A POPULAR grassroots music venue in Atherton has been recognised in a year-long music exhibition at the Museum of Wigan Life.

Unveiled to the public on Friday, January 27, the Make Some Noise exhibition is a celebration of the local music scene in Wigan borough and how it has evolved over the years.

Spanning back from the Jazz and Northern Soul scenes to the present day, the exhibition commemorates local legends such as George Formby, The Verve, and Buzzcocks, as well as shining a light on the current crop of buzz bands such as The Lathums and the Lottery Winners.

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Leigh Journal: Artists, venues, and industry workers are celebrated at the exhibitionArtists, venues, and industry workers are celebrated at the exhibition (Image: The Snug)

There was also a focus on the local venues and industry workers that have helped to create these thriving scenes in the borough, who have given up-and-coming acts the perfect place to play live and hone their craft.

The Old Courts in Wigan is highlighted as well as the Snug Coffee House, based on Market Street in Atherton, which has garnered a popular reputation for its intimate gigs and promoting up-and-coming artists.

Leigh Journal: Rachael Flaszczak, owner of The SnugRachael Flaszczak, owner of The Snug (Image: The Snug)

Speaking at the exhibition opening, The Snug owner Rachael Flaszczak said: "To be featured in this exhibition as a venue means as much to us as it does to the musicians.

"We have got a great, passionate team at the Snug and we do what we can to give local musicians, music lovers, and music industry workers a platform to start out.

"In some cases, like with Starsailor's James Walsh, they come back to our local communities after making it famous in the music industry and comment on how much they appreciate small venues and where their roots are."

Leigh Journal: The Snug hosted four packed out gigs across Independent Venue WeekThe Snug hosted four packed out gigs across Independent Venue Week (Image: The Snug)

Last week, The Snug held four "packed out" gigs across Independent Venue Week; a national campaign for venues, artists, and promoters to collaborate and champion grassroots music on each day of the week.

The 'Kick Like a Girl' project with punk band Loose Articles was also celebrated as a huge success, with 14 girls gaining exclusive and behind-the-scenes insight into the music industry and what it takes to put on a gig.

With a busy gig schedule planned for the rest of the year, the Snug team hopes to continue building their reputation and bringing more acts and music lovers through their Market Street doors.