MUSIC lovers rejoice, the wait is finally over — the line up for Head For The Hills 2018 has at last been revealed.

Now in its eighth year the award winning festival will return to Ramsbottom this September with headliners The Boomtown Rats, and The Beat and The Selecter, and The Bluetones.

Renowned as the festival season’s final fling Head For The Hills will take place on September 14, 15 and 16 at Ramsbottom Cricket Club.

The family friendly festival, organised and curated by The Met in association with Bluepoint Studio and Scruff of the Neck, unites exciting new music and world famous headliners, as well as inspiring creative arts and a loving commitment to maintaining its beautiful home.

Building on last year’s record attendance, with 12,000 people attending in 2016 and 2017, and with over 50 exciting artists, organisers are hoping to make this year the festival’s biggest ever.

The Friday night sees a super ska double header with Birmingham 2tone legends The Beat and Coventry ska revivalists The Selecter making a much anticipated return to the festival.

They will be joined by Lancaster pysch-punk duo The Lovely Eggs whose fifth album This is Eggland was released in February this year to critical acclaim.

Britpop legends The Bluetones will then rock the Saturday night, heading up an eclectic day of music and arts including Liverpool electro pop outfit Stealing Sheep, Alex Jemima, and returning Head For the Hills Favourites up and coming Newcastle gypsy-folk rockers Holy Moly & The Crackers, and former Futureheads frontman Barry Hyde.

Stealing Sheep will also bring together 15 female drummers and percussionists on the Saturday to create a marching band and procession inspired by women, equality and empowerment in a Suffragette Tribute.

The stellar Saturday line up is completed by Scottish folk and soulers Adam Holmes and The Embers, Manchester post-rock six-piece Young Monarchs, Nottingham indie outfit Deco, Bristolian alternative band The Romana Flowers, and London singer songwriter Emily Capell.

Then on Sunday Dublin punk rock titans The Boomtown Rats with close the festival in style with an epic four decade spanning headline set.

The weekend’s final day also brings to Ramsbottom London party purveyors Molotov Jukebox, Leeds based seven-piece troubadour band Gary Stewart’s Graceland, the energetic indie folk sounds of Keston Cobblers Club, London Americana group Orphan Colours, Yorkshire rockers Hope & Social, and fast rising British superstar Sean McGowan.

David Agnew, artistic director at The Met, said: "We’re thrilled to reveal this year’s lineup, showcasing new music and artists, alongside a set of headliners renowned for their explosive live shows.

“Amongst the lineup, existing audiences will notice the return of some past highlights including Holy Moly & the Crackers, Keston Cobblers and of course Friday night’s spectacular ska celebration with The Beat and The Selector – our most asked for bands for Head for the Hills.”

There will also be a vibrant and varied arts programme across the weekend, brought by the Northern Festival Network and funded by Arts Council England.

The three days will feature magical performances from Manchester creative arts company Travelling Light Circus and beautifully silly puppetry from A Bird In Hand Theatre.

There will also be a unique and bizarre walkabout by contemporary circus theatre company Dizzy O’Dare, a life-size game of the family favourite hangman with Mufti Games’ L_ve Hangman, and more.

This year Head For The Hills has again, for the third year running, pledged to reduce its environmental impact, including waste disposal, energy use and impact of visitors.

Huge focus has also been paid to developing the site’s accessibility and further boosting the festival’s disabled audience.

Day and Weekend tickets are now on sale, and camping is also available at nearby campsites, including pitches from £18 per night or £39 for the weekend.

For more information and for further updates visit http://headforthehills.org.uk