Brighton’s loss is Margate’s gain this weekend as the Undercover Festival comes to Margate for the first time.

The two day celebration of alternative music including punk, ska and dub features some big names as well as local bands over two stages. Now in its fifth year, the festival prides itself on taking an independent and grassroots approach.

Organiser Mick Moriarty said: “We believe the usual run-of-the-mill festivals tend to book bands that in the main are broadly similar – and way too safe! We try for a line-up and experience that is something different and appeals to a crowd definitely not catered for elsewhere.

“Being a small independent grassroots festival is tough because media attention is always on the big boys. But we’ve got through to our fifth year and we’re going strong because what we have created really has struck a chord with people who like their music raw and full of the passion and energy.”

Angelic Upstarts, Eddie and the Hot Rods, Tom Robinson and his band and Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band will play, along with Doctor and the Medics, Subhumans, the Urban Voodoo Machine and Inner Terrestrials.

Festivalgoers can also take advantage of retro rides and amusements plus, if it’s raining, have no fear – the Undercover Festival is, well, undercover, so no need to pack wellies.

DETAILS

Undercover Festival V (2017) will be at Dreamland, Margate, on Friday, September 8 and Saturday, September 9.

You can buy tickets by visiting undercoverfest.com and also dreamland.co.uk You can also get £6 off if you buy your tickets on the door.