The 2025 Knowsley Music Festival has drawn to a close with amazing performances across the borough of Knowsley from singers, bands and DJ’s spanning the genres of pop, rock, soul, folk, musical theatre and traditional flamenco!
The festival kicked off on 29 October with an intimate evening of stories and songs with pop icon Paul Young. Paul took to the stage at Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot performing stripped back acoustic versions of some of his best-loved hits. He took questions from the audience and shared behind-the-scenes stories from his extraordinary life in music.
From 1 – 14 November the borough came alive with the sound of music as the Knowsley Fringe Music Festival returned, showcasing local artists in local venues. Over the two-week period, more than 30 performers showcased their musical talents at pubs, bars and community halls. The Fringe Festival provides small pots of funding for artists and venues to put on a gig as part of the Knowsley Music Festival, this year saw the highest number of successful applications to the fringe festival ever!
A special mini-fringe festival came 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 were able to secure funding for an additional music event through the Heritage Lottery Fund with support from Knowsley Council. The team worked with all of the venues in Cronton to host music performances throughout the festival, culminating in a three-band showcase at Cronton Community Centre, which was decorated by the local community especially to host its first ever music event.
Disco fever hit Huyton on Friday 14 November with the sensational Chic Le Freak bringing an unforgettable party night to Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park. Storm Claudia couldn’t dampen revellers spirits as they boogied to the hits of Nile Rogers and Chic as well as many other much-loved disco classics.
She Drew The Gun wowed crowds in an intimate but energetic performance at St Chad’s Church in Kirkby. Known for their ‘scouse psychedelia’ and impassioned political poetry, the band put on an incredible performance in the breathtaking surrounding of St Chad’s Church. The very talented Lucy Starr supported.
The final event in this year’s programme was KMF Presents: The Young Ones, Knowsley Music festival’s first foray into a youth music showcase, programmed by Knowsley Young Producer Sonny Price and featuring seven up-and-coming bands and artists from Knowsley and the wider Liverpool City Region. The show was headlined by Casino, who have appeared at the Knowsley Music Festival twice before as support for both The Christians and The Lightning Seeds.
Sonny Price said: “Putting together the first ever KMF Presents: The Young Ones was an incredible experience! It was fantastic to showcase the brilliant talent coming out of Knowsley and the wider Liverpool City Region. Seeing the energy and passion of all seven bands and artists, and having a headline act like Casino close the show, made it a truly memorable night. It proves there’s a real hunger for youth music, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this showcase!”
Cllr Shelley Powell, Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods said: “It’s been another fantastic Knowsley Music Festival, this is the fourth year of the festival, and it’s been another fresh and exciting line-up of artists to suit a broad cross section of music tastes.
“Our mission with this festival is to bring high quality cultural events to Knowsley communities but also to give opportunities for performers from the borough to show off their talents. The inclusion of a new youth music showcase this year really extends that opportunity to our borough’s young people and I can’t wait to see this particular event grow and attract new talent over the coming years.”
View a gallery from the Knowsley Music Festival here:
