It might be the only time you get to see Bob Marley, UB40, Little Mix and Ed Sheeran all in one place.

Norwich Evening News: Nearly festival crowd PHOTO: Nearly FestivalNearly festival crowd PHOTO: Nearly Festival (Image: Nearly festival)

Well, nearly.

These stars are just some of the names billed at this weekend's Norwich Nearly Festival which, as the name gives away, will entertain thousands of partygoers with some of the best tribute acts across the land.

One will be Jack Shepherd, who gave up his day job three years ago to sing Ed Sheeran songs full-time.

He will join Bob Marley, Little Mix, Rihanna, UB40 and many other sound-a-likes in the latest festival to tap into the burgeoning appetite for tribute stars.

Norwich Evening News: Ed Sheeran in concert. Picture: BEN BIRCHALL/PA WIREEd Sheeran in concert. Picture: BEN BIRCHALL/PA WIRE

With a custom made loop pedal, 10 guitars and three technicians, Mr Shepherd hopes he and others this weekend will change a few perceptions of what it means to be a tribute act.

'I am not Ed Sheeran but I love his music and study it. I try to re-create an authentic experience for people. The show has grown and grown and keeps evolving.

'I've always played music but I sat in the kitchen with my wife in 2015 and said I need to give this a go. Tribute shows are becoming really popular. Next year I'm going on a world tour.'

It follows on from the Norwich Fake Festival which took place at Eaton Park in May, where 1,800 fans watched sound-a-likes of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and David Bowie perform on stage.

Norwich Evening News: Little Mix will perform in Norwich in July. Picture SJM Concerts.Little Mix will perform in Norwich in July. Picture SJM Concerts. (Image: SJM Concerts)

Festival director Danny Banthorpe said: 'I think that's why these kind of shows are becoming so popular. You can't see the likes of Bob Marley live any more so if you can hear the next best thing and for a fraction of the cost, why wouldn't you?'

The cost of a two-day adult ticket to the Nearly festival is £30. In comparison, a ticket for the Latitude festival in Suffolk this summer to see the likes of Wolf Alice, The Vaccines and The Killers will set you back £197.50.

With a fully licensed bar on offer you may start to believe that Ed Sheeran et al really are in NR1.

Norwich Evening News: Bob Marley. Picture: DAN ASHERBob Marley. Picture: DAN ASHER