FANS of underground music can expect the return of an annual festival showcasing international and national acts.

Funeral Fest has announced its dates for the next edition at the Soccer Bar in Barrow on June 28 and 29.

The festival has been running for several years, showcasing talent across the UK and the overseas scene.

Featuring 20 acts, event organisers have already announced half of the headline set to play in Barrow next year.

On Friday, hailing from Newcastle is Avenger. The band was formed in 1982 and is associated with the new wave of British Heavy Metal. 

Apart from Avenger has coheadliners, bands such as Extinction of Mankind, DeathCollector, Moor Reaper, Harrowed, Wild Thorn, Defod, ARCHAEA and Motörbeard will join one of the heaviest weekends in town.

Asking if Funeral Fest will bring anything different for the next edition, organiser Matt Davidson said: "We are going in the same vein. We are trying to branch out.

"We already booked a few more traditional heavy metal bands. We are only in the middle of the line-up so far, and we are currently working on the headliners which to me is probably the biggest change.

"We had two big headliners last year, and we plan on having two big headliners this year. We have got a list of acts that we are hoping for."

Matt said they have received 'many applications' from bands wanting to play in the festival.

He said: "In this kind of scene, bands send over their press kits, and we have received more than 400 press kits so far.

"It is fantastic because it means we will never run out of bands. The problem is that there are so many good bands that it makes it difficult to pick."

Matt admits that the festival is part of a 'niche genre', but what they want to achieve in the next edition is to enable people to have a 'good time.'

"We know there is not necessarily a big crowd for it in this local area, but those who are into it are extremely dedicated," said Matt.

"The number one achievement would be a sell-out, but beyond that we just want to create a great event with great music in Barrow and new people to discover the area.

"As much as music is an important part of the festival, the experience, the social aspect and the atmosphere are what make it."

The tickets will be available after the headliners' announcement set to be announced in the near future.

For more information visit Funeral Fest Facebook page here.