Bolton-born Mark Radcliffe will be staging a homecoming gig this summer as the popular Right to Roam Festival returns.
The Radio 2 and Radio 6 broadcaster will be performing at the two-day music festival.
Mark told The Bolton News he is feeling especially nostalgic to take to the stage at The Octagon, having visited the theatre a number of times
This will be the third year that the Right to Roam festival will be taking place.
Ivan Crompton, one of the organisers, says the festival has grown a lot since it first started, with this year expected to be bigger than ever.
Mark said: “I’m old enough to remember the Octagon being built and have been there many times.
“I’m so thrilled it has survived and this is going to be my very first time performing there - over half a century since I first walked into the building.
“I can’t wait.”
Ivan said: “We were inundated with those who wanted to play.
“It has grown and is bigger and better than it was the first two years.
“Mark Radcliffe has supported what we have been doing for a while, so it’s good he’s doing an electronic set with his band Une.”
Ivan says that the music he will bring will be particularly unique.
Headliners will include A Certain Ratio, Pet Needs, Sea Fever, Ithaca, Future Humans, Sam Russo, and much more.
Many of the bands are from Bolton and will all play original music.
Ivan added: “When you see the line-up it gets quite exciting.
“I think it’s really important that there is music from every genre and that we make it as diverse as we possibly can.”
The festival is supported by RockIt Bolton, which Ivan says is how it all started.
RockIt is a weekly programme aimed at providing opportunities such as making it possible for young people to record and perform in Bolton and beyond.
Ivan said: “It really started so that young people could play alongside industry professionals.
“A lot of venues are over 18, so we run a project so that young people get the opportunity to play.”
The wide-ranging genres at the festival will include hip-hop, punk metal, indie, dance, funk, and more.
Ivan said: “We are trying to continue to bring back live music.
“The festival is very eclectic, so it isn’t just the same music.”
Over 80 acts will perform on Friday 7 and Saturday July 8, with the main stage in the town centre, and other stages being based at The Octagon, The Alma Inn, Northern Monkey tap house, and Bar four.
The festival has been sponsored by a range of organisations including Carrs Pasties, Paul’s Gin, Bolton Council, Bolton University.
Any profits made will also go back into the festival for the next year.
Tickets cost £11.50, including the booking fee, and can be purchased from here (www.righttoroambolton.com).
If you have a story and something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at jasmine.jackson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @JournoJasmine.
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