Previous headline performers have included Patti Smith , Ray Davies of the Kinks , Mick Jones of The Clash , the actor Michael Sheen , the writer Caitlin Moran , the poet John Cooper Clarke , the comedians Harry Hill and Alexei Sayle , the painter Peter Blake etc .

Many of the UK 's most successful rock and pop bands have played Action at the festival , including The Rolling Stones , Fleetwood Mac , The Kinks , Pink Floyd , Deep Purple , The Who , Cream , Black Sabbath , Judas Priest , Genesis , Iron Maiden , The Jam , The Police , Status Quo , The Pogues , Blur , Pulp , Muse , The Cure , Radiohead , The Libertines , Arctic Monkeys , Biffy Clyro and Oasis .