FOUR bands from East Lancashire will battle it out this week to decide who will complete the line-up of a benefit concert for a Blackburn theatre.

The groups who have been selected to play at the Battle of the Bands at Blakey's Bar, Blackburn, on Friday will get the chance to play alongside some of the area's finest young hopefuls.

Hyndburn four-piece Flux are among those to be chosen for the battle, which kicks off at 8pm.

Flux are soon to be included on a new compilation album and hope they will get radio play for their first recording Little Motives. Slim, who hail from Blackburn, Chorley and Wigan, and have a summery '60s-influenced sound, have also been selected to play.

Their line-up includes Ribble Valley producer Seamus Heffernan, who runs Shamrock Studios in Balderstone.

Also in the frame are Colne band Driftwood Shell, who have been gigging in the Pendle area for around 18 months.

Their demo tape The House Of Heads impressed the contest's organisers.

Preston band Rael complete the line-up, mixing folk, rock, alternative and jazz influences.

Formed in 1998, they recently recorded their first CD called Procedure. The winning band will win the final place on the bill of the Red Brick Theatre benefit concert, to be held in the Windsor Suite, at King George's Hall, Blackburn, on March 3.

Groups set to play that show include Blackburn rock and dance six-piece Bigfluff, alternative Pendle girl three-piece Earl, Colne crossover act Gecho and Preston four-piece Poindexter.

The Red Brick Theatre Trust Appeal has raised tens of thousands of pounds towards restoring and re-opening the Bolton Road theatre and creating a visitor centre there.

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