Keane set to headline the Hastings Beer and Music Festival

Seven years after they last played at the popular festival, the boys from Battle will return to Alexandra Park on July 6.

From 9am today (Friday) there will be 5,000 tickets on sale on line which are expected to sell out within a few hours.

When tickets went on sale earlier this year for the De La Warr Pavilion in March, the two shows sold out within minutes.

There will be a big top tent erected in the grounds off Dordrecht Way with the festival starting on Thursday July 5.

The Battle of Hastings Proms welcomes Roger Wilcock’s 120-strong Big Choir. On Friday night Keane will be on stage with support by local bands Spin and the Virgin Soldiers.

On Saturday night Ska’d For Life will headline the show with support from Not Guilty and Dorey the Wise.

The festival will feature a selection of more than 100 real ales all served from one of the longest bars ever assembled in Europe inside the big top tent.

On Saturday there will also be a family fun event running from noon to 5pm.

All money raised over the weekend will be given to local causes including St Michael’s Hospice. Festival spokesman Adam Streather said: “It is a bit of coup for us because Keane are even bigger now than when they were last here in 2005.

“We had a record crowd of about 8,000 then but that was due to it being an open-air event.

“This year promises to be one of the best ever. We will have the big top keeping everyone dry and serving up a wide range of ales from across the country.

“We expect tickets for Friday night to sell like hot cakes. Keane are local lads and very popular. They have a new album out on Monday and I’m sure they will want to try out a few of their new numbers.”

Doors open each night at 6pm. Tickets prices are: Thursday night £15 in advance, £20 on the night; Friday night £22.50; Saturday £10.

For tickets and more information visit www.hbmf.co.uk.