There’s only one question to be asked in Hitchin this week: Is everyone ready for Rhythms?

Rhythms of the World returns on Saturday and Sunday to the grounds of Hitchin Priory, and organisers reckon there’s something for everyone.

Among the headliners are South African afro-pop band Freshlyground on Saturday and internationally renowned jazz virtuoso Courtney Pine on the Sunday.

Also appearing on the main stage are the likes of Caribbean calypso outfit Kobo Town, CC Smugglers and Brazilian carnival experts Toque Tambor on the opening day, and psychedelic soul stars The Crazy World of Arthur Brown on the Sunday.

The BBC Introducing Stage, hosted by Gareth Lloyd of ‘BBC Introducing… in Beds, Herts and Bucks’, will featuring Saturday headliners Josephine and the Artizans, a 10-piece classical-crossover band who blend operatic vocals with hip-hop and rock sounds.

Sunday’s BBC Introducing headliners are indie guitar rockers Childhood.

The stage will also feature urban, indie, electro, hip-hop, rock and metal performers over the weekend.

The line-up will include Atlas, hip-hop supergroup Phili N Dotz, new band Black Noise featuring Lawrence from 2012 festival headliners My Passion, metal group Neverworld and urban-electro outfit One Bit.

Gates will open at 11am on Saturday and close at 9pm. Performances will start at noon and end at 11pm. On Sunday, gates will again open at 11am and the music ends at 9pm.

Daily ticket prices are £15 adults, £5 youths (6-17 years) and it is free for children five and under. Full details at www.rotw.org.uk.