With six weeks to go, things are shaping up for this year’s phat-beats-in-the-sunshine extravaganza. That’s right folks, Urban Picnic Sounds 2006 is only six weeks away. We’re back at the Rhythms of the World festival on the 15th & 16th July for two more days of top-notch audio.

For those that have experienced it before: expect more of the same… plus some! For those that haven’t yet had the pleasure of UPS, let us fill you in…

Imagine two full days of laidback beats, soulful grooves, barbecues and firendly family vibes – all wrapped up in glorious sunshine.

The highlight of the Blunt calendar is when we hook up with the good people at Rhythms of the World (ROTW) to provide a weekend of summer bluntness. Rhythms of the World is the UK’s biggest free, world-music festival and has gone off in Hitchin, Herts annually since 1992.

For one weekend each July ROTW embeds itself in the heart of a historic Home Counties town and offers up music, arts, crafts and culture from the four corners of the globe – and we’re very proud to be part of it.

For the fourth year running we are back at ROTW, on the bandstand stage in Bancroft Gardens, to bring you Urban Picnic Sounds. 14 hours of the worldclass audio served up by all the crew plus very special guests.

Running times are from midday until 8pm on Saturday 15th July, and midday until 6pm on Sunday 16th July. We’re just finalising the playlist and confirming a sound rig to do it justice, so watch this space. It will be announced on this very site next week.

Over the next six weeks running up to UPS2006 we’ll bring you more news on how things are developing and news from ROTW HQ. We’ll also be building up the buzz on Blunt Beats Radio with some exclusive sets from UPS guests.

Until then – Have you been before? Have you already got it in your calendar for this year? Got any fond memories of previous UPS shindigs? – Get wit the comments folks!