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Thursday, September 11, 2008, 08:00
Youth 4 Youth, which is being held on Saturday, has been organised by young people at the Kingswood Foundation.
It will provide a platform for aspiring performers in everything from dance routines to acoustic, R'n'B, punk and rock music.
Headlining the event is up- and-coming band Royworld, who are signed to Virgin and have already had a popular chart single named Dust.
The line-up includes Bristol artists Neon Kicks, The Fourtones, Miss Lead Youth, The Go Pogs, Antony James, Frenzee and Son Of A Nun.
Antony James, 19, from Kingswood, who is performing and organising the event, said: "I love music and I have been singing since the age of five.
"I would definitely class my music as pop. Everyone thinks that pop is candyfloss and naff, but if it's done well, that's not the case at all.
"My dream is to make it big. I love the Kingswood Youth 4 Youth festival because I know there are so many other talented and aspiring musicians and dancers that just go unnoticed and don't get the chance to perform.
"This gives people opportunities. We have worked so hard. We meet once a week to organise everything and we have had to apply for funding and all sorts. But it was a great event last year and it's going to be even bigger and better this year."
Organisers promise something for everyone – from a festival stage with the latest of Bristol's youth talent, to workshops in dancing, African drumming, circus skills and graffiti.
Dan Marks, 17, from Kingswood, event co-ordinator, said: "Youth today are given such a negative images, it's about time we changed it and put them straight.
"It's time we showed young people in a positive light.
"We sold out last year with over 1,000 people on site, and this year we want to raise the bar. The event showcases over 10 hours of non-stop youth artists, workshops and stalls.
"Its just a great chance for young artists to perform outside on a huge stage in front of loads of young people, and play on the same stage as a national artist."
This year the capacity has been raised to 2,000.
GWR FM's morning show hosts Bush and Troy will attend the event, which is partly funded by South Gloucestershire and Bristol City councils.
Youth 4 Youth was set up in 2007 by a group of young people at the Kingswood Foundation.
The event is in its second year and was headlined last year by Little Chris.
More than 20 artists performed in 2007, and even more are set to take to the stage this year.
Nearly all aspects of the festival are run and organised by dedicated youth volunteers that have been working on the event since November last year.
The Kingswood Foundation provides a centre to inspire young people through the arts.
The event runs from 1pm until 11pm at the foundation's premises in Britannia Road.
Tickets are £3.50 in advance and £3 to £5 on the door.
Tickets are available at Bristol Ticket Shop in the Galleries or on 929 9008.
For full line-up and event details, as well as all the pics from last year's festival visit www.youth4youth.co.uk
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