This summer, the Rossendale Valley in Lancashire welcomes Gather@, a brand-new three-day festival of live music presented by later@, running from Friday, June 26 to Sunday, June 28, 2026. Gather@ aims to transform some of its towns and villages across the valley into a connected network of live music shows, incorporating creative workshops, wellbeing sessions, and a Music and Makers event. Spanning locations from Edenfield to Haslingden, Rawtenstall and Waterfoot, the festival celebrates both national talent and local creativity, encouraging audiences to explore the area through a curated multi-venue experience.
Produced by Paula Greenwood (later@ Productions), founder of Playtime Records and a long-standing figure in independent music, the festival follows her return home after more than two decades in London, where she built her career in music before moving into the digital sector. Paula’s connection to Manchester’s music scene also plays a major part in the festival’s identity. Born and brought up in Greater Manchester, she has worked in music since the age of 16. After years in London and a return to Rossendale, Paula’s Gather@ Festival represents a natural continuation of that journey, bringing together Manchester roots, local culture and emerging talent, as she explains:
“When I moved to Rossendale, I wanted to reconnect with artists and bring more live music into the valley. Being so close to Manchester, I could see the opportunity to create something special here. Gather@ is about putting Rossendale on the map. We’re bringing together emerging local talent, rising artists from across the country and established names, while supporting local creatives and businesses. It’s a festival for music lovers, by music lovers, with a commitment to equality and inclusion, with a minimum 50% female-led line-up, designed to spotlight emerging women in music - and lots of the events are free!”
The festival has also received support from Arts Council England, helping ensure many events remain free and accessible to local communities and visitors. In addition, Horse and Bamboo Theatre - one of the festival venues - is now a member of the Music Venue Trust, meaning Gather@ events will form part of the national Everywhere at Once weekend celebrating grassroots music venues across the UK.
Festival Weekend Highlights
The Gather@ Festival weekend begins in Edenfield, just outside Manchester, before winding through Haslingden, Rawtenstall, Crawshawbooth, Waterfoot and Stacksteads with a trail of live gigs and a series of creative and wellbeing events for the community and visitors. Highlights include:
- Multi-venue music programme: Showcasing rising and emerging talent such as Ellen Beth Abdi, Blossom Caldarone, Holly Head, and Martial Arts alongside established artists including Dave McCabe (The Zutons), John Bramwell (I Am Kloot) and Liines.
- Electronic and experimental performances: Including collaborations exploring AI, sound and visual art with Steward.Exe and Rebelski.
- Music and Makers: Featuring a puppet workshop followed by a Puppet Rave presented by the Bin Collective, a Rossendale-based, interactive art group. The day will also feature unplugged music sessions, local artisans and food and drinks stalls.
- Move. Mind. Music.: At The Drop Off, Edenfield - a free wellbeing experience combining guided walks, yoga, mindfulness and live acoustic music.
- Coffee rave and hip hop: At Ninja Coffee and The Whitaker Museum and Art Gallery with Rising Zimbabwean-born, North Manchester-raised rapper and DJ Meduulla, known for blending jazz-infused hip-hop beats with witty, socially conscious lyricism.
Festival Launch Event
Gather@ launches with a free event on Sunday, May 31 at the Horse and Bamboo Theatre, Waterfoot, from 2 to 6pm, as part of the Rossendale Art Trail, featuring Steward.Exe and Rebelski offering an early glimpse into the festival’s programme. Many events are free to attend, supporting local venues, makers and businesses while creating a festival atmosphere across the Valley. Rossendale is easily accessible from Manchester and surrounding areas via bus, tram and heritage rail links between Bury and Rawtenstall.
“Our ambition is to make Gather@ a celebration across the whole of Rossendale,” adds Paula. “Every town and village has a part to play in what makes this valley special.”
How to Book Tickets
Tickets are available now: Gather@ Festival | Humanitix. For more information, visit the Gather@ website or follow @gatherfestival on social media.
Location: Bacup, Rawtenstall and Haslingden, Lancashire.
