A star of the Britpop and Madchester music scenes will be kicking off the festivities for this year’s Create music festival.

Former Charlatan’s frontman Tim Burgess will be following in the footsteps of Supergrass singer Gaz Coombes, who recently performed in Ashfod, to bring a taste of the 90s to the town.

The band are perhaps best remembered for early hits like The Only One I Know and later smashes North Country Boy and One to Another.

Since their heyday Tim has been a busy man, writing an autobiography, launching a record label, and releasing a series of 7” singles that reflect his own diverse musical interests and crate-digging instincts.

While many of his contemporaries from the era have reformed and taken part in lucrative reunion tours, he and his band have continued to evolve, with The Charlatans releasing one of their most recent albums online for free.

Tim, who is headlining many top UK Festivals this year - will open this year’s festival with an intimate Friday Night Sound Check set on July 26 in St Mary’s Church in Ashford Town Centre.

This special one-off event, sponsored by Ashford’s Right Track Music, will set the scene for the thousands expected to flock to the free Create Festival in Victoria Park on Sunday, July 28.

Su and Chris Bailey, owners of Right Track Music said: “We are very proud to continue and increase our support in Ashford’s impressive local music scene.

“Our stage at Create Festival will showcase some of the best young musical talent in the area – and we hope our investment in the Friday Night Sound Check - and getting the likes of Tim Burgess to come and play here will take the festival to a whole new level”.

blob Tickets to the show at St Mary’s are expected to sell out fast, so book your tickets soon through Right Track Music or online at www.createfestival.co.uk