Congleton Unplugged returns this weekend with more than 60 free-entry gigs
The town is gearing up for a weekend of music.
Congleton Unplugged gets underway on Friday (March 21), with more than 60 free-entry gigs taking place over the weekend.
This year's festival is spread across 20 independent venues, including pubs, clubs, cafes, restaurants, a local brewery, a hotel and even the Cross Street Pentecostal Church, which will be operating a zero-alcohol policy.
Mark Bailey, chair of Congleton Live CIC Ltd, said: "We are excited to be heading into 2025, having delivered festivals for Congleton since 2010.
"We stand on the shoulders of previous creative committees and founders, always hoping to do justice to them, and all stakeholders.
"Our festivals have gone from strength to strength, developing in terms of quality and numbers of performances.
"All of this is made possible with the efforts of our volunteers, generous sponsors, supporting venues, talented performers, and our much-appreciated audiences."
While Congleton Unplugged officially starts on Friday, there was a ticketed launch event on Saturday (March 15).
The Beartown Brewery hosted a performance from 'Bring on the Swing', with support from 'Almaz'.
There is a second ticketed event ahead the festival on Wednesday (March 19).
John Lindley, a former Cheshire Poet Laureate, will host a multi-media event entitled 'Bob Dylan's Blues' at the Town Hall.
Congleton Live CIC Limited is the community interest company that corrals the volunteers who organise Congleton's 'Unplugged' and 'Jazz & Blues' music festivals, the latter of which first took place in 2010.
Chair Mark has urged patrons to get out and support the venues taking part in this year's festival.
He said: "Our venues pay all performers as well as extra staffing on festival days.
"The net result is that thousands of us have a great time over three days and nights of free entry gigs - I urge audiences to buy something from each of the venues they attend, if only to keep this beautiful ball in motion."
Since 2021, Congleton Live have surveyed the venues that take part as a way of measuring the impact of the festivals.
"The feedback is hugely positive in terms of the impact on revenues and footfall, while Unplugged is like a kick-start to the year," Mark added.
"Further evidence may be assumed in that two of our financial sponsors, namely Congleton Market Quarter and Beartown Brewery are also loyal venues for our festivals.
"Other sponsors, AD Profile Design, Hammond Mc Nulty, Eze Talk, Marks Events, CMJ Embroidery, and our town council and trust bodies have been supporting us for years, which we take as a further affirmation of our efforts.
"Finally, we are always proud to read our social media messages after our festivals - the reaction from supporters is hugely gratifying."
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