Summer spirit: Car dealer back in the driving seat

Auto dealer Premier Kia has renewed its support for this summer’s Rochdale Feel Good Festival.

The Rochdale Kia dealership, based on Molesworth Street near the town centre, will be the festival’s digital media partner and will be promoting the event to its customers across the region as well as having an eye-catching brand area on site. Premier Kia staff will be backstage, recording exclusive interviews with performers and sharing them on social media. The deal will also see Premier Kia providing an electric EV9 to assist organisers during the festival. 

Ben Bird, director at Premier Kia, said they were excited to be supporting the event again, headlined by Ocean Colour Scene, Lottery Winners and Heather Small: “Rochdale Feel Good Festival is a firm favourite with our staff and customers and we are proud to have supported it since 2018.  Premier Kia is committed to the local community and this festival gives us a great platform to drive awareness of the brand to thousands of people across Greater Manchester and beyond at the biggest festival in the borough.”

Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council who visited Premier Kia this week to thank the team, said: “We so pleased to be working with the team at Premier Kia again. It’s the local investment and support from our partners that helps the council deliver this fantastic weekend and provides an opportunity for friends and families to come and enjoy performances that will appeal to young and old alike.”

On Saturday 10 August Rochdale Feel Good Festival will feature a showcase of top class entertainment. Headliners Ocean Colour Scene, Lottery Winners and Heather Small - the voice of M People, will be joined by soul, pop and funk artist Toucan, ska band Madame Claude, indie R’n’B pop star iamkyami, local rock band Atlas and DJ Dave Sweetmore on the main stage, a programme of entertainment across indoor venues plus quality food and drink. 

On Sunday 11 August the main stage features a free afternoon of folk music produced by Sound Roots and funded by Arts Council England, headlined by Ríoghnach Connolly & Honeyfeet alongside party band Marvara, new Rochdale musical Peter's Field featuring Sean Cooney, Eliza Carthy MBE, Sam Carter and another act to be announced.

Kicking off the weekend on Friday 9 August is the ‘Feel Good Fringe,’ a series of free indoor gigs featuring 17 acts at ten venues across the town.

Saturday tickets (£15) and line-up details at rochdale.gov.uk/FeelGoodFestival.

For the latest festival updates on Facebook, go to facebook.com/feelgoodfestival and connect with @FeelGoodFest on X. On all social media search #FeelGoodFest24

The festival is funded by the council together with ticket sales and sponsorship from Premier Kia, The Royal Toby Hotel, The Flying Horse Hotel, the Bee Network, BRSK full fibre broadband and Rochdale Riverside.