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Legendary dance-rock band the Happy Mondays have been booked to play Oxfordshire's newest music festival.

The Manchester act, known for their hedonistic lifestyles and outrageous antics, both on and off stage, are the latest additions to an impressive line-up of acts already confirmed for Wakestock.

The festival, held in the grounds of Blenheim Palace from June 27 to 29, is among the largest musical gatherings to take place in the county, and is also set to attract thousands of devotees of the sport of wakeboarding - in which watersports fans surf behind speedboats - which will take place on the palace lake.

The Happy Mondays, fronted by Shaun Ryder, were one of the leading lights of the so-called "Madchester" scene of the late 80s and early 90s, releasing such iconic anthems as Kinky Afro, Loose Fit and Step On.

Their appearance will be their first in the county since their set at Oxford's Carling Academy last year, when Mr Ryder defied the smoking ban by lighting up on stage.

The band's eccentric dancing percussionist, Bez, became a household name after winning Celebrity Big Brother in 2005. The band continue to have a huge following, and their appearance at Wakestock is expected to fuel ticket sales.

They will be joined by a varied bill which includes Oxford's Supergrass and Young Knives, Groove Armada, producer Mark Ronson, dance artist Calvin Harris, DJ Pete Tong, rock act Funeral for a Friend, indie bands Friendly Fires, Hadouken and Futureheads, and urban artist The Streets.

Also confirmed is chart topping performer Estelle.

A spokesman for Wakestock said: "The Happy Mondays will be joining an already eclectic, swelling bill, bringing an enviable back catalogue of some of the most generation-defining anthems.

"Their Factory Records career has been the stuff of legend and is still relevant today.

"Their appearance proves Wakestock will truly be unsurpassed in the summer cal- endar."

Helping to promote the event is East Oxford music aficionado Alan Day of TCT Music.

He said: "Being such a seminal UK band, it's great to see Happy Mondays confirmed for the festival. Shaun Ryder's appearance will be of special interest to Oxford Mail readers, as the paper featured Ryder on its front page when he lit up a cigarette on stage at the Carling Academy."

Despite being an outdoor event, Mr Ryder will still not be permitted to smoke onstage.

Although Wakestock has been held for eight years on the North Wales coast, this will be its first foray inland. Festival founder Mark Durston said: "2008 is going to be the year of Wakestock.

"We've built the festival up to be a really cool mix of the world's best wakeboarders, bands and DJ's right at the forefront of the live music scene and a lifestyle that is unrivalled by any other festival.

"To add a second venue as stunning as Blenheim Palace is an opportunity we've relished. The grounds at Blenheim Palace, as a festival venue, are first class.

"Add to this a stunning lake right in front of the palace and you have the perfect setting to showcase the coolest sport on water".

Tickets for the festival, which runs from June 27-29, are priced at £40 for the day, £85 for the weekend or £110 for combined weekend and camping passes.

For tickets visit the website wegottickets.com

5:38pm Friday 16th May 2008

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