An annual festival which brings bands from across the country and Europe has announced a popular gig venue in Oldham will host this year's line-up.
SOS Festival has been running every summer for 13 years in Greater Manchester, promising an eclectic array of talent from rock, blues, metal and acoustic bands and performers from up-and-coming talent.
But this year, the family-friendly festival is set to be staged at Whittles Tokyo on Roscoe Street, Oldham, to celebrate its 14th year running for the hotly anticipated three-day event.
The venue already has an impressive outdoor setting, including its grand 'Viking Stage', as well as indoor spaces and numerous bars.
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The festival's organiser, Lynne Hampson, said the Whittles venue was chosen as the ideal spot after it was "superbly refurbished", giving an "industrial Mad Max kind of vibe to the outdoor stage and seating, dining area".
Lynne also said the bands were carefully selected to showcase some of the best emerging artists from around the UK and Europe.
She continued: "Many go on to perform at bigger festivals such as Download, Kendal Calling, Sweden Rock, Bloodstock, etc.
"I like to feel we are a stepping stone for the artists.
"The SOS team attend lots of gigs and festivals and we like to see new bands perform.
"It's always a great feeling seeing a new band at a small gig and getting goosebumps - reminds me of when I first saw Thin Lizzy or Black Sabbath back when I was a teenager.
"This year, we've had a staggering 2,000 plus apply - so news is travelling far and wide about SOS fest."
Kicking off on Friday, June 30, Gorilla Riot is set to headline the main stage, after performances from Fahran, Twister, Yesterday's Gone, Battle Born and Shape of Water.
Then on Saturday (July 1), Ward XVI will take to the Viking Stage while gig-goers can catch performances from the acts Luke Appleton Power Trio, Circus 666, Metaprism, Old Glory & The Black, Riviera, Thorium, Blue Nation, White Tyger, The Hot One Two, Edenthorn, Scarsun, Sin Savage and Crowley throughout the day.
For the final day, South of Salem has been promised the headline slot, after Loz Campbell, She Burns Red, Black Lakes, King Kraken, Muddi Brooke, Spyderbyte, Dakesis, Thieves of Liberty and Square Wild.
Catering will also be served from a revamped American diner van in the courtyard, serving up vegan, vegetarian and beef burgers and "more delicacies" served all day at a reasonable price.
The event if also family-friendly for children to attend, and has inclusive access for those with disabilities with wheelchair access to both stages.
Ahead of the big festival weekend, SOS Festival has been working hard to drum up some interest in the event and highlight some of its must-see acts.
One such act includes Fahran, an "SOS firm fan favourite", which promises to return with "blistering new tunes" to "blow the roof off".
King Kraken, who hail from Cardiff, will also promote their new debut album over the weekend - and bring "their infectious grooves to SOS this year".
"Belgium brews the finest beers nad makes the most divine chocolate, I think you'll agree.
"We are therefore incredibly proud to announce some of Belgium's finest, Thorium and Sin Savage, two tight a** European rock and metal bands", the festival added.
The organisers also said the "talented" Metaprism is back again after the metal band played the festival in 2019 at its old venue in Prestwich.
"We are delighted to welcome them back and are very excited to see their epic performance once again.
"Metaprism's electrifying singer, Theresa Smith, has also appeared on stage several times with our very own Luke Appleton over the years, so who knows what to expect."
Two Oldham-based bands are also looking forward to performing in their hometown, so watch out for Shape of Water and Square Wild.
Meanwhile, SOS said Crowley are "brand-spanking new" on the circuit.
Coming from the north east, the band will bring "their own classic rock vibe in the vein of Led Zepplin to pleasure us all".
The Hot One Two, a five-piece band with a "massive rock sound and energetic stage show" are another one to keep an eye out for.
"These guys will catapult to major things in the next few years - catch 'em while you can", SOS Festival said.
The event is also working to "spread the word" of two mental health charities, Andy's Man Club and Heavy Metal Therapy.
Prior to 2022, the festival was hosted at the Radcliffe Civic between 2010 to 2015, followed by the Longfield Suite in Prestwich from 2016 to 2019.
Since the Longfield Suite closed, SOS Festival has found its new home in Whittles and was welcomed by Oldhamers for the first time last year.
Tickets, which are £15 per day or £30 for the full weekend, can be bought directly from http://www.sosfestival.net
If you have a story, I cover all things Oldham from food reviews and local business news to music and events, pubs, education, crime, property, health, community concerns and much more. Please email me at Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk or send me a message on Twitter @Livbridge with your news.
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