MOST of Warrington's bands and artists found themselves with a gap in their calendar when the town's music festival was called off.

But alternative rockers Dientes will help fill the gap for fans this weekend by hosting a diverse day of music at the Saracen's Head in Wilderspool Causeway.

The Heads Up Festival on Saturday will feature headliners Dientes, folk group Vala, metal band Electric Mafia, alternative rock quartet Ugly Radio, singer-songwriter Kieran Gallimore and country and classic rock from Never Too Late.

"Just because there's no festival this year doesn't mean we can't showcase some of Warrington's talent," said Dientes frontman Lees Johnson, who is inspired by Queens of the Stone Age and Arctic Monkeys.

"All of the bands playing at the Heads Up Festival have a great mix of their own material and cover versions.

"We're hoping to recreate some of Warrington Music Festival's atmosphere and spirit.

"The event has always been a really enjoyable day and this is the chance to go and see some of the bands you might have seen there and support the scene.

"The Saracen's Head has been really supportive of the event."

It was announced in May that Warrington Music Festival had been cancelled for 2015 but with plans in place to continue the event next year.

The July showcase of Warrington bands and guest artists like Happy Mondays and Scouting For Girls has been a fixture in the town for eight years.

Lees, from Birchwood, added: "We weren't really surprised that the festival has been cancelled this year.

"A 'fallow' year might be a good thing. There's been a few venues and event nights that have closed down in the last few months but hopefully there's a few things rising from the ashes.

"We've always been of the ethos that if you want to put an event on, just go and do it.

"I think we've played the music festival three times and there's been some great successes from recent headliners, with both Slydigs and Roughneck Riot having had some fantastic touring opportunities."

Dientes formed in 2010 as a passion project for desert rock fans Lees, Geoff Wynne, Keith Butler and Chris Roberts who juggle time in the band in between family and work commitments.

But Lees has his mum to thank for becoming a musician.

The 42-year-old said: "She gave me and my brother a record player with some Beatles and Beach Boys 45s when I was about five."

Dad-of-two Lees then started playing guitar at 13 and the first songs he learnt were Deep Purple's Smoke On The Water and The Animals' House of the Rising Sun.

- The Heads Up Festival is at the Saracen's Head on Saturday from 3pm to 11pm and also includes a barbecue and kids' play area

DAVID MORGAN