THIRTEEN different venues will host events at this year’s Darwen Live festival.

Sunday will see the area around the bus station being transformed into the main stage with live performances starting at 12.30pm and running until around 9pm.

Top acts Billy Bragg and Dodgy will headline the main stage.

Singer and political activist Bragg has fused punk, folk and rock in a career spanning more than 30 years.

But as thousands of fans have discovered over the years, there is so much more to a Billy Bragg show.

“That’s why I really like festivals like Darwen Live,” he said.

“It gives me a chance to play to an audience who might not necessarily come to see me at a paying gig.

“Of course I have a strong viewpoint on things, I am Billy Bragg after all, but that doesn’t mean I just stand up there and rant.

“I think that surprises people when they come along.

“I’ll talk about lots of things. It all depends on the context and timing of the show.

“On Sunday the Champions League Final will have been played the day before.

“My team, the Hammers, have just got relegated and Blackburn Rovers survived in the Premier League. I might talk about that."

Nineties pop trio Dodgy are best known for hits Staying Out for the Summer, If You’re Thinking of Me, and Good Enough.

Drummer Matt Priest said the band promise to perform old classics at Darwen Live while introducing new tracks from their new album that will be mixed in Texas in June.

And because Darwen Live is a free gig, Matt said it would be great to offer something back to the fans.

He said: “People haven’t got a lot of money at the moment and I think it’s just a nice gesture. We love doing free gigs.

"I must admit we don’t really know where Darwen is. We certainly know it’s not Blackburn.

"We’re looking forward to it.”

Matt compared the band to a fine wine that fans should be prepared to taste.

“Wouldn’t you rather drink a Bordeaux that has matured for 15 years, rather than one that has taken two?

"Well, that’s what you have got with us,” said Matt

There will be scores of local bands performing at venues around the town throughout the Bank Holiday weekend and on Monday.

Darwen Library Theatre will be hosting three days of events including a gig by former Jo Danucki Band members Spring Heeld Jack tomorrow at 6pm, Jah Mission Vibes on Sunday and Outsider and the Jamie Band on Monday.

Other venues taking part are Franky’s Bar, The Bridgewater, The Millstone, Marigolds, the Catholic Club, Bar Java, Roxy, Bridge Street Sports and Social Club, the Crown Hotel and 3 in a Bar.

One band who will be busy on Sunday are The Soul Train who are returning to the festival for the third year running.

The band made a sensational debut on the main stage in 2009 and last year packed out the Library Theatre.

Now the band — which includes three Darwen natives in the ranks — returns to the main stage on Sunday and are due on stage at 4,40pm before the two main headline acts.

And rumour has it that the band’s brass section, The Union Pacific Horns, may be joining one of the headline acts during their show.

Festival programmes will be available around the town, priced 50p, with Darwen Live t-shirts at £5.

Darwen Live Main stage line-up

* 12.30pm The Scene
* 1.30pm Madson
* 2.30pm Revolter
* 3.30pm Cherrybomb
* 4.40pm The Soul Train
* 6pm Dodgy
* 7.30pm Billy Bragg.

* Darwen Live 2011 will be in Market Square on Sunday, May 29 and in venues across the town on Saturday, May 28 to Monday, May 30.