Vintage By The Sea Programme
Get ready for an unforgettable weekend in Morecambe for Vintage by the Sea! Described by The Guardian as one of the ‘Top Five Retro Events in the World’, the festival now attracts 40,000+ visitors per year!
Download our festival programme PDF for all the details, including performance times and must-see attractions.
Vintage by the Sea After Party
Vintage by the Sea After Party presents DJ Paulette and guests! In 2024 we're delighted to welcome DJ Paulette to the stage. One of the Haçienda’s first female DJs, Paulette has scaled the heights of the music industry, playing to crowds of thousands all around the world. DJ Paulette is a legend of the UK's dance music scene. She's one of the nation's first black female DJs, revered for her unmatched charisma behind the decks. In 2022 Paulette was winner of the DJ Mag Top 100 Lifetime Achievement Award.
Join us and dance the night away on a musical journey through funk, disco, classic house, and acid house.
The People’s Bandstand
Good Things Collective is delighted to bring back the People’s Bandstand to Vintage by the Sea 2024. They’ll be offering a safe and inclusive space all weekend, with good company and good vibes.
Saturday will offer relaxed, hands-on creativity to connect over and stay as long as you like, with bunting making and open mic. Sunday will host the End of the Pier all-day cabaret! Building on the successes of last year’s debut, Good Things Collective have worked with their collective to develop some of the highlights and bring them back bigger and better (The Big Gay Sing-Along and the Re-Generation Game are just two examples!)
For anyone keen to join the choir leading the sing-along - open rehearsals will be held at 1 pm on Sunday afternoons for four weeks leading up to Vintage - expect good vibes and lively tunes. Contact admin@queerbygum.org.uk for more details.
Also featuring; Revamp Raccoons Time-Travel Clothes Rail, Sound Cafe, The Nib Crib, Pre-loved Prized and much more.
Vintage Bike Ride
Before the cycle commences, our judges will cast a stylish eye or two over the congregated cyclists, awarding Vintage Festival’s notorious Best in Show rosettes and prizes to the most outstanding vintage bikes and cyclewear on display.
Best in Show
It’s the glamourous folks of Morecambe and the visitors from miles around that make Vintage by the Sea such a visual and atmospheric feast.
The festival provides a peerless palette of street styles and our spotters will be on the hunt for the best looks. Taking place against the glamorous backdrop of the iconic 1930s Midland Hotel, the Best in Show pop-up catwalk will feature some of the best looks and most authentic gear spotted around the festival.
Vintage Bus Rides
Enter a world of time travel and discover Morecambe the easy way by jumping onboard one of the four Vintage Buses across the festival weekend. In partnership with the Ribble Vehicle Preservation Trust, these classic transportation vehicles will be ferrying passengers up and down the promenade in style.
Avoid the need for parking at the festival and jump on board the buses either in Heysham Village or Happy Mount Park and arrive in true vintage style!
DJs
Grab a drink and enjoy the perfect festival soundtrack curated by an incredible lineup of DJs. Dance your way through 20th-century classics, featuring an eclectic mix of Northern Soul, Funk, Jazz, and everything in between.
Street Food
Sample evocative street food from our finest mobile eateries, serving everything from delicious locally sourced seafood chowder to wood-fired pizza and tasty Mexican dishes to loaded burgers. Sweet tooth? We've got you covered with handmade ices and cakes galore!
Classic Car Show
The Classic Car Show returns to Morecambe, showcasing a handpicked selection of stunning vintage vehicles with the backdrop of the iconic Midland Hotel. Our encyclopaedic array of cars takes in Triumphs, Morris Minors, a 1981 Delorean and many more.
Visitors will be taken on a journey through truly vintage automotive design. And not to be forgotten, Vintage by the Sea awards the most prestigious vehicle with the Classic Car Best in Show prize!
Free Family Workshops
Inspired by the vintage decades, fabulous workshops await all you crafty sorts. From 11 till 5:30pm, visit our vintage inspired maker space where you can try your hand at all kinds of crafts and traditional skills.
Lose yourself in retro visuals, seaside crafts and vintage techniques. There’s something for all ages and best of all ....most of our workshops will be totally free to try!
Vintage Market Place
The marvellous Vintage Market Place curated by Dotty’s Vintage is back.
The very best authentic traders are hand-picked by Dotty’s Vintage, a haven where keen shoppers discover the most magnificent mid-century homewares, refined frockery, and fantastic fashion from the 20s to the 90s. A cornucopia of unexpected delights plus much more!
Let’s Make it 80s
Get totally tubular with UK Mobile Studio Let's Make Art and create 80's designs on your own wicked jacket. Think neon, George Micheal, 80s duvet designs and geometric motifs! Step back into the 80s in this brand new commission for Vintage by the Sea - perfect for families. Decorate a jacket to wear around the festival or take part in other craft activities, all inspired by the iconic decade. Pop on some silent disco headphones to get in the groove.
Rumbi Tauro
Immerse yourself in the captivating blend of lilting melodies and soothing, soulful sounds from the incredible Rumbi Tauro. Bringing her own flavour of soulful R&B which is light and breezy on the ears, Rumbi has music in her DNA.
Having performed across the UK at venues such as Headrow House, Band on the Wall, The Leadmill, Tramlines Festival, Boxpark Croydon, and the Deaf Institute, Rumbi is an artist not be missed!
The Poetry Machine
Free poems created in conversation with you! Just follow the clatter of poet Beth Calverley’s vintage typewriter. Beth will ask you some gentle questions and weave your words into a typewritten poem to take away with you. Just follow the clatter of her vintage typewriter and look out for the machine’s bright yellow umbrella, flagpole and bubble engine. Feel free to come on your own or bring a friend or group. Pop by and sign up on Beth’s chalkboard.
The Makers Market
Come and browse the maker market on Saturday and Sunday, set in the spectacular Midland Hotel. Carefully selected by Hopeful & Glorious, master makers sell the very best of handmade and upcycled craft, paying homage to vintage style, kitsch and nostalgia. A treasure trove of unique and unexpected one of a kind items await!
Vintage Fairground
Step back in time and rejoice in old time family fun. The Vintage Fairground is returning to Morecambe Bay, bringing a collection of Heritage fairground rides for all the family!
Bradford to Morecambe Car Rally
From Bentleys to Buicks, you’ll be able to feast your eyes on over 100 vintage cars arriving along the promenade in a grand cavalcade to the Bay area, as they finish the route of this traditional 130 miles round trip rally. For one day only, you’ll be able to see this historic parade of classic cars, bikes and buses glide across the magnificent backdrop of Morecambe Bay.
Boogie Ballroom
Boogie on down to the Little Big Top—a dancer's paradise! Whether you're an old-school groover or new to the dance floor, this lively spot has big beats that will make you want to shake your tail feathers! With an exciting lineup of dance classes, the Boogie Ballroom is sure to get the whole family up and dancing.
The Vegetable Nannies
The Let’s Grow Nannies are two eccentric gardeners who're out for a day trip with their family of little ones. So, if you see an old pram brimming with some beautiful bouncing baby fruits and vegetables, come over and say hello! No doubt the nannies could use a hand with feeding and taking care of all their adorable babes. Endearing characters include Jessica, the Sweet-Potato beauty queen; Oz the talented little Courgette who dreams of becoming an actor; and Babs, the daring down-hill racing Watermelon!
Collaging with Amy Quinn
Pop by for a contemporary collage workshop where you will create an art deco inspired composition with vintage magazines, memorabilia and abstract embellishments.
The Tar Pit
Jwllrs x kitchenUNIT present: The Tar Pit
After 20 years of weathering, Morecambe Skatepark has been resurfaced. To celebrate the re/opening of this now vintage skatepark, Jwllrs are hosting a two day jam around iconic ramps, producing new artworks, and hosting music from the local skate community. Expect a deck-shaping workshop; screenprinting of artwork from Harry Mills, Shaun Wilkinson and logo artwork by French; Skateboard Lessons with Doug Duckett and yoga for skaters with Rachel Walsh.
Winding with Nowshin Prenon
Nowshin Prenon is a UK based textile artist and weaver interested in the relationship of colour and form, which she uses to create layered textiles. Join her in a step-by-step introduction to winding and weaving workshop. Using hand dyed yarns, Nowshin will guide you through creating an art piece to take home.
Melodrome Music Stage
Enjoy a weekend of free live music from the one of a kind Melodrome Music Stage! With an energetic and dance-fueling mixture of contemporary favourites with a nostalgic twist, to straight up feet tapping soulful classics with fans that span generations, a unique good time tonic for all!
The Vintage Hair & Beauty Salon
What's a soul to do after they’ve purchased all their new gear from the Vintage Marketplace? The Vintage Hair & Beauty Salon provides makeovers to keep you vintage-fabulous, day and night, with looks from the 1920s to the 1980s. Think vintage styles from 30s finger wave, 50s cat-eyeliner and red lips, 60s bouffant beehives, 70s Farrah Fawcett flicks and 80s New Romantic curls.
Book on the day or contact Evonne at Mrs Smith Hair on 01995 238907.
Bird Rave
Come and watch the performance, learn some old-school rave moves, create your own plumage headpiece, and go bird spotting around Morecambe Bay.
Kitsch & Sync
Kitsch & Sync are a curiously quirky dance theatre and performance collective. Fusing different dance genres, characters and prop work and comedy with a vintage or retro twist. Audiences can expect quirky choreography, surreal characters, toe tapping tunes and a dressing-up box bursting with enough vintage clobber to make your gran proud!
Diamond Awl Leather Workshop
A long-standing Festival favourite, Diamond Awl Leather Workshop share their expert craftsmanship in the art of leatherworking with these special taster sessions. During the workshop, you will get the opportunity to learn some traditional leather skills, including hand stitching, beveling and burnishing.
Visit the workshop marquee to book your place.
Laura Sandham School of Dance
Experience the magic of dance as the talented students of Laura Sandham School of Dance take the stage at Vintage By The Sea! This Lancaster-based studio, known for welcoming dancers of all ages, will showcase a spectacular routine that highlights some of their finest choreography. Don’t miss this captivating performance!
Walking Down the Street Gamelan
More Music’s Walking Down the Street Gamelan is a beautiful-sounding collection of recycled instruments for pre-school children aged 0 – 5 and their families. Music made on the gamelan is exploratory and improvised as a rule. Musicians follow the children’s lead, reinforcing, mirroring, jamming. Occasional outbursts of song and applause!
Paper Weaving with Molly Bland
Lancashire-based artist Molly Bland invites you to explore the work of Anni Albers through a family-friendly paper weaving activity. Anni Albers combined the ancient craft of hand-weaving with the language of modern art. A student at the radical Bauhaus School of Art in the 1920s, she made waves in the world of art and design. During this drop-in, family friendly workshop, have a go at making your own paper weaving, inspired by Albers’ work and artist Molly Bland’s bold and colourful practice.
Street Theatre
Our vintage themed entertainers might pop-up anywhere at the festival! Unexpected and surprising, watch out for roaming street acts and fabulous performances - from the classicaly vintage to the wonderfully absurd. Guaranteed to make all ages smile.
Philippa Zawe
Philippa Zawe is a Yorkshire-based singer-songwriter. She is of Ugandan heritage and her songwriting is inspired by the rich stories that are told around her and that lie within her. Her vocals are earnest and soulful, resonating with emotional depth, while her gentle, romantic guitar melodies and lilting, hypnotic strings create an enchanting musical landscape.
The Surellas
The Surellas are an all-woman trio based in Lancashire, channelling Folk music with elements of Psychedelia. With their melancholy riffs, evocative lyrics and ethereal harmonies, The Surellas will captivate you and leave you feeling elated. Expect tunes by Mazzy Star, Cocteau Twins, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Simon & Garfunkel and more!
Hip Hop Workshop with UC Crew
Join the nationally acclaimed UC Crew, an award-winning Hip Hop organisation, and dive into the world of breakdancing! Master epic moves and groove to the hottest beats with the best in the bizz.
Face Painting
Unleash your creativity and have your face painted! Turn yourself into a beloved animal, your favourite character or why not adorn yourself with beautiful artwork for all to see!
Dance with Hoc & Mark!
Step back in time in elegance and glamour by joining dance experts Hoc & Mark Ewing in the Midland Hotel. Immerse yourself in the art of iconic dances such as the foxtrot, tango, and waltz. You can also dance into the evening with music from The Melody Man and Hoc & Mark in the Midland Hotel.
Dance with Anthony and Steph!
Twirl your way across the Midland Carpark with flair. The Pop-up Charleston Dance Classes with Anthony and Steph are back! Learn the toes-in, heels-out twisting steps and bring the Charleston to life outside The Midland Hotel. Whether you’re flying solo, with a partner or with the whole family, these dance classes will transport you back to the roaring 20s with style!
Hattie Bee
Step back in time with Hattie Bee, a talented vintage singer who will enchant you with her captivating performances of timeless vintage classics. Don't miss the opportunity to join in singing along with her and immerse yourself in the nostalgic charm of a bygone era.
Baybeat Street Band
Get ready to shake your tail feather with the Baybeat Street Band! Catch them roaming about Vintage by the Sea playing the grooviest of beats that will keep you dancing all day long! Baybeat Streetband is More Music’s longest-running project, playing since 1993 and definitely one not to miss!
noyou
Blending Alternative guitar driven aggression with a vintage synthetic sheen, the sound of noyou will send you hurtling towards the future in a vehicle of nostalgia and familiar charm. Having formed in 2019 and released a steady stream of music since, the lads took some time out in late 2023 to really focus on their songwriting and refine their sound. Now they're back in 2024 and celebrating the release of their brand new EP, 'Poor Hearted'.
Caravanalogue
A quirky retro mobile touring workshop with analogue and hand powered facilities! Join Kerris and Leonie in their classic safari caravan, which is being lovingly restored and is ready to host workshops at Vintage by the Sea. Make your own bunting on a hand or foot powered machine and use printmaking techniques to make it your own.
The Leyland Band
Leyland Band is one of the UK’s finest brass bands. Lancashire-based and proud, they perform bespoke and entertaining concerts across the UK and abroad. Be sure not to miss their special performance at Vintage by the Sea!
The Luca Brasi Group
Immerse yourself in the vibrant rhythms and soulful sounds of mid-twentieth-century jazz, as you sway and groove to the irresistible melodies of swing, bebop, and timeless jazz classics.
TC and the Swing Cats
Come and groove to the beat of TC and the Swing Cats! This group of talented musicians will serenade you with their rendition of the finest Juke Joint Jive, Hot Swing & Cowboy Jazz tunes from the 1930s to the early 1950s. Don't miss this exciting experience that will surely tickle your ears!
Bookbinding with Bonnie Craig
Play with colour, shape and pattern to design your own artwork and make it into an artist’s book to take home. Using artwork created by artist Bonnie Craig and printed on the Morecambe Community Riso Press, you’ll add your own designs and learn how to use a simple bookbinding technique to make a book out of a single sheet of paper.
Georgie Weston
Imagine yourself in a dimly lit whisky bar in the early hours of the morning. The bartender, sharp in his bow tie, quietly polishes a glass, the air is thick with nostalgia, and from behind an upright piano, the soulful voice of a hopeless romantic, Georgie Weston, fills the space. Inspired by the soundtrack of his youth, take a step back in time and listen to the sounds of Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Burt Bacharach plus more.
Dance with Sohan Kailey
Learn the art of vibrant Bhangra and Bollywood dancing! With over 20 years of expertise, Sohan Kailey will take learners on a culturally rich journey from the traditional to modern day fusion of Bhangra beats and dance!
Puppet Making with Neil Donoghue
Come and join Neil from series 10 of The Great British Sewing Bee for a puppet making workshop. Using vintage books as source material, you can cut, sew, and stick to make either a wooden spoon puppet or a clown stick puppet to take home.
Jukebox – The Teenage Revolution
Throughout 2024, Mirador and its partner, Lancaster University Library, are creating an outstanding artistic and heritage programme celebrating the jukebox and teen culture in the 1950s & 60s.
It reveals how the distinctive British jukebox was created on the seaside coast of Lytham and Blackpool and captures memories of people who lived through this period. It is a celebration of their life and times – their freedom to explore their own tastes in music, fashion and styles. At Vintage by the Sea, experience an installation of sound, memory and nostalgia, recognising the place jukeboxes hold in local cultural history.
The Alhambra Theatre
Staying in Morecambe but not yet got evening plans? Across the weekend our friends at The Alhambra Theatre in Morecambe have programmed a spectacular lineup of music inspired by Vintage by the Sea that will get you grooving and moving all night long!
On Friday August 30th, expect an unforgettable evening featuring The Signatures with Stefan Taylor on vocals, followed by the legendary Flirtations performing soul classics and original hits. Vinyl DJ sets will keep the vibes alive all night long.Fuji Speedway
Fuji Speedway is a dynamic five-piece fusion band hailing from Sheffield, making waves with their energetic sound. They’re at the forefront of Sheffield's burgeoning progressive jazz and electronic scenes, blending a whirlwind of musical influences, including jazz, funk, electronic, and broken beat.
The Winter Gardens
Visit the stunning Grade II* listed Winter Gardens Theatre, a jewel of Victorian entertainment architecture nestled on Morecambe's picturesque promenade. Rescued from demolition in 1985, this historic venue is a must-see. Throughout the weekend, immerse yourself in heritage tours, enjoy a relaxing break at the café and tearoom, and experience captivating performances from some spectacular musical acts.
Stamp Making with Julia Swarbrick
Make your own 3D handprinted birds with visual artist and printmaker Julia Swarbrick. Be inspired by local seabirds and their fabulous fictional cousins. Design your own decorative stamps and take home a beautiful mobile from the kingdom of flying beasts.
July Julay & The Mambo Kings
July Julay is the UK's premier Dominican Salsa and Bachata singer/guitarist and he's coming to Vintage by the Sea with his band The Mambo Kings, complete with drums, piano, percussion, bass and trumpet. Originally from the Dominican Republic, singer July has been resident in Manchester for over ten years. Upon moving to the UK, July rapidly established a reputation as one of the leading bachata singers in Europe, performing both with his own band and as guest singer with other artists at venues across the UK.
