THE Spiegeltent returns to the Crescent Gardens in Harrogate from today until June 7 for Harrogate International Festivals' smorgasbord of live music.

Director Sharon Canavar says: "This mirrored tent is one of the most stunning pop-up venues in the world and there’s only a handful in existence today. It’s quite a sight to behold with wooden floors, mirrored walls, stained glass, luscious red velvet seating booths and lamped lighting, complete with dance floor and bottle bar. It’s perfect for live music and cabaret in a relaxed environment.”

Spiegeltent has a guest curator for 2014, musician Gabby Young, who has picked enigmatic electro-swing band Kitten & The Hip for tomorrow, her own eight-piece band, Gabby Young & Other Animals, for Saturday and Django a la Creole on Monday, all at 8pm.

“I'm so excited and honoured to be involved with this year’s Harrogate International Festival," says Gabby.

"It's been on my wish list for a long time as the line-up is always fantastic, varied and about real talent. The bands I've chosen for the Speigletent are all incredible musicians and know how to put on a show and give the audience a good time, so I can’t wait to see what they're cooking up.

"So get ready to dress up, dance, clap, stomp and sing along. This is a real chance to let your hair down no matter who you are or what age; there's something for everyone.”

Introducing the bands, Gabby says: "Kitten & The Hip feature trombone player Ashley Slater, who’s best known for his work with Norman Cook, aka Fatboy Slim, in the band Freak Power. Raw brass juices on top of pumping backing tracks will make this an opening night to remember.

"Of course, I'm most excited to be performing with my band. We have something very special planned and are working on new songs from our forthcoming album, so you'll be the first in the world to hear them live.

"Django à la Créole will be offering some real international flavour with a fusion of gipsy swing with hot syncopation from the streets of New Orleans, the Caribbean and Brazil, bringing a New Orleans ‘Hot Club’ right here in the Spiegeltent."

Gabby is also looking forward to the Gypsy Queens' return to the Spiegeltent on Sunday night after their appearance last year. "I'm more than excited that fellow Nice performers Gypsy Queens are playing,." she says. "I remember some happy evenings jamming with Didi and others at Johnny’s Bar in Old Town.”

Harrogate Festival’s summer headline act Bellowhead, who play the Royal Hall onJuly 11,are curating a Young Musicians series showcasing the Next Big Things in Folk music in the Spiegeltent, including 20-year-old singer-songwriter Hattie Briggs on Monday; 2013 Horizon Award nominee Maz O'Connor on June 6 and the 2010 BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards winner, singer and guitarist James Findlay, with melodeon player Ollie King on June 7.

O'Connor performs traditional and self-penned songs on guitar, shruti box, piano and harmonium and spent last summer singing in the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of As You Like, which featured new music by fellow folkie Laura Marling. O'Connor's new album, produced by Jim Moray, will be out this summer.

Five-string violin and double bass duo Ben & Alfie play on Wednesday and lap guitar, fiddle and harmony duo Katriona Gilmore & Jamie Roberts on Thursday. All these shows start at 12.30pm.

“The Young Musician concerts are a completely free lunchtime series, so it’s a great way to come down and experience the magic of the Spiegeltent," says Sharon Canavar.

The evening live sessions continue with British double bass player Gary Crosby, leader of the Jazz Jamaica All Stars big band, with his compact new jazz and Afrobeat group, Groundation, on Wednesday; and A Firm Of Poets, a West Yorkshire collective of writers and spoken-word artists, on Thursday with special guest Rommi Smith, the Parliamentary Writer in Residence, and The Housekeeping Society, alias musicians Ric Neale and Ivan Mack, who provide the night's soundscapes.

House Of Burlesque preview their London show on June 6, celebrating decadence and glamour with bawdy host Miss Tempest Rose, followed by a Silent Disco, and the final 8pm gig presents Nubiyan Twist, a ten-piece outfit with a penchant for grooves and jazz improvisation, on June 7.

The pop-up Spiegeltent has limited capacity, so audiences are encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment on 01423 562303 or at harrogateinternationalfestivals.com