It’s official! John Fairhurst’s been confirmed for the Cabaret Voltaire Stage at this year’s Aeon Festival. The self styled “shoestring boutique” festival takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend in Devon’s beautiful Shobrooke Park near Crediton. Over the event’s five year history, organisers have strived to create a “laid back bohemian feel, in the spirit of all the original festivals before commercialism prevailed.” The Cabaret Voltaire Stage, which shares a tent with the bar, promises “world music, funk, jazzy DJs, comics and poets” and invites you to “leave your troubles at the door.” It’s promoters are known for booking acts on the cusp of great things, and they certainly have an eye for talent- their gig with Speech Debelle in Exeter last year just before she won the Mercury Prize is a case in point. Other acts confirmed for Cabaret Voltaire this year include Mama Matrix, Maybe Myrtle Tyrtle and Hong Kong Ping Pong.

Following the US leg of John Fairhurst’s tour, he’s heading over the border to Mexico for a month of gigging, recording and discovery. The highlight is a gig at Morelia International Guitar Festival. Morelia in the state of Michoacán has long been regarded as Mexico’s musical mecca. The city houses Latin America’s oldest functioning conservatoire, as well as several large music festivals, the most popular of which is its well established guitar festival.

Musicians, guitar enthusiasts and students travel from all over the world to attend four days of concerts and workshops, and to drool over an array of handmade instruments for which the region is renowned.

Following more dates in Mexico, John returns to the UK in May for a month long tour of his native stomping ground. The first UK dates will be announced imminently, so keep your eyes peeled!