This summer, the Rossendale Valley in Lancashire welcomes Gather@, a brand-new three-day festival of live music presented by later@ running from Friday 26 to Sunday 28 June 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 & 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 & 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.
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:
A 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 & 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.
A coffee rave at Ninja Coffee and hip hop at The Whitaker Museum & 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.
Tickets are available now: https://events.humanitix.com/host/gatheratfestival
