Returning to the High Street on the infamous lorry stage, this year’s M-Fest – an afternoon of free live local music – is set to take place on Saturday, 14th July.

The one-day event, which is organised by the Midsomer Norton Community Trust, takes place in the afternoon, following the Town Fayre. Six acts are booked to perform a variety of live music throughout the day and into the evening, with some familiar faces returning to the fold.

Headlining the day festival will be Verdisa, following their headlining set at Midsomer Norton Pride last year. For the last six years, the band have toured hard across the UK and Europe. Members Sam, Andy and Jonny were born and raised in Midsomer Norton, and M-Fest is something of a homecoming for them.

Verdisa perform with a genuine message of harmony and positivity, fusing an eclectic blend of rock, funk, reggae, blues and beyond.

Returning from last year’s M-Fest is Troy Ellis, one of the sons of the legendary Alton Ellis OD. Born in Trench Town, Kingston, Jamaica, Troy used to perform on the streets from a young age. Now he brings his reggae vibes back to Midsomer Norton.

Also making their comeback appearance are The Publicans, a five-piece band featuring mandolin, piano, acoustic guitars, vocals, bass and percussion, whose sound is an upbeat blend of Celtic and English folk with a touch of indie thrown in. The songs are a collection of “true and outrageously untrue” stories inspired by the trials and tribulations of life in the UK over the last few decades.

Opening the main stage in the afternoon are GUTS, the duo of Dan Cox and Millie Noble, who were winners of the Midsomer Norton and Radstock Rotary Club’s Talent Competition in 2017. The up-and-coming two-piece have developed quite a following in recent years, with their take on modern indie impressing audiences young and old.

Two other new acts will also be gracing the stage on the day; Midsomer Norton’s Abstract Typography, and Bath-based The Shuks.

Abstract Typography are an indie rock band who feature ex-members of local group Confectionery (including The Journal’s own Stan Bull). Having played their first show in December, the group have been gigging in Bristol and Frome, and incorporate elements of slacker rock, jangle pop and grunge in their sound.

The Shuks make their Midsomer Norton debut this year, following a successful run of gigs recently which has seen them play the Amersham Arms in London, Bath’s legendary Moles venue, and a set at the Planetarium in Bristol, amongst others. The band are quickly making a name for themselves in the South West, who cite Pixies, The Smashing Pumpkins and Suede as influences.

Over in the Hollies garden, there will be a number of food stalls, as well as music provided all day by DJ Ali Sykes of Stack Up Soundsystem.

Alex Davis, Midsomer Norton Community Trust Manager, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the support in the first two years from local music fans. We created M-Fest as local bands had lost many of the platforms they had to perform in the area, and I’m delighted this year that such a strong line-up of local artists will again get to showcase their talent.”

The free, family-friendly event takes place on Saturday, 14th July from 1 p.m. until 9 p.m.