TWENTY bands played across two stages at the “superb” 10-hour Shirefest music festival on Saturday.
The sun shone as the gates opened at 1pm and people flocked to enjoy a varied line-up of music including rock, folk, acoustic, country, jazz and Celtic.
Visitors to the annual festival, which is held at the Huntsman Hotel in Shirenewton, also enjoyed a bouncy castle, hair braiding, face painting, barbecue food, a trampoline, a children’s cinema and a circus performer.
Among the bands playing was Bad Reputation, a young rock band hailing from Chepstow and Shirenewton, and Mansel Davies, a solo acoustic country artist from Usk.
Many of the performers were back by popular demand after pleasing crowds at past Shirefest events, including jazz favourites Something Sultry, Aberdare-based Fireroad and bluesy rock duo TaffyWasAThief, from Newport.
This year’s Shirefest was in aid of the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital charity, which fundraises for the Children’s Hospital for Wales, and Little Hearts Matter, a charity which provides support to children and their families who are born with only half a working heart.
On Facebook, the festival was called a “superb event” by visitor Nigel Tucker.
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