A MUSICIAN is hoping the third time’s a charm as he prepares to stage a charity concert at Blackburn’s King George’s Hall.

Drummer Paul Voegt is staging Spectularfest 3 in the Windsor Suite, featuring nine bands, on February 29, in aid of East Lancashire Hospice.

His showcases have fast become a hot ticket among up-and-coming north-west bands, if the response to his auditions call is anything to go by.

Paul, a steward at the District & Union Club in West Park Road, told the Telegraph: “When we put the word around that we were putting on Spectacularfest again, we had around 50 bands come forward,

“There’s going to be a real mix of styles and it’s a great venue so we’re all looking forward to it.”

Beth Blade and The Beautiful Disasters will travel over from Cardiff for the mini-festival.

And the likes of Darwen-based Pints With Gandhi have a shorter road to travel.

They will be joined at KGH by Le Verre, Clock, Kerry’s Heroes, The Blues Engine, War Stripes, Scott Wainwright, Waltz Away and DJ Swift.

King William Street hostelries The Drummer’s Arms and Rock Box are sponsoring the gathering and have agreed to act as ticket outlets.

And Mayor of Blackburn Cllr Jim Shorrock has agreed to perform the official opening.

In previous years Paul’s impresario skills have helped to raise funds for his friend Steve Shaw, who required an artificial vision aid, and for the British Heart Foundation.

He suffered two cardiac arrests just over 10 years ago and was especially keen to support the latter charity.

Early bird tickets for the festival are £10, until February 1. The price will then be £15 plus booking fee and it’s £20 on the night. Tickets are also available online via Skiddle and www.s3.nos1.co.uk