Columnist Lee Harman champions the town’s music scene through his platform Warrington Music [WAM]. This month he talks about joining the RivFest team in memory of Viola Beach’s River Reeves

AS you may have read in last week’s edition of Weekend or on the Warrington Music [WAM] website, RivFest is back.

Returning for it’s fourth year on Saturday, September 28, 30 artists will be play over three stages in the Pyramid arts centre.

These include hometown heroes The Ks alongside some of the best up-and-coming bands in the north west. The Pyramid’s Exhibition Hall stage will be run in association with [WAM] and suffice to say we have some great ideas up our sleeve to make this an event to remember.

The highlight on the second stage has to be Average Sex, pictured, who have toured with The Charlatans and recently went into the studio with frontman Tim Burgess. We’re always happy to work alongside RivFest as it’s a great opportunity for artists in the town and might help put the pressure on organiser Mike Grainger for a Bill Davro reunion show.

Another collaboration we’ve been happy with this year has been with Warrington Wolves, putting bands and artists in The Halliwell Jones Stadium concourse pre-match.

When I spoke to the club’s chairman Stuart Middleton at their last match against St Helens as he did the rounds, he was loving the sound of La Scala in the north east stand and wants to put more live music on in the ground. I’m not sure if he caught Hollow Vandals on the big screen before the game but this is just another way we’ve been getting Warrington music in front of people. Once again, Claire and Adam at the club have been a great help.

Meanwhile, we’ve had an incredible response to the new [WAM] Magazine. You may have seen it popping up across the town and further afield. I’ve also got a couple of weeks off this month so I’m hoping to get the free 40-page issue even further around.

Northwich Guardian:

Look out for it in all Live Wire and Culture Warrington sites and in Warrington’s fleet of buses over the coming weeks. If you can’t wait, we are holding a very special launch event outside Warrington Market this Saturday between 10am and 4pm as part of the Young Traders event.

Featuring stripped back and acoustic acts such as Jack Woodward, Rhys Hopkins and Edits, it’ll be your best chance to pick up a magazine. Be sure not to miss Sea Goth at 12pm.

All in all it’s been a crazy month as I’ve also been jumping into the hot seat for [WAM] Exposure recently.

You can tune in between 5pm and 6pm every Saturday on Radio Warrington where we shine a light on the town’s music.

Hope you can join us.