Groundswell, a new music and surf festival, will bring Grammy award-winning and multi-platinum recording artist Jason Mraz to the shores of Hossegor France to headline Groundswell’s inaugural music stage on the 17th September 2011.

Mraz has sold more than 5.5 million albums and 15 million singles, won two Grammy Awards and had 6 Grammy nominations.  His latest album, ‘We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.’ is five times platinum in France and includes the track “I’m Yours,” which has become the longest running song on the Billboard ‘Hot 100’ in its 51 year history.

Groundswell has also confirmed Felix Da Housecat to headline the dance stage with his world renowned bass lines, while DJ producer Erol Alkan brings his 24 carat party gold beats to the dance arena. The great French eclectic act Cocoon will be playing, and DJ Don Rimini will also be on hand to keep the Groundswell Dance Arena moving.

Chilling things out on the main stage, surf and music legend Donavon Frankenreiter will be providing a perfect foil to the incredible voice and acoustic mastery of Newton Faulkner. Aussie Mat McHugh of the “The Beautiful Girls” and UK musician Ben Howard will also both inject some carefree surf style harmonies to the French shores rounding out a line-up that will have an expected crowd of 15,000 surf and music revelers immersed in a unique ‘Surf Summer Sound’ experience that is Groundswell.

Groundswell Commercial Director, Ian Bushell, comments: “We believe we’ve put together a unique and eclectic line up that genuinely reflects what the festival is all about. From our coup in securing one of Jason Mraz’s first performances in some time on the Groundswell Main Stage, supported by Donovan and Newton, plus the energy of the dance arena headlined by Felix Da Housecat – it’s guaranteed to be a storming first year for the festival. We can’t wait for September. Watch this space as we have more acts to confirm”.

Alongside the musical headliners, festival goers will also be able to book their own bespoke Groundswell package via Groundswell’s Travel Experience website which will offer a range of activities and accommodation to book, to make Groundswell a festival to remember.

“Our aim is to make Groundswell more than just a music event,” said Allez-oop Co-Director Linzi Wilson. “We will enable our audience to experience all that Hossegor and the surrounding area has to offer with exclusive travel packages. We’ll make sure festival goers have access to the best deals for accommodation, surf lessons, bike hire, and much more. We will keep you up to date with the latest surf reports, club nights and Groundswell activities. Groundswell is everything you need for an amazing summer, surf, sound experience.”

There will be a strong eco theme to the festival that aims to be a carbon neutral event and like its eco-award winning sister event, Grassroots Jersey, Groundswell will showcase a commitment to environmental sustainability and global responsibility through the Groundswell Eco– Village. The Eco – Village will showcase local green businesses from the Landes region, and is also an area where Groundswell help promote non-profit organisations related to humanitarian causes and the environment, such as Surf Aid international.

To be held on September 17th, Groundswell is being run by Jersey-based events company Allez-oop and will take place amongst the world class waves and stunning beaches of the southern Landes region, Europe’s surf capital, situated in a beautiful forest site in Angresse, Hossegor.

Tickets for Groundswell start at €45, with further line-up and brand partnerships to be announced soon.  

Website: www.groundswell-festival.com