A chart-topping musician has been announced as the final headliner of a festival.

Rapper Example will play the opening night of this year’s Great Escape Festival on May 8. He joins other headliners Kelis and Wild Beasts, who will all play at Brighton Dome.

The Brighton and Hove festival is regarded as the biggest new music event in the UK.

Between May 8 and 10, more than 400 artists will play at 35 venues across the city.

Example’s show will mark the release of his fifth album which will follow weeks later.

The London artist first played the festival back in 2008 in front of a 200-capacity audience.

Real name Elliot Gleave, the artist said: “A lot has changed for me since I performed at The Great Escape in 2008 in a pub to about 30 people.

“I played there again in 2011 so it’s a real honour to return a third time and play on the festival’s biggest stage.

“It's been an amazing journey – playing all the past hits and loads from the unreleased album five.

“I will ensure this is a show to remember.”

Festival director Kat Morris said: “It is really great to be welcoming Example back to The Great Escape.”

For more details and tickets visit http://greatescapefestival.com.