Boy George & Culture Club to kick off festival

Boy George & Culture Club is set to headline the opening night of this year's Henley Festival.

The black-tie music and arts festival will take place on the riverside in Henley-on-Thames over five evenings between 8 July and 12 July.

The Grammy Award winners will kick off the festival, which will also feature Sugababes, Lulu, Alex James' Britpop Classical and Björn Again later in the week.

The festival, which takes place on the Oxfordshire-Berkshire border, was first held in 1982 and it attracts about 25,000 people each year.

Organisers said the festival is "truly an experience like no other" and will also feature Ezra Collection and Jo Whiley, who will perform a DJ set of 90s anthems.

Comedians Alan Davies, Russell Kane, Geoff Norcott, Suzi Ruffell and Julian Clary will also perform.

The festival is sponsored by Berkshire-based investment company Hemani.

"Henley Festival creates the most special, unforgettable experiences," its CEO Jo Bausor said.

"From emerging artists to established headliners, performances are pure joy – buzzy, energetic and certain to have everyone on their feet until the early hours.

"This year's starry line-up promises to continue this fantastic atmosphere, and whether you're a newcomer or returning, it is not only our performers but our audience who bring the glamour and feel-good factor.

"Dressed up in black-tie from sequins to suits, dancing to your favourite artists in a beautiful riverside setting, all festival-goers love how they can be part of the spectacle themselves."

Tickets are available for patrons of the festival. Friends of the festival, depending on their level of membership, will be able to buy their tickets between Thursday and 24 February respectively.

They will go on general sale from 26 February.