The former is fine if you are at Sheffield's Washstock or Plug as those gatherings happen indoors. Not so good for punters at either Barnsley's BOMfest or Doncaster Live this weekend.

Regardless, all four festivals have a wide range of signed and rising talent clocking in to distract us from fuel prices, over-priced bananas and shoddy summer weather.

Washstock began last night at The Cremorne but shifts to Ecclesall Road's Pomona for tonight and two afternoons.

Nort – one of the organisers and whose band Cherokees feature tomorrow – says the event outgrew The Washington but remains for a good cause, namely an orphanage in Thailand for children with special needs.

"Washtock the name belongs to Heather, whose charity we raise the cash for, and is also the name of our charitable trust," he says.

"We had already planned a launch party at The Cremorne as Caroline the landlady is one of the trustees for Washtock .We had also planned to do a Sunday at The Pomona as they allow children under 18 up to 7pm and this year we generally wanted to have more fund raising events in general. The Washy felt we had grown a little too big for the pub."

Among others seeking to make their mark on Sunday are The Sicknotes, midway through a busy month back in the saddle.

Before then you can see them tomorrow at Fireside Housing Co-operative, in Burngreave, with fellow local Tom Rodwell, while next Saturday they are at Cafe Euro for a charity fundraiser backing a campaign to help Cameroon asylum seeker Claude N'deh and his family fight deportation.

Tomorrow on Matilda Street and Plug is operating two stages for its festival. On the main platform you'll find Little Ze, Viper Jungle, Area 15 and more while The Listeners head an acoustic stage also hosting Richard Kitson, Stephen Barber and Judge Jury Executioner.

Barnsley's Raised By Animals are using this years annual BOMfest to launch bright new EP The Raised By Animals Revue, out now. Find them at 7pm on Stage 2 - and supporting ex-Small Faces keyboard player Ian McLagen at the Boardwalk on July 22.

"In addition we've been asked to supply some music to Simian Records, the record company of actor Elijah Wood," say the band. "Hopefully something will come of that in the way of placement on a film soundtrack or (fingers-crossed) more."

Also on at Locke Park from noon are G.U.Medicine, The Headliners and Mid Air 91, among others. Inspiral Carpets frontman Tom Hingley (And The Lovers) headlines. The Park Road site features five stages this time including acoustic, urban and open mic.

Doncaster Live returns to Market Square again. Sunday is the unsigned local part of the weekend (see gig guide) following an action-packed Saturday which sees Brighton veterans The Levellers join young Yorkshire lot Elliot Minor, Alex Turner's mates The Rascals, Tiny Dancers and local heroes The Wallbirds.


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