THIRTEEN is the magic number this week for organisers of a gig in Shefford as this many local bands and musicians have decided to give up their free time to play the Charity Music Festival on Saturday. There are more bands playing on this day than played

THIRTEEN is the magic number this week for organisers of a gig in Shefford as this many local bands and musicians have decided to give up their free time to play the Charity Music Festival on Saturday.

There are more bands playing on this day than played the main stage at Reading Festival last Saturday and at only a tenth of the price (£5.50).

If that wasn't good enough, the gig has been organised to raise money for disabled facilities at Shefford Memorial Hall. So go on, pat yourself on the back again, it's all for a very good cause.

Ok, so which generous souls will be giving their all this Saturday?

The malicious Vicious Cabaret - guitar rock noir at its darkest and most spiteful - will be joined by metallic headbangers Hekz, whose music is a bit heavier and whose hair is a bit longer than the Cabaret.

Also on the bill is Bedfordshire's own Trivium influenced Center of Eruption, delivering hard hitting screamo music to whoever's ears can take it.

Hitchin's own Jack Names the Planets - going with the same name of Ash's 1994 debut song - don't sound too dissimilar from their Downpatrick counterparts.

Rogue Poet's upbeat and squeaky tracks take me back to the mid-90s. Add a shake of the Arctic Monkeys and you get the idea.

Other bands playing at the festival include Pigeon Toed Orange Peel, Izzy, Order of the Day, Counterfeit Phil Romeo, Unclassified, Ex-Nhilo and comedy rock band Duran Darran.

The gig, sponsored by Soundarc Studios in association with A.M.P., starts at 2pm and will continue until late. It takes place at Shefford Memorial Park at Digswell Park.

There will also be a raffle, food and a bar available and tickets are available on the door.