Your guide to Feel Good 2014

From pop and rock to superstar chefs, Rochdale Feel Good Festival 2014 is set to be the biggest and boldest yet. We steer you through some of the best shows.

Scouting for Girls

Over the course of three sparkling, life-affirming top 10 albums, Scouting For Girls have made the journey from playing pubs in Harrow to headlining Wembley Arena. Best known for a stack of hits including ‘Heartbeat’, ‘She’s So Lovely’, ‘Elvis Ain’t Dead’, and ‘This Ain’t A Love Song’, they’re also famed for blistering live performances, which makes them a perfect fit for the main stage by the wonderful backdrop of Rochdale Town Hall. One of the biggest pop bands in the game, Scouting for Girls have sold more than two million records and been nominated for four Brit Awards, as well as an Ivor Novello Award. Check out their ‘Greatest Hits’ album from last year, which reached number 8 in the charts, and find out why.

Aazam Ahmad

It wouldn’t be the Feel Good Festival without Aazam, ever present at the event since it began 7 years ago. Cheeky, daft and often downright hilarious, his English and Asian cooking skills always prove popular and you can tell he loves it too. Over the past fifteen years, Indian food guru Aazam has appeared on television and radio and is a firm favourite at prestigious food shows across the world, including the BBC Good Food Show in Birmingham here in the UK. Aside from the witty remarks and seemingly laid back approach (he says he still hasn’t decided what he’s cooking this year) he’s a very talented chef, and has that rare gift of appealing to everyone.

MDNGHT

Manchester based disco-tinged house act MDNGHT released their debut EP ‘Into the Night’ last year, introducing their effortless melodies, catchy choruses and slow burn house rhythms. The collective (J, Will, Ant and Lloyd) have had storming receptions at festivals across the UK, including BBC Radio One’s Big Weekend this year in Glasgow. They draw on influences from Chic and Kool and The Gang, to Claude VonStroke, taking house music and adding a touch of soul.

Bird to Beast

With a raft of wildly addictive, quirky folk-pop tunes and a captivating stage presence, they released their debut single, the accordion-led, ‘To Lips from Lungs’ in Sept last year as the lead track of a 3 track introductory E.P. The single received national radio play on Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music amongst others. They’ve already enjoyed superb receptions at festivals across the UK this summer, with their timeless melodies and soaring harmonies tipping a hat to the pop nous of greats like The Beach Boys and The Beatles as well as contemporary singer-songwriters like Rufus Wainwright.

The Selecter

The ska heroes, still including original members Pauline Black and ‘Gaps’ Hendrickson, made their name in the 1980s as part of the Two-Tone movement and this year headlined the Avalon Stage at the Glastonbury Festival. Formed in Coventry in 1979 The Selecter spearheaded the two tone movement along with The Specials and Madness. They first hit the airwaves with 'On My Radio', followed by numerous top 40 singles and a top 10 album. Perfect in front of a live crowd – they’ll gain many new fans in Rochdale this year.

Rock Choir

Phenomenal live energy and songs you just can’t help signing along to. Catch them on Saturday lunchtime on the Community Stage.

Ainsley Harriott

When you consider that Ainsley has been a regular performer at the Comedy Store, it’s no surprise he’s such an entertainer. It was standing room only last time he appeared at the Feel Good Festival, so arrive early if you want a seat. The master of fresh, fun, accessible cuisine has been a familiar face on television for over 25 years, with his unique flair and flamboyance entertaining millions all over the world. Loved for his infectious enthusiasm for quick, simple but inventive recipes, he’s also enjoyed success presenting programmes like ‘Ainsley’s Barbeque Bible’, ‘Ainsley’s Meals in Minutes’, and ‘Ainsley’s Gourmet Express.’ In 2012 he hosted ‘The Great British Food Revival’ on BBC2.

Skylight Circus Arts

Street theatre, the festival market and Skylight Circus Arts really bring the festival to life. They’ll be performing excerpts from ‘Angel’ inspired by the wonderful angel statue that once stood on the corner of Broadfield Park. Aerial escapades, unicycling horses, feathers and flight, stilt statues and globewalking stones.

Andrew Nutter

Andrew has had a fascinating career since coming runner up in the National Junior Cook of the Year competition aged just 13. Seven years later he launched ‘Nutters’ restaurant, which soon expanded into the 18th century manor house it occupies in Norden. He’s won multiple awards, including Lancashire Chef of the Year, Restaurant of the Year, and the Courvoisier Award. He’s a regular on radio and on television and is always a popular guest on shows like ‘This Morning.’ He also hosted his own Channel 5 series ‘Utter Nutter’.

Rochdale Feel Good Festival, Friday 29 and Saturday 30 August in Rochdale Town Centre.

And it’s free. 

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