Pete Doherty to launch Manchester music festival with special performance at intimate venue

British music star Pete Doherty will launch a music festival taking place in Manchester this August.

The Libertines frontman will front a launch event of the 2024 Northenden Fringe Festival (TNFF), which will bring together an array of established and grassroots artists as part of a celebration of music and community. The singer will headline the festival’s launch with an acoustic show at Cringlewood Social Club in Wythenshawe on August 8.

The 350-capacity venue will make for a unique setting for the singer, who will be joined by Strap Originals artists Jack Jones (Trampoline), Vona Vella and Evan Williams on the night.

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The launch event will be hosted by Manchester icon John Robb, whilst additional support will come from Del Bhoy Kennedy and Manchester’s own E.M.A. Speaking about the show, Pete said: “Northenden Fringe/Strap Originals - an independent festival supporting independent artists - what’s not to like?”

Having launched last year, TNFF will this year expand to a series of events from August 22 to 25. The multi-venue event will coincide with performances from New Order and Blossoms at Wythenshawe Park.

The main festival weekend will feature free performances from established and emerging artists, such as Aziz Ibrahim, former Stone Roses and Tommy Scott from Space, alongside a host of local talent.

The festival will also include a performance from JJ Rox, with support from Nico Harmony, at Cringlewood on August 23. Tech platform Gig Pig will also host a series of takeover events featuring a hand-picked line-up of artists. Festival founder Dean Skarratt, a Wythenshawe native, has partnered with Andrew Hirst of Modern English Digital to bring the festival to life via new company Broken Wing Club.

"I've known Dean since I first moved to Manchester, from bands he’s been in and booking artists such as the Wu Tang Clan,” Andrew said. “So we have set up Broken Wing Club to support him with events such as this. While Modern English works with global acts like Foo Fighters and The Rolling Stones, we're passionate about supporting grassroots music in Manchester.

“The Northenden Fringe Festival is our way of giving back to the community and showcasing talent in a way that the suburbs of Manchester, particularly Northenden, has never seen before."

Founder Dean added: “As a Northenden native, Manchester based booking agent and event promoter for acts such as Kyle Falconer (The View), Jon McClure (Reverend & The Makers) and the Wu-Tang Clan, it’s with great pride to gather a litany of the music industries biggest and brightest alongside local and grassroots talent for what promises to be something super fresh and, dare I say, never been seen before in our quarter of the city.

“To launch with Peter Doherty, Strap Originals, Modern English and Gig Pig is a dream come true and promises great things for the future.”

The Northenden Fringe Festival will run from August 22 to 25, with most events either free or heavily discounted. Tickets for Pete's show can be bought here, tickets for the JJ Rox show can be bought here.