A LINE-UP of young unsigned bands has been announced for a North-East festival next weekend.

The annual Darlington Community Carnival takes place on Saturday featuring parades, street performers, and live music on several stages.

One of the main attractions will be the Newblood Live show – a day of music from the best up-and-coming bands from the local area.

The showcase has been arranged by the people behind the groundbreaking Newblood shows in the town’s Forum music centre – a series of gigs open to people aged 14 to 17.

The events are organised by young people, for young people, and are designed to give music-loving teenagers somewhere to go on a Friday night.

The shows are sold out every month, and have produced a raft of new musical talent including hotly-tipped bands such as Belladonna, The Hornosexuals and 2 Many Units.

Sam Wood, 18, guitarist with 2 Many Units, said: “Newblood is great. There is so little for young people to do, but now kids can go and have a night out and watch some live music, and it is always packed. It’s one of the best events around.

“It’s hard to get a break if you are an original band playing your own songs, because people often just want to see covers bands. This gives young local bands a place to start.

“We played the first Newblood, so it’s been great to see it go from strength to strength.

“When it started we were about 16, and we all used to go to it. Now we’re too old to go, but it’s nice to play for them, and to see that it is still booming.”

Among the acts on the bill for this weekend’s show are acoustic singer songwriters Katie Coleman and Hayley McKay, and punk rockers Thatcher’s Bush.

The stage will also showcase rising stars Pearl Rose and Syndicate Theory, as well as local favourites 2 Many Units, SavinGrace and Belladonna.

The town carnival takes place in Stanhope Park, and bands will appear on stage between noon and 5.30pm.

The event is free.

For more information on Newblood Live, visit my space.com/newbloodliveuk