VARIETY and originality are the themes for the music line-up at this year’s Bradford Festival.

An international flavour will be served up for visitors to next month’s fest in Bradford City Park, with emerging Irish band, The Eskies, bringing the sound of folk noir, Gypsy jazz and sea shanty to the main stage.

The Dubliners played over 40 festivals last year in five countries which included an invite to the influential Eurosonic Festival.

They aren’t the only announced act to have tasted international success – Canterbury indie-pop band CoCo and the Butterfields have sold out headline shows in the UK and Europe since forming in 2012.

Music from their first four EPs will be blared out to crowds at this year’s fest.

Local talent will also be on show with up-and-coming indie folk band, Huw Eddy & The Carnival, from Leeds, hoping to continue their rise when they take on the main stage in Centenary Square.

Also, an exclusive collaboration act, by the name of Normanton Street Bradford Link Up, will see Bradford Youth Orchestra, Bradford-based artists from Rubixcube Music Lab and Ned Archibong and Nicholson Davids (who both grew up in Bradford) from Normanton Street come together.

Bradford two-piece, The Krape Twins will be available to take requests for anything from jazz and rock n’ roll to 70s pop.

A collection of bands will make the trip across the Pennines from Lancashire to come to Bradford. The Soul Convicts play unique versions of classic hits from the likes of Stevie Wonder and Earth, Wind and Fire.

Five-piece Fandjango will also travel over the rolling hills to combine Gypsy jazz with pop, rock and hip-hop for audiences.

Other exotic genres, such as bhangra, Panjabi, Turkish and Latin music, will take their place next to more traditional, but equally as exciting, styles like soul and country and western.

This varied selection of music will be played by the following bands and acts: The Odd Beats, Buffo’s Wake, The Most Ugly Child, Cut Capers and Anjaana.

The opening day of the festival, run by Bradford Council and also featuring street theatre, dance and creative workshops, is dubbed the Bradford Festival School’s Day where the city’s most talented students will be showcased.

The following day will be opened by the Bradford College Soul Band and Valentino’s Street Band will parade around City Park whilst playing a variety of international music styles.

Cllr Sarah Ferriby said: “This year’s Bradford Festival is looking brilliant and the music programme looks particularly exciting.

“Our diverse communities will be able to enjoy an incredible range of music and there should be something for everyone."

The festival opens in Bradford City Park on Friday, July 13 and runs through the weekend. Admission is free.

More info can be found at: bradfordfestival.org.uk