A PAIR of young entrepreneurs have won backing for Sussex’s first heavy metal festival while in their final year of university.

Friends Stefan Curzon-Price and Becky Weatherley, both 21, started working on the festival alongside their studies last year.

After putting together an impressive business plan the pair have secured a stellar metal line-up and backing from Love Supreme financiers Ingenius Media.

Acts at the 5,000 capacity Breakout Festival include Funeral For A Friend, The Qemists, Skindred, INME and IDIOM, and will appear at Brighton Racecourse on Saturday, September 27.

There is no similar event in Sussex with large venues not supporting metal performances – despite its massive popularity, as shown by Metallica’s popular headline slot at Glastonbury.

The business partners have previously worked on Rock the House, a Parliamentary music event founded by Becky’s dad, former pop professional, Iron Maiden fan and Hove MP Mike Weatherley.

Stefan, a final year music production student at the University of Brighton’s Eastbourne campus, said: “There’s been a lot of positive reception about it coming to Brighton, especially now we’ve announced the line-up “Even when I was a lot younger it always stuck out that Brighton was missed out of the metal touring circuit.

“So there’s definitely a gap in the market for it – that’s been proven from the response we’ve had.”

“A lot of venues aren’t interested in metal. It’s becoming more acceptable but it will always be out on its own.”

Of Becky’s well-known father he added: “He’s been very inspirational for both of us and very good for support.

“But he has sat back and let us get on with it.”

Craig Jennings, of Raw Power Management, said: “It's set to be a great festival and I am looking forward to hearing some rock crash against the Brightonian shores.”

Seven Webster, of 7pm Management and manager of Skindred, said: “As a resident of Brighton it’s great to see a proper rock-metal festival launching to cater for the heavier genres of music.

“I see it as something that’s often overlooked and it’s time to see Brighton rock again, especially with such a great array of talented rock acts coming out of the city, like Royal Blood, The Qemists and Shrine and Collisions.”

Early bird tickets are on sale for £29.50 at musicglue.com/breakoutfestival/

For more information go to breakoutfestival.co.uk