A RECORD store is opening its doors and its shelves to unsigned bands and artists in a bid to help them boost their exposure and land their big brake.

HMV’s Bury store is preparing to launch a series of live music events featuring some of the hottest talents from across the borough and Greater Manchester as part of its Live and Local campaign.

Kicking off the seven show run are Bury and Bolton psychedelic indie rockers Fragile Audio who will be performing from 4.30pm on October 5.

Also lined up to play over the following six weeks are Bolton singer songwriter James Holt, Wilmslow-based artist Jay Dunn, Bury and Bolton surf rock punks Adventures of Salvador & Uke Punk, Oldham indie band The Recreation, Manchester teenage multi-instrumentalist Cobain Jones and Bury jangle pop five-piece Hurray For Tuesday.

Steve Toolan, HMV Bury store manager, said: “Saturday will be our very first live gig. We are only a small shop so it’s going to be interesting.

“For us it’s something different we have never done before and for the bands that are playing it’s an opportunity for them to get out there and hopefully get more of a following.”

The chain’s nationwide Live and Local campaign was kickstarted earlier this year with the retailer teaming up with smaller artists looking to grow their fanbase and get signed.

It gives bands the opportunity to have their CDs put on sale inside HMV stores which then also play the bands’ music and promote them via their social media channels.

Bury’s outlet is currently stocking CDs from eight different artists, which have seen dozens of purchases, and has plans to soon add another four to the roster.

Steve added: “These bands don’t have a deal or distribution so the only way they can sell their music is online and at gigs. So we are trying to get them out there and play them in our stores so people can hear them.”

So far the Live and Local campaign has seen a great response across the UK with fans packing out stores for shows and some smaller artists become best sellers across HMV outlets.

Some artists’ sets have also been filmed and shared online.

A HMV spokesman said: “Live and Local is a great way for us to recognise and support music from the ground up because everyone starts somewhere, and we want people to see us as relevant and share our passion.

“It is proving really popular up and down the country and we have had really good feedback from musicians and artists who really appreciate the support.

“We’re not saying we’re going to change the world but it’s about being supportive and relevant.”

For more details visit twitter.com/hmvBury.