Darwen Live 2026

The UK’s biggest free music festival will be descending on Darwen over the late May bank holiday weekend, Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th May 2026. Local upcoming bands along with household names will be taking the main stage on Darwen Market Square, with several venues across the town centre also hosting an array of artists.

Take a look at the vibrant main stage line-up and check back here for more info coming soon!

Saturday 23rd May 2026

1200 – DAYZ GONE BY

Pop punk, loud and unapologetic. Dayz Gone By fire through the best Pop punk and Kerrang! anthems – Blink-182, Green Day, Sum 41, Paramore, MCR & more. https://www.instagram.com/dayz.gone.by.band/

1245 – PRESTON and WELTZ

Musical duo playing a mixed range of covers and originals. https://www.instagram.com/p/DH1fOhwNF0q/

1330 – AMI ALEX

Ami Alex is an Independent singer-songwriter and street performer from Blackburn. Ami began her musical journey during the Covid-19 lockdowns in 2020, sharing demos on YouTube from her university dorm. https://www.tiktok.com/@amiialexx?lang=en-GB

1415 – DAKOTA AVENUE

With grit and unfiltered honesty, Dakota Avenue cut through the UK indie scene, fusing powerful live energy with songs of love, loss, and life. https://www.instagram.com/dakotaavenuex/?hl=en-gb

1500 – CAROL HODGE BAND

With her roots and ethics firmly set in punk as a long-term collaborator with Crass frontman Steve Ignorant, Carol is currently touring the songs of Crass around the world with The Ignorant Band, on keyboards, BVs and lead vocals. Yet Carol is also a uniquely gifted songwriter and as able to conjure up beautiful pop-infused, heart-wrenching melodies as she is screaming into the face of authority and injustice. https://www.carolhodge.co.uk/

1600 – CLASS OF 79

CLASS OF’79 are the UK’s most exciting punk /new wave tribute bands to date.

What sets them apart from the rest? well for a start every member has a punk rock royalty pedigree having been in and still in some of the most iconic UK bands . https://www.instagram.com/class.of79/?hl=en

1700 – JANET DEVLIN

Janet first found fame on The X Factor and has since developed her career into that of a successful Country singer having recently toured Australia with Russell Crowe and his band and released her fourth studio album. https://www.janetdevlin.com/

1800 – A CERTAIN RATIO

Formed in 1978 with a core line-up of Jez Kerr, Martin Moscrop and Donald Johnson, A Certain Ratio emerged from the hallowed grounds of the late 70s punk scene, and from that day on they’ve moved forwards with gleeful disregard for the boundaries of style and genre. It’s an ethos that’s open-minded over all else, and that’s seen the band take everything from experimental electronica to vintage funk. https://www.acrmcr.com/

1900 – STONE FOUNDATION

The 8-piece Midlands-based Soul band Stone Foundation celebrate over 25 years of success. Their last six albums all charted UK Top 40 (Album Chart) and UK Top 10 (Independent Chart & also Vinyl Chart), Known for their collaborative spirit and inclusive approach, the band team up regularly with Paul Weller and they boast an enviable list of collaborators from the best of British (Weller, Mick Talbot, Dr Robert, Graham Parker and more) to the finest American soul voices (Durand Jones, Melba Moore, Bettye LaVette, William Bell, Nolan Porter & more). https://www.stonefoundation.co.uk

2030 – FEROCIOUS DOG

After all these years of noisy folk punk, sweaty stages, and late night drives, it feels strange to announce this — but, next year, 2026 will be the final year of Ferocious Dog. Ferocious Dog has emerged as a prominent figure in the music world, renowned for their dynamic and authentic folk-punk sound. Celebrated for their narrative-driven lyrics addressing social, political, and personal issues, they strike a chord with their audience. https://ferocious-dog.co.uk/

Sunday 24th May 2026

1200 – LA CORSIA STUDIOS SHOWCASE

The Darwen Production and Recording studio showcase some of the bands that they have worked with. Performing acts include The Slydes and Losing Touch. https://www.facebook.com/lacorsiastudio/

1315 – THE GAMBLERS

Darwen based rock band including members of the Beathovens and the boneshakers which also included Terry Walsh who was one of the original founders of Darwen Live. https://www.facebook.com/The.Gamblers.Band/?locale=en_GB

1400 – GEORGIA BARKER

Georgia Barker is a 29 year old Vocalist and Songwriter from Clitheroe. Her voice is husky and soulful with a Country vibe, her style – nothing short of individual. https://www.georgiabarker.co.uk/

1445 – BAD SMELL

A no-nonsense 3 piece hard rock band from Leeds formed in 2024. Loud rock n roll is the order of the day! Raw, no-frills metal that hits like a pub brawl. https://www.instagram.com/badsmellband/

1530 – REDEARTH

Alt-rock band Redearth play the main stage for the first time after a mix up last year meant they missed out. Following a period of reinvention, ‘Windowpane’ showcases Redearth’s new lineup and their commitment to emotionally charged, melodic rock built for both the stage and immersive listening. https://www.facebook.com/redearthmusicuk/

1615 – PRETTY SHIVERS

Pretty Shivers don’t look or sound like your typical Northern Rock band. Although they hail from the dark, misty valleys of Darwen, you’d be forgiven for eyeballing the flares, leather jackets and haircuts, and placing them at Los Angeles’ sunset strip in the 1970s. https://prettyshivers.com/

1700 – THE SKAPONES

Their second appearance at Darwen Live T he Skapones are a 2Tone INSPIRED original Ska band based in the Tees Valley in England. The group got together back in 2013 to play a music that they all love, and the chaps perform their hot original 2Tone inspired material with the objective of making you think, dance and smile. https://www.theskapones.co.uk/

1800 – AMNESIA

Amnesia are a high-octane 5-piece band from Liverpool, dedicated to reviving the euphoric energy of 90s club classics— 100% live. No backing tracks. No laptops. No decks. Just pure musical talent, turning iconic dance anthems into an electrifying live experience. https://www.instagram.com/amnesiadanceband/

1915 – THE LANCASHIRE HOTPOTS

Returning once again to the main stage are the festival favourites. The group perform and record songs about Lancashire, technology and British culture in their own unique way. Sure to get the crowd moving, dancing and singing along. https://thelancashirehotpots.net/

2045 – THE ORDINARY BOYS

In 2004 Preston and the boys launched onto the scene with their debut album “Over the Counter Culture” inspired by the likes of The Specials and Madness, the band went on to release their second and most successful album “Brassbound” featuring the hit single Boys Will Be Boys. Their latest single was released on December 1st as a duet with Olly Murs. https://www.instagram.com/theordinaryboysofficial/?hl=en-gb