A packed programme of evening gigs across city centre venues has been announced as part of Foundry Festival, expanding the weekend’s celebration of live music in Stoke-on-Trent.

Alongside two days of free outdoor live music on stages at Piccadilly and Tontine Square on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 May, a series of gigs will take place across The Woodman, The Underground and The Sugarmill, bringing the festival atmosphere into the city’s venues each evening.

The weekend begins with a Foundry Festival opener at The Underground on Friday 1 May, featuring SHADER, SideEye and The Groves. This opening show is a paid event and is not included in the Foundry Festival wristband discount.

Festival activity then moves into the city centre on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 May, with two outdoor stages running throughout the day before music continues into the evening across participating venues.

All shows at The Woodman are free across Saturday and Sunday. Saturday features Jessie James, Attack of the Vapours and Crowspeak whilst on Sunday showcases the talents of Samantha Lloyd, Daniall Lee and Dead Bird Lady.

Shows at The Underground (Saturday) and The Sugarmill (Saturday and Sunday) will offer 50% off entry for audiences with a Foundry Festival wristband.

Saturday at The Underground features Era’s End, The Revenants, Mothkeeper and Cure for the Enemy and over at The Sugarmill they have FOARN, The Cuza, Eve Buckley and Beth Hill and Sunday at The Sugarmill features Gerg Murray and the Seven Wonders, Walter Kocays and Kez Liddle.

Festival music producer Lee Barber, said: “Foundry Festival is about creating a full weekend experience for music fans. You can spend the day enjoying free live music on the outdoor stages in the city centre, then continue the night in some of Stoke-on-Trent’s best venues. It’s a great way to celebrate the strength of the local music scene and give audiences the chance to discover brilliant artists across the whole weekend.”

Festival wristbands are available by registering for a free Foundry Festival ticket at foundryfestival.co.uk.