BANDS and budding solo artists are being encouraged to show off their talents by the new managers at a Stourbridge venue.

Mark and Emma Weaver at The Garibaldi, Cross Street, are looking to build on the pubs reputation for hosting live music events by giving new faces their chance to wow the crowds in the 100-person capacity room at the rear of the pub.

Mark and Emma recently took over running the pub full-time but were already familiar faces to regulars having worked at the pub since January.

Emma's father, John Knight, is a popular figure on the Stourbridge music scene, both as an entertainer in his own right and as former long-time landlord of the Mitre, Lower High Street, where many well-known Stourbridge acts played early gigs.

Mark said: "We have a full PA with a sound engineer, people can turn up with their gear and play.

"People at this venue actually watch artists rather than talk while music plays in the background and we want to get some young talent in here to play.

"There is more to Stourbridge than just the town centre, we see music as a big side to the pubs development."

For more information contact Mark on 01384 373390.