DARWEN Live has been given the go ahead to entertain crowds and music lovers across East Lancashire and beyond.

Following the cancellation this year, the town's annual event will now go ahead in October.

Local musicians will showcase their talent along with former Happy Mondays star, Shaun Ryder who will be the headline act with his band, Black Grape.

Darwen Live first came on to the scene in 1999 and has seen some famous musicians on the main stage including the Bolton-formed punk and rock band, Buzzcocks.

Darwen Live was given the green light tonight by Darwen Town Council and the music festival's organiser Darren James, who joined Darwen Live in 2013.

Darren said: "We are so happy that the festival has been given the go ahead. 

"The people of Darwen deserve a bit of fun and happiness following a dreadful lockdown. We have had some fantastic acts sign up - all local, but will look forward to welcoming Shaun and his band."

Darwen Live is a free-to-attend annual music festival and is organised and run by volunteers and funded by Darwen Town Council, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, and private sponsors. 

Darren added: "For the first time since the event started in 2000, this year’s Darwen Live music festival was cancelled due to the ongoing public health restrictions imposed in March 2020. We will look forward to celebrating our 21st birthday in October."

  • The event will run on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd October 2021.