There’s been a handful of attempts at hosting a festival on the Wirral over the past few years. Lured by its green spaces and decent transport links, willing promoters have been thwarted by the council, local opposition groups, and budget issues. Lately there’s also been the problem of it simply being too crowded a marketplace - there’s a ’boutique’ festival somewhere in the country every weekend and punters are more savvy with splashing their cash. A carton of soggy noodles and The Futureheads just doesn’t cut it nowadays.

Last year’s Sunset Festival - a pretty solid dance and pop event - was the peninsula’s first proper foray into an actual large scale music event. Though it’s not set to return this year, there’s an even more exciting one set to take its place.

Hudbu takes place over two days in late September, and its initial lineup is pretty damn brilliant - even holding its own next to last month’s Sound City megafest. A mixture of boundary-pushing electro, dubstep, grime, hip-hop and rock, it’s shaping up to be a rather memorable closer to the festival season.

So who stands out for us at first glance? Reggae legends Easy Star All Stars, indie favourites Los Campesinos!, Cloud Control and Black Lips (pictured), London grime lads Boy Better Know, Los Angeles beat genius Gaslamp Killer, dubstep favourites Coki, Joy Orbison and Mala and hipster-hop femme fetale Uffie are all impressive bookings for a first-time fest. We’re officially excited.

Watch out for more Hudbu coverage on SevenStreets over the coming months - for now, you can bag your tickets here.

Hudbu Festival, 23rd - 25th September
Wirral Rugby Club, Memorial Fields, Clatterbridge, Wirral
£55 day / £119 weekend