LEADING pop band Lawson will be coming to East Lancashire before heading off to play two of the summer’s biggest festivals at the Isle of Wight and Hyde Park.

The London-based quartet, who have had six top 20 singles and a top five album, will be the first band to play at UCLAN’s Burnley campus.

The gig, on Sunday, May 4, will give fans the chance to get up close and personal to the band, with just 1,500 tickets available.

Promoter Steve Reid, of Doc Redeye Events, said: “This is the first of what we intend to be a series of gigs featuring major names at the venue.

“It will really put the town on the map and establish Burnley on the music scene.

“This first gig will be a major event for Burnley and the area as a whole. There will not be many towns of Burnley’s size who will get gigs this big.”

Lawson’s debut album, Chapman Square, reached number four in the album chart and their most recent single, Juliet, got to three in the singles chart.

In just over two years they have played four sell-out tours, including shows across America, Asia and Australia.

The sports hall at the Burnley campus will be transformed into a concert venue for the all-standing event.

“The beauty of it being on campus is that it is a very safe environment,” said Steve. “We will have concessions outside the venue and also a bar area.

“Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult and we will also be laying on live entertainment in the form of street dancers and musicians from the college outside the venue when fans are arriving.

“We really want to create a party atmosphere and a night to remember.

“Lawson are an ideal band to launch the venue, for as well as their wide commercial appeal and broad fanbase, they are also excellent musicians.”

Doc Redeye Events are working with Burnley sound specialists AMS Neve on the event and have previously been responsible for promoting bands at the Burnley Rock and Blues Festival. Tickets for the show are priced £25 and available online from www.quaytickets.com. A limited number of tickets will be available to buy in person from the reception at Burnley College from 12noon tomorrow.

These are only available to holders of a valid NUS card which must be produced before purchase.