TWO of Cheshire's best upcoming bands are to play what is hoped will be the first full, restriction-less gig, at The Salty Dog in Northwich.

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The Zangwills, fresh from working with Game of Thrones actress Maisie Williams - who produced a video to one their tracks recently - will be joined by Good for Gordon at the gig on Friday, June 25.

Northwich Guardian: Jake Vickers (vocals and guitar), Sam Davies (lead guitar), Ed Dowling (bass), Adam Spence (drums) pictured by Steve Forrest/Workers’ Photos

Jake Vickers (vocals and guitar), Sam Davies (lead guitar), Ed Dowling (bass), Adam Spence (drums) pictured by Steve Forrest/Workers’ Photos

It's been a while since live music was belted out to a capacity crowd at the Salty Dog, and its been a long time coming for promoter Iain Tinsley, who runs Softlad Promotions.

"Obviously we're hoping it is going to be first gig back, if our friend Boris gives us the green light for a lifting of restrictions on June 21," he said.

"That's one of the main reasons why we've picked two local bands to make it that extra bit special.

"We've been putting on gigs at the Salty Dog since 2017.

"Under normal circumstances, we were putting a gig on the last Saturday of every month."

Music is Iain's big passion in life and having been kept extremely busy during the pandemic with his day job - working the NHS in the delivery of supplies - it is a great relief to be back doing what he loves.

He said: "The dream is to be able to do gigs full time.

"I found myself doing other things during lockdown, such as volunteering at my local foodbank, because there were no gigs and no football.

"Both bands are based around Cheshire.

"A the moment we're only releasing enough tickets for the three quarter capacity, but hopefully the restrictions get lifted and we can sell them all.

"Bands haven't been able to make money for almost 18 months now, so everyone just wants to get back to what they love."

Northwich Guardian: Good for Gordon will also appear at the Salty Dogs first gig back after lockdown

Good for Gordon will also appear at The Salty Dog's first gig back after lockdown

Four-piece The Zangwills caught the attention of Game of Thrones actress Maisie and BAFTA-winning young director Lowri Roberts at a pre-lockdown gig in February, after they became interested in their song, Judas on the Dancefloor, due to its themes around creating safe spaces for women on nights out.

"For me, it's all about the bands, I'd love to see The Zangwills go on to play at Glastonbury or something like that," Iain explained.

"It's obviously going to be the first gig back after lockdown and in my opinion, they are two of the best bands in Cheshire."

Chris Mundie, owner of The Salty Dog, said he was delighted to be back hosting gigs and that it was fitting the first gig back was being promoted by Iain.

He said: "Iain has been doing gigs here since we first opened.

"We met up on a rainy Wednesday night at The Tunnel Top in Dutton whilst the pub was still a sea of building debris.

"Over the following years Softlad has consistently delivered some of our best nights, their attitude to live music and supporting artists is second to none, so when Iain approached me about doing a gig on the June 25 it made perfect sense.

"They are synonymous with what we do here and it seems totally fitting for them to cut the ribbon on the next phase of the pub."

Tickets for the gig are £7 and are available HERE.