'You're guaranteed a good night'- Popular Preston festival to return to The Ferret this year
A popular festival celebrating the music that comes out of Preston is returning to the city later this year.
Following the huge success of last year’s sell out event that saw people queuing outside in the afternoon to get in, Preston’s own Crackedankles Records returns to The Ferret this May bank holiday weekend to showcase local and national talent released by the label on Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3.
This time expanded to two all day events, Preston’s finest and most established music venue The Ferret plays host to 16 bands from as far afield as London, Birmingham and even Chorley!
Crackedankles Weekend Festival promises an eclectic mix of genres from electronica to Psych doom metal to get the bank holiday bouncing.
Who’s on the line-up?
Saturday sees the return of local anti-heroes Evil Blizzard – the only Preston band to ever headline the iconic Guild Hall – alongside their friends and label mates Michael, Thee Alcoholics, Mister Strange, Whinge, ZD Grafters, Empty Cut and Dull.
Bank holiday Sunday is headlined by Yaang – a band tipped for the top who have packed The Ferret previously.
Also on the bill are 6music favourites Pyncher, local electronic artist Polypores (whose albums have reached the national top 40 charts), TV FACE, Dead Things, Hauspoints, Dead Stilettos and 8-B1t.
What has been said about the festival?
One of Crackedankles founders, Michael Stokes. said: "When we set the label up we never imagined we'd working with so many talented local musicians as well as national and international ones. The weekend last year was tremendous fun, with people travelling from the Scottish highlands and even Europe for it, which really helped the whole 'festival' vibe; there was a real sense of celebration and that 'something' was happening in Preston.
“You're always guaranteed a good night in The Ferret, and last year was not only two days of laughter, but a fantastic, and well received, showcase for so much talent. This year is a bit more musically scripted, with Saturday seeing the heavier, rockier side of things and Sunday a lot more eclectic ranging from electronica through to electro punk. We're looking forward to welcoming people back, and now we're a little more experienced we can hopefully sit back, stress less and enjoy the shows more!”
Tickets and timings details
Tickets start at just £15 per day for eight bands – “a bargain when many of the bands are charging more than that individually on their current tours” says the organisers.
Doors open at 4pm on both days.
Who are Crackedankles Records?
Crackedankles Records was founded in 2017 by brothers John and Michael Stokes.
The label has gone from strength to strength, with international sales now totalling tens of thousands.
Crackedankles has previously released bands such as HotWax and King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard that have gone on to international fame and chart successes.
“Not bad for an operation run out of a spare bedroom in Ashton”, they told the Post.