THE latest addition to this year’s Purbeck Folk Festival, Turin Brakes join the festival’s strongest bill to date and confirms that Purbeck continues to punch way above its weight.

A decade and a half since childhood friends Olly Knights and Gale Paridjanian formed the band, they have just released their most acclaimed album to date, We Were Here and completed their most extensive tour of the UK.

The boys have also established a solid foothold in the States where their song, Inbetween, is featured in hit TV show Elemental, a contemporary Sherlock Holmes update starring Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu.

“I saw them play with the likes of Carthy & Swarbrick, Jackie Oates and The Albion Band at Lyme Regis last year and they were absolutely amazing,” says Purbeck Folk Festival director Catherine Burke.

“Led by two acoustic guitars and harmony vocals, they played a chilled out set of beautiful, well-crafted songs, which still managed to have its rockier moments. I knew they would be perfect for Purbeck.”

Having released their Mercury Music Prize nominated debut album The Optimist (2001), Turin Brakes’ second album Ether Song (2003) entered the UK charts at number four and spawned the top five single Pain Killer (Summer Rain). That was followed by the top 10 album JackinABox (2005) and Dark On Fire (2007). The band signed to Cooking Vinyl in 2009 and released Outbursts (2010).

Olly and Gale, now joined by long-term collaborators Rob Allum (percussion) and Eddie Myer (bass), will draw on their distinguished six-stringed past to play Purbeck, but also showcase We Were Here, which echoes with the pastoral psychedelia of Pink Floyd, the soul of Laurel Canyon and the blues of the Mississippi Delta.

Now in its sixth year, Purbeck Folk Festival’s inclusive booking policy ensures an eclectic mix of original young folk, established roots, traditional and world music in a fun, family-friendly environment.

The four stages are contained in the farm’s barns and a marquee venue that hosts the Purbeck Rising final and open mic sessions.

There’s also a host of additional entertainment that includes a comedy line-up, an on-site cinema programme, art interventions and workshops, a fancy dress parade, a poetry slam, kids’ activity pen and a beer festival with 40 local real ales, 20 ciders and even a Dorset pils lager.

Weekend tickets (Fri-Sun) include free camping and are on sale at just £90 (£45 12-17 years, £10 4-11 years, under-4s free).

Day camping is available on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at £10 a night on arrival.

A limited number of festival day tickets will also be available.

n Purbeck Folk Festival runs from August 21 to 24. For more information call 023 8071 1818 or visit purbeckfolk.co.uk