Howthelightgetsin Announces Yet More Artists

Festival Crowd Header

Having previously revealed The Orb as the headliner for Saturday night and electronic pioneers Hot Chip as top of the bill for Sunday, the world’s largest philosophy and music festival, HowTheLightGetsIn is proud to reveal its third wave of artists.

Announced today are musical artists, Town of Cats, who will be bringing a mixture of Ska, Gypsy-Rock, Hip-Hop, Funk Folk and Latino to the stage. From soul-slapping bass guitar, to beat-boxing flautists, punchy sax and booty shaking beats, Town of Cats do what they can do make people party.

Also joining the line-up is Orlando Seale and his new pop band Harpo Smith. Described by The Telegraph as “like Arcade Fire with better lyrics”, film star Orlando Seale and his epic band Harpo Smith will make you dance, laugh and cry with tales of the concrete jungle, from the caffeinated highs to the gin street lows of the capital.

Sam and the Womp and their contagiously catchy tunes is also a welcome addition to the festival. With their debut single Bom Bom reaching No.1 in the UK charts and selling over 100,000 copies in its first week, the band will premier an outstanding new summer single at HowTheLightGetsin and guaranteed to be a festival highlight. 

Other additions include DJ Percussionist Lyndsay Evans, Blanaevon Male Voice Choir, singer-songwriter Phillip Jeays, Bloom De Wilde, Tricity Vogue, Abigail Collins, Speak Brother, electro-pop musician Tsar B and Filthy Spectacular who will be bringing their creepy twisted gypsy, ska, punk, dark cabaret extravaganza of shanty pirate drunken stupidity to the stage and guaranteed to be a highlight of this year’s festival.

With more artists, the much anticipated comedy and culture line-up all to be announced in the coming months the tenth HowTheLightGetsIn is going to be the best to date

Boasting over 500 events and artists across 12 stages, HowTheLightGetsIn brings the world’s leading thinkers together with a magical programme of music, comedy, culture and performance - all set in atmospheric and intimate venues on the edge of the Black Mountains, alongside the river Wye. There is nowhere else in the world where you can dance into the night with Nobel prize-winners to the sounds of Mercury Prize nominees.

Taking place 25 – 28 May, HowTheLightGetsIn is a five-day festival of philosophy and music that will explore the theme of Darkness, Authority and Dreams. In these dark and turbulent times, we face many dangers, threats and unknowns. What beliefs and authorities have led us here? What dreams and visions for the future might enable us to create a better world?

Published on 26 February 2018 by UKFG

Recent News More news

  • Beloved UK festival Bloc hints at 2027 reunion

    Founders George Hull and Alex Benson of UK festival Bloc have hinted at a 2027 reunion event after relaunching the brand as a micro-home business. The festival, known for its innovative electronic music, was a holiday park fixture in the early '10s.

  • Southbank Centre Seeks Festival of Britain Memories in 75th Year

    Southbank Centre is looking for memories of the 1951 Festival of Britain, a national exhibition following WWII and austerity. The event aims to showcase the achievements in arts and science of the UK.

  • Kanye West to Headline Wireless Festival

    Kanye West will be headlining Wireless Festival, marking his first performance in the UK. Fans are eager to see the iconic rapper take the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable event.

  • Liz Hobbs brings Discovery Festival to Darlington

    Former world champion water skier Liz Hobbs is bringing a new series of weekend music festivals to the UK this summer, with one taking place in Darlington. The Discovery Festival will feature music acts like Five, Marc Almond, and Ella Henderson.

Upcoming Festivals Browse all

  • York Blues Festival

    18 April 2026

    York Blues Festival 2026 York Blues Festival returns for 2026 on Saturday, April 18, at York Racecourse, Tadcaster Road, York, North Yorkshire. This one-day blues celebration takes place in the heart ...

  • Terminal V Festival

    18 April - 19 April 2026

    Terminal V Festival 2026 Taking place on 18-19 April 2026 at Ingliston Showground in Edinburgh, Terminal V Festival is a two-day outdoor dance event set in the heart of Midlothian, Scotland. Music ...

  • La Linea

    21 April - 04 May 2026

    La Linea 2026 La Linea returns to London from 21 April to 4 May 2026, transforming the city with two weeks of vibrant arts events across multiple neighbourhoods, including theatres, galleries, and pa...