EASTNOR’S Big Chill celebrates its 15th festival with its most impressive line up to date.

Massive Attack, M.I.A and Radiohead’s Thom Yorke are just a few of the star names appearing for three days from August 6.

And Lily Allen returns to the festival which helped propel her into the mainstream four years ago.

New York’s Kelis, Jamaica’s Gregory Isaacs and Brazil’s Bebel Gilberto show the Big Chill’s ability to bring in international acts but there will be plenty of space for homegrown talent with the likes of Paloma Faith, Roots Manuva, Morcheeba and Bonobo also arriving.

Music is not the only entertainment on offer and there will be the usual mix of comedy, film and performing arts which all come together to give the Big Chill its unique festival experience.

The other major party taking place in Herefordshire this summer is Nozstock.

Headliners Phill Jupitus and the Blockheads are proof of how much the festival has grown at Rowden Paddocks.

Also heading to the festival are Sound Of Guns, a band currently gaining lots of radio support from Zane Lowe and Steve Lamacq, while both Fearne Cotton and Greg James have made their new single, Architect, their ‘record of the week’. Their Nozstock appearance comes hard on the heels of the release of their debut album, What Came from Fire.

Hereford band Apples are, fittingly, confirmed for The Orchard Stage and The Stanton Warriors, Sub Focus and dubstep A-lister Caspa are some of the other big bookings coming to Bromyard from July 9 for the three-day weekend.

Nozstock is also branching out into other areas and promises comedy, theatre, a kids’ corner as well as an acoustic arena for the more laid-back festival fan. But that is not to say that Nozstock is a quiet affair. The festival’s late licence puts bigger events to shame and watching the sun rise as drum ’n’ bass continues to pound through speakers is always a highlight.

Avoid festival congestion and do your bit for the environment and your wallet by getting a bus to Nozstock Special buses will run from Worcester and Hereford railway stations and you can find full timetable information on the website at nozstockfestival.co.uk.