COUNTER-CULTURE acts Morcheeba and Tricky will be the Saturday night co-headliners for the Galtres Parklands Festival 2014 at Duncombe Park, Helmsley, this summer.

Both rose to international prominence in the 1990s as central figures in a new wave of inventive musicians bending the boundaries of hip-hop, soul, R&B and electronica on era-defining, platinum and gold-certified British top ten albums.

Festival director James Houston said: “This is a major coup for us, and a big step forwards for our event, which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. We're thrilled to welcome Morcheeba and Tricky to the line-up; they're huge personal favourites of mine. Both acts are not just incredible mainstream success stories, they’re genuine cult idols too.

"We hope the fact they can sit happily on our festival line-up alongside the likes of The Human League, Levellers, Bellowhead, Public Service Broadcasting, The Jim Jones Review and Foy Vance reflects both the eclecticism and the sheer quality of this year’s programme. It’s going to be amazing."

Morcheeba were formed in London in 1995 by vocalist Skye Edwards, DJ-producer Paul Godfrey and multi-instrumentalist Ross Godfrey, releasing the albums Big Calm in 1998, Fragments Of Freedomin 2000 and Charango in 2002, each marked by down-tempo grooves, smoky, soothing vocals and an escapist sound. Last year, Edwards and the Godfrey brothers reunited for a new album, Head Up High.

Rapper Tricky first emerged as a vocalist on Blue Lines, the venerated 1991 album by fellow Bristolians Massive Attack, and he became an underground icon with his 1995 Mercury Award-nominated record Maxinquaye, NME magazine's album of that year.

"The past 19 years have seen Tricky exploring a vast array of genres, defying labels and flying in the face of convention," said Mr Houston.

"With a softly-spoken take on the rap genre, musical influences varying from rock to chilled psychedelia, and a reputation as a compelling live performer, Tricky is truly unique counter-culture legend."

Morcheeba and Tricky will perform at Galtres Parklands Festival on August 23, when Paris XY, Martin Stephenson, York musician Chris Helme and Beans On Toast will be in action too.

"A major indie profile act is still to be announced for the Saturday, following bookings for Maximo Park, Ash and The Charlatans in previous years," said Mr Houston.

One hundred acts will perform on seven stages from August 22 to 24; day and weekend tickets are on sale at galtresfestival.org.uk