THE country's biggest prog festival is going on the road, and calls in on Cumbria with some of its hottest prospects.

Flying the flag for UK Tech-Fest in Workington this month will be award-nominated London five-piece Sumer, with eclectic Cornish outfit For The Oracle providing main support.

The most northerly date on their eight-night tour, they play at Lounge 41 on Saturday December 17.

Sumer's debut album, The Animal You Are, was released in 2014, and it propelled them to a nomination in the newcomer category at last year's Progressive Music Awards.

This summer they appeared at Bloodstock Festival, having previously played well-received sets at DesertFest, and of course, Tech-Fest.

With three guitarists and two vocalists among their ranks, there are many elements to their prog rock-inspired sound, giving nods to contemporary favourites Karnivool and Gojira, but also classic names such as Led Zeppelin, Soundgarden and Smashing Pumpkins. It is a blend that has seen them receive acclaim from all of the UK's major rock publications.

For The Oracle are an extremely diverse seven-piece band, who have made huge strides in their two years together.

Drawing from both metal and jazz, they have been compared to acts as far apart as the Mars Volta and Deftones.

Their debut release, Kind Child, was released in April this year, and this week they announced the arrival of a new single, All The Way Alive, which will make an appearance on this tour.

UK Tech-Fest began in 2011, and has seen major names from around the world play at their summer festival in Nottinghamshire, with acts such as Protest The Hero, Between The Buried And Me, and Animals As Leaders headlining the most recent event.

More support acts for the Workington show are yet to be announced. Doors open at 7pm.