Oldham has got BBC talent

SHE'S a star . . . Hannah Astley-Marr

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OLDHAM'S up and coming rock stars and singer-songwriters wowed crowds with their talent as part of national BBC Music Day on Friday.

The "Sound of Oldham" event saw talented young musicians perform on a temporary outdoor stage set up under the sun in the town centre.

Performers included singers, rappers and musicians from Square 1 Studios and the Oldham Music Service.

Indie-folk artist Ashleigh Taylor (16) said she was excited to be able to play her guitar and perform under the summer sun at the event.

Stunned

The Waterhead Academy pupil, from Moorside, said: "I can be a bit nervous before I go on stage but I love performing and music.

"I'd love to have a career in the industry as a singer-songwriter so it's important for me to perform whenever I can."

She was joined on stage by singer and fellow Waterhead Academy pupil Hannah Brooks, who performed for the first time at the event.

The 16-year-old said: "It is my first gig but I'm hopeful it will go well."

Newman College pupil Hannah Astley-Marr (15) also stunned the crowd with her renditions of Ed Sheeran and her own original songs.

Hannah, from Royton, said: "I play a lot of gigs around Oldham but I'm not used to performing on an outdoor stage like this.

"It's exciting to be able to play my music and my own original songs.

"We've all been working very hard rehearsing and preparing for today."

Fellow performer Shariq Ashraf, who was first to take to the stage with his guitar, received loud cheers for his music, particularly from his dad Kashif Ashraf.

Shariq (16), a Hulme Grammar School pupil, said: "I'm probably a little obsessed with music ­- any project involving music I make sure I take part in and I'm constantly practicing or jamming with a band.

"It's something I'd like to consider as a career, but its a hard industry to break into."

The "Sound of Oldham" event, which was delivered by Oldham Council Arts Development, Square 1 Studios and Oldham Town Centre Partnership, was part of the UK-wide celebration aiming to bring people from different generations and communities together to share a love of music.

Sam Malik, of Square 1 Studios, said: "Square 1 Studios aim to organise opportunities for young people around music, engagement and learning.

"When the BBC approached us to take part in the event, I knew we already had a group of talented young performers who would be ready to get on stage.

"They've been working for months on their own sets and they've been helping to organise the entire event.

"It's been a great opportunity to showcase the young talent we have in Oldham."

Live concerts took place across the country with the day culminating in a special live concert from Duran Duran and Laura Mvula at Cornwall's Eden Project.