Gather@Festival

Gather@ is a new multi-venue music and culture festival presented by later@ and in partnership with the Horse + Bamboo theatre.

The festival is set across the Rossendale Valley, connecting towns through a curated programme of live music and creative activity. The festival launches with a special event on May 31st at the Horse & Bamboo theatre, as part of the Rossendale Art Trail. Running from 2pm to 6pm, the launch features live performances from Steward.Exe and Rebelski, offering an early glimpse into the festival’s programme.

Steward.Exe brings together Italian composer and producer Luca Severino and British researcher Jonathan Hankins, connecting electronic music with artificial intelligence and ethical inquiry. Rebelski, a UK-based composer, pianist and electronic musician, is known for his minimalist ambient and neo-classical work, alongside his work with Manchester’s Doves and Peter Hook and the Light.

Across the wider weekend, Gather@ brings nationally respected artists into intimate local settings, alongside a handpicked lineup of rising talent. Confirmed artists so far include Dave McCabe (The Zutons), John Bramwell (I Am Kloot),18 year old country blues guitarist and singer Muireann Bradley, Dominie Hooper, A. S. Fanning, Ellen Beth Abdi, The Folk Drama, Lily Rae Grant, Freequency3, Punch-In, Pyncher, Marie Franc, Georgian, Caruja Jones, Concrete Club, K Estate, The Staags and more to be announced.

The opening night with Dave McCabe on June 26th will continue with an aftershow at The Rosemount Working Men’s Club in Stacksteads, featuring K-Estate. A four-piece Manchester collective, K-Estate blend house, pop and electronic funk with a raw, street-level edge. They create a sound that’s groove-led, high energy, and built for late-night dancefloors.

Alongside ticketed shows, visitors can enjoy a series of free performances taking place in venues across the Valley, helping to create a festival atmosphere that runs throughout the weekend.

Music & Makers returns as part of the programme, a free event bringing together local makers, visual artists, musicians, a record fair, and a selection of food and drink vendors.

Gather@ is also working in collaboration with The Drop Off Cafe in Edenfield to present Move. Mind. Music. a beginner-friendly wellbeing experience combining guided walks, yoga, mindfulness, expert nutrition and fitness advice, a healthy brunch, and live acoustic music.

The festival is designed to create memorable experiences for locals while welcoming visitors and supporting the local economy.

The long-term ambition is simple: to grow Gather@ into a Rossendale-wide celebration, where every town and village in the Valley plays a part. A music festival put on for music lovers, by music lovers.