Head for the Hills

Fri 1 & Sat 2 September

The Met’s much-loved music festival Head for the Hills returns for 2023 as part of Burrs Live.

Expect two full days of great music across two stages, artisan food and craft beer, arts areas, strolling theatre, circus skills workshops and lots of family fun. All perfectly framed by the stunning views of Burrs Country Park, with grand steam trains passing through on the East Lancs railway.

Looking for a detailed timetable of the festival? Go here.

Friday 1 September

Featuring…

The Slow Reader’s Club – One of the greatest self-made success stories in recent British rock history, Manchester’s The Slow Reader’s Club have built an army of fans for their anthemic electro rock sound through multiple album releases, and years of relentless gigging. We’re thrilled to welcome them to Burrs as our new Head for the Hills Friday night headliner.

Huw and the Greater Good – Soulful and psychedelic band led by Huw Eddy who have stolen the hearts of music fans at festivals across the UK. Their live show is lauded as a liberating and powerful experience, delivering nonstop, heart-on-sleeve and profoundly emotive moments.

Cut Capers – Bristol nine-piece who mix brass with funk, dance, and hip-hop.

The Deep Blue – Manchester four-piece who play bittersweet but emotive indie-folk; rich in vocal harmonies over a bed of Fleetwood Mac-esque grooves.

Gentlemen of Few – An eclectic blend of indie/pop rock, fusing skilful vocal harmonies with 80’s guitar and synth sounds.

Daudi Matsiko – Ugandan singer-songwriter and guitarist whose deft, melancholic modern folk is reminiscent of Nick Drake, but tempered by contemporary percussion.

Katherine Priddy – Folk artist whose work is delivered with emotional maturity, depth and tenderness alongside lyrics that speak to her life-long love affair with literature and poetry.

Ainsley Hamill – Acclaimed Scottish folk singer exploring new sounds and ideas.

Izzie Walsh – Multi-award winning musician with a unique sound that blends country, bluegrass, folk and Americana.

Guacamaya Latin Band – This energetic Manchester band play Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, Latin Pop, Latin and Jamaican Reggae, Pop Rock, Bossa Nova, Rumba, Son Cubano, and Flamenco. Feel the Latin mood and dance in the Latin way!

Mr Wilson’s Second Liners – A traditional New Orleans Second Line band who channel the spirit of the 24 hour party people, paying homage to the diehard days of the Hacienda and 90s club culture.

Please note that our previously advertised Friday headliners The Proclaimers have unfortunately had to withdraw from the festival due to medical advice. Learn more here.

Saturday 2 September

Featuring…

The Selecter – Legendary 2-tone band featuring Pauline Black, Arthur ‘Gaps’ Hendrickson, and Charley ‘Aitch’ Bembridge. The anarchic passion that fuelled their gigs during the original 2-Tone era is still there with the band currently writing the best songs of their career, which is saying something given the enduring popularity of hits like Three Minute Hero, Too Much Pressure and On My Radio.

Seb Lowe – Singer-songwriter Seb Lowe is an open-hearted and politically-literate wordsmith who picks at society’s irresistibly itchy scabs with razor-sharp wit.

Lottery Winners – Leigh-based band who recently topped the UK album charts with their new release Anxiety Replacement Therapy.

Trunc – Northerner and Manchester based artist Martha Phillips, better known as TRUNC, continues to establish herself as one of the most distinctive voices in the queer punk scene.

Dutch Uncles – Much-revered electro art rock quartet from Manchester. In March, the group released their long-awaited sixth album True Entertainment to rave reviews. The album showcases some of the most delightfully fun Dutch Uncles music to date; paired with some of their most existential and introspective lyrics.

DENOVA – Alternative pop/rock band from Manchester with a distinctively synth driven sound.

Elephant Sessions – Trad, funk and electronica group whose music blends intricate tunes, and engulfing guitars, with a bass and drum heavy backline, resulting in a new and exciting sound.

Lewis McLaughlin – Scottish singer-songwriter who blends indie, folk, pop and rock with strong influences from the likes of Bon Iver and Sylvan Esso.

Nati Dreddd – Nati has amassed an army of global fans with her musicianship and dreamy vocals. She’s previously supported the likes of Tidelines, Newton Faulkner and Simply Red.

The Lighter Jams – An off-shoot from popular Manchester reggae band Jeramiah Ferrari, this duo play a selection of popular soul, pop, rock and reggae covers with passion and charisma.

Urban Theory – Hard hitting, indie-punk guitar band from Bury. Their music takes on a wide and varied range of influences and captures a raw, gritty live energy, that roams in and out of punk, new wave, and indie guitar rock.

Family fun

Head for the Hills doesn’t just feature an amazing programme of music – we also have a wealth of great activities to keep children and families entertained.

Animal-themed Yoga/Dance (Fri 1 & Sat 2 Sep) – Fun animal-themed yoga and dance sessions for the whole family with The Met’s very own movement expert; Danielle Brady.

Arts and Crafts with Bury Art Museum (Fri 1 Sep) – Get crafty with Bury Art Museum and make your very own animal masks!

Bhangra Dance Workshop with Sohan Kailey (Fri 1 Sep) – Learn the art of vibrant Bhangra dancing – a journey from the traditional to modern day fusion Bhangra beats and dance!

Nature Crafts with Lancashire Wildlife Trust (Sat 2 Sep) – Discover the wonderful world of nature at Burrs Park through environmental arts and crafts and interactive family activities.

Seed planting with Incredible Edible Brandlesholme (Fri 1 & Sat 2 Sep) – Mindful planting seeds activity for all the family to join in.

The League of Curiousity presents The School of Curiousity Campfire Tales (Fri 1 & Sat 2 Sep)

We’ll be announcing more acts over the coming weeks, so keep your eyes peeled for further exciting announcements.