Top DJs and up-coming bands will hang out right here in Maidstone in the run up to the Big Weekend.

Zane Lowe, Paul Woolford and Nic Fanciulli are among the big names lined up for the Fringe Festival, which will be held in venues across Maidstone in the week before the main event.

Here is your guide to the festival:

Monday, May 5

- Over 14s event at The Loft, off Gabriel’s Hill, with live bands and DJs from 2.30pm to 9pm. Free entry.

- Bodymachine, Paisley Grammar, Eskimo and Hydraponic playing at Zebra Bar, King Street, from 1.30pm. Free entry

Tuesday, May 6

- Your chance to see the cream of Kent talent at The Loft. The final five bands will go head to head in the grand final and Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens will choose his top two to play the BBC Introducing Stage at Mote Park. Free entry, 8pm-midnight.

- Sound Sanctuary, 3Bobnation, Jigsaw Project and D-Finitive playing at Zebra Bar from 8pm. Entry free.

Wednesday, May 7

- Radio 1 Big Weekend fringe event with live bands at The Loft. Free entry, 8pm-midnight.

- My Last Mistake, Outa City Committee, Star Chamber, Monday Street and Make Your Escape playing at Zebra Bar from 7.15pm. Entry Free.

Thursday, May 8

- Saved Sessions at The Source Bar. It will be Nic Fanciulli’s first gig at the venue for six years. Tickets on the door are £4 or £3 NUS, 8pm-3am.

- Radio 1 Big Weekend fringe event with live bands at The Loft. Free entry, 8pm-midnight.

- Lucy Lawrence, Shychlo & The Boys, Let Our Enemies Beware, Letters from London and Lupen Crook playing at Zebra Bar from 7.15pm. Entry free.

Friday, May 9

- Launch of new indie night I Should Coco at The Loft with special guest Zane Lowe. Also featuring BBC Kent Introducing Big Weekend Special with live bands including; Letters from London; Floors and Walls; Seven Story Down. Tickets on the door are £5 for the first 250 people before 11pm, £10 after 11pm or £8 NUS, 8pm to 4am.

- Also Get Down’s Big Weekend Special at The Source Bar with special guest Space Ibiza and ClubClass legend Paul Woolford and room two hosted by Groove Monkey. Tickets on the door are £6 or £5 NUS, 9pm-4am.

Saturday, May 10

- BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend - The Official Aftershow organised by ClubClass. Kent’s superstar DJ Pete Tong will be joined by Grammy award-nominated Nic Fanciulli at Maidstone Studios. Also on the bill are Annie Mac and Danny Rampling plus Simian Mobile Disco and French electro pioneer Laurent Garnier, 10pm-6am. For tickets visit Ticketmaster or call 0871 2309848.

- Indie night Riot at The Loft with special guests Babyshambles DJ set. Room two will be hosted by the Liquid Sessions with Radio 1 DJ and Drum 'n’ Bass pioneer Fabio. Tickets on the door £10 or £7 NUS, 10pm-4am.