BOURNEMOUTH singer-songwriter Drew Allen is an exciting prospect, after supporting James Blunt, performing for the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and gaining fans in America ahead of his double Larmer Tree Festival performance this week. The musician, who grew up in Southbourne, will be playing tomorrow afternoon and the Saturday of the festival that runs between July 14 and 19.

The festivities will take place at Larmer Tree Gardens, near Salisbury, and the singer is looking forward to playing the event with his band so close to where he grew up.

Following Larmer Tree, the star will be performing next month at Party In The Park in Poole and the Purbeck Valley Folk Festival with a handful of local shows throughout the year, while busying himself in the studio. The last year has been pretty hectic for Drew and one of his undoubted highlights was supporting superstar James Blunt at the Bournemouth BIC as part of his mammoth Moon Landing tour.

According to James Blunt: “There's something exciting about the music of Drew Allen. Sort of a cross between Neil Young and Jake Bugg with a great deal of honesty thrown into his lyrics.”

Drew is very dedicated to connecting with his fans on Facebook and Twitter and has a solid fan-base across the pond after recent radio support.

"I've had some incredible feedback from American listeners since the air play, it's really exciting for me, it's an absolute dream for me to get out there and play some shows."

One of the singer's biggest influences is legendary American singer Bob Dylan and he has adopted some of his style. First picking up a guitar at the age of eight and devouring the tabs from Bob Dylan chord books, Drew began writing spine tingling tunes about moonstone romances and heartbroken woes.

After turning his back on a prosperous career with Formula One car manufacturer McLaren, Drew replaced the race track for the adrenaline rush of the stage. Finding his own sound, Drew put out his debut album Sydney Afternoon independently at the end of 2013.

BBC Introducing South quickly became smitten with the songs and his track The Deal received extensive airplay.

This led to Drew performing live in session at the BBC Radio Solent studio on the Katie Martin show.

The talented singer-songwriter is currently in the studio working with Mark Tucker (Fairport Convention, Portishead, Jethro Tull) on his eagerly-awaited new album.

Now touring with an exciting full band, the new material and tracks from Drew's back catalogue can be heard live for the very first time on two separate days at this year's Larmer Tree Festival.

Larmer Tree, celebrating its 25th anniversary, will be headlined by Sir Tom Jones, The Magic Numbers and Bill Bailey. Other exciting local bands in action this week at the festival include Pachango and Wesley Bennett.

: For more information about the festival visit larmertreefestival.co.uk and to find out more about drew visit drewallen.co.uk