Music festival with 70 acts across four venues returns…

Music festival with 70 acts across four venues returns to Bolton town centre

Bolton town centre will welcome 70 acts across four venues this weekend, as the Right to Roam music and arts festival returns for a second year.

Headliners include Leigh band The Lottery Winners whose most recent album 'Something to Leave the House For' reached number 11 in the official UK charts. Jane Weaver, Will Varley, Ist Ist, and local favourites The Jade Assembly are also on the line-up.

The festival will take place on Friday and Saturday (July 8 and 9) and will be split between The Octagon theatre, as well as pubs The Alma, Northern Monkey, and Bar Four at The Vaults. Organiser Ivan Crompton said that he is happy with the range of musicians and other acts that the festival has been able to secure.

"It took time but we wanted a good split of artists from up-and-coming artists to seasoned professionals, as well as a good balance of genders," he said.

The Octagon in Bolton (Manchester Evening News)

"I think Jane Weaver is brilliant and she was one of the first people we wanted so I'm really happy she's on the line-up. I've been lucky enough to get quite a few big names and then we've got a few local acts and ones from our music project RockIt."

RockIt is a Bolton-based CIC (Community Interest Company) that gives young people the opportunity to form bands and then create, record and perform music. Alongside Ivan and his wife Julie, the project is run by Matt and Joe Carr of Carrs Pasties and Paul Welch from Bolton Gin Company.

"We started Right to Roam as a platform for these bands to play with really good artists who've toured all over the world," Ivan added. "I just wanted to put live music into Bolton and it's nice to do something collaborative with the venues.

"It's quite similar to Neighbourhood in Manchester. Putting things on in a field is good but sometimes the weather's against you so just having something in the town centre is great.

The Alma Inn will also host some live bands (MEN Media)

"The roaming aspect is good as well but on the other hand, if you want to stay at Northern Monkey all day, you can do that as well.

"Last year's festival was socially distanced and it went well considering. In the last two or three weeks, loads of tickets have been sold and there's been lots of interest. Next time the Council are getting involved so think it will get a bit bigger again and hopefully can attract even more bands."

Weekend tickets are still available for £20. Friday (£10) and Saturday (£14) are also still on sale.

To buy tickets visit TicketFest and for more information on the festival, including stage times, visit the Right to Roam website.

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