International beatbox battle returns to Tamworth

Beatboxers and loopstation artists from around the world are taking part in an international competition in Staffordshire.

Organiser New Urban Era (Nue) said its Beatbox finals would bring "unparalleled vocal mastery" to Tamworth's Atik nightclub on Saturday.

Former UK female beatboxing champion Bellatrix, Australian beatboxer Codfish and KBA from Denmark will be headlining the event as judges and performers.

The event was first held in 2021 and last year attracted 60 wildcard entries from 16 countries , Nue said.

Street artists also painted part of the Atik nightclub as part of the event.

This year, organisers made it a two-day event, with the competition following an open mic night at the town's Cavern Room on Friday.

Artists taking part include 17-year-old Smonal from France, who will be defending his crown. Last year he won the loopstation category, where artists use a device to record sounds and loop them to create longer pieces.

Vic Brown of the Nue arts group said finalists in this category and the solo beatboxer contest had again come from a range of countries, including the US and Japan.

Nue began a varied programme of arts events earlier this year after securing about £56,000 of funding.