Following the triumphant success of its 10th Birthday last year, Smithdown Festival is back for another unforgettable few days…
Taking place from Friday 1st May to Bank Holiday Monday 4th May, the free festival gives both local up and coming acts and more established acts a great opportunity to perform to full crowds. It’s not all about the main stages and music; the festival also raises money for the Whitechapel Centre, helping to stamp out loneliness with the elderly and provides an alcohol free area.
Stretching from Bean There Coffee Shop all the way to Black Cat, there’s an incredible line up at many bars and cafes in the area with something to cater for all tastes.
As usual Handyman is providing the main stage. Silent-K are returning to their spiritual home on the Friday night and Psycho Comedy make their comeback headlining Saturday. Sound Together Choir are opening proceedings on Sunday and there’s also a couple of very special guest acts to look out for making their first Smithdown Festival appearances.
Black Cat as always has ideas above its station, and will host an eclectic mix of acts from Sheffield rock duo, The Bad Actors to Manchester’s jazz funk quintet, Flat Moon, as well as local favourites such as country folk, Motel Sundown, electro DSM IV or even the latin jazz DJs, The Pintucos. They’ll also have their annual Big Bank Holiday Hangover Quiz on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon, with free, much needed, chip butties for everyone who joins in!
Luminous is once again transforming from a restaurant to a gig venue for the weekend, with a Saturday takeover curated by Music Seen, a local collective promoting women and trans in music, followed by Queensway DJs. Local lads Traits will also be headlining a Sunday line up packed with indie bands.
Other highlights include Bean There hosting Capeesh CIC with a stage showcasing young singer-songwriters who have come through their musical projects. Plazzy Bags will also return to the venue this year with her Spoken Word evening.
Need a bit of sunshine? Then head to Beeswing and have a drink in the beer garden while listening to some fantastic singer songwriters perform inside.
Sadly due to the closure of Penny Lane Development Centre and no suitable replacement being available the big family outdoor days are on hold until next year, but look out for more information on what is happening at So Curious, Quaker Gardens and Garmoyle Gardens, as there will still be family fun to have!
A brand new addition to this year’s event is the exhibition ‘In Analog!’ – Belgian artist Benjamin Schoos presents his vision of Liverpool through marker drawings, printed on large suspended banners, where alien mythologies and Liverpool pop memory merge into a distorted dreamlike city. As well as performing at Handyman, his exhibition will be on display for two weeks from the 1st May.
Lastly, this year Smithdown Festival will be teaming up with Autism In Motion to curate a program of events aimed at children of all ages with Special Educational Needs. Expect a sensory disco, messy play, creative workshops and more…
Categories: 2026 | Festivals & Events | Music & Dance
