Looking like a coast town

It’s based within the Empress and Arena venues of Blackpool’s Opera House and raises money for Preston-based cancer charity the Rosemere Trust.

Colin explains: “One of our two saxophone players, John Imeson, whose stage name is Manny Ribera and is 74 years of age, has received cancer treatment and suggested they were our nominated charity for this year.

“We’re also aware of many local people that this charity has also helped.”

Colin organised the first Coast Town last year, in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society.

“For this year’s event we have founder member of The Jam Bruce Foxton along with Russell Hastings (in From The Jam) and seven of the best mod and ska bands from all over Europe.

“Don Letts (founding member of Big Audio Dynamite) performs a DJ set to finish of the weekend.”

This year he’s raised the benchmark even higher. The day summer event dedicated to ska and mod music also includes some surprises with Lioness (aka Emma Wright) an established cabaret signer on the circuit who came runner up in the finals of last year’s Star in Their Eyes as Lady Gaga featured - but in tribute to Amy Winehouse.

Closer to home, Lioness and local mod revivalists The Intermediates open events tomorrow with Bad Manners tribute band Special Brew.

Classic British mod act Heavy Sol close the night. Saturday opens with special European guests Bang the Skillet from Holland, followed by Glasgow’s ska export Esperanza, with Colin’s own band and Blackpool favourites Ska Face working up a sweat ahead of Bruce Foxton’s From The Jam, along with a range of top DJs playing the best of ska, mod and northern soul. Plus an after show party at the Arena.

Weekend tickets are priced at £30 with individual daily tickets £12 for tomorrow, £23 for the Saturday, via the box office or www.ticketmaster.co.uk