A SPECIAL gig will take place in Leigh next month in honour of Pete Shelley and a historic festival that fought against hate crime.

As part of Hate Crime Awareness month in February, the Pete Shelley Memorial Campaign has organised an event to raise awareness of tackling hate crime in the same vein as the Rock Against Racism festival which featured the Buzzcocks in 1978.

Taking place at the Turnpike in Leigh on Saturday, February 10, the special event will also help tackle the ongoing cost of living crisis by turning the clock back and charging 1978 prices.

READ > Community helps rotary club raise incredible sum over festive period

Leigh Journal: Leigh-born Shelley was the lead singer of the BuzzcocksLeigh-born Shelley was the lead singer of the Buzzcocks (Image: Steve White)
With the event organised in partnership with Wigan Council, 'Rock against Hate' will bring together a range of genres from the Ska, Two Tone, Reggae, Punk, and New Wave eras.

The event pays tribute to the Rock Against Racism festival in Manchester 46 years ago, which showcased bands such as the Buzzcocks, Clash, Specials, and Reggae band Steel Pulse. Preceded by a march, the event brought together fans from different backgrounds, over a common love of music, to combat hate crime and racism.

The team behind the Pete Shelley 'Ever Fallen in Love' mural in Leigh town centre, the Pete Shelley Memorial Campaign is a not for profit community collective made up of fans of the late Buzzcocks singer.

MC Jeffarama will present the Turnpike event, which will showcase multi-cultural band Skafull who will pay tribute to 2tone, Reggae and Ska. Death or Glory will follow to play tribute to The Clash and the Buzzkocks will play tribute to the Buzzcocks.

Leigh Journal: The special gig will take place on February 10The special gig will take place on February 10 (Image: Pete Shelley Memorial Campaign)
A spokesperson from The Pete Shelley Memorial Campaign said "Creating this partnership with the council allows us the opportunity not only to raise awareness of hate crime but it also affords us an opportunity to do something very special in relation to ticketing prices.

"We are in a cost of living crisis presently and to help with that we have been able to turn back time to 1978 ticket prices.

"The full event, which gives an opportunity to experience three sets of Rock'n'Roll history will cost just £3, which was the cost of a typical gig in 1978.

"It is also very relevant for us as a group to remember the part Pete Shelley played during RAR".

Tickets are available here.