THE sedate surroundings of Chester Racecourse may not be the most obvious place to find a genuine punk legend, but come July that’s exactly where you’ll find Iggy Pop.

The iconic singer headlines an incredibly eclectic line-up at the new Chester Rocks event which also includes the likes of McFly, Sugababes, and pop superstar Taio Cruz.

One of the UK’s hottest exports, Cruz is the first UK solo artist to have had two consecutive number one singles in the US.

He’s joined on July 3 by girl groups The Saturdays and Sugababes. Also joining the party that night are The Wanted and McFly, along with one of 2010’s biggest breakthrough acts, Eliza Doolittle.

Chester Rock’s Sunday night line-up is a lesson in new wave cool, with Iggy Pop and The Stooges headlining above Liverpool legends Echo and the Bunnymen. Formed in 1978, the band, fronted by Ian McCulloch, combined cult status with mainstream success throughout the 80s with hits like The Cutter, The Killing Moon and Lips Like Sugar, before reforming to great acclaim in 1997.

Fellow Merseysiders, The Lightning Seeds, are on the bill for Saturday, July 3.

Tickets for each day of Chester Rocks cost £47.50, with weekend tickets costing £85 and are available from www.chester-rocks.co.uk or by calling 01244 304 610.JAMIE BOWMAN