Sidmouth Fringe Sessions return from August 1 – 5, with organisers ‘setting the bar very high’.

Building on its reputation for seeking out emerging new talent and high quality artists and bands - the event this year received more than 200 artist applications for its 16 session slots, which are held over four evenings.

“We have a very exciting line-up of artists and bands from all parts of the UK, as well as some of the very best local talent from Exeter and the West Country,” said the Fringe Sessions’ Giles Sadler.

“There are no support or warm-up bands - just fantastic music right from the start.”

Saturday, August 1, features a menu of mouth-watering virtuosos of both guitar and piano, plus melodic and crowd-pleasing bands to kick off this years Fringe.

The percussive guitar talents of The Chris Woods Groove Orchestra, the boogie-woogie piano of Henri Herbert, the melodic sounds of Boat to Row and thigh-slapping Cornish Alt-Bluegrass band The Flats and Sharps (pictured) will feature.

‘West Country’s finest’ is the theme on Sunday, August 2, with Echo Town, the three-part harmonies of BBC 2 Folk Award nominees Wildwood Kin, the spontaneous and passionate songs of Jess McAllister; and the salty folk-tinged anthems of The Grenaways forming the line-up.

Tuesday, August 4, is ‘Indie night’ with four of the most exciting young breakthrough bands from across the UK performing.

Exeter’s own quirky young indie dance band The Sherpas, Manchester/London duo Twin Hidden, Kent band Native People, London art-school boys MOVIE will all feature.

The finale on Wednesday, August 5, will hear the flute and ambient rythmns of SY?VA; the melodic, soulful songs of Hattie Whitehead; the uplifting folk-tinged anthems of the Boundless Brothers and joyful folk hiphop from CoCo and the Butterfields.

“We have the support of the BBC Introducing (Devon) team who are coming back to do live broadcasts and guest host the event,” added Giles. “Of particular note is that BBC Introducing’s main presenter James Santer is also from Sidmouth born and bred.”

Exeter band the Sherpas also has Sidmouth’s Chris Tilke playing bass.

The sessions, which take place at McBuzz’s Barn at Thorn Park, near Salcombe Regis, are ‘free to all music lovers’, but donations go to those performing on the night.

Full details at http://www.sidmouthfringe.co.uk/