THE Wyeside Music Festival makes a return to Hereford for its fifth year this June.

Starting out on the back of a lorry trailer on a very wet August day back in 2005, Wyeside has seen many changes and a fair share of great music. This year sees another change as the festival joins forces with the Big Event to present 35 bands on two stages – and entry to the festival is free.

Due to the credit crunch and the lack of funding, Wyeside will take place in one huge marquee but, with so much crammed in, there’s sure to be more than enough music to suit every taste.

Returning after a great Wyeside debut in 2008, Voodoo Johnson from Birmingham will be headlining. The Red Bullets are also on the line-up – a piano-driven band from Buckingham and London. Derby band Dakota will also be making an appearance on Saturday as well as Evesham-based The Irony, both bands tipped by NME.

Local band The Dandelion Killers will once again be gracing the festival with a set of well crafted and energetic songs, Soul Syndicate will be bringing an important message and a little hip hop to the festival, youngsters Ten Thousand Flushes will be returning for a second year and Herefordshire rapper Small Morris is also on the line-up.

On Friday, BBC’s Hereford and Worcester Friday Session Introducing will be in the driving seat and will be going out live between 7pm and 10pm. The FS stage will host some of the best original local bands including The Anomalies, Jack’s Hammer, Undercover Hippy and The Misers. The evening will close with the hypnotic sounds of the 720s, one of Rugby’s best bands.

The festival opens at 5pm on Friday, June 5, and closes at 11.30pm, and on Saturday, June 6, from noon to 11.30pm. For a full festival line-up, visit wyesidemusicfestival.co.uk.