Music
A new "innovative, diverse and outward-looking" music festival is to take place in Reading next year.
Heavenly Planet follows the departure of the WOMAD festival for Wiltshire in 2006.
The two-day event will be aimed at families and younger festival-goers and will be held on the same Rivermead site which hosted its predecessor.
Reading Festival organiser Melvin Benn said he and former WOMAD visionary Thomas Brooman are expecting big acts to perform at the new attraction.
Benn said: "For two years now, the council and I have been discussing the idea of a new, innovative, diverse and outward-looking festival. But it was only when I ran the idea by Thomas and established that it was possible to bring his ideas into the structure as artistic director and joint shareholder that it became a must.
"Thomas brings everything we were looking for to the table and the partnership is now complete. It will make for a very exciting future - a heavenly future, I hope."
The council is expected to approve Heavenly Planet at its meeting on Monday, with the festival planned for July 10 and July 11, 2009.
Organisers expect weekend passes to cost around £70.
Heavenly Planet follows the departure of the WOMAD festival for Wiltshire in 2006.
The two-day event will be aimed at families and younger festival-goers and will be held on the same Rivermead site which hosted its predecessor.
Reading Festival organiser Melvin Benn said he and former WOMAD visionary Thomas Brooman are expecting big acts to perform at the new attraction.
Benn said: "For two years now, the council and I have been discussing the idea of a new, innovative, diverse and outward-looking festival. But it was only when I ran the idea by Thomas and established that it was possible to bring his ideas into the structure as artistic director and joint shareholder that it became a must.
"Thomas brings everything we were looking for to the table and the partnership is now complete. It will make for a very exciting future - a heavenly future, I hope."
The council is expected to approve Heavenly Planet at its meeting on Monday, with the festival planned for July 10 and July 11, 2009.
Organisers expect weekend passes to cost around £70.
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