WARRINGTON Music Festival headliners Slydigs only met their manager a few weeks ago.

But the opportunity has already led to the rock quartet meeting two of their heroes and playing a series of gigs in the big smoke.

Concert promoter Tommy Kennedy, who has worked with Howard Marks, U2 and Madonna, signed the band up for a three-year management contract after seeing them at the festival.

“They blew me away,” said the 52-year-old.

“The show was just in another dimension. Basically they’ve got the looks, the attitude and more importantly the songs to back it up.”

Tommy grew up in Liverpool Road, Great Sankey, but now lives in London after starting his music career as a production runner.

His cousin Jack Houghton introduced him to Slydigs’ music so he decided to check it out for himself at their headline festival slot at Old Market Place in July.

Despite stage times running late and a shortened set, Tommy did not leave disappointed.

Slydigs frontman Dean Fairhurst said: “That night was a little rushed for us, but the crowd was great.

“It’s a two-way thing with an audience and we didn’t have to work much to get them going. The reaction since then has been immense.”

So Tommy, right, arranged a meeting and agreed to manage them.

He said: “I can’t believe my home town has produced a band of this quality.

“They possess the essence of The Clash as a live act and the songs and finesse of The Rolling Stones.

“I’ve listened to their album constantly on repeat in my car.”

Dean, aged 25, from Burtonwood, added: “I think working with a manager can only help. It’s like adding another member to the band.

“The majority of bands need an ‘outsider’ to bounce ideas off and take care of the business side so we can focus on the art form.

“It also adds a little structure to what we do which helps us in the long run.

“We’ve bought the car, polished it and got it running, but it’s always good having a mechanic on board helping make sure it runs smoothly!”

Tommy’s initial plan is to get the band, whose single Electric Love featured on Channel 4’s Fresh Meat, to record new material at former Clash musician Mick Jones’ studio in Acton.

The band recently got to meet Mick and Paul Weller, two of their heroes, at a party in London.

Dean said: “I was never one to be starstruck, but it’s hard when you meet people that have influenced a lot of what you do.

“They are both gentlemen and geniuses in their own right.”

Steve Oates, Warrington Music Festival organiser, said he was pleased to have given Slydigs a helping hand, but said the deal was the result of their own hard work.

He said: “It’s good news if contracts are being signed and relationships forged on the back of a performance at the event.

“By putting bands like Slydigs on a professional platform in front of an appreciative audience it makes it easier for music industry movers and shakers to see what the future might hold.

“Ultimately, any future success is down to the talents and hard work of the band themselves, but it’s nice to know that we helped them on their way a little.”

Tommy added: “Slydigs have got something special. They’ve put the work in, their time is coming and I’m going to make sure they get the recognition they deserve.”

SlyDigs play at Friars Court on October 19.