HE’S coming home!

Hampshire lad turned international folk-punk star Frank Turner is to appear at this year’s Boomtown Fair, organisers have revealed.

Brought up in Meonstoke, just miles from the festival site at Matterley Bowl near Winchester, the folk troubadour will grace the stage alongside 2 Tone ska legends The Specials.

A compelling live performer, Frank Turner began his career as the vocalist of post-hardcore band Million Dead, then embarked upon a primarily acoustic-based solo career following the band’s split in 2005.

Turner is accompanied by his backing band, The Sleeping Souls, which consists of Ben Lloyd (guitar, mandolin), Tarrant Anderson (bass), Matt Nasir (piano) and Nigel Powell (drums).

He has released six solo albums, three rarities compilation albums, one split album and five EPs. Turner’s sixth studio album, Positive Songs for Negative People, was released in 2015.

Chapter 9, this year’s event, will also feature hip hop pioneers Cypress Hill, world infused rap, rhythm and blues and alternative rock from M.I.A., multi-award winning Arrested Development, reggae superstar Toots and the Maytals and 90s legends Chaka Demus & Pliers.

Enjoy sounds from cult classic film with The Original Blues Brothers Band, alongside Bob Marley’s eldest son and founding member of the Melody Makers Ziggy Marley, folk-rock act Newton Faulkner and the originators of hip hop The Sugarhill Gang and The Furious 5.

The 60,000-capacity festival is the biggest immersive music and theatrical festival in the world.

Organisers have revealed a selection of the acts that can be found on eight of Boomtown’s 25 main stages. Full district announcements are still to come and will be released throughout February and March.

Tickets and details from boomtownfair.co.uk.