AN impressive line-up of punk bands from the 70s will showcase their talent in a gig as part of a campaign to build a statue of the late Buzzcocks frontman Pete Shelley.

Five bands will perform at St Joseph's Hall on Chapel Street in Leigh on Saturday, February 15 from 6pm in aid of the bid to get a memorial built in Pete's hometown.

The campaign was set up after Pete died in December 2018 following a heart attack in Estonia, where he lived.

Four bands set up in the 70s; Fast Cars, The Drones, Notsensibles and The Distractions, will play at the event, Ever Fallen in Love, as well as Benefit State, which was formed a few years ago.

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The bands set to play in the gig at St Joseph's Hall

Steve Cundall from The Drones said: "It gives us enormous pleasure to be asked to perform at this fundraising event in Pete's hometown along with such a distinguished line up of bands.

"Let's give Pete the fitting and lasting tribute he deserves in his hometown."

The evening will be compered by award-winning Salford urban poet Simon Williams and he will also perform between each band's set.

Often appearing on the same bill as Buzzcocks and Joy Division, Fast Cars were formed in Swinton in 1978 by brothers Steve and Stuart Murray. They are "honoured" to be involved in the gig.

The band, whose line-up has been consistent throughout their career, released anthem The Kids Just Wanna Dance in 1979.

Manchester punk rock band The Drones, known as "three chord wonders", was established in 1977.

Their song Lookalikes featured on one of the earliest punk compilation albums Streets in 1977.

Notsensibles had a hit in 1979 with I'm In Love With Margaret Thatcher, a tongue-in-cheek song about Thatcher's Britain.

Manchester-based band The Distractions was set up in 1975 and were signed up by several record labels including TJM, Factory, Island and Rough Trade.

Benefit State, which had an ever increasing army of followers, will open the gig.

The band recently recorded the single Dirty Old Town.

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A poster for the event

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The campaign has raised more than £6,000 after a series of gigs and events.

Co-founder of the Pete Shelley Memorial Campaign Paul Lally said: "I am totally amazed at the generosity of the artists performing - they didn't need asking twice to play.

"I was a fan of all the artists playing back in the 70s, and I, along with many others are really looking forward to seeing them all together on the same stage.

"This is not only a great honour to Pete Shelley but also a massive achievement for Leigh to play host to an event like this."

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Pete Shelley in action

In November and December an exhibition Understated, ran for at The Turnpike for six weeks.

It included a collection of memorabilia, photographs and footage from Pete's friends, family and fellow musicians and featured artwork and design from his career.

It included a blue plaque provided by Wigan Council in honour of Pete.

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The blue plaque at the Understated exhibition

The campaign is also exploring registering as an official charity to ensure Pete's legacy will live on and raise funds to support music and arts in Leigh.

To buy tickets for the event click here.