The Ferret prepares for 5 nights of star-studded live music ft Stone Roses guitarist & Lancashire favourites

A longstanding Preston live music venue is kicking off November with a week of star-studded shows.

The Ferret on Fylde Road has not one but five live shows this week, each one starring a household name in the alternative music scene.

From a former member of The Stone Roses to a homegrown Lancashire band done good and a Manchester group tipped to be the next big thing, music fans in Preston are in for a treat.

Below we have outlined each of the five acts, their ticket information, and why the director of the Ferret, Matt Fawbert, says this week is only the beginning of a great month for the venue...

Who’s at the Ferret this week?

First up, tonight (November 3), an American indie rock band, who have become quite the cult favourites over the past forty years, play at the Ferret.

Founded in San Francisco back in 1989, Swell quickly rose to prominence in the early 90s and were championed by iconic DJ John Peel in the UK.

They released 14 EPs up until 2014 but sadly lost their founding frontman, David Freel in 2022.

A year later, original members Sean Kirkpatrick and Tim Adams played some shows as a tribute to David and in 2026 they have reunited again, this time teaming up with frontman Johan Dettman, for a final trip around Europe.

Swell’s Preston date is their first in the UK for over 20 years and one of only two UK performances of the tour.

They are supported by the Liverpudlian post-punk band, The Room, who released three abums and several singles between 1979-1985, before breaking up and reforming in 2023.

Tickets can be bought here and cost £17.50 (plus bf).

The next evening, English post-punk/gothic rock band The March Violets come to Preston as part of a handful of additional dates on their latest tour.

It’s a long-awaited return for the Leeds-based The March Violets as this will be their first Preston show in 13 years.

Founded in 1981, the band’s history in the city stretches back even further, including a show at legendary Preston venue Clouds on November 12 1984, during the band’s original run.

This time the, The March Violets are bringing the Unnatural History Tour Pt 2 to The Ferret, performing their debut album Natural History in full, as well as classics, fan favourites and newer material.

They are being supported by post punk/new wave cult favourites Department S who are best known for their 1980’s track ‘Is Vic There’? which reached number 22 in the UK singles chart.

The British group bring a catalogue spanning their original 80’s material through to their latest album Burn Down Tomorrow, which was released in 2024.

Tickets can be bought here and cost £15 (plus bf).

On Wednesday, November 5, a band described as “Manchester’s next greatest success” by Northern Exposure Magazine take to the Ferret stage.

The Rolling People were only founded in 2021 and just four years into their career, they have headlined Manchester’s O2 Ritz and New Century Hall following the momentum of their EPs ‘Before It’s Gone’ and ‘Outlier’.

The alternative rock band come to Preston as part of only a four date intimate tour after a summer playing festivals.

The Rolling People are supported by the Florentines, a northern teenage quartet who promise an energetic indie rock performance.

Tickets can be bought here and cost £12 (plus bf).

Friday night then sees Blackburn rock band Sky Valley Mistress perform at the Ferret.

The hard rock dual drumming, flare strolling pair come to Preston as part of ‘Phase four’ of their LUNA MAUSOLEUM UK Tour

Sky Valley Mistress return to Preston, after coming in the summer, with “two of their favourite bands”.

dull. are a post-punk and experimental noise duo from Lancaster whilst Mademaker are a two-piece heavy rock band from Warrington.

Tickets can be bought online here for £7.50 (plus bf) or they’re £10 on the door.

Rounding off the week on Saturday, November 7 is perhaps the most well known of all five headliners.

Manchester born guitarist and composer Aziz Ibrahim brings his ‘Lahore To Longsight’ tour to Preston.

Aziz is best known for his work as a guitarist for Simply Red, The Stone Roses, for their former vocalist Ian Brown, and for Marillion’s lead singer Steve Hogarth’s band H Band.

The Longsight local, whose family is from Pakistan, released his first EP in 1999, featuring vocals and guitar from Paul Weller.

His debut album ‘Lahore To Longsight’ was then recorded in 2001 but never released.

25 years later, his long-lost debut album finally sees the light of day and he visits Preston as part of its full band tour.

Tickets can be bought here and cost £15 (plus bf).

What has the Ferret said about the week?

Matt Fawbert told the Post: "We’ve got a brilliant week coming up at The Ferret, with five shows in five nights: Swell on Tuesday, The March Violets on Wednesday, The Rolling People on Thursday, Sky Valley Mistress on Friday and Aziz Ibrahim on Saturday.

“It’s a really good snapshot of what The Ferret is about: bringing established and internationally recognised artists to a 200-capacity venue in Preston, while giving emerging and local bands the opportunity to play alongside them. Across the week we’ve also got The Room, Department S, Florentenes, The Kellows, dull. and Mademaker joining us.

“November as a whole is looking really strong, but ultimately grassroots venues only thrive when people come through the doors. Buying a ticket, having a drink or taking a chance on an artist you’ve not seen before genuinely supports the venue and helps us keep bringing great live music to Preston.

“So if you haven’t been to The Ferret for a while, or you’ve never been, have a look at what we’ve got coming up. There’s a lot happening, and there’s nothing quite like seeing a great artist in a small room."

You can buy tickets for all of The Ferret’s upcoming shows via Skiddle.

Whilst we’re on about Skiddle, did you know it was founded right here in Preston? Read our exclusive chat with co-foudner Richard Dyer here.