LED Zeppelin star Robert Plant and American alternative rock band The Flaming Lips have been named as headliners of this year’s Wilderness festival.

They join an impressive line-up at the music gathering, held at Cornbury Park, Charlbury, which also includes electro-folk band Crystal Fighters, Grammy-nominate soul-pop singer Lianne La Havas, jazz-house artist Parov Stellar, Oxford’s Glass Animals, and drum and bass DJ Goldie – who performs with the Heritage Orchestra – famous for performing rave and dance classics on classical instruments.

Also unveiled for the four-day event, which takes place from August 4-7, are singer-songwriter Matt Corby, Shura, Tourist, Georgia, Rosie Lowe, Elias and the Hackney Colliery Band.

As in previous years, there will also be a strong culinary line-up, with banquets catered by Oxford’s Raymond Blanc of double Michelin-starred Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons at Great Milton, Skye Gyngell and Virgilio Martinez. More intimate chef’s table dinners will be presided over by Christian Puglisi (of Relae, Copenhagen), Robin Gill (The Dairy), Tomos Parry (Kitty Fisher’s) and Lee Westcott (Typing Room).

Late night parties will be hosted in the festival’s secluded valley by Andrew Weatherall, Chjcago house maestro Derrick Carter, Jackmaster, PBR Streetgang, last year’s star DJ Tom Middleton, and the aforementioned Goldie.

There will also be performances by Rambert, Ronnie Scott’s and the Wilderness Orchestra – who will present a tribute to David Bowie, along with special guests.

Vocalist Robert Plant will play the festival with his Sensational Space Shifters on what will be the only UK date on his 2016 tour.

He said: “In recent times The Space Shifters and I have found a natural home for our music in beautiful places that often carry their own unique resonance.

“I know the Wilderness Festival is one of those places and I’m really looking forward to summoning our madness there.”

The Flaming Lips will be performing their seminal album The Soft Bulletin.

Sebsatian Pringle, frontman of Crystal Fighters said he was also looking forward to playing the picturesque site: “Wilderness is the quintessential English countryside music festival, done properly,” he said.

“There are amazing bands, art, food, drink, comedy and so much more. Crystal Fighters played there in its inaugural year, and you could just tell it was the beginning of something so magical. I have been checking out the poster every year since and the each time the line-up is unquestionably brilliant. Viva Wilderness!”

Mr Blanc's banquet was one of the highlights of last year's festival.

He said: "Last year I presented two bustling banquets at Wilderness. We had over 800 lively guests, with smiles on their faces and costumes at the ready.
"What a fabulous experience and an awesome way to party!

Oxford Mail:

  • Cooking up a flavour: Raymond Blanc OBE  

"It was a first for me, and I can't wait to come back. It is such a fantastic way to bring together music lovers who celebrate food.

"For me, Wilderness is where you can spend time with family and friends, with so much to see, hear and taste. A brilliant way to spend a weekend in Oxfordshire.” 

More names are still to be announced.

Tickets cost from £164+booking fee from ticketmaster.co.uk/wilderness

Oxford Mail:

  • Spectacle: scene from last year's Wilderness festival