John Peel was famed for his passion for new music . A fundraising concert at Epic featuring his long-time favourites The Fall and The Undertones will help many up and coming musicians from around the region.

Two of John's favourite bands, The Fall and the Undertones, will headline the gig, with the funds raised going to support the work of the John Peel Centre for Creative Arts in Stowmarket. The event also acts as a curtain raiser for the Norwich Sound and Music festival which runs from October 11-13, running concurrently with the first ever John Peel Festival of New Music. The setting up of the centre has come to fruition in the same year that John's massive vinyl archive has been will be accessible to the public. A visually stunning website is online with visitors able to browse through the shelves and play songs from the albums they find.

Andrew Stringer, chairman of the John Peel Centre, said: 'One night of dancing and having a good time in Norwich will leave a legacy for thousands to have a great time in at the centre. It will also allow bands and acts just starting out — and those yet to form — the chance to flourish. We aim to carry on the tradition that John created to allow talent the space to shine.'

The bands performing on the night have agreed to waive their fees for the event and the two headline acts will be joined by Norwich band Bearsuit, another favourite of Mr Peel, and Dingus Khan, who hail from Manningtree in Essex.

Tom Barker, vice chairman of the centre, said 'This fundraiser will be a great boost to our project. Having some of John's favourite headline bands coming together to support us is truly amazing'

The John Peel Centre for Creative Arts is a purpose built Arts Centre, taking Stowmarket's redundant Corn Exchange and turning it into a modern performance Space, sited in heart of Suffolk close to John's family home.

John's widow, Sheila Ravenscroft, is a 'hands-on' director of the project. The team have been busy for two years, and have raised close to the �1000,000 that it will cost to rebuild this Victorian building.

Sheila said the gig will provide much-needed funds. She said: 'I'm so pleased that The Fall and The Undertones have agreed to play as everybody knows that they were two bands very close to John's heart and we should raise some money for the new venue.'

The John Peel Festival of New Music continues next Thursday with Eugene McGuiness and Virals at Norwich Arts Centre, dance-rockers Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs at Open, Norwich noise-makers Balaclava Kid & Dad, Arrows Of Love and Parakeet at the Hog In Armour, and Arhai, George Ezra and Kamilla Lovett at St Lawrence Church.

? A few tickets are still available for The Fall and Undertones are on sale priced �20 adv/�22 on the door, 01603 660352 www.norwichartscentre.co.uk

www.norwichsoundandvision.co.uk

www.epic-tv.com

johnpeelcentreforcreativearts.co.uk