A battle of the bands is set to take place tomorrow as the first heats of a fight to win a slot on stage at the new Soundstock festival get underway.

TSoundstock Festival, a two-day music and comedy event, will be held in Roxwell on the weekend of May 2 and 3 and could see thousands of people through the gate.

Music acts confirmed so far include former X Factor contestants Next of Kin as well as Toyah Wilcox, Ultimate Eagles, the Johnny Cash Roadshow and the Simon and Garfunkel Story.

Comedians include Patrick Monahan, who will compere over the weekend, as well as Katherine Ryan and Chris Turner.

The festival, which will be at Little Boyton Hall, and is being organised by Ingenious Rock, is backing Essex Air Ambulance, Chelmsford Community Radio and Stanley’s Heroes.

The first heats of the battle of the bands will take place tomorrow at The Bassment, in Chelmsford, at 8pm.There is free entry and special guest judge Lydia Lucy, X-Factor 2013, will be performing and a silent auction of signed memorabilia, provided by Sporty Mamas, will be held.

The next heats take place on February 19 and February 26, with a semi-final on March 19 and the final on April 17.