Mac-Stock, a two-day music festival that raises funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, is returning for a second year.

A total of 32 acts will feature on three stages at the Black Market, Warsop, on 24th and 25th March.

The festival, which brings together some of the best UK indie, ska and folk bands, and solo artists, launched last year when Mansfield-born Graham Parker organised it to raise £100 for each year of the 68 years of his father’s life, before he lost his battle with cancer in February 2010.

The first Mac-stock smashed Graham’s target.

“I was very fortunate to get a huge amount of support by artists from all over the country last year,” he said.

“The two days were brilliant with nearly 300 people enjoying the music and dancing.

“At the end of it I was told that I had to do it again, as the crowd enjoyed it so much –—so I am, with a bigger line up and three stages instead of two.”

Graham, who now lives in Sheffield, said his family was fortunate to get a lot of support from Macmillan nurses while his father and sister, who died in 2002, were battling cancer.

He said the continued fundraising through Mac-Stock was repaying a debt and an opportunity to provide a platform for up and coming bands.

“Since curating the first Mac-Stock I have been amazed at the amount of talented bands and musicians out there, and particularly in the East Midlands and South Yorkshire, said Graham.

“We have some incredible acts on this year — from beginning to end there is not a weak link on any of the stages.
“Anyone coming is in a for a great time.”

The full line-up for Mac-Stock is:

Friday, 24th, 7pm-midnight
Headline — Funke and the Two Tone Baby; Charlie Leavy; Brian Stone; Jonny Wallis; Kate Auburn; Shank’s Pony.

Saturday, 25th, noon till midnight
Headline — Stiff Joints; The Bar-Steward Sons Of Val Doonican, Dirty Vertebrae, Doozer McDooze, Salmagundi, Muddy Summers And The Dirty Field Whores, The Pink Diamond Revue, Folk The System, Morris & Watson, The Brilliant Band, Avital Raz, Skeg, Tich Vango, The Sunflower Thieves, Joe Knight, The Brewer’s Daughter, Tori Sheard, Natalie Smallwood, Bethany Jowett, Jess Kenton, Blind Fever, The Star Botherers, Bella Kardasis , Chuck SJ, Davey Malone, Emma And The Professor.

Tickets for Mac-Stock are available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/EHLEFJ
Under 17s get in free with a full-paying adult. Friday night only is £15, Saturday only is £20 and the whole weekend is £30. Tickets will be available on the door at higher prices.