A 'pop up' music festival which promises to show the best unsigned bands in the area has been given the green light to take place in Oldham.

Music event Grottfest has officially been granted permission to take place next month in Grotton Hollow and has been a long time in the making.

Tactile Promotions, a music promotion company run by Brian McDade, was sparked more than a decade ago from the "ashes" of a DJ night called Sonic Wednesdays which took place in Oldham's now-closed Jackson Pit venue.

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The events consisted of quirky indie bands and thrash metal mixed with DJs playing shoegaze and electronica tunes.

After the venue closed, it found a new home in the old Whittles venue for a few years before settling at the Bank Top Tavern where regular bi-monthly gig nights continue to take place, featuring acoustic acts, bands and DJs through to the early hours.

Now, however, the company is taking on the challenge of throwing its first music festival in Grotton.

Brian said he started looking into the idea earlier this year and once permission was finally granted, the team set out to book some of the most active yet unsigned bands in the area.

He said: "Grottfest's aim is to give you a slice of a cross-section of unsigned music from the local area" with indie, alternative, acoustic sets and rock music being played across the main stage and acoustic stage all day.

Some of the acts confirmed to perform so far include Crash Mats, Jesus Kenevil, Stepford Wives, Sewer Cats, Sinkr and The Onset.

Freshly cooked food and drink will also be up for grabs from the 'real ale bar' and kitchen.

The event itself is only open to those aged 18 and over and will kick off from 12pm until 8pm on Saturday, July 29 at the Grotton Pavilion, Grotton Hollow.

Tickets can be purchased in advance in selected venues (Fox and Pine, Queen Street Barbers and the Cob and Coal) for £10.

For those who can't wait, the next Tactile Promotions event at the Bank Top Tavern is taking place in two weeks' time on Friday, June 30.

The night will see performances from Rick Warwick ('Rikndrive'), an indie-rock band, Scapegrace, and a blues and rock act, The Flamingo Diaries.

The Bank Top Tavern event is free to attend and starts at 8pm through to 1am.

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.