Standish’s LankyKats keep live music thriving while supporting local charities
A passionate group of local musicians and volunteers are continuing to bring live music to the heart of Standish while also raising money for good causes across the community.
Founded in 2010, LankyKats has spent the past 15 years creating opportunities for local bands to perform while raising more than £50k for charities across the area.
The Wigan-based musical collective hosts regular live music nights at Standish Unity Club, giving bands and musicians the opportunity to perform without the usual hassle of transporting and setting up equipment.
The group was originally created to provide “a place for musicians and bands to play on a regular basis,” while also creating a welcoming atmosphere for music lovers to come together and enjoy affordable entertainment.
Held on the first and third Thursday of every month from 7pm until 11pm, the evenings feature three live bands performing 45-minute sets, alongside background music and raffles hosted by an experienced compere and sound engineer.
In an email sent to What’s happening in Wigan, LankyKats member Dave Cavey explained the passion behind the project.
“We do this because we are all passionate about music or are musicians who want to be involved in a music collective and also help worthwhile local charities to support the end user and improve the quality of their lives.”
Entry to the events costs just £1, with raffle proceeds also helping to fund the group’s sound equipment, insurance, PAT testing and public liability cover.
Any additional funds raised are distributed to selected local charities through what organisers describe as a “strict documented process” overseen and approved by the committee.
LankyKats is entirely volunteer-run, with a small dedicated team setting up and managing equipment, organising events and communicating with the public and charities they support.
As well as their popular events in Standish the group also organises a special annual showcase night at The Cavern Club in Liverpool, where five regular LankyKats bands take to the stage.
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