CELEBRATED Scots indie rockers Idlewild are among a host of new acts booked for the Fringe by the Sea festival in North Berwick this summer.

And there was further good news when R&B legend Alexander O’Neal, whose previously announced appearance had been in doubt due to contractual issues, was confirmed for the August 2-12 extravaganza.

The organisers of the 12th annual Fringe by the Sea, which is again centred around Spiegeltents at the harbourside with pop-up venues across town, say they are bringing more Scottish musicians to the seaside.

Idlewild, who release their eighth album next month and are led by frontman Roddy Woomble, will be treating the festival crowd to a live showcase of their acclaimed back catalogue, as well as brand new material from their new album Interview Music.

On the same evening (Friday, August 9), Be Charlotte will be entrancing revellers with what has been described as a “shimmering and powerful pop sound”. The Dundee 21-year-old has already toured Europe, Asia and North America since finding her voice as a teenager with an acoustic guitar.

Also, two Fringe By The Sea favourites are returning: Quattro MacJazz with their hot jazz and gospel; and Hamish McGregor Plays Ball, Barber & Bilk.

From America, Tim Eriksen will be at the North Berwick Fry with his combination of hair-raising vocals with inventive accompaniment on banjo, fiddle, guitar and bajo sexto.

Bookworms will be queuing up to listen to Channel 4 News’ anchor Cathy Newman, who will be speaking about her book Bloody Brilliant Women.

Elsewhere, TV presenter Dr Ben Garrod presents So You Think You Know About Dinosaurs?

He takes children and their parents on an exciting prehistoric adventure as dinosaur aficionado Ben explores the biggest, deadliest and weirdest predators that ever roamed the planet in this hit live interactive show.

Another family show is Dr Jones Funny Bones with a fun look about the human body.

Organisers say dozens more acts will be announced over the coming months, with the full programme set to offer more than 140 shows covering music, comedy, film, literature, family and kids, conversation, wellbeing and more.

As previously reported in the Courier, Fred MacAulay, Alexander McCall Smith, Eddi Reader and Christine Bovill are among the household names already confirmed.

North Berwick’s Scottish Seabird Centre will also present a soon-to-be-announced programme of conservation and environmental events.

There will also be literary shows at North Berwick Library and outdoor action taking locals and visitors out and about in East Lothian.

Festival co-director Niall Middleton said: “We’re really looking forward to seeing all the acts we have programmed so far. Performers love the opportunity to come to North Berwick and the word is out that this is definitely a cool festival in which to be involved.”

And he added: “We are delighted that tickets for Alexander O’Neal’s performance on August 4 are now on sale. We know from the flood of enquiries we had following our initial announcement that this will be one of the most popular shows at Fringe by the Sea this summer.”

Anyone interested in volunteering at the festival should email info@fringebythesea.com

To buy tickets, go to www.fringebythesea.com

Acts announced so far include: Friday, August 2: Fred MacAulay; Honey Farm. Saturday, August 3: MALKA; Moishe’s Bagel; The Cuban Brothers. Sunday, August 4: James Brown Is Annie; Christine Bovill; Alexander O’Neal. Monday, August 5: Doug Allan. Tuesday, August 6: Old Blind Dogs. Wednesday, August 7: Val McDermid in lunchtime conversation; Blue Rose Code. Wednesday, August 8: Alexander McCall Smith in lunchtime conversation; Dean Owens and the Celtabilly Allstars. Friday, August 9: Be Charlotte; Idlewild. Saturday, August 10: Cathy Newman; Dr Ben Garrod; Rubian; Eddi Reader.