AS family-friendly festivals go, Chesil Rocks is pretty flipping fabulous.

Tim and Hilary Warren have been hosting this cosy little get-together at the rather lovely Higher Farmhouse at Langton Herring near Weymouth for a number of years now.

Each year, they’ve gradually raised more and more money for the Dorset branch of The Samaritans, a hugely worthwhile cause, I think you’ll agree.

Last year, they were just short of £10k, so fingers crossed that this year’s spectacle, which takes place for the first time over two days ­– Friday, June 21 and Saturday June 22 – surpasses that.

And there’s no reason why they shouldn’t with another terrific line-up, starting with a distinctly classical feel on Friday evening with pianist Duncan Honeybourne and opera singer Stella Brading.

There’s something for everyone on the Saturday with the crimplene-clad cheesemongers Jess Upton and the Guilty Pleasures topping the bill on the outside stage, with support from Gaz Brookfield, Hustle, Andy Grant and many more.

Meanwhile, on the marque stage, there are appearances from Amy Mayes, Kipper, the London Gay Men’s Chorus, Slipstream and a whole load more.

For full details about the line-up and tickets and where to get them, see chesilrocks.com

Moving on, and those hard-working bunch of weirdos at Realms of Wrongness promotions have put together another night of extreme metal at Finns in Weymouth next Friday, June 21.

Weymouth’s very own riff magicians Fissure of Riddles are headlining, with an impressive supporting line-up of filthy sludge merchants Stray Bullets from Portsmouth,  Brighton four-piece Vesture and Guildford rockers In Awe.

It’s a mere three quid on the door next Friday, okay?

Next up, and there’s a chance to catch rising roots singer-songwriter Luke Jackson tomorrow night, Saturday, June 15 with an intimate gig at the compact and bijou Mission Hall in Sutton Poyntz, Weymouth.

The talented whippersnapper, still in his twenties, has opened for such luminaries as Show of Hands and Glenn Tillbrook and has been compared to a young Richard Thompson, no less.

Quite a lot to live up to and tickets for tomorrow’s show are £12 from 01305 837299.

And finally, Ben Waters goes back to his younger days tomorrow, Saturday, June 15, with a gig in the grounds of Moreton village hall. Bring a picnic!

Some 30 years ago, Diz Watson was one of the first people to help Ben get a foothold in the music industry and tomorrow night Ben and his band will be supporting Diz and the Doormen, along with Icelandic blues and soul guitarist Beggi Smari.

Tickets are £20 from benwatersicnic.com

Till next time…

TONIGHT 14

Let’s Hang On: Frankie Valli tribute (Weymouth Pavilion)

Komakino (Finn’s, Weymouth)

Jolly Boys Outing  (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Micha D (Gloucester, Weymouth)

Sammie (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Compass (Golden Lion, Weymouth)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Uphill and Still (Ropemakers, Bridport)

Vanilla Radio (Old Ship, Dorchester)

Inner City Smugglers (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

Arron and Karina (Duke of Albany, Weymouth)

 

SATURDAY 15

Diz and the Doormen, Ben Waters, Beggi Smari (Moreton village hall) Tickets £20 from benwaterspicnic.com

Genesis Connected (Weymouth Pavilion)

Ironed Maiden (Finn’s, Weymouth)

Stacey Lou (Little Ship, Portland)

Luke Jackson (Mission Hall, Sutton Poyntz, Weymouth) Tickets £12 from 01305 837299.

Mr Kiplin, Toxic Fish, Rankin Tom, Ras Bashy, Reggae Junky, D-Boy (Peacock Rom, Wyke Smugglers Weymouth)

Studio 55, Nick Capaldi, Karl Lattimer, Rock Apes, Matt Black, Under the Carousel plus many more (George, Portland) Fundraiser for DCH Kingfisher Ward. From midday.

Skinful (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Stereoironics (Sailors Return, Weymouth)

Hardcore Troubadours (Gloucester, Weymouth)

Rockwaves (Wyke Regis Working Mens Club, Weymouth)

Highly Likely (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Cherry Pickers (Golden Lion, Weymouth)

The Ferals (Drax Arms, Bere Regis)

Richard Cooper (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth) 2pm.

Tim Andrews (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

The Transitions (Ropemakers, Bridport)

Neil Wale (Weymouth Conservative Club)

Georgie Broad (Cutter, Weymouth)

Sticky Jam Band (Centenary Club, Weymouth)

Strings and Reeds (Duke of Albany, Weymouth)

Regulation 9 (Market House, Weymouth)

V8 Hearts (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

Fluke (Crown, Bridport)

 

SUNDAY 16

Replay (Red Lion, Hope Sq, Weymouth) 2pm.

Roger’s Singalong (Gloucester, Weymouth)

Tim Andrews (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth) 3pm.

Richard Cooper (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth) 8pm.

Chris Webb (Ropemakers, Bridport)

Ricky Solo (Sailor’s Return, Weymouth)  From 3pm.

Folk, Country and Blues Evening (Old Town Hall, Weymouth) From 7.30pm.

Owen Lister (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

Open Mic with Diane (Duke of Albany, Weymouth)

 

MONDAY 17

Tim Andrews (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Acoustic session (Belvedere, Weymouth)

 

TUESDAY 18

Sunjay (Drax Arms, Bere Regis) Folk night. Tickets £5 from 01929 471386, £7 on the door.

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Open Mic Night (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

 

WEDNESDAY 19

Tim Andrews (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Wessex Folk Night (Sailors Return,  Weymouth) Acoustic folk, here every Wednesday.

Open Mic Night (Rock, Weymouth)

 

THURSDAY 20

Open Mic (Drax Arms, Bere Regis)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Traditional Tune Session (Cove House Inn, ChiswelI, Portland) 

Ukulele Sessions (Sailors Return,  Weymouth) Strum on down from 8pm.

Ben Waller (1652, St Alban St, Weymouth)

 

FRIDAY 21

Duncan Honeybourne, Stella Brading, Tumlyn Brass Quintet (Chesil Rocks, Higher Farmhouse, Langton Herring, nr Weymouth)

Go Now: Moody Blues tribute (Weymouth Pavilion)

Fissure of Riddles, Stray Bullets, Vesture, In Awe  (Finn’s, Weymouth)

Vanilla Radio  (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Elijah Wolf (Gloucester, Weymouth)

Crystal Ship (Wyke Regis Working Mens Club, Weymouth)

Jamie Adams (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Dakota (Golden Lion, Weymouth)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Shelby’s Elbows (Ropemakers, Bridport)

The Skalatans (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

Rob Davis (John Gregory Weymouth)