Let battle commence: Chance for local act to play main stage at Rochdale Feel Good Festival

Posted by on 14 May 2024

Local bands or solo artists can bag themselves a spot playing in front of thousands of people at this summer’s Rochdale Feel Good Festival, as the Battle of the Bands competition opens for entries.

The search for local talent is run by festival organisers Rochdale Borough Council and will see the winners awarded a coveted 20-minute main stage slot on Saturday 10 August, playing alongside headliners Ocean Colour Scene and many more.

A runner-up will also get to play in one of the festival’s indoor venues.

All hopefuls need to do is email a link to a YouTube or Vimeo video of them playing live, along with a short biography to FeelGoodFestival@rochdale.gov.uk  (Write ‘Battle of the Bands’ and your act name in the subject box).

Solo artists must live in the borough of Rochdale and bands must have at least 50 per cent of their members living in the borough. Entrants need to be available on the afternoon of 10 August.

Entries must be received by the closing date of 30 May. Shortly after the closing date, submissions will be added to the festival’s Facebook page, before the top six who get the most ‘likes’ go forward to a panel of judges. This year for the first time, musicians who make the final six will receive support thanks to funding from Arts Council England.

The last winners were The Sprats. The rock and roll band won the competition in 2022 and got a big crowd and an enthusiastic reception, supporting Glaswegian indie giants The Fratellis.

Ben Boothman, one of the judges and co-owner of main stage sponsor The Flying Horse Hotel said: “This festival has given lots of opportunities for up and coming local talent over the years so it’s great to see it return. Giving emerging local artists the chance to play on the big stage alongside our biggest line-up yet is fantastic experience as well as the extra exposure that goes with it.  We are proud to support local musicians and it’s a great chance for acts to raise their profile and all types and styles of music can enter, solo artists as well as bands.” 

This year’s festival features a host of top-class acts, with Britpop rockers Ocean Colour Scene topping the bill alongside Lottery Winners and Heather Small - the voice of M People, DJ Dave Sweetmore and many more to be revealed. There will also be a full programme of entertainment across indoor venues to be announced plus quality food and drink.

Tickets (£15) at rochdale.gov.uk/feelgoodfestival or in person at Middleton Arena. On the day your ticket will be exchanged for a festival wristband and that will allow you unlimited re-entry to and from the main stage area. You don’t need a ticket or a wristband to enter indoor festival venues.

The festival is funded by the council together with ticket sales and sponsorship from The Flying Horse Hote, Premier Kia, The Royal Toby Hotel and other local businesses.

For the latest festival updates on Facebook, go to facebook.com/feelgoodfestival and connect with @FeelGoodFest on X. On all social media search #FeelGoodFest24