Can I play at the 2022 festival?
The Feel Good – Battle of the Bands is our annual search for local acts to appear on the main stage. The 2022 competition was won by The Sprats.
Our line-up for 2022 is complete. However, we consider applications all year round, so please email events@rochdale.gov.uk if you want to apply.
Can I bring my own alcohol or non-alcoholic drinks?
You're not allowed to take alcohol into the festival, although you can purchase this on site. You can bring your own water and soft drinks in sealed plastic bottles no bigger than 500ml.
What time are the acts on the main stage?
The main stage gates open at 3pm. This is where you'll also find a great selection of food and drink traders serving from 3pm, followed by…
- 4pm – The Sprats
- 4.30pm – ENTT
- 5.05pm – Firewoodisland
- 5.35pm – Sign Along With Us
- 5.55pm - Aziz Ibrahim
- 6.30pm – Abbie Ozard
- 7.05pm – The Northern Soultrain
- 7.50pm – HAiG
- 8.40pm – The Fratellis
Can my company have a stand at the festival or in the market?
If you're interested in being involved in the 2023 festival, please email events@rochdale.gov.uk.
Can I bring my children to the festival?
Yes, there is no minimum age for attending the festival, however, our main stage area is not suitable for young children.
Everyone who attends will need to purchase a ticket. Performances may feature material, not suitable for young children, that we are unable to predict and classify due to the nature of a live performance. All under 18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times, unaccompanied under 18s will not be admitted. If an under 18-year-old leaves the main stage area, re-entry will only be permitted if accompanied by a parent or guardian. Parents or guardians are responsible for the behaviour of their under 18s. Rochdale Feel Good Festival operates the ‘Challenge 25’ policy.
If you lose a child, report this immediately to a festival steward.
The festival used to be free. Why are you now charging for tickets?
In February 2020 we announced that in order to create less reliance on public funding we would start charging a small entry fee for the main stage area. Most performances in our indoor venues remain free of charge. Since 2008 the council has invested well over a million pounds into the festival, but severe cuts in public spending during that time have resulted in budgets being squeezed and many council services cut. The festival has lost 25 per cent of its public funding since 2017 so we want festival goers to contribute in the form of a modest entry fee.
We feel the ticket price is modest for a day of quality entertainment and helps us strike a balance for taxpayers who want to see the public support reduce and festival visitors who want to continue to enjoy a top-class summer event. Rochdale Feel Good Festival makes a significant contribution to the local economy as well as attracting income from sponsors and traders and we want to see it continue to grow. We also want to see it generate the funds to continue to be the best it can be.
Is the main stage site wheelchair friendly?
Yes. There will be an accessible viewing platform available for wheelchair users in the main stage area. This is for our customers with mobility issues, who use wheelchairs or who struggle with being in crowds. There will also be accessible toilet facilities. If you require access to a quiet space at any time during the event please contact a festival steward.