Y Not promises ‘most exciting line-up yet’
BIG NAMES ANNOUNCED AS PIKEHALL FESTIVAL GETS SET TO BOUNCE BACK NEXT YEAR
ORGANISERS of the homegrown Y Not Festival say they hope 2022 will be the year they can finally bounce back after two years of having to put the award-winning event on ice.
The Pikehall music festival, which blossomed into one of the biggest independent festivals in the country after starting life as a house party in Ashbourne, will celebrate its 15th anniversary next summer, and a long list of big-hitting acts has already been announced for its return.
Set to take place from July 29 to 31, celebrated live acts Courteeners and Blossoms are among the headliners announced by the festival, with more artists are to be announced.
Tickets have now gone on sale and the tier one weekend tickets are close to selling out, says managing director Jason Oakley.
The former Queen Elizabeths Grammar School pupil said: “We are so delighted to be announcing the first wave of our 2022 line up after what has been an incredibly challenging two years for live music, and especially for so many other independent festivals.
“We are proud to present our line up and to welcome everyone back to Y Not Festival for the celebration we all deserve.
“We’ll be bringing our most exciting line-up yet with two explosive headliners, Courtneers and Blossoms, as well as some of the UK’S next generation of headliners like Jade Bird, Pale Waves, Nothing But Thieves, Sports Team and so many more big names and returning headliners to come.
“We will see you next year.”
The festival has been forced to cancel for two years running now, as the pandemic’s restrictions prevented large gatherings from going ahead.
But Jason says the family-friendly event is more than ready to bring back its favourite features, including a fully stocked bar of local ales, a selection of food and live music from some of the biggest names in the business.
Other acts announced so far include Sleaford Mods, Pale Waves, Sundara Karma, Sports Team, Gabrielle, Eve, Jade Bird, Beans On Toast, Alfie Templemen, Vistas, Larkins, Giant Rooks, Airways, Lauran Hibberd and The Lancashire Hotpots.
But many fans will be lured to the Pikehall site by Saturday headliner, Manchester rock band Courteeners, who have released an impressive six top 10 albums since its big-hitter St Jude in 2008.
And Blossoms will return to Y Not for their first headline performance on The Big Gin stage on Sunday night.
“The Manchester quintet broke through in 2016 with their selftitled debut record, which earned them a Mercury Prize nomination the following year.
Blossoms frontman Tom Ogden says, “We can’t wait to headline next year.
“Y Not was the first festival I ever went to in 2012, so to be back there headlining is really quite surreal. “It’s going to be a very special night.”
To find out more, or to order tickets, visit www.ynotfestival.com