The Feel Good factor returns
ONE of Rochdale borough’s biggest festivals returns this weekend with another packed programme of music, food and family fun.
Taking over the town on Saturday August 10, the Rochdale Feel Good Festival is headlined by The Coral who top a bill packed with established and emerging acts.
This year’s festival also features a food and drink village showcasing the best of the north west alongside cuisine from around the world, as well as a family zone with entertainment for kids of all ages. Best of all, it’s all free. Councillor Janet Emsley, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, community and culture said: “I am so pleased with this year’s line-up, another great mix of live music, feel good family activities, food and drink.
“A mix of international talent and local artists both on the main stage and in our indoor venues which are well worth checking out.
“A lot of hard work goes into organising and staging this fantastic festival and I hope once again people will show their support for the event and our town centre by coming along.”
In the music line up, The Coral will headline the main stage on Saturday night. The Wirral band burst into the charts in 2002 with their blend of Merseybeat and ska-pop, typified on singles like
Dreaming of You.
Since their Mercurynominated self-titled debut they’ve gone on to release eight more albums, including last year’s critically-acclaimed Move Through the Dawn.
They’ll be joined by The Hoosiers , who made their name with debut single Worried About Ray in 2007, from their number one album The Trick to Life.
They released their greatest hits compilation this year, taking in tracks from their four previous studio albums.
Manchester five-piece Alias Kid will also make an appearance. Snapped up by music mogul Alan McGee, the man who famously discovered Oasis, the group released debut album Revolt to Revolt in 2015 and have toured with the likes of the Happy Mondays, Black Grape and The Enemy, as well as headlining their own sold-out show at Manchester’s Deaf Institute earlier this year.
Festival-goers can also look forward to Northern Soul classics from Lancashire nine-piece The Northern Soultrain, soulful pop from singer Ione, Caribbean-tinged indie from The Curious Incident, country rock from Between The Vines and melodic folk from Megan Dixon-Hood.
There’ll also be a family-friendly lunchtime show from CBeebies favourite Mr Bloom and his band.
Stage times have yet to be confirmed but the music will be on between 12.30pm and 10.30pm.
There’ll be more live music at Empire Rochdale, which hosts acts including The Lack of Commitments, Country Rats, Joe Dunne, The Paupers, Katie O’Malley, 47fingers, Break Line, Hour Glass MCR, Arrowhead UK, AriA, Ste Leech, Ben Anderson and Olivia Goodwin, and at The Flying Horse, which will welcome Alison Gasson, The Scattering, Duck McNasty, Juan Direction and The Cassettes.
From burgers and bao to beer and bubbly, there’ll be an array of street food traders, popups and mobile bars catering to every taste for your food and drink needs.
The food line up includes Thai cookery from Issan Friends; Chinese Creole fusion from Bao Wow; burgers from What’s Your Beef; naan sandwiches from Go Stuff Yourself; Chinese vegan food from Rockin Buddha; pizza from Casa Rustica and The Wood Fired Picca Place; halloumi fries from Halloumination; and traditional Greek food.
There’ll also be sweet treats including Spanish churros and chocolate from Mr Churros and ice cream from Ice Cream Creations, while drinks will be flowing from The Bubbly Box, serving prosecco, champagne, cava and cocktails; Bit By Bit, serving cider, lager, spirits and soft drinks; The Flying Horse Hotel’s real ale and cider bar; and Busy Beans Coffee.
Look out for this year’s official festival beer, Mr A, inspired by main stage act The Hoosiers’ single Goodbye Mr A and brewed by Rochdale’s Serious Brewing Company.
The limited edition 3.8% pale ale will be pouring at The Flying Horse Hotel, The Baum, The Old Post Office in Castleton, The Bird at Birtle, The Cemetery Hotel, The Church Inn, Spotland Social Club, Owd Betts and the Crown Inn at Bacup.
There’s plenty on offer for families as the festival’s Family Zone takes over The Esplanade and gardens in front of Rochdale Town Hall from 11am to 5pm.
Highlights include the Bewonderment Machine - a cycle-powered carousel and sculpture combining puppetry, machinery and music that promises to take children on a ‘miniature theatrical flight of the imagination’.
There’ll also be a virtual reality playground where kids can put on headsets, jump on a swing and be transported inside a VR ride mechanism.
Families can also watch an aerial trampoline show, featuring breathtaking, air-twisting tricks, music and comedy; wander in a honey-perfumed bee colony; play with mind-bending giant toys inside the Playground of Illusions; and get up close and personal with a dinosaur, among dozens more activities.