Local Music Festival Returns to Newcastle-under-Lyme for Bank Holiday Weekend of Free Music

Newcastle-under-Lyme’s live and local music festival Lymelight Festival returns to Newcastle-under-Lyme town at the end of May – and its bigger than ever!

Over the Bank Holiday weekend of Saturday 25th and Sunday 26^th May, more than 40 up and coming local artists are set to perform across three outdoor stages. 

Organised by Newcastle-under-Lyme BID with support from PH Productions and programming from local music venue The Underground, the event will also bring additional footfall into the town centre as well as supporting the local businesses and placing the wealth of local music on the map. 

With an additional acoustic stage added for 2024 within the market area, two outdoor stages will also be situated in the heart of the town centre with The Guildhall Stage being located on High Street, outside The Guildhall, while the Ironmarket Stage can be found around the corner on the Ironmaket, outside Cappello Lounge. 

As well as music from over 40 live performers on the main stage including John Dhali, Nixon Tate, Sam Poole and Bathtub local venues such as The Crossways, Castletown Distillery and Cappello Lounge will also be hosting live and local music.

To keep that festival feeling flowing throughout the town, Castle Artisan Market will be bringing the best of Staffordshire’s makers, bakers and creators to the town on both Saturday and Sunday as well as Canonball Records Record Fayre joining in the fun on the Sunday.

Small fun fair rides for children will be available as well as street food and drink from local independent traders The Crossways, Hamilton Bay and Lymestone Brewery.

Since its inception in 2013, over 650+ local acts have performed at the festival making local music focused events such as Lymelight, Your City Festival and Honey Box Live crucial for preserving the performing space for artists and for fostering the growth of the already vibrant local music scene.

Charl Pearce, Newcastle-under-Lyme BID Manager says:

"Lymelight Festival is an absolute highlight on our jam-packed annual event calendar!  It's not just any festival; it's a vibrant celebration of our thriving local music scene. Over the years, Lymelight has been a launch pad for talented local help to grow the community within the local music scene. Thanks to this event and involvement from platforms like BBC Introducing and Honeybox Live, these artists have scored amazing opportunities for radio airplay and building audiences.

This festival has become synonymous with Newcastle's bank holiday weekends!  It's the ultimate FREE family affair, drawing crowds and boosting foot traffic for local businesses and is a source of pride for our community! Events like Lymelight aren't just local; they shine a spotlight on Staffordshire, amplifying our presence far and wide!  Let's keep spreading the love and music!

Pete Herbert, Director of PH Productions commented:

‘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 2024 is set to be the finest festival yet staging the best creative talent in Staffordshire’.

To keep up to date with the latest Lymelight news follow @lymelightfestival on social media.