MUSICIANS from Swindon are joining forces for a fundraising weekender next week, showcasing 40 of the town's top acts.

The first Swindon Shuffle will kick off on Thursday night and will run until Sunday, July 22, with more than 100 hours of live music.

The Shuffle's organisers want to make the most of Swindon's thriving music scene and have got six popular music venues on board to host the events.

Proceeds from the festival will go to the Prospect Hospice@ Home appeal.

Local musicians and DJs are behind the Shuffle.

Co-founder Rich Craven said: "The Music Scene in Swindon is the best I have ever known it and we wanted to show people what goes on in this town of ours."

The organising team is made up of Phil Dyson, Paul Jellings, Neil Gammon and Tim McDonald, as well as Rich, who between them run Songs Of Praise, Black Lava and YankeeBoy promotions.

Paul, from Songs Of Praise, said: "For different promoters to come together and organise one big event is a fantastic feat, and another reason why the Shuffle is a unique event."

The opening "fringe" night is at the Swindon Town Football Club's Winners' Lounge organised by Puttyfoot Promotions, which runs regular Thursday night gigs at the venue, with bands The Unforeseen, Durera and Thorne performing.

Rich said: "It is great to be able to use the main music venues in Swindon to put on such a quality line up of acts over a four-day period."

The Swindon Cultural Partnership is officially supporting the Shuffle, as is Frequency Magazine, Artsminds, and Swindonmusic.co.uk.

And an official CD, featuring 16 festival acts, has been produced with the help of 4th Street Records.

For more information about the Shuffle visit www.myspace.com/swindonshuffle or e-mail swindonshuffle@hotmail.co.uk.

  • Thursday July 19: STFC Winners Lounge: The Unforeseen, Durera, Thorne. 8pm, £3.

Friday 20 July: The Victoria: Buswell, The SheBeats, The Julia Set, Sam Bates, Simon Hall. 8pm to 2am, £3.

Saturday July 21: The Furnace: The Sturgis Armoury, Seven Years On, Rag Doll Girl, Truth Be Told, 2 Sick Monkeys, Veer Luth, The Divebomb, Revolution, The Parodies, plus Songs Of Praise club night. 4pm to 3am, £3. Over 14s.

The Rolleston: Hip Route, Jon Trowbridge, Charlie Bath, Paul Davis, Gaz Brookfield, Kev Fitzgerald, Doza, Graham Higgins 11am to 6pm, free.

Sunday July 22: The 12 Bar: Electric City Heights, Liddington, Sonica, Jeff Like Usual, Brotherhood, Killians Red, The Alfonz, Gabby Young, Moral Panic, Billyjon, Dropstone. 1pm to 11pm, £3, Over 16s.

The Beehive: Black Eyed Dog, Black Squirrel, Black Cat, The Shudders, The Knott. 11am to 5pm, free. Unless stated, entry to over 18s only.