Published Monday 26 July 2021 at 15:25
A HISTORIC Blackburn town centre building which once welcomed the likes of Charles Dickens, Charlie Chaplin and Houdini is to stage a popular one-day music festival.
Confessional, which will feature some of the country’s most up-and-coming bands, is to take over the Grade-II listed Exchange building on King William Street in September.
Pete Eastwood, who with his team has previously staged Confessional events at Holy Trinity Church, described this year’s event as “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”.
He said precautions following Covid secure best practice will be in place to ensure people can enjoy the festival safely.
He said: “Confessional has always been about giving people locally the chance to see bands which are on their way up without having to travel to the likes of Manchester and Liverpool. You see bands that have played at Confessional playing on the big stages just months later.
“Each festival is unique and to be able to stage it at the Exchange is a tremendous opportunity and also a great challenge.”
“The festival brings together all ages and backgrounds, it’s so special to see likeminded people coming together for a good time. We never have any trouble and what’s so special is seeing a 65-year-old dancing next to an 18-year-old having an equally good time.”
Last year’s Confessional had to be postponed due to the pandemic and Pete acknowledges that without a grant from Arts Council England and support from partners, this year’s event could not have gone ahead.
“We are so grateful, without their continued support this would not be happening. The Council have been supportive and have provided lots of help and support, especially around the risk assessments and Covid guidance. I’d like to thank everyone for their help.”
The line-up will include headliners The Orielles and performances from the likes of The Lounge Society, Peaness and Avalanche Party plus DJs and performance artists. Kicking off the event will be Free From the Wilde, a local band made up of talented students from McNally’s Music Tuition in Blackburn.
This will be the sixth Confessional festival and each year has had a different theme. For September the Exchange will be transformed with an Alice in Wonderland theme.
The setting will be dressed in mesmerising giant art installations to bring the theme to life.
Art students from Blackburn College have been working throughout the year to produce the spectacular set.
Cllr Phil Riley, Executive Member for Growth, who supports the festival each year, added: “Pete and the team do an incredible job in making these festivals happen, the sets created by the college students are always brilliant.
“Visitors come from all over to watch these acts which really helps put the town on the map as a place to come and visit for cultural and live music events.”
Around 450 tickets are available for the venue on the first floor of the former cinema.
“I used to go in there as a kid when it was Unit Four,” said Pete. “I never dreamed I’d be putting on a festival in there. But it’s such a special building. The windows date to the 1920s and they’ll look magnificent once my lighting guy gets to work.”
Pete said they normally have eight months to sell tickets but now they’ve just got seven weeks.
“I know that music fans have come to trust what we do and will support us.”
Shuttle readers have the chance to win two free tickets and a professional photograph with a band of their choice by heading over to our social media pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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