It’s a new year and a new start for a former music festival, who will host a former chart-topping group in a brand new venue.

UK rock and pop group Toploader are being brought back to the Isle of Man by the organisers of the Deep South Festival on Saturday, April 24, from 7pm.

Having held their last weekend festival of music and entertainment in July 2017, the Deep South brand is to be resurrected by organiser Chris Carr in a new format.

Instead of holding one three-day festival, Chris is organising a series of music concerts throughout the summer in Tower House, Castle Street, Douglas.

First on the list of groups to play will be Toploader, who previously played on the island during the 2002 TT festival at the Bowl.

Toploader are famed for their chart-topping single, ’Dancing In The Moonlight’, released in the year 2000, followed by their popular hit album ’Onka’s Big Moka’.

The group, who reformed in 2009, will be on tour to commemorate the album’s 20th anniversary.

There are more big name, UK acts to be announced in the coming weeks.

Chris said that he was moved to hold more events under the Deep South banner to help support mental health charities and to raise awareness of suicide rates in the island.

’We were all shocked when we discovered the tragedy that a couple of youngsters, who were closely linked with the Deep South festival, had taken their own lives over the past couple of years,’ said Chris.

’It was obvious that this illness is easily over looked and had to be addressed and we believe through music we can raise awareness in 2020.

’There is a real connection between music and mental health, and we thought that there isn’t a better medium suited to helping to spread awareness.’

Chris believes that Tower House is an exciting choice of band venue.

’With a capacity of just under 300 people, Tower House has an amphitheatre-type layout and it ticked all the boxes that we wanted.

’We want to produce an immersive experience for both artiste and patron, where everybody feels part of the event.’

Tickets for Toploader are priced between £21.50 and £30 for an elevated view, available from ticketor.com/towerhouse