Introducing The Busk Rats! We’re thrilled to welcome The Busk Rats, the first act to grace the main stage on Saturday 18th at this year’s festival! The Busk Rats, comprising Clare, Richard, and Andy, are a local trio hailing from nearby Garrigill and Weardale. As a band playing with just two string instruments and a […]
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The 2026 Festival stage splits are out now! Check out who’s playing on each stage and start planning your festival weekend Friday the 17th July the gates will open at 4:30pm. Saturday the 18th July the gates open at 11am, with Feel Now Yoga, family workshops, entertainment and more before the live music gets underway
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Introducing Uncle Carbunkle! We’re delighted to welcome Cumbrian cyber skiffle favourites Uncle Carbunkle to Alston Live Festival 2026! Known for their infectious mix of blues, roots, and skiffle-inspired sounds, Uncle Carbunkle delivers a performance that’s guaranteed to get toes tapping and faces smiling. What makes them truly unique? Many of their instruments are handmade by
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Biking Viking Invasion at Alston Live 2026! The Biking Vikings, a North East troupe of pipe and drum playing Vikings, are returning to this year’s festival in support of Brain Tumour Research! Over the last 10 years they’ve raised over £80,000 for Brain Tumour Research, and every penny collected goes straight to the charity. The
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Introducing The Flying Thimbles! We’re thrilled to welcome Alston’s very own folk trio, The Flying Thimbles, performing on Friday at this year’s festival! A relatively new formation, known for their upbeat acoustic music, the band plays a mix of traditional and modern tunes, stating they “love to folk anything up!”. Featuring Henela Bazley on washboard
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Introducing Tim Dalling! We’re excited to introduce Ayrshire singer-songwriter, accordion virtuoso, and master entertainer Tim Dalling, who will be performing on Saturday at this year’s festival! Originally gaining attention as the kilted, accordion-playing spark in the much-loved Old Rope String Band and later The New Rope String Band, Tim Dalling blends folk music, theatre, humour,
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Introducing Sam Shields & Emma Robson! If you love storytelling, you are in for a treat! Hailing from Ovingham, Sam Shields brings a distinctive British twist to classic Americana songwriting, pairing Bruce Springsteen-style narrative grit with raw acoustic soul. Described by NARC. Magazine as a “sincere and unpretentious troubadour holding his songs to the light,”
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Introducing Cian Downing! Hailing from North London, Cian has spent the last few years making waves on the British guitar music scene with his infectious energy and refreshing melodic songwriting in the style of Billy Bragg, Paul Weller, and The Specials.Since taking to the Alston Live stage, Cian has continued his rise as one of
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Introducing AJ Potter & The NE Rails! Hailing from the North East, this fantastic six-piece folk rock and skiffle band brings a raw, high-energy storytelling edge that is guaranteed to impress! Fronted by singer-songwriter AJ Potter, the group blends elements of blues, folk, country, and bluegrass. Named after The Station East, a pub and creative
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Introducing The Brothers Gillespie! Described by Folk Radio UK as “weaving an especially compelling magic”, Northumbrian duo The Brothers Gillespie create music that feels both intimate and expansive – songs of soaring sibling harmony, lyrical depth, inspired guitar playing and rich acoustic textures. Raised among the fells and valleys of Northumberland, brothers James and Sam
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