The Chemical Brothers and Massive Attack to headline relaunched Connect Musical Festival

Virgin Radio

24 Feb 2022, 10:26

After a couple years with barely any music festivals at all, it’s exciting that a rebooted one has been added to the summer schedule for 2022.

Connect Music Festival, which will take place in Edinburgh over the August bank holiday weekend, was previously held at Inveraray Castle in Argyll in 2007 and 2008. The new edition of the festival promises to feature "the best in left field talent, from grassroots through to award-winning headliners", and it has just announced the first wave of acts for this summer’s event.

The Chemical Brothers and Massive Attack are set to headline along with The National, while the line-up also includes the likes of Idlewild, Mogwai, Little Simz, Ride, John Grant, and Self Esteem.

With epic songs such as Unfinished Sympathy and Teardrop in their arsenal, the Friday night will feature a headline set by Bristol collective Massive Attack. The band have released acclaimed albums such as Blue Lines, Protection and Mezzanine. 

The festival’s Saturday night will culminate in an undoubtedly massive set from superstar DJs The Chemical Brothers. The multiple Grammy-Award-winning dance legends have sold over 13 million albums worldwide, and are known for bangers such as Galvanize and Hey Boy, Hey Girl. 

Bringing the festival to a close will be indie rock stalwarts The National. The band released their eighth Studio Album, I Am Easy to Find, in 2020.  

Amongst the other notable acts in the first announcement are Jon Hopkins, Black Coffee, Bonobo, Bombay Bicycle Club, Black Country, New Road, and LOW. There will be more artists added to the line-up over the next few weeks.

Geoff Ellis, CEO of DF Concerts & Events, who also organise T In The Park and TRNSMT, said: “For some time now we have been working tirelessly and carefully to curate a captivating line-up for the first edition of our new iteration of Connect and we have been really excited to share it.” 

He added: “While Connect is a brand new festival proposition, it will still retain many qualities from - and the ethos of - its namesake from 2007 and 2008, especially regarding the music, entertainment, food and drink programmes. 

“We are thrilled to be welcoming the very best in left field talent from grassroots through to award-winning headliners to perform this year and we cannot wait to welcome fans to the Royal Highland Showgrounds this August.”

Connect Music Festival takes place from 26th to 28th August at Edinburgh’s Royal Highland Centre. Tickets go on general sale at 9am on Friday 25th February.