A FREE afternoon of live music is not what you would expect to be booming out of HMV on a Saturday afternoon.

But, in Carlisle, the store manager has plans to give Cumbrian musicians the chance to play and sell their albums in the high street shop.

Celebrating national album day Russ Withey couldn’t contain his enthusiasm for music as he explained the new venture the store is part of.

Russ, the manager, said: “I love music, I wouldn’t be doing the job I do if I didn’t.

“To be able to introduce people to new music that is on their own doorstep is amazing.

“It’s something extra we can offer we have a few more lined up, it gives the bands a platform to perform and more chances for them to get signed and heard.

“For the bands it gives them a chance to play their music more, to sell their music in a store and let everybody hear their music.

“This year we have worked with Kendal Calling and it’s something we’re trying to do more of.

“We hope to get more involved with smaller festivals and we’re working with venues in the area to show off the talent we have.

“I love what we do, it gives us all a buzz having local bands play in the store, it gets people in gets people smiling.”

Trying to keep the line ups new and exciting Russ said: “Any band who want to approach us locally, we’re looking for new bands all the time, we’re even looking for one to play on Saturday.”

The group would have to play their music for the store to approve and they are expected to provide the CDs and the team at the store will help to sell their music to the masses.

For only the second time the group Toothfish played live to an audience. The band haven’t been together that long but are overwhelmed that they are able to sell their music in such a large store.

Rhys McCubbin, 32, lead singer for the band Toothfish, said: “We have been together for just over a year and this is our second live performance.

“It’s really strange being able to play in HMV, it’s wild that we can sell our music in the store. I have been in other bands that have released records and they were never sold in HMV.

“I hope it does help local music, it’s meant to be fun, you don’t get into music thinking you’re going to make money from it, you get into music for the love of it.”

Saturday 26 we have Brocken Spectre launching their album in store