Day by Day: Lytham Festival at it’s peak
The festival held a wide range of key headliners like Shania Twain, Courteeners and Hozier.
Photo: Courteeners by Rhodes Media
Day 1:
Lytham Festival 2024 kicked off with a cracking opening night of five days of live music in the coastal town of Lytham St. Annes. The evening was a sell-out for Irish artist, Hozier, who was accompanied by a stellar bill of Da Vagabonds, Lord Huron and the sensational Brittany Howard.
Doors opened at 5pm, with Da Vagabonds welcoming us in at 20 past. From what I could hear, the band was amazing and the crowd queuing were giving the band some lovely backing vocals as we all queued to get through.
Lord Huron was up next who were warmly welcomed by the ever growing crowd. The American rockers played a number of their greatest hits over their hour long set, including crowd favourite The Night We Met, which was greeted with huge cheers from the audience who gently swayed along under the evening sun. The set was very retro, with lead singer Ben Schneider using an old American telephone as a microphone, as well as nodding towards classic country and western with his dance moves.
Following on we had multiple Grammy award winner Brittany Howard. With enough sass to fill Lytham Green ten times over and a dazzling outfit that put mirrorballs to shame! The artist provided us with an iconic and unforgettable hour long set and had the crowd raring to go during the golden hour.
By now, the Hozier fever had definitely kicked into everyones’ bones, warming them up from the chilly sea breeze. Walking up to the West Gate of the Green, there were an abundance of merch sellers selling everything from t-shirts to bucket hats to cowboy hats ready for this Irish rocker.
Hozier graced the stage around 9pm looking like a rockstar from head to toe. Eat Your Young opened up this two hour set and, boy, were we in for a treat. The crowds enthusiasm was on cloud nine the entire time – no matter how nippy it started to get (I underestimated the weather and forgot my coat!). The Irish rockstar sang hit songs To Be Alone, Take Me To Church and most recent hit Too Sweet before heading onto a stage in the middle of the audience for his four track encore, which included a heavenly set of Cherry Wine — arguably the best song of the night, surrounded by a babbling audience with teary eyes and flash lights on as they swayed.
The night ended perfectly and certainly kicked off the start of a very successful week in Lytham.
Photo: Shania Twain by Rhodes Media
Day 2:
Night two of Lytham Festival is well underway, featuring the incredible line up of the talented Delta Goodrem, the soulful Rag ‘N’ Bone Man and, of course, Country sensation Miss Shania Twain. The energy was palpable as festival-goers eagerly anticipate a night filled with unforgettable performances and electrifying moments.
Apparently, I didn’t get the memo about the dress code, as thousands donned their leopard-patterned gladrags, polished up their cowboy boots and dusted off that all-important cowboy hat. Despite the seaside breeze, which can be rather brisk at times, it didn’t deter anyone from pulling out all the stops when it came to this country singer. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement, and the sea of fans in themed attire added an extra layer of fun to the evening. It was almost as if everyone had secretly coordinated their outfit choices together.
Delta Goodrem kick-started the evening with an enchanting performance that set the tone for the night. Her powerful vocals and engaging stage presence captivated the early audiences from the get-go. Singing a mix of her classic hits and new material, Delta’s set was both nostalgic and refreshing, leaving us all wanting more. Her interactions with the audience created a warm and intimate vibe, making everyone feel a part of something special.
Next up was Rag ‘N’ Bone Man, who took over the stage with his deep, resonant voice and emotional delivery. Performing hit classics such as Human and Giant, he commanded the stage with a presence that was both powerful and humble. Despite coming on slightly late, he more than made up for it with that outstanding performance that had everyone from the barriers all the way back up to the entrance up on their feet and dancing the night away. His soulful tunes and heartfelt lyrics struck a chord or two with the audience, making for a truly memorable segment of the festival.
And then, it was time for the main event – Shania Twain. Shania, Shania, Shania – where do we start, girly? Her entrance was nothing short of spectacular, greeted by deafening cheers and applause from the crowd. Shania’s performance was a blend of her timeless hits and newer songs, each one delivered with the charisma and energy that has made her a global superstar. She interacted with the crowd, shared anecdotes, and made everyone feel like they were part of a grand, shared experience. She even found her number one fan, Ken – a Lytham St. Anne’s resident who joined her up on stage for the hit song That Don’t Impress Me Much and adapted the song to “So You Think You’re Ken…”. Her voice, still as powerful and emotive as ever, resonated through the night air, leaving fans in awe.
As the night drew to a close, it was clear that night two had been a resounding success. From Delta’s opening to Rag ‘N’ Bone Man’s soulful set and our show stopping Shania Twain, the evening was certainly a celebration of music, style, and community. The festival-goers, in their leopard print and cowboy gear, contributed to an unforgettable atmosphere that will be talked about for years to come in this sunny seaside town. Whether you were a long-time fan or a newcomer to the artists on show tonight, we can all agree that these performances left a lasting impression, showcasing the best of what live music has to offer.
Day 3:
Photo: Courteeners by Rhodes Media
Now onto night three over in Lytham, tonight was the turn of Middleton’s finest, and arguably one of the greatest indie bands of the decade, Courteeners. This was their first (of many) seaside performances to a crowd of 25,000 who packed onto the green like sardines. Frontman Liam Fray said that “It’s about time” when it came to the band being given the opportunity to headline the festival.
Photo: The Kooks by Rhodes Media
As the crowds were building up, indie rock band The Kooks took to the stage. They nailed their homework of warming up the crowd before the headline performance – gold points for you, Kooks. They played an impressive setlist from across their albums, drawing on popular hits Naïve and She Moves In Her Own Way as well as a lovely mellow performance of Seaside – a very fitting song for a seaside festival. If you were like me, then you would’ve caught the band queuing up in the enormous crowd that all rushed straight over from work – the crowd outside didn’t stop the queues from singing and dancing along to their hits. I’m very surprised you couldn’t hear us from inside, we were so bloody loud!
After an intense buildup and a run to grab a good spot, the band ascended onto the stage one by one and the crowd went into complete madness.
The band played a fantastic set, featuring our classics Cavorting and Fallowfield Hillbilly from St. Jude to their most recent release Hanging off Your Cloud taken from More.Again.Forever. The band teased new songs off their upcoming album Pink Cactus Café, including newly released Solitude on the Night Bus that was released today (July 9th).
Photo: Liam Fray (Courteeners) by Rhodes Media
The overall energy of the gig was unmatched – Friday night was most certainly the night to be at. You had flares snuck in, devoted fans – new and old – singing every song back at them and unmissable moshpits. Frontman, Liam Fray, donned his parka jacket for the night and paired it with an effortless side of coolness and charisma. He remarked about how he had every child’s dream job and how the band couldn’t be where they are without their devoted fans.
The encore featured What Took You So Long? and arguably the biggest indie song to date – Not Nineteen Forever, making sure to end the night on cloud nine.
After such a great performance and start to the weekend, we were all left wanting more from the band after being teased with new music and being left to wonder what’s in store for the band in 2024.
Day 4:
Photo: Madness by Rhodes Media
The picturesque Lytham Festival delivered a nostalgic and electrifying night as The Lightning Seeds, Rick Astley, and Madness took the stage, creating an unforgettable experience for fans of all ages.
Kicking off the evening, The Lightning Seeds set the tone with their signature blend of indie pop and rock. Frontman Ian Broudie’s charismatic presence and melodic vocals were as enchanting as ever. The crowd eagerly sang along to timeless hits like Pure and The Life of Riley, with the anthemic Three Lions particularly resonating as a communal celebration. The band’s tight performance and nostalgic setlist effectively warmed up the audience, leaving everyone in high spirits.
The crowd was then set up for a highly stressful England match. I think that everyone within the crowd was either munching on food, complaining that it was taking too long or gripping their pints until their knuckles turned white. Thankfully, we went through (God forbid if we didn’t).
Rick Astley’s set was a delightful journey through his extensive catalogue, mixing classic hits with newer material. From the moment he launched into Together Forever, the energy in the crowd was palpable. Astley’s rich baritone voice showed no signs of age, and his charming stage presence had the audience eating out of the palm of his hand. Highlights included a soulful rendition of Hold Me in Your Arms and, of course, the infectious Never Gonna Give You Up, which had the entire festival dancing and singing in unison. Astley’s humorous anecdotes and interaction with the audience added a personal touch to the performance, making it not only a concert but a shared experience. A personal favourite was when Astley paid homage to his hometown, Newton-le-Willows and jumped onto the drums for a cracking cover of AC/DC’s Highway To Hell.
The night reached its peak with Madness, whose exuberant performance was a masterclass in showmanship. Opening with the raucous One Step Beyond, the band maintained an unstoppable momentum throughout their set. Suggs, the iconic frontman, led the charge with his charismatic delivery and witty banter. The band’s blend of ska, punk, and pop created an irresistible party atmosphere, with tracks like Baggy Trousers, House of Fun, and It Must Be Love inciting mass singalongs. The visual elements, including vibrant lighting and creative backdrops, enhanced the overall spectacle. The closing number Our House was a triumphant finale that left the audience buzzing with euphoria.
Lytham Festival proved once again why it’s a must-visit event, seamlessly blending beautiful coastal scenery with top-tier musical performances. The Lightning Seeds, Rick Astley, and Madness each brought their unique flair, creating a night filled with nostalgia, joy, and unadulterated fun. The well-organized event, complete with excellent sound quality and convenient amenities, ensured a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all attendees.
Tickets for Lytham Festival 2025 are on sale now — get yours here.