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Music fans who missed out on tickets for Glastonbury this year fear not! The Big Issue are backing an ambitious new festival on the same weekend, located on the rugged Isle of Portland on the Dorset coast. Spydafest is the brainchild of leading internet station SpydaRadio, London's award winning venue The Borderline and eclectic roots agency Mutiny Music. The Big Issue will receive 10% of ticket revenue to support their excellent work fighting homelessness.

SpydaRadio have also just released a double compilation CD featuring a wide range of artists, and the magazine will also get 10% of profits from CD sales. Arrangements are being made for the magazine's founder John Bird to visit the area and meet local MPs and housing managers to discuss homelessness issues specific to the local market.

Musically "Spydagoers" can expect a diverse range of quality acts ranging from singer-songwriters to country rock legends and funky world music. Over 40 acts will appear on two stages across the weekend, with performers from the USA, Canada, Holland, Ireland, The UK and Brazil all flocking to the Island. Highlights include swamp rock legend Tony Joe White, Dazzling bluegrass virtuosos The Hot Club of Cowtown and Dorset's own chartbuster Gordon Haskell.

Beyond that there will be a full range of family entertainment, local band showcases, workshops, open mike stages, traders, food concessions and of course a licensed bar. The site is located on open grassland overlooking the famous Portland Bill lighthouse, Pulpit Rock and Lyme Bay, recently given UNESCO World Heritage Status. This has to be the most spectacular location for a music festival in the UK. Event organisers have also put together an extensive programme of workshops for the local schools and members of Portland's unique community.

Tickets are available from Weymouth's Pavilion box office on 01305 783225. Prices start at £45 for the full weekend and represent excellent value. Full details are available from the website address www.spydafest.com