Historic Canterbury comes bang up to date this weekend when some of the latest acts get the party started for a boutique festival.

The independent inner city festival, City Sound Project, brings music to every corner of the city this weekend, from pubs and clubs to castles and alleyways.

Indoor and outdoor spaces normally hidden from the public will be turned into stages for live music as the city is taken over by sounds on both Saturday, April 29 and Sunday, April 30.

Now in its seventh year, the festival, which this year has 20 stages and more than 140 acts playing, has hosted big music hitters from Bastille to George Ezra and Mike Skinner.

Headline acts this year include selector David Rodigan, indie heavyweights White Lies, MOBO nominated AJ Tracey and the queen of UK grime Lady Leshurr.

House Gospel Choir will also join the proceedings, with James Hype showing off his turntable wizardry, as well as Detlef, Monki and Gotsome.

There will be an exclusive showcase from London and Ibiza club brand Solid Grooves and a live techno show from Saytek, plus live bands Spring King, The Rifles and Kent favourites Will Joseph Cook and CoCo and the Butterfields.

The Marlowe Studio will be one of the venues for the festival, with acts including headliner AJ Tracey, who features on BBC Radio 1’s Sounds Of 2017 list.

The project aims to combine local talent with some of the best UK artists, making it a cultural must for music fans.

“After touring with some of the biggest names in UK music, the House Gospel Choir are an act to make sure you don’t miss,” said festival organiser Stuart O’Leary.

“Mixing classic gospel sounds with modern electronic anthems, it really is going to changing preconceptions of what ‘a choir’ is! They’ll be performing on the free-to-enter Marlowe Stage on the Saturday.”

Based 40% outdoors, the music moves indoors as the sun goes down, with a silent disco and 6am after-party.

THE FESTIVAL

Festival-goers exchange their tickets for a wristband at one of three exchange points, which then gives them access to all parts of the festival.

They are also given a map and full programme showing them where to find bars selling the best local craft beers and ciders, local street food and free-to-enter community areas, curated in association with Wise Words festival, which include a range of workshops, comedy and the spoken word performances.

Secret Sets, a feature of the festival, are not in the programme but announced minutes before they happen through the festival app and Twitter. Follow @CitySoundPro not forgetting #CSP17

DETAILS

City Sound Project will be held across Canterbury on Saturday, April 29 and Sunday, April 30. Ticket prices start from £22.50. For tickets and info visit citysoundproject.com