AVA: What you need to know about Belfast's hit music festival

It's one of Belfast's biggest festivals and it is about to bring international musicians, emerging local talent and techno fans together for its twelfth year.

This year 80 artists will take to the stage of the two day AVA festival including KETTAMA, Annie Mac, Honey Dijon, Interplanetary Criminal and KNEECAP.

Sarah McBriar, founder of AVA (Audio Visual Arts) and UP Productions, said: "We are expecting the festival's largest audience to date, with visitors from as far as Japan and Australia."

The festival is taking place at Titanic Slipways on Friday and Saturday.

Speaking to BBC News NI, McBrair said the festival has expanded significantly since its inception 12 years ago.

"It started in the docks in the old sort of industrial warehouse. It was one day, two stages, 1,500-ish people, and now, we've got five stages and 10,000 people coming a day.

"We've been able to evolve how we design the festival, how we platform artists, and we've got live acts all the way through to DJs, all the way through to hip hop. We're very excited about how it's evolved and changed."

"With new stages, an evolved site and 80 artists across two days, plus the largest art installation in our history. It's incredible to see the creative talent from Belfast and beyond platformed at our festival on the slipways," she said.

Ahead of the festival on Thursday there will be an event at the MAC in Belfast, where there will be free talks and workshops exploring music, culture and creativity.

McBrair said it's "very much" about developing local talent.

"We run a creator's forum where there are five producers, five DJs who apply, and it's all about platforming and finding new emerging talent and giving them an opportunity," she said.

"So it's about giving opportunity to emerging talent from the very beginning."

Gates open at 13:00 BST and close at 23:00 BST on both days.

Festival goers are advised to arrive early as the entrance can be busy from 15:00 BST.

If you have a pre-15:00 BST ticket, you must arrive before that otherwise there will be a surcharge.

Re-entry is not allowed and the last entry into the festival is at 19:00 BST.

Those attending the festival must be over 18 years old and must bring a valid form of ID such as a driving licence, a passport or a Yoti CitizenCard. No other forms of ID will be accepted.

Student ticket holders must bring valid student ID and resident ticket holders should bring proof of address.

There is no customer car park but there will be an official taxi drop-off and pick-up point.

The site can also be accessed by foot, train or bus services from the city centre.

There is a range of food and drink stalls at the festival, including a restaurant which will offer West African cuisine.

AVA Festival is a cashless event - so make sure to have your card or Apple/ Google pay.