AS SOUTHAMPTON looks forward to the annual Let’s Rock music festival this summer one of its star bands has been removed from the line-up.

Atomic Kitten were due to perform at the hugely popular retro music festival on the city’s Common on Saturday July 7 but they have now been replaced with British reggae group Aswad.

Aswad started out in the 70’s and have hits including the UK number 1 ‘Don’t Turn Around’ and ‘Shine’.

Steve Haywood who is putting together ten Let’s Rock festivals around the UK this summer told the Daily Echo: “Atomic Kitten’s management have advised us that they can’t perform but I can’t say any more than that. They were due to perform at four events but we are delighted that Aswad have stepped in at three of them, including Southampton. We have already had good feedback and believe they will be a big draw for a lot of music fans.”

Headlining Let’s Rock Southampton 2018 will be New Romantic Adam Ant, with other confirmed acts including Sister Sledge, ABC, Midge Ure, Go West, Kim Appleby, Sara Cox Presents Just Can’t Get Enough 80S, Snap! Heather Small, The Blockheads and Transvision Vamp’s Wendy James.

Also featured is The Smash Hits Party Live: Hazel Dean, Fuzzbox, Bow Wow Wow’s Annabella, Brother Beyond, Peter Coyle ex Lotus Eaters and Black Lace’s Conga Party.