'We're so honoured to be playing Latitude'

Jazmine Banks and the Wild Hearts, Chest, Arthur Black, and Lottie Gray (left to right) will perform at this year's Latitude Festival

Independent artists from Suffolk and Norfolk have spoken of their excitement and disbelief after being selected to perform at this year's Latitude Festival.

The annual arts event, first hosted in 2006, will take place at Henham Park, near Southwold, Suffolk, from 24 to 27 July.

The line-up includes big-name headliners Sting, Fatboy Slim and Snow Patrol, as well as laugh-out-loud comedians like Bridget Christie, Greg Davies and Reggie Watts.

Local artists Lottie Gray, Pozzy, Arthur Black and Chest will also take to the Alcove Stage, and Jazmine Banks and The Wild Hearts will play The Sunrise Arena, all having been selected to perform by either BBC Introducing and First Light Festival.

Songwriter Lottie Gray was thrilled to have been asked to perform at this year's Latitude Festival

Lottie Gray from Gorleston, Norfolk, started writing songs aged eight and considers Latitude her local festival.

"I am so excited to be at Latitude because I have always wanted to play at Latitude and I am lucky enough to have been given the opportunity," the 21-year-old told the BBC.

"My whole family is going to come and watch. It's amazing and a big milestone for me. I can't wait.

"Expect upbeat, fun pop songs mixed with moody folky stuff, good songwriting and a great band."

Lowestoft musician Arthur Black said audiences could expect "lots of emotion" during her set at Latitude Festival

Singer Arthur Black, who is from Lowestoft, Suffolk, but based in Norwich, said she was "honoured" to be performing at the festival.

"It is so exciting and there will be lots of emotion," she said.

"Our performances are quite open and raw and we are a bit rocky at times, too, so you can get your boogie on.

"It is super-special and quite surreal and I am really looking forward to it. It's such a great community [at Latitude] and going back to reality is strange."

'It's so important'

Chest, a '90s grunge-inspired band from Norwich, thanked BBC Introducing for the impact it has had on the group's success so far.

"If it wasn't for BBC Introducing I don't think we would have got half the opportunities we have," said the group's guitarist, Stan.

"It's so nice to come to a festival that is on such beautiful grounds and there's so much nice water around here.

"So, I am looking forward to getting in that when we get here - a pre-show dip."

The annual arts event, first held in 2006, will welcome thousands of music fans to Henham Park, Suffolk, from 24 to 27 July

Grime and hip-hop artist Pozzy, from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, said he was shocked when he was asked to take his blend of "raw, relatable lyricism and energy" to the event.

Describing his reaction, he previously told BBC Introducing it was: "'No way? Thank you so much.

"That'll be sick; that'll be amazing. Let's do it."

This year's event, run by Festival Republic, is expected to attract as many as 45,000 music fans.