With Shpongle at long last bringing its celebrated live show here in January, fans have now been given extra reason to rejoice. The band’s show at the Forum Theatre in Melbourne was quick to sell out, but now an encore has been locked in at Rainbow Serpent Festival 2011.

The already prestigious line-up for the festival has now been taken to a new level with the addition of the ten-piece ensemble. Shpongle’s founding members Simon Posford and Raja Ram will preside over a show that brings together live vocals with drums, cello, keyboards and a range of ethnic and Eastern instruments.

Rainbow director Tim Harvey shares his excitement about the headliner in a statement. “It’s a dream come true to see Shpongle Live at all,” he says. “To see them perform at Rainbow is just amazing, we are all a little stunned with happiness at the moment.”

Californian collective Beats Antique has also joined the bill, bringing a fusion of performance, live electronics and organic beats.