Dire Straits, Squeeze, Bloc Party and Blur all share a magical gift for music.


And with each of these rocking bands coming from our neck of the woods, they also have south east London in common.


To celebrate the rich melodious history across Lewisham, Greenwich and Bromley – and showcase up and coming bands from the area – two music-lovers are throwing a free to attend festival, overflowing with new talent.


Lee Puddefoot and Stephen Cullern are inviting people to come along to the second annual Dashwoodstock in Thamesmead on September 8.


Lee, who has been putting gigs on for seven years, told Vibe: “New bands gravitate away for gigs and it’s a shame because if people started putting on shows more locally it would showcase what we have here.


“Five of the eight bands playing are from south east London.


“I think it’s a nice opportunity to see grassroots music, with a quite varied line-up.


“It’s open to anyone who wants to come in – the atmosphere was brilliant last year with so many different people there.


“One of the bands who are used to playing to serious rock music fans said ‘we never had a six-year-old knee slide in front of us at a show before’ – they were used to people in leather jackets.”


Dashwoodstock, which takes place at the Dashwood Social Club, hopes to provide all the good festival vibes of the summer’s major music events for everyone who couldn’t afford the ever-pricey tickets.


Mottingham-based band Carousel, who formed in 2008, is booked to headline the event.


Reminiscent of Mumford and Sons and Fleet Foxes, these plucky youngsters caught their lucky break earlier this year when an impromptu performance to a Tesco garage security guard was noticed by influential music mogul Jordan Kensington.


The teenagers couldn’t believe their luck when they were signed up for a four-album deal with the musician’s record label.


Lee, from Charlton, added: “People will really like them.


“They have nice harmonies, it’s kind of jovial and playful and melancholic as well.


“I’m really excited about having such a strong local line-up.


“I hope it really encourages local music.”


Joining Carousel on the line-up are Terminal Gods.


Lee said: “They’ve got all the swagger of a 1980s rock band and their songs are really accessible.


“With their black hair and leather jackets they look like they belong in a New York rock club – they’re a lot of fun.


“We’ve got Ceri James from Deptford too.


“He was a favourite from the first Dashwoodstock last year and asked to come back again.


“His music is acoustic pop – a blend of Beatles and Beach Boys.”


Also playing will be Scarlet Echo, The Brassic, The Gaa Gaa’s, Field of Wolves and The Bird Dogs.


Lee added: “I love seeing bands playing live to a room full of people – particularly grassroots music.


“It’s about building something bigger.


“The Gaa Gaa’s will be playing at Jersey Live Music Festival on the same bill as massive bands like Primal Scream and then playing here.


“It just goes to show it’s not just some guy on a guitar who thinks he can warble into a mic.”


The event goes on from 4pm to 11pm.


For more information email Lee at lee_puddefoot@yahoo.co.uk