Organisers of the Chester Live festival have began planning next year’s event which is expected to be the biggest yet.
The live event which saw more than 2,000 festival-goers this year will be held again next year across more than 15 venues, with more than 100 artists expected to play.
Founder and organiser Dan Read, who funds the non-profit festival himself, announced he has been able to secure the “best live music venues the city has to offer” ahead of next year’s event.
He said: “A vital part of the festival is the host venues and because we have more venues this year, it means we will have 100 plus acts playing.
“We've arranged a deal with the Racecourse, who are on board next year’s event, to use some of their venues across Chester, as well as the Racecourse, which will be a game changer for this event.
“We've been able to secure some of the best live music venues the city has to offer.
“The Live Rooms, Telford’s Warehouse, Alexander’s Live and the Golden Eagle are only a few of the venues we have announced so far.
“It’s going to be the biggest Chester Live festival we've ever held.”
So far, it has also been confirmed the 1539 Restaurant and Bar, the Commonhall Social, the White Horse, the Commercial Bar and Hotel, St Werburgh’s Parish Centre, the Piper Pub, will also host part of the festival.
A number of other venues will be announced in the coming months.
A host of musical acts, watched by thousands, including punk legends The Undertones, kicked off the 2016 festival at at The Live Rooms in Chester in June.
Dan added: “We welcomed more than 2,000 people to this year’s event so it has grown since our first festival in 2015.
“This year, the event mainly focused on local artists, but next year, we’re hoping to get a few more headliners supported by local bands.
“But it’s a case of getting the balance right and it’s better to have quality over quantity.
“We’re also hoping to hold a street party ahead of the opening this year which will be its own event in its self.
“I’m very excited about it - nobody has ever done anything like this before.
“I hope everybody else is excited about it too - Chester Live is all about the local music scene and is all about trying to bring the music scene together for one big event.
“It’s the one week of the year where everyone pulls together for the live music scene.”
