New festival 'set to get Hanley buzzing'

A new two-day music festival is set to take place in Stoke-on-Trent next month.

Foundry Festival will see outdoor stages in Piccadilly and Tontine Square, Hanley, with a programme of live performances over the bank holiday weekend on 2 and 3 May.

The line-up features rising and established artists from across the area, including Stoke-based bands Black Coast; FOARN; and Kira Mac, as well as local musician Darla Jade.

"It's what Hanley needs, really - we love setting things up where it's got the opportunity, where it's got a local base," said Pete Herbert, founder of Honey Box Live, PH Production Services, which is helping deliver the event.

"It'll be local musicians, local creatives doing their thing, and they'll get a chance to experience playing in an open-air festival to local people.

"There'll be other things happening in town as well, but there'll be the two main stages, and then in the evenings we move to the venues - we've got a number of venues involved and we'll be putting bands on in those venues as part of the festival as well."

The festival's name draws inspiration from Shelton Bar, the historic steelworks, and represents the idea of "strength forged through shared endeavour", organisers said.

"Hanley will be buzzing, the bars will be busy, the shops will be busy, and there'll be two stages playing the best in local music, constantly throughout the days," added Herert.

"People will be singing, people will be dancing, people will be having a fantastic time. That's what we're hoping."

Richard Buxton, manager of the Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID, said: "The aim is to create a vibrant atmosphere across the weekend, while driving more people into the surrounding shops, cafés, bars and businesses.

"Events like this help showcase the energy of the city centre and encourage visitors to spend time here, discover what's on offer and support local businesses."

Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.