Darwen Live 2009 just days away

Festival preparations are underway with Darwen Live 2009 just days away.

This year the mini festival organised by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council celebrates ten years of showcasing local talent as well as bringing well known performers to the town.

Topping this year's bill are The Bay City Rollers, featuring original member Eric Faulkner; original Boomtown Rats, Garry Roberts and Simon Crowe along with pop-punk band The Stiffs.

The free, two-day festival will also boast many local musicians including Recall, Jah Mission Vibes and the recently reformed Jo Danuki band, making their first ever appearance at Darwen Live 2009.

Young up and coming bands will be strutting their stuff on the Youth Stage, which is also Europe's only fully solar powered stage.

And support for the event is as strong as ever with nearly 800 people joining the Council's Darwen Live Facebook group within just two weeks of it being set up.

The group currently has over 1,000 members.

To maintain the festival's family friendly atmosphere, alcoholic and soft drinks will be available from the licensed marquee on site that will be operating under the Bar U scheme as during last year’s festival, and where prices will be similar to local pubs.

Programmes for the event are available now from Blackburn and Darwen Town Halls, Darwen Library, Darwen Library Theatre and participating bars and clubs.

The full line up is as follows

Sunday May 24 – main stage

The Bay City Rollers featuring Eric Faulkner

Ray Bailey’s Soultrain

A 9-piece band featuring the Union Pacific Horns playing classic 1960’s soul.

Torrents

Top indie-pop band currently working with ‘The Enemy’ producer Matt Terry.

Jo Danuki Band

First time on the Darwen Live main stage for this recently reformed Darwen crowd-pulling covers band.

The Northern Jazz Orchestra

Featuring the drumming of band leader Paul J. Rigby, the orchestra will be performing the timeless sounds of Glenn Miller and the Big Bands.

Sunday May 24 – Darwen Library Theatre stage

Pete Brown and the Volunteers

Son of Joe Brown and brother of Sam Brown, this renowned producer is currently promoting his new album, ‘Not Before Time.’

Jah Mission Vibes

A fully-blended mixture of root reggae and ska, this band has come all the way from Darwen to perform its Afro-Caribbean music.

Darwen Music Showcase

Elite Music Services present a selection of the area’s talented singers and musicians.

Monday May 25 – main stage

Boomtown Rats

Featuring original members Garry Roberts and Simon Crowe.

The Jamie Mac Band

Legendary Darwen singer reforms the band especially for this event.

The Stiffs

‘Pop with steel toe caps’ mixed in with high-energy pop that has the forcefulness of punk.

Decadenze

This Welsh rock/metal band will be calling into Darwen as a part of their current 50-date UK tour, as they promote their debut album.

Blackburn with Darwen Music Big Band

Traditional and contemporary Big Band music, as performed by very gifted students from throughout the borough.

Monday May 25 – Darwen Library Theatre stage

Recall

Popular local mainstream music trio.

Graham Robinson

Tremendous finger-pickin’ country blues and ragtime guitarist.

Blackburn People’s Choir

Performances will run from 1-9pm on Sunday, May 24 and Monday, May 25 in Darwen town centre.