FAMILIAR faces are set to take to the stage in Warrington Music Festival's winter showcase next month.

The festival will be giving audiences a sneak preview of what they can expect when the festival returns later on in the year.

Rock and roll four-piece Standin’ Man will headline the grassroots gig at Parr Hall when a packed line-up of emerging talent takes to the stage.

The show on Saturday, January 20, will feature performances from eight bands who have been blazing a trail through Warrington’s music scene and are looking to take the next step.

It will follow on from this year’s much anticipated and successful return of Warrington Music Festival which took a break due to the pandemic.

The event is being hosted by arts charity Culture Warrington and Score Creative Education, which supports young musicians in the town.

Warrington Guardian: The showcase will take place at the end of JanuaryThe showcase will take place at the end of January (Image: Culture Warrington)

Steve Oates, from Score Creative, said: “We had a fantastic time bringing Warrington Music Festival back and – judging by the incredible response from the town’s music scene and hundreds of fans – so did everyone else.

“That is what has inspired us to host this Winter Showcase and we really hope you can join us.”

Chris Persoglio, executive director of Culture Warrington, added: “We’re offering a packed programme of eight performances and we hope it acts as a warm-up for next summer’s main event.

“Offering our support for Warrington’s grassroots music scene is something that’s important to us and it’s humbling that a lot of bands have been talking about how much it means to them to perform on Parr Hall’s historic stage.”

Standin’ Man will be joined by Parlours, Syfta, Belmont and the Stocks, Ritch, The Lunar Youth, The Hillocks and The Odeens.

Dean Fairhurst leads Standin' Man; he said: "It’s always a great feeling to play your hometown – and especially when you’re headlining the Parr Hall.

"This show’s going to be filled with some of the most fantastic, talented bands that Warrington has to offer.

“Big love to all those involved in making this happen and we can’t wait to see you all on that prestigious dance floor."

Parlours is another local band, in an interview with the Warrington Guardian following a performance they said: "We received a crazy amount of support from our crowd throughout the set, some of whom had travelled across the north west to watch us play."

Warrington Music Festival's winter showcase is coming to Parr Hall on Saturday, January 20.