The spotlight will shine on island performers this weekend at the second Made in Bermuda Festival, which this year will run for four nights instead of one.

Jonathan Tankard of organisers PinkSand Entertainment said: “We had a phenomenal success last year. The performances went so well that people were approaching us to tell us that we need to continue this.

“This year it’s back and it’s not just one show, it’s four days of events.

Mr Tankard added: “The idea behind the entire festival is showcasing Bermudian talent, and not being the opening act for someone else. It gives performers an international-quality stage and a live backing band.”

The festivities are due to begin today at CedarBridge Academy, with a Rising Stars show highlighting young dancers, singers and rappers.

The music will continue on Saturday night at the Early Warm Up, held at the Inferno Lounge, where DJ Mikey B and Twin Star will provide tunes for what Mr Tankard described as the “unofficial after-party” for the Eastern County game.

The main event takes place on Sunday, when the Made in Bermuda concert will be held at CedarBridge’s courtyard and feature a range of Bermudian artists including Livewires, Sia Spence, Sheila Smith, Cush Evans, Brittany Cox, and Last Call & the Wall Street Band.

In addition to the live music, the event will feature a store where concertgoers can buy local music, books and clothing.

Mr Tankard said: “Guests can mingle around the court as the show begins, and as the show progresses there will be more and more performers on the main stage, but there are also stages in the food court and bar lounge, so no one misses out.”

The event will finish on Monday with Float BDA at Tobacco Bay Beach in St George’s.

Mr Tankard said: “We probably have at least 20 Bermudian entertainers between Friday and Monday, so it’s a great way to see the best Bermuda has to offer.”

Mr Tankard explained that PinkSand had worked to provide a platform for local artists and entertainers.

He said: “We thought we should do an event with the best of the best from Bermuda, put them on a stage and give them everything they need. We also wanted to give local artists something to aspire to. If we can do this every year, they know that they can work towards being the year’s top artist.”

Mr Tankard added: “Every time you expand, you don’t know if anyone is going to show up on that first day, but one of the things that gives us confidence this year is we have seen a rise in Bermudian pride.

“The America’s Cup helped us to pull together, and there are a lot of people wearing Bermuda hats and shirts. The Bermuda product seems to be catching on.

“We feel that people want to see themselves, their family and community s doing something in a positive light at a high level.

“Each of our events is targeted at a different audience, so we are not putting all our eggs in one basket hoping everyone buys a ticket for every event.

“We have an event for young people, we have an event for people who like to party at night, we have a mature crowd event and those who want to do something in the middle of the day can come to the beach on Monday.”

Tickets are available at Peoples Pharmacy, www.bdatix.bm or www.madeinbermuda.bm.