All revved up

MUSIC promoter Tim Simpson

AWARD-winning photographer and Lambretta scooter racer Tim Simpson is returning to the local music scene ­- and he's back with something of a bang.

A DJ and promoter in and around Oldham in the 1990s and most recently in the mid-2000s, Uppermill-based Simpson has been busy focusing on building up the family photography business in recent years.

However, he has now issued himself with another call to arms, and his mission? To revitalise the Saddleworth music scene.

To that end, Simpson has revealed to the Chronicle details of the first showcase night at the prestigious Uppermill Civic Hall on Friday, October 28.

Topping the bill will be ace tribute outfit The Jam Restart, who feature Oldham-based Mark Stelfox as their 'Paul Weller'.

Speaking about his plans for Saddleworth, which include further top-class showcase nights at the Civic heading into 2017, Simpson said: "People from the area tend to go off to university and then they either can't afford to come back or they don't want to come back because there's nothing really for them.

"There's a lot of brass band music ­- which is absolutely brilliant and is part of the heritage of course ­- but there's never really been anything for the younger people, or younger people at heart.

"There's a lot of bands come from up there, and a lot of musicians, so we just want to start something off.

"The Jam Restart idea almost fell on my lap really. I guess it goes slightly against my under-30s idea, but everyone loves The Jam and it's just a way of kicking things off I guess.

"Paul Weller is still current, a bit like David Bowie in the way he keeps re-inventing himself, and the Restart will always be popular.

"I remember seeing them at the Pennine Lounge in Oldham once and it was absolutely hammered.

"I'm guessing there were five or six-hundred in there that night, but it was a great night.

"I think we'll fill the Civic Hall and it's just going to be an amazing night of music."

Looking beyond the Jam Restart opener, which will feature Cupids' popular front-man Jake Fletcher working the sound and guesting with the band on keyboards, Simpson is clearly excited about the prospect of enticing some established and highly-rated artistes to the Civic Hall in the future.

"I've been speaking to Cupids about playing, and they're going to," added Simpson.

"With that one it'll just be about the right time really.

"The plan is that the Jam Restart night kicks off maybe a series of gigs, perhaps every three months or so, and we want it to be as much an arts event really.

"We want to get young people involved, maybe to help with the sound or they can simply shadow us and see what it's like working on a gig.

"Then there's photos, if some people want to get involved with that we'd be happy, there will be flyers to be drawn up."

Simpson, who brought names like Jerry Dammers, Eddie Piller, the Solar Flares and Reckless Eric to his home town the last time he promoted seriously, will post details of The Jam Restart support act(s) and ticket prices through this page shortly.