PULSE - music and more, with Simon Donohue

PULSE is looking forward to a bright new year which could bring a stadium rock festival to East Lancashire.

As well as the usual action-packed music calendar, Burnley Football Club is bashing out proposals for an outdoor event at its Turf Moor ground in the summer months.

Officials are still unsure of the type of music, or the nature of the event for that matter. But let's keep our fingers crossed for pop rather than Pavarotti.

Here are a few of the other highlights already announced for 1998.

Kicking off proceedings in fine style will be a celebration of Northern Soul at King George's Hall, Blackburn, on January 24. The event is billed as a History Of North West Soul.

Staying on a soul footing, Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre plays host to a Classic Soul Show on February 5.

The year starts off in style at Burnley Mechanics with Voulez Vous, The Ultimate Abba Tribute band, who will appear on Friday, February 6.

Returning to the Burnley Mechanics is Cockney Rebel star Steve Harley, this time unplugged, on Saturday, February 7.

March should be good for local music in Burnley, with a Mechanics showcase featuring Element, Willard and Missed Her Bliss on Friday 6.

There will be crocodile cheers on March 14 when TV and singing star Jimmy Nail appears at King George's Hall, Blackburn.

On Saturday, February 8, the Burnley Mechanics stage will be taken over by the sound of '60s soul and Motown as living legend Edwin Starr returns to East Lancashire.

Easter brings blues-style celebrations as Burnley Mechanics marks a decade of festival fun.

Already confirmed to appear at The 10th Burnley National Blues Festival between Thursday, April 9, and Monday, April 13, are: Ike Turner and the Ikettes, Big Joe Turner and The Memphis Blues Caravan, Johnny Rawls and King Pleasure And The Biscuit Boys. Festival firsts this year will be a blues barge and the Blues Music Film Festival at the Apollo multiplex.

The comeback star of the moment appears at King George's Hall, Blackburn, on May 1. Former Hot Chocolate singer Errol Brown has found new fame after his song You Sexy Thing was used in the soundtrack for the film The Full Monty.

Sixties sensations The Hollies will be at King George's Hall on May 7. Useful numbers: Burnley Mechanics Box Office: 01282 430055, King George's Hall Box Office, Blackburn: 01254 582582, Hyndburn Leisure Box Office: 01254 380293.

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