A three-day music festival celebrating and supporting local singers and bands is being held this coming weekend.

The Raising Spirit Festival will take place in the walled garden of Came House at the Came Estate near Dorchester from June 18 to 20.

The festival is the brainchild of Weymouth musician Ben Waters, who wishes to champion the world-class performers on our doorstep and help musicians who lost their income during the pandemic.

He said: "2020 saw the hardest year ever for many people, particularly the people of Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester.

"It's long overdue that we should be championing this remarkable pocket of talent here in the south west and also at a time when they need help.

"The Raising Spirit Festival is so much more than a festival, it's a celebration, it's a much needed focal point for bands that need something to look forward to, rehearse, keep their spirits up and also a much-needed revenue stream.

"It's going to bring thousands of pounds to each band which will hopefully help ease some of the losses made in 2020."

He added: "Having spoken to all the acts they are immensely looking forward to performing, They all keep saying the same thing 'there is nothing better than playing for a home crowd, Dorset audiences are the best.'"

There will be a full programme of live Dorset bands each day with more than 60 musicians taking part.

Headlining the festival on the Friday will be Jack Daniels and Howling At The Moon, on Saturday it's the The Nick Capaldi Band, and closing the festival on Sunday is the Robbie McIntosh band. Robbie is famed for being the guitarist in the Pretenders and Paul McCartney's band.

Other acts include The Ben Waters Band, The Leggomen, Danny Adams, Vanilla Radio and Chris 'Kipper' Roberts.

Tickets include entrance to the Covid-safe festival, camping and all beer, wine, cider, soft drinks and hot drinks. There is a small number of day tickets available.

There is a limited number of tickets for sale because the festival is being held in the intimate location of a walled garden.

Raising Spirit is sponsored by Grinning Dog Records, which is set to open a recording studio in Dorchester.

Tickets can be bought from www.raisingspiritfestival.com

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