Boardmasters competition winner to join main stage

The winner of a festival's first breaking music competition has been revealed.

Falmouth-based indie-folk artist Essy Sparrow is set to perform at this year's Boardmasters festival after winning the Breaking contest, which aims to give local acts a chance to perform in front of thousands.

Sparrow, who has won the opportunity to play the opening set on the main stage at Watergate Bay on Sunday 9 August, said her music was about showing "brilliant artistry does not have to just come from the city".

She added: "I grew up in the South West so to get to play the main stage at a major festival just half an hour from my home is wild to me."

Announcing the winner on BBC Introducing in the South West, presenter Daniel Pascoe said: "We've been championing Essy for a while now and we know how hard she has worked for this.

"It'll be great to see her performing alongside big artists like Kasabian and Loyle Carner."

Asha Banks and Tinie Tempah are also due to perform at the festival on the same day.

Sparrow performed at Boardmasters on the View Stage for the first time last year.

Fatboy Slim, Lily Allen, the Kooks and the Darkness are among the other acts set to perform across the four-day event.

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