This week, Trentham Estate transformed into a unique open air music venue to host their third annual Trentham Live, which sees huge name acts flock to Staffordshire for a festival-style event with street food, outdoor bars, merch stands and more. Over five days, the sprawling 725-acre beauty spot would host no fewer than 12 best-loved music stars across a variety of genres, from McFly and Olly Murs, to Chase & Status and Kaiser Chiefs.
On Thursday evening, I returned to the popular beauty spot for the second year in a row (having seen McFly in 2022), for yet another unforgettable night of live music in a breathtaking outdoor setting. The weekday gig would see 90s icons Feeder perform their biggest hits from their 11 studio albums spanning the last 25 years with support from Jake Bugg and The Feeling.
Read more: Five reasons why you need to book tickets to an unmissable Trentham Live 2023

Reminiscing the noughties was The Feeling, who jogged the memory of those who struggle to recall the decade with Fill My Little World, reminding fans of their chart-topping album success with their pop-infused anthems like Never Be Lonely and Rosé. The band’s rendition of Video Killed the Radio Star paid homage to The Buggles, while Dan Gillespie Sells showcased his knack for musical theatre with Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, which he wrote for the soundtrack. The Feeling’s set was a burst of pure joy, with Love It When You Call, bringing a fittingly energetic conclusion to their set.
Signal 1’s Elliot Holman kept the crowd buzzing for the upcoming performers, with plenty of time between sets to grab a beer from the bar, explore the merchandise and enjoy an array of street food from the stalls. Every time I’ve been to an event at Trentham the culinary offerings have been second to none, whether it’s the 90s night at the Summer Concerts, or the Christmas Lights walk. While Jake went for some loaded BBQ pork fries, Halloumination kept me fuelled with their bacon frazzles and maple drizzle and salt and pepper varieties. It was certainly some of the best festival food I’ve encountered this year.
As the sun set over Staffordshire, Jake Bugg’s acoustic melodies resonated throughout the field during Me and You and Simple as This. Tracks like Two Fingers and Lightning Bolt showcased his folk-rock prowess, evoking both nostalgia and a sense of fresh authenticity. It feels unfathomable that some of his tunes are now over a decade old, but they’ve sure stood the test of time and remained as relevant as ever. Troubled Town gained Jake Bugg even more notoriety as the theme tune to Happy Valley, bringing with it a burst of new fans who dutifully sang the words back.

But for me, the stand out moment of the set was an intimate solo performance of Broken, which really pulled on the emotions of music enthusiasts who swayed to the heart wrenching chorus. Bugg’s performance felt personal, as if he was sharing his own experiences with old friends, finally exhibiting his ability to defy genres with the pop-rock All I Need, a track which seems to signal a new era for this talented singer/songwriter.
As the main act, Feeder took the stage with an undeniable energy that instantly reverberated through the venue. Opening with Feeling a Moment, they set a nostalgic tone, going straight into Lost & Found and The Healing.
Just The Way I’m Feeling and Tallulah proved the band’s ability to blend emotive lyrics with a rock edge, while Torpedo exuded ‘proper 90s mosh pit’ vibes. The setlist offered a well-balanced mix of old and new, ensuring that both longtime fans and newcomers alike were thoroughly entertained. The band’s chemistry was palpable, their stage presence mesmerising as their passion for the music radiated from the stage.

High continued the momentum, with the audience dancing and singing along to every word despite the night drawing in and the temperatures dipping. The set reached its peak with the absolute classic Buck Rogers, which really stirred my soul in the most magical way. Buck Rogers was released when I was four years old, and growing up with parents who have impeccable music taste, singing ‘it’s got a CD player!’ at the top of my tiny lungs remains one of my earliest memories as a kid, so hearing it live actually made me quite emotional.
Igniting a wave of euphoria as the night came to a close, Feeder finished their rock and roll performance with Just A Day – the soundtrack to many teenagers coming-of-age, with doo-doo-do-do’s ringing through the speakers as the ground practically shook from dancing.
With that, Feeder, Jake Bugg, and The Feeling had succeeded in creating an experience that would undoubtedly be remembered for years to come. In doing so, they proved that Staffordshire is a fantastic albeit oft overlooked area for live music, and as Trentham Live continues to grow, so too will the area’s reputation to entice more and more huge name acts to the city and its surrounding areas.
Trentham Estate is such a fantastic site for this event, and already I’m blocking out space in my diary for next year’s Trentham Live.