53 Degrees has announced Soundcheck, a music event designed to showcase the best emerging talent from Preston and the North West.
The music venue reopened in August 2025, as Blog Preston first reported in April last year, after more than a decade of being closed due to changes in student lifestyles making the venue unsustainable.
Since the reopening, a host of tribute acts have featured along with some household names – the venue has musician and actor Martin Kemp booked to perform in June this year – in order to get the club’s name and reputation built up following on from the closure.
Ben Curry, part of the Venue Operations and Ticketing team at GS Promotions, the company behind the relaunching of the venue, said: “It’s a fine line between trying to please everybody and put original acts on, but then actually making it financially viable for the venue to open.”
Curry highlighted that this was a significant reason for Soundcheck after dissatisfaction from some members of the public regarding the number of tribute bands which featured at the club.
“People have asked for it,” he said. “We’d ask everyone to come along and support emerging talent in the area.”
Due to take place multiple times through the year, the first Soundcheck is set for Saturday 7 March. The line-up features Valentyne, VICES and bloodmoon.
Valentyne
Made up of brothers George and Tom Webster from Preston, Rob Downey of Stockport, and lead singer Charlotte Isobel from Sheffield, Valentyne formed while studying in Manchester. They play tales of romance and dark curiosities, described as ‘music to haunt the head’.
VICES
VICES are a dynamic alt-rock/metal band from Preston with Josh Monaghan on vocals, Ian Grundy on guitar, and Si Smith on drums. Their blend of heavy rock, metal riffs and electronic noise creates a melodic, yet turbulent and heavy sound.
bloodmoon
bloodmoon are a four-piece alt-rock band from a seaside town, whose sound draws from the melodic and melancholic elements of emo, alt rock and ‘modern’ metalcore. They have supported artists like Boston Manor, Narrow Head, Redwood, and The Hara.
Prior to its closure, 53 Degrees played host to many now household names including Calvin Harris, Ellie Goulding and Frank Turner.
Read more: Biffy Clyro, The Courteeners, Calvin Harris and more pictured at 53 Degrees through the years
Priced at £8, tickets for Soundcheck are available from SeeTickets.
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