SLYDIGS will be headlining the Saturday night of Warrington Music Festival (WMF).

The Burtonwood rock and roll band, who supported The Who on their US and European 50th anniversary, tours will be playing a free open air set at the Old Fish Market on May 27.

Slydigs will bring the day of music to a close after performances from 22 Warrington and north west artists.

The WMF show is part of Slydigs' UK and European tour and coincides with the release of their new EP How Animal Are You? Slydigs are familiar faces on the WMF scene having signed a management deal on the back of their previous headline performance at the event in 2013.

Festival organiser Steve Oates said: "None of us would try to take any credit for any of the hard work that Slydigs put in and, ultimately, that’s what has got them where they are today.

"It’s good to think, though, that billing them as headliners alongside Happy Mondays back in 2013, and giving them the same staging, PA and lights might have made it easier for them to be perceived as a band with the potential to play alongside rock legends such as The Who and embark on their own European tour.

"We’re really pleased that they’ve managed to schedule a return performance in their home town at the Warrington Music Festival.

"And it’s great that, despite the success they’ve had over the past three or four years, we’re still talking to the same approachable, professional and dedicated young men who have performed at the event since they were teenagers.

"It’s going to be a fantastic show and a great opportunity to catch them live."

Dean Fairhurst, Slydigs' frontman, described the headline gig as a 'true honour' and said their set will be dedicated to Viola Beach.

He said: "The Warrington Music festival has always been a focal point for any up-and-coming, aspiring artists in the area.

"It's a true honour to be asked to headline this years festival which coincides with our own UK headline tour and EP release.

"We will be dedicating our performance to the Viola Beach boys and for every aspiring artist in the area that will hopefully one day headline it themselves.

"Here's to May 27 and we'll see you down the front showing your support." 

Indie icons of the 90s, Cast and Space, will be performing on the Sunday night of WMF on May 28.

Steve added: "As well as providing the opportunity to watch successful and musical icons the event has stayed true to its main goal of promoting emerging talent both from Warrington and across the region.

"That’s what this event is about to me, giving new artists access to fantastic exposure and promotion in the run up to the event and then providing a professional stage that shows them off to their full potential."