MANIC Street Preachers guitarist Nicky Wire and legendary Newport band Dub War will be among the central attractions at this year’s Velvet Coalmine festival.

Now in its second year, the music, arts and culture festival in Blackwood runs between September 1 and 6 and will be taking over a host of venues in the town.

With literary, industry, art and children’s events taking place during the week in Blackwood, the weekend sees a massive three-day bill at the town’s newly refurbished Miner’s Institute.

Bands confirmed to appear include recently reformed and much loved Newport four-piece Dub War, massively tipped duo Slaves and legendary US band Meat Puppets, who will be playing their first ever Welsh show.

Elsewhere at Velvet Coalmine, the BAFTA winning filmmaker Kieran Evans will curate a film festival with Manic Street Preachers’ Nicky Wire at the town’s Maxime Cinema.

Among the events featured at last year’s festival were talks on the Manic Street Preachers’ Holy Bible album and how the band influenced women, with award-winning writer Rachel Trezise, speaking at the latter.

A Blackwood native, festival director Iain Richards, has been a fan of the band for more than 20 years.

He said: “To have Blackwood's very own Nicky Wire curating the film festival ensures the town stages an event of the highest calibre and puts Velvet Coalmine firmly on the festival map.

“It’s an international line-up and Nicky Wire being involved gives it real profile and credibility.

“Velvet Coalmine is also thrilled to have Newport’s finest band , Dub War, who really made an impact in the 1990s. It will be one of the highlights of the festival."

A full bill of bands, films and events will be announced in the coming weeks. A three-day main stage pass costs £40 and for more information visit http/:www.velvetcoalmine.com