WHILE the Neighbourhood Weekender’s lineup boasts of some of the best known acts in rock today, some of the brightest young talents the country has to offer will also be coming to Victoria Park for the festival.

The Viola Beach Stage, named in tribute to the late Warrington band, will host 20 top up-and-coming bands this weekend.

Among them are RedFaces, a psychedelic rock four-piece from Sheffield named as one of NME’s essential picks for 2018.

RedFaces formed in 2012 when singer and rhythm guitarist Harry Lyon met bandmates Isaac White and Charlie Yapp at high school.

They were later joined by Ryan Laycock to complete the lineup of a promising young talent.

Harry, who is still only 17, said: “We were just friends at school who loved playing music, and we just kept doing it.

“Being able to have fun with your mates, doing something you love for a job is great - there’s not a lot more that you could wish for.

“We started writing our own songs then began playing gigs in Sheffield in about 2014, and it’s just built and built from there.

“There have been a lot of gigs where we’ve been playing to no-one, but even when we were at the start playing rubbish gigs you’re still out with your mates having fun.

“If you go somewhere and only two or three people come to your next gig, it makes a difference.”

Harry names artists including Supergrass, The Smiths, Tame Impala and The Strokes as key influences on RedFaces.

He said: “A lot of people who describe us a making guitar music, but it’s not guitar-driven.

“A lot of our songs are led by bass, and the drums are a really important part of our music.

“I’d describe it as indie pop that focusses on grooves and beats.”

In addition to the acclaim received from NME, RedFaces have also been heralded as one to watch by MTV.

Harry added: “It’s quite a strange thing for us because there are a lot of other bands who were also named as essential picks by NME who are a lot bigger than us and who we’ve looked up to for a while.

“Bands like Young Blood and Pale Waves are on there - they’re both bands who have influenced us, so to be compared to them and shown in the same light is very humbling.

“It’s quite a surreal experience but it’s lovely.

“When people say things like that about your music you always want to make the next thing you release as good as it can be.

“It makes you want to be the best you can be and write the best songs you can, without being competitive - because we really like the bands we’re on the same level as.”

RedFaces have previously played at the Neighbourhood Festival in Manchester city centre, but Harry is expecting this weekend’s set to be a lot different.

He said: “As much as I love playing normal venues, there’s nothing like playing out in the open.

“These gigs have a very different feel and everyone seems to be a bit more up for it.

“The lineup is amazing and there are a lot of bands we want to see.

“We’re hoping to try and stay over on the Saturday night so we can come to see Blossoms and Noel Gallagher on the Sunday.

“I’m really looking forward to it and hopefully it’ll be a good gig.”