Rutlanders can look forward to watching and listening to talented musicians thanks to Oakham-based Music Man, aka Dave Graham.

He's ensuring that the music scene returns to our local community with a flourish this summer with a string of live events in Rutland and beyond.

It has been 18 months or more since most bands and musicians have been able to play live and there's no doubt that they have been missed.

With the imminent lifting of Government restrictions, Dave Graham and the bands signed up to his agency DG Music, will be welcoming in the 'new normal' with gigs across the county.

There are more than 20 separate gigs taking place at six Rutland venues between July 19 and the end of August, including a series of fortnightly Saturday afternoon sessions at The Admiral Hornblower, two band BBQ nights at The Old Buttercross in Barleythorpe, monthly events at The Crown Hotel in Uppingham, and August Bank Holiday festivals at The Exeter Arms in Barrowden and The Grainstore Brewery & Tap in Oakham.

Dave, who operates out of The Piano Café on South Street, Oakham, said: "The good news is that live music has survived the lockdowns and its back and raring to go. As well as this summer's pub gigs, bookings are flooding in for weddings, parties and other events too."

The live music programme kicks off with the rich and soulful sound of the Annie Love Duo, who'll be opening a new series of fortnightly Saturday afternoon events at The Admiral Hornblower in Oakham from 1pm to 4pm on Saturday July 24.

On the same day, rock band The Atlantics will perform between 6.30pm and 9.30pm at The Old Buttercross in Barleythorpe, Oakham. Playing a wide range of music from The Stones, The Beatles, and The Kinks through to The Killers, The Arctic Monkeys and Kings of Leon, the band will be having the audience dancing the night away in the garden from 6.30pm.

Thanks to Dave, there will be a range of bands and musical styles on offer at numerous locations. There's music for chilled Sunday afternoons and lively evenings out with friends, and summer festivals too.

Davie said: "All of these gigs are free, but music lovers are advised to turn up early for the best seats as these are all sure to be popular events."

Highlights for this summer's return to live music include acoustic singer Daryl Kirkland with Jimmy Lindsay on vocals and trombone performing a mixture of cool vintage and retro music (The Crown Hotel, Uppingham July 25), Govannen (pictured above), a Celtic Ceilidh and Irish band who play traditional and contemporary Irish and Celtic songs (The Exeter Arms, Barrowden, August 29) and Pembroke Tenneson whose compelling show is a blend of fierce acoustic rock and classic pop numbers (The Grainstore, August 29 and The Exeter Arms August 30).

For Dave, who himself returns to the road with legendary band Showaddywaddy this summer, it's about supporting two sectors that have been hit hard by the impact of Covid-19.

Dave added: "We are supporting the hospitality industry which has been having such a tough time and all of the musicians who haven't been able to work. So we're creating work for the musicians and we're helping the venues to get people back in their pubs and having a good time!"

DG Music is based at The Piano Café, Dave's record shop and café that has been open a year this summer. Despite the lockdowns and Government's Covid travel restrictions, the business has been a huge hit, attracting music lovers of all ages.