Today at the Festival

There was wonderful music throughout the village last night. Today, you can get straight into the swing of Festival Sunday from 10.00am with the Textile Art Exhibition & Didgeridoo Competition at Audlem Mill Canal & Needlework Shop on the Wharf.

By 11.00am it could well be time for a coffee with Acoustic elevenses at the Coffee Lounge – Simon Kempston entertains and top acoustic artists pop in.

Art and BluesThere's art at the Methodist Hall from midday with a mixed art exhibition before 1.00pm sees one of Audlem Festival's most popular institutions get underway – Blues Alley where, new to the festival, the Groove Merchants will be playing their unique brand of funk and jazz. Very cool, and very funky.

HighlightThe crowds are sure to be out at 1.30pm for the Travelling Band. They are on a nationwide tour of top venues and it's a real coup to hear one of Glastonbury's top bands last year in Audlem. Their second album is released tomorrow and is likely to be big success. The Travelling Band are at the Lord Combermere.

Another musical highlight is at 2.00pm with Jazz Dawgs at the Bridge Inn. Adrian Ingram is one of the world's most respected jazz guitar players. He is joined this weekend by his Jazz Dawgs, Ian Wroe and Pete Wraith. They play melodic swing, the sort of Jazz that won't spook the horses.

ClassixAt 2.30pm it's Classix with Alix (and friends) & Saxophonie "Classix" in Audlem Scout Hall. An afternoon of classical music with refreshments. A mix of piano duets, solos, chamber music etc, played by Alix, Jenny, Geraldine, Meg, Karen etc. Saxophonie "Classix" is a chance to hear a saxophone quartet playing classical music from 16th to 20th century – with maybe an odd jazz classic thrown in!

Talent2.30pm also sees Elly Kingdon at the Lord Combermere Inside stage. Those who have heard her will agree with this verdict: 'One of the most talented newcomers for some time, combining her own lyrics with her sweet voice and uke and her own style Elly is a must see performer'.

Blues Alley at 2.30pm and one of Audlem's favourite musicians, Jim Kirkpatrick is centre stage, or rather road!

3.00pm brings on The Dunwell Brothers Band at the Lord Combermere. These guys were at Triumph Live in 2010 where they supported Mumford & Sons. Anyone that's seen them has just been 'Oh My God!' They're mind boggling! The quality of the songs, the quality of the playing, the quality of the vocals, the harmonies.

3.30pm and it's USB's at the Bridge Inn with their unique brand of surf rock and likely to be a big favourite.

4.00pm has Simon Kempston at the Lord Combermere Iinside stage – an Edinburgh based singer-songwriter performing original, traditional and contemporary folk-blues-celtic influenced songs and material. It's his first Audlem Festival.

At 4.30pm it's another big favourite, the reads at the Lord Combermere. They've just finished recording their debut album 'Stories from the Border' with top producer Jim Spencer. the reads are looking forward to sharing their sounds once again with some familiar faces on their annual pilgrimage to Audlem!

CapellaThis could be a great highlight of the afternoon – and there's lots of competition! At 5.00pm it's In The Smoke in the Methodist Church. They are London's freshest a cappella sensation. A group of twenty-something doctors, teachers, lawyers, environmental consultants(!) Together since 2007, they have enjoyed two great seasons at the Edinburgh Fringe, performed last summer at the Limetree Festival in Yorkshire and this year – Audlem!

Also at 5.00pm, Akiva, a four piece from Bedfordshire playing electro indie originals interspersed with a few covers of indie dancefloor fillers, are on at the Bridge Inn.

ChurchThe music is very different at 5.00 in St James' Church with Andrew Lobb. He is one of Northumberland's contemporary folk songwriters and singer/guitarist. He draws inspiration from the hills and valleys of Northumberland, Holy Island and the stories of folk from years past.

At 5.30, Simon Kempston returns to the Lord Combermere (inside) for the second half of his set to be followed at 6.00pm by local favourites Blue Cafe. Alg Halliwell and Val Warner are back with a new Blue Cafe line up including Mike Waldron on bass, Sevi G on percussion and Ian Haughey on guitar, with some of Blue Cafe's classic tracks and a few new ones from the band.

And after all that, there's a full evening of music in the pubs and St James' Church to look forward to!

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