A cask ale and live music festival returns to Northenden, south Manchester, this Easter weekend promising Britpop icons, lively atmosphere and craft ale.
Cask No Shadow takes place at Northenden’s Lounge About venue from March 28 to 31 and returns for its second year.
Headlining the festival are Britpop icons Leon Meya from Stockport-based band Northern Uproar, Dodgy’s frontman Nigel Clark and Ocean Colour Scene’s Andy Bennett – who closes the weekend with an Easter Sunday set.
Event organisers Broken Wing Club say they are on a mission to bring music back to the people.
Co-founder Dean Skarratt said: “Cask No Shadow is all about bringing people together over great music and great beer.
“We’re stepping things up with an even stronger lineup, featuring some absolute legends alongside grassroots talent.
“Lounge About has become a real hub for live music, and we can’t wait to see the place packed out again this Easter.”
Entry is free for everyone and attendees can expect cask ale and craft cider from guest brewers such as Thornbridge, Beartown, and Vocation.
A stacked cast of supporting artists – Delbhoy Kennedy, Naomi Kalu, The Yowies and more – will feature throughout the bank holiday weekend.
Manchester’s own Radio X DJ and presenter Sophie Sveinsson opens the festival on Thursday.
Sveinsson said: “Bringing these huge artists to the suburbs brings so much more than revenue to its community.
“Grassroots independent venues get a bite of the pie and there’s also a chance for musicians and artists to join in the party at the fringe of these shows by performing at their local pubs and bars to support the massive artists arriving in South Manchester.”
Cask No Shadow is the latest in a line of high-profile live music events to feature at the venue.
Previous acts at Lounge About include Space, Inspiral Carpets frontman Tom Hingley and Stone Roses and Simply Red guitarist Aziz Ibrahim.
Ibrahim said on Northenden’s music scene: “The thing I love the most about the shows at Lounge About and Northenden is the focus on community inclusion and respect. My favourite kind of events. Plus you will always get real northern hospitality here!”
Northenden has experienced a huge uptake in live music in recent times.
The Northenden Fringe Festival was headlined by Libertines frontman Pete Doherty last year and Wythenshawe Park has hosted rising acts like Sam Fender and Fontaines D.C. in recent times.
Kneecap are set to take the stage at Wythenshawe Park in 2025 fresh off their eponymous BAFTA-winning film.
Lounge Act owner Andrew Halfpenney expresses: “The rise of major live music events in the area has been incredible for Northenden.
“The super shows at Wythenshawe Park and the Fringe events have brought a new energy, attracting fans and artists alike.
“It’s great to see this community embracing live music in such a big way, and we’re proud that Lounge About has become part of that movement.”
Cask ale will flow from 3pm and live music will play from 5pm onwards each day during the Cask No Shadow festival.
Feature image: Nigel Clark from Dodgy. Images courtesy of Broken Wing Club
Join the discussion