LYMELIGHT ARTISTS

Originating as a college joke between Roman and Matt (Mr. Montgomery), they ventured into music after crafting songs frowned upon by lecturers. Embracing jazz, they met Pete and Jalen, whose diverse musical backgrounds solidified their bond.

Two best buds from Stoke, writing hard-hitting rock music like you’ve never heard before. They’ played their first live show in March 2019. Since then, they’ve defined a sound of their own, one that’s raw and authentic, one that’s loud and passionate, one that you have to witness LIVE.

Mid West Emo is flown into the Limelight Festival courtesy of S-O-T trio Clay Lake, who return to play the Ironmarket Stage. Expect three-way chanted harmonies and anthemic choruses.

An emerging artist from Stoke-on-Trent. “I love to experiment with layering different sounds and adding both vocal and guitar harmonies to elevate my songs and make them sound unique. Lyrics are the focal point of my music. Some tell stories inspired by nature, whilst others convey messages inspired by the deep feelings I have experienced throughout life.”

An exploration of life, love, and everything in between.  The Stoke quartet are described as “Atmospheric, aggressive and emotional,” Death of me combines elements of post hardcore, emo and alternative rock, but more interestingly, it’s their subtle drawing of influence from 80’s metal and the polarizing new romantic movement that gives them their own identity and creates something much more unique.

Electro-pop maker and bedroom producer who writes songs about life’s lemons and the incoming apocalypse of Stoke and beyond. Performance is based around live looping and collabs from other artists on stage.

The band that seemingly came from nowhere are already shaping up to be one of Stoke’s finest bands. Their sound is something different – not unfamiliar, but it cuts through a lot of indie noise to find an almost American highway sound, in fact it is a bit closer to americana than indie in its roots – The Leopheard

A master of shining a light after the dark, John Dhali is a man who’s soaring vocals could right the wrongs of the world. He radiates warmth, light, and boundless positivity, his songs serving as medicine for the soul.  (The Leopheard Jan 24)

From the mature and intricately arranged Streetlight Romance to the energetic and danceable Heart in Two, the Paper Towns EP showcases Jupiter’s Beard’s musical prowess while demonstrating the band’s artistic progression and evolving sound over recent years. (Leopheard Jul 23)

First reared their heads as KOALA in April ‘23 although they had been playing together in one format or another for several years. KOALA is a force that’s been driven by the love for writing song, music & exploring sounds. Cy says “We are slightly eccentric characters; we like to think that the music kinda sails our persona through to the audience. We all love ham and pineapple pizza.”

Stoke’s Pink Pop Princess Mara Liddle brings her upbeat dancey vibes to Lymelight festival for the second time. Her songs tell the stories of a young woman navigating her 20s, backed by energetic pop beats. She recently supported The Lottery Winners at KSU.

Delivers soulful and unashamedly regional vocals on a bed of organically crafted and infinitely layered instrumentation.  Having received national radio play on BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6Music in recent years, his wistful and captivating sound has seen him carve out his musical niche as if it were a fine artform.  Whittling down hazy soundscapes alluring harmonies and driving bass lines for heart-wrenching results.

The Names Blond… Poppy Blond.  Pop/soul artist from Stoke-on-Trent. Working with Producer Scott Evan’s, her music has dark beats, catchy hooks & meaningful lyrics.

“She’s every bit as fresh, fearless and feisty as you’d imagine” The Leopheard

Sarcoline, an electrifying Rock n Roll band hailing from the city of Stoke-On-Trent, have been taking the music scene by storm. Bonded by their shared love for legendary bands such as Kings of Leon, Arctic Monkeys, and Kasabian, Sarcoline has embarked on a remarkable journey to resurrect and revitalize the very essence of Rock n Roll.

Are a vibrant seven-piece band who perform funky grooves from around the world. Blending a variety of genres Funk/Afro/Latin/Rock/Reggae to create fun party music with an uplifting message.

Be prepared to dance!

AOTV started in 2016 as a relatively fluid solo effort/band, as a project to put John MacLeod’s songs together. Whoever’s available for it, that’s what Attack Of The Vapours is.

A local collaboration of musicians who played their first gig together at the Underground in January 2019 and have since been regulars there and The Sugarmill with a recent appearance on Newcastle’s own Honey Box Live… you may feel their presence in the crowd.

Best described as a dark/alternative folk artist, Crowspeak’s unique voice and musical style pull influence from traditional folk storytelling, and the heartache of the blues. With her haunting vocals and acoustic fingerpicking style, Crowspeak tells stories simultaneously personal and abstract.

An electro psychedelic dance future-punk funk band that fuses various genres and styles, prioritising freedom of expression and positivity. Combining the energy of punk and funk with the trippy sounds of psyche rock, pushing the boundaries of music with their one-of-a-kind sound.

Genius of the Crowd are a band unafraid to hold the microscope up to social and political issues, and navigate them through anarchic, gritty lyrics and emotion-fuelled riffs.  Now, the Stoke-based four-piece are shining a light on the city’s poverty crisis and rough sleepers in their latest single – Sleeping Bags and Concrete Floors. (Leopheard Feb 24)

From singing Frank Turner songs at open mics, to sharing a festival lineup with him, Jay’s singer-songwriter blend of rock, pop and folk will take you on a journey of love, loss and life, with a drive and energy from his younger years in rock & metal, Jay’s love of language and melody will leave you captivated.

A duo based between Stoke-on-Trent and Manchester who’ve been performing together since mid-2022. Originally started as a lockdown project in 2020, They’ve since played many gigs across Stoke and Manchester. Influences include Big Thief, Nick Cave, Leonard Cohen, The Strokes and Radiohead.

She barely moves a muscle on stage, with soft spine-tingling vocals, she keeps the conversation between tracks brief, but injects humour into her anecdotes as she admits that Like A Dream was secretly written after watching King Kong.

The sultry three piece brings chaos and curiosity wherever they go, often finding themselves becoming the life and soul of whatever bar or venue they may so choose to frequent’ delivering hard hitting political driven lyrics with a touch pop culture references to coincide the distorted and loose sound that the band have going for them.

George grew up in suburban Oxfordshire before moving to the Staffordshire Moorlands as an adult, He writes songs about such diverse subjects as: Town Planners, Neighbourhood Watch Schemes and The Golden Age of railway. trying to marry these themes with sometimes bittersweet, often menacing songwriting

His songs which have been said to give a life affirming, honest, and positive take on some of life’s greatest challenges, have taken him across the UK & Europe, sharing stages with a variety of acts such as Tom Robinson, Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly., Steve Ignorant (Crass), Neville Staple of The Specials, Jared Hart and Will Hoge.

Oli’s Debut Album “Everything Is Impossible Until It Happens”, is available now.

Rocky Ostrich is a rock/post punk/indie trio who came together in June 2023 with the goal of making music but having a laugh along the way. Inspired by bands such as Foo Fighters and Catfish and the Bottlemen, despite having a very different music tastes, it works! They have recently played Manchester, Liverpool and London with much more planned for the future!

A post emo / pop punk outfit from Stoke on Trent. They’ve been gigging for a couple of years now and have received a great amount of support and love from the public.

“If you like loud, energetic and fun shows then we are definitely your cup of tea. We like to have a laugh on stage and engage with our audience as well as play some great songs.”

An original band based around the north. Formerly known as ‘The Budgies’, Taking Back Tomorrow are made up of 5 young lads along with 2 string players. Inspired by the orchestral rock genre.  Taking pride in their original music and huge sound.