The 14th Lancaster Music Festival will take place from October 10 to 13 across various venues in the city.
Recognized for its exceptional ability to immerse attendees in music, the festival has been awarded Lancaster BID’s 2023 Visitor Attraction/Event of the Year.
This year, due to popular demand, The Sugarhouse will return, alongside the introduction of a family-friendly mini-festival. The Sugarhouse will feature local emerging acts, regional talent, and performers from beyond the area on October 12 and 13 as part of its initiative to promote live music.
The festival lineup includes Mr. Wilson’s Second Liners, blending New Orleans vibes with ’90s club classics; the Indie/beatbox favorites, The Uptown Monotones; and the Manchester Ska Foundation, known for their classic 2-tone and ska covers.
In celebration of its 60th anniversary, Lancaster University is partnering with the festival to host various music-themed events across the city. These will showcase the University’s research and include flamenco performances and virtual reality activities at The Storey and The Gregson. A new stage will also be set up in Alexandra Square on campus.
The festival will also pay tribute to Taylor Swift’s global popularity, as Lancaster Priory hosts “Prioryoke,” a karaoke event dedicated to the singer, accompanied by the Priory organ and live musicians on October 11.
Dalton Square will transform into a festival field, becoming the new home of the beloved Melodrome stage. This area will host live performances, interactive activities, food and drink stalls, and street theater featuring Rimski and Handkerchief’s mobile musical show, collaborating with Lancaster’s own Kate Bush flashmob, Bush Rush.
This year marks the introduction of a festival within a festival, thanks in part to a successful Crowdfunder campaign. The Family Music Festival will feature CBeebies Music Storyland, which has already sold out, along with a family activity music trail that includes themed music events, creative workshops, interactive shows, a musical bus, and opportunities for children and young people to perform.
Returning favorites include The Craic Inn stage at The Storey Gardens, workshops, and Busk Stops at 16 city center shops, businesses, and sites.
Special masterclasses will be offered by acclaimed concert pianist Siqian Li and pipa and guqin virtuoso Cheng Yu.
True to tradition, the Lancaster Music Festival will feature over 50 indoor and outdoor venues, ranging from schools and churches to Lancaster Castle and the city library. The festival’s heart beats in its vast array of pubs, which will host diverse live music performances.
Amidst the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, Lancaster Music Festival is proud to offer 96% of its events for free.
“We’re really looking forward to this year’s festival, especially with the exciting lineup of acts and events we have planned,” said festival director Stuart Marshall.
“Funding has been a real challenge this year, and we didn’t receive any funding from the Arts Council, which has been our major funder in recent years. Fortunately, local businesses and funders have stepped in to support us, but it would be a great help if people could check out our few ticketed events or purchase a festival brochure; every bit contributes to next year’s efforts!
“We’re incredibly proud of our program and can’t wait to see everyone enjoying themselves and the music—that’s what it’s all about.”
This year’s festival is sponsored by Lancaster BID, Lancaster Brewery, and Lancaster University, with crowdfunding support from the Lancashire Culture and Sports Fund, as well as funding from local and regional sponsors, trusts, and funds.
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