Lee Harman is a gig promoter, music blogger and photographer. Each month he writes for Weekend about what is going on with the live circuit.

In his latest column, the former Woolston High School pupil gives his thoughts on the Neighbourhood Weekender and talks about his own Christmas concert at the Auction Rooms

WHEN Neighbourhood Weekender announced its first batch of bands for the May bank holiday music festival, online there was two questions being asked:

1) How do I get tickets?

2) Where on earth is Warrington?

We’ve all had been there, but it’s really great to see so many great artists in one place.

Victoria Park, a place which has its own footnote in music history thanks to being the site of the first V Festival in 1996.

In Noel Gallagher and Courteeners, SJM have solid headliners.

But I’m looking forward to seeing the next big things coming through.

Look out for the likes of DMA’s, and The Sherlocks who have earned their stripes playing the bars and small venues through years.

I’m really looking forward to seeing who else joins the lineup over the coming weeks.

With the Warrington Music Festival forced to move dates, (but otherwise said they were committed to returning in 2018 after I asked the organisers for comment) I think it will be important the Neighbourhood Weekender Festival celebrates the towns own great artists, so will be watching with a keen eye.

Meanwhile, today marks the four month countdown to the ‘Five Years of Warrington Music [WAM] celebration’ at the Parr Hall with Slydigs, The Winachi Tribe and much more – and we’ve had an amazing response.

There seems to be genuine excitement about bringing four of the town’s biggest bands together.

There aren’t enough chances to support Warrington artists so pick up a ticket and get involved.

If you speak to any artist in the town, it is an inspiration to play the famous venue.

Even Rick Astley was excited to make his debut on the stage back in 2016.

Before that however, [WAM] will be taking over The Auction Rooms in Legh Street for the Sound of Warrington concert – and something that has never been done in Warrington.

On Saturday, December 16, alongside Priestley College students, the whole show will be streamed live on Facebook.

It’s the real work experience I would have loved when I was studying there.

WA1, as it was at the time, was also the first venue where I put a show on.

It was a sobering experience but I’ve got many great memories from that night which return whenever I come back as a promoter, photographer or punter.

Headlining the night is Americana band Priestley alongside alternative band 16 Jackals, singer-songwriter Kye Jones and indie trio The Capitals, offering a lit bit of everything.

There’s limited tickets available – for free – from the website but with multiple cameras in the venue, we hope to bring the live atmosphere onto which ever screen you choose to watch on if you can’t make it.

Free Sound of Warrington tickets can be reserved here

See you next month

LEE HARMAN