BOLTON band Jordan Allen are tonight playing the first of two Manchester shows in a week as they wait to hear if they’ve won a major radio competition.

The rising indie stars, who headline Jimmy’s in the Northern Quarter this evening and again next Thursday, are in the final five for Virgin Radio’s Summer Freshfest Competition. and have had huge support from fans and fellow musicians on social media.

Winning would mean Westhoughton frontman Jordan, lead guitarist Danny Quin, bassist Kieran Loughran and drummer Nathan Howard heading to London on Monday to perform at London’s Roof Gardens in Kensington alongside singer Tom Grennan and previous winners SHEAFS.

But before that, it’s a Bolton double-header tonight in Manchester with support from fellow hometown heroes The Jade Assembly, and hotly-tipped rockers Seven Cities.

It’s part of a packed summer for the unsigned band, as Jordan explained.

“This year we’ve played Isle of Wight Festival, Dot to Dot Festival, Tramlines in Sheffield and in September we’re at British Sound Project in Manchester. Next month we’ll also announce the dates and venues for our first UK headline tour later in the year.

“The release of our next single, Rosie, is imminent and we’ve added four new songs to our set list which we can’t wait for everyone to hear.”

The new tunes together with Jordan’s engaging nature are quickly winning fans over at gigs, including some famous faces. “I chatted to footballer Peter Crouch at the Isle of Wight Festival who said that Helter Skelter was one of his favourite songs” said Jordan.

The band’s biggest show so far was as main support for The Sherlocks at Manchester’s Albert Hall in February. On the same day they released EP Livin’ La Vida Bolton, featuring their outstanding bittersweet but optimistic single 110 Ways to Make Things Better, a tribute to Jordan’s father and greatest supporter Kevin who passed away recently after a brain tumour-related terminal illness.

Jordan said “The message behind that song is the most powerful thing for me and having my dad’s voicemail at the start of the song is something money can’t buy, a lasting memory and tribute.”

Jordan Allen at Jimmy’s, Newton Street, Manchester tonight is sold out, but tickets for next Thursday at the same venue are still available. For more details visit jordan-allen.com.