Large crowds expected as popular Banbury Music Mix event returns (Friday)
Thousands of people are expected to pack out Banbury's Market Place on Friday (July 31) as the popular Banbury Music Mix returns for another evening of free live music.
Five crowd-pleasing Oxfordshire bands will take to the stage on Friday for this year's Banbury Music Mix.
Organised by Banbury Town Council in partnership with Banbury Music Mix Radio, the annual event is designed to showcase local talent and is expected to attract thousands of music fans to the town centre.
Visitors will be able to enjoy five hours of free live music, featuring a mix of original songs and classic covers.
The event gets underway at 5.30pm with blues-rock covers band Tres Hombres, who will perform a number of classics from the 1970's and beyond.
They will be followed by local favourites Neon Nights, who will perform a set of alternative and indie rock originals from 6.30pm until 7.15pm.
Oxfordshire-based Hot Sauce Rhythm & Brass will then take to the stage from 7.30pm until 8.15pm with a lively mix of brass-funk originals and classic covers.
From 8.30pm until 9.15pm, local veterans The Badgers will perform a crowd-pleasing set of punk, new wave, glam rock and rock covers.
Classic and hard rock covers band Dirty Mynds will round off the evening as this year's headline act, performing from 9.30pm until 10.30pm.
The performances will take place on a purpose-built stage in Market Place, transforming the town centre into an outdoor music venue capable of welcoming thousands of visitors.
Alongside the live music, visitors will also be able to enjoy a variety of food and drink stalls and bars.
A spokesperson for Banbury Town Council said: “One of the key aspects of Banbury Music Mix is its commitment to showcasing local musicians to the public for free, with Banbury Music Mix Radio assisting with sourcing the line-up.
“The musicians perform free of charge at this event, an invaluable factor in the council's ability to organise this highly popular event and bring together artists and music lovers alike.
“The event reflects a wider ambition to encourage more people into the town centre and demonstrate everything it has to offer. Bringing people together through live entertainment creates a vibrant atmosphere while helping to establish Banbury's Market Place as a welcoming destination for residents and visitors alike.”