A record 21 homegrown bands and artists will take to the stage at Parr Hall when Warrington Music Festival’s Winter Showcase returns in January 2027, celebrating the town’s thriving grassroots music scene.
The all-day celebration of emerging musical talent takes place on **Saturday, January 23**, promising its biggest line-up yet and offering audiences a taste of what to expect from the summer festival.
This year’s event will feature 21 local bands and artists performing on the historic Parr Hall stage, with rising Warrington four-piece Freight topping the bill.
The band, from Thelwall and Lymm, have been making waves on the local and wider music scene. Recent highlights include supporting New York band We Are Scientists during the summer and announcing their biggest headline show to date at Manchester’s Gorilla.
For Freight, the headline slot represents something of a full-circle moment, having previously performed at the Winter Showcase during their early days.
Frontman Luka Gunes, a former Priestley College student, said: “As a Warrington band, to be headlining the Winter Showcase at Parr Hall is really such a privilege that we don’t take for granted at all.
“It’s a real compliment from Steve Oates and all of the crew for selecting us to close a festival which we have been a part of for the past few years.
“This festival was one of the first bigger stages we played and it feels very much like we’ve come full circle to be top of the bill now.
“I really don’t know where we would be without the help of the Winter Showcase and summer music festival!
“If you can get down for it on 23 January, you will not be disappointed. The line-up features 12 hours of amazing bands and for less than a tenner, it’s a no brainer!”
Held under the banner of Warrington Music Festival, the showcase is hosted by arts charity Culture Warrington and Score Creative Ltd, which supports young musicians across the town.
The event aims to raise the profile of emerging artists who have been making their mark on Warrington’s music scene and provide them with an opportunity to take the next step in their musical careers.
Score Creative’s Steve Oates, who established Warrington Music Festival in 2007, said: “It’s fantastic to see the Warrington Music Festival Winter Showcase return to the iconic Parr Hall stage in 2027.
“Warrington has a wealth of home-grown musical talent, and this event is all about giving local artists the opportunity to perform on one of the town’s most prestigious stages.
“We’re really excited to bring together another great line-up and celebrate the incredible music being created right here in Warrington.”
The Winter Showcase has become an important platform for local musicians, giving up-and-coming acts the chance to perform in front of new audiences while helping build momentum ahead of the main summer festival.
With 21 acts and around 12 hours of live music promised, the 2027 edition looks set to be the biggest celebration of Warrington’s homegrown music talent yet.
Event details
– Event: Warrington Music Festival – Winter Showcase
– Date: Saturday, January 23, 2027
– Start time: 12.30pm
– Venue: Parr Hall, Palmyra Square South, Warrington, WA1 1BL
– Tickets: From £7
Tickets are on sale now.
For bookings and further information, call the Parr Hall Box Office on 01925 442345 or visit https://parrhall.culturewarrington.org/whats-on
