Flying the festival feeling – Rochdale business backs town’s big stage

Staff at The Flying Horse Hotel in Rochdale are preparing for their busiest weekend of the year. (Left to right) Dan Radanovic, Devan Marland, Andy Jenkins and Sara Bashir

Award-winning local business The Flying Horse Hotel have renewed their support of Rochdale Feel Good Festival, sponsoring the main stage of this summer’s event.

Rochdale Feel Good Festival returns in August, for a feast of entertainment, food and culture.

There will be more than 10 hours of music on the main stage in Rochdale Town Hall Square headlined by major indie/rock band The Coral, an enhanced Family Zone, live music across indoor venues as well as quality food and drink.  

With Saturday 10 August fast approaching, the Packer Street venue is preparing for its busiest weekend of the year, and in the coming weeks they’ll also be running warm-up events, including a live performance by renowned Los Angeles bluesy rock musician Zachary Kibbee on 3 August during his European tour.

The Flying Horse will host indoor stages during the festival itself featuring an acoustic set by singer/songwriter Dan Donnelly from alternative rock band The Wonder Stuff, local Irish covers band The Scattering and little mariachi band Juan Direction.

Awarded the accolade of Greater Manchester Pub of the Year 2018 by CAMRA, the Flying Horse was also named CAMRA Rochdale, Oldham and Bury Branch pub of the year three years in a row since 2016. This month it was shortlisted for pub/craft ale bar of the year in the Manchester Food & Drink Festival Awards.

The Flying Horse will host this year’s official festival after show party from 10.45pm, featuring DJ Red Lauries, The Late Show Band and Groove Yard.

General manager Andy Jenkins said: “We’re very excited about this year’s festival and proud to be supporting such a vibrant event again. Although it’s a lot of hard work it’s an incredible event to be part of and a big positive for the town, with something for everyone. The buzz that the festival creates has already started.”

Councillor Janet Emsley, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, community and culture at Rochdale Borough Council, visited The Flying Horse Hotel this week to meet the team and thank them personally: “We are very grateful to all our partners, businesses who invest in the festival and help us deliver this magnificent event. The Flying Horse has supported this festival from the start and we’re all looking forward to another cracker.”

This year playing the main stage will be headliner The Coral, pop/rock band The Hoosiers, rock ‘n’ roll band Alias Kid, northern soul maestros The Northern SoulTrain, new singer/songwriter Ione, Caribbean pop act The Curious Incident, Rochdale country rockers Between The Vines, singer/songwriter Megan Dixon Hood and children’s favourite Mr Bloom and his band.