Summertime comes around and so does the huge list of festivals and events in and around the city. To help you distinguish your Creamfields from your Fyre Festival I’ve popped together a roundup of all the best events in the North West. Many still have tickets available too!
Liverpool Sound City 2017
Thursday 25th to Sunday 28th May 2017
Sound City has been in Liverpool for 10 years now and it looks to be bigger and better than ever. This year also sees it move to Clarence Dock – presumably to provide more space for break dancing.
Line Up
The Human League, Metronomy, The Kooks, White Lies, Art of Noise, A Certain Ratio,
John Cale, Fat White Family, Wild Beasts, Gruff Rhys, Clinic, Nadine Shah, The Kills,
The Kills, Slaves, Peaches, The Hunna, Carl Barat & The Jackals, Pumarosa, Fickle Friends, Milburn, She Drew The Gun, Cabbage, The Sherlocks, The Vryll Society.
Tickets
Saturday/Sunday Day Tickets – £35, Full Weekend Tickets – £65
Clarence Dock, Liverpool, Merseyside, L3 0AN
https://www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk/
Dot to Dot Festival 2017
Friday 26th May 2017
Taking place at various venues around the city – Dot to Dot hopes to showcase up and coming bands and DJs from the UK and further afield. It’s a bit of a joint event – with acts shared between Manchester, Bristol and Nottingham over 3 days.
Line-up
Sundara Karma, Amber Run, The Growlers, Louis Berry, Honeyblood, Pinegrove, Cherry Glazerr, Tom Grennan, Picture This, Alaskalaska, All We Are.
Tickets
There are still some tickets available and they cost £13.20. You can buy them from here.
Various Venues, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 5NQ
http://www.dottodotfestival.co.uk/
Positive Vibration – Festival of Reggae
Friday 9th to Saturday 10th June 2017
With a programme consisting of live music, art exhibitions, creative workshops, child-friendly activities, markets and loads of Caribbean food and drink, Positive Vibration is a massive party celebrating Reggae music and Jamaican heritage.
Line Up
The Selecter, Scientist, Don Letts, Channel One, Aba Shanti-I, Reggae Roast, Earl Gateshead, MC Brother Culture, Vibronics, Dennis Bovell, I-mitri CounterAction, Sir Coxsone Outernational Sound System, Saxon Sound System, DJ Andy Smith, Prince Fatty, Horseman, Dubmatix & Charlie P, Soul Jazz Records Sound System, New Town Kings, The Hempolics.
Tickets
Tickets are priced at £26 for both days, or £16 either Friday or Saturday. They can be bought here.
Baltic Triangle, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 0BS
Parklife Weekender
Saturday 10th to Sunday 11th June 2017
Tickets for Parklife are now sold out but if you managed to get yourself one beforehand – then you’re in for a treat at this massive weekend party. Since moving from Platt Fields a few years ago it just keeps getting bigger and bigger.
Line Up
The 1975, Frank Ocean, Boy Better Know, Jess Glynne, Two Door Cinema Club, Fatboy Slim, Carl Cox, Damian Marley, London Grammar, Flying Lotus, George Ezra, Chaka Khan, Eric Prydz, Andy C, and loads more including the brilliant Elrow stage.
Tickets
SOLD OUT but I’m pretty sure if you head on down to Heaton Park those dodgy ticket touts will sort you out. Or look on Gumtree on the Friday before – there’s usually plenty of people who decide they can’t go.
Heaton Park, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M25 2SW
https://parklife.uk.com/
Sounds Of the City
Friday 30th June to Saturday 8th July 2017
Castlefield Bowl hosts Sounds of the City featuring plenty of bands from Manchester and strangely enough quite a few that aren’t. I don’t think the name is to be taken too literally to be fair. The gigs are spread out over 2 weekends – so pick someone you like and head to that one.
Line Up
Richard Ashcroft, Haçienda Classical, Arcade Fire, James, Blossoms plus special guests The Coral, Rory Wynne and Touts, A Beautiful Day Out featuring The Levellers performing “Levelling The Land”, The Waterboys + Billy Bragg, Dreadzone.
Tickets
Tickets are still available and start from about £25. You can get them from here.
Castlefield Bowl, Liverpool Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 4JR
Beat-Herder
Friday 14th to Sunday 16th July 2017
Beat-Herder is a ‘Boutique’ festival which offers something a bit different from the mainstream mega-festivals you can find yourself in. They have no involvement with large corporations, and don’t receive any sponsorship – they are proud to be a truly independent festival. I don’t have a clue what they mean by ’boutique’ but the line-up is pretty decent.
Line Up
Sleaford Mods, Crystal Fighters, Kelis, Trentemoller, Toots And The Maytals, David Rodigan, Lee Scratch Perry, Milky Chance, Romare, The Sugarhill Gang Ft Melle Mel & Scorpio, Adrian Sherwood, Dub Pistols, Factory Floor, Stereo MC’s, and more
Tickets
Still available from https://tickets.beatherder.co.uk/ and start at £145 for an adult ticket.
Ribble Valley, Sawley, Gisburn, Lancashire, BB7 4LF
http://beatherder.co.uk/
Liverpool International Music Festival 2017
Thursday 20th to Sunday 23rd July 2017
This festival replaced the legendary Mathew Street Festival which used to take place throughout Liverpool every August Bank Holiday. Luckily, this new version is pretty good – featuring a wide range of artists and performances for all the family.
Line Up
DJ Spoony will present a UK Garage Classical with the backing of a 40-piece orchestra. Also performing over the weekend will be Gorgon City, Corinne Bailey Rae, Katy B (Dj Set), Naughty Boy, Cast, Jax Jones, Fleur East, Jp Cooper, Fuse Odg, Tieks and many more.
Tickets
The festival takes place throughout the city centre and is a FREE event.
Various Venues, Liverpool, Merseyside, L17 1AF
http://www.limfestival.com/
Macclesfield Festival
Saturday 22nd July 2017
This is a pretty new festival which takes place at Macclesfield RUFC and has been arranged and organised by local residents. Running from 10am ’til 8pm the festival is pretty family friendly but then there’s also an After party if you want to carry on the banter afterwards. The Motown and Northern Soul line up looks excellent!
Line Up
Macclesfield Rocks: The Brand New Heavies, The Farm, Dodgy, The New Breed, Manchester Ska Foundation, Dandelion Rose
Yesterday’s Dance Tent: Jason Herd, Alan Hartley, David Dunne, JayC, Nev Johnson, Dave Ellis, Lee Crank, Chris Anslow
House Anthems: Rob Thurston, DJ Absolute, Matt Lawn
Motown + Northern Soul: Tony Shawcross, Soul Boutique, Mark Grice, Chris Box ,DJ Swing
Tickets
Tickets are £13.75 Adult / £7.15 Child and can be bought from here.
Priory Park, Priory Lane, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 4AF
http://www.macclesfieldfestival.co.uk/
Kendal Calling
Thursday 27th to Sunday 30th July 2017
Kendal Calling has consistently provided a brilliant weekend for the last 12 years to anyone willing to get on up there and pitch a tent on their lovely grounds. You can always expect plenty of Manchester acts to pop their head up around here, but there’s even more this year with some proper big boys (and girls) getting involved.
Line Up
Franz Ferdinand, Stereophonics, Manic Street Preachers, Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls, Tinie Tempah, Brian Wilson performs Pet Sounds, British Sea Power, Feeder, MarthaFunn, Catherine McGrath, The Rhythm Method and many more.
Tickets
I’ve just had a look now and this year they have SOLD OUT! How annoying! They are selling tickets for 2018 here though – although without any knowledge of the line-up – seems a bit pointless.
Lowther Deer Park, Hackthorpe, Cumbria, CA10 2HN
http://www.kendalcalling.co.uk/
Festwich
Saturday 29th July – Sunday 30th July
Located in St Mary’s Park in Prestwich, Festwich proclaims to be the UK’s biggest free tribute festival – and they’re probably not wrong. Spread over two days, the Saturday is for the rockers while the Sunday is for the pop crew. If the line-up was the real people it would probably be the best festival in the world.
Line Up
The Prodigy, Slipknot, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Rage against the Machine, Motorhead, AC-DC, Van Halen, Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy
Arctic Monkeys, David Bowie, The Cure, Madness, Stereophonics, The Killers, Noel Gallagher, The Police, Kings of Leon, Daft Punk, Happy Mondays, The Ramones, Pearl Jam, Elvis Presley, Joy Division
Tickets
This bad boy is FREE!
Saint Mary’s Park, Prestwich, Manchester M25 1GG
festwich.com
Lytham Festival 2017
Wednesday 2nd to Sunday 6th August 2017
Everyone loves the seaside and you can’t get more seaside than Blackpool and it’s surrounding areas. One such area is Lytham St Annes, which prides itself on being considerably posher and more middle class than neighbouring Blackpool – and as such they have set themselves up a big festival to celebrate.
Line Up
Olly Murs, Louisa Johnson, Haçienda Classical, The Human League, Midge Ure, Madness and more.
Tickets
Spread over various venues throughout St Annes, ‘The Pass’ gives you access to all 5 days for £175, while specific act/day tickets come in between £30 – £50 depending on who you’re watching and how many teenagers have bought tickets.
Lytham Green, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, FY8 5LB
https://www.lythamfestival.com/
Hope & Glory
Saturday 5th to Sunday 6th August 2017
Another newbie to the festival line-up this year is Hope & Glory in Liverpool and these geezers have definitely been spending the bunce on marketing – their posters are everywhere. I suppose they want to advertise their line up to as many people as possible – it’s pretty decent – you can expect pretty much every band from 2005 to turn up and play their hit(s).
Line Up
James, Hacienda Classical with special guests Shaun Ryder & Bez, Razorlight, The Fratellis, Starsailor, Ocean Colour Scene, Tom Chaplin, Reverend and the Makers, The Twang, The Shimmer Band, The Blinders, Coquin Migale and Vynce with many more.
Tickets
Adult weekend tickets cost £89 with day-by-day tickets coming to £49.50. You can buy them right here.
William Brown Street, St George’s Quarter, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 1JJ
http://hopeandgloryfestival.co.uk/
Rochdale Feel Good Festival
Friday 11th – Saturday 12th August
Ahh good old Rochdale. Every year we expect them to pull some quality acts out of their hat for the annual Feel Good Festival and usually they manage to deliver. This year it’s Razorlight, where they will most likely be playing those 2 songs that they had out around 2006. Did I also mention that it’s FREE?!
Line Up
Razorlight, Baked A La Ska, The Karpets (Inspiral Carpets tribute),The Bright Black, Honeyfeet, Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band, Delphina Kings
Tickets
As mentioned above – the event is free – all you need to do is get on a tram and head to Rochdale. The main stage is located right outside the lovely Town Hall, and there are plenty of street food vendors and pubs right next door.
Rochdale Town Hall, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AB
http://www.rochdale.gov.uk/feelgoodfestival
Cotton Clouds
Saturday 12th August 2017
Brand new one this, and one which is close to my heart because it’s in Oldham and that’s where I’m from. I must explain though that the Festival is held in Saddleworth which is the proper posh part of Oldham – not the rough area where I’m from. Saddleworth is bloody beautiful so you can experience the nicer side of the town while watching some belting music.
Line Up
The Coral, The Sugarhill Gang, Nick Heyward, The Whip, Pins, Everly Pregnant Brothers, The Rhythm Method, The Sundowners, Clint Boon, Cupids, Gareth Brooks, Howling Rhythm & The Howling Horns plus more.
Tickets
Day tickets for fully grown humans is £42.90, while children are £22. There’s Three stages, street food, a real ale tent, kids activities and loads more things going on so that’s pretty good value – especially if The Coral do that one song of theirs.
Saddleworth Cricket Club, Well-I-Hole Rd, Greenfield, Oldham OL3 7HY
http://www.cottoncloudsfestival.com/
Creamfields
Thursday 24th to Sunday 27th August 2017
Most people have heard of Creamfields – it’s that mental clubbing festival in a huge field near Warrington where everyone goes absolutely ape-shit to robot clanging noises with lasers in the background. Massive line up this year including everyone’s favourite metal headed rodent – Deadmau5.
Line Up
Deadmau5, Armin Van Buuren, Chase & Status, Eats Everything, Eric Prydz, Faithless, Fatboy Slim, Gorgon City, Idris Elba, Paul Van Dyk, Pendulum, Pete Tong, Sasha, Tiesto plus LOADS MORE!
Tickets
Tickets are £210 per Adult for 3 days camping but there are loads of options available. Head on over to Skiddle to have a look and buy your ticket.
Daresbury Estate, Halton, Cheshire, WA4 4AR
www.creamfields.com/
Moovin Festival
Friday 25th to Sunday 27th August 2017
Named ‘Moo’-vin Festival probably because it takes place on a farm – this looks set to be pretty decent and probably the best thing you can do in Stockport this Summer.
Line Up
Roy Ayers, Black Grape, Roni Size, Gilles Peterson, 808 State, Mad Professor, Mr Scruff, Gentleman’s Dub Club, Crazy P, Jazzanova (Dj Set), The Freestylers, The Mouse Outfit, Riot Jazz and many more.
Tickets
You can buy a weekend ticket for £65 and add camping on there for an additional £15. Tickets can be bought here.
Whitebottom Farm, Etherow Park, Compstall, Stockport, SK6 5JQ
http://www.moovinfestival.com/
Manchester Pride
Friday 25th to Monday 28th August 2017
The highlight of Manchester’s yearly calendar, well in BB’s eyes anyway, Manchester Pride closes off the Gay Village, sets up some stages and proceeds to have the biggest party of the year. It’s always fun and there’s always some old school 90’s washed-up pop act to watch which drinking copious bottles of Blue WKD.
Line Up
Mel C off of the Spice Girls, Louisa Johnson, Saara Aalto, Gok Wan DJ Set, Faithless DJ Set, Simian Mobile Disco DJ Set plus more.
Tickets
You can buy day tickets for £16.50 or Full Weekend ones for £22.50. They can be bought here.
Manchester’s Gay Village, Canal Street, Manchester, M1 3HE
http://festival.manchesterpride.com/
Fusion Festival 2017
Saturday 2nd to Sunday 3rd September 2017
Another biggie down Merseyside way and this one is conveniently set out just before you have to go back to Uni or school or whatever it is that you do after the six-weeks’ holiday. Now in its 4th year you can expect some pop juggernauts to bowl in, dance all sexily, take some pics for Instagram and leave.
Line Up
Little Mix, Take That, The Vamps, Tinie Tempah, Ella Henderson, Louisa Johnson, JP Cooper and plenty more apparently.
Tickets
They go on sale on Friday 2nd June at 9am. It won’t tell me how much they are so that probably means that they haven’t decided yet.
Otterspool Park and Promenade, Liverpool, Merseyside, L17 5AY
https://thefusionfestival.co.uk/
Head for the Hills
Friday 15th to Sunday 17th September 2017
Formerly Ramsbottom Festival, they’ve had a pretty extensive list of brilliant past performers throughout their 7 years and although the name has changed, you can expect the usual high-jinx and music that you’ve experienced before. Get yourself on the steam train there too – it makes you feel like you’re on your way to Hogwarts. With Cider.
Line Up
Maximo Park, Beth Orton, The Stranglers, Alexis Taylor, Dutch Uncles, Neville Staple Band, Skinny Lister and plenty more.
Tickets
Full Festival tickets are now £72 per adult which gives you access to every day, whereas Single Day tickets are £33. IF you want to do some camping over the weekend, there is a charge of £40 per tent which includes car parking. Nightly pitches cost £15.
Ramsbottom Cricket Club, Ramsbottom, Bury, Lancashire, BL0 0AT
headforthehillsfest.com/
