This week we continue our countdown to Rhythms of the World we take a look at some of the home-grown talent taking to the stages for the two day Hitchin festival.

The organisers of the event on July 14 and 15 pride themselves not only on bringing together some of the most innovative acts from across the globe but also promoting some of the best acts on the UK and local music scene.

Formed in Hitchin in 2006, childhood friends My Passion return to the festival to play the BBC Introducing Stage on Sunday at 8pm. With over 500 shows including at Download, T in the Park and Underage Festival and a Kerrang! tour under their spangley belts this five piece are a polished electro-punk-rock power act.

Fellow Hitchin five-piece The October Game also make a welcome return. The alt-rockers will be performing songs from their two magical independently-released albums that mix soaring melodies with fuzzing electronics, plaintive vocals and at times an addictive melancholia – it’s like taking an early morning walk in a forest. Catch them on the BBC Introducing Stage on the Saturday at 7.15pm

Member of local favourites My Pet Junkie, and full-time solo globe-trotting troubadour, guitarist and singer Stuart O’Connor will bring his vast stage experience and innovative and complex guitar style to the Main Stage at 1pm on Sunday.

Stevenage’s marvellous The New Town Centres will play tracks from their new album on the Nettlebed Stage on Sunday at 7.15pm featuring the besuited gent’s brand of 50s twang, Cockeresque observations and downright rocking tunes.

Tickets at �10 per day for adults and �5 for youths (six to 17) are still available online at www.rotw.org.uk, and at Harvest Moon, Merryfield’s Newsagent, Hitchin Initiative, Club85 and The Victoria in Hitchin, David’s Music in Letchworth and Coda Music in Stevenage Old Town.