Newton Faulkner joins Macmillan's Big Mix Line Up

Brit-nominated acoustic guitar hero Newton Faulkner is the latest star to grace the line-up of Macmillan's Big Mix festival in Shoreditch on Saturday 18 June.

The flame haired dread-head will be wowing crowds with his folk genius and spell-binding hits such as 'Dream Catch Me'- the likes of which helped bag him the UK number one album slot with his debut Hand Built by Robots.

Newton said: "I'm really looking forward to performing at Macmillan's Big Mix – I'm hoping to have a surprise guest join to me too. It's going to be excellent. Get your tickets, support this great charity, and I'll see you there!"

Also taking to the stages of the E1 festival will be voice of 2011 Clare Maguire, BBC Radio 1 DJ Edith Bowman on the decks, Charlatans front man Tim Burgess, the folk rockin' Treetop Flyers, a DJ set from Zero 7's Sam Hardaker and Guilty Pleasures, Kid British and Friends Electric, 6 Day Riot, Ben Marwood, Emily and The Woods, The Last Dinosaur, Bleeding Heart Narrative, Sam Brookes, The Meow Meows and City Shanty Band.

And for one lucky unsigned band, there will be the chance to play alongside these big names as Xfm's John Kennedy's X-Posure show will be launching The Big Mix 2011 Unsigned Bands Competition.

To enter, acts must simply upload a track to thebigmixcomp.heroku.com by 31 May. A top ten will be selected via listener votes, then John Kennedy will choose a winner who will be invited to perform a live session on his popular Xfm show and play at the festival itself.

The Xfm DJ and Patron of The Big Mix, John Kennedy, said: "I'm delighted to be judging The Big Mix 2011 Unsigned Bands Competition. This is a great opportunity for up-and-coming bands to join a fantastic line up and play at an exciting urban festival this summer, whilst supporting such an important cause as Macmillan. I can't wait to hear what comes in!"

The Big Mix is a creative melting pot of music, comedy, fashion, art and cabaret spread across a variety of venues from midday until late. For the stand up fans out there, fresh from a sold out run at Soho Theatre, cult comedy star Kevin Eldon will be appearing alongside comic compadres Steve Hughes, Robert White and Helen Arney, to name but a few, at one of the two comedy venues.

For those that fancy an upbeat electronic hybrid end to their evening, there will be DJ sets curated by Tony N from creative music agency Burntprogress, who organise the infamous CDR events. Tony's already signed up Kutmah, Om Unit, Bullion, Paul White, Alex Chase, Kelpe and Mr Beatnick and many more.

For all the latest information, including a list of the acts as they're announced and tickets for just £20, see thebigmix.co.uk or join www.facebook.com/thebigmix and follow @bigmixfest on Twitter