A NEW major music festival, believed to be the replacement for the much-loved V Festival, will be headlined by Liam Gallagher and Stereophonics, it has been announced.

The RiZE Festival, is being held at Hylands Park, Chelmsford, on Friday, August 17 and Saturday, August 18 - the same place as V Festival and on the same weekend as it was held last year.

It is believed the festival has replaced V, which was scrapped after more than 20 years following an announcement by Virgin founder Richard Branson.

Last year was its final event.

On Monday night, the initial line-up was announced for the event, which looks set to feature more rock and indie acts than the pop-orientated V Festival. Top names including Bastille, James Bay, Rag ‘n’ Bone Man, Plan B and Rita Ora were announced.

Tickets, starting at £59.50 for day tickets, will go on sale on Friday, March 2.

The first set will give priority to Chelmsford residents living within three miles of Hylands Park, and the second will be for residents across Essex.

A spokesman for Chelmsford City Council said: “The dedicated Essex residents’ ticketing allocation gives festival-goers the opportunity to purchase up to four tickets through the dedicated Essex residents’ booking system for the Chelmsford festival site, 24 hours before national sales commence.”

When news of the new festival surfaced on Twitter, music fans were filled with excitement at the news. Many are hoping that the new festival will return to the V Festival of old. One person tweeted: “So RiZE Festival is replacing V Festival in Chelmsford.

“Imagine if it’s an all-out rock and indie festival.”

Another music fan added: “I have my fingers crossed for an indie and rock music festival.

“It would be great for RiZE to be like V Festival used to be in the early 2000s.”

The full list of acts revealed so far is: Liam Gallagher, Stereophonics, James Bay, Manic Street Preachers, Circa Waves, Bastille, Maximo Park, Craig David, Years & Years, Plan B, Rag’n’Bone Man, Rita Ora, Example & DJ Wire.

Tokio Myers, MNEK, Disciples, Sinead Harnett, The Manor, Lewis Capaldi, Tom Grennan, Raye, Tom Walker, Nina Nesbitt and Jacob Banks will also be performing. More acts will also be announced across four stages. Visit www.rizefestival.co.uk