Shiiine On Weekender has unveiled the first tranche of acts for its 2027 edition, with Babyshambles, Ash and Cast leading the announced lineup.
The three-day festival will return to Butlin’s Skegness for a third time, taking place from March 19 to 21.
Described as a celebration of indie, alternative and dance music, the Friday schedule will feature Cast in their first appearance at the festival. They will be joined by Black Grape, Jim Bob, Reverend & The Makers, The Futureheads and The Rifles.
Babyshambles are also set to make their Shiiine On Weekender debut on Saturday, appearing alongside Gene and Ned’s Atomic Dustbin. Ash will headline Sunday, with Starsailor and Sleeper also on the final night’s bill.
Other artists announced so far include Buzzcocks, The Selecter, The Sultans of Ping, EMF, Puressence, The Dub Pistols, The Farm, Dubstar, Ozric Tentacles, Banco de Gaia, Senser, The Supernaturals and China Drum.
The acoustic stage will feature The Bluetones and Chris Helme, while the weekend’s programming will also include a Sunday-night closing party organised by Tim Burgess with Star Shaped.
Comedy performances are planned from Rob Newman and Terry Christian, alongside quizzes, bingo, pool parties and Rave On, a dance stage helmed by The Sabres of Paradise, The Orb’s Bez, Steve Davis, James Atkin and Kavus Torabi.
On-site accommodation will be available throughout the festival, meaning tents and campsites are not required.
The announcement of Babyshambles as headliners comes after frontman Pete Doherty recently discussed his new project, The Pete Doherty Show, with NME’s Josh Pugh. The programme features appearances from Sleaford Mods’ Jason Williamson, EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy, Richard Bacon, comedians Ivo Graham and Jamali Maddix, and other guests.
Speaking about the interviews recorded so far, Doherty said: “Jason Williamson was brilliant, and there have been things I’ve wanted to ask him for a long time. I thought Natalie Cassidy from EastEnders was great because she was such a massive celebrity. I had it in my head she was going to be a really down-to-earth London girl, and she was.”
The band reunited for its first performances together in more than a decade last year, following the death of original guitarist Patrick Walden, with the tour concluding at London’s KOKO in December.
Babyshambles later announced the release of Live At KOKO through Doherty’s label, Strap Originals, with the album due out on October 9.
Asked about progress on a new Babyshambles album at the end of August, the singer said: “There are bits and bobs, as there always tends to be with Babyshambles. You’ve got four creative people and there are some good ideas.”
“It’s all a bit wide open, which is a good position to be in. There’s no pressure. We’re not contracted to anyone or signed to anyone as a band. We just exist as this autonomous collective in the midst of the music industry. I like it.
“It’s not like being young and in your only band and you’re desperate to get somewhere with it. I don’t think we could ever recreate what we did before. It’s quite a precious space we’re in at the moment. We’re kind of armed and dangerous, Babyshambles. We’ve got these amazing songs and some amazing characters. We’ll keep it as it is for now. Obviously if we write 12 amazing songs all together then we’d have to make a record.”