International bands are heading to Norwich for an exciting music event which is aiming to bring cutting edge bands from across the globe to the fore.

Speed Up! is a new addition to this year's Norfolk and Norwich Festival, the city's annual celebration of arts and culture which takes place in May.

Described as fast, loud, energetic and fun, the Speed Up! line-up is an eclectic musical mix.

Norwich Arts Centre will be the hub venue, with some performances also popping up elsewhere in the city, and a music installation on display in Fusion at the Forum.

The programme kicks off on Friday, May 11 with I.R.O.K (the Intergalactic Republic Of Kongo) who create music described as psychotropic afro-punk. Portland dance duo Yacht, from America, will be performing on May 13, while contemporary music group Esmerine, from Canada, will take to the stage on May 14.

Norwich-based Holy State will be unleashing their debut album on May 18, while Norfolk-based Nathan Fake and Like Abbott, who have both been making waves on the electronica music scene, will be putting on a joint-headline show on May 19.

Death Grips, from America, will performing on May 22 with their experimental hip-hop described as having raw power and punk attitude. Meanwhile Norwich-based Balaclava Kid and Dad will on May 24 at St Lawrence Church debut a new show aiming to create an offbeat thunderous live experience. Israeli punk pop trio TV Buddhas are performing a joint-headline show on May 25 with Zun Zun Egui, a band described as having a penchant for rocking the outer reaches. On May 26 digital pop duet Gangpol Und Mit will be performing The 1000 People Band show where the cartoon characters play live.

Dan Tombs Exhibition, which explores video technology, also run alongside the music programme at Norwich Arts Centre from May 11 to Saturday, June 9. Stuart Hobday, director of Norwich Arts Centre, said: 'We're really excited to be bringing this new programme to Norwich as part of the festival.

'These events will be experiences not forgotten by those attending, they promise to be immersive visually and sonically.'

William Galinsky, the Norfolk and Norwich Festival's artistic director, said: 'This year's Norfolk and Norwich Festival sets established favourites from right across the contemporary and classical music spectrum against vital young talent like the Neutrinos and Esmerine. This new strand, combined with BETA, our new venue for emerging performing artists, will bring a new generation of artists and audiences to this year's Festival.'

For more details about Speed Up! including dates, locations and ticket prices visit www.norwichartscentre.co.uk/speedup

Are you involved in an unusual arts project? Email emma.knights@archant.co.uk