WINCHESTER's annual indoor roots festival returns in September.

SC4M Festival 2017 will be at the Railway Inn, Fulflood on September 10.

Organiser Oliver Gray said: "The eighth SC4M Festival is a special one."

When the first event was held in 2010, the format of a one-day Roots and Americana festival was a new one.

It has proved so popular that the format has now become more common, with a plethora of similar events popping up round the country. So it was time for a change, and the change takes the form of a Theme.

Oliver said: “After the strange year we’ve had, I felt strongly that my support for international understanding should be reflected in the music. The theme of this year’s festival will therefore be Internationalism, with artists representing nine different countries.”

In another move away from the mainstream, Oliver wanted also to take a step back from the standard Americana image of blokes in plaid shirts and stetsons. “I’m delighted to say that half of the artists playing this year are women, and that all of the artists are either exciting newcomers or musicians who have played at the Railway before and been invited back”.

Headlining is Australian singer Emily Barker, who will bring her full band to perform songs from her acclaimed new album Sweet Kind Of Blue.

From Sweden hails the genial Benjamin Folke Thomas, a big favourite in Winchester with his wry observational songs, featured on his new live album Acoustic Classics.

Other artists include Peter Bruntnell and Spanish songstress Joana Serrat. Local performers include Jonas and Jane (from Farnham) and Southampton’s Dan O’Farrell.

The event takes place indoors, lasting from 11 am to 11 pm over two rooms at the Railway Inn, and guarantees no mud and no clashes.

Tickets are on sale now at £32 (that’s less than £3 a band) from www.railwayinn.pub.