EACH Caerphilly festival has boasted a moderately interesting bill and a fantastic setting. Next month's music fest in the banqueting hall on the huge castle is the fifth event in as many years and has both national and Welsh acts.

On Wednesday, July 16, catch Nick Harper, (pictured) son of Roy, (plus unannounced support) and on Thursday, July 17, Cardiff's acoustic lass, Amy Wadge (also with unannounced support).

They're similar to past performers such as Mike Peters of The Alarm, and an acoustic set by Gorky's Zygotic Mynci, in that they're nice but perhaps lack a certain amount of oompf. What they will do is bounce inoffensive sounds off the stone walls of Caerphilly Castle which, as the mulled wine settles in, will create a warming sense of calm.

Harper's high octane strums up and down the fret-board have been described as that of a virtuoso but the singer-guitarist does so in his father's shadow.

And with a pointed political agenda, an acerbic wit, and general insanity on his father's side, Harper junior will always have a fight on his hands to be recognised in his own right.

Wadge is a spirited guitar player and sings passionately but the songs are non-descript and unmemorable.

Last year she won Best Female Artist at the Welsh Rock and Pop Awards. Tickets for the gigs are £10 (Nick Harper) £7 (Amy Wadge) from Caerphilly Tourist information Centre, Spillers Records, The Hayes, Cardiff, Derricks Records, Swansea and The Blackwood Miners' Institute, Blackwood Box telephone number 01495 227206. Tickets are also available on the nights which start at 8pm - doors open 7.15pm.