Longton’s music festival returns

Singers, bands, dancers and a magician will all make their way around Longton next weekend to entertain crowds in a variety of venues.

The popular Longton Live music and entertainment festival returns on Friday and Saturday, July 3 and 4.

Rock bands, jazz groups, acoustic performers, choirs, barbershop harmony ensembles and a gospel duo are all scheduled to take to the stage in a number of pubs, cafes and restaurants on both nights.

Church halls, shops, a scout hut and even the Women’s Institute hall are also opening their doors for the special occasion.

Four acts will perform in each venue on each night - at 7pm, 8pm, 9pm and 10pm, with a 15-minute break in between for audiences to move venues if they choose.

Organiser Nigel Stewart, of Creative Network, has also run other successful Live events in Leyland, Chorley and Penwortham over the last few years.

He said: “Longton is an idyllic village; it’s a beautiful setting and it’s very community orientated, so the Longton Live events have a slightly different feel to the bigger towns like Chorley.

“But even so, this year’s event is bigger than we’ve ever done in Longton before, with more acts and a wider variety of performers, such as a magician and drama groups.”

Wristbands cost £5 and allow entry into all of the venues across the weekend.

They are on sale now from all of the acts taking part, as well as the venues.

The venues are; the Black Bull, the Dolphin, the Golden Ball, Longton Methodist Church, Longton Scout Hut, Longton Sports and Social Club, Longton WI Hall, Orchid Café, Porcini’s, the Ram’s Head, the Red Lion, Spar, St Andrew’s Church, and St Andrew’s Church Hall.

Nigel added: “Despite the massive response to Longton Live, there are a number of venues who have made late approaches , so we’re still interested in hearing from acts that are interested in taking part in this event, and also at Chorley Live in October.

“ People can email [email protected] with their details.”

Acts taking part include rockers The Jonny Oates Band, singer-songwriter James Christy, folk and comedy duo Lupa Tom, Bingo Bay punk band, reggae duo Nathan Tonge and Ben Ibbotson, The Well Dressed Gentlemen 1920’s jazz group, dancer Ethan Castle , saxophone instrumentalist James Bell, 1960’s rock band Locomotion, the Chorley Gleemen and the Red Rose Chorus barbershop harmony groups, gospel duo Emelina and Marie, the Gathered Voices choir, The KTB Choir and the Longton Victory Memorial Choir, and rapper Harry Hodgson.

The Longton Players will also showcase a drama and comedy routine, and there will also be the chance for people to take part in open mic sessions.