Rhythms of the World is expanding from a once a year event to promoting music throughout the year.

The lovely people behind Hitchin’s award-winning festival of world music and local talent will have the first of what they hope will be a series of gigs backing the best of the area’s music scene as well as global artists.

The first event will be at Club Fandango at The Bull and Gate in Kentish Town, London on Saturday with Tonight We’re Electric who played on the BBC Introducing Stage at this summer’s festival, four-piece indie rockers Vinyl Junkies, Letchworth’s Highfield School Nirvana tinged Stereo Breakout, and Here Comes The Blackout – twin sisters harmonising acoustic indie and folk songs.

Steve Smither, Rhythms of the World performance director, said: “It’s great for us to see bands perform and go down a storm at this year’s festival and then support them with an opportunity like this - a gig at a prestigious London venue. Rhythms of the World is more than a summer weekend festival, we not only help bands progress but we’re also about helping to put the area and our music scene on the map.”

For more information, go to www.rotw.org.uk