Nantwich Food Festival – A wonderful Food Festival with great live Music

Nantwich Food Festival has a great reputation for quality live music, and 2025 feels like it could be the best year yet!

The two live music stages are sponsored by returning sponsor Snugbury’s at Love Lane, and by new Festival sponsor, Utowpia Caravans and Motorhomes for the Bowling Green area music stage. The Festival organisers thank them wholeheartedly for their sponsorship and are pleased to welcome both of them as Silver Sponsors. Silk FM will manage both music stages and provide the continuity to ensure that there is plenty of music and interest to keep us all entertained.

Festival Music maestro, Kevin Lemon tells us that he has pulled out the stops to organise a great programme of live music throughout the Festival weekend to entertain visitors.

Friday at Snugbury’s Music Stage, Love Lane starts off with the acclaimed vocalist Dave Chesworth, who can also be found on Saturday at the opposite end of town; certainly not to be missed. Then it’s jazz and blues with the lovely Megan Lee, followed by the energetic Kelley Tigerheart and then the popular duo, Baxter, whilst Friday night headliners are Tokyo Misfires, with their 80s and 90s party music.

 Meanwhile on the Utowpia Music Stage by the Mornflake Pavilion, Friday visitors will be spoiled for choice, with not-to-be-missed Pistol Pete Wearn and his fiddle player, Olly Parry, followed by quirky music by Marc Gallagher; solo singer & guitarist Erika Ignata brings good vibes and big energy. With fun songs and a feel for reading the room, every set turns into a party! Oscar Phillips will start  his set in solo style, then his band, The Dodgems will join him.

 Finally, the awesome, 5 piece band XLS will finish off the night; renowned for entertaining the crowds with classics from decades of music, leaving us with a night to remember.

Utowpia Music Stage on Festival Saturday features the Crewe & Nantwich band ACRYLiC; a 5 piece indie band that formed in 2022. They are known for their energetic performances, playing popular indie songs from over the last 2 decades. Having played in local festivals for the past 3 years, they are excited to perform at the Nantwich Food Festival for the very first time.

The popular Gemma Rose, Minstrels of Mischief and Baxter follow, with fab local band, Wayne and the Hairy Peaches closing the line-up for the night. The Peaches are the perfect party band; a wide range of music ensures that there is something for everyone to dance to, sing along with or just enjoy.  It’s a must see band and you’ll be guaranteed a great experience.

An eclectic line-up at the Snugbury Music Stage features the not-to-be-missed Disco Divas, who are preceded by Infrared, a Mancunian grassroots band that formed in late 2023. Taking inspiration from bands like Wolf Alice, with strong female vocals, and the stylistic tones of the Smashing Pumpkins and My Bloody Valentine, Infrared is a breakthrough band not to miss!

They are followed by The Savaloys, who provide a nostalgic trip through the 80 s and 90s with indie and classic rock gems.  Closing up for Festival Saturday is Unit 17, the well-loved local, home-grown talent that is the Indie band with a great following.

Festival Sunday, as expected, starts off nice and quiet, but Utowpia’s Music Stage will be rocking at the end of the day with a return of local band ACRYLiC. Before then though, there is talented local guy Oscar Phillips to enjoy, a return of both Kelley and Unit 17 plus Angel of Harlem – a four piece U2 tribute band.

More Fantastic Festival music on Sunday over at the Snugbury’s Music Stage starts with Lucy Bevan, lead singer of Infra red, Lucy will be bringing an exclusive Jazz set to her home town of Nantwich. Powerful yet delicate, Lucy’s oozy tunes will take us on a journey of swingy covers to straight from-the-heart originals. Guitarist Joe (also from Infrared) will accompany Lucy - a fun and passionate duo.

More of our favourites follow, with Mad Dog Davies Band closing up Nantwich Food Festival for another year; a not to be forgotten experience with their rock & roll, R&B, Rockabilly and everything else in between!

For all Festival news, how to vote for Nantwich Food Awards, book Walking Tour places and much more please see the website:

https://www.nantwichfoodfestival.co.uk/

• The Nantwich Food Festival is an independent food festival run by volunteers
• The 2025 Festival takes place Friday 29th to Sunday 31st August
• Since 2009, the festival has been run by not-for-profit Nantwich Food and Drink Ltd.
• Around 200 businesses have stalls located across Nantwich town centre during the weekend festival.
• The festival generates an estimated £2m each year for the local economy.
• Nantwich has one of the largest collections of historic buildings in Cheshire, with Elizabethan, Georgian and Victorian architecture throughout the town centre.
• There has been a market in Nantwich since 1720
• Over 100 unpaid, dedicated volunteers keep the festival running each year