TWO York pubs are to stage a two-day festival of live music during the August bank holiday, which they say will showcase some of the best unsigned acts from Yorkshire and beyond as well as raising money for charity.

The City Festival is on Sunday, August 30, at the Mount pub in Blossom Street and on Monday, August 31, at the Spread Eagle in Walmgate.

It will be free and feature music from 22, said Spread Eagle landlord Nicholas Cope, who has collaborated with his friend, Mount landlord Linford Gardner, in organising the event.

He said that while entry was free, the festival was intended to raise money for SASH, a York-based charity which helps prevent young people from becoming homeless.

He said it would start with Simon Fox, from Scunthorpe, setting the pace with a solo indie act performing originals and covers and The Tapestry, from Greater Manchester, who have been gigging in London and will be playing at The Blackthorn Festival in Manchester this weekend.

"We also have the likes of Jade Assembly, from Bolton, who will be supporting The Clone Roses in Preston on August 14 and Lazy Eye from The Midlands, who have just played the Pop-Up Fest in Manchester," he said.

"The ones to look out for are The Atmospherics, an indie-pop/rock band from Blackpool. They are actively hitting the nation’s airwaves at the moment."

He said the Spread Eagle would feature the likes of Scribble Victory, an acoustic folk pop duo from Derby and Iron Hands, a rock ‘n’ roll band from Scunthorpe.

"Also gracing us with their presence we have the Vendettas, a Brit-mod band from Leeds. They have recently released a new single called Long Island Iced Tea.

"For the more metalists out there, we have Apricity Burns, a young 16-18 years old band from Leeds making themselves known on the circuit. They are appearing at The Venue in York in August."