exclusive: Devon's Chagstock snares a Rat Trap

eFestivals can exclusively reveal that Chagstock festival held on Dartmoor in Devon has confirmed their Saturday Main Stage headline act will be Boomtown Rats consisting of Bob Geldof, Pete Briquette, Garry Roberts and Simon Crowe.

The 'I Don't Like Mondays' and 'Rat Trap' hitmakers formed in 1975 in Dublin and played their first UK shows with the Ramones and Talking Heads and fought the punk wars alongside the Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Jam and The Stranglers. They were one of the biggest bands of the late 70s/80s with a string of top ten hits and their appearance at Chagstock is their only 2013 UK Festival headline performance, and one of only two UK dates this summer.

Bob Geldof said, "The second I heard the name 'Shagstock' I knew that was THE festival for The Boomtown Rats. Only later when we agreed and signed contracts did Simon, the Rats drummer, point out it was in fact 'Chagstock', his local summer Music Fest. Oh well… I will do my best to personally attempt to do everything in my power to have the name revert to my far better original mistake. 

It's a beautiful part of the world. Billy Bragg is a hero. The Rats are a great band. It will be a pleasure to do the Rat in Devon again."

The first acts for the line-up who will all be appearing at the festival held over the weekend of Friday 19th and Saturday 20th July have been confirmed as Billy Bragg, Ferocious Dog, Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman, Marc O'Reilly, Brother & Bones, New Crisis, Crazy Arm, Wille and The Bandits, and Aurora Skies. Many more acts, including further headliners still to be announced. This year's theme has been announced as 'Circus'

Simon Ford from Chagstock Festival added, "We are delighted to announce The Boomtown Rats will exclusively headline our main stage at Chagstock. They are a classic band with a string of memorable hits. Combined with Billy Bragg's performance immediately before the Boomtown Rats, Chagstock 2013 is shaping up to be our best line up ever - and we still have a number of major artists to announce! We can't wait!"

Now in its 7th year Chagstock is a well set up, very family friendly festival, suitable for young and not so young alike, with no focus on any particular music genre, and offering a blend of music to suit a wide range of tastes. Alongside the music, there's a decent selection of food and drink, and lots other entertainment around the site to keep the kids occupied.

An adult weekend ticket is priced at £65. A teen (12-17 years) weekend ticket is priced at £40, and a family weekend ticket is priced at £170. Tickets include free camping and parking, and day tickets also available. To buy tickets, click here.

Campervan field (very close to the main gate) spaces are priced at £10. To buy campervan/caravan tickets, click here.

For the first year, both the Main and Second stages will run throughout both days. The Acoustic Second stage has been re-branded the Marquee stage. Furthermore, the on-site Bar is being upgraded, with a major expansion to the bar size and staffing levels. Parking arrangements have also been reviewed and improved. Other changes to the festival will be announced as the event gets closer.

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