Fans of fast-rising Stevenage roots and folk star Kelly Oliver hoping to catch her in concert close to home will need to look sharp.

When Kelly appears at Hitchin’s Sun Hotel on Sunday, March 6, it’s the only Hertfordshire date on her current tour – which promotes her second album Bedlam.

And once those dates are done and dusted, Kelly has a busy summer in prospect.

Kelly’s work has already been championed by music legend ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris, renowned for his stint as presenter of the seminal Old Grey Whistle Test on TV and now one of the most knowledgeable, and recognisable, voices on radio.

And now she’s been confirmed as one of the acts on the bill when Bob launches his very own festival, Under The Apple Tree, which is being staged at Silverstone in Bucks at the end of May.

Bob said: “This roots will encompass everything my radio shows are known and loved for – warmth, integrity, and above all, wonderful music, culminating in a three-day extravaganza of unique performances from my favourite artists.”

Find out who else is on the bill at www.undertheappletreefestival.com.

Kelly has also been booked for another festival date closer to home, with a spot confirmed at Hatfield’s Folk By The Oak in July.

At the Hitchin gig Kelly will be supported by Herts-based trio Said The Maiden.

Tickets to the Hitchin Folk Club night are £12 for members and £14 for visitors. Doors open at 7.30pm and music starts at 8.15pm.