10 acts who performed in Preston BEFORE they were famous
There are more than you might think!
We already know about a lot of famous people who were born in the Red Rose County - Lancashire, including Wallace and Gromit animator Nick Park, and Liberty X singer Jessica Taylor.
However, did you know that a whole host of people who are very well-known now played in Preston before they were famous, with everyone from the amazing Ed Sheeran, who was desperate for a shower and a cuppa, to Calvin Harris, who had a pint thrown at him, and the Spice Girls who delighted their growing fan base in Avenham Park.
Check out the full list of acts who performed in Preston BEFORE they were famous:
Calvin Harris
He might be a BRIT Award winner now, but many years ago, just as he was starting out, Calvin Harris performed at 53 Degrees, the Student Union venue at the University of Central Lancashire.
Calvin later reminisced about his first gig in the city telling us backstage at T in The Park, "I got pelted with a pint that day, I remember it well!"
However, despite that unfortunate welcome, Calvin did say that 53 Degrees "was a great venue".
Luckily being pelted by a beer didn't put the superstar DJ off Preston as he later returned a couple of times to perform in the city.
Rihanna
Back in 2007, Rihanna was on the cusp of becoming a mega star in the music industry with her hit 'Umbrella' reigning at the top of the charts, for weeks on end, but before that she performed in Preston's Moor Park.
Ed Sheeran
We all know how successful Ed Sheeran is now, but back in 2011, the 'Perfect' singer was about to take to the stage in the Mad Ferret on Flyde Road.
Tweeting his fans, Ed asked if anyone could give him a cup of tea and a shower, in exchange for a tune! Seems unbelievable now!
Later that year he had several Top 10 singles.
David Guetta
Admittedly David Guetta had released plenty of singles before he performed at a festival on Moor Park in 2007, but it wasn't until 'When Love Takes Over' featuring Kelly Rowland, in 2009, that his career really started to take off.
Since then, the super star DJ has has many Number 1 singles, many of them collaborations, with the likes of Zara Larsson, Justin Bieber and Sia - 'This One's For You', '2U' and 'Flames', to name just a few.
Spice Girls
They're about to go on tour again this year, across the UK, but it was back in 1996, when the Spice Girls were just starting out, that they first performed in Preston's Avenham Park.
Taking to the stage, Mel B, Mel C, Victoria, Emma and Geri entertained the crowds with their debut single 'Wannabe'.
Melanie Chisholm then returned to Preston in 2018, where she performed a DJ set on the Flag Market.
Dizzee Rascal
At the moment Dizzee Rascal appears in a TV advert, but he's had a popular career as a rapper, including hit singles, 'Dance wiv Me', 'Bonkers' and 'Holiday'.
However, a few months before his success at the top of the charts, in February 2008, Dizzee was in Preston to perform songs from his 'Maths + English' album.
The 1975
The 1975 have had three Number 1 albums in the UK, including, 'The 1975', 'Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It', and 'A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships'.
Before they had success with their first album, and songs such as 'The Sound', The 1975 performed at UCLan's 53 Degrees in 2013.
Biffy Clyro
Scottish rock band Biffy Clyro are known for their Top 10 hits, 'Mountains' and 'Many of Horror', but before they became popular in 2008, they performed a few times in Preston.
Back in 2003, they performed at The Mill, later returning for a gig at 53 Degrees and again at a one day festival on Moor Park.
Oasis
Back in the mid-90s Oasis were just beginning to become popular and it was in December 1993 that the band first performed in Preston's club The Mill, supporting The Verve.
They later returned to Preston in the summer of 1994, performing in Preston's Avenham Park as part of their 'Definitely Maybe' tour.
The Beatles
The Liverpool band first performed at Preston Public Hall, now 1842, also known as the Corn Exchange, back in 1962, after 'Love Me Do' was released and before Beatlemania hit.
As this list shows, you never know who you might see performing in Preston, before they're famous! If you can think of any other artists who have performed in Preston in their early days let us know.
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