Emily DennisBrit-winning Florence and the Machine have been named as one of the headline acts at this summer's Latitude Festival. The critically-acclaimed band, led by Florence Welch, are joined by fellow headliners Belle and Sebastian and Vampire Weekend.Emily Dennis

Brit Award winners Florence and the Machine have been named as one of the headline acts at this summer's Latitude Festival.

The critically-acclaimed band, led by songstress Florence Welch, will take centre stage at the festival along with fellow headliners indie pop band Belle and Sebastian, New York indie rock quartet Vampire Weekend, and Australian electric music duo Empire of the Sun.

The Maccabees, an indie rock five-piece from Brighton, and Mexican musical duo Rodrigo y Gabriela also join the list of headline acts performing at Latitude's obelisk arena.

Revealing the start of the festival line-up to coincide with tickets going on sale, organisers say that more than 700 performers will be announced over the coming months.

The event on the Henham estate, between Beccles and Southwold, is one of the region's most popular music and arts festivals and is back this summer for a fifth year from July 15-18.

Over the last few years Latitude has grown in size and become one of the most hotly anticipated events in the festival diary.

Artists set to appear at the festival's word arena include Grizzly Bear, a Brooklyn-based folk rock band, French actress and singer-songwriter Charlotte Gainsbourg, The National, a Brooklyn-based indie rock band, and The xx, a three-piece band from Wandsworth.

With a full programme of performances from the worlds of poetry, theatre, comedy and literature, Latitude promises to offer much more than just music.

Comedians set to appear include Emo Philips, who has been described by American talk show host Jay Leno as 'the best joke writer in America', award-winning Irish comic Tommy Tiernan and festival favourite Marcus Brigstocke.

Festival-goers will be able to enjoy performances in the theatre arena from a line-up that includes the Royal Opera House, The Royal Shakespeare Company, The Opera Group and London Sinfonietta, and the English Touring Theatre Company.

Latitude regular Robin Ince will be reprising the book club for the literary arena and will be joined by American novelist Bret Easton Ellis for a reading and discussion of his new novel Imperial Bedrooms.

Kent-born poet Wendy Cope will be taking to the poetry arena alongside poet and author Blake Morrison and novelist and poet Jacob Polley.

Comedian Rich Fulcher will be performing in the cabaret arena and will be joined by Perrier Comedy Award winner Laura Solon and Idiots of Ants, who will be bringing their fast-paced sketch comedy to the festival.

Radio DJ and presenter Mark Lamarr will be presenting his BBC Radio 2 show God's Jukebox in the music and film arena.

Melvin Benn, managing director of organisers Festival Republic, said: 'Five glorious years on and Latitude Festival continues to be everything I wanted it to be. The breadth and calibre of programming across the arts and music consistently astounds me and I am delighted that Latitude has earned its place as a festival of choice for many.

'With an incredible wealth of talent joining us at Henham Park year on year, Latitude holds its unique position in the festival season. It is indeed a very special weekend.'

t Tickets for Latitude Festival are now on sale. Weekend tickets cost �155 including VAT, subject to booking fee. Day tickets for Friday, Saturday and Sunday cost �65 including VAT, subject to booking fee. Weekend ticket prices include car parking and camping. Day tickets include car parking only.

t To book call the credit card line 0871 2310846 or visit www.festivalrepublic.com; www.seetickets.com or www.latitudefestival.co.uk

THE FESTIVAL GOERS' REACTION

t Grouchland - Belle & Sebastian are gonna be amazing, I'll probably give Vampire Weekend a chance as well. Empire Of The Sun could be good, though the records aren't that strong they look like a decent-ish mid-day band with the full stage show and that. I'll also see Grizzly Bear, if just for Two Weeks, and pray to god The xx are better than last year.

t Stooza - Considering last years headliners (who were they again?) I think this is an improvement a million times over. I'm not sure why people are so against the three headliners. Fit the size profile of Latitude - don't have the mass draw of other festivals etc. I'm really not sure what people want. But I was still thinking that I would wait and see how things went with other announcements before committing.

t SG - Not so bad. Disappointed about the lack of Gorillaz or Gaga, but Belle and Seb will be good enough for me!

t Propphlex - Definitely an improvement on last year, quite pleased about The xx playing again since I was quite disappointed to realise that, when I started listening to them in September, they had actually been there last year. All in all, can't complain - even if I was secretly hoping for Gorillaz.

t Beirut - The Horrors Sunday night will be phenomenal. The second stage looks ****ing amazing, Rodrigo y Gabriella a great coup as well as Gainsbourg. Mainstage Saturday and Friday boring as **** so far, but the underbelly will be amazing as usual, but Horrors headlining Sunday is major highlight so far!

t Sharplimbed - Not at all impressed with the headliners. When I saw them I thought "right, green man this year" but damn - Grizzly Bear, National, Rodrigo y Gabriela, The xx, Charlotte Gainsbourg. That's amazing.

t Reactions taken from Latitude forum at: forums.latitudefestival.co.uk/