LEAVING their platinum discs and sell-out arena tours well behind them, the Arctic Monkeys are expected to play at a remote rural pub in the region this weekend.

The Sheffield band, named Band of the Year at this year’s Brit Awards, are among a number of big-name stars expected to appear at the Sing Ye From The Hillsides festival at the Tan Hill pub, near Richmond, North Yorkshire, this evening.

They are guests of the Arctic Monkeys’ producer, James Ford, who is holding his stag night at the festival.

About 200 tickets went on sale for the festival night – organised by Mercury Music Prize nominees British Sea Power – and soon sold out.

But Mr Ford managed to buy 30 tickets for his guests – who also include charttoppers Mark Ronson and The Klaxons, and The Horrors.

Martin Noble, guitarist with British Sea Power, said the Mr Ford’s stag night will include “a show” at some point over the weekend.

“They want to do some jamming, maybe some cover versions as well,” he said.

The festival will also feature husky-racing, falconry, duck-herding, a pub quiz and an attempt to record the loudest ever human voice.

Mr Noble said the band stumbled across the Tan Hill pub while touring for their last album in November last year.

He said: “We were looking for unusual places to play and we were tipped off about the pub.

“It went brilliantly. The Tan Hill is just a magical place.”

The pub is Britain’s highest pub at 1,732ft, and its bleak North Pennine surroundings will provide stark contrast to the venues frequented by the likes of Mark Ronson and the Arctic Monkeys.

But it is not too far from home for most of the members of British Sea Power, as three out of four members come from Kendal, in Cumbria.

Tracy Daly, landlord of the Tan Hill, remained tightlipped on the special guests, but added: “We are excited about it all. We don’t know how it is going to pan out.”

Although weekend tickets sold out weeks ago, a limited number of day tickets are still available for tomorrow, priced £22, from the Tan Hill, on 01833-628246.