Last year's V Festival at Hylands Park in Essex

POP princess Beyonce and American rockers Kings of Leon will headline this summer’s V Festival 2013.

Emeli Sande at V Festival.

V organisers made the first line-up announcement this evening (Monday).

Having performed during the interval at this year’s Super Bowl in America, former Destiny’s Child star and Crazy in Love singer Beyonce will headline one of the nights across the county border in Essex as a European Festival exclusive.

Sex on Fire rockers Kings of Leon will also return to Hylands Park, near Chelmsford, and V Festival’s twin site at Weston Park, Staffordshire, over the weekend of Saturday, August 17 and Sunday, August 18.

Sponsored by Virgin Media, the two-day music event will include performances by Brit Award winner Emeli Sande, Welsh rockers Stereophonics and The Script.

Also on the V2013 bill are chart-topping Scottish dance music supremo Calvin Harris, The Voice judge Jessie J and former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher’s current band Beady Eye – 12 months after Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds wowed the main stage at V.

Indie lovers will be entertained this year by Two Door Cinema Club, The Courteeners and The Vaccines, while dance music fans will be glad to see the return of Basement Jaxx.

Others confirmed in the first V announcement include Fun., Ellie Goulding, Paloma Faith, Rita Ora, Olly Murs, Jason Mraz, Kendrick Lamar, Labrinth, Maverick Sabre, Of Monsters and Men, DJ Fresh, James Arthur and Maximo Park.

Festival veterans James, Travis and Ocean Colour Scene have all been confirmed, with Deacon Blue, The Fratellis, Scouting for Girls, former X Factor winners Little Mix and Jessie Ware also down to play across the weekend.

V Festival 2013 tickets go on general sale from 9am on Friday, March 1.

Virgin Media customers who have already registered for early bird tickets can apply for weekend camping passes from 9am tomorrow (Tuesday, February 26).