IT takes a lot of dedication and passion for your work to launch a major music event.

Festival season is upon Britain and everyone is vying to get the big-named acts that will pull in the crowds.

However Steven Wood has already successfully stepped into the fray and is doing it all again this year.

The Bury 38-year-old is co-founder of the British Sound Project which arrived in Manchester last year.

While touting big names like Shaun Ryder and the Fouls, it is also providing a platform for rising talent – picking out some of the up and coming bands from around the North West.

Steven said: "Working in the music industry I know how hard it is for bands coming through to make an impact on the live scene.

"We put the big bands out there with the up and coming bands which gives them a great platform.

"The concept is the huge band alongside the local bands helps give them a leg up introduces them to a wider audience.

"There's so much talent out there it does make it harder to get heard.

"You need a little bit of luck to get heard out there so a platform in front of a big audience is a huge help."

The huge indoor festival was launched last year with the support of Victoria Warehouse's James Cohen, Ala McGee – who first signed Oasis – and Happy Mondays legend Shaun Ryder.

Set indoors it has echoes of the club days and the iconic Haçienda.

Its inaugural year included acts like Primal Scream, Black Grape, Badly Drawn Boy and Eliza & The Bear.

Bolton band Sittin' Pretty were among the chosen local bands and they will be making a return to its stages this September with fellow Boltonians Jordan Allen when it jumps up to a two day event.

They will be joined by headliners including Twin Atlantic, Deaf Havana, Band of Skulls DJ set, Lonely The Brave, Fatherson, Stillia and Freedom Of the City on Friday and White Lies, The Horrors, Spring King, Foals DJ set, TOY, White, Airways, Prose, Youth and New York Tourists on the Saturday.

Another headliner is expected to be announced in the run-up for the event which will feature bands playing across two stages on both nights.

Steven, who has worked in the music industry for ten years, including managing bands in the UK and Australia, added: "Last year we had headliners who have been around for a while but we are changing it up a bit this year.

"It's geared for the younger audience, students who have just celebrated Freshers Week, who will be looking for new bands and sounds.

"Most festivals are outdoors and nothing indoors, if you get 6,000 people into a big warehouse listening to music it's amazing.

"When it first started it we wanted it to grow and it would be great one day to tour it and even take it abroad."

This two-day event will take place at Victoria Warehouse, Manchester, September 29 and 30.

For tickets visit thebritishsoundproject.co.uk.