An unsigned city-based indie-rock band has won the right to perform alongside top artists Razorlight, The Hooziers and The Feeling at Chester Rocks.

Organisers of the rock and pop event, which takes place at Chester Racecourse June 6-8, have announced the winners of their #Shoplocal competition to support emerging talent within the region.

Three places were up for grabs with Chester-based indie-rock band Idle Frets chosen to perform along with The Rainbreakers, from the West Midlands and Last Horizons from Chester.

Working in partnership with Chester venues, The Live Rooms and The Compass, the competition is giving bands and performers the opportunity to perform alongside well known acts on Saturday June 7.

More than 60 entries were received from a diverse range of artists, the emerging talent winner ‘Idle Frets’ was chosen by The Live Rooms as the venue’s choice. Idle Frets are a four-piece Indie-Rock band from Chester, with “catchy guitar-driven songs, they combine influences from 70’s rock to modern Indie-Rock anthems”.

The Rainbreakers were chosen by a panel of judges after a series of heats held at The Compass. A four piece alternative rock /pop outfit with “bluesy undertones thrown in for good measure”, they were the judges’ choice.

West Midlands-based The Rainbreakers have won the right to perform at Chester Rocks

Last Horizon made it through the heats of the competition to the final.  They entered the public vote and won with a large proportion of the overall vote share. Last Horizon will open the festival on Saturday, June 7.

Last Horizon were formed around seven years ago under the name A41 and in July 2013 re-named and re-branded to Last Horizon. Having gigged in many venues across the country building their fanbase and constantly writing new music, they released their debut single All Roads Lead to Home on August 2 followed by a five date UK tour. Their second single Forever and a Day is out now, with two more singles being recorded and released this summer along with plans for another tour. 

They will perform alongside other local bands The Fallows, The Suns and The Maydays who have already been added to the Saturday line-up.