Moovin Festival, one of the country’s best-loved festivals, is set to take over the beautiful countryside in Etherow Country Park this August bank holiday weekend.
The festival was once considered a real hidden gem but is now a proudly independent and welcoming staple for thousands every summer.
There’s a line-up of returning favourites and hotly-tipped newcomers, all performing in the ‘adult playground’ where quirky stages are built into open-sided cow sheds and festival-goers relax on actual bales of hay.
The site itself features canopies of trees, lakes with busy waterfowl, and a breathtaking gorge.
This year, Moovin Festival will take place between 25 and 27 August at Compstall’s ‘udderly unique’ Whitebottom Farm.
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Located just 30 minutes from both Manchester and Sheffield, this place is a real northern gem.
Moovin Festival is also on the longlist for a Festival of the Year Award at the inaugural Nordoff and Robbins Northern Music Awards – you can vote for it here.
Moovin’s picturesque countryside location in the village of Compstall is actually only 15 minutes from Stockport, and 30 minutes from Manchester.
Those who are driving should use postcode SK6 5HH, and follow the signs to the car park. The cost is £15 for a day or £25 for the full weekend, paid in cash.
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For drop offs you can either get dropped off in the Festival Car Park, SK6 5HH, or Etherow Country Park Car Park, George St, Compstall, SK6 5JD.
The walk to the festival site is approximately 25 minutes from the Festival Car Park or 20 minutes from Etherow Country Park Car Park, and is clearly signposted from both locations.
A shuttle bus will run between the Festival Car Park and the festival site, costing £1 each way,
The nearest train stations are Marple and Romiley. Stockport train station is also nearby with buses every 15 minutes.
Moovin Festival 2023 line-up and headliners
This year’s line-up includes headline performances from Laurent Garnier, house music mainstay Toddy Terry, plus local legend Mr Scruff.
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The bill also includes Mungo’s HiFi feat Eva Lazarus, David Holmes, Massive Attack’s Daddy G performing a DJ set, Craig Charles, plus hip hop royalty Big Daddy Kane, Goldie live with his orchestra, Sister Nancy, Chali 2Una from Jurassic5, Children of Zeus, Gilles Peterson, Stanton Warriors, Plump DJs, Jaguar Skills, Krafty Kuts, Freestylers, DJ Paulette, Graeme Park and many more.
What are the stage times?
Moovin Festival stage times for Friday, Saturday and Sunday
The Moovin Festival party will, as usual, run right through into the early hours, with the entertainment starting from mid-morning.
Headline performances from Sister Nancy Meets Legal Shot, Goldie, and Big Daddy Kane will all close out the main Barn Stage each night, with silent discos running until 2am at The Udder One.
And beyond the music, the programme includes fire shows, gong baths, yoga and more.
Gate opening times
Motor Home Ticket Holders Only: Friday 25 August – 11am – 9pm
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Camping Ticket Holders Only: Friday 25 August – 1pm -9pm
All Other Ticket Holders: Friday 25 August – 2pm – 9pm Saturday 26 August – 10am – 9pm Sunday 27 August – 10am – 9pm
What the headliners say
“At the bottom of a tree lined valley, a hay barn with a fat sound-system. A freewheeling crowd, no VIP red ropes, no hassle from the authorities, just music and good vibes” 90s free party? No its the brilliant Moovin Festival,” – GROOVE ARMADA
“Moovin Festival was my Highlight of the Summer. The Great Vibes, Music, Venue, the perfect organisation and all these Beautiful people made this Festival become my Favourite Worldwide” – LEE SCRATCH PERRY
“Moovin Festival is one of the standout festivals of the year for me. Wonderful location with the best party people who are always mad for it …What more could you ask for? KRAFTY KUTS
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“Whenever I get to play Moovin Festival it’s a highlight of my festival calendar. As soon as I see the waterfall I feel like I’m home. The crowd is just beautiful and the energy is electric.” DJ PAULETTE
IDLES frontman Joe Talbot set for ’10 Songs That Made Me’ interview at AO Arena
Danny Jones
Cult favourite frontman Joe Talbot of IDLES fame is set to for an eye-opening sit-down interview as part of AO Arena’s ’10 Songs That Made Me’ series.
The lead singer of the politically-charged post-punk band will be joining the in-conversation event opposite BBC 6 Music host and popular radio host, full stop, Chris Hawkins.
Having often drifted into hardcore, art rock and even spoken word at times, Joe Talbot and co. have become known for the cutting lyricism and insightful songwriting in general, so we can only assume that diving into his own musical influences will be just as riveting.
Joining his fellow audophile on stage at the city’s legendary live music and entertainment venue this November, Talbot and Hawkins will be running through the tracks that quite literally helped create the musician we know today.
According to the AO, the arena will host an in-depth chat with the provocative 41-year-old artist as he walks Chris Hawkins through “the most important musical chapters of his life, his stunning musical journey from resident DJ at one of Bristol’s hottest clubs, through to headlining Glastonbury festival.”
It is quite the career he’s had when you break it down.
They go on to promise “raw honesty and trademark wit” as Joe reflects on the record, acts and cultural moments that shaped him as a young performer before breaking onto the scene with IDLES.
As for the ’10 Songs That Made Me’ series itself, it may be what it says on the tin, but most interestingly, being in the crowd and hearing it from each different group/individual changes the experience entirely.
“More than a story of success—it’s a journey of resilience, passion, and community”, they go on to add. “Expect an evening of candid conversation, unexpected anecdotes, and deep dives into the music that has not only defined Joe’s career but also resonated with millions around the world.
If you’re fans of the band or Talbot, in particular, you’ll already know they’re great orators; plus, if you caught even a small clip from his own fledgling Oh Gatekeeper podcast, you’ll know he loves nothing more than diving deep into tunes that shape not just the audio landscape but people at their core.
Just casually getting the lead singer of The Strokes on for in the first season, as you do…
On a personal note, we’ve watched the IDLES x Grammy Museum interview on multiple ocassions at this point, and know how much artistry there is behind everything they do.
The same goes for Talbot, specifically – there’s no doubt about that.
If you’re interested in being part of the audience for Joe Talbot’s in conversation event with Chris Hawkins as part of ’10 Songs That Made Me’, tickets for the date at AO Arena on Tuesday, 25 November are live now, and you can grab yours via Skiddle right HERE.
Last but not least, special mention goes to the interviewing expert himself, whose recent chat with Tim Burgess about The Charlatans getting back into the studio is also well worth a listen.
Tune in to 6 Music from 1pm today, @Tim_Burgess is my very special guest and rumour has it that we might get to hear a brand new Charlatans track… pic.twitter.com/vzoGDnvS7G
Wet Leg announce huge outdoor gig in Manchester as part of landmark live dates
Clementine Hall
Isle of Wight five-piece Wet Leg have announced their biggest headline shows to date, announcing a trio of huge outdoor gigs, including one right here in Manchester at Castlefield Bowl.
The multi-award-winning indie and alt outfit rose to fame back in 2022 with iconic tracks like Chaise Longue and Wet Dream, packing out stages at Glastonbury not long after releasing their critically acclaimed debut album.
Becoming their second consecutive number one in just as many attempts, moisturizer, is equally as fun and fabulous as the first – we cannot wait to hear it live in these.
Comprised of two lead singers in Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers, Ellis Durand on bass, drummer Henry Holmes and guitarist Joshua Mobaraki, this lot can make plenty of noise.
And as you can see, to make things even better, they’ll be joined by Leeds’ very own English Teacher as the main support act at each one of the landmarks shows.
As for their down south show, they’ll also be playing Alexandra Palace Park down in the capital to round out this run of live dates next summer.
It goes without saying that we’re obviously buzzing to see them become the latest name on the lineup for the 2026 Sounds of the City series, with a hometown hero also joining the ranks as of this month:
Wet Leg are in good company when they rock up to Castlefield Bowl.
Set to play the Bowl on Wednesday, 8 July, before heading to Leeds and then London for consecutive nights, we’re sure you’ll see them playing tonnes more big stages throughout festival season.
Tickets for all three of Wet Leg’s confirmed dates for 2026 go on sale this Friday, 31 October from 9:30am, and you can get ready to grab yours HERE.
We reckon this one will be a real ticket scramble, so we wouldn’t mess about if you want to bag yourself a ticket; in fact, given that all of their live shows this year sold out, we know it will…
Daisy Jackson -
23rd August 2023 
