CHRISTMAS is yet to come, but organisers of the The Mello Festival have already announced their first seven artists for May, 2017, and the line-up looks set to be truly mega, with a strong focus on rock and retro.

Indeed, audiences at the Throckmorton celebration can even expect to cheer on those legends of Space Rock known as Hawkwind.

A spokesman said: "In 1970 the band appeared outside the perimeter fence of the Isle of Wight Festival.

"In 1972 the band recorded and released their trademark single “Silver Machine”, featuring Lemmy on vocals, - a huge hit that brought the band to the attention of the wider public, and has since been used in commercials for cars and vodka."

The Goldie Lookin Chain broke big in the summer of 2004 after being subjected to a bidding war from several major labels.

The band's Greatest Hits album reached no 5 in the UK album chart and spawned four top forty hits including the number three smash "Guns Don’t Kill People, Rappers Do"

Pop Punk will be served well with a set by Altered Images, featuring the vocalist and film actress, Clare Grogan.

The spokesman said: "After signing to Epic Records in 1981, Altered Images had worldwide success, selling millions of records, which topped the charts in several countries. They recorded three Top 10 Albums – 'Happy Birthday', 'Pinky Blue' and 'Bite'."

"Clare and her band have been touring the UK to play Altered Images' Greatest Hits."

Republica will be also ready to go.

The spokesman said: "Formed in the early 1990's, Republica have achieved sales of over three million albums going Top 5 in UK, US and Europe and achieving Platinum Sales Worldwide.

"After a long hiatus they started touring and releasing again in 2009 and are looking forward to playing the Mello Festival."

Mercury Prize winner, Johnny Hates Jazz will also be the Mello.

The band is best known for a cycle of hits in the late 1980’s, the most successful being “Shattered Dreams”.

The dance anthem diva, Rozalla, will also be wowing the crowds.

The spokesman added: "Her first UK single Born To Luv Ya became a club hit in 1990, but Rozalla’s career took off when the dance anthem Everybody’s Free (To Feel Good), reached number 6 in the UK Singles Chart in 1991.

"After touring with Michael Jackson, opening all of his performances on the European leg of his Dangerous tour, and several other charting singles Rozalla enjoyed UK Top 20/US Top 100 success in 1994 with her cover of I Love Music, the theme song to the film Carlito’s Way."

The Urban Cookie Collective are a British techno and house band best known for their hit single “The Key The Secret”, which was originally released in 1993.

The spokesman said: "It was the best-selling Dance song of 1993. The band remain actively together and still maintain a busy concert schedule including Mello Festival."

The Mello Festival 2017 will take place from May 26 to May 28.

Tickets and further details at, www.mellofestival.co.uk