Anyone who experienced last weekend's Homegrown Festival at Hereford's Herdsman pub would find it hard to believe that this is not a city which has creativity seeping out its pores.

Twelve bands played over three nights, entertaining the crowds who packed the venue.

What all of these young musicians represent, whoever their individual influences, is the desire to "do something".

Friday evening's headliners, The Shakedown, went down especially well with the home crowd, preceeded by Kennedy Sunday, One Inch Men and The Lakes.

All performed for free, in aid of this year's Homegrown nominated charities and all - except one - allowed the Youth Times Insite magazine team to film them for a DVD release.

Saturday night's headliners, Spencer, are apparently on the verge of being signed and felt the deal might be compromised by participating.

Their live set was a highlight and they brought their own crowd of supporters in.

For atmosphere, Sunday was unbeatable.

Trilemma, followed by the Oofats, Toasted Egg Sandwich and Denyer - who once again, proved a great live act.

Last-minute subs for the second year running, this Forest-born band who've been doing the circuit for a couple of years showed that persistence pays off.

Teenage Kicks had already got the crowd buzzing, as Leominster band Toasted Egg Sandwich took to the stage.

The moshing continued where it had left off (with the Oofats) and that energy was earthed by the arrival of The Anomolies - who played into the night.

An unprecedented success, underpinned by community music organisation The Music Pool, the festival raised £470 for Make Poverty History and Acorn's Childrens Hospice.

Organiser Joe Schiavon was ecstatic at the way things had gone. And who can blame him.

JULIE HARRIES