By Louise Smith, Newcastle-under-Lyme BID
The annual Lymelight Festival returns to Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre this weekend.
Across the April Bank Holiday weekend of Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th April, over 30 up and coming local artists are set to perform across two outdoor stages and a number of town centre indoor venues.
Organised by Newcastle-under-Lyme BID, with support from PH Productions and The Underground, the event will place a wealth of local music on the map.
Stages will be situated at The Guildhall on High Street, and at the top of the Ironmarket near to Capello Lounge.
Over 30 live bands will perform on the main stage, including: All the Young, John Dhali, Bathtub, Fat Lip, Greg Murray and the Seven Wonders. Acoustic sessions will also return to nearby The Carlton with a further Fringe vibe in nearby bars including Wellers, The Crossways, Castletown Distillery, and Artisan Tap.
To keep the festival feeling flowing throughout the town, fun fair rides, street food and drink vendors, including independent traders Sando, Crossways and Hamilton Bay, will also be on offer to visitors. Castle Artisan Market on Sunday also welcomes back the best makers, bakers and creators from our region.
Lucas Yeomans, Radio Presenter commented: “Lymelight Festival has become a staple part of the local music scene, it’s helped artists build relationships with each other, but also allowed them the platform to be discovered by presenters like me, which gives them a pathway to getting radio airplay and a continuous chance to grow their audience. It’s become a festival synonymous with the bank holiday weekend and brings a great amount of footfall to the town centre. Festivals like this are essential for the community and helping to build Staffordshire’s presence beyond its own patch.”
Lymelight Festival 2023 Line Up
Saturday 29th April
Guildhall Stage
- 1pm-1.30pm – Behind the Moon
- 2pm-2.30pm – The Wolf Howls When I Scream Your Name
- 3pm-3.30pm – The Crossroad Deltas
- 4pm-4.30pm – Secret City Souls
- 5-5.30pm – Souza
- 6pm-6.40pm – Mercury
- 7.10pm-8pm – John Dhali
- 8.30pm-9.30pm – Captain Stingray’s Groove Machine
Ironmarket Stage
- 12.30pm-1pm – Morning’s Thief
- 1.30pm-2pm – Mara Liddle
- 2.30pm-3pm – Koala
- 3.30pm-4pm – Kez Liddle
- 4.30pm-5pm – Walter Kocays
- 5.30pm-6pm – Behind The Moon
- 6.30pm-7.15pm – Red Hot Chilli Potters
- 7.45pm-8.45pm – Fat Lip
Acoustic Sessions at The Carlton
- 14:00-14:45pm – Emily Lockett
- 15:15-16:00 – Sam Poole
- 16:30-15:15 -Charlotte Bettson
Sunday 30th April
Guildhall Stage
- 1pm-1.30pm – Greenhouse
- 2pm-2.30pm – Smithpools
- 3pm-3.30pm – FINNEY
- 4pm-4.30pm – Christian Music
- 5-5.30pm – Bathtub
- 6pm-6.40pm – Clay Lake
- 7.10pm-8pm – The Underclass
- 8.30pm-9.30pm – All The Young
Ironmarket Stage
- 12.30pm-1pm – Attack of the Vapours
- 1.30pm-2pm – And What!
- 2.30pm-3pm – The Crowns
- 3.30pm-4pm – Borogoves
- 4.30pm-5pm – The Dandelion Pickers
- 5.30pm-6pm – Oli Ng
- 6.30pm-7.15pm – Silver State
- 7.45pm-8.45pm – Greg Murray and The Seven Wonders
Acoustic Sessions at The Carlton
- 14:00-14:45pm – Jay Johnson
- 15:15-16:00 – Rosie Edwards
- 16:30-15:15 – Greenhouse
Peter Herbert, Director of PH Productions said: “Lymelight has an incredible heritage with almost 10 years of showcasing and supporting our local music scene. We are keen to build on that existing reputation this year, working with Lee Barber from the Underground Stoke, and supported by local music show Honey Box Live, Lymelight 2023 is set to be the finest festival yet staging the best creative talent in Staffordshire.”
For those driving into the town center, all Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Councill owned car parks will be free of charge on Sunday 30th April with free parking after 1pm on Saturday 29th, allowing more visitors to enjoy the day without having to worry about parking costs.
To find out more, including listings for the main stage, acoustic sessions and around the town, visit www.lymelightfestival.co.uk. Keep up to date with the latest Lymelight news follow @lymelightfestival on social media.
