THE son of a reggae legend, celebrated rappers and some hip hop favourites will all appear on the bill at this year’s Boomtown Fair, which gets under way on Thursday.

Joining 2 Tone ska legends The Specials are hip hop pioneers Cypress Hill, world infused London rapper M.I.A., multi award winning Arrested Development, rock star Frank Turner, reggae superstar Toots and the Maytals and 90s legends Chaka Demus & Pliers.

Revellers can enjoy the sounds from cult classic film with The Original Blues Brothers Band and Winchester folk troubadour Frank Turner will make an appearance alongside Bob Marley’s eldest son and founding member of the Melody Makers Ziggy Marley and folk-rock act Newton Faulkner.

The 60,000 capacity Hampshire festival is the biggest immersive music and theatrical festival in the world. Organisers have now announced more than 160 artists spanning a huge variety of genres, including reggae, folk, jazz, world, dub, dancehall, ska, house, techno, garage and a whole lot more...

The world’s biggest reggae stage, the Lion’s Den, will again host some of the largest names in reggae, dancehall and hip hop. Long coveted ska legends The Specials lead the line up, alongside multi-platinum progenitors Cypress Hill and the unique sounds of M.I.A. blending world music with hip hop for an electrically conscious set.

Boomtown Fair takes place at Matterley Bowl near Winchester next weekend. Tickets are on sale now from boomtownfair.co.uk