WITH music from almost every generation, and three defining eras of British culture, this year's Head for the Hills Festival was always set to be a cracker.

The annual celebration of music, art and community has returned to Ramsbottom Cricket Club for another three day extravaganza this weekend.

Hundreds of revellers have headed down to the venue and Friday and Saturday have already produced some memories to last a lifetime.

Friday night saw a rousing double header from the triumphant, infectious and bouncing ska sounds of The Selecter, before returning Manchester indie-electro outfit The Slow Readers Club — a last minute addition to the line-up after The Beat were forced to unexpectedly pull out — put in a jaw dropping performance as they stepped up to the main stage headline slot.

Speaking before their set, The Slow Readers Club vocalist, Aaron Starkie, said: "It feels great to be back. It’s a top festival and its been great to us."

"Head for the Hills has a real family environment and you get to play to fans who might never have heard you before, and you can pick up new fans too," guitarist Kurtis Starkie added.

Despite signalling the end of the summer festival season, bucket loads of talent from across the UK and Europe have been corralled into the embrace of Holcombe Hill to give fans a weekend to remember.

Among the standout performances of the weekend so far were German art-pop outfit Giant Rooks, whose mesmerising set signalled them as a band with incandescent prospects.

Artists from closer to home also featured prominently in this year's billing, including Indie-punks Urban Theory, hot off the back of a sold out show at Manchester's Deaf Institute in May, who delivered a barnstorming set on Friday's Smaller Rooms stage.

They were joined by regional compatriots, North-Manchester blues, folk and roots five piece, The Plumedores; who brought their raw, organic and heartfelt sound to a joyful headline slot on the Blueprint Studios stage.

Shifting over to the main stage, the Saturday night was closed by a rip roaring showstopper of Britpop and country infused classics from the Hounslow legends The Bluetones — whose cuts including Slight Return, Marblehead Johnson and If created a non-stop, retro party atmosphere.

Tonight will see Irish new wave legends The Boomtown Rats deliver what will no doubt be one of the most memorable performances ever to grace Ramsbottom Cricket Club.

They will be joined by Molotov Jukebox, Keston Cobblers Club, Pool Sharks, Throw Them Bones and many more.

Stay tuned to the Bury Times website for more Head for the Hills action.