More main stage acts announced for Rochdale Feel Good Festival

House-pop, funk and indie disco four-piece K-ESTATE and rock band Metro will take to the main stage on Saturday 8 August. 

K-ESTATE, formed last year in Middleton, are described as a modern crossover between Happy Mondays and Jungle, playing euphoric, groove driven tracks that mix dance, house and electronic funk. They’ve already played a host of live shows, including support slots with Inspiral Carpets and have a busy summer ahead including slots at Kendal Calling, Lakefest and this home debut. The band were selected for the Rochdale line-up by London based international music agency Free Trade, after festival organiser Rochdale Development Agency put forward artists who appeared on the recent ‘Rochdale Music Stories presents: Kenion Street’ album. Released this year, it celebrated the borough’s musical legacy, with local bands playing classic tracks by world renowned artists who recorded at the iconic studios. 

Five-piece band rock band Metro will open the main stage. They also formed in 2025 but are rapidly rising. In March they made the final of the Greater Manchester and Blackburn with Darwen Music Hub Battle of the Bands Competition, representing Rochdale. Their style is influenced by a range of acts including The Foofighters and Deftones and they are heading to the recording studio in September. 

K-ESTATE and Metro will be joined at Rochdale Feel Good Festival by the previously announced headliners - pop/soul icon Gabrielle, rock band Ash, and Starsailor, alongside soul and funk pioneers The Allergies, and Manchester indie artist Alex Spencer, together with live music across indoor venues, a food and drink village and other entertainment. 

While early bird and phase 2 tickets are sold out, you can get discounted tickets (£30 + 7.5% booking fee) from rochdale.gov.uk/FeelGoodFestival or phone QuayTickets on 0161 876 2015. VIP upgrade packages are also available. 

The bi-annual festival is organised by Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) on behalf of Rochdale Borough Council. Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation said: “We’ve got some extraordinarily talented and creative musicians in the borough so it’s great to see more local acts on the main stage at Rochdale Feel Good Festival, which has always provided a great platform for the borough’s talent. I’m very proud and looking forward to seeing them both on stage and supporting them on their musical journey.” 

The festival is supported by the council together with sponsorship from local businesses, including Premier Kia, The Royal Toby Hotel, Hopwood Hall College and Transport for Greater Manchester. 

Once again, to cut single use plastic, tickets include a re-usable drink cup to be collected upon arrival at the festival site. 

The night before the festival (Friday 7 August) synth-pop icons Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) are performing a headline show at Rochdale Town Hall Square alongside post-punk legends Peter Hook & The Light, and Manchester’s post-punk/funk band - A Certain Ratio. 

For festival updates on Facebook go to www.facebook.com/feelgoodfestival follow @RochdaleFeelGoodFestival on Instagram and connect with @FeelGoodFest on X. On all social media search #FeelGoodFest26