The Journal's chief photographer Roger Elliott went on the ultimate pub crawl as Salisbury's annual fiesta of free, live music packed out venues across the city. Lesley Bates reports on Salisbury Live!

SALISBURY came alive to the sound of music over the weekend as pubs throughout the city hosted gigs by bands playing everything from bluegrass to jazz via rock, punk and folk as part of Salisbury Live!

The free two-day live music fest also extended out beyond the city to Odstock, Downton and Woodfalls with bands playing at the Yew Tree, Kings Arms and Old Inn.

Happy punters went from venue to venue searching out the best sounds and "official" Salisbury International Arts Festival-goers swelled numbers as their own events finished.

"It all went very well," reports Colin Holton who, with Jon Surtees, organised the event.

"Most venues were well attended."

Baz Warne, late of the Stranglers, at the Five Bells, and former Pogue Jamie Clarke, at Spires bar, drew large crowds on Saturday evening and cow punk psychobillies Lady Winwood's Maggot packed them in at the Five Bells, on Sunday.

Alt country cult hero Sid Griffin, of Coal Porters and Long Ryders repute, was a late substitute for Eleanor McEvoy at the Royal George.

"He's a bit of a bluegrass legend and as soon as people found out he was coming, they came from Bristol and all over to see him," says Colin. "He's a very laid-back American and we got him to play George Formby on the mandolin."

Although Salisbury Live was scaled down this year due to funding, Holton and Surtees hope they can expand again next year.

"Obviously we have to suit the bands to the pub landlords' customers, so it would be nice to have our own venue where we could have total control over what we do," Colin says.