CARLISLE will be alive with the sound of live music next weekend when a new festival takes place.

The Fisher Street Festival will be held over the Easter weekend at The Brickyard, Abstrakt music bar and Black Box Institute.

Liam Barton, who works in the Open Mind bar on English Street, is one of the organisers.

He said: "This is the first time we've done something like this and it will see about 50 bands and live DJs taking over those three venues.

"It's generated a lot of buzz and we hope to attract a few hundred people.

"It will be an Amsterdam style festival with the music taking place inside the venues."

Some of the bands performing include Colt 45, Ogres of Go-Go, Flynt, Dan Mason, Luke Hosbson, Marblmoon, Unity Sessions, More Than DJ and Syllie G. They will be joined by several other bands and DJs.

Doors will open at 4.30pm on Good Friday and about 4pm on Easter Saturday and Sunday.

Street food will also be available.

Mr Barton, 28, said: "We will have a range of vegan friendly cakes and soup on sale over the weekend.

"On the Friday there will be pierogi, little Polish dumplings, from Open Mind. On Saturday Caspian Hut will be providing a delivery service for pizzas. On the Sunday the new Mexican, El Escapar will be serving up Mexican food.

"The food will be served on the top floor of Abstrakt."

There will also be art on display across the venues.

The logo for the venue has been designed by James Walker.

Mr Barton, who is looking after the acoustic stage, said: "The festival has been organised by myself, my friend Sebastian Korzewnik and Nick Yule and Andy Bartlett from the Brickyard. They've been booking the bands.

"The music scene in Carlisle at the moment is really good. There is a lot of talent in a small area,

"Locals are a lot more used to hearing original material and audiences are growing.

"We hope that everyone gets something out of it and that everyone gets value for money."

There are hopes, if the festival is a success, to expand and grow it in the future.

Mr Barton, who also promotes live music through Backs Against The Wall, is sponsoring the acoustic stage.

Tickets are £10 for a day ticket and £25 for a weekend ticket.

Tickets are available from the skiddle website, The Kings Head or the Vinyl Cafe on Abbey Street.