Manchester gets its own taste of a country musical festival this weekend as the Buckle and Boots Festival comes to Whitebottom Farm at Etherow Park from 24 June to 26 June.
Buckle & Boots Festival is set to combine some of the brightest talents in country music from the US as well as the thriving UK scene, providing a truly unique outdoor festival experience for country fans far and wide.
The event will host 50 acts across three stages, the Heineken Stage which will host the headline acts on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night; the Acoustic Stage (which is set to hold some truly fantastic performers including the excellent Liv Austen and fantastic local singer Ellie Dibben) and the BCMA Horizon Stage, where fans will be able to catch a glimpse of some of the best songwriters and musicians in the UK including the likes of Thorne Hill, Southern Companion and Outlander.
So who’s headlining at Buckle and Boots?
Headlining on the opening evening 24 June will be Glaswegian duo Raintown, who have established themselves as front-runners in the UK country music scene with a strong pop-country style. The duo of Paul Bain and Claire McArthur-Bain have thrilled crowds multiple times at the huge Country2Country music festival in London as well as a number of other festivals and appearances up and down the country. Their recent album Writing On The Wall also received remarkable reviews in the country music scene.
Saturday 25 June will be headed by Live Manchester favourites Ward Thomas, who have recently signed to Sony Music UK. The twin sisters, Catherine and Lizzy have finished writing and recording their new album, Cartwheels, which is set for a 9 September release and follows their incredibly successful debut From Where We Stand. The duo will also be setting out on tour later in the year, including a performance at Manchester’s Deaf Institute. Buckle and Boots marks a return to the area for Ward Thomas, who have previously put on stunning performances at The Castle, Band on the Wall (alongside The Shires) and Gorilla.
Who’s closing the festival out?
Closing the festival on Sunday night (26th June) will be US chart-topper Phil Vassar. Since his debut in the late 1990s, Phil Vassar has achieved two #1 hits and an impressive eight Top 10 singles in the US, and has also established himself as one of Nashville’s most talented and in-demand songwriters. His co-writing credits include hit singles ‘For A Little While’ and ‘My Next Thirty Years’ for Tim McGraw, ‘Right On The Money’ for Alan Jackson and ‘Little Red Rodeo’ for Collin Raye. Not to mention his Top New Male Vocalist win at the 2002 ACM Awards. Phil’s unique take on country and his incisive, soulful lyrics have truly stood the test of time, and audiences won’t want to miss this charismatic showman at Buckle & Boots, particularly following the overwhelming response to his performances at C2C Festival in March.
But there are way more than just the headliners, in fact the line-up is crammed full of talent. Have a look at our top tips for the festival here.
Country music festivall Buckle and Boots takes place near Manchester
Who’s playing when at Buckle and Boots?
The schedule is looking fantastic and it’s going to be a busy few days for fans with lots of bands and soloists to cram in across the stages:
Friday 24 June
The Heineken Stage:
Raintown, Holloway Road, Sonia Leigh, Honey Ryder, Dexeter
Saturday 25 June:
The Heineken Stage:
Ward Thomas, Carolynne Poole, SaraBeth, Luke & Mel, Glen Mitchell, Megan O’Neill
The Acoustic Stage:
Southern Junction, The Cornelius Crane, The Rising, Jeannine Barry, The Rosellys, Fred’s House, Narn, Lizzie Wilson, Jade Helliwell, Emma Swindells, Emma Jade, Shantell Ogden
The BCMA Horizon Stage:
Katy Hurt, Fitzwallace, Thorne Hill
Sunday 26 June:
The Heineken Stage:
Phil Vassar, Jess & The Bandits, Gary Quinn, The Cains, Laura Oakes, Lucy May, Two Ways Home
The Acoustic Stage:
Lauren Housley, The Yellhounds, Acoustic Journey, Lisa Wright, Paris Georgia, Claydon Connor, Liv Austen, Blue Genes, Ellie Dibben, Paul Carella
The BCMA Horizon Stage:
Southern Companion, Kevin McGuire, Outlander
Schedules and performers are subject to change
What time’s the Buckle and Boots festival on?
The festival opens Friday afternoon and runs until 1am on Sunday night (Monday morning to be precise!)
Friday:
Site open – 1:00pm
Music area & bar open – 4:00pm
Main stage performances start – 7:00pm
Raintown headline – 11:00pm
DJ set (main stage) 12.15am – 2:00am
Curfew/closing – 2:00am
Saturday:
Site open – 11:00am
Main stage performances start – 12:30pm
Acoustic stage performances start – 12:00pm
BCMA Stage performances (on the main stage) – 1:15pm – 3.15pm
Ward Thomas headline – 11:00pm
DJ set (main stage) – 12.15am – 2:00am
Curfew/closing – 2:00am
Sunday:
Site open – 11:00am
Main stage performances start – 12:30pm
Acoustic stage performances start – 12:00pm
BCMA Stage performances (on the main stage) – 1:15pm – 3.15pm
Phil Vassar headline – 10:00pm
DJ set (main stage) – 11.15am – 1:00am
Curfew/closing – 1:00am
