Wigan Live to rock town centre again

The town centre will be filled with the sound of music later this month as one of the borough's biggest arts events returns to rock Wigan.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Aug 2016, 10:00 BST
Updated 25th Aug 2016, 20:58 BST
Organisers of the Wigan Live Festival, with event founder Tim Critchley in the centreOrganisers of the Wigan Live Festival, with event founder Tim Critchley in the centre
Organisers of the Wigan Live Festival, with event founder Tim Critchley in the centre

Wigan Live Festival, now in its fourth year, will give an incredible 90 acts the chance to showcase their skills at bars, pubs and clubs across the town centre.

Two days of performances on August 19 and 20 will include everything from rap and hip-hop to electronic music, indie and rock to jazz and bluegrass.

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The festival is also about putting on live music in Wigan venues that do not usually showcase performers and this year is no different with 11 different places putting on acts.

New venues for the 2016 edition include micropubs Doc’s Symposium and the Tap ‘n’ Barrel and Dochertys pub in Swinley.

Another innovation will be musicians performing outside, weather permitting, and head organiser Tim Critchley says he is particularly excited about the possibility of some of the region’s finest acts playing beneath bright blue skies.

Tim, from Standish, said: “Wigan Live Festival is bigger and better and back for more. We’re even doing outside stages at Casino de Cuba and Doc’s Symposium.

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“Music is so good when it’s outside, it’s sunny and people are chilling to an acoustic artist. That will be fantastic.

“I’m super excited about the quality of the bands yet again. Every year they are so professional and so good at what they do.

“Anyone wanting to find new artists will definitely do so at Wigan Live Festival this year. We’ve such an array, every genre is there.”

Highlights of the line-up on Friday include The Bright Black, The Senton Bombs, The Volts and many other while on Saturday the bill includes Kingfisher Blue, Hanzo, Joe Symes and The Loving Kind, Late Night Legacy and The Protagonists.

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As always there will be a serious point to the fun with the festival raising money for charity. This year’s beneficiary is the NSPCC as Tim’s boss at the pupil referral unit where he works is a massive supporter of its work.

Entry to all the venues is free with music fans being asked to put money in the charity donation buckets.

Wigan Live Festival is on Friday August 19 and Saturday August 20. For the full line-up, venue information and clips of the artists visit www.wiganlivefestival.com

Related topics:WiganStandish