjoying the success of her third studio album, Glasshouse, singer-songwriter Jessie Ware will also be gracing the stage on Saturday night. Known for her electronica-plated soul sound, Jessie’s chart topping hits are as unique as they are infectious.

Also announced in the first wave are art-rockers Everything Everything, the genre-defying Django Django, shoegazing pioneers Ride, singer-songwriter and guitarist Anna Calvi, garage rockers The Horrors, A Certain Ratio, Gaz Coombes, Go Go Penguin, Hot Chip founder Alexis Taylor, singer-songwriter and former Mansun frontman Paul Draper, Lewis Capaldi, feted indie-folkster Tom Walker, Hak Baker, Amen Dunes, Hollie Cook, Genghar, electronic trio Haelos, Gwenno, lo-fi punk-rockers The Lovely Eggs, Warm Digits, Raf Rundell, Amber Arcades and Tom Williams.

Festival No.6 has also unveiled the first of its DJ/electronic line-up. Leading the bill is four-time Grammy nominated and one half of Masters at Work Kenny Dope, Roy Davis Jr, Hot Chip, London-based electro DJ & producer Erol Alkan, Willow, Honey Dijon and the UK’s finest disco operators Horse Meat Disco.

The first batch of names from the arts and culture bill have also been announced headed by the legendary lead singer of Madness, Suggs, performing his new one man show What A King Cnut – A Life In the Realm of Madness.

Elsewhere, the likes of Will Self, Jeremy Deller and Eimar McBride will appear at the festival, alongside a huge lineup of artists, authors, directors and more.

Festival No.6 takes place in the picturesque village of Portmeirion – home of cult TV series The Prisoner – from 6-9 September. For tickets and more info visit www.festivalnumber6.com