COTTON CLOUDS COME ROLLING IN
APICTURESQUE hillside setting, a line up packed with established and emerging acts and a family-friendly, village vibe - is it any wonder festivalgoers fell for the charms of Cotton Clouds at its sold out debut last year?
Such was the clamour for its return that the boutique music festival has now expanded to two days, returning to Greenfield Cricket Club in Saddleworth on Friday August 17 and Saturday August 18.
Guitar pop veterans The Lightning Seeds headline the main stage on Friday night, raising the roof with hits like Pure, Change, Lucky You, The Life of Riley and Three Lions (too soon?), while disco legends Sister Sledge top the bill on Saturday, armed with an arsenal of chartconquering, era defining tunes like We Are Family, Lost in Music and He’s The Greatest Dancer.
Joining Ian Broudie and co on Friday night’s bill will be Leeds lads The Pigeon Detectives, a joint outing from Jurassic 5 rapper Chali 2NA and breakbeat producer Krafty Kuts, Mercury Prize-winning Mancunian alt-folk artist Badly Drawn Boy and rising stars Cavana.
Saturday will see performances from Wigan four-piece Starsailor, who made their return with All This Life last year, postBritpoppers Toploader, indie pop queens Scarlet, former Catfish & The Bottlemen guitarist Billy Bibby with his latest band The Wry Smiles, Scruff of the Neck records’ latest signees Freeda and 13-year-old singer-songwriter Tom Mouse Smith, who became an internet sensation last year when he rejected Simon Cowell’s invitation to appear on Britain’s Got Talent.
The Tim Peaks Diner, endorsed by The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess, will also be back on the Saturday to host the hottest up and coming acts and headliners of tomorrow.
Among them will be Halifax garage rock trio The Orielles, topping the tent with cuts from their rapturously received new album Silver Dollar Moment, along with London quintet Average Sex, Richard Youngs, Fuzzy Sun, Trampolene, Deja Vega, The Mysterines and The Recreation.
A second satellite stage, The Spinning Room, will showcase the funk-fuelled madness of The Allergies along with sets from Hyde Park Brass, The Ks, The 99 Degree, The Salford Jets, Afghan Sand Gang, South Island Son and Ambiere.
Away from the music there’ll be a real ale tent serving Donkeystone Brewery beers made less than 2km from the festival site - and a selection of street food stalls to tempt every taste.
There will be plenty to keep the kids entertained too, with family-friendly activities on Saturday including drumming workshops, lantern making and an evening carnival procession featuring huge puppets, dancers, drummers and a fire breathing dragon.
The festival was founded last year by Rick and Max Lees, the brothers behind indie band Twisted Wheel and funk and soul club night Howling Rhythm, together with local music enthusiast Luke Stanley.
Tickets are on sale now priced at £27.50 for the Friday (opening times 5pm to 10pm), £49.50 for the Saturday (noon to 10pm) and £70 for the weekend, from cottonclouds festival.ticketline.co.uk. Camping is available at Well-i-hole Farm nearby at an additional cost. Visit well-iholefarm.co.uk for more information.