A MUSIC venue in East Lancs is gearing up for a busy week with an airing of a debut single and the return of a popular session.

Promoters at Sunbird Records in Darwen are welcoming back the Steps Session after a four-year hiatus tomorrow, Thursday.

The Darwen Music Projects jazz and blues based jam night, which has a near 10-year pedigree is backed by a stellar house band.

And the following night the venue in The Circus hosts Hollins, showcasing their debut single 'RAAZ'.

The gig for the five-piece, which will see support from old skool hip hop exponent Cory Devine and Manchester indie rockers Florentenes, is their first at Sunbird.

But Hollins also has an acoustic date pencilled in for the Loom and Shuttle in Darwen on May 12 and a full set for Darwen Live on May 25.

Elsewhere at Sunbird, Sunday will see the return of the Black Parade Club, with emo anthems from the likes of My Chemical Romance, Jimmy Eat World, Panic! At The Disco, Fall Out Boy, Taking Back Sunday, Paramore, All American Rejects, You Me At Six and All Time Low.

Promoters at Sunbird, reopened by Nathan Howard and Danny McDonough in April 2023, are also supporting the Music Venue Trust (MVT) and their latest campaign - Take A Punt.

A spokesman said: "One of the easiest ways you can support the MVT and your local grassroots music venue this month is by getting out there and taking a punt on an upcoming show.

"If everybody took the chance on just one extra show it would generate vital income needed across the UK live industry while also supporting emerging music."

Tickets for their upcoming gigs are available on the Skiddle website.