THIS year's Darwen Music Live event promises something for everyone, with over 60 acts performing over the weekend.

Last year, thousands of music fans packed into the town centre venues and marquee for the first ever event.

And after its overwhelming success, the festival is going from strength to strength with this year's event featuring eight stages.

The two headline acts look more than capable of hitting the right note with the fans. King Masco are set to provide a South African party, packed with music, colour and dance on Sunday. Hullabaloo will perform their good-time jump jive sounds on Monday.

But despite the bigger national names, the weekend is also packed full of quality local outfits.

The Armadillos are in fine form at the moment, so expect the driving passion of their Texas and Louisiana swing to bring their set to the boil.

Ian Almond and Steven Lindley will bring their eclectric mix of world music under the banner of The Full Zimbabwe.

Local favourites Gone Begging make a welcome return to the festival. Last year the popular five-piece threatened to steal all the headlines with their high-energy show of World and Celtic music. Joined by guest musicians, they will definitely be one of this years big attractions.

If indie music is your thing then one of the trio Blackburn College bands could be what you're looking for.

The Reserved, Scenario and Reform are all steadily making names for themselves while earning respect for their original material.

Local indie boys Spiral Minds also make an appearance with their blend of original and cover versions taken from the last three decades.

One band set to bring back the memories are Darwen five-pieceThe Beethovens. The re-formed '60s outfit features three original members and their appearance, a one-off for the festival, is one not to be missed.

The Bank Holiday weekend the show gets underway at the New Gardeners, with metal band Nightmare Visions.