FREE ENTRY

Mr Rusty Mahone is back for another eclectic mix of classic old and new drinking songs. So raise a glass, give a cheer, bring a guitar and sit back to enjoy an acoustic open mic night hosted by one of Chester busking legends and all round decent bloke.

Free Admission before 10pm, £4 thereafter

“Softly softly” is not a maxim that King King are familiar with. Since surging into life last year they have barely stopped for breath, and their electrifying sound and scorching live shows have generated more of a thunderous roar than a buzz.

This is a band which knows how to make an entrance. Fronted by charismatic bluesman Alan Nimmo, their exhilarating debut at last year’s Monaghan Blues Festival created such a stir that it prompted organizer Somhairle MacCognil to remark: “King King aren’t just playing the festival. Word is that King King ARE the festival”. With a reception like this there’s no surprise that the phone has been ringing off the hook since, and the last year has seen a frenetic schedule of gigs and festival appearances which have received outstanding praise and added plenty of new blood to their burgeoning army of followers.

Free admission before 9pm, £4 thereafter

Catfish & The Bottlemen achieve the rare by being a local band with a staggeringly professional recording. An impressive feat in itself, but not more so than the sheer quality of their material which bounces around the genres like a pinball while keeping a firm indie grounding. Sure to have you dancing around one minute and gently swaying the next, only experiencing the impressive four-piece yourself can explain how they are band to watch out for in the future.