FANS of Viola Beach are hoping to breathe life into Warrington's music scene in their memory.

A tribute concert will be held at Friars Court in Barbould Street on Saturday, September 3, to raise money for the Viola Beach Memorial Fund and provide a platform for some of the bands they inspired.

Kris Leonard, Jack Dakin, River Reeves and Tom Lowe died along with their manager Craig Tarry in a tragic crash in Sweden in February when their car plummeted off a canal bridge.

The gig will see a headline performance by Pacific, who played on the same stage as Viola Beach two years ago at The Venue (now FC2).

The four-piece will be joined by Michigan, Polareyes and Kashmere.

Pacific performed with Viola Beach in their early days before River and Tom had joined the band but bassist and songwriter Dan Orzel said he saw their potential.

The 21-year-old said: "When we did the show we’d heard a lot about them. They’d been making waves in the industry.

"It was a really good gig. The guys were great fun. They played before us and we chatted about music before the show.

"There was a good crowd. They had a good fanbase who came out to see them.

"Since that show we kept an eye on them as we moved in the same circles and it really took off for them after that.

"We really looked up to them as they were tackling the next step in the industry. It was nice to see a band succeeding."

Dan told Weekend he was impressed by the progress Viola Beach had made since that Warrington show.

Before their deaths they had signed a record deal with Communion, played a session for the BBC at the iconic Maida Vale Studios and had gigs planned everywhere from the Parr Hall to South by South West festival in Texas.

He added: "I remember a week or two before the tragic news looking at their gig and festival slots and where they were playing and thinking it was really great.

"At the same time they were getting a lot of support from BBC Introducing.

"I thought Viola Beach had their own style and something unique and that is so important in this day and age.

"It was refreshing to watch. They also had great energy. They were on the precipice of something big.

"Hopefully the night will be a celebration of their legacy and what they managed to achieve in such a short space of time, especially after their number one album.

"It shows what can be achieved when you put your heart to it."

There are some parallels between Viola Beach and Pacific too.

Both bands have had music produced at Sugar House at St Helens' Catalyst Studios and both groups have been championed by Radio 1's Huw Stephens.

In 2015, Pacific's single, Time to Forget, hit the airwaves. In the same year they opened up Liverpool International Music Festival on the main stage and had their track played at Old Trafford at half time.

Dan, who formed Pacific with his brother Anthony, said: "If you told me when I started the band when I was 13 that a song I’d written would be on Radio 1 I would have thought you were being ridiculous.

"The amount of hours you spent writing and rehearsing, it takes over the majority of your life. That’s why it means so much to get that recognition. It’s probably our proudest moment so far."

Ben Hoyles, who is organising the tribute gig with Seb Caddick, added: "Our goals are to raise as much money as possible for Viola Beach Memorial Fund as well as helping create a platform so live music can be at the forefront of Warrington nightlife.

"I know that the family and close friends of Viola Beach would be immensely proud to know that their boys were that spark that reignited the very much stagnant Warrington music scene."

- Tickets are available from Friars Court for £5 or you can get in for £6 on the night. Doors open at 6pm. All funds go towards the Viola Beach Memorial Fund