Music round up

LEE HOLLISTER, popular with the local music scene.

THE Great Northern Ska Festival is almost here - and you could be there for free if you win our cracking Chronicle competition to bag a pair of tickets.

Thanks to the promoters and Lee Hollister - Failsworth-based front-man of the brilliant Manchester Ska Foundation tribute act - we have two tickets to give away, to one lucky winner, for the Festival, which takes place at the massive Bowlers Exhibition Centre on Saturday, August 20, between 3pm and 3am!

As an added bonus, thanks to Lee again, we also have a brilliant Manchester Ska Foundation t-shirt to give away as a runner-up prize

To be in with a chance of winning the tickets or the t-shirt, simply tell us the name of the Specials' first UK number one single, which was released on January 11, 1980.

Email your answer, with daytime contact details, to simonsmedley@oldham-chronicle.co.uk

The closing date is this Friday, at 11am. Good luck!

The Great Northern Ska Festival features all the great original ska bands and artistes, including The Selecter, The Beat, Neville Staples (ex-Specials and Fun Boy Three), Dawn Penn, Jeramiah Ferrari, the Jewellers and the Toasters.

To purchase tickets (£25 each) contact Lee on 07900 554857.

TWO cracking nights of musical entertainment are in prospect at Whittle's this weekend.

Friday night sees a tasty double header as Twisted Illusion and Ritual King both play, and it's free entry.

On Saturday it's the turn of top U2 tribute band Us4//U2 to rock the King Street venue as they head into town to play another high energy, high intensity gig.

It's £5 entry to that show, but it'll be well worth every penny and Whittle's is nailed-on to be packed to the rafters.

THE resurgence of Oldham indie/post-Punk outfit Drink and Drive is set to continue into Manchester on Friday, August 19.

That's when the band will play the Night and Day Cafe in the city centre after two successful recent shows in Oldham at Jackson's Pit and the Royal Oak.

Check out the band's Facebook page for ticket news.