Rochdale favourite Dave Sweetmore back on the Feel Good main stage

A person wearing sunglasses stands with their arms outstretched in front of a large crowd.
Popular Rochdale DJ Dave Sweetmore will be hosting the main stage.

Published: 27 April 2026

Popular Rochdale DJ Dave Sweetmore will host the main stage at this August’s Rochdale Feel Good Festival.

It will be Dave’s 13th appearance at the summer event and he said he’s buzzing to be back:

“This festival has always held a special place in my heart. Growing up locally and now coming back year after year to host it is something I never take for granted. There’s such an incredible atmosphere, and it just keeps getting better every time. I can’t wait for August, the line-up is absolutely brilliant this year, with some amazing acts I’m really excited to share with the crowd. It’s always an honour to be part of it.”

‘excited’

The club, radio, concert and festival DJ is a familiar face on the northern and UK music scene, nationally-renowned for his indie tunes and has spent over two decades DJ-ing at venues across the country with residencies at many iconic nightclubs as well as working with artists including James, Nik Kershaw, Paul Young, Steve Craddock, Inspiral Carpets, Happy Mondays and Cast. The BBC Radio Manchester presenter is a regular commentator on north west music, always championing new bands and live music. He plays a broad range of music including classic indie, 90s Britpop, Manchester classics and in his words “the best and coolest records ever made”.

The festival returns on Saturday, 8 August 2026, for another showcase of live entertainment headlined by pop and soul icon Gabrielle, rock band Ash, and Starsailor alongside soul and funk pioneers The Allergies, indie artist Alex Spencer and more to be revealed. There will be live music across indoor venues, a main stage against the backdrop of the Grade I-listed town hall, plus quality food and drink a quality food and drink village and other entertainment.

The festival, organised by Rochdale Development Agency, is supported by the council together with sponsorship from local businesses, including The Royal Toby Hotel.

The night before the festival (Friday, 7 August 2026) synth-pop icons Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) are performing a headline show at Rochdale Town Hall Square alongside post-punk legends Peter Hook and The Light, and Manchester’s post-punk/funk band - A Certain Ratio. OMD’s Summer of Hits, plus special guests Peter Hook and The Light, and A Certain Ratio

Book your tickets and find out more

While early bird and phase 2 tickets are sold out, discounted tickets (£30 plus a 7.5 per cent booking fee) are available online. VIP upgrade packages are also available.

Find festival updates on social media:

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