Ultimate nineties and noughties legends ride a wave of nostalgia

POP heroes Blue and East 17 will join the symphonic Ibiza Proms in the Park and DJ legends Sash! and Brandon Block as well as UK garage pioneers Artful Dodger in the Ultimate 90s & 00s Festival at Upton Country Park on Sunday 28 May.

The Festival, part of the May Day Bank Holiday Ultimate Festivals weekend at Upton, is the biggest gathering of nineties and noughties legends seen in a generation - and with tickets going on sale this week, the first 1000 ravers can pick up weekend tickets for just £60 with limited Sunday day tickets available for only £33.

"We're really excited to bring these incredible artists to Poole - there's no better to ease into a family bank holiday than an all-day party with some of the greatest tunes of this era," says festival director Ben Dyas of Immense Events.

"Everyone we approached jumped at the chance to get involved and it's such a beautiful setting on the shores of Poole Harbour on the front lawn of the magnificent Georgian Upton House."

Headliners Blue - Lee Ryan, Dorset-born Duncan James, Anthony Costa and Simon Webbe - are back together again after releasing their acclaimed Heart & Soul album last year and playing a sell-out tour of UK arenas. They're joined by 90s pop bad boys East 17 and Ibiza Proms in the Park performed by the 40-piece Secret Symphony Orchestra, specialists in symphonic versions of hands-in-the-air dance classics.

Also on the bill are legendary German DJ team Sash! and the original party starter Brandon Block with Southampton-based 2-step and UK garage progenitors Artful Dodger as well as Eurodance pop sensations Livin' Joy.

"It's a guaranteed good time," adds Ben, "and with everyone invited to bring their own food and drink we're reviving the tradition of picnic concerts on the lawn at Upton House."

The Ultimate 90s & 00s Festival rounds off a brilliant weekend of live music at Upton Country Park with the Ultimate Tributes Festival on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 May featuring a host of top tributes to Queen, ABBA, George Michael, Oasis, Foo Fighters among many others.

On-site parking is bookable in advance and gates open at 4pm on Friday, noon on Saturday and 1pm on Sunday.

Full details at www.ultimate-festivals.com.