Kent is hosting a huge weekend of music with artists such as Simply Red, Paul Weller, Van Morrison, Jake Bugg and James all performing across the county.

From Friday, June 17 to Sunday, June 19, two iconic locations - the Hop Farm Family Park in Paddock Wood and Eridge Park near Tunbridge Wells - will welcome crowds eager to see some of the biggest names in music.

The Hop Farm is kicking off its series of spectacular summer concerts with mammoth headline sets from Simply Red, Paul Weller and Keane - and you can find tickets to all three events here.

Simply Red, whose smash hits, including Holding Back the Years, Stars and Something Got Me Started, have achieved five UK No. 1 albums, sell more than 60 million albums worldwide and more than a billion views on YouTube.

Following on from Mick Hucknall and his bandmates is The Jam frontman Paul Weller. The Town Called Malice singer, who went onto form the Style Council and launch his own solo career, has earned him the affectionate nickname of ‘The Modfather’ among fans.

Rounding off the weekend at the Hop Farm will be chart-topping four-piece Keane, who all met at school in Tonbridge and will be returning to Kent to perform hit singles such as Somewhere Only We Know and Everybody’s Changing.

While these three headline shows are taking place, across the county is a celebration of Americana, country, bluegrass and rock music at Black Deer Festival.

Tickets are still on sale here for the three-day festival, which finally makes its triumphant return this summer with a star-studded line-up.

Appearing over the weekend will be indie superstars James, rock band Wilco, legendary musician Van Morrison, Lightning Bolt singer-songwriter Jake Bugg, Irish musician Imelda May and many more.

Black Deer Festival also boasts a number of fun activities, such as live cooking demonstrations, gospel brunch, custom motorcycle displays, adventure play areas, tree climbing, music lessons and a zip wire.

Fans of local beers, ales and ciders will be pleased to hear that Kent brewery Shepherd Neame has been named as the festival’s official brewery partner.

There will be a limited edition Black Deer Larger available, along with cask ales such as Whitstable Bay Pale Ale, Spitfire Amber Ale and Master Brew.

The Bear Island beer range will also be brought to life at the Bear Island Silent Disco, where adult festival-goers can dance the night away with Black Deer DJs.

If this jam-packed weekend of sensational summer music isn’t enough for you, we’ve got three more unmissable events to get you on your feet…

Counterfeit Seventies, Kings Hall

From the group that brought you the spectacular Counterfeit Sixties show, the Counterfeit Seventies takes audiences through a decade of glam rock, new wave, punk and everything in between. Featuring smash hits from the likes of Slade, Sweet, T.Rex, the Bay City Rollers and many more, this four-piece band will perform a live trip down memory lane. With nostalgic costumes plucked straight from the ‘70s and video footage from the decade, the Counterfeit Seventies show is the perfect chance to relive an iconic era of music.

Counterfeit Seventies is at the Kings Hall, Herne Bay, on Friday, June 17. Book tickets online here.

Festability, Quex Park

Festability, an inclusive music festival for people with disabilities, returns with a jam-packed programme of live music, karaoke and attractions for the whole family. The festival was started in 2018 by three Kent-based parents of disabled children and has now turned into a huge all-day event. This year, there will be a silent disco, drum lessons, sensory and soft play areas, gaming tent and an adult ball pit, plus a headline performance of songs from the Greatest Showman complete with acrobatics and dancers.

Festability is at Quex Park, Birchington-on-Sea, on Saturday, June 18. Book tickets online here.

Kings Hill Music Festival, Spitfire

This little music festival has become a must-see event for local music lovers. This year, the Kings Hill Music Festival returns with a line-up of fantastic live bands, such as funky rhythm and blues band Get Carter and party band the Real Deal. Also appearing at the festival are tribute acts Decades Showband, who perform hits throughout the years, and Taking Care of Vegas, a rock ‘n’ roll Elvis tribute. Early bird tickets sold out for this year’s event quickly, but you can still grab a last-minute standard entry ticket.

Kings Hill Music Festival is at Spitfire, near West Malling, on Saturday, June 18. Book tickets online here.