Tribute to talented performer

Acoustic Daze’s Sunday event will be held in memory of musician Andy Banks, who died after falling into a grate in Heckmondwike on January 2.

Organiser John Hetherington said: “Andy started coming down about a year ago – he came to most of them.

“He hadn’t performed by himself before so he found his stage confidence playing by himself there. I think that was his aim in coming. There are lots of people who come to play at Acoustic Daze who knew Andy.

“The event on February 3 is somewhere for anybody to come and play a bit for him.”

The local music scene has been rocked by Andy’s death.

He was well known throughout North Kirklees, playing with bands such as Eric the Viaduct and Ship of Fools.

Many tributes were paid to Andy, with friends describing him as ‘one of life’s nice guys’ and ‘a true gent’.

The father-of-two had a lifelong passion for music and art, and had opened rehearsals rooms in Bradford Road. He was also a member of Dewsbury Socialist Society.

Sunday’s music night is at the Swan pub, Bradford Road, Liversedge, from 3pm. It will feature acoustic acts and vinyl interludes, and collection will be taken for charity.