Everyone urged to "get themselves to Lancaster" as city's music festival plays on

Deak Jackson and Golly Goulding with The Citizens Band

There's a party atmosphere in the city this weekend as Lancaster becomes a musical playground for thousands of people.

The eighth annual Lancaster Music Festival is in full swing, and there's still hundreds of exciting and eclectic performances to look forward to over the next three days.

Musicians are expected to make their way to Market Square today, Saturday, at 2pm for a huge group photo.

Maya Murray-Reynolds, 15, from Lancaster, has organised the young people's music events in Market Square.

Maya, who attends Lancaster Girls Grammar School, said: "The festival is great! It's such a great atmosphere with so many people in the city.

"It's brilliant for young people too because we can't really get in the pubs, but there's loads to do in all the outdoor spaces.

"There's always a youth stage in the square on a Friday afternoon, so they asked us to come and put on a few of our acts.

"Will Eagles and I have been booking the acts for the weekend."

Youth music organiser Maya Murray-Reynolds, 15, from Lancaster

Lancaster Castle provides the main stage setting for the festival with live music from local and international acts until 9pm, while Sun Square, Market Square, Dalton Square and The Judges Lodgings hosts a huge range of genres and styles.

The festival even has its own 'Festival Ale' created by the music festival team and brewed by Lancaster Brewery.

Festival goer Sam Rushworth, 39, from Lancaster, said: "I first heard about the music festival two years ago from my friend and musician Stephen Hudson.

"It was a lot smaller then but last year was a different ball game with the castle and all the different outdoor areas.

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"I love the fact that young people are more involved, and people can bring their families."

Sam said he has a particular approach to attending the festival.

"I look on the festival's website first and then look in more detail at the musicians and the genres," he said.

"I'll then check them out on Youtube if I haven't heard of them.

James Varney, Tom Flemons and Max Haymes at Atticus Bookshop

"All I can say is get yourselves over to Lancaster for the music festival weekend. It's a fantastic event for not only local musicians but musicians from all over the world."

Atticus Bookshop in King Street, the festival's smallest venue, hosts a varied and unusual array of performances and events.

Light shows, music, spoken word, and workshops take place across the weekend.

On Friday, James Varney, from Manchester, hosted talks on British treason laws, while Indonesian duo Andi and Dina take to the stage at 3pm today, Saturday.

Tom Flemons, owner of Atticus Bookshop said: "We've got a really good programme this year. We had a funk disco last night in the shop, and people heard the music and piled in or listened outside, it was a lot of fun. We've got events and performances until late each night and lots of surprises."

Festival brochures are still available from all the participating venues.