One of the biggest free music festivals in Europe returns to Monmouth on Friday.
The Monmouth Music Festival, now in its 30th year, will see rising stars and respected UK artists acts perform at the nine-day celebration of the town, with the chance to hear rock, classical, pop, folk, jazz, ska, punk and world music at venues across the town from Blestium Street car park to St Mary's Church.
Thousands of music fans are expected to flock to the town to hear performances from local bands including The Bandits, The Jiveaholics, Monmouth Festival Orchestra and The Ronaldos.
Among the highlights on the main stage are Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash, the Jon Amour Blues Group, New Amen Corner and indie hot shots The Words.
Festival fringe acts include the hotly-touted rising stars Sam Eden and Sons of the Delta. The classical music programme sees a new venue, Wyastone Leys concert hall, where the Monmouth Festival Orchestra will perform a new piece of music specially-commissioned for the event by Welsh composer, Peter Reynolds.
The annual Monmouth Carnival takes place on August 19 as part of the festival celebrations and organisers say this year's parade will be a spectacular procession with a variety of walkers, dancers, musicians and vintage cars taking part. The procession will leave from Priory Street and St Mary's Churchyard at 2pm.
The Monmouth Music Festival runs between August 17 and 25.
For the full line-up and times visit www.mommouthfestival.co.uk
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