YORK’S annual summer festival of alternative music returns next weekend. Last year, Gary Numan headlined the DV8Fest.

This year, it will be acts such as Terrorvision, The Psychedelic Furs, EMF, Utah Saints, Red Lorry Yellow Lorry and The March Violets who do the honours.

There will also be a host of local bands, including Panda Cubs, Blackbeard’s Tea Party, Honeytone Cody and Berlin Black & The Shades of Grey.

This year’s four-day festival, from June 28 to July 1, boasts more than 45 acts, performing at the Duchess, Fibbers and Stereo, and with a special show at City Screen featuring Steve Severin from Siouxsie & The Banshees.

“This is a festival where weather can’t spoil your day and the artists aren’t just a speck in the distance,” says festival organiser Chris Sherrington, who launched the first DV8 in 2010 after growing disheartened at the way the British alternative music scene was being fractured.

“It’s a chance for people to get back into live music venues, the life blood of the UK music scene, and get up close to some of the country’s best artists from across the alternative scene,” says Chris.

Now in its third year, the festival has in the past featured performers from across the alternative scene including Utah Saints, Ed Tudor Pole and Sigue Sigue Sputnik. It attracts international acts and fans from across Europe. But, while the line-up is bigger than ever, it is still run as a small local operation, Chris says.

“As well as the music legends we like to mix in a variety of national and local upcoming talent and this year the festival will include local bands The Savoy Ballroom, Blackbeard’s Tea Party, Berlin Black & The Shades of Grey, Honeytone Cody and national newcomers, The Fearless Vampire Killers,” he says.

“This year’s line-up is promising to be unbelievable. We have some amazing acts from across the scene with a broad range with something for everyone.”

That includes decent beer. The festival is sponsored by Wychwood Brewery and Hobgoblin this year and will feature a variety of real ales at the various venues.

• For full details of the DV8 lineup, and to buy tickets, visit dv8fest.com

Tickets are also available by calling in at The Duchess, or from theduchessyork.co.uk

A four-day weekend ticket is £60, a three-day ticket £55. Day tickets are £10 for the Thursday, £20 for Friday and Sunday, and £25 for Saturday.