Lee Harman champions the town’s music scene through his platform Warrington Music [WAM]. This month the former Woolston High School student talks about the launch of Live Bar and reflects on its impact on the wider circuit. He also looks ahead to RivFest, the music celebration in memory of River Reeves and Viola Beach

IT might sound like you have heard this all before but I’m genuinely really excited about the Warrington music scene at the moment.

After crying out for a dedicated live event venue big enough for touring bands, we now have Live Bar, situated in Barbauld Street.

And there’s a huge show coming up as The Ks, pictured, make their return to Warrington with their new single, Aurora. With support from Serratone and The AV Club, I’m sure it will be a sell out.

Being an intimate venue with ‘full’ signs up on the door will make it a night to remember and you’ll always kick yourself for not seeing them in a grassroots venue before it’s too late.

The band have been quickly making waves since their signature tune, Sarajevo, hit one million listens on Spotify before they even signed a record deal with Alan McGee’s Creation23 label

Tickets are on sale now via Skiddle for the show on Saturday, September 7. There are still tons of people who don’t know Live Bar is there so be sure to give The Ks some support.

I’m also looking forward to seeing Hollow Vandals there next week, on Friday, August 30, in what will be their last show before members head off to university.

Indeed, good luck to anyone who is starting university or other higher education. The common rooms in the likes of The British and Irish Modern Music Institute (BIMM) and Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) will soon resemble a night at Friars Court with many students from Warrington set to attend.

Competition breeds competition and it’s great to see the other bars and clubs upping their game in the town following the launch of Live Bar.

As long as you weren’t a stickler for set times, Lounge Fest at The Lounge bar in Springfield Street at the end of July was a great three days of live music with likes of Filthy Tricks, Crawlers and Muddy Elephant all putting on great performances.

Friars Court has just enjoyed its second gig in recent times with Iain from Softlad Promotions putting Kula Bay on in their spiritual home.

Live music returns to the indie bar on Saturday, September 21, with Bines making their debut in the town. That sets things up nicely for RivFest at the Pyramid the week after which I’m incredibly excited about.

[WAM] has been working closely with the Festival team to make the event one to remember.

Not only are we helping to produce the event which will see 30 bands and artists performing on three stages, but also look out for interviews, acoustic sessions and much more in the days and weeks afterwards.

Next year we want bands lining up to play.

On the [WAM] Exposure radio show every Saturday, we have been featuring an ‘out of town’ artist each week who is due to play.

We’ve really been digging the new single, Erotomania, by London based quintet Average Sex.

Don’t let the band name put you off, they’ve been championed by Charlatans’ frontman Tim Burgess, who signed them to his own label, O Genesis Recordings.

Looking forward to seeing them in Warrington. Just be careful when you google the band name!

Speaking of which, we’ve just found out we will be getting the exclusive first play of the debut single by La Scala on Radio Warrington on Saturday, September 7.

We’re hoping to make that week’s edition of the [WAM] Exposure show a RivFest Special, so watch this space.

One other thing, the River Reeves Foundation is working with the English Half Marathon to give opportunities to musicians to perform along the 13-mile route on Sunday, September 15. Head to warringtonmusic.co.uk to find out more and to apply now. This is open to all genres – the more eclectic the better.