Kings of Leon top live weekend action

A string of A-list acts are making their way to the Midlands this Bank Holiday . . .

Music lovers in the Midlands are in for a bit of a bank holiday treat over the coming days as rock gods The Kings of Leon touch down in Coventry while rapper/singer Example 'kickstarts' the festival season over in Shropshire.

Launched in 2010 as the low-cost alternative to festivals like Glastonbury and V, Oswestry's own Osfest has already become a firm favourite on the annual calendar.

Held at Oswetry Showground at the very start of the festival season and offering punters the chance to enjoy a two-day event for just £57.50, it's practically free in comparison to the near £200 price tag of most UK festivals.

But that's not to say it doesn't boast an impressive line-up.

Example, Tinchy Stryder, Aggro Santos, Goldie Lookin Chain, You And What Army and Alvarez Kings will all play tomorrow, while The Feeling, Boomtown Rats, From The Jam, Fake That, Missing Andy, Paradise Point and The Kayas will play on Sunday. The whole shebang will start tonight with a set from DJ Jaguar Skills.

Headliner Example has this week been Tweeting his excitement about the event, writing: "Osfest - can't wait. What sort of size crowd can I expcet this weekend?"

And he's not the only one looking forward to it. Festival spokeswoman Carly Jackson said: "We wanted to create an event that was family-friendly and that didn't cost the earth. We're a low-cost festival and everything went really well last year. Of course, we've learned plenty of lessons that we'll put into practice this year, so it should be even bigger and better.

"A lot of the bands use us as a warm-up for other events. And the fans love it that they get to see their favourite bands before the festival season really kicks in."

Tickets are available at www.osfest.co.uk

Kings of Leon, of course, are used to headlining much bigger stages; having previously topped the bill at V.

They bring their summer tour to the West Midlands with a headline gig at Coventry's Ricoh Arena on Monday.

It will be followed by shows in June at stadiums in Sunderland, Manchester, London and Edinburgh.

It comes just weeks after frontman Caleb Followill married Victoria's Secret model Lily Aldridge in a low-key ceremony attended only by the couple's families.

This week Caleb spoke of his admiration for singer and songwriter Bob Dylan - who celebrated his 70th birthday on Tuesday.

Speaking about Dylan Caleb said: "He's a huge hero. Anyone who's ever tried to write a song feels stupid when they hear one of his. We met him on tour. I almost passed out."

The sell-out Richo gig is a huge coup for the arena, and ticket-holders are already being warned to arrive early as traffic is expected to be heavy.

The gates will open at 4pm with The Whigs taking to the stage at 5.35pm, followed by Mona at 6.15pm and White Lies at 7.15pm. Fans can expect a set that takes in much of their back catalogue, from 2003's Youth and Manhood to last year's outstanding Come Around Sundown. Details are available at www.ricoharena.com

Andy Richardson