It was the ultimate festival warm-up party – dozens of local music acts kicking off this year's Summer Sundae.

Open-top buses shuttled hundreds of music fans between nine different venues across the city last night for the annual Fringe Festival, which launches the main event at De Montfort Hall this weekend.

Fringe Thursday was the culmination of a fortnight of events showcasing the best of Leicester's music scene.

The Shed, The Donkey, Firebug, The Musician, Kayal, The Hind, Helsinki, New Road Inn and The Lansdowne all played host to local bands, to get festival-goers in the mood for acts such as the Streets and Idlewild tonight.

Leicester bands Autohype and Mega Dub were among acts playing at the Shed, in Yeoman Street.

Autohype manager Jon O'Neill said it was the perfect chance to be heard by people outside of Leicester.

He said: "A lot of people from out of town come to Summer Sundae and this is a good chance for Leicester to show off its local talent.

"It's a great idea and it's part of the whole Summer Sundae experience."

Mega Dub singer Waz Ismail said: "We're playing at Summer Sundae as well as the fringe. We're really looking forward to it."

Kevin Holyland, owner of the Shed, said: "The fringe is really good for the smaller venues. It's good that they're all joining together to put the night on.

"We've always been supportive of young bands and original music."

Down the road at The Musician, in Clyde Street, music fans were entertained by the likes of Jersey Budd, Dumbfound and the Utopians.

Blane Maxwell, of Dumbfound, said: "We're playing the fringe and the festival this year, which is great.

"It's the kind of exposure we need. To be playing in something that is in Leicester but has a wider audience is brilliant."

Stand-up comedian David Howat, from Wigston, was checking out the acts at The Musician.

The 44-year-old said: "I'm interested in seeing the up-and-coming bands. I like seeing smaller bands, rather than big stadium groups."

Chris McMinn, 27, who has been working behind the bar at the venue for two years, said: "It's always a really good night. We get people coming down who don't come to the venue regularly."

Fringe-goers paid £4 for a wristband, allowing entry to all the venues and the buses. Money raised will go to the Loros hospice, and organisers hope to make £8,000.

Around 100 people turned out to see The New Beautiful South, who played at The Donkey along with M48, Dave Wyatt, You Fellows of All Souls, The Kirkland Turn and the Deap People.

Patrick Wright, from Knighton, watched The New Beautiful South before heading over to The Firebug to catch the likes of Minnaars, Maybeshewill, Charlie and The Martyrs, Kyte and Tired Irie. The 23-year-old said: "It's been a great start to the weekend. There's a good mix of bands and venues.

"It's really good to see the music scene in Leicester being appreciated for once."

Summer Sundae takes place today, tomorrow and Sunday, with more than 100 acts over six stages at De Montfort Hall and Gardens.