TWO of the UK indie scene’s most promising bands performed in Warrington at the weekend when the Cultural Quarter was transformed into a Viola Beach party.

The third RivFest – in memory of Viola Beach guitarist River Reeves, his bandmates Kris Leonard, Jack Dakin and Tom Lowe and manager Craig Tarry – was held in multiple venues in the town centre this year.

The Lottery Winners, who have a record deal with Warner Bros, topped the bill during the ‘Breaking Through’ showcase at Parr Hall on Friday night. It was the Leigh band’s biggest headline gig.

Then on Saturday synth pop group Fickle Friends closed the festival after around 60 bands performed at 10 Warrington venues.

Fickle Friends, from Brighton, wanted to honour Viola Beach at RivFest as they shared a stage with the band in London in December 2015, just months before the tragic crash in Sweden which claimed their lives. They have recently released their debut album which was produced by Mike Crossey, who was behind the first two Arctic Monkeys records.

Also on the bill were The Voice’s Mo Jamil and Max Vickers, Warrington favourites The Ambersons and Joe Hill, a former recipient of the River Reeves Foundation scholarship. The emphasis this year was on supporting grassroots talent and bands on the brink of making it big.

Ben Dunne, River’s dad and festival founder, said: “There were so many highlights at RivFest ‘18 that my head is still buzzing with it all. It was great to see the town centre flooded with the region’s most talented up-and-coming acts.

“The Lottery Winners on Friday night took Parr Hall by storm and I can’t wait for their album to come out. They deserve to be superstars. As I walked around the town centre on Saturday afternoon I had tears in my eyes as every turn of a street corner brought a different sound.

“The Mysterines at Friars Court blew me away with their energy and edge and Joe Hill, as usual, smashed it on the same stage afterwards.

“Viola Beach would have loved to have been a part of such an eclectic collection of young bands playing their hearts out, meeting and celebrating music together.

“And the Rainbow Field family zone also made sure that people of all ages could enjoy this fantastic event.”

Thom Rylance, from The Lottery Winners, added: " RivFest was important to us for so many reasons, and I think it was a beautiful tribute to Viola Beach. Our actual gig was absolutely 'peng' which I think means good.

"Loads of people came and knew the words to our songs and made us feel proper famous. It's really re-ignited my flame and passion for our stupid little band. One of the most memorable gigs I've ever played."

Special thanks go to Jon Lingwood for the photographs with contributions also from Mike Boden and Lee Harman.