CORONAVIRUS may have resulted in many events being cancelled, however organisers are set to throw a virtual Westfield Street Music Festival this Sunday, bringing music into homes.

The popular event is now in its seventh year and usually brings music and dance back to Westfield Street with a packed line up of more than 100 artists from across the borough as well as dancers parading down the street.

Due to social distancing guidelines in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic, this cannot take place.

St Helens Star:

However organisers are determined to still put on a show for the community on lockdown.

General manager at The Sefton and organiser Matty Williams said: "We waited as long as we could because we didn't want to cancel, so Ian Swift, who also organises this event and sorts all the live music for The Sefton has been organising live music on his social media and we came up with the idea of doing Westfest on our Facebook.

"It's about celebrating the joy the event brings to St Helens, celebrating our amazing artists and getting a taste of what we will enjoy again next year when all of this is over.

St Helens Star:

Dancer at a previous Westfest

"There will be eight artists performing on the Westfield Street Music Festival Facebook page from 2.30pm to 8.30pm this Sunday, June 7."

Ian Swift, organisers and member of TRICAST added: "Coronavirus has ruined a lot for everyone this year, we've been in lockdown, missed family, birthday and lost people so this is about celebrating our music and bringing joy into people's homes.

"James Erlam, one of the artists, has been working really hard getting it all technically organised so hopefully everyone tunes in and enjoys a good show by local talent in their homes."

Gary Maddock, town centre manager, added: “The Council is very proud of its partnership with this key town centre event and whilst the event is not happening in its traditional format we were keen to work with Ian Swift and Matt Williams to make it happen.

"Westfield Street Virtual Music Festival embodies great community spirit in St Helens and continues to provides to provides a great platform for local artists to showcase themselves and I hope people will tune into the Facebook page and enjoy the music at home”

The line up:

2.30pm - James Riley

3.15pm - Olivia Parr

4pm - Daniel Martin

4.45pm - Jack Bennett

5.30pm - Ian Lawton

6.15pm - Nicola Hardman

7pm - James Erlam

7.45pm - TRICAST - Live from their back garden!

To watch the live performances go to bit.ly/3eGKeVy