City of Song is a festival that celebrates Derry's reputation as just that - a city of song. Home to The Undertones, Joseph Locke, Nadine Coyle and many other talented musicians, the City of Derry is Northern Ireland's cultural capital and a city full of music.

Festival organiser Kevin Murphy says: "The City of Song Festival will take place in Derry from September 25-28 and the Trail will feature emerging new talent performing in local bars.

Confirmed acts for the Trail to date include The Young Playthings, Alan MX, Hooray For Humans, Johnny Black, Paul Herron, The Beat Poets, Mantic and A.E.R. with many more in the pipeline.

"City Of Song will be a major festival – and it is quite unique. Derry, the city of song, will be treated with music ranging from indie bands, folk and traditional music to classical choral music.

Headlining

Headlining the festival are Elizabeth Watts, Urban Voodoo Machine, The Pine Leaf Boys, Tenebrae and Eddi Reader. There will be music pouring from St Columb's Cathedral, the Guildhall and St Columb's Hall. There will be a Tennants Trail of Indie bands rocking the pubs and street theatre.

The Festival Club, where anything and everything will happen, will be at the City Hotel."

Mr Murphy also revealed that the forthcoming festival has already attracted high level interest and that BBC Radio 3 will be recording and broadcasting a number of the events.

Seamus Donaghy, from Tennant's, said: "Tennants is proud to sponsor the City of Song Festival and in particular the Tennent's Trail in association with SmallTown America and the City Centre Initiative. Tennant's has a long history of promoting high quality live music events and is delighted to be associated with this new initiative.

"Derry has been a city of singers, poets, composers, musicians and story tellers for generations. This September, international and local musicians will gather in a celebration of music in Derry, the historic City of Song. We encourage everyone to enjoy the packed programme and Tennent's responsibly."

For further details about the first ever City of Song Festival, visit: www.myspace.com/derrycityofsong