Vintage Vibes set to steam through East Lancashire for music-packed bank holiday weekend

Wednesday, 21 May 2025 10:38

By David Murphy

ELR to host their biggest ever live music festival with iconic acts, vintage fair, and unlimited rail travel this weekend.

The East Lancashire Railway (ELR) is promising a journey through decades of music as it prepares to host its largest live event to date across this weekend, Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 May 2025.

Dubbed Vintage Vibes, the new festival will bring together classic tracks, tribute acts, DJs and vintage culture, all set against the unique backdrop of a working heritage railway.

Visitors can expect a packed line-up across multiple locations along the line, including Bury, Ramsbottom, Heywood and Rawtenstall. Entry tickets include unlimited travel on ELR trains throughout the day, plus access to the main stage and entertainment at each stop.

Highlights of the two-day event include headline performances from The Real Thing, Sixtiesmania, Northern Soul Train, and Masters of the Scene – an ABBA tribute act. Other acts include Jackie Marie, The Jersey Rollers, Groovemental, and a host of DJs.

The event opens at noon on both days, with Bury Bolton Street Station acting as the main hub. Music fans will be treated to a wide range of entertainment, from 1960s pop to Northern Soul, with smaller stages and roaming performers dotted across the ELR route.

A vintage fair by So Retro will take over Bury Station's overbridge, offering retro vinyl, clothing, homeware and memorabilia. Food and drink options include street food vendors, pizza stalls, a prosecco bar and vintage buses turned into mobile kitchens.

Railway and music fans alike will have the chance to see a Lancaster Bomber flypast on Saturday afternoon, courtesy of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. The exact time is to be confirmed.

The festival will be officially opened by music producer and lifelong railway enthusiast Pete Waterman, who will cut the ribbon at Bury Station on Saturday at midday. Local radio personality from Roch Valley Radio, David Dockerty will host both days on behalf of Roch Valley Radio.

ELR says the event is aimed at all generations, combining music, fashion, nostalgia and heritage travel into one memorable experience.

The full performance schedule runs from 12 noon to 11pm across both days, with each stop offering something unique, including classic cars in Heywood, vintage vehicles in Ramsbottom and live music at Rawtenstall.

Advance tickets are available now via the ELR website, with discounts offered until midnight the night before each day.