LAST weekend's opening of Salisbury International Arts Festival was also the first weekend of Salisbury Live.

This annual event features free live music all around the city, and this year it is bigger than ever, writes John Palmer.

Friday evening kicked things off with gigs in thirteen venues. The Royal British Legion club hosted local heroes Badly Stuffed Animals and Pyeshoppe, and a superb set from London band First World Problems. Glasshouse packed out The Cloisters while The Langfords and Limpley Stoke offered a more relaxed acoustic vibe at The Avon Brewery Inn.

Sandy Ince raised the tone with her Sticky Toffee Jazz at The Pheasant, while over at The Winchester Gate perennial favourites The Intercepteurs had the place jumping with their good-time ska.

Saturday offered more of the same, with the addition of an all-day Northern Soul disco at the Legion.

The Winchester Gate hosted a popular all-day live music session in conjunction with their beer festival, finishing the night with a high-energy set from Guerrilla Impact.

Eyes For Gertrude's Hannah and Chantelle brought their vocal harmonies to The Pheasant.

The Music Box held a late-night session of alternative acts, culminating with up-and-coming Salisbury band The Neighbourhood Strange, and Pink Diamond Revue who had appeared at last year's Glastonbelly festival at the rugby club.

On Sunday, River Bourne Community Farm once again hosted their Live At The Farm festival.

This is always a good event, and thanks to the sunny weather it drew a large crowd. As well as excellent music there is plentiful food and drink, and entertainment for the young and young-at-heart.

Jonathan The Jester was prominent, he could hardy be otherwise thanks to his stilts, and ran circus skills workshops for kids.

The music was very varied, starting quietly with acoustic performances from Nichole & Cam and Louise Jordan, and The Passenger Club turned in an excellent set as always.

Corky entertained with his scrumpy 'n' western rap, opening with his song Ginsters Paradise which - he assured us - will be officially adopted as the national anthem of the West Country when we declare independence.

Crippled Rook, voted Salisbury's best band in last year's music awards, turned the volume up with their guitar rock.

The Zucchinis followed and raised the tempo, and the evening closed with a mighty set from cow-punk stars Pronghorn.

The farm festival is a wonderful event, enjoyed by hundreds of people. For me it is the highlight of the whole Salisbury Festival, and when the weather co-operates as it did this year it is hard to imagine anything much better. Salisbury Live continues this weekend with more music around the city.

For the first time St Thomas' church will be hosting events on Saturday from 3pm to 10pm. We are told to "expect the unexpected" with music, dance and the spoken word throughout the day.

Programme details are at salisburyfestival.co.uk