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Last week, Trentham Estate once again delivered an unforgettable weekend of eclectic live music from big-name acts as part of their fourth annual Trentham Live event. Hosted over four days, the sprawling 725-acre beauty spot saw thousands of music fans flock to enjoy headline sets from no fewer than 12 best-loved music stars across a variety of genres, including headline slots from Busted, Manic Street Preachers, Jess Glynne and Deacon Blue.
The event opened on Thursday evening, bringing all of the 80s nostalgia and festival vibes, complete with street food, outdoor bars, merch stands and more. One thing is immediately clear, having been to Trentham Live three years in a row, is that it’s only getting bigger and better year on year.
Scottish pop duo Hue and Cry set the tone with their electronic eighties sound and a shimmering setlist of their most well-known hits like Looking For Linda and Labour of Love. Brothers Pat and Greg Kane proved themselves to be seasoned veterans of performance as music fans swayed and sang along as they put a Glaswegian stamp on Sam Sparrow’s Black and Gold.
The Lightning Seeds’ set may have brought with it some drizzle, but not enough to dampen any spirits. Ian Broudie stands to be one of the most talented people to come out of Liverpool. From producing for the likes of Echo & The Bunnymen, The Coral and The Subways, to scoring a debut hit with the song Pure when he was the only member of the band. It’s an anthem that has, without doubt, stood the test of time alongside hits like The Life of Riley and Lucky You, with the whole band really building momentum for the evening with a confident, rock and roll attitude and arsenal of well known indie records.
Deacon Blue closed the night with a masterclass in classic pop-rock. Ricky Ross and Lorraine McIntosh’s chemistry was magnetic as they delivered beloved tracks like Wages Day and Real Gone Kid, McIntosh wildly bouncing around the stage showcasing her spellbinding vocal harmonies. Playing long into the night, the band only seemed to get louder and even more energetic as they reached a climactic end with the ever-brilliant Dignity, leaving the crowd on a high as the night fell over the lake.
Friday brought a fresh pop-infused energy to Trentham, with Nathan Dawe – one of the UKs most in-demand DJs of 2024 – getting the party well and truly started. The performer, who is from just up the road in Burton, combined house, dance, and pop hits that had the crowd dancing and singing from the off. He’s a star very much on the rise, having enjoyed success last year with his collab with Joel Corry and Ella Henderson, 0800 Heaven, with Little Mix, KSI and Bebe Rexha among the artists he’s teamed up with. He even gave his upcoming release, Higher, a spin, getting the audience involved by asking them to film clips to upload to TikTok which would appear in the music video on the single’s release.
Speaking of TikTok, Sam Tompkins gained notoriety after his single Talking To The Moon went viral on social media. His impressive set blended emotional ballads with more upbeat tracks that highlighted his raw vocal talent and heart-tugging storytelling, introducing audiences to a catalogue of gorgeous records beyond his reel-worthy hit. Between tracks, he took time to share the stories and meanings behind them with honesty and authenticity, really connecting with the crowd who gave him their full attention.
As the sun set, Jess Glynne took to the stage and delivered a flawless performance. With her powerhouse vocals and chart-topping hits like Don’t Be So Hard and Rather Be, joined by a full band and talented backing singers. What I love so much about Trentham Live is how each show brings in a completely different audience, with that for Jess Glynne starring a lot of young music fans. On stage, the singer noted how it’s been a decade since she began releasing music, and how much it brings her joy to see little ones enjoying those tracks, despite perhaps not even being born upon their release. Her energy was contagious as she performed number one after number one, ending with a bang on the insanely catchy Hold My Hand.
Saturday was a day for rock purists and those looking for something with more grit. The Anchoress opened with a dark and compelling set, her haunting vocals and introspective lyrics setting her apart as one of the most innovative artists on the bill.
Public Service Broadcasting brought a unique, multimedia experience to the stage. Their mix of archival footage, electronic beats, and live instruments makes for a mesmerising, immersive experience. They’re not necessarily a band that command attention like rock legends, but with their corduroy-clad getups and array of obscure instruments, you can’t help but find yourself captivated by them. I’m certain a highlight for the Staffordshire-based audience will have been Spitfire, with the band nodding to our homegrown Reginald Mitchell ahead of the track.
By the time the Manic Street Preachers arrived, the anticipation was palpable, and the Welsh rockers wasted no time launching into a set packed with their biggest hits and deeper cuts. Tracks like Motorcycle Emptiness and A Design for Life reverberated through the grounds, their anthemic sound bolstered by James Dean Bradfield’s impassioned vocals and guitar work. Nicky Wire was in fine form, sharing stories of the many times they’d performed in Staffordshire. My friend Kerry would be able to recall the exact dates sooner than her own date of birth, with the Trentham event marking her 55th time seeing the band live since 1998. Their performance was nothing short of masterful, cementing their place as music legends as they closed the set with If You Tolerate This Then Your Children Will Be Next.
As someone who grew up in the noughties though, Sunday was the night for me, bringing a more playful, pop-punk sound to the stage to close out the festival. I was first introduced to the band Soap during Busted’s reunion tour, so it was great to get reacquainted with them and their catchy melodies in tracks like Funeral and Bad Mood.
Dadi Freyr, known for his quirky style and infectious energy, followed up with a set that was equal parts fun and eccentric. His Eurovision hit Think About Things was a standout moment, but it was his dry wit and unapologetic approach that made him one of my favourite acts of the whole weekend.
Finally, Busted took to the stage for the festival’s grand finale. The trio’s set was a blast of pop-punk nostalgia, filled with fan favourites like What I Go To School For and Air Hostess, alongside more emotional hits Sleeping With The Light On and 3am. Matt Willis was his usual loveable self making James Bourne and Charlie Simpson chuckle and smirk endlessly with his cheeky antics, while the trio also ticked off a ‘first’ for the band by carrying out a fan’s gender reveal on stage (it was a boy!)
Their chemistry was undeniable – even some 20 years on from their debut, the band are still as thick as thieves, their performance packed with energy and humour. Highlights for me included Thunderbirds, Crashed The Wedding, their cover of James’s favourite band Hanson’s MMMbop and, of course, Year 3000, which really felt like the only way to end the four-day festival.
Once again, Trentham Live was a resounding success, offering a beautifully curated lineup that appealed to a broad range of musical tastes for fans of all ages. The epic performances paired with stellar food vendors and picturesque setting made for the most wonderful weekend of entertainment. I can’t wait to see what next year brings, and have already marked August 14-17 in my diary and recommend you do the same.
