Macclesfield in October

Macclesfield has a huge history of music it was the home town of Ian Curtis and Stephen Morris of Joy Division, and Gillian Gilbert, who along with Stephen Morris was a member of New Order.

A memorial to Curtis is located in Macclesfield Crematorium. Other Macclesfield acts to have gained recognition include The Macc Lads and Marion. Silk Brass Band, the Macclesfield-based brass band, won the National Champions of Great Britain title in 2003.

The blues singer John Mayall was born here in 1933 and more recently, local band the Virginmarys has achieved national and international success. Chart-topping UK band The 1975 also partly come from Macclesfield.

Curiously, despite having a rich musical heritage, Macclesfield has few cultural amenities.

In 2004, research was published in The Times naming Macclesfield and its borough the most uncultured town in Britain, based on its lack of theatres, cinemas and other cultural facilities. This festival is part of an initiative to overcome this.

The location: Christ Church, a redundant Anglican church in Great King Street, Macclesfield, Cheshire, England. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II* listed building, and is under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust and was in use until 1981 with a stained glass window behind the stage that will take your breath away.

The festival is a non profit initiative working with The Christie Cancer Hospital, who are opening a centre in Macclesfield which has been delayed due to Covid. For more info in the new hospital https://www.christie.nhs.uk/the-christie-charity/why-we-need-your-help/what-we-are-fundraising-for/the-christie-at-macclesfield.

Friday night:

Headlining is the phenomenal Peter Hook & The Light, supported by Yellow Brain, San Pedro Collective, Suddi Raval, Leon The Pig Farmer & local Macclesfield rising stars Queen Cult.

Saturday – full day of music:

With I Am Kloots John Bramwell, Cabbage, Space Monkey, Sylvette, Dave Fiddler, The Pagans S.O.H, Bethlehem Casuals, local band Sinclair and M30.

Sunday – full day of music:

With Liverpool’s finest Space, Leigh’s finest The Lottery Winners, PINS, Manc funk SWJ Group, Kiziah & The Kings, Officers & Gentlemen, The 99 Degree and Cyrcles

Plus free after party bands at local venue Mash: Cold Water Swimmers, Def Neon, Lucigenic and Dead Captain.