Mercury nominated Porridge Radio is joining the line up for the much-loved SeaChange festival when it returns to the South Hams in May.

The Totnes-based music and arts festival has been missing from its traditional spring slot for the last two years due to the Covid lockdowns, but this year is making a big come back.

From May 27 to 29 atmospheric buildings across Totnes will be transformed into venues for an event that spans music, art, film and literature.

Grammy nominated, record breaking musician, Chilly Gonzales, will be opening the three day festival at the launch event on May 26, when he will perform an intimate solo piano recital at Dartington’s Great Hall.

Now festival organisers have announced the first wave of artists who will be joining Chilly in the 2022 line-up, including Porridge Radio who will be headlining on the Friday night.

Dana Margolin played a special live set for last year’s Sea Change ‘Goes Online,’ but the full band’s live performance promises to be a euphoric reminder of what the crowds have missed over the last two years.

Also taking to the stage will be acclaimed songwriter and linguist, Gwenno, who returns to Totnes following a dazzling show in support of her acclaimed ‘Le Kov’ album in 2018; Scottish Album of the Year award-winning singer-songwriter, Kathryn Joseph; Bristol’s enigmatic country/pop song crafter, Katy J Pearson; and Emmy Award winning soundtrack composer and pianist, Michael Price.

They will be joined by space-rockers, caroline; London synth/drum duo, Soccer96; Scottish writer, producer and multi-instrumentalist, Andrew Wasylyk; Émilie Tiersen as Quinquis, whose new record, Seim, is steeped in her Breton family history; Speedy Wunderground Yorkshire punks, The Lounge Society; and two of Dublin’s finest new exports, MELTS and Silverbacks.

Sea Change founder, Rupert Morrison, said: “Though we say it ourselves, this is a hugely impressive first announcement, and all the more dazzling when you consider that the weekend capacity is just 600 people.

“Few events are as intimate and even fewer provide such an extraordinary set of artistic riches.

“We’ve been working hard for months and, today, being able to start talking about our amazing guests is a pretty euphoric moment.

“May 2022 is going to feel celebratory, safe and totally invigorating.

“After so many stops and starts, finally bringing the likes of Katy J Pearson and Porridge Radio to town feels big.

“The May 2022 roster (with a lot more still to be announced) is one of which we’re extremely proud and we can’t wait for each and every show.”

Sea Change will continue its tradition of presenting exciting new talents, which this year will include Sinead O’Brien, Lucy Gooch, Tara Clerkin Trio, Charlotte Spiral, HighSchool, Fran Lobo and DITZ.

For more information visit www.seachangepresents.co.uk