New stage to spotlight talent at annual Accrington music festival

A music festival has unveiled a brand new stage to spotlight talent. OAK FEST is returning for its second year at Oak Hill Park in Accrington on July 27.

Lancashire’s newest music festival, OAK FEST has unveiled a brand new stage; The Ossy Fest Introducing Stage. It's been urated by Ossy Fest, a community festival hosted in the neighbouring Oswaldtwistle.

It supports Lancashire’s burgeoning music scene and raises money for free music lessons, the new for 2024 second stage will spotlight a whole host of fresh talent from Accrington and beyond.

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The confirmed line-up includes:

• The Ruby Tuesdays - A rock’n’roll quartet whose sound has been described as “uncompromising, dystopian blue-rock from Blackburn”.

• Maelor Hughes - Accrington-based independent solo artist with a sound that has been coined as “an energetic twist on traditional folk”.

• Lanterns - A trio of melodic guitars, addictive rhythmic drums, and heavenly vocals, coming together to form an indie dream pop band.

• The Social - Up-and-coming indie-pop quintet who formed at Burnley College and have been going from strength to strength ever since.

• Brother Bastion - Blackburn based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist known for a distinct folk-punk sound.

• Kayleigh Hall - Rossendale-born singer and songwriter whose latest single ‘Where I Was’ was played by BBC Music Introducing for Lancashire and Cumbria.

The festival is a full day out with admission from 11am and a free shuttle bus will be running to the park directly from Accrington train station. The exciting line-up also includes international touring artists including Kate Nash.

Other acts taking to the stage include Manchester legends Bez and Rowetta, Accrington lads BB5, Amsterdam indie pop powerhouse Pip Blom and New Orleans brass and 90s dance fusion band Mr Wilson’s Second Liners.

Lucy Dusgate, Head of Culture and Heritage for Hyndburn, said: “We are delighted to announce the lineup of the Ossy Fest Introducing Stage for OAK FEST 2024. OAK FEST is part of a vision to make Hyndburn a place where guests can experience some of the best culture in the UK.

“As well as attracting established headliners, such as Kate Nash, to OAK FEST, it was equally important to give some of the incredible emerging local talent born here in Accrington a chance to shine. Our goal is to establish a creative eco system, where nationally recognised artists and high profile events can work together with homegrown talent that is supported by grassroots investment.

“Gig lovers – this stage is for you. We’ll see you at the park!”

Joe Bamford, Ossy Fest organiser, added: “We’re excited to showcase some of Lancashire’s best musical talent on The Ossy Fest Introducing Stage at OAK FEST this year. We help the learners in our schools who benefit from free tuition, including BB5 who will take to the main stage at OAK FEST this year.

“BB5 received free lessons from funds raised from Ossy Fest last year, proving how important our support for grassroots artists and venues are. We have a shared goal to help our towns become self-sustainable in the arts, creating and supporting our own acts, which encourages others and develops a scene to support local venues.”

You can purchase tickets on: https://www.skiddle.com/festivals/oak-fest/#lineup