Amped on Tour: A Visit to Chorley Live Fringe Festival
2–3 October 2026 | News & Updates
Following the success of our first Amped Berwick Fringe Festival earlier this summer, we were delighted to be invited to visit Chorley Live Fringe Festival in Lancashire.
Representatives from Chorley had visited Berwick during our inaugural festival in July, and the invitation provided a fantastic opportunity to return the favour, experience their event first-hand and learn from another community-led music festival.
Over the weekend, Amped founder Darren Holleywell explored the festival, met with organisers and connected with some brilliant people working to support grassroots live music.
It was particularly valuable to see how another town approaches festival programming, works with local venues and businesses, and creates opportunities for musicians to perform in accessible community spaces.
Sharing Ideas and Building Connections
One of the most rewarding aspects of the visit was the opportunity to exchange ideas, discuss the challenges of delivering community music events and explore possibilities for future collaboration.
Although every town has its own character, there is plenty of common ground when it comes to supporting emerging talent, encouraging audiences to discover live music and helping local businesses benefit from cultural activity.
For Amped, building relationships with other festivals and music organisations is an important part of developing our own approach and ensuring Berwick's growing music scene can connect with opportunities further afield.
Bringing Ideas Back to Berwick
With our first Fringe Festival now behind us, we're already thinking about how we can build on its success in 2027.
Visits like this provide valuable inspiration, practical learning and new connections that can help us continue to develop a festival that feels genuinely rooted in Berwick and its community.
A huge thank you to everyone involved in Chorley Live for the warm welcome, conversations and hospitality.
Here's to new friendships, shared ideas and exciting possibilities for the future of grassroots music!
Building confidence and creativity through music.
