WolvesFest returns to Wolverhampton Rugby Club this weekend

The annual rugby club musical festival attracted hundreds of people old and young last year, and organiser Shaun Ryan hopes 2018 - the festival's fourth year in a row - will be the best yet.

He is anticipating 2,000 visitors to Wolverhampton Rugby Union Club in Castlecroft Road on Saturday, June 16 to enjoy 14 acts across two huge stages.

Many bands and singers in the line up are local, including Wolverhampton groups Tinned Astronaut and The Icon, and Upper Gornal singer Alex Ohm.

Organiser Shaun said: "It's going to be brilliant. I'm really excited. We've got this huge marquee that can cater for 2,000 people, loads of food stalls - Caribbean, Asian, vegetarian, burgers - and we even picked a band people can dance to at the end of the night.

"Lots of people last year said they wanted a dance, so we chose Rhythm Dogs as they do loads of excellent covers."

Appearing on stage at WolvesFest this year are Wolverhampton alternative rock band Tinned Astronaut. Made up of brothers George and Arnie Smith and friends Jimmy MacPherson-Amador and Matt Wildman, the group describes their music as alternative rock infused with the post-grunge sounds of the 90s.

The Icon, a four-piece rock band also from the city, will also be performing. The group formed just a couple of years ago as a three piece acoustic band playing the occasional open mic event. However, they quickly changed one guitar to a bass and picked up a drummer. The boys are also hoping to release their first album soon.

Alex Ohm, a teacher from Upper Gornal, is excited to perform his music in his home county. The 30-year-old recently won a coveted online music competition, beating 2,000 other competitors for the title. He describes his music style as similar to indie folk band Fleet Foxes or folk band Bon Ivor.

The Uproars, from Redditch, will be making their way to Wolverhampton for the show. The rock’n’roll band plays wild rockabilly music with a modern twist.

Reuben Archer's Personal Sin will also be gracing the stage at WolvesFest this year. A blues rock band from XXX, the band play popular covers as well as their own original tracks.

And closing the night will be Rhythm Dogs, a fun group of passionate musicians playing music from favourite bands across the last 40 years right up to the current charts - definitely one to dance along to.

The family festival at Wolverhampton Rugby Union Club kicks off from 3pm and welcomes children under 16 as long as they are accompanied by an adult; however, there are no facilities for toddlers and youngsters aged under six cannot stay past 8pm.

Visit wolvesfest.com for more.