The Rec, Freeda, flying high after securing Cotton Clouds spots

A big shout-out to local up-and-coming outfits THE RECREATION and FREEDA, who have made it onto 2018’s immense Cotton Clouds festival bill on Saturday, August 18.

The Recreation – from Royton – will play the Tim Peaks Diner stage.

They enjoyed a hugely encouraging 2017, spreading their wings by playing gigs up and down the country, while they also starred at their own headline shows in city centre Manchester.

More recently, the Rec – Owen, Tom, George and Sam – have released a cracking single – ‘Wanderlust’ – which was accompanied by an eye-catching video. That has been viewed almost 5,000 times.

Gig-wise, the Rec head south next week to play the Basement venue in Chelmsford.

Last night the lads – whose fan base continues to grow steadily - were over in Sheffield, playing the West Street Live showcase.

Mossley outfit Freeda, meanwhile, also continue to make decent progress and will be delighted to have earned themselves a spot at Cotton Clouds.

Sean, Callum, Cameron, Adam and Adam have been recording in the studio lately and a release is due soon, while live-wise, they are looking forward to a Scruff of the Neck Manchester headline show, at the Soup Kitchen on Saturday, June 9.

Tickets available via the link on Freeda’s Facebook page.

Disco legends Sister Sledge will headline this year's second annual COTTON CLOUDS showpiece, the boutique music festival held at Saddleworth cricket club.

The ‘We Are Family’ 70s stars will be joined on the main stage by Wigan four-piece Starsailor, and Eastbourne chart favourites Toploader.

Scarlet, Gareth Brooks and Billy Bibby and the Wry Smiles are among other noteworthy acts who will join the eclectic list of artists playing across three stages.

The Tim Peaks Diner Stage - as endorsed by the Charlatans' frontman Tim Burgess - will host the Orielles, Average Sex, Richard Youngs, Fuzzy Sun, Trampoline, Deja Vega and the Mysterines.

Meanwhile, the Spinning Room Stage will see the Allergies, Hyde Park Brass, the K's, the 99 Degree, Mike Sweeney’s Salford Jets, Afghan Sand Gang, South Island Son, and Ambiere entertain the crowds.

The festival will offer an array of street food stalls and a real ale tent to help fuel the day.

Cotton Clouds is the creation of local lads the Lees brothers, Rick and Max, and local music fanatic Luke Stanley.

Cotton Clouds Festival tickets are now on sale, priced at £45 for adults, £25 for children aged six to 13, while children under five go free.

All VIP tickets have already sold out, while the remainder are expected to go sooner rather than later.

Book your tickets online at: cottoncloudsfestival.ticketline.co.uk

Following the initial success of their recently released EP – ‘The Modern Age’ – Oldham rockers DIRTY LACES are another local band who are making great strides on the local scenes at present.

They are also spreading their appeal far and wide, and play Sheffield’s Café Totem tonight (Friday).

The raucous five-strong band then play the 93 Feet East venue in London on April 13, before heading to the Victoria in Birmingham 24 hours later.

You can catch Dirty Laces in Manchester on Saturday, April 28, when they play the Either Way Festival, alongside the likes of Carnation, from Failsworth, and Mossley’s highly-rated Proletariat.

PROLETARIAT have enjoyed a terrific 2018 so far.

They’ve enjoyed plenty of airtime and media coverage of late, and sold out their recent headline show at Manchester’s Deaf Institute – and the crazy after-party at Jimmy’s in the city’s northern quarter.

James, Connor, Aaron and Luke have also recently released an amazing latest single – ‘Nervous energy’ – which has already been featured on BBC Introducing, Radio X, This Feeling, and more.

Download the tune via the link on the band’s packed Facebook page.

Fresh from successful back-to-back gigs in Liverpool and Leeds, Saddleworth indie trio GARDENBACK are yet another band who are making the right noises and attracting positive attention.

Front-man and bassist Ellis, guitarist Neil and drummer Jacob are next out tomorrow week, April 14, when they feature alongside the likes of the Nova Twins, Hey Charlie, Carl North and the Lonely Hearts and The Big Peach at the city’s epic ‘When in Manchester’ all-day festival.

Again, tickets are available via the link on Gardenback’s Facebook page.

Don’t forget, the lads are also playing at Kendal Calling in the summer.

Former 90s Manchester faves THE HIGH – featuring Oldham front-man John Matthews – are getting right behind Record Store Day again this year.

The band, who also feature ex-Stone Rose Andy Couzens, Tony Meehan and Scott Parkinson, will officially release brand new single ‘Say it Now’ on 12” vinyl, on April 21.

In the meantime, the track has already been released digitally, so check it out.

The High were formed by John and Andy back in 1989, combining the late 60's style pop and psyche guitar sound.

The first incarnation of the band – who featured prominently during the ‘Madchester’ phenomenon of the early 90s - were signed to London Records after just one gig.

They released two albums – ‘Somewhere Soon’ and ‘Hype’ – and their biggest hit single was ‘Box Set Go’, which reached #28 in the charts in 1991.

TIM SIMPSON'S next PopUp Music live show at the Uppermill Civic Hall on Friday, May 11, promises to be another cracker.

Live vocals, stunning musicianship, authentic costumes and exciting choreography will all contribute to a spectacular ‘Abba Fever’ show, which is guaranteed to get the audience to their feet.

This is going to be a fun night, with a 70s and 80s disco DJ set to keep everyone on their feet. Add to this a very reasonably priced Prosecco and Gin bar and a brilliant venue, this is another night not to miss.

Check out the Pop Up Music with Attitude Facebook page for ticket info.

Finally, there’s still time to book your tickets for the eagerly-anticipated GREAT NORTHERN TRIBUTE FESTIVAL, which takes place at the Bowlers Exhibition Centre on Saturday week, April 14.

Organised by the promoters of the hugely successful Great Northern Ska Festival, the all-day tribute show features the MANCHESTER SKA FOUNDATION – fronted by Failsworth’s very own Lee Hollister – during the evening sets.

Also on the bill are the Complete Clash, the Extra Specials, the UB40 Experience, the Jam Restart, the Bob Marley Experience and the Special Brew.

A great line-up of DJs include the Skafather and Gordon West, and others.

Tickets can be booked by logging on to: www.greatnorthernskafestival.com