MONMOUTH Festival 2015 is shaping up to be one of the biggest and best ever now that the application date for artists has passed.

Now in its 33rd year, Monmouth Festival has had an unprecedented number of bands wanting to appear on the extended programme. The entertainments' committee was almost swamped by the volume of hopefuls – local, regional, national and international – who wanted to be part of the line-up.

"Look out for some big, established, well known and attractive names who will headline our main nights this summer", said Ian Jones, co-chairman of the festival.

"And just as exciting will be the host of new, upcoming, and well known regional and national acts.

"It's been fantastic to have such a huge response so early and a bit of a first to be in a position at this time of the year to be saying "No" to so much talent"

The team has spent countless hours shortlisting the line-up and has sifted through almost 400 acts in an attempt to cover as many music genres as possible throughout the nine nights of performance.

This has been a fundamental aim since the festival's inception and one it wants to continue.

This year's event runs from Friday 24th July until Saturday 1st August. The main venues will be the stage in Blestium Street car park, St Mary's Church on Priory Street and The Three Horseshoes in Drybridge Street. Fringe events are planned for a number of other pub venues.

For further details, visit http://www.monmouth">www.monmouth

festival.co.uk