Stage change for Rochdale Feel Good Festival

Photo: Sam Kutereba-Wall

After a long break due to the pandemic, Rochdale Feel Good Festival returns in August, headlined by The Fratellis

Ongoing refurbishment of Rochdale Town Hall and major improvement works around the town hall square will mean a change for this summer’s Rochdale Feel Good Festival.

The main stage will move 400 metres, to Hopwood Hall College.

Indoor stages in town centre venues will remain the same, with only the main stage re-locating for 2022 while major work on The Esplanade and town hall square is completed.

Capacity for the main stage area will be reduced to around 5,000 at the St Mary’s Gate site said councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council: “After a forced two-year break due to the pandemic we wanted to make sure the festival returns this year but obviously with all the town hall work underway we’ve had to find a new home for the main stage before it returns to what will be a fabulous brand new events space.

“Hopwood Hall College has been a supporter of this event for a number of years and I would like to thank them for accommodating us and look forward to working with them. The site is very close to the town centre and within a short walk of our other festival venues.”

While entry to indoor stages in venues will be free, entry to the main stage, headlined by The Fratellis is ticketed, with £7 tickets on sale, so festival-goers are being advised to book early added Sue: “Rochdale Feel Good Festival attracts visitors from across Greater Manchester, the north of England and beyond, so after a long wait its welcome return is going to be popular, but with our reduced capacity we are urging fans not to leave buying tickets until the last minute as the main stage area won’t be able to welcome as many of you as usual.”

Julia Heap, the college’s principal and CEO said: “We’re delighted to be supporting this summer’s Rochdale Feel Good Festival. Our Rochdale campus has extensive parking facilities which will make a great events space for the festival that’s accessible for all. We’re really looking forward to welcoming what looks to be a brilliant line-up of acts that everyone can enjoy.”

On Saturday 13 August headliners The Fratellis will be joined by northern soul band The Northern Soultrain, Manchester singer/songwriter Abbie Ozard, rock band HAiG, multi-talented musician Aziz Ibrahim, alternative dance band ENTT, indie/folk duo Firewoodisland, DJ Dave Sweetmore and a local battle of the bands winner, a full programme of entertainment across indoor venues to be announced plus quality food and drink.

Tickets (£7) for the main stage are available at www.rochdalefeelgoodfestival.co.uk and you can book in person at Touchstones Rochdale, Heywood Civic Centre and Middleton Arena.

The festival is funded by the council together with ticket sales and sponsorship from local businesses. If you would like to get involved with the festival, email events@rochdale.gov.uk