Stafford Music Festival gets underway - with video and pictures

Numerous venues are set to welcome artists ranging from tribute acts to young breakthrough singers, accomplished classical musicians and jazz aficionados over the coming days, with the festival bringing music to the town until May 21.

It is the 16th year that Stafford Music Festival has been held and Chris Walker and the Pedigree Jazz Band got things underway at the White Eagle Club over the weekend.

Festival organiser Maureen Compton says she believes the event is more popular than ever and is now fully engrained in the town's calendar.

She said: "We have got off to a great start already for Stafford Music Festival 2017 and there is still so much more to come.

"We had great crowds over the weekend and we hope to see that continue.

"There is a great range of artists set to perform, so it doesn't matter what you like, there will always be something for you to enjoy.

"I obviously would have hoped that the festival would have lasted this long when it first started but you can never be sure.

"It was an uphill battle to get people and bands interested at first but now it just flows naturally, I think it is very much in peoples minds."

Artists who are set to perform at Stafford Music Festival include Andrew Baker, The West Coast Eagles, Nigel Stubbs and Chetwynd.

A total of 17 venues are supporting the festival, including The Cellar Bar and The MET Studio.

Mrs Compton says she believes the festivals popularity brings more than just music to Stafford.

She said: "It really does boost our town and the businesses there.

"It gets people out and spending money, having a good time together and I am just glad people have taken it to their hearts."

For a full list of shows and more information, visit staffordmusicfestival.org