A NUMBER of top up-and-coming bands and musicians will descend on Stourbridge’s River Rooms for a bank holiday festival.

Now in its second year, Fred Fest is returning to the Mill Race Lane venue on Monday (May 29) and will feature 16 bands of young talent on two stages.

FredM, event organiser, who over the past few years has given opportunities for local bands to provide the support slots to artists including The Hoosiers and Eliza Doolittle, said: “We want to raise the profile of the fantastic talent from the Stourbridge area, whist giving chances to up-and-coming bands to share the stage with professional signed artists.

“There will be lots of genres including soul, funk, rock, acoustic sets and indie, so there will be something for everyone.

“The headline special guests Of Kings & Captains have been one of the town’s success stories in the music press over the last year. They have an explosive set of pop-punk tunes and are guaranteed to get the fest rocking.”

Bands from Black Country and North Worcestershire schools including The Wordsley School, King Edward VI College, Ellowes Hall, Baxter College, Kidderminster College, Hagley Catholic High, Wolverley High, Leasowes, and Winterfold, are also set to perform.

The other headline act, Hardwicke Circus, have just released their new EP Social Music and have been tipped for the top by those in the industry.

Fred added: “Having just finished supporting Alabama 3 and The Boomtown Rats on their recent tours, they are ready to get Stourbridge dancing with their infectious blend of house shaking social music.

“Don’t have a boring bank holiday Monday, pop down to Fred Fest and join in the fun.”

Tickets for the fest, which runs from 3pm until 10pm, cost £4 in advance or £5 on the door and can be bought online at www.theriverrooms.com