Melanie C, The Selecter and Heather Small join the UK’s Splendour Festival!

The full line-up for the 2021 edition of Splendour Festival has now been revealed! With just under 2 months to go, organisers are delighted to confirm a whole wave of new acts to play across the five stages, including pop superstar MELANIE C and two-tone legends THE SELECTER.

They join already confirmed headliners RICHARD ASHCROFT and SUPERGRASS, as well as THE VAMPS, BECKY HILL and SLEEPER, making 2021’s line-up an eclectic mix of exciting new acts and established heavy hitters.

The start of MELANIE C’s career really needs no explanation at all, as it is rather well documented. After the iconic 1996 debut single ‘Wannabe’ topped the charts in 37 countries, Spice Girls’ debut album ’Spice’ went on to sell more than 31 million copies worldwide, becoming the best-selling album of all time by a female group. Launching her solo career with huge hit ‘When You’re Gone’ with Bryan Adams, MELANIE C firmly established herself as a talent in her own right, and has since gone on to achieve over 3 million album sales, two Number 1 singles and six Top 10 singles, including the iconic hits “I Turn To You” and “Never be the Same Again” featuring the late Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopez. 2020 saw the release of her much loved self-titled album, which included hits “Blame It On Me” & “Who I Am’”.

THE SELECTER is led by their iconic frontwoman Pauline Black and co-fronted by original member Arthur ‘Gaps’ Hendrickson. Pauline Black is one of very few women in the 2-Tone scene  – often referred to as the Queen of Ska. 2-Tone was a crucial multi-racial, multi-cultural explosion borne out of Coventry and the Midlands that remade British pop from 1979 onwards. The anarchic passion that fuelled Selecter gigs during the original 2-Tone era is still there, except the pair are more driven than ever.  Their confidence is sky-high and they’re also writing the best songs of their career, which is saying something given the enduring popularity of hits like “Three Minute Hero,” “Missing Words,” “Too Much Pressure” and “On My Radio”. 2021 saw the release of a Too Much Pressure Deluxe Edition 3CD Box Set & Vinyl to celebrate the album’s 40th anniversary. The band take to the Confetti stage, where Splendour audiences can expect a set of hits from their extensive back catalogue.

HEATHER SMALL aka the voice of M People, has had a hugely successful career, and is recognised as one of the seminal voices of the 90s, singing on massive hit songs such as “Moving On Up”, “One Night In Heaven” and “ Search for the Hero”. The group won the Best British Dance Act Award at the Brits in 1994 and 1995, as well as the 1994 Mercury Music Prize for their album “Elegant Slumming”. Heather has since released two solo albums “Proud” and “Close To Miracle” and has gone on to become the soundtrack to a whole host of very special events, including London’s successful 2012 Olympic bid.

Splendour Festival UK 2021 poster

Also taking to the main stage is JERUB, the Nottingham based singer-songwriter. Effortlessly blending a variety of genres from soul to alt-rock with R’n’B and pop influences, JERUB has firmly been establishing himself as one to watch. With airplay from the likes of BBC Introducing, BBC 6music and BBC Radio 1, his combination of powerful vocals, heartfelt lyrics and magical melodies resonate with a wide audience.

Other names on the Confetti stage include soulful, hope-filled pop and R’n’B act BEKA who has already amassed over 1.3 million monthly Spotify listeners; four-piece pop band SINCE SEPTEMBER who won Little Mix’s ‘The Search’ and will join the group on their Arena tour next year; indie-folk songstress ALICE ROBBINS, often compared to Karen Carpenter and Joni Mitchell and with close to 2 million streams on Spotify; and alternative pop artist BLLE whose debut EP reached no.6 in the singer/songwriter iTunes charts.

The Courtyard Stage this year will be an eclectic mix of local artists, from post-punk four-piece CUCAMARAS to soulful songwriter and producer SAFFRON, the bill showcases the best and most exciting talent Nottingham has to offer.  With lots happening all over the park aside from the three music stages, including comedy in the courtyard, a kids’ area and entertainers out and about in the crowd, the festival is a fantastic day out for all the family.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased from our friends at Gigantic Tickets, the festivals official ticketing partner, also based in Nottingham – simply click the image below for more details!

Gigantic Tickets UK Music Festival tickets