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Who’s Making You Feel It

Lancaster Music Festival taking a break and will not be held in 2025

The Howling Clowns in New Street during Lancaster Music Festival's Shop-Front Juke Box performances in 2022. Photo by Angela Cobham

Lancaster Music Festival has been put on hold and will not take place this year.

The annual music festival is usually held in October and pulls thousands to venues across the city.

But the organising team said today that they feel the time is right to "put the brakes on for a bit".

Instead, a smaller event called Love Lancaster Live, will be held from October 17-19 to ensure there is still live music in the city that month.

The Lancaster Music Festival team put out this statement on Monday,.

"You might be wondering why we haven’t spoken much about the next Lancaster Music Festival.

"Well, that’s because we have a little announcement to make: we’ve made the difficult decision to put Lancaster Music Festival on hold.

"We’ve thought long and hard about it and weighed up current circumstances and factors and the time feels right to put the brakes on for a bit.

Below, The Uptown Monotones perform at Lancaster Music Festival.

"It’s likely no surprise to you that putting LMF together is a huge effort and faces more challenges and hurdles every year. This is especially true when it comes to funding, whether that’s applying, being successful or facing failed bids.

"Though we give our all to the festival, we are a small team, all of whom have other jobs and commitments.

"We know this news will be disappointing to you, but we hope you understand.

"We love this festival, and we want to make sure we can deliver it to the best of our abilities every time.

"For us, it’s always been about watching our city and our community come together, come alive, and celebrate music and talent, see our businesses thrive and have a great time laughing, singing, dancing.

"We don’t want to change or compromise that. Keep it local. Keep it diverse. Keep it without hierarchy. Keep it as free as we possibly can. Keep it for everyone. That’s always been the mission and that’s how we’d like it to stay.

"All being well, this is just a pause, a hit of the snooze button, and we’re back with you soon. That’s what we want, that’s what we hope.

"In the meanwhile though, we’re looking to the brilliant Love Lancaster BID team who have generously stepped forward to put on their own version of a music celebration later this year.

"They'll be working with venues to create Love Lancaster Live and as the team behind Dino Fest, Christmas events and more, we know they'll do a fantastic job - so give their social media a follow and keep an eye out for Love Lancaster Live!

"We’ll keep posting and updating you on what we have going on throughout this break and, of course, big up BID’s event – no radio silence here!"

A spokesperson for Lancaster BID (Business Improvement District), said: 

"Lancaster BID is already making plans for Love Lancaster Live over the weekend of October 17 to 19 2025.

"With the hard working volunteer team from Lancaster Music Festival taking a well-earned break this year, Lancaster BID is stepping in to ensure music is still celebrated throughout the city.

"With the support of the fantastic LMF team, who have already been a huge help with advice and contacts, Lancaster BID is planning a family friendly musical medley throughout the city.

"BID will be working with pubs and other venues throughout the city centre to pull together and promote a programme of live music for all tastes including live acts in public spaces to ensure it is accessible to all.

"Final details are still being developed so keep an eye on the Love Lancaster BID social media and website for further details as they are confirmed. BID will be contacting all previous LMF venues over the coming months to let them know how they can be involved."

Lancaster Music Festival was held for the 14th time over four days in October 2024, with more than 500 events and gigs at dozens of venues around the city centre.

Below, performances were held at Dallas Road Primary School as part of the festival in 2024.

2024 FESTIVAL IN REVIEW: Lancaster Music Festival hits the high notes - Beyond Radio

Below, Kaljuri play at Lancaster Music Festival 2023.

2023 FESTIVAL IN REVIEW: INTERVIEWS: Lancaster Music Festival rocks as a triumphant celebration of the city - Beyond Radio

The news that the music festival is being paused is the second major blow for Lancaster's festival scene this year.

It has already been announced that Highest Point, which has been held for several years in Williamson Park in Lancaster, will not take place in 2025.

Read more: Lancaster’s Highest Point music festival ‘taking a break in 2025’ - Beyond Radio

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