THE full programme of events for Darwen Live has been announced.

The free-to-attend festival will run from May 27 to 28, with headline acts performing on the main stage in Darwen town centre with town-centre venues hosting local and up and coming performers.

Darwen Library Theatre will act as the official 'second stage' from 1pm, showcasing local music schools as well as sing along karaoke and an mix of bands performing folk, acoustic and funky music.

Darwen Music Projects will once again have their own stage at Number 39 Hopstar Brewery Tap on Bridge Street from 2pm. An eclectic mix of acts will make up the programming including acoustic artist Teri Birtwistle blues band Something Might Happen and Good Foxy frontman George Banks.

Sunbird records will host bands across the two days from 1pm including Darwen based band Pints with Gandhi, Freakout Honey and Sunstack Jones.

The Vaults will warm up to the festival with live DJSson Friday and Saturday before the bands take over on Sunday from 12pm.

Children will be welcome at The Vault until 9pm and there will be an outside Bar and BBQ.

Big House Blues Bar will host three bands from 2pm each day during the festival including Head Hunters Blues Band, The Hiding Magpies and Jupiter Hollow.

Festival favourite Revival 80's will perform at Level One from 6pm on Sunday following by Kiara Marzella at 12.30am and deep house duo Blonde at 1.30am.

Level One Live will host bands from 3pm on Sunday including five piece party band Jackson Kay Band and covers band Cherrybomb.

The Crown will also have live music both days from 12.15pm and The Cock will host a number of festival favourites from 1pm, including a Queen tribute band.

Organiser Darren James said: "We are nearly there after months of planning.

"This year there have been two of us organising this festival, all voluntary in our own time.

"Firstly I would like to thank all of the venues who have got involved this year.

"These are the only official venues taking part in the festival and donating to make sure the festival continues.

Line Up brochures should be available in the next few days."

X Factor star Grace Davies will headline the main stage as well as comedy folk band The Lancashire Hotpots and 1980s teen idol Paul Young.

Visit facebook.com/DarwenLive for more information

MAIN STAGE LINE-UP

SUNDAY 27th MAY 2018

1PM - TARANTINO DISCO

Inspired by the movies of Quentin Tarantino, this is the unforgettable disco soundtrack spanning decades of big hits, floorfillers and hidden gems. The perfect warm up to the festival.

https://www.mixcloud.com/johnwleather/

2PM - 3MINUTEWINDOW

4 piece covers band. Recorded a version of the Clash's English civil war for a Charity album back in 2015

2:45PM - EVIL PINK MACHINE

An unfortunate elbow injury left Igor Delgado Martin unable to play guitar for months, making him turn to electronic instruments to create his own musical outlet. Combining electronica, alternative rock and psychedelia through a lo-fi scope, Evil Pink Machine crafts its own unique sound.

https://evilpinkmachine.bandcamp.com/

3:30PM - BRADFORD

Bradford were (are) an indie band from Blackburn, Lancashire, England. The band is best known for being liked by Morrissey, who proclaimed them heirs to the Smiths throne.

https://www.youtube.com/watch…

4:15PM - THE LAURENS

Darwen based band with first album released last November. Catchy songs with bright vocal arrangements.

www.sunbirdrecords.co.uk/the-laurens

5PM - COVERED IN PUNK

They cover well known non-punk songs in their own upbeat punky style. Covering your favourite artists in punky goodness. Guaranteed to get you bouncing.

www.soundcloud.com/coveredinpunk

6PM - JANET DEVLIN

In 2011, she caught the public’s attention on Series 8 of The X Factor, where she consistently received the highest consecutive public vote out of all the contestants.

Janet’s debut album Running With Scissors was released in June 2014 reaching number one on the UK Indie Breakers chart.

www.janetdevlin.com

7PM - THE SOUL CONVICTS

An invigorating fusion of brass, melodies and disco pop, these funk soul brothers and sisters from Lancashire are kicking up a mighty storm on the live circuit.

www.thesoulconvicts.co.uk

8PM - THE LANCASHIRE HOTPOTS

The Lancashire Hotpots are a comedy folk band from St Helens, England, formed in December 2006. The group record songs about Lancashire, technology and British culture.

www.thelancashirehotpots.net

9PM - PAUL YOUNG

Paul Young is an English singer, songwriter and musician. Formerly the frontman of the short-lived bands Kat Kool & the Kool Cats, Streetband and Q-Tips, he was turned into a 1980s teen idol by subsequent solo success. He is famous for hit singles such as "Love of the Common People", "Wherever I Lay My Hat", "Come Back and Stay", "Every Time You Go Away" and "Everything Must Change", all reaching the top 10 of the UK Singles Chart. His smooth yet soulful voice belonged to a genre known as "blue-eyed soul". At the 1985 Brit Awards, Young received the award for Best British Male. Appearing at Darwen Live with full live band

paul-young.com

MONDAY 28th MAY

1.00pm - ANGELS N BANDITS

A band of 13-16 year olds from London. Just been signed by a major label and currently massive YouTube stars

www.angelsnbandits.com

2.00pm - GIN PIT

Female fronted rock covers band guaranteed to blow Sundays cobwebs away

www.ginpit.co.uk

2;45pm - KERRI WATT

Scottish singer / songwriter who has toured with Embrace and been featured vocalist with Coldplay

https://kerriwatt.com

3;30pm - BREAKING WAVES

Rock duo in which comparisons to Royal Blood have to be made

breakingwavesband.com

4.15pm - MILLIE MANDERS AND THE SHUT UP

Millie creates cross-genre punk that is hard to ignore. With lyricism that pokes fun, draws you in or leaves you questioning social norms teamed with incredible vocal dexterity, grinding guitars, irresistible horn hooks and a pumping rhythm section.

www.milliemanders.co.uk

5.15pm - FEAR THE FALLEN

Back by popular demand. Darwens favourite rock band go from strength to strength with an album under their belt to boot.

6.15pm - ELECTRO 80'S

You asked, we listened. Every year we're asked when Electro 80's will play the main stage. Now the UK's premier 80's electronica band grace us with their presence

https;//electro80s.co.uk

7.15pm - GRACE DAVIES

What can we say that hasn't already been said - Local girl done good finishing runner up in X factor 2017, a recording contract and a massive arena tour. Grace wanted to play Darwen Live as much as we wanted her back.

www.gracedaviesofficial.com

8.00pm - JOHN POWER

The lead singer of Cast brings his acoustic show to see out the final hour of Darwen Live. With tunes such as Alright, Fine Time and Walk Away the crowd will be singing along nicely.

www.casttour.com