The stage is set for IsleFest, Sheppey's first major music festival this weekend.

There have been plenty of bands playing in fields on the back of lorries before but this is the first time a promoter has put his money where his mouth is and invested in a purpose-made mobile stage with a professional light and sound system for the Island.

The man behind the vision is Paul Rogers who works for national entertainments agency Layton Dings.

He said: “We book top acts on cruise ships and holiday parks all over Britain and organise festivals. But somehow Sheppey always gets left out.

"We thought it was time the Island had something of its own to shout about and hope it will become and annual event.”

The two-day event is at the Sheppey Sports Ground, Halfway.

It kicks off on Saturday night with top tribute acts for The Stone Roses, Oasis and The Who and continues on Sunday afternoon with a family-friendly festival of music from Abba, Little Mix, Olly Murs, Taylor Swift, Robbie Williams.

Little Mix tribute act LMX are no strangers to Sheppey. They played the Oasis Academy Theatre in Sheerness at the start of the year although only three out of the four made it to the Island when band leader Megan-Leigh Ennis had to pull out because of family illness.

Singer Amy-Lou Hudson admitted: “At first, we weren’t sure if we could perform with just the three of us. But the show had to go on.” All four should be performing this weekend.

Saturday will feature The Who tribute band Who Are You led by Sheppey singer Steven Hunt.

By day he works as a draughtsman in Sittingbourne but at weekends he takes on the persona of microphone-wielding Roger Daltrey.

Steven, who recently performed before a crowd of 5,000 in Bahrain, said: "It's not often I get the chance to perform for my home crowd. I'm really looking forward to seeing some familiar faces in the audience and to show friends what all the fuss is about."

He will be joined by bassist Terry Fearn and drummer Brian Whitby, both from Gravesend, and relative newcomer Mike Wilton from Crowborough on guitar.

Steven said: "We were very lucky to get Mike. He has appeared on 10 arena shows with The Who in his former band Standard Lamps. This is certainly our strongest line-up."

He added: "I really hope it is a success. Sheppey is ripe for something like this. I could never understand why the Island didn't have its own festival."

Making it all happen will be Colin Umbers' team from Sittingbourne firm Triple A (Access All Areas) Events who are providing the mobile stage.

They are one of Kent's leading suppliers and have been used by Iwade Rocks, Medway council, Faversham Hop Festival and our own kmfm roadshows.

Ticket are £15 (Saturday) £12.50 (Sunday) from www.trybooking.com. None will be available on the gate.

* For more news of events in Kent read our What's On guide here.