EXCITEMENT is building for a sell-out punk band gig tonight, Saturday, which is taking place in aid of a campaign to build a statue of the late Buzzcocks frontman Pete Shelley.

Five bands will perform in front of 200 revellers at St Joseph's Hall on Chapel Street in Leigh in support of the bid to get a memorial built in Pete's hometown.

The statue campaign was set up after Pete died in December 2018 following a heart attack in Estonia, where he lived.

And a series of events have been held, raising more than than £6,000.

Four bands set up in the 70s; Fast Cars, The Drones, Notsensibles and The Distractions, will play at this evening's event, Ever Fallen in Love, as well as Benefit State, which was formed a few years ago.

Award-winning Salford urban poet Simon Williams will compere at the gig and he will also perform between each band's set and lead an auction, which will have signed memorabilia from the Buzzcocks, the Stereophonics, The Drones, Notsensibles and Fast Cars under the hammer.

Leigh Journal:

The line-up for the gig

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Co-founder of the Pete Shelley Memorial Campaign Paul Lally said: "There has been a lot of excitement in the last couple of weeks about this fundraiser.

"We have witnessed a constant flow of tickets being sold after regular features began cropping up on some local radio stations.

"On Wednesday evening we received notification that ticket number 200 had just been sold and we have now officially sold out.

"I'm really looking forward to this fundraiser, along with many others.

"After speaking with the bands involved they are totally excited about the night and playing.

"This is a great tribute to Pete from all the artists involved.

"It's so good to see and be part of a live music event like this in Leigh."