One of the bands heading to Midsomer Norton for the special socially distanced concert, which will be live streamed as part of the Arts Festival, has been tipped as the "next big thing."

Al O'Kane he be joined (at a safe distance) on November 7th at Midsomer Norton Town Hall by fellow band member Andy Hill on vocals and bass guitar.

The gig will be broadcast live as part of the Arts Festival, which this year will be, due to coronavirus, be broadcast online.

Al O'Kane calls his music "West Country Gumbo from the Somerset Delta" - Part Waterboys, part Velvet Underground,

He has played Glastonbury Festival and numerous gigs alongside the likes of Martha Tilston, Cara Dillon, Ben Ottewell, Nick Harper and Seth Lakeman - and has been billed as "set for BIG things - with beautiful and catchy songs" .

Last year Al completed a successful European tour where he performed 12 gigs over ten days in three different countries. He also played Trowbridge Festival on the main stage on the Saturday evening.

Al has not let the pandemic hold him back, having just become a dad, he's got a new song "Black Lullaby" due for release 13th November, and has already put three tracks out during lockdown.

His self-titled debut album is also available on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Amazon, Tidal, Deezer etc. The album was mixed and co-produced by Steve Evans (Robert Plant, Goldfrapp) and features a fantastic group of acoustic musicians.

"The songs I write are based on my imagination, spirituality, humour, opinions and experiences in life, whether that's people or situations I've encountered or an inner exploration on a certain feeling or topic, it all depends on the vibe I'm going for and what head-space I'm in when I write... my main aim is to create something different, catchy and interesting whilst staying true to myself," Al told Nub News.

You can find out the latest on the Midsomer Norton Arts Festival and how to join the live stream by clicking HERE: the Festival site

And don't forget there is still time - just - to enter the photomarathon.

Members of the public are invited to take part in exploring the town in an imaginative and unfamiliar ways, using their camera. Entrants this year should take one photograph for each of the six chosen themes: Circle, Home, Comfort, Outside, Shine and Alone.

The deadline for entries is noon on Monday 2nd November. Email to [email protected], post on Instagram, with the title and hashtag #msnphotomarathon, or posted on the Midsomer Arts Festival Facebook page.

The Arts Festival is organised by the Midsomer Norton Community Trust and sponsored by Midsomer Norton Town Council. For more information email [email protected] or phone 01761 419133.