LLANGOLLEN Fringe Festival has confirmed its headline acts for the 23rd edition of the popular town-based music and arts event.

Running from July 19-27 at Llangollen's town hall, the headliners include adventurer and film maker Bruce Parry, best known for his BBC TV series Tribe, who will be appearing in conversation alongside a screening of his film Tawai: A Voice from the Forest on July 21.

Elsewhere, cult psychedelic singer songwriter Robyn Hitchcock plays on July 23 with Welsh folk artist Lleuwen bringing her Breton-influenced melodies to the town hall on July 24.

On July 26, genre-straddling African Christian gospel rapper Emmanuel Jal will be making an appearance alongside his Sudanese sister Nyaruach. She lost her mother and was separated from the rest of her immediate family, including Jal, at the age of four. As years went on, the war in Southern Sudan intensified and the orphaned girl was forced to escape with her relatives. She witnessed her family members killed, houses burned and was raped by government officials. Her brother meanwhile was recruited as a child soldier. The siblings were reunited in 2004 and recorded a song together called Gua, which stands for 'peace' in their native Nuer tongue. The track was broadcast by BBC across Africa and became a number one hit in Kenya in 2005. It was also Jal’s breakthrough to the international market, earning him a spot on Bob Geldof’s Live 8 concert in the UK.

Also making a welcome return at the festival are favourites the Dub Pistols and there will also be a debut performance at the event for Glastonbury festival regulars Electric Swing Circus.

Other events include a stand up comedy night on July 19, as well as a ska-themed steam train ride and a musical canal boat trip. Tickets for all headline shows are on sale now, with a festival pass priced at £70 which allows access to all of the main events across the ten days.

Festival tickets and dates and times for all concerts and events are available from www.llangollenfringe.co.uk or by calling the Fringe box office: 0800 1455 77.