DAWLISH will be playing host to one of the largest one day free music festivals in Devon. 

The Dark River Music Festival is back and bigger than ever. 

It has been organised to provide a unique community event and showcase live music. 

Featuring 11 venues and 31 music acts this year, the festival will also give a chance for new performers with an Introducing Stage.

It will provide aspiring musicians, young and old, with the opportunity to showcase their musical talents on a fully rigged sound and lighting stage.

Taking place on Saturday June 29, the event will feature a wide range of music from from duos to rock bands, shanty crews to R & B so there will be something to entertain the whole family.

Organised by Live Lounge Productions and co-sponsored by Dawlish Town Council, the festival promises to be a celebration of Devon’s musical talent. 

All pubs in Dawlish and some of its cafes will be hosting music with up to three acts in each venue. 

There will also be music at the Bandstand on The Lawn in town to coincide with a town council co-ordinated Food Festival and Community Big Lunch starting at noon on the same day.

The Introducing Stage will start at 1.15pm in the garden of the Swan Inn in Old Town Street. 

The remaining venues will be hosting music from about 5pm and finishing about 10.30pm.

A list of locations and artists are to be found on the Dark River Music Festival Facebook page.

A Dawlish Town Council spokesman said: ‘We are extremely pleased to support the Dark River Festival with a grant funding award. 

‘We’re hoping everyone will enjoy the first ever Dark River Festival held at Dawlish.’

The festival is generating attention from music lovers with one writing on social media, ‘brilliant work on the planning folks, very excited about this’.

Among the bands lined up are Graham and Jon, Go Tell Alice, The Salads, The Flying Stefanos, Railroad, Lightfoot, Haywire and Wrecked Again. 

Venues include the Marine Tavern, South Devon Inn, White Heart, The Gresham and Brunswick Arms.