Entertainment line-up unveiled for Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival

BLUES, Britpop and indie rock will feature in the soundtrack for supping as Rotherham’s weekend-long celebration of ale and music makes a welcome comeback.

The three-day Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival will take over Magna next February 27 to 29 — and the full music line-up has now been revealed.

Thursday night is blues night in the capable hands of Honey Bee Blues Club maestro Martin Bedford.

Hometown girl Lauren Housley will bring her blues-tinged country soul to the main stage from 8pm, while headliners The Fargo Railroad Co are in action from 9.30pm.

Martin said “Fargo” would be a great act for festival-goers to enjoy.

“They are a Sheffield-based Americana, southern rock band that are hopefully going to the States next year,” he said.

“Stuart (Burns, one of the festival’s music promoters) asked who I would put on if I had the choice and I said if Fargo Railroad Co were available they would be the band I’d go for — thankfully, they were.

“They can certainly fill the room.”

Martin is a self-confessed ale fan and said he was keen to sample the brews on offer during the blues night.

Friday’s bill is topped by Rotherham’s own At The Arcade, crowned Best Band at the Rotherham Music Awards earlier in the year, playing their winning combination of rock, indie and blues from 9pm.

Earlier in the evening, you can catch Sheffield funky synth pop merchants Vuromantics at 7pm and alternative rockers Mollyanna from 8pm.

Saturday night is rock night, with Kasabian tribute Kazabian at 7pm, before Oasis-Maybe bring the Gallagher brothers’ collection of hits to life.

Local band The Leathernecks will kick off the evening’s music at 5.30pm.

The festival —this time around set to have an RAF theme — will showcase hundreds of ales, ciders, perries and wines to suit all taste.

Visit https://www.wegottickets.com/f/12147 to get your tickets, priced at £8.80 (including booking fee) for Thursday and £11 for Friday and Saturday.

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