Northampton Music Festival (NMF) is set to put Shoe Town on the music map as it returns to the town centre on Sunday 19 June. Founded by local musician and businessman John Richardson, NMF is now in its 15th year and attracts around 10,000 music lovers to the town annually.

The town’s architectural heritage will be celebrated through music of all genres across five stages throughout the town centre, culminating in a homecoming headline set on the main stage in Market Square from Northampton-based band Sarpa Salpa. The band release their new single ‘Dreaming’ on Friday 6 May and their two previous releases saw huge support from BBC Radio One and BBC Introducing.

More than 500 artists will take to the five stages, including a world music stage hosted in the courtyard of The Guildhall. Northampton Museum & Art Gallery will play host to the classical and choral stage. Students from the University of Northampton and Northampton College will be performing in the courtyard of Element in George Row. The courtyard of the Guildhall Hotel will host the jazz stage. The market square hosts the main stage for the last time before its refurbishment.

Festival Music Director Graham Roberts said: “The festival is essentially a love song to Northampton and comes from the heart of a group of dedicated volunteers involved in the local music scene. We can’t wait to put Shoe Town on the music map with this year’s line up and we’re thrilled that Sarpa Salpa will be headlining the main stage and bringing the festival to a close.

“I’m delighted that the festival continues to grow year on year with increased footfall. It has established itself as an integral part of the town centre’s future vision for arts and culture. A big thank you must go to our wonderful sponsors, without whom the festival would not be possible, in particular our main sponsors Northampton Town Council, Avery Healthcare, University of Northampton, Northampton Town Centre BID and The Wilson Foundation.”

Jo Wright, Head of Marketing at Avery Healthcare who run seven care homes across Northamptonshire, said: "Music is an essential element of our residents' lives at Avery Healthcare. From concerts filled with singing and dance, musical mornings where residents choose songs to spend time listening to, or the basis of reminiscence for residents living with dementia, we regularly incorporate music into our calendar of activities and events.  Avery was founded in Northampton, and our focus on being an integral part of the local community alongside our musical activities makes for a perfect partnership."

Northampton Music Festival will run from 12 noon until 9pm on Sunday 19 June. Entry is free.

For more information follow #NMF22 on social media on Facebook @northamptonmusicfestival and Instagram @NNmusicfestival.