Music Preview | Neighbourhood Weekender 2026

This month sees Neighbourhood Weekender return to Warrington for the start of the festival season.

The event features three stages and the familiar challenge of studying the clash finder and deciding which acts take priority

Author | Josh T

The festival has become a defining fixture of the northern festival calendar. Over the years, it has become know for its raucous yet family-friendly celebration of British music. Let's explore which bands and acts you should watch ahead of this year's fun and games.

The place for the indie rockers

As always, the Main Stage will shine the spotlight on the big names and repeat offenders. No one can really be a stranger to the main headliners, Richard Ashcroft and Blossoms (new album imminent, so maybe a new tune or two), and to a chance to admire Tom Ogden’s latest fashions. 

Both Richard and Cast continue to trade well off the oasis support slots of last Summer. The Royston Club will be stopping off as part of their touring schedule, and we’ve recently borne witness to the acclaim that DMA’s have earned from a legion of fans.

The Royston Club at last year's festival

What’s happening at The Big Top

Saturday’s headline set comes from Example, although the act drawing particular attention is Scottish folk-pop quartet Tide Lines, who were recognised in 2023 as one of Scotland’s leading folk-rock groups. For more familiar indie fare, Razorlight and The Fratellis take to the open-air stage on Sunday.

The Viola Beach Stage 

This area of the festival is packed with emerging talent, with several acts likely to climb much higher up festival line-ups in the years ahead. Among the standout names are Brògeal, who should provide a lively early set with their folk-punk sound, and Liverpool outfit Cheap Thrills.