Photographers: Lee Hawkins, Hristina, James@Example Mag, Simon Lewis, April Newman, Angus Rushworth, Joe Singh, Ray Whittaker, Mike Hale, Mairead McHugh, Rob Thomas, Ffion Roberts, Ian Palmer

At the heart of the festival site and set in the auditorium of the Orchard is Nozstock’s main stage. Here you can expect to dance your socks off to a bill showcasing homegrown talent, alongside the pick of the national newcomer crop and the best of more established acts. A brilliant mix of bands from all over the world will pick up the pace with rock, indie, ska, hip hop, world percussion and some surprises.

This stage has seen action from the seminal Blockheads with Phill Jupitus, The Proclaimers, The Futureheads, Jake Bugg, Dreadzone, Vintage Trouble and Alabama 3 to name but a few,  The icon centerpiece to the festival, many a cider will be swilled and a jig performed on the lawns of the Orchard.

Confirmed so far…

The Strypes

Ireland’s gift to rhythm and blues, The Strypes are hot tipped to be the next Beatles. Recently signed to Mercury Records, these teenage heartthrobs are suited, booted and ready to melt your heart with modish tales of woe and youth, spectacularly delivered with earnest integrity and some old school styling. Seriously not to be missed, they’re pint-sized wonders that are on the way up fast.

Chas and Dave

Chas & Dave began writing and performing songs together in 1972, having been friends since the early sixties.They reached the top twenty in 1979 with “Gertcha”, which became a nationwide catchphrase. This was followed by “The Sideboard Song (Got my beer in The Sideboard). In 1980 they hit the charts with “Rabbit”, which reached No. 8 in the charts and a No. 2 record in 1982 “Ain’t no pleasing you”. This was followed by further hits “Margate”, & “London Girls” In 1986 they had a top six record with “Snooker Loopy” They have also written title songs for TV shows ‘Till Death Do Us Part’ and ‘Only Fools & Horses’ Chas ‘n’ Dave are great musicians and know how to give an audience a good time. They have gained a cult audience of both young and old and, due to public demand they are about to be seen together on stage once more.

The Dub Pistols

Few bands can raise a roof or ignite a festival crowd with more rabble-rousing aplomb than this London based crew. Founded by Barry Ashworth in 1996, their punky-reggae party rages on, From their early singles for Concrete Records to their genre defying ‘Six Million Ways To Live’ EP, the Dub Pistols have always added a much needed Rock n Roll swagger to the UK’s dance scene. Chewing up hip-hop, dub, techno, ska & punk & spitting them out in a renegade futuristic skank they have consistently defied genres & exceeded the highest of expectations.

The Beat

The Beat arose at a time of high unemployment and social upheaval. From the outset the band offered messages of hope which would later see them heralded as forerunners of the 2 Tone Ska movement. After the release of their debut album, huge radio airplay saw The Beat tour alongside artists like The Clash and The Specials. While The Beat could deliver with effortless ease songs of Love and unity, tracks like ‘Stand Down Margaret’ saw them spearhead a movement wanting real social change. Almost in reaction to the height of their fame The Beat, to the disbelief of many, disbanded but after numerous offers to return to the stage they played a sell out show in 2003 at The Royal Festival Hall. They returned to their roots with a wall of sound that transcends time and proves that these guys are veterans at putting on a show to remember.

Kitten and The Hip

Kitten and The Hip are a two piece electro swing outfit hailing from Brighton. Comprised of founding members Kitten Quinn and Ashley ‘Hip’ Slater, and accompanied by an extra three members when doing live shows, these guys’ own brand of “head banging electro swing” has been taking the UK underground scene by storm. Having only formed in 2011, their debut single ‘Don’t you worry’ was released on prestigious UK label Hedkandi, whilst recently signing to Brighton’s very own independent swing label, Freshly Squeezed. Having had support from the likes of Radio 1, Jazz Fm and Kiss FM, this band shows no sign of slowing down in 2013.

Ava Leigh

Chester’s finest export Ava Leigh stands at the forefront of the new school of dancehall music. Reclaiming the reggae flame back from DJs, her soulful voice and summery vibe creates a toe-tapping ragtime atmosphere our summers have been missing. Having caused quite a buzz on the scene and being championed by legendary David Rodigan, we can’t wait for Ava to dazzle with an acoustic set on the Orchard Stage!

The Computers

Exeter’s favourite four piece The Computers have been garnering a fair share of attention with their underground soul sound and well, marvellously matching jumpers. Described by BBC’s Mike Diver as ‘combining a snotty demeanour with cracking tunes’, these boys have an irresistible rock n roll charm, coupled up with unbeatably catchy tunes. See them here first, kids.

Velvet Stream

Female-led London fivesome Velvet Stream have taken to fusing the musical highlights of the last century into an intriguingly alternative poppy sound. Mati and her boys’ irresistibly catchy melodies lay underneath vocals of the Florence and The Machine and Paloma Faith ilk, magically transporting you somewhere between a 90’s ska night and a 50’s dinner dance. We like!