S Club and Tony Christie to appear at Chichester's Priory Park Festival

S Club's Bradley, Jo and Tina. Credit: Tim Richardson

Also on the bill will be S Club, Dodgy, Georgie Fame, the Deborah Bonham Band with guest vocalist Chris Farlowe, The Christians, Geno Washington and his Ram Jam Band and The Bog Rolling Stones.

As previously announced, the weekend will also include former Strangler Hugh Cornwell.

Festival director Robin Bextor is promising an eclectic three-day weekend of music, comedy and food and drink on July 7, 8 and 9 in Priory Park – and this year, the festival’s second year, there will be a much clearer division between the days, plus the addition of an outdoor stage.

He said: ‘We are glad to confirm that we have listened to our audience from last year, and some people were saying that they wanted a much more defined programme.’

Friday’s theme will be jazz and blues, Saturday will be rock, and Sunday will put the emphasis on family fun

Mr Bextor added: ‘For the Friday, we have got a sprinkling of young, unknown artists.

‘Nick Davidson - from the Chichester Music Academy - is providing some of the performers, but this year we have also combined with Club Havana, the jazz club in Chichester.

‘We will also have an open-air stage. Priory Park is so gorgeous. We are wanting to enjoy the park as a backdrop.

‘But we will also be having a big top that people can retreat to if the weather is inclement, and in the tent we will also be able to create certain atmospheres.’

Soul of Santana and the Deborah Bonham Band will appear on Friday with guest vocalists including Chris Farlowe, the man who was sitting in the number-one spot with his version of The Rolling Stones’ Out of Time in the week in which England won the 1966 World Cup.

American electric blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter Johnny Mars also plays on the Friday.

Saturday will offer the West Sussex Youth Orchestra, a comedian to be confirmed, Rolling Stones tribute band the Bog Rolling Stones and Dodgy whose hits have included Staying Out for the Summer, If You’re Thinking of Me and Good Enough. Hugh Cornwell also plays on the Saturday.

Sunday features the West Sussex Youth Jazz Orchestra, a ‘big household-name comic’, Abba tribute band Abba Chique, S Club performing all their greatest hits and then Tony Christie.