HOTLY tipped collective Moulettes open The Hedge End Music Festival on Sunday.

The groundbreaking band are one of five acts to appear at The Berry Theatre in a Hedge End Carnival Committee event designed to cure the winter blues at a festival without a muddy field in sight.

Moulettes will bring their progressive English folk-rock to the stage in a one-off UK gig prior to an extensive European tour. With their local connections a big crowd can be expected.

The Brighton based band – Hannah Miller (cello, vocals, guitar), Ollie Austin (drums, guitar, piano, vocals), Ruth Skipper (bassoon, vocals, autoharp, synths), Jim Mortimore (double bass, guitar, vocals) and Raevennan Husbandes (electric guitar, vocals, percussion) – have a number of local links. Ollie and Ruth have Southampton roots and have been involved in the Sotones record label. The band regularly collaborate with Band of Skulls.

Next up will be the legendary figure of British popular music John Otway on Thursday. Hot on the heels of recording his first album in ten years, John will be performing new material as well as his famous back catalogue.

Tickets are available from 023 8065 2333 or theberrytheatre.co.uk