Chester's famous Northgate Festivals continue the long summer of outstanding music and art with Mayfest this Sunday (May 25).

The free festival will take place in Bulmer's Festival Gardens (previously Abbey Green, behind Alexander's, off Northgate Street) named in honour of the festival's prime sponsors.

A spokeswoman for Bulmer's said their first year's involvement with the festival last year had exceeded expectations and they were delighted to support the cultural renaissance of the Northgate Quarter.

Alexander’s Jazz Theatre and Handel’s Court Gallery are the other two principle sponsors, ensuring that the festivals sound good and look great.

As always the festival is merely the host for the cream of Chester's vibrant music scene - the best showcase for the enormous range of musical talent that Chester has to offer.

Mayfest will take place on Sunday, May 25 kicking off at noon with the acoustic stage, with the action on the main stage starting at 2pm.

This year’s line-up includes an eclectic mixture of styles from the energetic punk overtones of Shopsoiled to the chilled out vibes of The Koala Collective through rock, indie and covers bands.

Highlights Include:

Shopsoiled - in their previous incarnation as the Accelerators they were among the pioneers of the punk era.

Stipe - featured on The One Show, they cover songs by the  world-renowned band REM.

Sticky Soles do covers ranging from The Black Keys to Bruno Mars and Stevie Wonder.

Joe Symes and The Loving Kind are an acoustic rock five piece who've played the 02 Academy.

Nightflies - an indie band with original material, winners of Jack Daniels’ 2013 JD Roots Battle of the Band competition.

The Wookiees - slick, retro funk vibes overpowered by a reckless rock ‘n’ roll punch.

Jonathon Coley is just one of 13 sets of performers on the acoustic stage, and you can check out his emotional vocals and spellbinding playing, along with all the rest of the bands' performances, on the Northgate Festival's website: www.NorthgateFestivals.org.