Spirit Of Rock Presents Ramblin’ Man Fair Mote Park, Maidstone, Kent UK 30th June & 1st July 2018

Joining the existing line-up will be Mott the Hoople:

Mott The Hoople (Main Stage Headliner / 2018 UK Festival Exclusive) – Ramblin’ Man Fair are delighted to announce the inimitable Mott The Hoople as their second headliner for this year’s festival – a 2018 UK festival exclusive performance with the classic 1973/1974 lineup. The band will feature Ian Hunter (Vocals, Guitars), Ariel Bender (Lead Guitars) and Morgan Fisher (Keyboards), and will be augmented by James Mastro (Guitars, Mandolin), Mark Bosch (Guitars), Dennis Dibrizzi (Keyboards), Paul Page (Bass) and Steve Holley (Drums). Sadly, due to ongoing ill health, Mick Ralphs will not be able to appear as a guest but has given his blessing. Originally formed in 1969, Mott The Hoople went on to become one of the best loved and widely influential UK bands of the 1970s. The band produced albums such as “All the Young Dudes”, “Mott” and “The Hoople” and singles such as, the David Bowie penned, “All the Young Dudes”, “Honaloochie Boogie”, “All the Way From Memphis”, “Roll Away The Stone”, “Saturday Gigs” and “The Golden Age Of Rock ‘n’ Roll”. Consummate live performers and fronted by the wonderful Ian Hunter, Mott The Hoople will be a fantastic addition to the Ramblin’ Man Fair bill in 2018. Ian Hunter says, "Looking forward to realigning with my old Mott the Hoople mates - the Great Ariel Bender and the Sartorial Morgan Fisher at Ramblin' Man Fair in June. Both toured extensively with Mott and both were featured heavily of 'The Hoople' album after Mick Ralphs and Verden Allen left the band. I know many people were disappointed when neither appeared on the '09 and '13 get-togethers - hope this makes up for it!"

Prog in the Park Stage FISH - Headliner (Playing Material From The “Clutching At Straws” Album) MOSTLY AUTUMN VON HERTZEN BROTHERS

Steve Earle & The Dukes UK Exclusive Set Halestorm UK Festival Exclusive Blackberry Smoke UK Festival Exclusive Sons Of Apollo UK Festival Exclusive

Following on from the critically acclaimed and commercially successful third year in 2017, Ramblin’ Man Fair returns in 2018! This year the festival will move from its traditional end of July slot to the 30th June and 1st July 2018

Ramblin’ Man Fair is pleased to announce the first bands confirmed for the event in 2018. These include Steve Earle & The Dukes – Playing a UK Exclusive set ‘Copperhead Road plus Hits!’ (Outlaw Country Stage, Headliner), Halestorm (Main Stage, Special Guests), Blackberry Smoke (Main Stage) and Sons Of Apollo (Main Stage). Ramblin’ Man Fair is the must see event for discerning festival goers. A quality musical line up with a number of UK exclusive performances. The event is a unique experience fast becoming a staple of the UK festival calendar. The festival will take place in the beautiful Mote Park in Maidstone, Kent – the garden of England. The park is one of the largest in South East England with more than 450 acres of mature parkland and a 30-acre lake. With multiple travel links via train (Ashford International, Maidstone East and Maidstone West in close proximity) and road (with three park and rides available around Maidstone). The festival site is also perfect for European festival goers with easy links to the London airports, Eurostar via Ashford Int’l and Channel Ferries to and from mainland Europe. Ramblin’ Man Fair will take place on Saturday 30th June and Sunday 1st July 2018. Announced acts to date are: Main Stage Halestorm (Special Guest) Blackberry Smoke Sons Of Apollo Country Stage Steve Earle & The Dukes (Headliner) (UK Exclusive Set ‘Copperhead Road plus Hits!’) STEVE EARLE & THE DUKES (Outlaw Country Stage, Headline / UK Exclusive) – With a career spanning over 40 years, Steve Earle is revered as a consummate songwriter and performer, in addition to film and TV actor, author, poet and playwright. He has also established himself as one of the most prolific songwriters of his lifetime, his songs recorded by the likes of Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Emmylou Harris. Since 1974 Steve Earle has released 16 studio albums. In 2018 he will be playing a UK Exclusive set of his iconic album ‘Copperhead Road plus Hits’ at Ramblin’ Man Fair. HALESTORM (Main Stage, Special Guest / UK Festival Exclusive) – One of the most exciting rock bands of recent years, fronted by the indomitable Lzzy Hale. The band have released a series of critically and commercially acclaimed albums and singles, including the Grammy winning single “Love Bites (So Do I)” in 2013. The band are also renowned for their consummate live shows. Halestorm are a worthwhile special guest for Ramblin’ Man Fair 2018. “Marking the precise point on the Venn diagram where fierce ambition and ability collide, Halestorm are heading in one direction, and that's up” – Classic Rock Magazine. “We are so excited to be performing at the Ramblin Man Fair for the first time! We love playing for our fans in the UK and look forward to making some new friends too. We are ready to melt faces!!" – Lzzy Hale, Halestorm BLACKBERRY SMOKE (Main Stage / UK Festival Exclusive) – One of the most loved new rock acts. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia the bands southern country rock sound has seen them win a legion of fans worldwide. The band’s fifth studio album, “Like An Arrow”, released in 2016 went to No1 in the UK Rock and Independent Charts, as well as the Billboard Country Chart in the USA. The band are renowned for their live shows and have toured with the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top. “We can’t wait to bring some Southern music to the Ramblin Man Fair......it’s refreshing to play festivals with such diverse lineups.” – Charlie Starr, Blackberry Smoke SONS OF APOLLO (Main Stage / UK Festival Exclusive) – Sons of Apollo is the American progressive metal supergroupformed in 2017 and composed of legends Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan, Derek Sherinian, Jeff Scott Soto and Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal. The band’s debut album, “Psychotic Symphony”, was produced by Portnoy and Sherinian (as "The Del Fuvio Brothers") and was released on the 20thOctober 2017 through InsideOut Music. Ramblin’ Man Fair is delighted to welcome these legends to the mainstage in what is sure to be one of the weekends highlights. Tickets are available now priced as below: VIP Admission Saturday & Sunday - £256 plus booking fee General Admission Saturday & Sunday - £156 plus booking fee Camping Starts at £49 Tickets available from http://ramblinmanfair18.eventbrite.co.uk To keep up to date with all Ramblin’ Man Fair announcements please like, follow and visit us: www.ramblinmanfair.com www.twitter.com/RamblinManFair www.facebook.com/ramblinmanfair

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