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Amy Winehouse

THIS year's Bestival line-up is super special - and it has just been announced that trailblazing chanteuse Amy Winehouse will bring her all-conquering, eclectic blend of soul, jazz and R 'n' B to Robin Hill Country Park in the Isle of Wight for the Saturday headline set.

A certified style icon and the first ever British singer to win five Grammy awards in one night, Amy's uniquely powerful and distinctive voice never fails to captivate all who hear it.

Things are hotting up at Bestival HQ as the countdown to the Isle of Wight extravaganza gets well and truly under way. With just six months to go until Bestival's fifth birthday festivities kick off, Rob da Bank has been gathering even more stunning acts together to add to an already incredible line-up that will guarantee a knockout weekend of jubilant jollification.

Rob says: "It's such a nailbiting experience unleashing our line up to the faithful Besti family but I can honestly say this year's line up is my favourite so far - underground and experimental business from Aphex Twin to My Bloody Valentine, funky stuff from George Clinton and Jamie Lidell, and now we can add new kids on the block Black Kids, Laura Marling and Santogold, techno legends Laurent Garnier and Carl Craig, Bestival veterans of four years out of five and our musical mascots Hot Chip, The Coral with a special acoustic set and the finest female, nay solo, performer out there Amy Winehouse!

"Also we're ecstatic to announce Underworld are back taking up their rightful position in a Sunday night headline slot. Not to mention an acid brass band, a cockney knees-up every night and umm, more toilets!"

It was a blistering 2007 for Underworld's Rick & Karl, having played the Hollywood Bowl, Central Park and a sell out UK tour. Their latest studio album Oblivion With Bells has been heralded as their best album since the seminal Dubnobasswithmyheadman. Expect the luscious trademark synth swathes and swells to ebb and flow with majestic yet melancholic vocal melodies.

Will Young will play a special acoustic set on the Bestival Bandstand. Also joining the bill are legendary Brit hip-hoppers and party starters Stereo MCs, Housemartin's honcho Paul Heaton, plus rap masters The Sugarhill Gang who'll be storming the stage for a UK Festival exclusive with their classic Old Skool repertoire.

Other highlights fancy footworkers Chromeo, Bestival favourites the Dub Pistols, indie rock upstarts Black Kids, Drum & Bass God Roni Size presents Reprazent, the off-kilter grooves of Santogold, teen singer songwriter Laura Marling, the acclaimed Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly and Norwegian sensation Ida Maria. And as if that wasn't enough, Late Of The Pier, Does It Offend You Yeah, Lethal Bizzle, Jacob Golden, Maths Class, Misty's Big Adventure, The Hat and Lucky Elephant are also due to appear, amongst a whole host of other live treats.

As ever, party fun is top of the agenda for Bestival, so there'll be plenty of hands in the air action with a veritable who's who of DJs that include Techno gods Laurent Garnier and Carl Craig cut-up kings The Nextmen, House don Joey Negro, party Breaks purveyors Stanton Warriors, ten years of Finger Lickin' with Soul of Man, the dubby grooves of Jamie Jones, disco kid Todd Terje, the left of centre funk of the Jalapeno Sound System, Sunday Best's own secret weapon Fear Of Theydon and even more deckwreckers including BBC Radio 1's very own Zane Lowe and Annie Nightingale.

With Bestival's head-turning trimmings, fantastic food, fancy dress delights and the best party crowd in the UK, this year's event is shaping up to be a legendary knees up and the biggest fifth birthday party ever!

Bestival takes place from September 5-7. Keep checking www.bestival.net for more details.

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