’Delivering a quality festival theme event to give locals and visitors an experience that ups the game.’

That is the aim of the Hooded Ram Festival as the final preparations go together for its first year hosting festivities at the Bottleneck car park in Douglas during the TT.

The local brewery says it has pulled out all the stops in organising this year’s festival and the announcement of headline bands Scouting for Girls and Fun Lovin’ Criminals is evidence to that.

The New York band kicks off the festival on Sunday, May 27. Tickets will give holders access to the festival tent from 4pm until midnight. Support acts are Manx bands 3 Million, Han-FX and Jor-DMC.

Scouting for Girls will then take to the stage on Wednesday, May 30. Entertainment will run from6pm to midnight.

The London band’s first self titled album reached number one in the UK in 2007 before going platinum.

They also had a number one single in 2010 with ’This Ain’t a Love Song’. They will be supported by local talent The Bobble Heads and soloist Ian Thompson.

The brewery’s Jim Brookman explained that for the stage, the headliners insisted on top of the range lighting and sound equipment which will be available to all bands who play the venue throughout the fortnight.

As well as this, the brewery has lined up many local bands to play in an ’effort to support local bands and musicians’ with the intention of theme nights where the best music of the 60s, 70s, 80s and more will fill the air.

The Hooded Ram is also planning on showing the Champions League final on Saturday, May 26 with a football theme night planned.

Acharity night on Mad Sunday, called Ram Sunday, will see three local charities benefit and Ed Force 1 will perform.

Those who can’t attend the venue will be able to follow the action via the company’s webcam, ’Ram Cam’.

Returning to the promenade this year are stunt shows, with Hooded Ram booking three events and the road surrounding the venue being closed for the shows.

The brewery has also lined up a wide variety of drinks available, including two 52,000 pint tanks of Carlsberg, a top cocktail mixologist from the UK, a selection of wines, Hooded Ram beer and the corporate section will serve champagne.

For food, Hooded Ram has arranged for ’quality offerings’ from the Galley Kitchen serving Indian food, Mrs Yang’s serving Chinese and UK brand Pieminster will be on hand to serve pie and mash.

Mr Brookman added: ’This has evolved from a beer tent to a festival event. We also wish our competitors all the best.

’Only good things can come from the variety the island will have on offer.’

Tickets for shows are available through iom-venue.ticketsolve.com/shows website and Hooded Ram merchandise will be available throughout the fortnight.