A BLACKBURN songwriter is taking time out of her recording career to perform her latest work for charity.

Singer Charlotte O’Connor is one of the headline acts for the major Oxjam music festival in the town centre on Sunday after 12 months hard work on a host of new songs since signing for Columbia Records.

The 18-year-old says she is really excited to back in her home town for where fans, friends and her family can see her perform her latest work.

Charlotte, of Meins Road, Blackburn has created a flurry of interest in the music world since her discovery and is on a retainer from a prestigious management company.

The talented teenager was spotted on My Space by Sam Bush - son of legendary music promoter Mel Bush, who discovered David Bowie and Queen. Her self-penned songs have since turned heads in the music industry and her haunting voice has led to comparisons with Norah Jones and Dido.

The former Westholme pupil said: “It’s really fantastic to be able to be part of something like Oxjam and I am so glad I was able to do it.

There’re some fantastic bands performing at the festival and I am really looking forward to meeting them as well. Best of all, I can perform in Blackburn and I am so looking forward to that.

It'll be so nice to see my family and friends in the audience for a change and it'll be nice for them to see me perform."

The trip home will be a welcome break in Charlotte’s hard work in the recording studios on her first album, which is due to be released in March next year.

Her mum Fiza said: “She has performed at St George’s Hall before, but that was before she was signed and I know she is excited about coming back. It should be a great day.

"It’s also fantastic for us as her parents, because we’re really proud of her.” Her dad John added: "I’m really pleased she’s suporting Oxjam, its a great cause and it will be a good day all round.”

The full line-up for Ojam is as follows:


The Residence - Opening at 3pm

Brother Bastion- 8.45pm
Alex Johnson 8.00pm
Michael Woodacre 7.15pm
Chris Byrne 6.30pm
Jamie Gallagher 5.45pm
Chris Davies 5.00pm
Ellie Rigby 4.15pm
Rick Smithson 3.30pm

Live Lounge- Opening at 3pm


The Words 10pm
Searching for Seraphim 9pm
The Scene 8.15pm
Down in Paris 7.30pm
TAO 6.45pm
The Smitten Ones 6pm
Pablo and the Smokes 5.15pm
Hot Ashes for Trees 4.30pm
The Scruples 3.45pm


Evolution Lounge- Opening at 5pm



DJ Ainsley Gregson 10.00pm til late
Lovelacer 9.00pm
Cassini Club 8.15pm
The Locals 7.30pm
The Escobars 6.45pm
Brown Orange Blue 6.00pm


Cellar Bar – Opening at 7pm



DJ’s- 11pm til late
Revolter- 10.30pm
War Against Sound- 9.45pm
Glass Asylum- 8.30pm
Attari Hill- 7.45pm


41 King Street- Opening at 7pm



Charlotte o Connor 11pm
Screaming Lights 10pm
ECB 9.15pm
The Witches 8.15pm
India Mill 7.30pm

Wristband redemption point: O'Neill's from Midday- 12 onwards