SWEDISH sister act, First Aid Kit, will be taking centre stage at this year’s Larmer Tree Festival as part of a move to put more female talent in the spotlight.

Organisers say they are striving for equality in their programming in recognition of this month’s celebration of 100 years of suffrage.

Six out of the ten acts are either women or female-fronted, in a turnaround to the normally male-dominated festival line-ups.

Following the release of their critically acclaimed album Ruins, the duo are set to enthral crowds with their blend of country-folk-pop, wistful melodies, empowering vocals and their signature flawless harmonies.

First Aid Kit will be joined by Jake Bugg, who at 18 supported the Rolling Stones and Stone Roses with his style of ‘skiffley blues’.

Now 23-years-old, you can still hear influences of his adolescent love of Don McLean, the Everly Brothers and Johnny Cash. Since releasing his debut album in 2012, the 23-year-old singer has seen a meteoric rise to success, with hits such as Lightning Bolt and Slumville Sunrise. garnering support and airplay internationally.

Having released his fourth studio album Hearts That Strain in September last year, Bugg’s time in Nashville Tennessee, certainly shines through in this new album – it is warm and glowing, perfect listening for summertime in the garden.

Joining them will be musical activists Tune-Yards. Fronted by the enigmatic Merrill Garbus, known for pushing herself as a musician and an artist with her genre-popping, ever-evolving music, Tune-Yards’ live shows are delivered with ecstatic energy, mashing-up pop, hip-hop, soul, folk, rock, 80’s house, African beats, and Caribbean music.

Other acts confirmed for the family-friendly festival are Susanne Sundfør, Nadine Shah, Elephant Sessions, Chris Wood, Naaz, Seamus Fogarty and Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker.

This year also marks the addition of the new Larmer Spa where festival-goers will be able to indulge in hot tubs, a sauna yurt, and a cosy Bedouin chill out lounge. complete with huge bean bags, rugs and throws which will sit alongside therapists and holistic workshops.

Set in the Victorian gardens of Cranborne Chase, Larmer Tree is one of the UK’s long standing festivals, now in its 27th year, following a year long hiatus in 2017.

Festival founder James Shepard said: “We are thrilled to announce the first acts to be joining us for Larmer Tree Festival 2018. With plenty more names still to be announced, this is just the start of a fantastic journey towards our much-anticipated return in July.”

Creative director, Sarah Dennehy added: “It’s an honour to be involved with this longstanding, independent, super cool little Festival. And stoked to announce our first wave of acts; but there’s much more to be announced over the coming months, with one or two surprises!”

Larmer Tree runs from July 19 to July 22. For tickets, visit larmertreefestival.co.uk