Sukshinder Shinda
A gifted singer, composer and producer with an impressive string of hits across the world, Sukshinder Shinda has been a bright star on the Asian music scene for over 15 years. He has a rare gift for taking the musical traditions of the past and translating them into the language of today's modern cultures. Sukshinder Shinda won both Best Act and Best Album at the 2008 UK Asian Music Awards.
www.sukshindershinda.com

Bollywood Brass Band
Funky drummers and a hot six-piece horn section play massive hits from Indian films, driven by the huge beat of the dhol. With a uniquely London blend of Hindi film soundtracks, Bhangra rhythms and brass, plus influences from jazz, world music and dance remixes, this band gives a phenomenal live performance.
www.bollywoodbrassband.co.uk

Trickbaby
A six-piece band from London, Trickbaby have sold over 2 million albums worldwide via extensive contributions to Bollywood movie soundtracks. Johnny Depp is said to be planning to use their music in a film shooting later this year and their latest release is receiving excellent coverage on Radio One.
www.trickbabymusic.co.uk

The Dhol Blasters – True Roots & Colours of Punjab
After banging their drums with UB40 at Live8, The Dhol Blasters will start the Festival with an adrenalin shot of energetic drumming and bright Punjabi costumes. This youthful team of vibrant dhol drummers and Bhangra dancers (led by King Gurcharan Mall, reputedly the “most famous dhol player of all time”) have already earned themselves gold and platinum discs and will begin the party with a procession around the site.

MC Jay Sodagar

Versatile British-Asian comic/MC, Jay is one of the best exponents of ‘social conscience comedy’ on the circuit today. Jay has been involved with improvisational comedy for a number of years, and was part of the first all Asian Improv Team, which now tours Canada.
www.myspace.com/jaysodagar

DJ Anil Khullar

Anil is a Class Act DJ who has worked all over the UK promoting Asian and western
sounds at hot spots such as the Ministry of Sound.

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Debashish Bhattacharya
One of the world’s most remarkable slide-guitarists, Debashish Bhattacharya performs on innovative guitars he has designed himself. Born in Calcutta, he started playing the Hawaiian lap steel guitar and has since established himself as an award winning musician, combining aspects of Indian classical music with detours into blues and Hawaiian music. He is the first slide guitarist to be awarded the President of India Award.

Sacred Music Project
Originally created as a one-off performance to commemorate 60 years of Indo-Pak Independence, Sacred Music Project was such a crowd puller at London Mela 2007 it has since taken on a life of its own. Expect a combination of Bhajans, Geets, Ghazals and instrumentals, illustrating music and poetry from the Indian sub-continent through the ages.

Saaz aur Awaz
This is a rainbow of Indian classical melodies, blending solo and group items – rendered on instruments (Saaz) and vocal (Awaz). The spectrum includes the strings of sitar, the notes of evening ragas and the rhythmic patterns of tabla. Presented by Saleel Tambe and Friends and The London Sitar Ensemble.

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Curating this year’s Bollyhood Stage is DJ SAN-J SANJ (xzecutive).
As well as four top acts Sanj will be joined by Class Act with the MC Competition and the DJ With No Name.

H Dhami was the first signing to Rishi Rich’s new production. With high profile collaborations in the pipeline H Dhami is a name to watch.

Mumzy is a solo artist with a voice that is diverse and edgy. He has featured with artists including Sophie Choudhury and Taz from Stereo Nation.

Fusing Naked Beats produce cosmic Asian funk at its finest making subtle break beat desi-fused grooves and melodies. The group will be joined by

Mehi and perform tracks from Witness of the World and The Rebirth.
M2K and Don Dee began working together to create an experimental fusion sound of R’n’B, Pop, Bhangra, Bollywood and Dancehall - M2K Released was the resulting album.

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Croydon’s aspiring musicians, dancers and performers will show off their skills in a nonstop programme of entertainment over the weekend. Get there early as this marquee is known for being packed to the rafters all day long.

Croydon gets a Sneak Preview! - Step inside Movieplex's giant film contraption to be ushered around a curious collection of memorabilia from pioneering film maker Shanta Rao Dutt's travels. Then watch his newly unearthed film gems in the mini cinema.

Commissioned by The Liverpool Culture Company Ltd as part of the 2008 European Capital of Culture Funded by ACE with support from Brouhaha, MFV, Winchester Hat Fair and the Royal National Theatre.