THE stage is set for what is planned to be another feast of live music over the weekend.

Kicking off last night with headline act Bellowhead, Abbeyfest is taking place in the beautiful settings of the Abbey Gardens, in Bury St Edmunds, and promoter John Hessenthaler is predicting a bumper turnout for the three nights.

“We’ve got another wonderful mix of bands and local talent from folk and soul to pop and rock which is going to suit a whole range of tastes,” he said yesterday.

“This is such a great setting and the way it’s been set up is so complimentary to the gardens. We have got a great line up and I think we might even get the weather as well,” he added.

“Abbeyfest fits in really well with the other music festivals taking place over the summer and we have learnt from last year’s event.”

This is the second year of the festival and is being run on a similar format to 2011 with local talent rubbing shoulders with some of the more well known names.

Last night Framlingham College teenager, 15-year-old Freya Roy, shared the stage with 11-piece band Bellowhead; plus Adrian Edmondston, Phill Jupitus, Neil Inness and Rowland Rivron.

Tonight features the 120 vocal chords of Funky Voices plus singer Natasha Staffieri, alongside Odyssey, Heatwave, Gwen Dickey and the 12-piece pop band Ultimate Earth, Wind and Fire while tomorrow the Wattisham Military Wives and Bury singer songrwriter Nik Lowe will be on the same bill as Steve Hackett, Paul Carrack and Jack Bruce.