875-year-old Lancaster Castle tower to host live music gigs for first time

The oldest part of Lancaster Castle will open for a weekend of gigs for the first time in its 875-year history.

The Keep, a four-storey Norman tower built in around 1150, will be the location for two days of live music headlined by Lancaster duo The Lovely Eggs.

Gig-goers will have the chance to see inside this historic location, as it opens to the public for the first time in recent times.

Known as 'The Secret Weekender', the shows will be part of the four-day 'Love Lancaster Live' event which is standing in this year for Lancaster Music Festival.

The Keep is the oldest and most commanding element of Lancaster Castle.

Also known as the Lungess Tower, The Keep is 20 metres high and with a shallow buttress at each corner and halfway along each side. Its outer walls are about three metres thick, and it is divided internally by a central wall into two rooms on each floor.

The upper storey of the Keep was rebuilt in the reign of Elizabeth I in 1585.

It was out of use after the closure of the former prison in 2012, but then underwent major repair and restoration work.

'The Secret Weekender' will be presented by city venue Kanteena.

It starts at 7pm on Friday October 10, with the Eggs - couple Holly and David Blackwell (below) - performing, as part of their 20th anniversary celebrations as a band.

Image credit: The Lovely Eggs

They will be supported by Paddy Steer, Thick Richard and DJ Sie Norfolk with another act to be confirmed.

Then on Saturday, there will be music from Jane Weaver, Dean McPhee and Dull.

Find out more about The Secret Weekender HERE.

AND read more about Love Lancaster Live, which runs from Thursday October 9 to Sunday October 12 at various city venues, below.

'Love Lancaster Live' music festival set to be "monster of an event" - Beyond Radio