The Knowsley Music Festival is back again, taking place from 29 October – 28 November with another fantastic line up of musical talent from across the Liverpool City Region and beyond!
In addition to the main music festival line up, the Knowsley Fringe Music Festival returns with shows taking place at venues throughout Knowsley from 1-14 November
There will be original music and much-loved covers spanning across the musical genres, from Motown, soul and R&B to Rock, pop, opera and more.
There are more than 25 artists and groups performing at 16 venues including pubs, bars, church halls and community spaces throughout the festival and most of the events are completely free of charge to attend.
A special mini-fringe festival comes to Cronton in the form of ‘Cronton Stocks and Stars’. Following on from the success of The Cronton Gala and Music Fest, Cronton Gala and Events team have been able to secure funding for an additional music event through the Heritage Lottery Fund with support from Knowsley Council.
Cllr Shelley Powell, Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods said: “I am delighted to welcome back the Knowsley Fringe Music Festival. It is a fantastic showcase for our borough’s vibrant grass-roots musical talent and I’m thrilled that we can offer such a broad range of events—from Motown to Rock and everything in between. Crucially, the fact that most of these events are completely free of charge ensures the festival is accessible to everyone in our communities, giving all residents a chance to enjoy the incredible music on offer.”
Check out the full Knowsley Fringe Music Festival line-up below:
Saturday 1 November: Helen Maw – 1.30pm at Want That Dress, 7 Market Place, Prescot L34 5SB
Helen Maw is a singer/songwriter and musician from Liverpool. She began writing her own music in her teens and has performed her songs in venues across Liverpool and even as far as Madrid!
Saturday 1 November: Blue Indigo – 3pm at The Mermaid Tavern, 21 Market Place, Prescot L34 5SB
Blue Indigo are a high energy R&B duo consisting of saxophone, vocals and guitar. They perform a number of classic R&B tracks that appeal to all ages and that are guaranteed to get you on the dance floor!
Saturday 1 November: The McKnight Brothers – 8.30pm at The Dandelion Tavern, 427 Cronton Rd, Cronton, WA8 5QG
Part of the Cronton Stocks and Stars festival, The McKnight Brothers are a lively acoustic duo bringing a range of well-known classic covers from across the decades to dance or sing along to. A duo that sounds like a full band, with vocals, percussion, guitar & harmonica.
Sunday 2 November: MADE to be MUSIC – 2pm at Made to be Mum, Unit 18, St Chads Parade, Kirkby, Liverpool L32
Join us for a Sunday filled with good vibes, great company, and gorgeous live music. MADE to be MUSIC is all about slowing down, soaking up the sounds, and spending quality time together as a family.
This is more than just an event — it’s a celebration of community, creativity, and connection. Whether you’re a music lover, a parent looking for something a little different to do with the kids, or simply after a feel-good afternoon, MADE to be MUSIC is not to be missed.
Monday 3 November: Ciaran Smith and Sean Knibb – 7.30pm at Paddy McBride’s 48 Derby Rd, Huyton, Liverpool L36 9UJ
Performance by Ciaran and Sean which will include well known cover songs from all decades spanning genres such as Merseybeat, Motown, British rock classics, and some notable American folk songs.
Friday 7 November: Colin Gibson and Friends – 7pm at The Lord Strange, 4 Leyland St, Prescot L34 5QP
Colin is a swing and soul singer who has been performing professionally for 22 years. His career started when he performed on ‘Stars in their eyes’ at Nat King Cole. He will be joined by The Sammos and local guitarist Eric Fitz
Friday 7 November: Kessler (80’s tribute) – 8pm at The Unicorn Inn, 405 Cronton Rd, Cronton, WA8 5QF
Part of the Cronton Stocks and Stars festival, Kessler are a Widnes-based 80’s tribute band, playing music by acts such as Rick Astley, Duran Duran, Tears for Fears, Tiffany, Bryan Adams, Madness and more. Having been together since 2007 the band have played all over the north of England, including at Anfield Stadium, Widnes RLFC Stadium and Liverpool’s world-famous Cavern Club.
Friday 7 November: Blue Indigo – 3pm at The Mermaid Tavern, 21 Market Place, Prescot L34 5SB
Blue Indigo are a high energy R&B duo consisting of saxophone, vocals and guitar. They perform a number of classic R&B tracks that appeal to all ages and that are guaranteed to get you on the dance floor!
Saturday 8 November: Pete Arrowsmith – 3pm at The Mermaid Tavern, 21 Market Place, Prescot L34 5SB
Liverpool based troubadour Pete Arrowsmith continues a musical journey that has taken in stints in indie, rock, funk bands, a solo electronica outfit championed by NME, put him on the winner’s podium of several national songwriting awards and taken him to the far reaches of the globe songwriting for a platinum selling artist! He brings this wealth of experience to any stage to entertain with his unique brand of indie folk.
Saturday 8 November: Anne Taft presents The Colour of Light – 4pm at the Shakespeare North Playhouse Foyer, Prospero Place, Prescot L34 3AB
An evening of song featuring Huyton singer and composer Anne Taft, who will be joined by the incredible young Merseyside singer Lauren Harthorpe and locally renowned pianist Christine Horton. Written by Anne Taft, The Colour of Light is a soul-searching and heart-rending musical journey through the complex, intense and often challenging relationship between a mother and her daughter. The story explores the notion that at birth we arrive on earth as pure, brilliant light.
Saturday 8 November: Echoes of the Underground – 6.30pm at Bryer Road Community Centre, Bryer Rd, Prescot L35 5DW
Echoes of the Underground is a one-night celebration of emerging and grassroots music talent from Knowsley and the wider Liverpool City Region. Showcasing a diverse line-up of performers aged 16 to 50+, highlighting the depth and range of creativity across generations. With a mix of afro-jazz, folk, acoustic covers, indie pop, and house music from performers AliFex, Ebbie Smith, Indigo Child, DJ Lyve and Gracie Berry.
Sunday 9 November: Dian – 2.15pm at Want That Dress, 7 Market Place, Prescot L34 5SB
Dian is a superb guitarist specialising in the art of Flamenco. Highly talented, his set list includes Paco De Lucia and The Gypsy Kings. Dian’s music will take you to far off Andalucian villages as you listen and explore this true, authentic guitar style!
Sunday 9 November: Bentley Operatic Society present “Pick ‘n’ Mix” – 2.30pm at St Mary’s Church, Leather’s Ln, Halewood, L2 6 0TX. Tickets £10 + booking fee from www.ticketsource.co.uk
Based in Liverpool, The Bentley Operatic Society was founded in 1912 and, apart from the war years (and Covid), the society has produced a fully staged show every year since This year’s Knowsley Fringe Music Festival performance is entitled “Pick ‘n’ Mix” and is a pot-pourri of the best songs from the world of musical theatre.
Thursday 13 November: Live Open Mic Night – 7pm at The Coach House, Bowring Park, Roby Rd, Liverpool L36 4HD
The Coach House at Bowring Park is proud to host an Open Mic Night as part of Knowsley Fringe! A celebration of the region’s new and emerging local artists. This event offers local, emerging talent the chance to perform in front of an enthusiastic audience. More than a one-off occasion, the Open Mic Night presents an opportunity for standout artists to become regular performers at the Coach House so join us to support local creativity and discover the next wave of Knowsley’s musical talent.
Friday 14 November: Galatica DJ’s – 8pm at Pergo, 77a Eccleston St, Prescot L34 5QH
Galatica are a team of professional DJs who perform at events across the UK and internationally. Six DJs, will each perform an hour-long set, creating a dynamic engaging night of music in a safe and welcoming space where people can dance, enjoy the music, and experience an unforgettable evening.
Friday 14 November: Jamie Higgs & Band – 8pm at YADA, 64 Eccleston St, Prescot L34 5QL
From the heart of Liverpool, Jamie Higgs and his band are making serious noise. Jamie’s voice doesn’t ask for attention, it grabs it. What began as one man and a guitar, Jamie’s sound has grown into something much bigger. Now joined by guitarists Eddie Ponting , Harry Gallivan & Jack Ryan, Harrison Crane on keys, bass player Zak Langford Do and Jack Hannon on drums, the band brings fire every time they hit the stage.
Friday 14 November: The League of Gentlemen – 8pm at Holy Family Social Club, Hall Lane, Cronton, WA8 5DH
As part of the Cronton Stocks and Stars festival, The League of Gentlemen return! Born out of a weekly music session at Holy Family Social Club in Cronton, the League of Gentlemen are a collective of highly experienced musicians with a combined age of 390 years old. They perform much-loved hits from the 1970’s and 1980’s.
Friday 14 November: Soul Sisters – 9pm at The Seel Arms, 22 Hall Ln, Huyton, Liverpool L36 6AZ
When two of the city’s best singers and entertainers get together on stage, sisters Gillian Ross & Helen Kenny are The Soul Sisters. A sensational vocal harmony duo bringing some of the most well known hits from the fantastic Motown era. Immaculate harmony vocals mixed with some fun and laughter.
Sunday 16 November: The Chimps, Greg Oldfield and Little Words – 1pm Cronton Community Centre, 470 Cronton Rd, WA8 5QQ
A three-band showcase as part of the Cronton Stocks and Stars festival, featuring:
The Chimps have been performing across the North West for the past 20 years. Their songs are 3-minute melodramas with influences from across the globe. They have been described as Spaghetti Skiffle. And they are quite happy with that.
Greg Oldfield has been at the forefront of the local music scene with his own popular Industrial Folk genre, and its successful Smoking Dragons project, to his time fronting various bands, most notably as singer in Great & Lady Soul.
Little Words are a duo from Widnes performing songs from throughout the decades from artists such as The Beatles, Kinks, Everly Brothers, Elton John, Snow Patrol, Coldplay, David Gray, The Beautiful South and many more.
