Stars of future in battle of bands

The Gurus made up of George Sheperdson, Chris Bolton, Adi Bradfield, Ryan Ibbotson and Jonathan Milton

YOUNG stars of the future took part in a battle of the bands contest which will run for six weeks.

The talent showcase was organised and run by young people at the Saddleworth Satellite Centre, in an initiative to give teenagers more to do at weekends.

The Gurus, inspired by Blur, The Fratellis and Arctic Monkeys, were one of three bands playing to around 100 of their peers at the Greenfield venue.

Rhythm guitarist Ade Bradfield (14) said: “It is a decent sized venue and because it is organised by young people for young people it always goes really well. It would be hard for us to play anywhere else because a lot of pubs and clubs only allow bands over the age of 18.”

The event kick-started a campaign, which is part of the Department for Children, Schools and Families’ (DCSF) Aiming High strategy for young people, to create more events at weekends.

Ensuring youth centres stay open late at weekends and evenings, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights, is a key part of a Government approach to tackling and preventing youth crime through the Youth Crime Action Plan and the Tackling Knives Action Programme.

Under Aiming High, £4.158 million is available in Oldham over three years, to ensure there are places to go and things to do for young people.

Emma Jenks, Oldham Council integrated youth neighbourhood manager, said: “The band night is popular with young people from across Saddleworth and allows them to come together for a musical celebration.

“Some of the bands that have played before have gone on to perform at much bigger events across Manchester.

“Due to the success of the band night, there will now be a series of open access music events at the Satellite Centre each Friday for the next six weeks, and these will showcase a variety of musical styles.”

For more information on the open access music events at Saddleworth Satellite Centre in Greenfield ring 01457-872011. For information on Open Weekend events go to www.direct.gov.uk/getinvolved