THE music line-up is in place for the inaugural B-Fest, the York Barbican beer, blues and folk festival, on August 18 and 19.

York folk festival favourites and buskers Blackbeard's Tea Party will headline the Friday evening bill, when folk singer-songwriter Kelly Ann Boland, folk musicians Plumhall, blues act Mr Dodo Bones and blues/rockabilly band The Black Jacks will play too.

The Saturday afternoon acts will be singer-songwriter Sam Price, folk musicians Elsie Franklin and Mulholland, alt. blues band Lion Papers and the bill-topping Gary Stewart Band.

York bluegrass band King Courgette will lead off the Saturday evening programme, followed by York folk duo Union Jilll, blues combo Half Hand Hoodoo Band and the return of The Black Jacks.

In the first such partnership at York Barbican, the venue has teamed up with SIBA – the Society of Independent Brewers - to create B-Fest, a festival with 200 craft ales on rotation across 40 handpulls, on one massive bar in the auditorium, complemented by local craft cider, street food and the aforementioned live music on the B stage.

Opening hours for the three sessions will be 6pm to 11.30pm on August 18; noon to 5.30pm and 6.30pm to 11.30pm on August 19.

B-Fest begins straight after the SIBA North East region annual beer competition and the winning beers will be showcased alongside many others of varying strengths from York, Ripon, Knaresborough, Bedale, Harrogate, Masham, Driffield, Leeds, Shipley, Castleford, Wakefield, Sheffield and the North East.

Ian Fozard,chairman of SIBA's North East Region, says: "We’re really excited about B-Fest. York Barbican is such a great venue to show off the region's great ale and down-to-earth music. The opportunity to sample a huge selection of our region’s award-winning beers is too good to miss”.

Mark Scott, York Barbican's general manager, says: "An event at York Barbican wouldn’t feel right without live music, which is why we’ll be unveiling our brand new B stage, giving local musicians a chance to exhibit their skills. And if you don’t drink, there’s a great range of non- alcoholic beverages, plus some great cuisine on offer throughout the festival."

The three separate sessions each cost £6 and can be booked at the box office, online at yorkbarbican.co.uk or on the door.