Blackburn is preparing itself once again to host the seventh Confessional Music and Arts Festival.
The Exchange in Blackburn will provide the backdrop to a sea of up-and-coming musical talent and well renowned artists this September, as the Confessional Festival makes its eagerly awaited return.
Taking place on September 8 and 9, the festival is expanding from its usual one-day format to two, doubling the fun for ticket holders.
This expansion has come off the back of the festival’s popularity in the past, along with support from the Arts Council England.
Confessional promises to bring that ‘big city’ music scene vibe, offering local gig goers the opportunity to see acts and bands that are typically exclusively billed in metropolitan areas such as Manchester or Leeds.
Friday’s lineup is stacked with huge names including Radio 1 played Scottish soul artist, Brooke Combe and sci-fi inspired heavy rockers Calva Louise.
Other names on the bill include Halifax based indie-pop band Wax Tree Cast; Nottingham rockers on the rise Cucamaras - named after a popular bar in the city - and Accrington based The Rafters.
Saturday’s line up is equally as exciting seeing acts such as Burnley band Goa Express; Manchester based up-and-comer Abbie Ozard and Blackburn's own Jacob Reddy grace the stage, along with a headlining set from The Incredible Seven hip hop and R&B band.
Many of these acts have been making waves in the national music scene for one reason or another.
Brooke Combe is playing off the back of her huge support slot, opening for the Courteeners at Heaton Park.
Jacob Reddy and Rianne Downey both take to the Blackburn stage having played the Glastonbury festival earlier this year, and Calva Louise have been selling out large city venues in London and Manchester prior to their visit to Lancashire.
The theme for this year's event is Urban Junkyard, the juxtaposition of which against the venue's historical charm creates an atmosphere that is sure to be both mesmerising and unforgettable.
Local promoter, and the event’s organiser, Pete Eastwood, has independently been running the Confessional Festivals, along with the equally popular Night at the Museum Live concerts, since their inception.
He is thrilled to be back bringing an eclectic mix of the UK’s finest independent artists to entertain a uniquely Lancashire audience and is passionate about supporting ‘grassroots’ music.
Mr Eastwood said: “As an avid music fan who is passionate about supporting grassroots artists, it is my pleasure to be back working on the seventh edition of the Confessional Festival.
“I am incredibly proud of the lineup, all of which are acts that I have seen in person before and can personally attest that they are all fantastic in their own right.
“Many of these artists cost £15 - £20 to see on their own when they do solo gigs in Manchester so to have the opportunity to put them all on the same bill, right here in Blackburn for just £25 is something I am immensely proud about and thoroughly excited for.”
Early bird tickets are on sale now, offering music fans a pass for the full weekend for just £25.
This includes access to all the musical acts, DJ sets, art exhibits, craft food and drink, local business stalls and performance artists across the weekend.
For more information and to purchase tickets, head to https://www.confessionalfestival.com/.
For those who prefer a personal touch, tickets can also be purchased from the box office at Blackburn’s King George’s Hall.
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