IF life is a series of key moments and turning points then performing at Kendal Calling definitely fell under that category for Chris Allen.

The former Lymm High School pupil remembers stepping onto the stage at the major festival and looking out at a sea of faces. Chris was filling in for the bassist of The Slow Readers’ Club who was on holiday at the time.

Before that he had not performed in 18 months and that one moment reignited his passion for live music.

The 28-year-old said: “I walked out onto the stage and the crowd were chanting ‘readers’. I knew instantly I wanted to get back into this. I hadn’t played for 18 months and when I got home I was straight on the internet. I was up until 2am looking for bands to join.”

That is how Chris met Hebden Bridge’s Sly Antics through a Gumtree ad in August.

Chris, who grew up in Latchford, added: “I saw a video for a song called Captive City and they’re chasing a naked guy through fields. I thought: ‘Who are these maniacs?’ I met them at an old rundown mill they were using for their practice space. I went down and had a bit of a jam and it went from there.”

Chris spoke to Weekend ahead of Sly Antics’ headline set for Friars Live on Saturday, May 6.

They will be joined by Warrington bands Filthy Tricks and Sweet Release and Liverpool’s Shamona at Friars Court in Barbauld Street.

It will be a special night for Chris as it will be his band’s first full gig in the town after an acoustic set at Taps Bar in Church Street about a month ago.

The former Bradshaw Primary School pupil said: “We’ve played a lot in Manchester and now it’s my turn to bring the band to my hometown.

‘I saw a video for Captive City and they’re chasing a naked guy through fields. I thought: ‘Who are these maniacs?’’

“There’s a real buzz in Warrington at the moment with the Capital of Culture bid.”

Sly Antics are also hoping that 2017 will be their breakthrough year after recording their debut EP, Captive City, at Greenmount Studios last year.

The independent Leeds studio has worked with the likes of The Cribs and Pulled Apart By Horses.

The band have also been supported by BBC Introducing and Louder than War magazine.

Chris, who went to school with Man and The Echo’s Joey Bennett, added: “With bands you often get so far and then it stops.

“It’s like any relationship – it can break down. But with the guys I’m with now everyone’s on the same page.

“Before this I’ve always seen music as a bit of a hobby but I want to take this band further.

“We have a lot of love for it and we hope people enjoy it as much as we do.

“Our singer Sam Hudson is probably the best songwriter I’ve worked with and individually we’re all very focused on our instruments.”

Chris started playing guitar when he was 18, inspired by his dad Wayne.

He said: He was always better than I was. There was a bit of father-son rivalry going on.”

But an unexpected musical encounter and the chance to learn an instrument that his dad did not know changed his direction.

Chris added: “There was this jazz band at the Trafford Centre of all places. I was listening to this guy. I remember he was wearing a flat cap and I couldn’t believe the sounds he was making with this bass guitar.

“Then I ended up seeing the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I thought Flea was amazing not just from a bass playing perspective but also the way he presented himself. He’s got amazing stamina. The guy’s in his 50s and he’s doing handstands.”

Chris currently works for Lidl but his dream is to become a musician full time.

He said: “I just love playing and everything else that comes with it is just a bonus but who wouldn’t want to be on a stage at Glastonbury or playing Leeds Festival?

Ultimately we want to be professional musicians. If you’re a signed band and you do that for a job you’re just spending more time doing something you love.”

  • Sly Antics perform at Friars Live with Shamona, Filthy Tricks and Sweet Release on Saturday, May 6. Visit skiddle.com for tickets or buy them on the door.