Month-long music festival to take over town

The Folkestone Music Town team has organised the festival

More than 120 artists are set to perform at a month-long music festival in Folkestone.

Music in May is back for a second year and will see 150 different gigs take place in various venues across the town.

The huge line-up ranges from big name acts such as DJ Brandon Block and Jamiroquai's Derrick McKenzie to a series of buskers.

The festival is the flagship project of the community group Folkestone Music Town.

Events will feature a vast array of genres - from string quartets to DJ sets.

The opening party will kick off on May 5 at Folkestone Quarterhouse with 18 local singers, 10 musicians and special guests.

There will also be 23 free music workshops throughout the month, covering singing, songwriting, recording, drumming and more.

This year the team has also added a closing party, which Sophia Stutchbury, one of the organisers, said she is "very excited about".

She said: "It is definitely going to be even bigger and better than last year, everyone wants to be involved, which is fantastic.

"It is all about the community coming together, supporting each other and enticing people to the town and and our brilliant music venues.

"There is a huge range of performances, gigs and concerts to get involved with - and the great thing about it being a month is if you miss one, you can go another day!"

'The world's first music town'

Folkestone was named 'the world's first music town' in 2019 on BBC Music Day.

The title means the area has formally recognised music as an asset to boost economic growth, tourism, health and wellbeing.

Folkestone Music Town CIC is made up of local business owners, venues and musicians passionate about growing the town's musical status.

The project is set to feature on an upcoming episode of BBC 2's Andi Oliver’s Fabulous Feasts.