Foundry Festival to keep Stoke-on-Trent’s music scene burning bright this May Bank Holiday

The full line-up has been announced for Foundry Festival, a brand new two-day celebration of live music taking over Stoke-on-Trent city centre on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd May.

Across the bank holiday weekend, outdoor stages in Piccadilly and Tontine Square will host a packed programme of live performances, bringing music directly into the heart of the city and showcasing some of the most exciting artists from across the region.

Festival-goers can now register for free tickets at FoundryFestival.co.uk, with wristbands also unlocking 50% off entry at selected city centre gigs across the weekend, helping audiences discover even more live music taking place in venues across the city.

The newly announced line-up features a strong mix of rising and established artists from the regional scene, including Black Coast, Kira Mac, Darla Jade, and Pale Red, alongside FOARN, Era’s End, Greg Murray & The Seven Wonders, with many more acts performing across the festival’s two outdoor stages.

The name Foundry Festival draws inspiration from Shelton Bar, the historic steelworks whose fiery glow has often been linked to H. G. Wells and his novel The War of the Worlds. The festival name reflects the idea of strength forged through shared endeavour, the same spirit of creativity, collaboration and community that continues to power the city’s music scene today.

Richard Buxton, Manager of the Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID, said:

“We’ve relocated the festival from Marsh Street Car Park into the heart of the city centre, bringing it to Piccadilly and Tontine Square. The aim is to create a vibrant atmosphere across the weekend while driving more people into the surrounding shops, cafés, bars and businesses. Events like this help showcase the energy of the city centre and encourage visitors to spend time here, discover what’s on offer and support local businesses.”

Foundry Festival is funded by the Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID and delivered in partnership with Honey Box Live, PH Production Services Ltd, The Buzz Stoke and Your City Festival.

The event is produced by the team behind Honey Box Live, which has been platforming emerging artists and hosting live music events across the area for nearly a decade, alongside the creators of Stoke Buzz, a new website and independent ‘zine dedicated to highlighting local bands, venues, gigs and new releases from across the region’s grassroots music scene.

Lee Barber, Festival Music Producer, added:

“Foundry Festival is all about shining a spotlight on the incredible music talent we have right here on our doorstep. We’re proud to be platforming some of the best artists from the local and regional scene at a brand-new event, bringing their music to a big outdoor audience and giving the dedicated followers of the local music community something really special to get stuck into across the whole weekend.”

With two days of free outdoor live music, a packed festival line-up and additional gigs taking place across city centre venues, Foundry Festival is set to become a new highlight in Stoke-on-Trent’s cultural calendar.

Free tickets are available now at FoundryFestival.co.uk