The ex-Led Zeppelin front man will line up alongside The Electric Soft Parade and American band McKay.

Plant will be here with his new band Strange Sensation, featuring Bristol musicians Clive Deamer and Jim Baggott, both previously from the group Portishead.

The addition of Plant is being seen as a bit of a coup for what is the longest running community festival in the country.

Organisers are proud of the tradition of attracting top acts to Ashton Court and last year more than 150,000 people enjoyed a weekend of music from bands like Reef and Bristol's own Kosheen.

But even the organisers admit landing Robert Plant is a major coup. He made his name in the 1970s with the legendary group Led Zeppelin and now has a huge following as a solo artist.

Meanwhile there's a Bristol slant on some of the other big acts taking part, including US soulstress Stephanie McKay.

She has teamed up with Geoff Barrow, also from Portishead, for her critically acclaimed self-titled debut album.

The Electric Soft Parade, a guitar/pop combo, will also be playing.

The band's debut album 'Holes In The Wall' also caused a stir when it was released last year.

Excitement

Ed Gibson, the music co-ordinator at the festival, said he was excited at the prospect of the bands playing in Bristol.

"With these internationally acclaimed acts there should be a great deal for everyone to enjoy."

Festival coordinator, Steve Hunt, was also thrilled with the programme.

"We are overjoyed at this fantastic line-up, which caters for all ages and music fans of all genres," he said.

The festival takes place on 19th and 20th July at the Ashton Court estate.