Top line-up announced for Rip Curl Boardmasters Unleashed Saturday 11th August

Europe's biggest surf, skate and music festival the Rip Curl Boardmasters returns to Newquay for a 26th year and is back boasting another stunning line-up for it's music festival, 'Unleashed'.

Since it's inception three years ago, the Unleashed festival located at the scenic location of Watergate Bay has consistently delivered top International headliners including Feeder, James Blunt and Razorlight and is fast becoming the biggest and best live music event in the South West.

Organisers can reveal that one of Scotland's finest exports PAOLO NUTINI will headline an impressive bill on SATURDAY 11TH AUGUST featuring special guests, the eccentric indie rockers the GUILLEMOTS and the achingly talented SCOTT MATTHEWS.

PAOLO NUTINI in recent months has made the move from newly signed act to major artist, at the age of 18 he was signed by Atlantic Records and since has fast carved a contemporary niche for himself in the tradition of heavy weight soul artists such as Marvin Gaye, Louis Armstrong and Al Green.

His musical talent first became apparent when he started to sing in the school choir, where he was luckily encouraged to follow a more soulful route than the average choirboy

Initially, I'd wanted to be a football player, he says, specifically a goal keeper, but the more I sang, the more I realised it was something I could do.

Hailing from a music loving family (Nutini's grandfather introduced him to Scottish folk songs and his father and aunt introduced R&B), his career in the music business began as a roadie and sometime support act to his friend's band. He moved to London and began a round of performances in bars, which got him noticed and created a sizeable buzz.

After being snapped up by Atlantic, Nutini moved to Liverpool and began to record his debut album with producer Ken Nelson, renowned for his work with Coldplay, Ray LaMontagne and Badly Drawn Boy. The album, which went to number three in the charts and went platinum a few weeks after it's release, draws on Nutini's own experiences - The album is an autobiographical journey, a diary if you like he says, and many of the songs tell of his already rich romantic life.

It's popularity, both with the public and also with the critics, has cemented Nutini's reputation as a major success story, and this is reflected in his hectic international festival diary for this year - as well as Unleashed, he is booked to perform at T in the Park, Isle of Wight, and V Fest in the UK plus Bonarroo in the USA and the highly credible East Coast Blues and Roots in Byron Bay, Australia.

Andrew Topham from Sportsvision (the organisers) said “we are absolutely delighted to have Paolo Nutini as one of our headliners in 2007, bands like Razorlight, James Blunt, Feeder and The Automatic have blown audiences away at our previous Unleashed festivals and this year's line-up will be no exception, the quality is superb and offers something for everyone

Special guests on Saturday 11th August are the multi national, multi instrumentalists the GUILLEMOTS. Recent nominees for 'Best Live Band' at this year's Brit Awards, the band create songs that are lovingly put together with lush, multi layered production using odd noises and unusual instruments like egg timers or maracas.

Singer songwriter Fyfe Dangerfield says “he is trying to make music for the masses with a twist! It's definitely pop music and I've got no qualms about that

With a Brazilian guitarist, Scottish drummer, Canadian double bassist and frontman Dangerfield hailing from Birmingham, this band say they “share an attitude rather than a taste in Music!

This will be the first visit to Cornwall for the Guillemots, a treat indeed, expect a lively set featuring hits from their debut album “Through The Window Pane.

One of the music industries most exciting discoveries of 2006, singer songwriter SCOTT MATTHEWS will also perform on the Unleashed stage, which arguably has the most dramatic view of all those in the UK and indeed world!

Taking the 'Sunset slot' and if the weather god's are on our side, audiences should prepare themselves for a breathtaking utterly spine tingling 60 minutes from this truly inspirational performer.

Hailing from Wolverhampton and likened to such greats as Jeff Buckley, Nick Drake, Jimi Hendrix and Ryan Adams, Matthews released his debut album “Passing Stranger to critical acclaim last October. Full of magical urban folk songs, much praise was heaped upon this new emerging talent, with the likes of Zane Lowe, Jo Whiley and Mark Radcliffe giving huge airplay support.

Currently touring the UK and Ireland, Scott Matthews no doubt be one of the festival highlights.

More acts from the Saturday 11th line up are will be announced over the coming weeks, including one of Cornwall's very own 'jewels'.

The headliner and line-up for Friday 10th August will also be revealed in the next few weeks – a much rockier feel, with some amazing bands set to perform.

Tickets for Unleashed cost £25 each night or £45 for a weekend ticket. and are available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk (subject to booking fee).

For further information on the Rip Curl Boardmasters visit www.ripcurlboardmasters.com

www.paolonutini.com
www.scottmatthewsmusic.com
www.guillemots.com