A FLINTSHIRE music festival is returning for the first time since the pandemic - and promises to be bigger and better than ever. 

B-Fest, based at Ty Ucha Farm in Caerwys, is a two-day festival and takes place next weekend. 

This year's event includes performances from the frontman of Britpop band the Inspiral Carpets and the ex-frontman of The Seahorses - the band formed by legendary former Stone Roses guitarist John Squire.

The Leader: Chris Helme - the former frontman of The Seahorses. Chris Helme - the former frontman of The Seahorses.

B-Fest offers 19 acts over two days with a main stage and acoustic tent hosted by Rent and Debt Records.

Camping next to the picturesque site is available from the Friday to Sunday and food and drink outlets, stalls and family friendly entertainment will keep you fed and watered all weekend.

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B-Fest, founded in 2013 by Phillipa Kitchen, is delivered by a passionate local team of music professionals that pride themselves on delivering vibrant and diverse acts.

Headlining the festival on Saturday are Liverpool indie rockers Space. 

The band came to prominence in the mid-1990s with hit singles such as 'Female of the Species', 'Neighbourhood', 'Avenging Angels' and 'The Ballad of Tom Jones'. They worked with both Tom Jones in 1999 and Cerys Matthews a year earlier.

The Leader: Space band. Space band.

Cal Roberts, of North Wales Concerts, is helping to organise the event. 

He said: "I performed at many of the previous events, and always had an amazing time. When Phillipa asked North Wales Concerts to curate an acoustic stage, I jumped at the chance.

"I love the idea of giving local artists the chance to share a stage with more established acts. We hosted our first festival together and then Covid hit and put the brakes on everything."

The Leader: Tom Hingley - the former frontman of the Inspiral Carpets. Tom Hingley - the former frontman of the Inspiral Carpets.

Cal added: "This year we return with a bang, with 90's icons Space headlining the main stage on the Saturday. We also have sets from The Seahorses' Chris Helme, Inspiral Carpets frontman Tom Hingley, and Ian Prowse, who has recently played a sold out show in St Marys, Chester as well as another UK tour with Elvis Costello.

"We have handpicked the best acts the area has to offer, with bands such as Hollows, Honeytalks and Screaming Devil Pleasure Beach, who are all absolutely nailing it at the moment."

Phillipa Kitchen said: ""B-Fest started in 2013 in Babell as a one off to raise money for Welsh Women's Aid.

"Myself and Pamela Wilkinson came up with the concept that was supposed to be held in a garden but then got carried away and it ended up being held on a 13 acres.

"Then it moved to Holywell football club and in 2019 we took a big gamble and moved up to Caerwys so people would start to take us seriously as a music festival, not a family fun day.

"Now we offer two-night camping, 19 hours of original music focusing on being a platform for original artists to showcase their material. We also have the potential to grow to a full weekend."

She added: "We are pushing the music festival aspect hard this year, we are not council-run, we are independent not-for-profit and have hosted this festival each year with sponsorship  from local businesses and ticket sales - so if you don't want to lose it, you got to use it!"

Tickets are on sale at https://www.skiddle.com/festivals/b-fest-wales/