HEATWAVES, HEAVY SETS AND HIGH SPIRITS: NEIGHBOURHOOD WEEKENDER 2026

FESTIVAL REVIEW | NEIGHBOURHOOD WEEKENDER, WARRINGTON | 23/24 MAY 2026 by Lucy Holden & Amanda McEachen

The second May bank holiday lands, a brutal heatwave hits the UK, and the British festival season officially kicks into gear. That can only mean one thing: indie lovers heading to Victoria Park for Warrington’s finest weekend, Neighbourhood Weekender.

Headlined by 90s royalty Richard Ashcroft on Saturday and Stockport’s finest Blossoms on Sunday, the line-up balances summer staples (DMA’S, Kaiser Chiefs) with pop royalty (Sporty Spice herself, Mel C). For those of you who don’t know, Neighbourhood is a multi-generational heaven – a mix of teenagers, seasoned gig-goers, and families united by a shared love of music. 

Saturday

Arguably, the worst part of the festival is the walk there. The what I’d call, ‘treacherous’ 30-minute journey from Warrington Central to Victoria Park under that sun was, in fact, unbearable. Still, the atmosphere en route makes it somewhat better: loads of bucket hats, cowboy hats, and sunburnt skin, with pubs blasting early-2000s bangers to passing crowds.

Once through the gates, it’s clear why this festival stands out. There’s no aggro, just beer-fuelled fun and the smell of suncream in the air.

We arrive in time to catch Nxdia in The Big Top. The British-Egyptian alt-pop star delivers a charismatic set, her dark pop hooks offering the perfect start to the day. The tent is already a sauna, but the crowd stay with her until the end.

Next up, The Cheap Thrills aka Walton Vale’s finest. They are exactly what you want in the extreme afternoon heat. They arguably deserve a Main Stage slot, packing the Viola Beach Stage well beyond the sound desk. A cross-section of fans, from teenagers to sixty-somethings, sing every word of ‘Codependence’.

Neighbourhood proves you don’t need to be ripped off to enjoy a festival. Drinks undercut club prices, and the food is genuinely impressive. A Greek gyros (£13.50 for a huge portion) easily tops the festival food rankings. 

Back to the music, Brooke Combe shows why she’s fast becoming a Scottish standout. Her soulful voice fills the Big Top, leaving the crowd feeling completely sun-soaked and satisfied.

On the Main Stage, Sophie Ellis-Bextor handles a brief technical glitch with ease. Once resolved, she leans into a string of covers. Normally a risky move mid-afternoon, but transitioning ABBA into ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ in a heatwave? It lands perfectly.

Later in the afternoon, the weather is taking its toll. Shoulders burn, feet blister, and the crowd starts to tire. The K’s arrive to lift spirits. Love them or not, they know how to command attention. There’s kids in merch alongside dads in slogan-heavy bucket hats. A a solid festival filler, especially so close to their hometown. 

Then come the Kaiser Chiefs – and oh my God, I can’t believe it, but Ricky Wilson still has it. Maybe more than ever. Their set is a masterclass in performance. You can’t ignore the fact that their relentless energy, combined with a setlist packed with songs you suddenly remember every word to, makes it impossible not to have the best time. They drop ‘Everyday I Love You Less and Less’ early, unleash ‘Ruby’ midway, and close with ‘Oh My God,’ leaving the park buzzing.

After a quick stop at a Daft Punk tribute in the Big Top, it’s back to the Main Stage for Richard Ashcroft.

His set begins shakily. Opening with lesser-known material, the energy dips and some drift towards Example in the tent. We follow, finding Example in full control of a huge party-crowd interaction, unexpected covers, and a genuinely fun atmosphere.

Still, we return to Ashcroft just in time for the turning point. Introducing ‘The Drugs Don’t Work’ with a heartfelt dedication to, “the ones we lost amongst the way,” he pulls the crowd back in. Thousands sing along, and the encore – featuring ‘Sonnet’ and ‘Bitter Sweet Symphony’ – closes the day on a high.

Sunday

Sunday starts early, with temperatures hitting 29°C before 10am. Heads ache, feet are in agony, but the promise of another stacked line-up pulls us back to Victoria Park.

On arrival, Everton shirts and “Up the Toffees” chants dominate- you’d think we were at the match, but it’s just the unofficial DMA’S dress code.

Mel C kicks off the afternoon and could easily have headlined. Blending solo hits with covers and Spice Girls classics, she delivers a nostalgia-packed set that leaves a very happy crowd.

Shortly after, we’re backstage with DMA’S, discussing new music and the challenges of breaking through in the age of algorithms.

Pressing them about any more UK shows on the way, rhythm guitarist Johnny Took hints: “We can’t say anything just now, but we are working on stuff.”

Turning the chat to how difficult it is for bands to breakthrough right now, lead guitarist Matt Mason tells us that “it’s much harder than before” before Johnny jumps in saying – “There’s so much music that doesn’t get heard. People value honesty – you just have to be authentic. Touring builds resilience, and that’s what creates longevity.”

On who they are hoping to see over the weekend, Matt tells us “Richard Ashcroft would’ve been great.” Meanwhile, Johnny has his eye on another “spicier” 90s icon, declaring – “Mel C! I’m trying to get a photo with her.”

Later, a wander past the Viola Beach Stage introduces us to Fletchr Fletchr. We catch their closing moments, including a deeply personal track about the lead singer’s experience of grief, which draws a visibly moved crowd. It’s exactly what the Viola Beach Stage is intended to do – create space for unexpected discoveries and leave you with a new favourite artist.

Next, The Fratellis celebrate 20 years of Costello Music in the Big Top. Even for casual fans, it’s an easy win. ‘Whistle for the Choir’ and ‘Chelsea Dagger’ transform the tent into a karaoke style singalong.

Now onto the finale of the evening – DMAs into Blossoms…DMA’S deliver exactly what you’d expect: sun-soaked indie anthems. Opening with ‘Timeless,’ ‘Lay Down,’ and ‘Delete,’ they immediately hook the crowd. A minor screen glitch is shrugged off, and the set leans into both nostalgia and newer material, including a standout cover of ‘Believe.’

Frontman Tommy O’Dell closes with a heartfelt message, reinforcing the band’s connection to UK crowds, saying: “we love ya honestly from the bottom of my heart.”

Following them is no easy task, but Blossoms rise to it effortlessly. Compared to their earlier years, this is a band transformed – sleek, confident, and fully in command. Tom Ogden owns the stage, backed by tight choreography and polished production.

The crowd reflects everything Neighbourhood does well: all ages, all fully invested. From toddlers on shoulders to long-time fans, everyone is locked in.

Highlights include ‘At Most a Kiss,’ ‘Honey Sweet,’ and a playful moment where Ogden pretends to receive a voicemail from Manchester’s 42s nightclub – a nod that lands perfectly with the local crowd. 

Before ‘The Keeper,’ he calls for a sea of shoulders. The crowd obliges instantly, with flares lighting the horizon in a moment of pure festival joy.

For the encore, Blossoms return with an extended ‘My Favourite Room,’ dedicated to Viola Beach, the Warrington band who were due to tour with Blossoms prior to their tragic deaths. It’s a tribute that was beautiful and landed well with the crowd. 

As the final notes fade, the verdict is clear: Neighbourhood Weekender gets it right. A safe, well-run festival with strong line-ups, fair prices, and genuinely great atmosphere.

Neighbourhood Weekender has confirmed it will return to Victoria Park, Warrington in 2027!

Taking place 29th – 30th May, a limited number of discounted early bird tickets will be available from 10am Friday 29th May, on sale until Friday 5th June, via https://nbhdweekender.com/.

Roll on next year….!

Saturday Gallery

Sunday Gallery