Headlining clue for 'Glasto of the north'

Deeply Vale will take place near Rochdale one weekend in June next year (subject to license). The festival was massive in the 1970s and became known as the 'Glastonbury of the north'.

With Glasto having a fallow year in 2006, Deeply Vale veteran Chris Hewitt has decided to resurrect the former hippy gathering as one alternative. (Glasto have given their blessing by agreeing to lend Deeply Vale its solar stages.)

Organisers have been in talks with some high profile artists to help revive the festival to its former glory, and have made no secret of their attempts to give the event a regional twist by attracting north west bands like Elbow, Doves and Badly Drawn Boy - all apparently considering the invitation.

But, for the first time, there has been a major clue as to the identity of the festival's headliner.

A spokesman for Deeply Vale said: "The major headliner is currently under negotiation but what we can say is they are massive. They love the idea of the relaunch of Deeply Vale Festival in 2006 as they haven't ever played an outdoor show in the North West before and they were one of the best acts at Live8 earlier this year and still have major leftfield credibility."

Our guess then would be either Coldplay or Stereophonics, although the latter played Move festival in Manchester last year, which was an outdoor show.

Organisers have also announced that BBC 6 Music have tentatively agreed to get on board. There's talk of Phil Jupitus and Marc Riley compering the main stage, with Craig Charles compereing a funk tent and Bruce Dickinson programming a rock stage.

There will also be an unsigned bands tent for local talent, in a similar mould to T In The Park's 'T-Break' tent.

Line up announcements are expected soon and tickets will be on sale in the new year.

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