THE first headline act of Dwyfor Meirionnydd’s most prestigious festival has been announced.

Multi-award winning Festival No.6 recently announced legendary post-punk outfit The The as the first confirmed name on the bill for next year’s festival – the bands only confirmed UK date outside London.

One of the most important acts of the new wave era, the cult band were a beacon of passion and truth in Thatcher’s Britain and influenced an entire genre, according to festival organisers.

Forming in the late 70s and early eighties, The The have spent many weeks in the charts and helped define a generation.

After a hiatus of 15 years front man Matt Johnson has returned with new material, including film work and a collaboration with The Smith’s Johnny Marr, and is looking forward to a jam-packed 2018.

“I first visited beautiful Portmeirion as a child in the 1960s and have returned on holiday many times over the years,” he said.

“I’m also still a huge fan of The Prisoner. In recent years I’ve watched with great interest how Festival No.6 has grown into the most vibrant music, arts and culture festival in the UK.

“We are delighted to be headlining in 2018 and look forward to contributing to a fantastic festival with lots of wonderful people in the most idyllic setting imaginable.”

Festival founder Gareth Cooper said: “We are very excited to have The The at next year’s festival. They are an act that have always been on our list and when we heard Matt had the band back together and was performing live we had to have them. It’s going to be a real festival highlight next year.”

Festival No.6 will run from 6-9 September next year, early bird tickets are available from 26 October.