THERE’S NO Awkward silence as Keighley’s musical youth begin preparations for a new festival.

Awkward, a rock band formed by local youngsters, plan to make a noise as they headline the mini-festival at Riddlesden Cricket Club in June.

Musicians in the band are working on the event with fellow members of the Tribe of Noise youth group.

The Tribe meet on the last Thursday of every month at the Jam on Top music studios in Dalton Lane.

The Riddlesden music festival is been timed to coincide with the cricket World Cup 2019.

Tribe of Noise, who are funded by regeneration project Keighley Big Local, are also researching the town’ music scene.

They are also running regular open mic nights which attract more than 50 young people each time.

Tribe of Noise recently asked Scott Coulthard a former user of the Jam on Top Studio, to create a video to promote the open mic nights.

Stills from the video can be seen on this page.

Tribe of Noise grew out of the Big Music Project, which was run by Jam on Top with a small support grant from Big Local.

Awkward were formed during the project, and have since gigged regularly in Keighley.

Big Local coordinator Shaun O’Hare said: “The band wanted to encourage more young people to come involved so came up with the idea of a mini festival.

“The group of young people gave a presentation to the Big Local Partnership and were awarded £1,500 to run the open mic night and festival under the Unique Keighley banner - celebrating everything unique about Keighley through creative arts. “

The open mic nights are open to aspiring musicians, bands, singer-songwriters, poets, storytellers and comedians, and any young people who want to watch them.

Tribe of Noise is open to any young person living in the Keighley Big Local area, which includes neighbourhoods along the banks of the River Worth between Stockbridge and Ingrow.

Further information is available from 01535 600133 or by searching for KTN on Facebook.

Jam on Top, which provides rehearsal space for local bands and runs a radio station, is at Melbourne House, Chesham Street, off Dalton Lane.