Live music, DJs, pizza, coffee and beer all on programme

Former Heartbreaks bassist Chris “Deaks” Deakin, 29, is now in charge of programming at The Hall in China Street. Bi-weekly live music will be intersected by DJ sessions from local musicians.

All this with a backdrop of woodfired pizza, coffee and craft beer. Chris, who is currently playing as a session bassist for Manchester band Cabbage after The Hearbreaks split last year, said the aim was to provide a good quality environment for musicians to perform in.

He said: “I’ve built up a good list of contacts over the past five years and they’ll be useful for bringing good live music to the area.

“For such a small place there’s a lot happening here in Lancaster.

“We’ve struggled a bit because the music venues at the bottom of town have been closed since the floods so it’s important we help eachother out. We want to provide a good environment for people to perform in.

“The programme starts on February 13 with Boogie Bill. After that, on February 27, we’ve got The Kilcawley Family. Damon (Kilcawley) used to play rhythm guitar with the Heartbreaks, and the band bring energy and a different style to the folk genre.

“David Kelly plays on March 12, followed by The Quartetleys on March 26.

“They’re a jazz quartet from Silverdale, named after their favourite pint, and I found them playing in our basement on New Year’s Eve.”

Joe Ramsden performs on April 9, and Lancaster’s Night Palms take to the stage on April 23.

The band have been playing quite a few gigs in Manchester and Preston recently and have a new EP out in time for the gig.

Chris added: “When we don’t have a live act on, we will have musicians and local people DJing. It won’t be a set style and there’ll be lots of different genres. DJ nights are February 6 and 20, March 5 and 19, and April 2, 16 and 30.

“We’re going to be putting on a good programme for the Lancaster Music Festival as well, with out of town bands supported by local acts, so lots to look forward to.”