A diverse musical mix will unite pubs and clubs when the Maidstone Fringe Festival returns.

An eclectic range of artists and bands have signed up to perform during five days of gigs over the May Bank Holiday weekend.

This will be the fourth year the festival has provided a platform for well-known and growing musicians and comedians to play to live audiences in various locations across the town.

Artists confirmed for the celebrations, which will take place between Thursday, May 1, and Monday, May 5, include The Bluetones frontman Mark
Morriss, Ms Dynamite, Artful Dodger, and Dulcie May and the Mystery Cats.

One of the organisers, Clive Austen, said: “We hoped the festival would be well received but it has been more successful than we ever imagined.

“The aim has always been to offer a range of genres so there’s something for everyone. This year, we’ve organised an outdoor stage and secured several coffee shops as venues, which may be more suitable for families who would prefer somewhere different from the pubs.”

The open-air concert space will be in Jubilee Square and restaurants involved in the programme include Frederic and The Art Lounge, both in the Market Buildings, the Music Room at Pizza Express in Earl Street, and Pops Cafe in High Street.

Earls and The Druids Arms, in Earl Street, The Flowerpot in Sandling Road, The White Horse in London Road, The Swan in County Road, The Royal Albion in Havock Lane, The Style & Winch in Union Street, and The Walnut Tree in Tonbridge Road are among the pubs on the list.

The Rafters in the High Street, Source Bar in Rose Yard, and Stepping Stones Studio in Museum Walk, are also confirmed.

More details will be released over the next few weeks.