WHILE the outlook might be generally bleak when it comes to music festivals in Bolton, one venue can always be relied on to book an outrageous number of great bands for its annual celebration of all that is noisy, exciting and eclectic.

More than 35 bands will play at the Dog and Partridge, on Manor Street, between May 28 and 30 for Dogstock 2010, with every taste catered for from rock and metal to swing and Mexican.

Friday’s lineup includes American band The Intelligence, NME-featured Boltonians To The Bones, irrepressible juggernauts The Minions, and the Stooges-esque The Kiss Off, plus The Hicks, The Heretics, Odin’s Blood and Freestyle Disorder.

On Saturday Swedish band Moonlight Sailor will play alongside Burnst, Couder, Amateur Assassins, Apache Vikings, The Creatures and Great Saint Louis.

Sunday starts off a little quieter, with acoustic sets from Dan Lever and Emily Cooke, Chris Hardy, Kris Weatherall, Mark Reid, John Smethurst and Rob Young, plus Pancho Ballard, The Hoopleheads and Throwing Pandas. Then it’s time to don your dancing shoes for the big band glorious swing of The Managers.

DJs including Liam Maloney and Adam Farmer will carry on the party each night until 3am.

In addition there will be a graphic art and design show each weekend, plus merchandise stalls and jewellery on sale from the Wench and Trinkets.

Minions singer Steven Hutchinson said: “We’re excited to be a last minute addition to the lineup. Dogstock is a staple of the Bolton music scene and we can’t wait for what will be an awesome weekend.”

Dog and Partridge landlord Neil Piper added: “With the uncertainty of our future at the Dog and Partridge looming over us with the Churchwharf Development we’re aim to show Bolton what a huge loss it would be to the cultural landscape of Bolton Town centre.

“Our Dogstock festival is a musical mix of signed and unsigned acts from around the world and mainly from our own area, I'm proud of what we have contributed to the music scene in Bolton. We don't know if this will be our last, so we aim to make this our best.”

Admission costs £10 for the weekend or £5 for a day pass.