A previously unseen documentary and one of the most hotly-tipped new bands are part of the line-up for Independent Venues Week at Sunbird Records in Darwen.
The promotion which will involving venues around the country runs all next week.
And Sunbird is organising a series of special events to mark it.
On Wednesday, Graham Aspinall’s documentary The Making of Sunbird Records, will be shown followed by a Q&A featuring music figures.
The film features Jonathan Lindley, the driving force behind the creation of Sunbird as he worked to bring a new music venue to Darwen in 2016. Jonathan died in January 2022 but his legacy lives on in the venue.
Jamie Carter who helps programme events at Sunbird said: “It is fitting that the documentary will be screened as part of Independent Venues Week.
“It shows Jonathan’s vision; what he wanted to achieve with Sunbird and we are now continuing what he started.”
The screening will be hosted by Will Wolstenholme from BBC Introducing who will also lead a discussion featuring film maker Graham Aspinall, Dale Grogan from Skiddle, Erin Caine from the band Loose Articles, Jonathan’s father Steven Lindley and Nathan Howard from Sunbird.
“Everyone on the panel was involved with Jonathan is some way,” said Jamie, “and they will be discussing why Sunbird was so important to him and why it remains so important to the local music scene.
“That’s the whole point of Independent Venues Week - to celebrate those venues which in spite of the difficult times we are in are providing somewhere for live music of all kinds to be heard.”
Next Thursday, Sunbird will be hosting a special music quiz with live music from Laura Mary and on Friday, Feral Family and Still Life will be playing live at the venue.
Independent Venues Week ends with a show by CVC next Saturday who have created a major buzz in the music industry.
“It is something of a coup for Sunbird to have CVC playing,” said Jamie. “I certainly don’t think we’ll ever see them at Sunbird again, they are going to be playing much bigger venues very quickly.”
The week is a chance for Sunbird to strengthen its connections to music lovers in the area.
“A lot of people have heard of Sunbird but perhaps haven’t come along and seen what we do,” said Jamie. “Everyone involved is working hard to make sure that we have a venue which celebrates live music of whatever style.
“The aim is that it become a venue where touring bands will stop off and play in an intimate setting as well as hosting local bands and showcasing different kinds of music whether that’s jazz, blues or DJs.
“There is no doubt that Sunbird’s reputation is growing - it’s now a question of developing that further and encouraging people to come along and know that if something is on here it’s going to be good.
“We are an integral part of the community and we’re working hard to show why it is so important to have a grass roots music venue here in Darwen.
“We are steadily changing people’s perceptions and we’d encourage people to come along next week and see what Sunbird is all about.”
Sunbird is also one of eight venues around the country backed by the Music Venues Trust.
For details of all the events lined up for Independent Venues Week and other dates at Sunbird visit www.sunbirdrecords.com or the venue’s Facebook page.
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