TONIGHT is the first ‘Friday Night Live’ with free bands at town centre pubs to start putting the buzz back in Blackburn.

The headliner is Northside key members of the Manchester scene of the early Nineties and contemporaries of the Stone Roses and Happy Mondays, will play at Blakey’s in King George’s Hall.

Other live music events on the night include Reece Bibby and Blanty at the Times Bar, Mark Duckworth and J-Bear and the Giants at Molloys.

India Mill and Hello Bamboo are at the Sir Charles Napier and Miracle of Us and Urban Empire at the Live Lounge.

There will be similar live events every Frriday from now on as part of the ‘Blackburn is Open’ initiative.

The councillor co-ordinating the events Jamie Groves, lead member for regeneration, said: “This is about reviving the night-time economy in the town centre and putting the buzz back into Blackburn.

“The council and local licensees are working together to put a real range of live music on at local pubs and venues with free entry.

“There is something for everyone - from young people to older music lovers.

“We want as many people as possible to come out and have a great night out.

“This is the first of a great series of weekly ‘Friday Night Live’ events to really brighten up weekends for Blackburn with Darwen residents and music lovers across East Lancashire.”

The line up of live bands is: • Blakeys – Northside, 10pm • Blackburn Times – Reece Bibby, 8pm; Blanty, 9pm • Molloys - Mark Duckworth, 9.30pm; J-Bear and the giants, 11.30pm • Charles Napier - Hello Bamboo, 10.30pm; India Mill, 11.30pm • Live Lounge - Potential Dilemma, 12am; Urban Empire, 1am