UP-and-coming North-East boy band X-Poze will help launch The Northern Echo's new music website today.

Revolution is going live to coincide with the first Sound Trak festival, at the Shildon Stadium, County Durham, today.

It will offer news, reviews, interviews and gig guides, for both fans and bands.

Musicians will also have the chance to build and maintain their own free website through the Echo's Communigate scheme.

New media editor Sarah Andrews said yesterday: "Revolution is an exciting opportunity to give local bands and artists a presence on the worldwide web."

X-Poze consists of two Popstars hopefuls, Stuart Pawley and Joseph McLean, Chris Park, who appeared as Adam Ant on Stars in their Eyes, and Ben Bangura, a former NHS fraud investigator.

The band were brought together by Stuart's brother, Andrew, a butcher in Stanley, County Durham, who is now their manager.

Before performing at Sound Trak, the boys will call at Caf Gulp, next to The Northern Echo's offices in Darlington, to view the Revolution pages.

Also appearing at the Sound Trak event will be a host of local bands, including The Force and The Rye. The day will be hosted by Paul Danan, who plays Sol in the TV soap Hollyoaks, and presenters from TFM.

There will be fairground rides and refreshments.

Tickets cost £5, and are selling fast. Some are still available, on 0800 0430925, or from Shildon Sunnydale Leisure Centre, on (01388) 777340. under-14s need to be accompanied by an adult.

l Revolution can be found at www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/revolution, while more details about X-Poze are available at www.x-poze.co.uk