NOT only is James Bay following in Ed Sheeran’s footsteps with his Brit award, but he is now headlining at this year’s Barn On The Farm Festival.

James, the Critic’s Choice Brit award winner, will be playing his first worldwide festival headline slot in the intimate music festival, based in the heart of the Gloucestershire countryside, in July.

James’ hit EP, Hold Back The River, shot up the UK charts last year helping to earn him second place in the BBC Sound of 2015 nominations.

The Hertfordshire-born singer also had a minor hit with Let It Go from his EP The Dark of The Morning in 2014 and won himself a slot on the BBC Introducing playlist and support to Hozier on a US tour.

His debut album, Chaos and the Calm, was recorded under producer Jacquire King in Nashville.

Founder of the festival, Joshua Sanger, said: “It's been a real struggle the past few weeks keeping this a secret - so glad we can finally let it all out into the open.”

James will be joined on stage at the Barn on the Farm festival by Jack Garratt, Rhodes, Amber Run, Foy Vance, Nothing But Thieves, Chasing Grace, JP Cooper, Port Isla, The Academic and Osca. And there are more artists to be announced later.

Former artists appearing on the festival stage, Ed Sheeran, Bastille, George Ezra, Ben Howard, Chippenham’s Gabrielle Aplin and Hozier, have all gone on to become huge stars, so the event has a name for choosing up-and-coming acts.

Joshua said: “The festival has gained a reputation as a place where you will see the next big thing, while meeting some great friends.”

Barn On The Farm will run from July 3 to July 5, 2015, at Over Farm in Gloucestershire. Tckets are £120 for the full weekend. £100 for Saturday and Sunday. For more information see www.barnonthefarm.co.uk - Flicky Harrison