After an impressive festival debut last year which saw thousands flock to the sunny shores of Torquay, the Grinagog Festival returns to the beautiful coast of South Devon for 3 days (20th – 22nd April 2018). With early-bird tickets now sold out, Grinagog Festival is excited to announce further names for 2018's weekend of seaside extravaganza including;

BIG NARSTIE // MACKA B //  JOHN SHUTTLEWORTH // TERRY FRANCIS // MR NICE // SAMUEL WULF

The legend of the Grinagog runs deep in Devon. With hundreds of sightings off the coast of Torquay, conspiracy theorists and cult followers alike agree that this rare ancient sea creature and the associated tidal wave of live music, DJs and inspiration will arrive back on our shores in April 2018. Starting the festival season in style, head to Torquay to help beckon the Grinagog at a music and arts festival that celebrates creativity, diversity and hi-jinks.

For it’s second year Grinagog will showcase a myriad of musical genres that celebrate creativity and diversity, with a host of live bands, solo artists and DJ’s across multiple stages at two-key venues - the historical 12th century Torre Abbey and the Riviera Centre. With a “No Mud Guarantee”, palm trees aplenty and adventures big and small; get ready to escape the humdrum with Grinagog against the backdrop of the stunning English Riviera.

Alongside first acts announced including TV and radio legend, BBC 6 Music's Craig Charles; further names now released feature leading Grime MC artist Big Narstie; with the best-selling Grime album of 2013 followed by a MOBO Award nomination for Best Grime Act in 2014, Big Narstie's records have fast became supported by mainstream radio stations with Coldplay samples and appearances on tracks by Craig David, Wretch 32 and Enter Shikari.

Also heading to Grinagog Festival 2018 is top of the Reggae scene since the early 90s, Macka B bringing his world show back to the UK; plus Fabric resident DJ and tastemaker Terry Francis shares his sleek fusion of techno and house; and expect a new kind of music, introducing Cosmic Dross, the unique sounds from Henge.

Led by Torquay’s DJ Chris Tofu (an MBE recipient no less!), and the award winning Continental Drifts (curators at Glastonbury’s Shangri-La, Boomtown’s Ballroom Stage and Bestival’s Caravanserai) – come discover a weekend of escapism from the      humdrum of everyday life.

2018 LINE UP NAMES

BIG NARSTIE - MACKA B - THE CRAIG CHARLES FUNK AND SOUL SHOW Ft DAYTONER -  CHANNEL ONE SOUND SYSTEM WITH MIKEY DREAD - A SKILLZ LIVE -  DIZRAELI & DOWNLOW - THE CORRESPONDENTS - TERRY FRANCIS - HENGE - JOHN SHUTTLEWORTH - MR NICE - JIM CAUSLEY - THE DRYSTONES - SAMUEL WULF - NEW YORK BRASS BAND PATHAAN - SUBGIANT - CUT CAPERS - THE SIMMERTONES - BIZARRE RITUALS - YOUTH (KILLING JOKE) - THE EGG - NEW DAZE  - TROPICAL TEA PARTY SOUNDSYSTEMS – RECHARGED – BASS FUNK – MIXTAPE – ELECTRO SWING CLUB – MOVEMENTINSOUND SESSIONS – SOULOUD - RAMBUNCTIOUS

“Torquay has a massive influence on my life... the things that I’ve picked up here have led me to have a very interesting cultural life... The work that we’re doing in Torquay with Grinagog, is like one of the most important things for me that exists”. Chris Tofu

ABOUT GRINAGOG

For those of you familiar with the work of the infamous party man and Torquay native DJ Chris Tofu, you will know to expect only the biggest and brightest production, incredible performance’s and a whole host of weird and wonderful goings on. His Continental Drifts music team’s line-ups at Glastonbury’s Shangri La, Boomtown and Bestival have become some of the most exciting features on the UK festival scene.

What is a “Grinagog” you ask? Grinagog is an old Devonshire term for “someone who is perpetually smiling”. For us, the term refers to a party-starter, a good times-instigator, a mischief-maker who revels in the joy of music and culture. See you by the sea!

Festival organiser DJ Chris Tofu said: “All my life, I’ve looked at Torquay and seen it as one humongous great festival site… with no mud! The place is like the ultimate     festival venue, and I should know because I’ve started loads of festivals. I’m putting everything I possibly can into making an extremely diverse, cultural offering for young people in Torquay. We’re bringing together all the amazing promoters and cultural workers who are in the town and the surrounding area already into one big pot to     create a cultural explosion that we hope can really be a place maker for this town.”

GRINAGOG FESTIVAL is a partnership project funded by Arts Council England, The Mayor’s Event Fund and Torbay Culture Board.

ABOUT CHRIS TOFU

Dj Chris Tofu (Island Records) – Torquay’s own festival legend, from the people who bought you Lost Vagueness, Shangri Las, London Remixed Festival. Chris curates stages across 17 festivals UK side, and DJ's across the planet. Very proud to be this year’s festival curator.

ABOUT CONTINENTAL DRIFTS

Continental Drifts is a unique company with expertise in all aspects of events. Our small team of industry specialists work across event management, experiential brand activation, artist booking and programming.

Our impressive roster has included LolliBop Festival, Blackheath and Southwark Fireworks, Festival 2012’s Summer Like No Other, The Big Lunch, Bestival, MasterCard’s Coin Rd, Bermondsey Festival, David Blaine’s Above the Below, The Queen’s Jubilee, Thames Festival and Shangri-La at Glastonbury Festival.

We are also an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation for our innovative Global Local project and London Remixed Festival.

ABOUT TORBAY COUNCIL

Torbay Council is the unitary council for Torbay in Devon and provides a full range of local government services. The council has an elected mayoral system and the current elected mayor is Gordon Oliver.

In recent years there has been significant effort by the Council to grow Torbay as an events capital on a regional, national and international stage. During this time, the local authority has stage or facilitated a wide range of small and large-scaleevents which have had a positive direct economic impact on local businesses. Events provide a feel good factor for residents and visitors and give local businesses a real boost, reinforcing the message that the English Riviera is a great place to live, work, visit and invest in.

ABOUT THE ARTS COUNCIL

Arts Council England champions, develops and invests in artistic and cultural experiences that enrich people’s lives. We support a range of activities across the arts, museums and libraries – from theatre to digital art, reading to dance, music to literature, and crafts to collections. Great art and culture inspires us, brings us together and teaches us about ourselves and the world around us. In short, it makes life better.

www.artscouncil.org.uk