It proved to be such a success that it returned last year. Now, the event that grew from the Chiswick-based headroom show has shed its skin once more.

The time and place are the same, but this year we can look forward to the Festival of Sound: the Music and Audio Show.

This event and new branding remain a celebration of hi-fi, headphones and portable audio.

Most of the 150-plus exhibitors and brands coming back from last year, including AKG, Arcam, Chord Electronics, Clearaudio, Dali, Dynaudio, Naim and KEF but this year there will be a greater focus on music, with live musical acts (some renowned artists as well as individual buskers) “in abundance”. Furthermore, we can look forward to an as yet to be announced VIP concert.

As well as the expected hi-fi eye-candy, what has me excited is that there could well be more on show from exhibitors in the musical instrument and other music-related sectors.

Festival of Sound will also host a number of seminars by record producers and recording engineers with Chris Kimsey, Gary Langan and Liam Nolan inviting some very special guests from the international music scene to join them on stage to reveal their in-studio stories about some of the world’s most famous albums from the likes of Adele, David Bowie, Marillion, Queen, Yes, ABC, Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, Rita Ora, Art of Noise, Jesse J and Liam Payne.

Vernon Hamblin, Producer of the Festival of Sound, told StereoNET:

The first two years of our consumer show were naturally moving further and further into the realms of music in all its guises. Whether that was through the abundance of quality products and technologies on display enabling consumers to listen to music effectively at home or on the move.

The vinyl fairs and musical instruments on to the live performances from individual artists and renowned bands. Therefore, to reflect this evolution and to reinforce the pervading musicality of the event it made sense to rebrand to The Festival of Sound, The Music and Audio Show. After all, it’s what we do best.

Hamblin continued:

We’re extremely excited about this year’s event; we have so many surprises in store, which we will be revealing over the coming months. We’re confident the exhibitors, brands, live performances, seminars and other innovations we have lined up will appeal to a larger, broader audience, including younger people who enjoy music and musical artists.

The Festival of Sound is all about the music. So, whether you’re eight or 80, there will be something for everyone at the Festival of Sound.

Festival of Sound: the Music and Audio Show runs 28th – 30th September and will be hosted at the Hammersmith’s Novotel London West. The StereoNET team will of course be on hand to report full show coverage.

For more information check out its new website.