THERE is just days to go until the inaugural Worcester Music Festival kicks off.

Billed as “100 artists, 25 venues, one wonderful weekend... one wonderful city”, the aim of the festival is to celebrate and showcase the best local talent over three days.The event starts on Friday and runs until Sunday, with bands, solo artists and DJs performing at dedicated live venues such as the Marr’s Bar in Pierpoint Street and Drummonds in New Street, to various pubs, cafes and the black and white Tudor House Heritage Centre in Friar Street.

Worcester PR and marketing company Ventura Communications is helping promote the festival throughout the West Midlands and managing director Lisa Ventura is anticipating a hugely successful weekend.

“The response has been phenomenal,” she said. “We’re already planning next year.”

As well as entertaining, the festival will raise funds for charities including St Richard’s Hospice, Acorns Children’s Hospice and the Headway Worcester Trust Ltd.

Organiser Chris Bennion, whose dream of putting on a music event is now reality, said: “It is the ultimate celebration of home-grown talent and it is great to see so many businesses willing help out and support live music.

“It proves people in Worcester love live music and hopefully we can give them what they want. We have no idea how this festival will go.

“Worcester has never had this before but with the help and support of all the bands, performers, promoters and venues, we are sure that it is going to be a weekend to remember.”

Artists performing include former Worcester-based rock group Host, country-influenced Neil Ivison and The Misers and Malvern’s emo group The Fallout Theory.

There will also be live hip-hop, punk, blues, ska and every other genre in between.

For the full line-up and information on how to get involved visit worcestermusicfestival.co.uk, e-mail chris @notjustsauce.co.uk or call Mr Bennion on 01905 731615.