Yay! It’s nearly Christmas.

Just three weeks to go and although Slade,

Wizzard and co have been ringing in our ears for what seems like forever, we

know of a slightly cooler way to evoke some festive cheer via the medium of song

this winter.

This weekend sees the return of the three-day White Noise Festival, a biannual

event celebrating the best of Leicester’s music scene.

And it’s all for charidee, with cash being raised for county hospice Loros,

which the Mercury is also supporting this Christmas.

So what more could you want?

The three-day LOROS fundraiser features bands including Kyte, Her Name is Calla, Death of London, Charlie and the Martyrs, the Deap People and the Rassoodocks.

Wristbands for the whole weekend cost £5, with all proceeds going to the Leicestershire and Rutland hospice.

Co-organiser John Helps said: "All the bands playing are from Leicestershire and it’s just a fiver.

“Tickets are cheap so we hope people will make the most of the weekend and see as many bands as possible.

“There’s a wide spectrum of bands. Friday is quite ambient, Saturday is more rock and punk and Sunday is more straight-down-the-line Indie. Each day caters for different tastes.”

White Noise, which started in December last year, is now a twice-yearly event.

The first festival raised around £600 for Loros, while White Noise Summer collected £1,000.

John said: “Numbers are going up so hopefully we can raise more this time.”

Tonight's line-up includes Logfox, Pete Wyeth, Kyte and Her Name is Calla.

Tickets are available from Firebug.

www.whitenoisefestival.com