HIP hop icons including Grandmaster Flash and a Tribe Called Quest have been lined up to appear in Essex at this year’s Brownstock Festival.

The ever-expanding South Woodham Ferrers festival has gone from strength to strength over the years, and has announced some big names ahead of the August event.

Although it still promises a family feel and intimate, friendly atmosphere, festivalgoers will be able to rave to the sounds of hip-hop legend Grandmaster Flash – who along with his band, the Furious Five, were the first rap group to be inducted into the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame – and Can I Kick It? chart-toppers, a Tribe called Quest.

Radio One stalwart Zane Lowe and Shooting Stars oddball Angelos Epithemiou will also be performing DJ sets.

Joining the names announced so far are Todd Lat, Doorly and the Cuban Brothers, with more to be revealed in the next few weeks Music director Mat Dixon says: “I’m already stoked about it. The majority of these people I’ve been listening to for years. I’m a massive fan of hip hop and to have Grandmaster Flash and a Tribe Called Quest is just on another level.

“The uptake’s been so good. On Twitter and Facebook, people are saying they can’t believe we’ve got them. Everyone’s going a bit crazy.

“For people who are into this kind of thing, these are living legends and it’s a real opportunity to get up close and personal with them.”

Many more acts – including further big names – are promised, though Mat’s keeping it all under wraps for now.

Hinting at the kind of acts yet to be announced, he says: “There are only a few big current bands out there who are worth really talking about, and we’re in talks with one of them. We’re also talking to a particular producer who I’d go as far as to say is an international superstar who has worked with everyone from Snoop Dogg to Amy Winehouse. It’s difficult to say more without giving anything away.”

There are a few new additions to the site as well. An exciting new tree house stage, which Mat says will literally be in a tree is one. He adds: “It’s all been signed off by health and safety.”

As well as last year’s panto stage for comedy acts, silent disco and piano bar, a new dance tent, with a smaller, more intimate atmosphere is also promised. Brownstock started out as a small, family affair, but the original house party has grown each year. Still run by sibling trio Jess, Adam and Anna Brown and their friend, Mat, it is held on the family farm.

The organisers have worked closely with the rest of the village to develop a festival that’s considered an asset to the area.

This year there will also be a Brownstock art camp and plenty of local food stalls and other activities.

l Brownstock is at Morris Farm, Lower Burnham Road, Stow Maries, near South Woodham Ferrers, from August 31 until September 1. Tickets are £74 for adult weekend campers, with youth, group and disabled concessions available.

For details, visit brownstock.co.uk