THE biggest music festival in Hampshire is now under way.

Boomtown Fair is expected to draw in nearly 67,000 revellers from across the country – with some attendees travelling from overseas - this weekend.

The five-day event at Matterley Bowl is set for its biggest year yet, with headliners including American singer-songwriter and rapper Lauryn Hill, rap-rock super group Prophets of Rage, and The Streets, the iconic alternative hip-hop band.

Arguably the UK’s most outrageous festival, the infamous shindig returns for its 11th chapter this week. That's a decade of chapters brimming with music, art, and theatrics already under the belts of organisers.

The full line-up will comprise more than 500 artists across 27 main stages and 80 interactive street venues, featuring music from over 80 genres.

Boomtown follows a storyline that evolves each year and is played out across 14 differently themed ‘districts’ within the site.

The queen of hip-hop and pop culture icon, Lauryn Hill, leads proceedings, alongside Mike Skinner’s newly revived The Streets. Hip-hop/rock supergroup Prophets of Rage join them, comprised of members of Public Enemy, Cypress Hill and Rage Against The Machine.

American gypsy punk band Gogol Bordello will return to play their third set at the festival, following appearances in 2011 and 2015.

A strong DJ contingent will also be in attendance this year, with Carl Cox, Four Tet, Amelie Lens and Ben UFO b2b Joy Orbison lined up to lead the Area 404 stage, a new addition for 2019.

Playing one of their celebrated new RTRN II JUNGLE DJ sets, Chase & Status debut at Boomtown, with Groove Armada, My Nu Leng, Patrick Topping and Horse Meat Disco among the other highlights from electronic music this year.

UB40 ft Ali Campbell and Astro play the Lion’s Den main stage, with Chronixx also on the bill. Punk-rock duo Slaves, Swedish indietronica group Little Dragon, pioneer of UK hip-hop and spoken word Kate Tempest, as well as the legendary Salt N Pepa join them.

Boomtown allows you to explore the city through the old town, take a wander through the forest or keep younger members of the family entertained with Kidztown.

The festival has grown from 1,000 to 66,000 capacity since 2009. Boomtown Fair runs until Sunday.