Former Sex Pistol John Lydon and dubstep star Katy B are among the first acts to be confirmed for this year's Summer Sundae festival.

Organisers of the three-day event at De Montfort Hall have promised 2012 will be a "classic" year for the festival after announcing the first 17 acts on the line-up yesterday.

John Lydon, aka Johnny Rotten, will be taking to the stage with post-punk icons Public Image Ltd, who are set to release their first new material in 20 years in April.

American singer Merrill Garbus, also known as tUnE-yArDs, Asian Dub Foundation, Reverend And The Makers, Willy Mason and Lazy Lester and Friends were also announced yesterday.

Dozens more artists and details of headliners are set to be confirmed over the next three months.

Festival director Rob Challice said he was "very excited" about announcing the first few acts.

"Already, I think it could be a classic year," he said. "It's an exciting and eclectic mix we have got there, that's what Summer Sundae has always been about.

"I saw Public Image last year in Slovakia and they were excellent.

"John Lydon is not the sort of person who rests on any laurels – he goes out to entertain and his band are so tight.

"I'm also very excited about tUnE-yArDs, who played Shepherd's Bush Empire recently and absolutely blew me away.

"Katy B also delivers really well."

Francois and the Atlas Mountains, Jonathan Richman, Juan Zelada, Dan Mangan, Rachel Sermanni, Cashier No 9, Goodnight Lenin, The Magic Tombolinos and Y Niwil are also on the bill, along with pop-folk singer Grace Petrie, from Leicester.

Grace, who has played at Glastonbury twice since her last performance at Summer Sundae in 2009, said: "It's a bit of a homecoming and I'm really excited about it.

"Last time, I played a 10-minute slot at about 10 in the morning and since that so much has happened, including playing at Glastonbury.

"The line-up looks good so far, I'm so glad Willy Mason is playing."

Former Lord Mayor of Leicester Colin Hall was one of dozens of Twitter users to share their excitement at the line-up following the announcement yesterday.

He said: "Wow! Just been told John Lydon will be at 2012 Summer Sundae with Public Image Limited. Definitely gonna get a ticket for this."

Sarah Smith tweeted: "Very excited about Grace Petrie, Cashier No 9 and Jonathan Richman at Summer Sundae. I swear that made the rain stop for a second."

This year's festival takes place from August 17 to 19. For tickets, call 0116 233 3111, or visit:

http://summersundae.com