HIGH tempo ska, classic folk rock and driving punk have been added to an all-star line up at the Willowman Festival 2015.

The four-day festival near Thirsk in June has already announced co-headliners Echo and the Bunnymen and Peter Hook and The Light.

Festival organisers have now filled the supporting bill with latest editions The Alan Hull Songbook, and The Toasters from the US and Goldblade.

The Alan Hull Songbook will perform classic hits written by the former Lindisfarne singer songwriter and play a number of songs never performed live before.

Made up of current Lindisfarne members Dave Hull-Denholm and Ian Thomson, the band promises intimate performances of classic songs from Alan Hull, who died in 1995 at the age of 50.

Willowman will also host a rare UK performance by classic New York-based band The Toasters, who have been performing their own blend of high-octane ska fused with stateside punk and rock for more than 30 years.

The band is fronted by Englishman Robert “Bucket” Hingley, who relocated to New York City in 1980, where already a Two Tone fan, he formed The Toasters in 1981 after seeing The Beat perform at the Roseland Ballroom.

The globe-trotting Toasters have played across the world. According to lead singer “Bucket”, nothing can eclipse the vibes of a sweaty packed-out club with the audience in your face and the bit between the teeth.

He said: “It’s important not to forget where you came from. Lots of bands do that, but not the Toasters.”

Taking to the Willow Wobbly Stage is veteran punk band Goldblade, fronted by former Membranes singer and rock journalist John Robb, who runs the Louder Than War website.

Robb flies the flag for punk while juggling his journalistic career, which includes regular TV commentary appearances.

He also wrote a biography of The Stone Roses, which was updated to coincide with their reunion shows in 2012.

Legendary DJ Andy Kershaw is opening the Willowman Festival with his Global Dance show.

A stalwart of the music industry, TV presenter, journalist, radio and live music DJ Kershaw will be hosting the Thursday Night Party raging his “one man against musical mediocrity” from the Willow Wobbly Stage.

Kershaw will be playing a mixture of Calypso, African, Mexican Reggae, Roots, Socha and Ska music during his one-man show.

Festival director Steve Williams said: “I thought last year’s line-up was going to be hard to beat, but 2015 has come together really nicely. The headliners speak for themselves and have already had a major positive effect on tickets sales.

“But a great festival is about more than the headline acts.

“We have put together an entertaining and lively line-up that will really get the place rocking all weekend long.”

Now in its sixth year, The Willowman Festival has gained a national reputation for offering an eclectic line-up of both new and established artists.

The four-day family-friendly festival will take place at the Hillside Rural Activities Park in Knayton, near Thirsk, from June 18 to June 21.

Other acts already announced include festival favourites Dreadzone, songstress Hazel O’Connor, Frankie and the Heartstrings, reggae favourites Talisman, Pearl Handle Revolver, The Jeff Green Project, Ferocious Dog, Neck, Astralasia, New Groove Formation, The White Negroes, Charlotte Yanni Band, Louise Petit, Big Red and the Grinners and the fantastically named The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican.

Spring special tickets are £75, which includes four nights camping and free parking, are available at at willowmanfestival.co.uk

Full price tickets for the festival are £85, children aged 11 and under go free, while tickets for children aged 12 to 16 are £40.