The Electric Theatre at Barnsley College has launched a new concert series featuring local and international artists.
The ‘Atlantic Sessions’ will run until tomorrow and showcase a variety of musical styles each night including rock, blues, country, folk, Canadian music and theatrical rock drama.
The week-long music festival is the first of its kind for the town centre-based Electric Theatre and was originally organised by the College’s head of music and performing arts, Richard Tolson, who died last month.
It was Richard’s ambition for the new theatre to stage a week of music and entertainment and it is hoped the event will continue to grow each year.
Tom Flanagan, theatre manager, said: “The festival is open to anyone who enjoys live music and is a unique opportunity to see a wide of range of artists and musical styles.
"We are so excited to welcome such high quality performers to the Electric Theatre stage which is largely due to the enthusiasm and commitment Richard put in to this project.”
The event opens with blues legend and former Argent guitarist John Verity and other artists performing over the week include acoustic ensemble Barnsley’s Own, BBC Radio 2 folk award nominees Jamie Roberts and Katriona Gilmore and British blues sensation Chantel McGregor.
The week will finish off with Canadian supergroup, The ABC of Canadian Music, on Friday and local band Skinboat performing a live rock production the day after.
There will be a bar open each night and a raffle to raise money for Barnsley Hospice.
Tickets range from £5 to £10 and a festival ticket for the whole week is £40 available from www.ElectricTheatreBarnsley.co.uk or by calling the box office on 0844 8700 887.
