David Rodigan confirmed for Parklife Weekender festival in Manchester

Manchester music festival Parklife Weekender has kicked off a fortnight of line-up announcements with the news that reggae specialist DJ David Rodigan will both perform and curate his own stage.

The 61-year-old whose new show with BBC Radio 1Xtra was announced last month, told The Independent: "Parklife is a fantastic festival, the heartbeat of the Manchester summer and I'm delighted to present a stageat such a prestigious event."

"I can't wait reveal the full line-up, it will be a guaranteed lighters up, rubba dub session!"

Two months ago Rodigan resigned from London station Kiss after 22 years on the network, complaining that reggae music was being marginalised in the schedule.

His appearance at Parklife Weekender, which is fast becoming a highlight of the North West’s music scene having sold-out for the last three years, is the first of 14 line-up announcements - the rest of which will be revealed every day until 14 February.

Among the artists already confirmed are Everything Everything and Hot Natured.

Previous years have seen artists including The Flaming Lips, Dizzee Rascal and Katy B, as well as DJ acts such as Simian Mobile Disco and Jamie XX take to the stage.

www.parklife.uk.com