Bradford Threadfest is back for its third year, returning on the Spring Bank Holiday weekend 23 – 25 May. The cross-city, multi-venue event will be bigger than ever, broadening its remit to offer a free taste of the city’s underground and independent art, film, performance and theatre alongside live music from the region and all over the world.

Announcements so far include Japanese post-punk/krautrock trio Nisennenmondai, socially-engaged artist collective Black Dogs, Leeds New York boogie-loving duo Galaxians, a special experimental film and music performance by the Berlin/Bradford collaborative project Polymitas, American sound artist Robert Millis, the return of Bradfordian agit-popsters Monty Casino, Canadian ambient doom duo Nadja, French experimental solo artist Chicaloyoh, sinister indie from Leeds' The Witch Hunt, big Bradford riifs from Cut Yourself in Half, with much more to be revealed over the coming weeks.

In the build up to the festival there will be two lead-in events from the University’s M@BU programme offering a taste of what can be expected during Threadfest; a weekend of experimental and improvised music in a German Church, 21 – 23 February with The Unit Ama, Cameron Deas, These Feathers Have Plumes and more. On March 29th Theatre in the Mill will host an evening of unusual approaches to the voice including French duo Vialka performing their ‘minimalist dinner-opera for two’ À l’Abri des Regards Indiscrets.

Threadfest takes place across multiple venues in the city including The New Bradford Playhouse, The 1 in 12 Club, Delius Arts and Cultural Centre and The Sparrow Bier Café. Bradford Threadfest is supported by The University of Bradford, Bradford City Council and sponsored by Northern Monk Brewery.

First Bands: Nissenenmondai (Japan) Robert Millis (USA) The Witch Hunt Nadja (Canada) Galaxians Allusondrugs Cut Yourself In Half Dean McPhee Grey Hairs Chicaloyoh (France) Cleft Philip Jeck Female Band Rattle Monty Casino Koala Polymitas (Gemrnay) Lee Patterson Snack Family Cantaloupe Inspirational Sound + Many more

Listed as one of the best city festivals in The Guardian in 2013.