Lancaster Music Festival 2024

Age Range: All ages!

It’s that time of year again – Lancaster Music Festival is BACK!

Last year the Gregson was voted by YOU as the third best venue in all of Lancaster. That’s a tough act to follow – but we’re back with a bigger and more diverse set of fantastic musicians than ever before! In fact, we are the BUSIEST venue in the city!

That means, no matter your music taste, we’ve got you covered – classic rock, indie, soul, funk, ska, r&b, classical, bluegrass, folk – the list goes on!

Why not see for yourself below:

Thursday 10th October
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6-7.15pm LPM DANCE – RETROSPECTIVE
A fun, energizing retro-inspired adult dance workshop with a lively and eclectic soundtrack. Suitable for all. Led by Helen Gould of LPM Dance. The Olive Bar

6-8pm ACCESSIBLE OPEN MIC
A musical evening for everyone, and specifically designed for people with additional needs. Your host Jo C invites you for an evening of open mic, karaoke and dancing. The Hall

7.30-10pm – LANCASTER LINDY CIRCLE
Dust off your dancing shoes and try out Lindy Hop – the original swing dance in this all abilities dance session. The Olive Bar

8.30-11pm – TRAD FOLK SESSION
A chilled trad folk session in the cosy Gregson Bar. Join in or simply sit back and soak it all in. Cafe Bar

9-11pm – THE GROOVE CUTTERS
Eight piece funk and soul band The Groove Cutters are Lancaster legends for a reason! THE HALL

Friday 11th October
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2.30-4pm – LITTLE TOTS SECRET FILM SCREENING
Join us in the Gregson’s Secret Cinema for an even-more-secret film screening. For all ages – aimed at under 5s. Film rated U.

5-6pm – PERSIMMON
Chilled neo soul, jazz & R&B. The Hall

6-7pm – MAZ AND THE PHANTASMS
Electrifying psych punk collective whose big and bold extravagant sound has been filling underground venues in Glasgow for some time. The Hall

7.30-9.30pm – THE CONVULSIONS
6 piece riff heavy funk group with frenetic harmonica, organ and a rip-roaring horn section, with frontman Ben Ruth, LMF founder. The Hall

8-11pm – QUEER VARIETY SHOW
Join Queer by Gum for a medley of queer musicians, artists, drag kings and queens, DJ’s and who knows what else? Olive Bar

10pm-midnight – UPTOWN MONOTONES
We’re excited to welcome back the Austrian Trio to serve up some catchy, upbeat and truly unique, feet stompin’ tunes. Instruments of choice range from guitars to harmonicas to balloons and most things in between! The Hall
This event is ticketed – click here for more info

Saturday 12th October
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10-10.45am + 11.30am-12.15pm – CLAPPING SONG
Songs and musical games for under 5s. Olive Bar
This event is ticketed – click here for more info

10.30am-12.30pm – GEORGIAN HARMONY WORKSHOP
Learn beautiful stirring songs from the Georgian caucasus with teacher Beth de Lange. The Hall
To book, email bethinoverton@gmail.com

1-1.30pm – GEORGIAN HARMONY PERFORMANCE
More info to come.

2-3pm – “THE WHITE STAG” VOCAL WORKSHOP
Join County of Song’s Loz Kaye for a free singing workshop exploring a Lancashire legend with a contemporary twist! The Hall
This event is ticketed – click here for more info

2.30-4pm – KIDS SECRET FILM SCREENING
Join us in the Gregson’s Secret Cinema for an even-more-secret film screening. For all ages – aimed at under 12s. Film rated U. Secret Cinema

3-4pm – PADDY ROGAN
Folk singer and songmaker Paddy is back with his contemporary alt folk with shades of blues and jazz that will blow you away. Olive Bar

4-5pm – FRANCESCA LOUISE
Indie/folk singer-songwriter, with soulful, Carole King inspired vocals paired with songwriting influences from the likes of Joni Mitchell. Olive Bar

4.45-8.30pm – FLAMENCO EXPERIENCE:
-4.45-6pm – Film Screening
     Documentary film in which flamenco is transformative in a Seville neighbourhood. Secret Cinema
-6-6.30pm – Palmas Workshop
Explore the art of flamenco palmas, the beautiful rhythmic clapping that is inherent to flamenco, with Espiritu Flamenco accompanied by guitarist Howard Haigh. Olive Bar
-6.45-7.45 – Carlos van Tongeren
     Flamenco guitarist. Olive Bar
-7.45-8.30 – Espiritu Flamenco
    Local dancers who have been coached by Espiritu Flamenco dance school in the run-up to the festival will show off their newly-learnt skills. Olive Bar

5.45-6.45pm – RICE
Gregson-favourites Rice return to the centre to kick-start our Saturday Indie Night! The Hall

7-7.45pm – HUMMUS
Hummus is a deliciously saucy, savoury, stodgy, odd-ball 4-piece band based in and around Lancaster. The Hall

8-8.45pm – CITRUS TAX
An emerging, Female fronted and backed indie rock band based in Lancaster. The Hall

9-10pm – GOOD BOY NIKKO
Dream-pop duo from Lancaster, meshing old and new with analogue synthesisers, guitars and bass working along with drum machines. The Hall

9pm-late – FORTY FIVE RECORDS PRESENTS: DISCOTEQUE COSMIQUE & JUMBO BOOGIE
Lancaster’s own independant record store brings a curated evening of vinyl DJs. The Olive Bar

10.15pm-late – KIWI
Kiwi return to the Gregson after a smash-hit gig earlier this year. The 4-piece independent alt rock group originating from the Lake District now have a Kendal Calling performance, BBC1 & BBC Radio 6 features, and sold out Manchester headlines under their belts. The Hall

Sunday 13th October
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11am-4.30pm – STRINGS SUNDAY
An afternoon showcasing the best of strings-based music from around the world. Olive Bar
    -11am-12.30pm – Chinese Music Masterclass
     Pipa and guqin virtuoso Cheng Yu leads a masterclass to perform the Chinese traditional piece Jasmine Flower with a combination of Chinese and western instruments. Local musicians and singers are encouraged to bring their own instruments to play Chinese melodies and to sing the songs in Chinese and have a go on Chinese instruments.
-1-1.45pm – Tian Qiyi
     Chinese experimental musicians.
-2.15-3pm – William Jack
     Contemporary classical cello.
-3.30-4.30pm – Becky Langan
     Fingerstyle guitarist.

11am-12pm – EURODANCE WORKSHOP
Come and learn some folk dances from continental Europe in an inclusive and fun environment. The Hall

12.30-1.30pm – QUEER COMMUNITY CHOIR WORKSHOP
A fun and friendly, LGBTQ+ singing group. No experience is needed- just the will to sing. The Hall

2-4pm – GREGSON COMMUNITY CHOIRS
The Gregson is home to more community choirs than any other venue in Lancashire. We’re showcasing community singing with a range of different choirs that all call the Gregson home in this relaxed performance. The Hall

2.30-4.30pm – FAMILY SECRET FILM SCREENING
Join us in the Gregson’s Secret Cinema for an even-more-secret film screening. Suitable for all ages. Film rated PG. Secret Cinema

5-6pm – THE GREGSON FAMILY MUSIC QUIZ
A special musical edition of our monthly quiz – hosted by Andy East! Cafe Bar

6-6.45pm – MIKE ‘THE MIC’ POTTER
Swing maestro and one-man band. The Hall

7-8.30pm – GUNS OF NAVARONE
Fast paced, high energy ska and rocksteady to get you dancing! The Hall

8pm-late – LANCASTER BURLESQUE AND CABARET SOCIETY PRESENTS: DAS KUNST KABARETT
Lancaster Music Festival’s most daring event! Immerse yourself in a traditional jazz-and-blues-infused cabaret featuring dazzling drag, side-splitting poetry, sultry burlesque, live vocals, and a host of other tantalizing performances. Olive Bar

9-11pm – DO YOU LIKE WORMS?
Local four piece rock band pulling in indie and folk influences to play catchy originals with a quirky twist. The Hall

About Lancaster Music Festival

Lancaster Music Festival are one of the UK’s largest urban music festivals.  With over 500 performances from more than 300 artists – almost all of them free – plus musical theatre, dance, art and workshops, there will be something for everyone to enjoy, no matter what age or musical taste. Visit their website for more information about this year’s festival: lancastermusicfestival.com.