David Knopfler, Richard Digance, Moulettes all confirmed

Rhythm Festival becomes 3 linked festivals in 2012 with the addition of Rhythm Folk and Rhythm & Blues. The event is due to take place at Old Warden Park in Bedfordshire over the Bank Holiday Weekend of August 24-26th.

The line-up for Rhythm Folk Festival, which mixes the finest emerging New Folk talent with the best of classic British Folk and Roots has been announced today. The new arrivals include Show of Hands (with Miranda Sykes) and Edinburgh's exciting and vibrant three-piece Lau, who join Ivor Novello Award winner Scott Matthews as Sunday headliners. Also appearing on Sunday are the fast-rising (and totally uncategorisable) Moulettes, Radio 2 Horizon Award nominees Katriona Gilmore & Jamie Roberts and Britain's best known Pagan musician Damh The Bard.

On Saturday, David Knopfler, founding rhythm guitarist with Dire Straits, veteran comedian and Folk singer Richard Digance, The Ian McMillan Orchestra, featuring acclaimed poet Ian McMillan with a variety of musicans, and highly regarded young Alt-Folk outfit The Travelling Band join The Strawbs and Australia's Wishing Well. Bedfordshire's leading New Folk band Faeries Wear Boots will open proceedings.

The Friday Rhythm Folk line-up now includes 2012 Radio 2 Horizon Award Winner Lucy Ward and young World Music-inspired Alt-Folkers Jamie Smith's Mabon, who joins the previously announced Peatbog Faeries and The Men They Couldn't Hang (Acoustic).

Born through the desire of a group of young Bedfordshire women to dance Morris, Hemlock Morris will be attendance and performing throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets which allow access to the Rhythm Folk only are currently available at £70 for the weekend (including a free child/ youth aged 5-16) plus camping or the early bird all festivals weekend pass is £99 with camping and includes free Child/Youth ticket. Under 5's are free. It is not expect that day tickets will be available.

Rhythm Festival is to have 2 stages: Big Rhythms and Happy Rhythms whilst the two new events, Rhythm Folk and Rhythm & Blues will each have their own areas, dominated by huge big-top stages. Camping and lots of other attractions will be shared between the festivals.

The emphasis in 2012 is on bringing gifted young performers into Rhythm Festivals, joining the veteran acts who have always been its main-stay.

Fringe Theatre performances will be held in the The Old Dick Theatre with a huge programme of Literary & Poetry Events. Comedy will return in 2012 as will other old Rhythm avourites, including the Groovy Movie Picture House (free sola-powered cinema), DJ Wheelie Bag in the Tavern Bar and more children's entertainment, including Panic Circus and the Junior Olympics.