This award-winning festival tries just that bit harder: right from its deeply green credentials with the most impressive recycling initiatives, through to the KidsZone keeping younger festivalgoers entertained, to making sure everyone enjoys the music whatever the weather, with all sets being undercover on indoor and outdoor marquee stages.

Oysterband will of course be returning as festival hosts with various performances across the weekend. They’ll be joined by Scottish twins The Proclaimers who will be bringing their own blend of wit and sing-along raucousness to the festival, performing the hits that have made them a household name.
 
Headlining alongside The Proclaimers will be one of the British folk scene’s best loved artists – Kate Rusby. Also on the festival bill are Oxford five-piece Stornoway, recently seen on ‘Later’ with Jools Holland. They’ll be joined on the bill by Irish favourites Dervish, who after 20 years together continue to be one of the most respected world/roots music acts around today.

The winner of BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards’ Singer of the Year and Best Album 2009, Chris Wood, will also be performing over the weekend. Also thrown into the mix is former member of Rachel Unthank & The Winterset, Jackie Oates. Having been named Best Newcomer at the BBC Folk Awards, Jackie’s solo career has gone from strength to strength, with her recent album Hyperbeans released to critical acclaim.

As if that isn’t enough, festivalgoers can also look forward to Miles Hunt & Erica Nockalls from The Wonder Stuff doing an acoustic (guitar and violin) performance, traditional Irish folk from banjo maestro Damien O’Kane, and husband and wife duo Megson, who after supporting the likes of Seth Lakeman (who deemed them “amongst the most exciting trailblazers of British Contemporary Folk”) and Show of Hands, have gone on to sell-out their own extensive tours. Add to that a performance from Oysterband’s very own Ray ‘Chopper’ Cooper debuting his new album, unique and visually compelling Ceilidh band Whapweasel with the one and only Gordon Potts as caller, and something altogether different from Holy Bandits, 2010 looks to have the foundations to be the most exciting Big Session yet.

Further line-up announcements will be coming soon, so be sure to keep an eye on the website for updates at www.bigsessionfestival.com.
 
Early Bird tickets are priced at only £62.50 for the whole weekend are available to buy now until Sunday 28th February, with family and children options also available. Tickets can be purchased online at www.bigsessionfestival.com or from the De Montfort Hall Box Office on 0116 233 3111. Remember, last year’s festival was a sell-out so be sure to get your tickets in advance.