The full musical line-up has been announced for the Leyland Festival.

The festival which will take place on Thursday 2nd June will have a mix of soul, pop, classical and acoustic sounds across three stages at Worden Park.

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There will be 16 performances across the afternoon including one of the best voices in British soul music, Kenny Thomas.

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One of the UK’s most successful UK soul singers, Kenny has twice been nominated for a BRIT Award and had eight Top 40 singles and two Top 10 records on Chrysalis Records.

He will be performing a playback solo set at this year’s festival.

Taking to the Main Stage ahead of Kenny Thomas, Pete Valentine will deliver a high energy show bursting with George Michael and Wham! hits, from Faith and I’m Your Man to Careless Whisper and Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.

Valentine is widely regarded among the best George Michael tribute acts in the country and has been entertaining sell-out crowds with his magnetic performances since 2007.

DJ Des Grant, resident DJ at Blackpool’s North Pier and the main DJ for Butlin’s Soul Weekender, will play the best of 70s, 80s and 90s soul, RnB, Motown and more. Des has worked with a stellar line up of stars, including Rick Astley, Billy Ocean, Bananarama and The Osmonds.

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International singer Gemma-Louise Doyle is a versatile act whose sets can include pop, jazz, rock, power ballads, Motown and everything in between. She has performed with megastars, including Jimmy Osmond, Ed Sheeran, McFly and The Kaiser Chiefs at prestigious events across the globe.

Fans of local, live music will recognise Will & Ben from their performances in bars, pubs and events across the region. The acoustic duo will bring pop and indie favourites to the stage in their unique acoustic style, sure to have festival-goers swaying and dancing when they take to the Main Stage.

The full line up for Leyland Festival is as follows:

Main Stage

• 12.00 – 12.30 – Kev Jamieson (Local artist)
• 12.30 – 1.00 – Just Giorge (Local artist)
• 1.00 – 1.30 – Connor Banks (Local artist)
• 1.30 – 2.00 – Will & Ben (Local artist)
• 2.00 – 2.40 – Gemma-Louise Doyle (International singer & music artist)
• 2.40 – 3.25 – DJ Des Grant (DJ set)
• 3.30 – 4.15 – Pete Valentine (George Michael tribute act)
• 4.30 – 5.30 – Kenny Thomas (Headline act)

Queen’s Garden Stage

• 12.35 – 1.20 – Grace Handyside
• 1.30 – 2.15 – Four-piece string orchestra
• 2.25 – 3.15 – James Christy
• 3.30 – 4.15 – Four-piece string orchestra

Worden Motor Village

• 12.30 – 1.30 – Martin ‘Soul’ Deacon (DJ set)
• 1.40 – 2.30 – Kev Jamieson
• 2.40 – 3.40 – Martin ‘Soul’ Deacon (DJ set)
• 3.50 – 4.30 – Light music 

Martin Carlin, chairman and artist booker for Leyland Festival, said: “We’ve pulled together an eclectic and exciting mix of acts for this year’s festival. There’s truly something for everyone; the perfect lineup to soundtrack the festival’s grand return to the town.

“We know we’ll have people dancing away with this musical feast and we can’t wait for an expected crowd of 15,000 people to join together to enjoy pop, rock, dance, indie and orchestral classics as a community.”

For more information about Leyland Festival 2022, or to enquire about participating at the event, visit www.leylandfestival.co.uk.

Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines

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