You call on friends in your hour of need, so Maidstone-born producer Nic Fanciulli was lucky to count the godfather of techno as an ally when putting together his festival line-up.

Tomorrow (Saturday), house music leader Carl Cox will appear in Mote Park at The Social, an all-day gig organised by Mr Fanciulli, a former St Simon Stock pupil who has worked with a string of famous names.

“It makes a massive difference to play at a festival organised by a DJ,” Mr Cox said. “Nic is really passionate about bringing something special to Maidstone as it’s his hometown.”

Mr Cox, who lives in Melbourne, Australia, added: “When I get to play in England it’s like coming home. There’s nothing like it.”

It will not be the first time the former BBC Radio One presenter has performed in Kent. He has taken to the stage at Source Bar in Rose Yard and at Tunbridge Wells’ High Definition Festival.

Last year, he played at The Swan restaurant in West Malling, where he often visits Mr Fanciulli, 35, who lives in the town.

Mr Cox said: “Kent is such a beautiful place. Whenever I get the chance, I ride my motorbike to see Nic and we’ll go for a curry or to The Swan.”

The pair developed a friendship when they both played at ClubClass, which started in former Maidstone nightspot Atomics.

Mr Cox said: “I’ve got some great memories of playing there when Nic was a whippersnapper just starting out.”

The duo, who will play alongside each other to close The Social, will be joined by a bill of artists, including Ben Pearce, who entered the charts with his hit What I Might Do, plus Route 94, known for the track My Love, and Gorgon City, the duo who released Ready for Your Love, as well as local acts.

Mr Fanciulli, a father-of-one, said: "I'm really excited to have my good friend Carl Cox play at this year’s The Social Festival. We’ve been playing together for years and its great to have him in my hometown again."

To make the acts feel welcome in his hometown, Mr Fanciulli has arranged for them to have their own personalised Maidstone United top, which he hopes they will wear during their performances.

Stones boss Jay Saunders said:“Nic’s a regular at the Gallagher Stadium and keeps up to date with the club via Twitter whenever he’s out of the country.

“He arranged shirts for last year’s acts and some of the DJs wore them during their set. It’ll be great to see Carl Cox and others possibly wearing theirs tomorrow.”

Up to 10,000 people are expected to attend tomorrow's festival after gates open at 11am.

The event will end at 11pm but there will be an after-party at Source Bar, in Rose Yard, until 6am.

Maidstone-based DJ Rob Cockerton will perform at The Social After Dark, as will Mark Fanciulli, brother of Nic.

More details can be found at www.thesocialfestival.com, or people can now download The Social app.