Happy Mondays, The Fratellis and Feeder coming to new Winter Gardens gig series Blackpool Live
“Blackpool is uniquely placed to create those experiences.”
A new live music series featuring some of the biggest names in British indie and alternative music is set to launch at Blackpool Winter Gardens this summer.
Presented by Scruff of the Neck, Blackpool Live will bring together seven headline shows with a combined capacity of 17,500 people during its inaugural season. More than 27 artists are set to perform, with Feeder, The Fratellis, The Enemy, Cast, Doves, The Pigeon Detectives and Happy Mondays among the headline acts.
The programme will also feature performances from The Futureheads, We Are Scientists, Sleeper, Echobelly, Inspiral Carpets, The Twang, The Rifles and a host of emerging artists, creating a line-up spanning multiple generations of guitar music.
Celebrating music and Blackpool
Organisers say the series aims to celebrate both live music and Blackpool itself, encouraging visitors to make a full day of their trip by exploring the town's beaches, attractions, bars and restaurants before attending a concert at the historic venue. The Winter Gardens has previously welcomed legendary performers including Jimi Hendrix and The Stone Roses.
To mark the launch, illustrator Rod Hunt has created an exclusive Blackpool Live map showcasing the Winter Gardens alongside landmarks including Blackpool Tower, Pleasure Beach, the town's piers, Coral Island and Madame Tussauds.
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‘Iconic Blackpool’
The concept was inspired by founder Mark Lippmann's own trip to see Arctic Monkeys at the Empress Ballroom in 2006. Two decades on, Blackpool Live has been created with the aim of giving a new generation of music fans the chance to create similarly memorable experiences.
Mark Lippmann said: "People always ask what the best gig you've ever been to was, but when you think about it, you remember so much more than the band. You remember who you were with, what you did before the show and how the whole day felt.
“Blackpool is uniquely placed to create those experiences. You can jump on a train, spend the day by the sea and finish it watching incredible live music in one of Britain's most iconic venues. That's what Blackpool Live is really about."
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Blackpool Live line-up:
Friday 24 July — FEEDER
Feeder • The Futureheads • A • Balancing Act
Friday 21 August — THE FRATELLIS
The Fratellis • The Twang • The Lilacs • The Cheap Thrills
Friday 28 August — THE ENEMY
The Enemy • We Are Scientists • Alex Spencer • Shambolics
Saturday 12 September — CAST
Cast • Sleeper • Echobelly • Pastel
Friday 18 September — DOVES
Doves • The Slow Readers Club • IST IST • Bank Holiday
Saturday 19 September — THE PIGEON DETECTIVES
The Pigeon Detectives • The Rifles • M60 • ALRIGHT
Saturday 14 November — HAPPY MONDAYS
Happy Mondays • Inspiral Carpets • Common Goldfish