A UNIQUE genre mashing act has been confirmed as one of this year’s headliners for Rhythms of The World.

Ska Cubano, who blend Jamaican, Cuban, and Columbian influences, will bring the festival to a close on the Sunday night.

The band have played nearly 200 gigs in 30 countries and have been described as “amazing” by TV funny man Phill Jupitus.

National newspapers have also been singing their praises with an article in The Independent saying Ska Cubano “are gaining more attention than any ska band since the 1980s, cooking up a huge sound, winning you over with sheer exuberance”.

Rhythms of the World, which runs from July 9-10, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and have gone all out to mark the occasion.

Festival performance director Steve Smither has already booked a variety of performers for this year’s event.

Raghu Dixit, an Indian independent music artist, will headline the main stage on Saturday.

Described as “a rising star” by festival organisers, his debut album, released in 2008, went on to become India’s highest selling non-film release of the year.

Other acts of note include local band The Blues Agents, who like Rhythms of the World, are celebrating 20 years together and The Monsters.

The band features Hitchin’s Michael Roden, otherwise known as the vicar of St Mary’s Church.

Rhythms of the world will once again be returning to Hitchin’s Priory and more information is availible from www.rotw.org.uk.